Networking opportunities is one of the main reasons members give for joining the Chamber. Networking is an activity that takes place at the monthly Eye Opener Breakfasts, Chamber Power Lunches and quarterly Business After Hours. Think about networking this way: you become a walking, talking billboard for your company. There are potentially 300 business contacts you could meet each month at networking events. What could that mean to your business if only a small percent of them purchased products from you?

But networking at the Chamber does not stop with the monthly events. There are more than 900 volunteers involved in the more than 40 committees and task forces of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. New doors will open as your networks expand. Many find serving on a committee both professionally and personally rewarding.

              

“Networking through the Chamber has helped me reach my business goals faster than I ever could have by myself,” said Debbie Seeley-Dicks, owner of Columbus Office Products, Inc. “I have broadened my business contacts and made sales to businesses that I met at Chamber networking events.”

The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce provides numerous occasions to expand your network, whether it is the annual Membership Golf Tournament, Annual Meeting, Inter City Leadership Conference, or the Legislative Express…you will not find a better way to network in the Columbus region’s business community than through the Chamber.

Small businesses make up more than 80% of the membership of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. That is why an entire department is focused on the needs and services of small business. The Small Business Development Committee is one of the most active committees we have with more than 90 members.

“Last year, I was found to be out of compliance with the workers comp laws,” said Janie Weise, owner of Academy Music. “A Georgia worker came into the office, asked a few questions and gleefully told me about the heavy fines and even mentioned some jail time. Needless to say, I was devastated and could think of no one to answer my questions, so I called the Chamber, as they had been helpful in the past. They told me about the Professional Consultants Program and within a few hours had arranged a meeting with a member of the Professional Consultants Program who specializes in labor problems. Suddenly, I had a plan, answers and someone to represent me. The Professional Consultant treated me courteously and professionally and made a serious problem manageable. The outcome was a reasonable fine, no court appearance and no jail time. My greatest appreciation goes to everyone at the Chamber who set up this program.”

You still benefit from the efforts of the committee even if you are not on the committee. For example:

• One program that has grown out of the committee is the Professional Consultants Program. Members can receive an hour of free consultation from any of the more than 40 Professional Consultants.

    

• The Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) is a centralized location to bring together startup and existing businesses with area service providers that offer specific assistance to help new or expanding entrepreneurs grow their business dreams
   
  
• Drugs Don’t Work, formerly Business Against Drugs (B.A.D), is one of the programs that can save you dollars and cents; in fact, it will save you 7.5% off your workers compensation premium. For many members, this program alone pays for their membership. The program hosts workshops, has a video library, speaker’s bureau, a list of resource providers, referral to a retained law firm and monthly electronic newsletter.

The above list only touches the surface of all the programs and projects that the Small Business Department has underway to help small businesses succeed.The success of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce is primarily attributed to our public-private partnerships. Through these relationships we are able impact businesses’ bottom line. Whether the efforts concern economic development, education and workforce development, governmental or transportation affairs, public-private partnerships provide positive results. A prime example is when the Governmental Affairs Department led the efforts that persuaded the Public Service Commission to reconsider changing our 706 area code. Just think of the savings realized by not having to reprint/replace the area code on your business supplies, catalogs, brochures, business cards, web sites and much more. Teamwork in our community enables us to make the Columbus region a great place to do business.