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  • Home
  • Resources
    • MindReader Program
    • Community & Business Info
    • Certificates of Origin
    • Job Board
  • Events
    • All Events
    • 2023 Chamber Awards
  • THE CHAMBER
    • AGM 2023
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Corporate Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • Getting Involved
    • Apply to Join
    • Member Benefits
    • Business Directory
    • Member Login
    • Marketing Opportunities
    • How to Start a Small Business

Comox valley Chamber Blog

Farewell Note from CEO, Dianne Hawkins

8/31/2022

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To our Chamber members - thanks for the memories.

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I will complete my 18-year term as CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce August 31st.  I have been honoured and privileged to represent our membership and the business community. Thank you. 

As this chapter closes, I wish to thank the 18 boards of directors I have worked with, the members I have represented and the community leaders and organizations. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with many accomplished individuals in the Comox Valley. Leading the Chamber of Commerce has been a privilege.  

What I have enjoyed most about Chamber life, is the Chamber networks (Island, Provincial and Federal), the mentors, friendships, connections and partnerships made over the years and the strategic alignments and collaborations which were created for the benefit of the Comox Valley business community. 

There have been so many highlights in my career at the Chamber: 
- Winning 2010 Chamber of the Year in BC due to the Chamber’s bagless initiative and “Grab your Bag” campaign!  
- Being nominated twice for Canadian Chamber Executive of the Year award; in 2019 by the Chamber board and staff, and in 2010 by Chamber peers.  
- 2010 Comox Valley Olympic Spriit Committee – working to promote and support the 2010 Olympics in the Comox Valley and the grand finale! Attending the 2010 Olympic closing ceremonies with an Olympic team. 

Chamber events, roundtable advocacy discussions, business walks and collaborative projects have evolved from a demonstrated need in our community.  From showcasing award winners, creating strategic partnerships, and advocating for local business, the Chamber has been responsive to the current needs of our businesses and community. 

The most important aspect to me over the past18 years of my career at the Chamber has been to choose collaboration. To first seek to understand, listen, evaluate, and to form connections. The Chamber is a pillar in this community, we lead by example. A Chamber’s role is to provide economic development, business resources and advocate for better business. During the pandemic, this became more apparent than ever. The pandemic impacted all of us in many ways. Individually and collectively. While this was a challenging time, it was also exhilarating in the sense that we were compelled to literally throw ourselves into what we knew best, to advocate for our members, to dig deep to understand their needs and to respond quickly.  We did just that!  Changes were happening at a rapid pace, and it was proving hard for businesses to keep up. We led the charge in pivoting and providing support within a week of the pandemic and we haven’t stopped. I am proud of the Chamber team, grateful to the “experts” who stayed with us, on the calls, by email, providing advice and resources.  It was more apparent than ever that we were all in it together. That’s the benefit of membership. We’re ALL in, for you, our member.

In closing, I wish each member prosperity and abundance in the years to come.  

The Chamber team is still here to serve you.  

​All the best to our members and the Chamber in this next chapter. See you all “around the valley” 
 
​Sincerely, 
Dianne Hawkins, CEO 
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2nd Annual Golf Classic

7/25/2022

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The 2022 Chamber Golf Classic was a great hit!  The weather was fabulous, team spirits were up and golfers played a full round on the Crown Isle greens.  Thanks to our sponsors...

Presenting Sponsor – Thrifty Foods
Media Sponsors – CV Record and 98.9 the Jet FM

Hole Sponsors –
Budget Blinds
Cloutier Matthews
Courtenay Nissan
CSN Reliable
Flying Canoe
Jim Zsiros Contracting
Jackson & Associates & Silent Auction
RBC
RLR Lawyers
Wedler
WM of Canada
Old Farm Market
Raven 100.7
Invis West Coast Mortgages – Putting Contest
 Ladies Longest Drive – Janine Hutchings
Men’s Longest Drive – Brendan McCann
Winning Team – Coastal Community Credit Union
Score of 13 – under par
Doug Forbes-King, Janine Hutchings, Rick Waldhaus and Bill Kelly

