NETWORK YOUR WAY TO THE TOP

I had the recent honor to address the future of business in the Redlands area.  I was asked to lead a “Networking Tips” panel in front of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network.  I can tell you that if this group is an indication of our future, we are indeed going to be very bright. We were led by our own great example of a Young Professional – Marissa Kramer, our President Elect, who has done a great job of reaching out to our younger members to help them develop skills and network outside of the regular chamber meetings.  “Young” professional can be defined as anyone 40 or under – or those who just “think” they are.   What is the great thing about these panel discussions?  You end up learning as much as you are sharing.  This was a well spent two hours of dynamic conversation with our own generation-next.  Here are a few of the tips we shared about making the most of your networking opportunities.

1. Take inventory of your personal/profession value.  What is your own value proposition?  Do you sell homes? Or do you help people realize their dreams? Create your own value statement.
2. Make authentic connections.  When in a large group, it is better to make a few meaningful contacts rather than shake everyone’s hand.
3. First impressions matter. Your posture and eye contact are the impressions made before you even open your mouth.  Smile, look at them in the eye with sincerity, and give them a solid (not Superman) handshake.
4. Be interested in them.  Be sincere with your questions about their lives.  Be specific.  Know that people don’t care about what you know until they know that you care.
5. Keep it real.  Own your own awkwardness.  In a big group setting, everyone is a little nervous, even if they don’t show it.  Be the first to introduce your-self.  Break the ice!
6. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.  Have a plan if important people are attending your meeting.  Keep conversations short at first.  Make a goal of 2-3 meaningful contacts.  They will add up over time.
7. Find a mentor.  There are so many people willing to help!  Ask them to mentor you on a specific topic.  Ask them to allow you to try a new approach on them.  You will make lifelong connections.

Networking in a city the size of Redlands is a great way to build your business.  We have a wonderful reputation of service and friendly business owners.  Get out there and meet one today.

Redlands Chamber to hold City Council Candidate Interviews

This year the citizens of the City of Redlands will be asked to choose council members from three new districts and select a candidate to represent the city at large.

The perks of district voting, in which a city is divided into sections and residents living in each part elect their own council member, include better representation because the constituent pool is smaller, and campaigns cost less, making it easier for more people to run for office.

On the downside, district voting can lead council members to be more concerned about their own part of town rather than the city as a whole, and it tends to promote bargaining rather than consensus building among council members.

District elections were forced upon the city and are now the reality. This year Districts, 1, 3 and 5 will have an election to select representatives and one seat representing the at large population will also be on the ballot.

To help the voters better understand who the candidates are and what they bring to the seat, the Chamber’s Government Review Committee will invite each candidate to meet with a panel in each of the districts. Following the interviews the Chamber will also host forums in each of the districts inviting the local constituents to join them to learn about each of the candidates asking for their votes.

The chamber will also host a City Council Candidates Academy inviting all candidates to meet with City staff and department heads to learn first-hand what departments do, where responsibility lies, what kind of budgets are allocated to each department, how the process works.

Sir Francis Bacon noted, “Knowledge is Power”, and in the case of selecting elected representation it is essential.

Home Instead Senior Care, the freedom and choice to age at home

The Home Instead Senior Care family network of locally owned franchise offices was developed with a passionate desire to be your trusted in-home care agency, to help your family keep your aging mother, father, grandparents or friends in their home as they grow older.

The Home Instead Senior Care network has been delivering in-home care for over 20 years. All of the highly trained CAREGivers℠ are bonded and insured for peace of mind. They offer many different types of in-home care that can be individualized to meet the needs of any family members.

Home Instead Senior Care developed the highest quality dementia caregiver training program available. They have helped change the way people live with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

As the Home Instead Senior Care network grew, they saw first-hand the old reality of aging and they set out to change that. Their mission is a future where all people could age with greater hope and success. They strive to make that mission a reality with every life we are privileged to touch.

Neither giving nor receiving care is easy. Home Instead Senior Care^® puts relationships first to support those giving care, to protect the dignity of those receiving care, a​​​​​nd to enhance the quality of life for both seniors and their families in every caregiving experience.

​Home Instead Senior Care offers affordable in-home care services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The family will work with a care coordinator at the local office to set a care schedule that works best for the entire family. Rates depend on your specific care needs and vary by location.

From personal care services to hospice care support and many care needs in between, the local Home Instead Senior Care offices offer a broad range of services that can be tailored to meet your family’s unique needs and preferences. While the tasks of each service might differ, the goal for all types of care remains the same: To enhance the lives of seniors and their families.

​Conditions like dementia or arthritis may come with unique care challenges, but the Home Instead Senior Health team can help. Their specialized training programs equip Home Instead CAREGivers to help seniors cope with their condition while maximizing their capabilities. Home Instead Senior Care services can help meet a variety of care needs related to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, arthritis, Parkinson’s, diabetes, depression, and other conditions.

If you would like more information about Home Instead Senior Health Services or would like to discuss your family’s needs, call 370-0343, or log onto www.homeinstead.com