The Edge for September 2021
Networking. Promoting your business. We asked N.J Chamber members to talk about what their organizations have been doing to get in front of people – during the pandemic – without getting too close to people. Here is what they said:
Start Spontaneous Conversations on Zoom, Even if It’s by Poking Fun at a Virtual Background
There is no substitute for in-person interactions when building new relationships (to borrow a line from the Dread Pirate Roberts: ‘Anyone who says differently is selling something’). As co-chair of the Urban Land Institute Northern New Jersey, I try to help members, during the pandemic, find opportunities for spontaneous conversations that lead to new connections – such as through Zoom seminars. Helping to foster new relationships can be as simple as not restricting the chat features on Zoom and allowing direct messaging between seminar attendees. Sometimes just messaging someone to poke fun at a virtual background can be an effective icebreaker. Same networking playbook, new normal.
– Thomas J. Trautner, Jr., Member of the Firm, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi; & Co-Chair, Urban Land Institute of Northern New Jersey
Don’t Just Participate in Webinars. Be a Presenter on Webinars. Be a Source of Information.
We participate in virtual events, including the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference and many state, county and municipal events. Our subject matter experts serve as presenters in industry webinars. We ramped up our online presence with increased content development and banner advertising. A portion of our website was designated for COVID-19 resources, including health and safety guidance. A new monthly e-newsletter, meanwhile, is keeping our current and potential clients abreast of T&M news and industry updates. We regularly publish on LinkedIn, where our follower count has grown, and we use it to promote our participation in events. These activities have had a positive impact on our lead-generation efforts.
– John A. Cimino, Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, T&M Associates
Wine Tasting and Virtual Cooking Webinars. Virtual Events Can be Fun, and You Still Meet People.
Our professionals are strengthening relationships and developing new ones by staying in close touch and through social media and fun virtual events. We held virtual cooking, wine tastings, health and nutrition sessions; and socially distant roof-top happy hours.
– Jennifer A. Shimek, Short Hills Office Managing Partner, KPMG
A Useful Way to Spend Time with Clients and Prospects – WebEx Conferencing
Our wealth management financial advisors hosted more than 253,000 WebEx meetings through the end of June, more than double the first six months of last year. During these meetings, advisors reviewed their clients’ and prospects investment strategies. We are encouraged by the increase in digital usage by our clients and believe this will continue to grow. This will allow us to spend more time with them to discuss more intricate challenges so we can continue to help them live better financial lives.
– Alberto Garofalo, President, Bank of America New Jersey