​Congratulations to all the players and those who won prizes at the holes.  See you next year!
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What your business can learn from the world's best spas

5/18/2022

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Spas are well-known for pampering their clients - and charging a premium for their services. Despite the high prices that come with massages, scrubs, and treatments, the world's leading spas have been able to turn a tidy profit by focusing on delivering exceptional customer service.
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Here's what your business can learn from these high-end service-orientated enterprises:
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Focus On Personalized Service
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The hallmark of any great spa is their attention to personal detail - they make a point of knowing each customer by name, and learning as much as they can about their clients' personal likes, dislikes, and preferences.
Simple things like remembering how they like their coffee, the names of their kids and pets, and even what times they like to book appointments go a long way towards creating loyal customers.
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Pay Attention To Details

Another technique that leading spas use is continual customer engagement - making their clients feel special, even when they're not getting a pedicure, manicure, or hot stone massage.
Spas do this by sending out personalized, hand-written birthday cards and holiday notes with messages targeted to each one of their clients. This reminds their clients of that pampered feeling their customers get at their spa, helping to keep a personal connection alive.

Create A Loyalty Program

The owners at Willow Spa in Santa Monica, California knew that they needed to up their game when it came to pampering their clients - after all, the spa business is highly competitive on the West Coast.

In order to encourage their clients to return to their spa, the owners created a points-based loyalty program that provided incentives to encourage both repeat visits and the use of some of the spas' less popular treatments.

​While their initial program needed some adjustments, overall the owners report that their loyalty program is a success. According to co-owner Coco Iv, "We've been able to gain and retain repeat clients with no additional work put into the process".
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Say Thank You

Ask any successful spa owner what the single most effective thing is that they do to retain customers and chances are good they'll mention thank you notes - simple, old-fashioned, hand-written notes or cards that make clients feel appreciated.
In fact, the idea of sending a hand-written note as part of an overall relationship management strategy isn't unique to spas - many big-name companies like Land's End have also embraced the idea of mailing out personalized cards as a way to thank their clients and create a positive, lasting impression.
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5 Reasons you should consider a stand-up desk

5/11/2022

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If you're like many professionals, you spend a significant portion of your day sitting at a desk. According to research, that's a problem.

In fact, multiple studies have linked a sedentary lifestyle with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. Not surprisingly, sitting all day is associated with an increased risk of weight gain and obesity.

​Fortunately, even if you have a desk job, you may not be desk-bound. Standing desks are becoming an increasingly popular choice among office workers, offering a host of benefits.
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Reduces Lower Back Pain

Sitting for hours puts a lot of stress on the body. If you suffer from back and leg pain, then you've likely noticed that the longer you sit, the more uncomfortable you feel. According to a study conducted by the CDC in 2011, standing can reduce back pain by 54 percent. Standing also promotes better circulation, helping to prevent leg pain.

Prevents Neck Strain and Decreases Headaches

If you're sitting in front of a computer monitor all day, then you probably find yourself straining your neck towards your monitor. This causes your spine to curve into a "C" shape, which has both short-term and long-term problems like disc damage, shoulder pain, pain in your neck, and headaches. When you stand, you restore a healthy "S" shape to your spine, reducing pain through your back, neck, and head.
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Boosts Energy

Standing burns more calories and requires that the body put forth more energy, but that doesn't mean that your energy levels will take a hit. In fact, because standing promotes better circulation and allows your body to take in more oxygen, you feel better for longer. Simply standing while you work can give you the energy boost equal to a cup of coffee, without the crash that comes later.

Improves Productivity

Unsurprisingly, that energy boost leads to greater productivity. A study conducted by the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health showed that just by standing rather than sitting, office workers can improve their productivity by as much as 46 percent.

