Running a small business is hard.
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You have the responsibilities that come with all of the sales, operations, accounts, people management and the rest. If you are like me, you can get bogged down in the day-to-day doing of your business and lose track of what’s going to make a difference in your business and your life.
I heard a great analogy years ago that people in business can fall into the trap of becoming cave dwellers. For example, I have a cave in Lawes Street, East Maitland and I can get stuck in this cave running my business or writing docs for my volunteer job as chamber president. Yes, I will get work done but will staying in my cave make me more successful?
The chamber movement to me is so much more than networking, which by the way forces me out of my cave at least once a month. The chamber movement allows me to forge strong business and personal relationships with key people that not only assist in building a better business but also creates potentially a better community. Only if I get out of the cage and truly engage.
The challenge I will set for all in business this week is to set a target of doing something outside of your norm, potentially outside of your comfort zone, to get you out of your cave and potentially enrich your business and the community.
![Maitland Business Chamber president Craig McGregor. Maitland Business Chamber president Craig McGregor.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/PCe8wYNvaaq4ByZzEwBRgt/b5d4fb72-c23a-48e8-8458-78b49efca914.jpg/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Be like Fiona Buchanan, Maitland Chamber Administrator who is now an avid blood donor thanks to the Red 25 initiative, a program where your blood donation ultimately assists the community but can also assist the organisation you are representing in the challenge. Promote the chamber’s initiative in uniting the local sporting clubs to stand up against domestic violence.
Put your hand up to be a mentor / coach in a youth program such as the Max Potential program that the Mai Wel organisation is instigating. Getting out of your cave doesn’t just have to be about charity. Set a meeting with a client and see where the conversation takes you. Who knows a new product / service could arise that changes Maitland for the good.
Also don’t forget to pencil in an active networking session the third Thursday in August for our regular chamber meeting.