Making the Most of Networking   Wondering how to make the most of your networking opportunities? Every month, the Porterville Chamber of Commerce schedules various networking events, offering its members excellent opportunities to establish new and important business contacts. In an effort for members to make these events a business success, we offer the following suggestions: _ Use the events as an opportunity to make contact and chat briefly; a sales call should be the follow up to a networking contact. _ Establish a goal for the number of new business contacts or business cards of decision makers you will have at the conclusion of an event. Keep shaking hands until you achieve that goal. _ Use existing contacts. Do not hesitate to ask friends and associates to introduce you to others. _ Be mobile in the crowd. Mix and mingle. _ Spend time with people you don’t know. _ Bring plenty of business cards (your best marketing tool). Do not hesitate to distribute them. _ Effectively use your time at the food and beverage stations to your advantage. Talk with the people near you in line. _ Wear a name tag that includes your first and last name, and company affiliation. The name of your company may generate a great deal of interest. _ Wear the name tag on the right, so as you shake hands your name is easily read. _ Plan for success. Set a goal for the evening and plan to follow up the next day with a note or a phone call.

Extra Hints... - Dress for success - Always look good, and smell good! - To help yourself remember a new contact’s name - repeat it three times in conversation. - Be positive and enthusiastic. - Avoid alcohol or carrying a drink while networking. - Be first to arrive and last to leave. - Pre-plan your personal greeting.   You Made New Contacts, Now What? Keep track of your networking efforts. After an event, make a couple of notes about the people you met and how you might mutually benefit from a relation for follow-up. Then, FOLLOW-UP!

 

 

 

 

Chamber Sponsors FREE Business Sustainability Workshop Series this Summer

It’s time to take your business to the next level. You are invited to get proven results by following the guidelines taught in this program. The goal is help you maximize the success of your business. The workshop series is limited to owners and senior management in companies which employ two to nine people.

The Chamber has engaged the Small Business Development Center to partner in presenting this 13-week program which kicks-off on Monday, June 8th with an orientation session. All courses will be held on Monday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Chamber Conference Room. Sessions will be taught by an SBDC trained instructor and will also include guest presenters addressing ‘real-world’ situations related to the specific evening’s topic. Courses are designed to target small business operations and will focus on growth strategies for creating and sustaining a thriving business.

The course outline includes such topics as: Entrepreneurial Essentials; Management & Legal Structure; Marketing Research, Analysis, and Strategies; Managing Your Money; Financing; Accounting - Books, Records & Controls; Negotiating; Developing and Using Cash Flow Projections; and Planning. Course registration is FREE as are all materials.

The Business Sustainability Workshop Series is co-sponsored by Citizens Business Bank and the City of Porterville, with evening sessions sponsored by one of our many successful small business entrepreneurs. Class size is limited and early registration is recommended. Up to two persons from one business may participate. A certificate of completion will be presented at the final session. Contact the Chamber office to register by May 30th.

It is the Chamber’s mission to help companies be successful in business and networking. Knowledge is power in operating and maintaining a successful business.

 

To Register Call: (559) 784 - 7502 or Email: Chamber@PortervilleChamber.org.

 

Sponsored by:

 

 

 

Tulare County Workforce Investment Board Receives Federal Stimulus Funding

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) recently announced the distribution of approximately $8.97 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) stimulus funds to the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board. The funding is designed to help many unemployed Tulare County workers get back into the workforce. In addition, the funds will provide training for unemployed workers to help them secure jobs in high-demand industries of the future.

Adam Peck, Executive Director of the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board (TCWIB) added, “TCWIB is excited to use Recovery Act funds to invest in innovative strategies with proven effectiveness to put people back to work in high demand occupations.”

Youth funds ($3.96 million) will be invested in putting 1,800 at risk youth to work this summer on projects in communities throughout the County. The Youth@Work program will provide valuable work experience to young people throughout our community while also providing them with valuable work readiness skills.

Funds directed to investments for adults within the County ($4.8 million), will focus on building the skills of job seekers by providing job search skills, career coaching, labor market analysis, on the job training, occupational skills training, basic skills training, and paid internships. The TCWIB will also work with institutions of higher education to implement new training programs, allowing people to gain the skills they need to compete for jobs in high-demand industries.

There will be $217,239 aimed directly at services for existing businesses, including layoff aversion strategies, and services to workers who have been dislocated. For businesses that are growing, investments include targeted strategies for business expansion human resource assistance, job recruitment and placement, internships, work experience, and on-the-job training reimbursement opportunities.

 

To Register Call: (559) 784 - 7502 or Email: Chamber@PortervilleChamber.org.

 

 

 

ARE YOU IN COMPLIANCE YET? AVOID COSTLY FINES BY COMPLYING WITH THE 2009 STATE & FEDERAL POSTING REQUIREMENTS…

 

The Porterville Chamber has again teamed with the California Chamber of Commerce to help businesses comply with labor laws that require employers to post employment posters. Employers must post a compliant Employment Poster in a conspicuous place in the workplace where all employees and applicants can read it. If a business employs workers who speak and read only Spanish, employers must post the minimum wage poster in Spanish. The law also requires employers who have even just one employee whose primary language is Spanish to post their Workers’ Compensation Notice of Carrier in Spanish. Compliant employment posters must also include information about the business’ workers’ compensation benefits, pay day schedule and emergency contacts. Available to local employers are the compliant employment posters in English and Spanish that feature the 16 required state and federal notices all California businesses must display, including: Minimum wage, federal and state; USERRA military leave benefits notice; Emergency notice; Pay day notice; Safety and health (Cal/OSHA); Workers' Compensation; Discrimination and Harassment is Prohibited (DFEH); Family/medical leave, pregnancy (federal and state); Whistleblower protection;

 

Equal employment opportunity; Time off for voting; Polygraph protection; Unemployment insurance/state disability insurance/paid family leave (UI/SDI/PFL).

 

The retail price is $23 non-laminated and $39 laminated. A 10% discount is extended to members, and no shipping charge. Similar postings that have been reviewed are offered at a significantly higher cost; so, the Porterville Chamber is very pleased that the California Chamber and CalBizCentral assist in providing a quality compliance product at a reasonable cost to local businesses. Non-members and businesses through-out Tulare County may purchase the required posters through the Porterville Chamber. Order today by contacting the Porterville Chamber of Commerce at 784-7502. Additional business products and full compliance kit packages are also available.