The Race Is To The Starting Line

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

October 14, 2013

Jim Charapich

As an Indoor Cycling Instructor, I was warming up at the beginning of class recently. There is always a happy chatter about races and competition that class associates are planning or have completed. I joke with the class that the morning class is one of the elite of the exercise classes because of their commitment to rise early and make fitness a priority. There are often phrases or thoughts traded that I treasure and share when appropriate. They happen almost passively sometimes and yet they can be powerful in their meaning.

The phrase that caught my attention recently was “The race is to the starting line”. As a competitive athlete, I found this to be profound. The race is just execution of the training and discipline that get you to the starting line. The real work is getting to the starting line. When the gun goes off and the race begins, the pre-race preparation takes over and the fun begins.

In business, we sometimes know where the race begins. However, we are sometimes placed in a moment when preparation and training need to be in place to move your company forward with little notice. This could be in closing a sale, navigating customer service, or knowing how to get things done for a project. “The race is to the starting line” is really about being prepared for the environment with the tools to succeed.

The Culpeper Chamber is accepting applications for the Class of 2014 Lead Culpeper. The program is about developing the social capital to get things done. There are no other programs like this for emerging local leaders to develop relationships across business, education, and government sectors. Within any of these sectors, it is easy to see the world from the silo of your industry. The Lead Culpeper program helps to break down barriers and facilitate relationships that become valuable in advancing through obstacles.

We have elevated the program building one year on another since the 1990’s with many of the past graduates serving leadership roles today in Industry and Government. The program begins in April 2014 with Commencement in January 2015. Details of the agenda and commitment are on the Chamber website at www.CulpeperChamber.com.

The Lead Culpeper program helps to prepare you for the moments that require leadership. There is no easy way to get to the starting line prepared. It takes time and commitment. The price for being unprepared can be significant. The Lead Culpeper program offers a pathway to understanding many of the networks and relationships useful for advancing in the race for success. Now is the time to budget for the program in 2014. There are 20 spaces available. Apply today.

R’October at the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

October 7, 2013

Jim Charapich

October is really R’October at the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. We have a lot going on.

First I want say thank you to the Town of Culpeper and the many Chamber members that made the purchase of our new location at 629 Sperryville Pike possible. We have set a course to build equity in our own location. The visibility and convenience make this a great location to advance opportunities in serving the members of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. We plan to have 4 offices to rent beginning next July to businesses that qualify. Please contact the Chamber office if you are interested.  The house is currently being rented until we can begin development of the property.

Sign up for the 2nd Annual Professional Women’s Luncheon this Thursday October 10th. The first luncheon was a big success and registration indicates that the second will be even more exciting. Go to the Chamber website to register for the great networking event while there are still seats available or call the Chamber office for more information 540-825-8628.

Our Young Professionals will meet with one of our local CEO’s at lunch on October 16th. This is one of the most popular programs involving our Young Professionals. Access to CEO’s in our community to hear about their success is a rare opportunity. The discussion with leaders that have helped to shape the vibrant business environment in Culpeper is a great investment of a lunch hour. Contact the Chamber Office for details.

There are several Ribbon Cuttings for new businesses this month. October 9th is Partners First Credit Union, October 12th is Sports Authority, and October 18th is Koon’s Automotive. Stay tuned, there may be more… Culpeper is great place to do business. Details are at the Chamber website.

Our "Members Only" after-hours mixer and networking event sponsored by Davies, Barrell, Will, Lewellyn, & Edwards PLC - Attorneys at Law, will be held at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant on October 16th. If you are not a member - contact the Chamber office about membership. These networking events are well attended.

 

October 24th we will host a Candidates Forum for the Board of Supervisors, for  Stevensburg, Cedar Mountain, and Jeffersonton Districts of Culpeper County. In addition, we will ask questions to the candidates for the General Assembly Delegate races for the 18th and 30th Districts. The event will be at the Country Club of Culpeper from 7:30 am - 10 am. The moderator has not been announced. We are accepting questions from Chamber members for consideration to be asked. Register at the Chamber website soon seating is limited.

Finally, we are accepting silent auction Items for the Chamber Banquet on November 7th. Our speaker is very fitting just before Thanksgiving… Register today for the many R’October events at www.CulpeperChamber.com