"CB Strategies is the new business on the block. Cress Bracci, the consultant, contacted me and asked me a few questions which I thought I would pass on to the business community that knows best how to respond through their own personal experience.
Here's the question she asked:
"I'm looking to find the best business networking for the best use of my time.
I'd like to know how the business community feels about:
1. the Redlands chamber-
Has your business flourished in the chamber's environment? In other words, are you satisfied with the what the Chamber promised to provide?
What would be the advantage for me to join?
What has the chamber done for your business?
I feel the business community should dialogue about such issues - both the upside and the downside. So I would much appreciate honest responses which can be anonymous."
18 comments:
Has your business flourished in the chamber's environment? In other words, are you satisfied with the what the Chamber promised to provide?
Answer: NO, in my 14 years in Redlands, the only time I hear from the Chamber is when my membership fee is due. The director is Hubris and showed her "support" of the local small business on the recent measure trying to limit big box stores. They are all about getting new members so they can keep their huge salaries.
What would be the advantage for me to join?
NONE! Save your $$.
What has the chamber done for your business?
Answer: NOTHING! Except ask for dues and of course donations when the yearly TV auction is nearing.
The Chamber used to be GREAT, when they had the Fireman's Muster and Chili Cook-off, it brought in tens of thousands of people... But their new exec.director has an "issue" with beer so they chose to cancel this event. I bet they dont mind people like Hanger 24 dumping in $$ into their events.....................
Of course this is all just my opinion!
My mother taught me if I didn't have something nice to say...don't say anything.
It's interesting that the Chamber staff supports your new business right up until you join. You think to yourself "How great that you have their support!" You pay your dues, give to the TV auction, and rarely see them again.
The web site is not user friendly at all. It's hard to find who or what you are looking for! It needs to be updated. Was it built in a DOS program or what?
When I brought my concerns of lack of support up to a Chamber employee I was told, "the chamber is like the gym, it doesn't work unless you use it!" What is that supposed to mean?? Well, I didn't join to support them! I joined to get support for my new business! I expected them to put some focus on us! I expected them get the word out! I expected them to continue to come in and see how we were doing!
At least when I didn't renew my membership, they didn't harass me for payment! They hardly noticed at all!
So, best place to network your business and have an advocate who is knowledgeable about Redlands & marketing -- AboutRedlands.com
I don't have any direct experience with the Chamber, other than having gotten a free Redlands map from them several years ago. They do not seem to be doing anything publicly noteworthy that isn't also being done (and perhaps better) by other organizations (e.g DRBA).
I feel that the Chamber's extremely vocal stance against Measure O is at odds with the unique flavor of the town, and what is left of the small-town feel we have. Having a Super Wal-Mart is a distinction that clashes with the image I imagined Redlands would want to project.
Has your business flourished in the chamber's environment?
In other words, are you satisfied with the what the Chamber promised to provide? I'm not sure of their promises but have never benefited from anything the chamber has done as far as I am aware. The Chamber does not attend Downtown business meetings or communicate with retail downtown. Kathy Thurston from the Chamber actually said in a newspaper interview that retail businesses do not belong downtown, that the downtown area should just focus on the service industry. I have never heard regret from the chamber on these comments or an apology so as far as I know this is still the Chamber attitude.
What would be the advantage for me to join?
I have never found an advantage to joining the Redlands Chamber of Commerce.
What has the chamber done for your business?
Nothing
The Claremont Chamber of Commerce has done more for my Claremont store in the last 2 months (at no fee) then the Redlands Chamber has done for me in 5 years. I happily joined the Claremont Chamber.
I joined the Chamber before I even opened my business. I feel that it is necessary to "work the Chamber" for the first several years.
Has your business flourished in the chamber's environment? Yes. because I attend EVERYTHING and am involved in EVERYTHING and give lots of time and effort to C of C. In other words, are you satisfied with the what the Chamber promised to provide? The C of C provides a venue where I can network. They provide little else. I must WORK the C of C. They do not work for me.
What would be the advantage for me to join? If you are new, you need the contacts and exposure. Run an ad in the directory, write articles for the newspaper, show up and schmooze at all functions.
What has the chamber done for your business? Their job is not to DO anything for my business. They provide exposure for ME to DO something.
It is also important to WORK the system everywhere: AboutRedlands.com, Redlands Daily Facts, facebook, charities. snail mail letters, e-mail newsletters, speaking engagements, volunteering, walking the streets and greeting fellow business people. The old saying of "build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door" is true only if the world knows about your mousetrap. Or "If you build it they will come." But they must know that you have built it. All of that is marketing. Nobody DOES IT FOR YOU. And if you are paying somebody else to do it all for you, you will go broke. All the marketing and advertising campaigns in the world will not make up for face to face handshakes in this small town. Also in a small town, we need to do give and take--I scratch your back and you scratch mine. If it is all take take take, the well will dry up.
I had considered joining the Chamber, but also read the article saying that downtown is for restaurants and the service industry. How could I join after that? Not worth the money, or the networking.
Much appreciation for all who have taken the time to respond. So far, it sounds as though the chamber has not responded to the needs of the local businesses. Do you have any suggestions as to what you think the chamber would need to do to make their image sparkle for me to want to join? Do you think they have an ear to hear?
I was a Chamber member for a couple years. There was no benefit. I have no intention of joining again. I own a lovely building two blocks from downtown... no man's land. 15 years into owning my business, what do I do instead? Support other local businesses, give back to the community via giving my time (and money) to major local charities, attend charity events, Facebook business page, snail mail (brochure, newsletter), speaking engagements...
