I know, I know, the prognosticators and empty suits have declared the recession to be over but I happen to think that we have a long row to hoe. For those that are not familiar with the farming reference, that means we have a long way to go.

Consumer confidence is up, 3rd quarter profits are up, the reflection off the moon of a large laser has shown green, Mercury is aligned with Mars, blah, blah, blah! What does all this mean? Not much to us here in the trenches trying to make a living!

What to do?

Here at the Chamber we are working on measures to help local businesses succeed in this challenging environment.

1) This Wednesday is a special workshop sponsored by the City and the Chamber.

This workshop session will feature experts that will cover topics that include, marketing solutions for your retail/small business, communications and customer service training, workforce development, low or no cost consulting services to assist your small business and timely tips from the Pleasant Hill Police Department on Holiday crime prevention techniques.

We know that as owners/operators of retail and small businesses that your time is valuable and we encourage you to take advantage of this FREE workshop that will provide important information to help you succeed in business during the current economic  recession.

Please take the time to make this investment in yourself and your business for continued success.  Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.  Please let us know if you are planning to attend by calling Wanda Graham at 925.671.5213 or by sending an e-mail to Wanda at  wgraham@ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us .

2) Brown Bag Lunch this Friday

I know that a lot of folks think that social media, especially Twitter is a kids thing. You know, like OH MA GAWD, young people that are standing around in circles vapidly discising, whatever the vapid discuss. And when I bring up that I have crossed to the dark side and started to embrass that strange technology I get a look like I have grown a leg just above my eye but know one wants to point it out.

Well, it turns out that only about 22 percent of Gen Y’s have adopted Twitter. 99 percent said they were on some sort of social media but my bet is that it has more to do with their friends and following Ashton Kutcher or whatever his name is than with doing business.

I DO know that with a few social media tools one can raise the awareness of the world of your existence BUT you have to DO something with it. If incorporated into your marketing plan social media can help with your visibility and that is what it’s all about!

This Friday at JFK University here in Pleasant Hill California Dan Stone will attempt to unravel the mystery of Web 2.0 and what you can do with it. So call Ingrid at 925-687-0700 and RSVP for the Brown Bag Lunch at noon on Friday and get your Twitter on!

And don’t forget your lunch!

I am working on how to make LinkedIn work for me and the Chamber and as a result with just a small investment of time I have been able to increase my network quite a bit! All you have to do is invite people. The next step will be to work out a LinkedIn Chamber membership drive. Now I will be the first person to say how much I hate traditional membership drives! They suck up a ton of time and resources and usually about half of those that join drop the next year because they only joined to for someone else and got no value.

This drive will be different! We are going to use LinkedIn and Facebook as an example of how YOU can use these things to build your business!

Come and connect with me and then join us on May 1 at JFK University from noon to 1:30 pm for our Brown Bag Lunch on this very subject.

Call Ingrid at 925-687-0700 to reserve your spot! It’s free but space is limited.