Wow. 2010 is NOT getting a sleepy start when it comes to building opportunities through marketing, networking, courses and public events. If you’re not registered or participating in some kind of course, seminar, webcast, or local initiative I have to ask… why not? Remember the great and simple adage: If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got.

It’s time to take some risks, make some new investment – even if it’s just a hypodermic of adrenalin into your business – and start looking at things with a fresh outlook. Do something you’ve never done before, or something you’ve previously written off as a time-waster unlikely to show benefit. Ask a business that IS demonstrating new energy how and where they got it, and follow suit.

Here’s what’s on in the next 4-6 weeks that can help you build your business for 2010 and beyond:

• January 14, Capilano University Sechelt Campus, 3 hours morning session: E-Leadership. Leading by example, creating community, including an element of altruism, developing role as expert, online presence, social media, dos and don’ts + hands on lab work with Facebook, Twitter, Hootsuite, Google Alerts, Google Analytics, Google Adwords/Adsense.
• January 15, World Host training in Customer Service Excellence for Olympic guests. Welcome and cultural protocol for different languages and cultures, tips, highlights, promoting accessibility for disabled visitors. If this seminar doesn’t sell out (there’s one Saturday morning – 16th – at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt) we are missing out on a fantastic opportunity to be the best we can be, and what does that say about us by extension. Book NOW. There are limited spaces available. Contact the Gibsons Chamber for routing through to organizers. 604-886-2325.
• January 27,  5:30 – 7:30 Magellan’s Sechelt (next to the Lighthouse Pub): Infusion 2010 Media Mixer. Meeting marketing experts from every discipline – bring your questions for some great free advice, network with other business owners, create marketing synergy and learn from two well-known Coast professionals about how to approach your ‘marketing plan’. $20 networking & nibbles; cash bar.
• January 28th, 7-9pm Lower Gibsons: Enterprising Moms Network Monthly Speaker Meeting. Laurie McConnell will be talking about tracking the success of your online marketing.
• January 29th, Ceillis Irish Pub 670 Smithe Street Vancouver 6pm: ByzHub.com Meetup. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, including Sunshine Coast and Vancouver businesses.
• February 4th, Sechelt’s Spirit Square, 9:30 am: Olympic Torch Relay Event. While not being a business event per se, most Sunshine Coast businesses will benefit either directly or indirectly from the Olympics, whether its in the games period running from Feb through the Paralympics in March or beyond. Be there, be enthusiastic, get an infusion of Olympic Spirit to take into your business. Gibsons event begins at 1pm.
• February 11th, Robson Square Vancouver, evening: Sunshine Coast Tourism tells the story of the Coast in HD video and introduces Media to our regional cuisines in a partnered evening event with Tourism Vancouver Island. Make sure you are a member of Sunshine Coast Tourism so your story is part of the message.
• Duration of Olympics, Richmond’s BC Street and O Zone: Sunshine Coast Tourism engages visitors and media about the Sunshine Coast. Very exciting. Booth Volunteers needed.
• Duration of Olympics, BC Ferries Langdale/Horseshoe Bay Run: Additional Travel Ambassadors needed for one 4 hour shift per week. Learn on the job with an experienced partner, and have a blast welcoming the world. Contact the Gibsons Chamber of Commerce.