It's Part of a Robust Wellness Program

Many employers have recognized that implementing a wellness program that support workers' physical and mental health not only creates a better work environment, but it can help reduce out-of-control healthcare costs, employee absenteeism, and diminished productivity. Transitioning to standing desks can drastically cut down on the number of hours that employees spend sitting, helping to prevent serious health problems.
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These are just a few of the many benefits that standing desks provide for office workers. While there are special considerations that need to be made (for example, hours of standing in place can result in foot and joint problems) making this transition and reducing the number of hours that you or your employees spend sitting is a simple way to boost morale and promote a healthy lifestyle.
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Creating a Post-Covid Business Plan

4/13/2022

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For many local small businesses, the past year and a half have been one of the unprecedented challenges. With many provinces lifting Covid restrictions, and the vaccine administered at a fast pace, re-opening is the next thing on the horizon. Business planning can be challenging enough in the best of times, and this year is far from the best. Therefore, creating a post-covid business plan, one that's realistic and achievable, can help you define your business goals over the next year, and give you measurable metrics to analyze the success of your business.
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​Three Important Questions For Post-Covid Business Plans

Creating goals starts with defining them. Three key questions can help you create the best business plan, not just post-Covid, but in the future, as well.

How does your business really make money?

Businesses aren't just vendors of goods or providers of services. Successful businesses identify a need their customers have and position themselves as the answer to meeting it. So, what need do you meet? Understanding this will help you know how you make your money, and can help you with marketing initiatives, too, as you'll be able to present your business in a way that appeals to your target customers.

Who do you depend on to drive the business?

Appealing to your target customers can be difficult if you haven't defined who your target customer is. Focus on what type of person will patronize your business, including age, gender, and income, and education levels. Then, you can get a better picture of what this type of person needs, and how you provide it.

What will people's behaviors look like after the pandemic?

Understanding how you changed your operating model during the pandemic can give you insight into how your customers will buy from you afterward. Did you start a home delivery service, or offer virtual consulting fr a service business? Many of your customers may appreciate the convenience of these services, and they could be a vital part of your business moving forward.

Predicting Behavioral Changes For Your Customers

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Predicting whether your customers will continue their pandemic methods of consuming goods and services can be tricky. You may wish to send out a survey to your customer base, asking them if they preferred your pre-pandemic business model or the altered, more virtual one. Responding to their needs and presenting your business in the way that your customers wish to shop gives you a goal for your business.
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Your target customer's needs may have changed, too. Perhaps they're working from home and they like the convenience of home-delivered goods and virtual services. Or, they may be tired of being at home, in welcome the chance to shop in person again.

​Takeaway

The Chamber can be a strong resource for your business. It's an organization with a mission to help local businesses in the community grow and thrive. From helping you find the right employees to hosting business showcases, the Chamber is on your side, as a business owner. If you haven't stopped by your local office, take the time to introduce yourself and tell your representatives a little about your business, your goals, and ask what kind of programs you can participate in to help raise your visibility in the community.
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Pandemic Leads to Entrepreneurship

3/18/2022

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​If you're looking around at recent Chamber meetings, there may be some new business owners' faces around the room. It's another part of the post-pandemic "new normal" – the number of people who quit their 9-to-5 jobs to pursue a passion and start their own business. Many Canadians who left the workforce during the pandemic did so because they felt the spirit of entrepreneurship and wanted to be their own boss.
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Millions of Workers Striking Out On Their Own

According to a recent study by Digital.com, 4 million people resigned from their jobs in April of 2021. While some of these job changes could be due to ending side gigs that people had while furloughed from their regular jobs because of pandemic lockdown, it's not an overwhelming majority of why people left their jobs.
About one in three people who quit their jobs in the last six months concentrated on starting and building their own business. Being their boss (62%) and following their passion for a business idea (60%) were the primary reasons people left the workforce. So these new faces at Chamber functions may have an independent spirit and a passion for their new business, making them very dedicated to client services.
It's interesting to note that the most popular industries for new business owners were personal care services and retail, industries hit hard during the pandemic. IT services are the third most popular, and the shift to owner-operated support may have been a direct result of the change from working from home due to workplace restrictions.

