​Friendly reminders on the proper etiquette we've all most likely forgotten

BY JENNIFER BONIOR
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS

The virtual vs. face-to-face meeting debate is one that I personally feel can never be won; the list of pros and cons is endless, and frankly differs from person to person and company to company. So instead of debating which is better, let’s just make sure we’re prepared for whichever type of meeting in which we find ourselves. With the recent shift to remote work, we’ve all become pros at video conferencing, and as a result, we’re probably also a little rusty when in the actual conference room. So before you walk back into the office and pull up a chair, here are a few quick reminders on proper in-person meeting etiquette…

• Devices Down - Unless the meeting calls for you to actively be on your laptop, tablet or phone, put your device(s) away and give your full attention to the meeting presenter. 
• Body Language - Be aware of how you're presenting yourself: you can’t just turn your camera off or hit “mute” when in-person.
• Stay Focused - Create an agenda and stick to it: no one likes a drawn out meeting and it’s a lot more distracting when attendees have to physically leave the room if a meeting goes long.
• Engage - Everyone invited to a meeting has a valuable perspective that deserves to be heard, so speak up. 
• Own Your Role - Show up prepared to do your part: a meeting is at its most effective when everyone plays their role to the best of their ability.
• Keep It Constructive - If a conflict arises, try not to challenge an individual: instead keep it about the work and challenge the idea. 
• Have Fun - Meetings are an opportunity for people to come together to share, learn and discuss, so enjoy this opportunity to collaborate and make the most of it.

Marketing Strategies to Success

By Cindy Bonior
CEO, Fremont Chamber of Commerce

Even as the confines of COVID begin to fade, the road to recovery lies ahead and for most, it will be a long haul. Now’s the time to employ all resources available to your business. Here are some robust marketing strategies to smooth and shorten that road up to lead you back to pre-COVID success. 

Networking Events
Now that that we’re able to enjoy some face-to-face time…show your face!  It’s no secret that people like to do business with people they know and the best way to do that is to be out and about in the community shaking hands or bumping elbows, whichever makes you comfortable.  It won’t be long until we begin hosting our traditional indoor events again such as the State of the City, Women in Business Expo, or Seminars, but until that time, ribbon cuttings are beginning to happen and with the weather turning warmer, so are outdoor mixers. Get out there, it will be great to see friends you have missed the last year.

Community Events with Marketing Opportunities
Community events provide opportunities for smart businesspeople to prospect in the community. The be all and end all of opportunities is Business Marketplace in the Fremont Festival of the Arts, September 25th and 26th. One of the largest festivals west of the Mississippi, the Fremont Festival of the Arts provides access to a huge community audience and lends itself to demonstrations and lead collecting. Not only is the audience local, but folks from all over the Bay Area and beyond attend creating an opportunity to extend your reach outside the city limits. And for the first time ever, Business Marketplace participants will be able to sell products and services to attendees at the 2021 festival…now that’s an amazing opportunity!

Fremont Street Eats, which began July 9th, also offers an opportunity for outreach to the community and allows for you to sell products or services. It’s free for members to participate; it can’t get any more affordable than that!

Targeted Marketing Events
Our newest targeted marketing event is Dine Out in Fremont. For the entire month of September, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Fremont will conduct a specific and targeted restaurant promotion. Diners will be tempted by the delicious offerings of Fremont restaurants and be rewarded for their support with periodic drawings for prizes followed by a grand prize at the end of the month. Let's work together to get people back in our restaurants! More information will be released soon, so keep an eye out for how your restaurant can take advantage of this new promotional event. And, for those who love food, we can’t wait to entice you to enjoy a great meal out with the opportunity to win prizes .

Sponsorship
Sponsorship is a powerful marketing tool for businesses of all sizes. Sponsorships allow you to reach targeted niche markets and can help your business meet multiple marketing goals at once. Sponsorships are, without a doubt, among the best methods to build and enhance brand awareness, shape consumer attitude by presenting a positive image, generate leads, and differentiate yourself from competition. Savvy businesses will use sponsorship to create media awareness and use the opportunity to establish itself as a good corporate citizen and community supporter. 

Choosing the appropriate venue/event and strategically activating your sponsorship are keys to a successful sponsorship. The venue/event should engage the audience you are targeting, provide the opportunity to interact with your target audience or represent and/or support your business values and/or mission. Be sure to be fully involved in the event and take advantage of all benefits and promote that your sponsorship.

