Business Focus Newsletter – Dec. 2024

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Follow Up Strategies That Will Get More Clients and Close More Sales

Follow-up is a critical part of the sales process and is an area of struggle for most. Follow-up should not be a hard heavy “to do” and is not something that should be pushed aside. There are a variety of reasons why so many struggle getting their follow up work done consistently. In this presentation, Wanda will get to the heart of the matter and show your audience how to overcome their follow-up challenges so they can get more clients and close more sales.

In the Follow Up Sales Strategies presentation, your audience will learn:

• Why using a system is critical for follow up success
• Follow up systems that don’t work
• How the right mindset will make the follow up process easier
• Surprising sales statistics
• The real reason people don’t follow up
• 3 strategies that will improve their follow up efforts immediately

The one who follows up is the one who gets the business!

Workshop Presenter: Wanda Allen

Wanda Allen is an International speaker, coach, corporate trainer, author and award winning business owner. She’s the author of Follow Up Savvy and Follow Up Sales Strategies.  Wanda had a 25 year corporate career where she held the position of Senior Vice President for 15 years. She has a sales background and worked with sales teams throughout her corporate career. She gained extensive training on business development, maintaining client relationships and customer service. She has a strong skill set for developing systems and applied this skill to the follow up process. What she teaches is tried, tested and proven. After leaving the corporate world to pursue her own business ventures, Wanda founded her business, Follow Up Sales Strategies. She’s an expert in helping entrepreneurs, business owners and sales professionals increase pipelines, improve sales performance and strengthen relationships by developing strong follow up skills.

Registration Information

Registration fee: Free

If you have trouble registering, send an email to siliconvalley@scorevolunteer.org

You will receive the link to join with your registration confirmation.

There’s no fee for most of these workshops, however, your tax deductible donation would be most welcome. As a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit with all services delivered on a volunteer basis, we rely on the support of our donors to continue delivering great value to the community. Thank you.  Donate Now

Silicon Valley innovation runs on pizza. Let’s take a week to pay our respects.

Apply Now!

Silicon Valley Restaurant Week is a week of special menus and special prices celebrating the world’s greatest food: pizza. It is inspired by our love of pizza and the success of pizza weeks elsewhere in the United States and Canada.

The inaugural 2025 Silicon Valley Pizza Week includes pizza-serving establishments in and around Santa Clara County—San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Milpitas, Fremont, Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Morgan Hill and Gilroy—as well as pizza places on the Peninsula, in cities such as Burlingame, Redwood City and Menlo Park and in southern Alameda’s Tri-City area (Fremont).

It begins January 31 and runs through February 9, 2025

FOR PIZZA LOVERS

Follow this site for a complete list of participating restaurants. Metro, the Los Gatan and Morgan Hill Times will publish official guides to Silicon Valley Pizza Week in the last week of January. We also post updates to our Instagram feed and have an app that goes live in January. With the app, you’ll be able to check-in, rate and post photos to share with other SVPW enthusiasts.

FOR PIZZA MAKERS

Serve your restaurant’s delicious pizza to local pizza aficionados during Silicon Valley Pizza Week. It begins January 31 and runs through February 9, 2025. Participants serve a special pizza at a special price and are encouraged to also offer special slice and meal combos.

Special menus must be presented along with your regular menu. Be creative to make your specials stand out! We encourage you to promote your Silicon Valley Pizza Week specials through your usual marketing channels.

Sign up now to save money. The first five participants are just $175 per location, and the next 10 are $250. Subsequent registrants are $350. Additional locations under the same brand are just $100 each. All participants provide four gift certificates per location, each equal in value to the price of your special Silicon Valley Pizza Week pie.

Comprehensive marketing campaign includes

• • Your restaurant featured on the official website.

• • Silicon Valley Pizza Week ads appear on media sites such as Bohemian.com, Healdsburg Tribune.com and PacificSun.com and those of our in-kind promotional partners.

• • eBlasts go to approximately 25,000 subscribers.