The Pandemic Isn't the Only Reason

Although many people mentioned the pandemic as being a reason for quitting their jobs, this isn't the only reason for so many new entrepreneurs:
A whopping 60% of survey respondents revealed that they learned about how to launch a start-up business during the pandemic lockdown. Many people may be reimagining how they want their work-life to look, and some of the new technology and virtual working skills they picked up during the pandemic may be used to help them launch their own enterprise.
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Who Are These New Business Owners?

Surprisingly enough, the high-income earners are more likely to quit their lucrative jobs and start their own businesses. Men are much more likely than women to quit their jobs to work for themselves. High-wage earners likely have a cushion saved up to fund the company and pay their living expenses until they begin making a profit. As men tend to be more comfortable with risk-taking than women, it's not surprising to see these statistics.
To put real numbers on these conclusions, 36% of the people leaving the workforce to start their own business were men, compared to 27% of women. People who made more than $150,000 per year were nearly half of the number leaving the workforce, 42% of respondents, while those earning less than $50,000 per year made up only 27% of those quitting to start their own business.
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Final Thoughts

If you've been considering striking out on your own or have a streak of entrepreneurial spirit in you, now may be a great time. More and more, people want to support small, local businesses. If you have skills that people want and hard work and drive, you, too, may be one of the newest business owners in the Chamber! ​
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Family Business: Handing off the keys to the store to the next generation

3/10/2022

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Once the major financial hurdles have been addressed, handing a family business over to the next generation can be handled in a variety of ways to suit your personal needs and goals. Obtaining professional help for determining any tax or legal issues should be placed at the top of the agenda. We value our local businesses, and their commitment to our community. Our guidelines can help you identify what items need to be addressed to ensure a seamless transition when handing off the keys to the store to the next generation.

Many local businesses have been in the same family for years. Your children may well have worked in the store growing up, and as they have gotten older, attended business meetings and begun to learn the ropes. The ability to help them get started while you are still able to advise and help them as problems arise is a wonderful opportunity for everyone.
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​Tips for Successfully Handing off the Family Business Keys to the to the Next Generation

As the current owner, and possibly the person who started the store, you will need to determine how much, if any, monetary compensation is required. The business can be transferred in various ways, gifted, sold at full or partial value, or put into a family corporation or trust with a different person named as manager.

A business plan and a transition plan can help your successfully transfer the business. If you are relying on a set income from the store, it is important to identify the role you will play in ensuring you receive it, and to have a contingency plan if it is not able to meet the goals.

Protecting the business against inter-family disputes should be discussed with a lawyer prior to transfer. Divorce, death, and changes in income can lead to problems between family members.
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​Ensure the person who is taking over the keys to the family store has the knowledge they need to operate it. If this person has not been active in all aspects of the business, they will require training. You will want to begin this process at least six months to a year prior to transferring the business.

Discuss with all family members what each person's role, if any, will be in the business throughout the succession, and after, if you are keeping a portion of ownership.

Create a succession timeline and plan based on both of your needs. Some owners prefer a gradual turnover, while others do so all at once.

Accept that some things with the business will change. New products and technology are changing the way businesses operate and a fresh set of eyes may identify areas that are currently not performing as well as they should. Encourage your family to put their own personal stamp on the store.
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We at the Chamber encourage all stores and family businesses to use our resources to increase their ability to be successful and continue to grow our community.
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How Entrepreneurs Use Networking

3/3/2022

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An essential skill for any entrepreneur the ability to create meaningful connections via networking, also called network development. Creating connections with customers both old and new is important but creating a network of other entrepreneurs and business owners provides value customers can't provide. Typically this comes in the form of insights and ideas from various industry experts looking to exchange tips and advice.

In its simplest form, networking is defined as making social connections with a business objective. If your goal is to receive more value than you give in the process, your efforts will have only short term rewards. With that in mind, go about your network development with long-term goals of giving more than you receive. 
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At this juncture, you may be wondering how you can go about network development. Every year, businesses across the world come together in different forums. Some of the participants of these events is a group of highly-skilled entrepreneurs with a common idea. They aim to generate, share, and develop ideas as well as meet potential investors and industry experts. The entrepreneurs want to add the right people around them and form meaningful relationships.

