How do you continue to network when social gatherings are cancelled and everyone is required to keep their distance?
This is a question that the 91原创 Chamber of Commerce had to field from day one of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With in-person events such as their 鈥淟unch and Learn鈥� sessions deemed an exposure risk, Kristi Maier, director of member relations, said the Chamber team had to get creative.
鈥淚t was really interesting in the beginning because we were having networking dinners three times each week,鈥� Maier said. 鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 been negative or positive 鈥� it鈥檚 simply a change.鈥�
Described as the action of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional contacts, the very definition of networking had to change 鈥� particularly for those who provide platforms and education on the subject.
The first major change to the interaction was the installation of Zoom.
鈥淭here was lots of Zoom at first,鈥� Maier said. 鈥淚 think it changed people鈥檚 outlook on virtual networking 鈥� they got used to it after a while.鈥�
Other programs used such as Teams, BlueJeans, or FaceTime have also since been utilized.
Because of the swift shift in technology, Maier said almost everyone has access to networking opportunities.
鈥淓veryone can network from where they are now, which is a positive. You don鈥檛 spend so much time in commute,鈥� Maier noted.
She did acknowledge, however, that a drawback to the digital world is that the face-to-face interaction is lost.
鈥淣ot getting to shake someone鈥檚 hand is a negative or I鈥檝e seen a lot of people who don鈥檛 know when to speak on Zoom,鈥� she acknowledged.
But with many businesses stalled and employees hunkered down in their homes, Maier feels networking more important than ever right now.
鈥淐OVID has changed the way we do business,鈥� Maier said, explaining that this shift in communication is here to stay. 鈥淢any businesses are going to remote work only, so the way they communicate has changed as well.鈥�
Maier said it will be interesting to see how virtual networking will progress and change how others communicate in the years ahead.
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Another major change was the chamber鈥檚 annual golf tournament at the Redwoods, an annual networking extravaganza which saw reduced opportunities for meeting and conversing with others.
鈥淲e were successful in 2020,鈥� Maier said. 鈥淚t was the middle of COVID, but we pulled off a wonderful event. Not everyone was able to do what they normally do as we kept people separated.鈥�
She confirmed a tournament in 2021 will happen, but is not quite sure what that will look like right now.
Until then, any new member who wants to join the chamber and ask questions, or learn how to promote business can turn to the internet for help.
鈥淲e had great success with webinars because even if someone couldn鈥檛 join in, they could watch the program at a later date,鈥� Maier assured.
She said a December webinar on networking was well attended the Chamber plans to hold more.
鈥淐ome check it out and see how it goes 鈥� there鈥檚 no pressure. You can sit back, see how others networkor dive right in. It鈥檚 a positive environment and there is no judgment.鈥�
From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, guests will be provided an opportunity to meet business professionals virtually, establishing or renewing valuable business relationships.
鈥淲e challenge you to order an appetizer from one of the many amazing local restaurants, pour a glass of your favorite local beer and/or wine and join the virtual community for a great chat,鈥� Mair added.
People can visit to find out more and secure their spot.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@aldergrovestar.com
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