The Chamber of Commerce in Redlands has failed for many years to do the job they were designed to do, promote local business to the community and to those who inquire about our community. They should be assisting new and established businesses to be successful through awareness and positive attitude especially during difficult times.
Our business was a member for many many years and I served in many ways to support the Chamber. I can no longer see they are assisting businesses or the community by attracting new and viable business to our city.
There seems to be a mindset within the organization that they should be politically active. I do not believe that should be their thrust.
Businesses must do their own marketing, I agree, but they could certainly use the support of the Chamber during these times. Locally owned businesses have had to stand up and spread the message which the Chamber should be doing.
Redlands is a fabulous community, we need the energy of a viable Chamber of Commerce to spread the word and encourage people to support our own community.
We have been a member of the chamber for 5 years now. I have had a staff member at nearly every meeting and one is an Ambassador. I have to say that I am disappointed that we have not made more connections with the amount of effort we have put into utilizing all the chamber has to offer. At this point in time we can not justify the membership fee as it does not help us in our business. "If it don't make dollars it don't make cents"....the account always says.
However, I think there are many businesses that benefit with being members of the chamber. It provides a level of professionalism and many consumers value that aspect.
We did not feel valued as members. It didn't work for us, but may for others.
the chamber is 100% supportive of the walmart super center... enuf said? oh wait... your dues pay their director's salary of over 100k... assistant director 80k... not to even mention the junkettes she goes on to allegedly represent redlands businesses... and then they need to ask for a special subsidy from members to fix the roof... enuf said? oh wait... instead of accepting proposals from vendors that offer new and innovative ideas and approaches to drive local business... they have a mandate to accept the lowest bid... which is why everything they do is awful...enuf said? oh wait... one last thing... it would be terrific if there was a viable alternative... if enough businesses get together with someone who really cares about redlands... maybe a realistic alternative could be born right out of the ashes that redlands is becoming... aboutredlands.com has done more for local businesses in it's short existance than the chamber or any other local resource has EVER done... the people behind it really seem to care as a whole and not as selfish operations in it for the $$$... enuf said? oh wait... one last thing... eminent domain to take over all of downtown from absentee owners who could care less about the community and waaaaaay overcharge rents to people who should no more be in business than they should've had kids... and put forth a clear vision of making it a true destination with real hours of operation that extend well beyond six oclock and get market night well away from state street... retail and restaurant only only on state street... and a severe limit on salons and services on surrounding streets... live work options... definately live work lofts at the ridiculous mall site... get creative or at least plagerize the ideas of cities that have made it work... pasadena... clairmont... even temecula... all could even do better if they'd be vigilant and stick to their vision and promote it properly... enuf said? yup... that's enuf... i have real work to do... ugh!
We attend as many non-profit events and donate in kind. This is a very good way to help and get you in front of people. We are not members of the Chamber because our business is specialized. However, if you are a business that needs to make business connections it seems the Chamber would be a good place to start. The Rotary is a well. Then there is good old fashion face-to-face. Good luck.
We want to make sure that this blog is not viewed as an attack on the Chamber. We learn so much about our own business by asking questions. We grow and improve by the not-so-nice feedback. We hope these views and experiences help not hurt.
to aboutredlands concerning the chamber: I asked these questions hoping that honest experiences with the chamber would be shared so I would know where to best put my time, energy and money. I can understand from the responses which are mostly negative that this could appear to be an attack on the chamber. So where,I wonder, is the multitude that are members that have not shared their positive perspective? There's a number of businesses that participate in the chamber that have been mum. So, please don't take this as an attack, but as hopefully, honest dialogue. In this climate, we need strong business alliances - I hoped the chamber would provide that. Cress Bracci
After being a chamber member in multiple places and states, I think the experience you get comes from what you put into your membership (I'm not saying money).
Just paying my dues has never produced real value as a member.
Chambers are busy organizations that really do try to promote local business. The ones I have been apart of try to drive local traffic with events and exposure, but not all types of businesses are going to benefit from that.
The real value I have found, even as a previous Redlands Chamber member, are the business relationships I have formed.
If it was not for the Redlands and Loma Linda Chamber, I would not have built my initial client base that got my business started.
I did not send flyers, or give to the tv auction, or get a special introduction from the chamber officers, but I did get a chance to come to events and meet other business owners.
It was those opportunities that helped my business grow.
Try it for a year, if it works, you'll know, if not, try another chamber or another networking group.
Remember to also meet and network with other professionals in your trade. A lot of progress can made when you invest in business relationships with your peers.
Enough said about the Chamber of Commerce of Redlands. Probably would put the last comment first since it a bit positive. Most readers will not get to comment 16One will get easily worn out with all the negativity.
M. Edwards
when i first joined 6 years ago... i offered my services (for FREEEEEEEE) to the chamber in the form of providing a well-thought and carefully presented monthly chamber publication that would be useful, relevant and beneficial to the businesses it was to serve... i was told 'gee thanks - but we are not about tell (advise) advertisers how they could better advertise' (translation, we want their money and do not dare make any potential waves) - nor did they want to tweek the noses of the facts who 'published' the thing for free...
and on the directory - which we gave numerous suggestions how to make it more useful and relevant... this repeatedly went to the lowest bidder who was a close friend of the director... which is fine... lowest bidder should be a criteria... not the only... and then to continually provide a useless waste of paper and ink... year after year... without ever taking a single step to make any improvements... just a sad sad waste of everyone's time, $ and expectations... especially with the fat salaries these people are paid... far better opportunities exist... starting with service clubs and local online resources.
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