His chamber -- like many chambers -- runs on a shoestring, usually doesn't make much money for lunches or events, and works their board's fingers to the bones. They desperately need to pay someone to do what he does so, of course, they asked him to join the board. When he asked how many hours it would take, he was told four or five per month. He knows he was asked only because he's the first in his field to do what he does. And he really doesn't want to attend so many meetings and do so much work without being paid what the job deserves.

Maria Answers

First of all, it's OK to say "No" to a Chamber of Commerce or other such group. While being on the board is a nice thing to have on your "resume," it isn't mandatory. He could say, "I appreciate the offer, but at this time I prefer to decline." If his "no" is not accepted, he can repeat the sentence. Remember, when we say yes, no one asks for a long explanation or tries to change our mind. "No" is a complete sentence. Above everything, don't give a reason for not doing it. Why? Because you're giving them an excuse, and they'll try to come up with solutions to it. If you've been in that situation, even in your personal life, you know what could happen here, don't you?

Now, if Peter wants to do something for the chamber, here are some things I suggest to help him make an informed decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.

• He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
• Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings
  Systematically Flood Your Leads With An Education
  One of the tactics I love to employ in the landing of new clients is something I call an "Info Storm."Here's the basic idea. You meet a new prospect, go over the solutions you have for and then jointly decide on some next steps involved in them hiring you. Now, most people go away promising to send a proposal or follow-up in some manner. But, what also happens it that 3 other people slip in later that day and make a fine proposal for that same piece of business. So, what do you do to keep your name on top of the stack as the decision process unfolds?Most people just do what they said they would do or worse. Others pick-up the phone and "check-in." Here's what I suggest you do.Don't beg f
  rs to the bones. They desperately need to pay someone to do what he does so, of course, they asked him to join the board. When he asked how many hours it would take, he was told four or five per month. He knows he was asked only because he's the first in his field to do what he does. And he really doesn't want to attend so many meetings and do so much work without being paid what the job deserves.

  Maria Answers

  First of all, it's OK to say "No" to a Chamber of Commerce or other such group. While being on the board is a nice thing to have on your "resume," it isn't mandatory. He could say, "I appreciate the offer, but at this time I prefer to decline." If his "no" is not accepted, he can repeat the sentence. Remember, when we say yes, no one asks for a long explanation or tries to change our mind. "No" is a complete sentence. Above everything, don't give a reason for not doing it. Why? Because you're giving them an excuse, and they'll try to come up with solutions to it. If you've been in that situation, even in your personal life, you know what could happen here, don't you?

  Now, if Peter wants to do something for the chamber, here are some things I suggest to help him make an informed decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.

  • He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
  • Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings
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    >

    First of all, it's OK to say "No" to a Chamber of Commerce or other such group. While being on the board is a nice thing to have on your "resume," it isn't mandatory. He could say, "I appreciate the offer, but at this time I prefer to decline." If his "no" is not accepted, he can repeat the sentence. Remember, when we say yes, no one asks for a long explanation or tries to change our mind. "No" is a complete sentence. Above everything, don't give a reason for not doing it. Why? Because you're giving them an excuse, and they'll try to come up with solutions to it. If you've been in that situation, even in your personal life, you know what could happen here, don't you?

    Now, if Peter wants to do something for the chamber, here are some things I suggest to help him make an informed decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.

    • He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
    • Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings
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      More and more employers expect job seekers to follow up after the job interview. They want to be able to make an effective decision about who to hire, and those who follow up get the advantage.Strategic follow up also gives an opportunity to an employer to ask any additional questions he/she might have about your qualifications. This helps the employer make sure that you are the best person for the job. It relieves any concerns he or she might have had before the follow up.There are several way to follow up after the interview. Some people send thank-you cards and letters. Most people send a letter by e-mail or regular mail. Sending a letter is seen as being more effective if done right.
      ing, don't give a reason for not doing it. Why? Because you're giving them an excuse, and they'll try to come up with solutions to it. If you've been in that situation, even in your personal life, you know what could happen here, don't you?

      Now, if Peter wants to do something for the chamber, here are some things I suggest to help him make an informed decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.

      • He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
      • Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings
        Career Cycles: From Phones to Phones
        I started my career at 18 by being a full-time telephone collector.I made outbound calls to late-paying credit clients, and when I was successful, they’d commit to resolving their delinquencies by a certain date.Then, I became a top outbound telemarketer and manager for Time-Life Books, and you might say, though I’d earn numerous degrees that helped me, my career was determined at that time.But why did I choose phone work?I chose it because I was baby-faced at 18, and though I had no little intelligence and drive, and a mature, trained voice, few believed I could handle a face-to-face selling job, and working in supermarkets or at fast food joints wasn’t for me.So, my youth
        ink that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
      • Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings would be an additional $10,000 over the next 12 months. So the total "cost" of volunteer work is $29,200.
      • On another note, it's usual that people on the board are "in the know" business people -- the movers and shakers in the business community, and getting to know them better, well, that's surely worth a lot!

      Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

      • It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
      • It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them. And in this case, what he does will be seen by the members and may end up in newspapers.
      • They have no money to pay him.

      Other variables can help Peter make an informed decision are:

      1. He can determine what he really wants to do as a volunteer. He could consider:

      • Maybe this year is NOT the year for him to be on the board.
      • Maybe it's the year to be on the board but not in a position that requires 8 hours a month plus the extra work.
      • Maybe he'll reconsider because of the credibility the board position can give him in the community.
      • Maybe he wants to volunteer in some way that can help him and his business the most - but NOT be on the board.

      2. He can find non-cash ways to be paid and present a proposal to the organization.

      • Ask for payment -- it shows that he values what he does.
      • Ask them to pay his membership fees for the next 5 years. (For a home business, this can range from $80 per year to $350 per year, depending on where he lives.)
      • Ask them to let him use their conference room for meetings for the next 5 years when