​Finding Potential Networking Groups

For most people, networking is talking to friends and family members as part of their social network. Networking as a business has a more focused approach on finding like minded individuals even if the company they represent is in a different industry. Creating a network with as many points of view as possible is ideal in helping find solutions to future problems. If an entrepreneur has never looked into creating a network, we've put together some tactics to help them approach networking and how to leverage it.
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​Social Media and Entrepreneur Events

Network development doesn't always start in-person, but it sure can kick off your efforts with some big wins. Find events that will attract your peers in your area. Call us at the Chamber for suggestions.
For networking in the digital realm, social media has become a powerful tool for entrepreneurs to make connections. Depending on a brand's identity and target demographic, different platforms will produce better results than others.
Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are great at connecting business owners together. If you're looking for something a bit more professional and targeted than a Facebook group, the reigning king to beat for networking as an entrepreneur is LinkedIn, a social media platform created specifically for businesses to interact. Direct communication between entrepreneurs is as easy as searching for others in your industry to get started. 
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How To Use a Network of Entrepreneurs

The first point we want to point out isn't about how to bolster business using a network but instead how to maintain motivation. Networking builds relationships that often turn into friendships which is important to help balance the grind needed to be successful and avoid burnout.
These friends are also the ones that may present the most opportunity. An opportunity can come in the form of new sales avenues, investment options, joint ventures and customer or client leads. Depending on the industry, qualified referrals may also come down the funnel which turns into easy conversions later on. Having access to a network of entrepreneurs and their clients comes with increased visibility, especially when communication between business owners happens publicly online or in-person.
When a network is established and leaned into, entrepreneurs can surround themselves with positive influences and even find mentors eager to share their knowledge with fresh minds. The more information gathered, the more confidence an owner has in executing business plans and decisions. We're excited to see new entrepreneurs attending networking events within our community and how they'll use them to expand their business.
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This Year, Discover the Benefits of Volunteering

2/23/2022

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Aristotle once equated the essence of life to serving others and doing good. While the philosophy seems like a fulfilling endeavor, it's not quite practical given that we lead super busy lives. With our already jam-packed schedules, it's impossible to think of giving away your time and energy for free without a financial reward.
However, volunteering is beneficial for several reasons, and the best part about it is that it doesn't have to take up much of your time and effort. The advantages of volunteering not only benefit the community, or person receiving the assistance, it also benefits the individual or the organization offering the help.
Such benefits can probably explain why there has been a steady rise in popularity in volunteering in the past few years. Research shows that more than 25% of adults in the United States volunteered from 2008 to 2017, with women taking the lead at a staggering 27.8% against 21.8% of men.
So why is there a spike in volunteering? Well, it seems as though more and more people are starting to realize the immense benefits one can derive from volunteering. People are beginning to see how helping each other benefits all parties involved, and more businesses are joining the helping bandwagon.

​Benefits Businesses Derive from Volunteering

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​Connecting With the Community

A huge benefit that volunteering has is its impact on the community. It allows organizations to connect to the community to improve it. Even helping out with small tasks can make a significant difference to the lives of those in need, and it's a two-way street.
Setting aside time to help others helps employees network and make new contacts and friends by sharing activities. Volunteering allows employees from different companies in the Chamber to meet for a common goal and form connections. These connections made during the volunteering process make for an incredible opportunity to expand business ties outside the organization.

Volunteering Has Immense Health Benefits

Scientists coined a term for the physical effect doing good deeds has on the human body. The term is known as Helper's High. Volunteering promotes good physical and mental health by counteracting the effects of anger, stress, and anxiety while also combating depression by maintaining a regular contract with others. It also increases self-confidence and provides employees with a sense of purpose, thus increasing employee empowerment.