Many Chamber events are outstanding opportunities for sponsors: some offer access to business leaders, potential customers, or vendors; some offer access to community members who are potential clients; and some are designed to support and connect members with specific causes.  Sponsorship in Chamber events can prove to be an outstanding and fruitful investment in your marketing plan. We encourage you to look at the number and variety of sponsorship opportunities available and employ them in your marketing plan.

Advertising
Advertising is a staple in any marketing plan. There are many online platforms that are affordable and reach a broad audience. The Chamber has a couple of options that are targeted specifically to the Fremont community. With an average number of unique visits of 96,000 per month, the Chamber’s website, fremontbusiness.com, is a great way to reach an audience of potential customers who visit the site to specifically look for local businesses to patronize. Fremont Business Brief, the Chamber’s weekly e-newsletter offers similar benefits, a targeted audience at an extremely affordable rate.

Don’t overlook the power of print publications. Fremont Business Now, the Chamber’s printed newsletter, published semi-annually, offers advertising at an affordable rate. And, members many submit articles for publishing to educate and demonstrate their business expertise. The Chamber’s annual membership directory is a great resource for both locals and visitors.  Copies of the directory are in guest rooms of several hotels in Fremont and are mailed out to a very large mailing list.  Many people use it as a buyer’s guide when looking for products and services. Advertising is available in both these publications with special rates for members.

Don’t forget, the Ad Bank that was established to help fund advertising during COVID still has funds available. Contact us to use the Ad Bank and your next ad could run for free!

Get Involved
Volunteering in an organization provides organic networking opportunities all the while supporting a cause or organization in which you believe. Consider serving on the Chamber Board of Directors, a working committee or volunteer to work at a Chamber event or as an Ambassador.  It can be lots of fun and you’ll meet lots of great people and potential customers. And, there are many charitable non-profits that are Chamber members; let us know your interests and we’ll help you find an organization that needs your volunteer support.

Free But Pack a Huge Punch
Not all marketing tools come with a price tag. There are several benefits available to members that do not cost a thing.  

With its robust activity, the Chamber web site possesses many marketing tools. Help us to enhance your presence and profile in the web site business directory by providing us with pictures, a logo, a video, and a business description. Your potential customers will have a positive impression before they even contact you. Members can also post coupons, job postings, events and announcements on the Chamber web site.  It takes minutes to post and there is no charge. And while online, request that we help you push out your social media posts; we will be happy to share and report for you; again, it’s free.

As an expert in your field, you have important information. Show off your expertise by answering a question in a concise three-minute video. Nothing builds more confidence in a potential customer than to see you as a master in your field. And the cost?  It’s free!

Chamber membership delivers an abundance of opportunities for businesses to kick start their marketing plan and  shorten the road to recovery. Don’t use just one of these opportunities, use a few, use them all and push your business into the next level of success. 

​The one thing that never goes out of style is service and that’s what you’ll find in abundance at Haller’s Pharmacy & Medical Supply. Serving Fremont since 1957, Haller’s mission is to  serve the community to make it a happier and healthier place for all. Haller’s offers a full array of services such as vaccinations, medication management therapy, medical supplies, free delivery, free blood pressure screening and easy transfer in. Most insurances are accepted.

Since COVID-19 became a reality in March of 2020, Haller’s has shifted its efforts to help the community manage and survive the pandemic as best as possible. Haller’s initially ordered and sold as much PPE as they could source including masks, hand sanitizers, sanitizing sprays, etc. 

After assuring that personal protection supplies were available, Haller’s turned its focus to COVID-19 testing offering daily testing to people in their cars in its parking lot. As the pandemic escalated and a vaccine was available, Haller’s shifted to an all-hands-on deck approach to vaccinations. Haller’s employees have donated their time at local vaccination clinics, the largest being the facility at a Fremont Fire station. Partnering with Fremont Fire and Alameda County, Haller’s has vaccinated well over 6,500 community members.

An active Fremont Chamber member, Haller’s finds value in the Chamber’s networking to develop closer relationships and continue to learn the needs of the community to better serve them. The Chamber newsletters, events and web site also help the Haller’s team keep up on the community activities as well as provides a promotional opportunity for them.

With a long and revered history of serving the Fremont community, Haller’s Pharmacy & Medical Supply looks forward to continuing to be vital resource and providing the education and tools for a healthier community.

Fast Facts
Haller's Pharmacy & Medical Supply
37323 Fremont Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94536
www.hallerspharmacy.com/

Phone:  510-797-2772
Email:  vaccineclinic@hallersrx.com

Facebook: @hallerspharmacygroup
Twitter: @hallerspharmacy
Instagram: @hallersrx

Chamber Member since 2018