Team Bonding

Teaming employees up outside of the work environment to participate in a worthwhile activity fosters a sense of teamwork. Pulling together to partake in a common goal, especially a community project or charity, helps employees build bonds that last long, thus making for a renewed sense of commitment to the job and one another.

Business Success

According to research, organizations that integrate social impact into their daily processes can increase sales by about 20% and productivity by 13%. Such organizations also drastically reduce employee turnover while increasing the company's share price by up to 6%.

Enhanced Skills

Volunteering lets employees use their already learned skills to better the community. They can also use the opportunity to acquire a valuable skill that can come in handy in the work environment. Employers don't require financial investment to offer opportunities for employees to develop or enhance their skills.

Increased Brand Awareness

Organizations that go out of their way to help the community by working in new environments usually earn a positive reputation for their good deeds. Nowadays, people want to associate themselves with brands that are working to create change in society. Therefore, volunteering in new or familiar environments helps establish relationships with customers and helps build brand awareness and loyalty.
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In Conclusion

With the benefits of volunteering being evident, we hope that more enterprises become more involved in helping. The more value we add to others, the better our world becomes. So why not start today?
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How to Best Communicate Your Ideas in Meetings for Maximum Impact

2/16/2022

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​Communication is a vital cornerstone of any business meeting. As the CEO or team manager, you have to use the best skills to keep your employees motivated towards achieving personal and professional goals. To succeed at this job, you'll have to possess the right communicating skills so that your meetings are smooth, effective, and pleasant for everyone.
Unfortunately, a considerable number of people don't know how to communicate effectively while holding meetings. Ineffective meetings can make you and your employees feel misunderstood, unacknowledged, discouraged, and frustrated. Strong communication will make you feel heard and understood, which leads to positive company culture and a successful business. Therefore, understanding how to run effective meetings is an important part of business gatherings. Continue reading as we outline some vital communication ideas to implement in your meetings.
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​Pay Attention to Your Body Language

When holding a meeting, communicating to your audience involves more than just the usual speech or written mode of communication. Body language also plays a significant part in the way we communicate with other people. Research shows that 55% of your communication is through body language. As a result, you need to pay close attention to your body language. Note that your audience is always keen on your body language, and they make snap judgments based on them. Therefore, before any meeting, think about how you will stand and sit. Adopt a good posture, maintain eye contact with many people in the meeting, and avoid cross body language.

​Keep Unnecessary Distractions to a Minimum

Keeping distractions to a bare minimum is essential in improving the quality of your communications in meetings. Try to keep the room soundproofed or choose a location that is far away from background noise and eliminate any possible distractions such as mobile phones. In fact, one study found that up to 80% of employees know that mobile phones can be a significant distraction in meetings. However, approximately 50% of workers still use these gadgets anyway. Before starting any meeting, politely remind your audience to keep their electronic devices like laptops and phones away. This ensures that they pay attention to the messages you convey. If it's necessary to use any devices, restrict them to only those who need them.
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​Enhance Communication With the Best Technology

You can take advantage of technology to help you organize your thoughts and say the right things. This is primarily applicable in instances where the meeting involves participants in different locations under varying time zones. You will need a software or intelligent device that supports hybrid and remote meetings. Look for a device that provides multimedia and other visual details for clearer communication and incorporates solutions such as Zoom to communicate with remote participants more effectively.

​Ask Questions to Bring Others into the Conversation

Although it might not always be possible to involve questions in a meeting, bringing your attendees into the discussion works better than listening to long speeches. However, note that some of your audience may be reluctant to volunteer or answer your questions. You can try asking intelligent questions to push them into offering specific ideas. You can ask random questions aimed at particular individuals or groups, allowing your audience to volunteer in giving answers. This keeps people engaged, and it ensures that everyone understands your message.
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​Conclusion

Good communication is crucial in ensuring that you have an effective meeting. By implementing the above ideas, you will have productive meetings that deliver the intended objective. The key thing is to pay attention to your body language and also bring attendees into the discussion.
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PO Box 3007|  Courtenay  PO Main, BC  V9N 5N3
Phone: (250) 465-0019 

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