• • Giveaways are posted to social media.

• • Official program runs in local publications the last week of January.

• • Printable marketing will be shared with participants.

• • Promotions will be broadcast on local radio stations.

• • Contests will encourage diners to share their experiences on social media and via the SVPW app.

Marketing Begins: December 16 Deadline to Send Us Your Specials: January 15 Pizza Week: January 31-February 9 Register: Complete this application.

Contributed by Mary Gurries, Tourism and Engagement Coordinator, Visit Gilroy

While spending the holidays at home is a cherished tradition, celebrating the season away can create unique and lasting memories to treasure for years to come.

Holiday Shopping
Make Gilroy Premium Outlets your first stop, featuring designer and brand-name stores and incredible savings. This outdoor shopping destination becomes even more magical during the holiday season with festive décor, extended shopping hours, and special seasonal promotions.

Downtown Charm
Make stocking stuffing that much more special; bring home a trinket from a local shop you discover together. Stroll through downtown Gilroy to find decorated storefronts of local boutiques and businesses offering unique gift-finding opportunities. Cafés and Restaurants provide the perfect spot to warm up with a seasonal beverage and deliciously satisfying plate. Keep warm with a brewed cup from a local coffee shop or treat your sweet tooth at Savvy’s Downtown Sweets. Make it a complete evening out bowling with family at the Gilroy Bowl or enjoy a romantic date night exploring the taprooms serving craft beer and wine.

North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens
Experience winter magic as Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park sparkles with thousands of twinkling lights during their signature “North Pole Nights” event. The park’s unique landscape becomes an enchanted wonderland where visitors can glide across the ice-skating rink, savor seasonal treats and beverages, and enjoy the delightful “Magic of Santa” musical show. This beloved holiday tradition creates the perfect setting for unforgettable family memories.

Explore the historic Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail
The local wineries host festive tastings, live music, and holiday markets that offer boutique artisan gifts and home decor ideas crafted by local makers and vendors. Gift the experience; surprise the wine lover in your life with the “Wine Trail Pass Deck”, an exclusive way to access our local wine country.

Visit Casa de Fruta
A quick stop, or day-long excursion featuring specialty dried fruits, nuts, candies, and deli treats… wine tasting too! Their restaurant offers delicious food and famously delicious pies. Children are sure to love the double-decker carousel and “Casa de Choo-Choo” train.

Diverse Dining Experiences
Gilroy’s varied dining scene comes alive during the holidays, with restaurants offering seasonal specials in festively decorated settings. From cozy cafés to fine dining establishments, there’s a table for every palate, gathering size, and occasion.

Located just a short drive from Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, and Monterey Bay, Gilroy is positioned perfectly for families, couples, and friends seeking to create magical memories this Christmas season.

For event schedules, lodging, and tips to plan your holiday experience, see VisitGilroy.com.

The Gilroy Community Survey 2024-2025 is now live! Your feedback is vital in shaping the future of our community. 

Please take a few moments to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas for our community.

Your input will be used to help guide important planning and funding decisions for the next two fiscal years. The survey is quick – it takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

 Survey Link: gilroy.city/survey

 Submissions are anonymous, and no personal information is collected.

Thank you for helping make Gilroy an even better place to live, work, and play!

We are seeking residents who are interested in getting involved by serving on a citizen advisory board, commission, or committee.

Serving on a Board, Commission, or Committee is a unique opportunity to:

• Make a Difference: Your voice and perspective can help influence decisions that shape Gilroy’s future.
• Gain Experience: Develop valuable skills in leadership, collaboration, team building, and problem-solving.
• Network: Connect with other passionate community members, city staff, and city leaders.
• Give Back: Contribute your time and expertise to create a stronger, more vibrant community.

The deadline for applying to join the Boards, Committees, and Commissions is December 20, 2024.  

Submit your application today. We look forward to meeting you.   

Note: Library Bond Oversight Committee members’ term will extend until the bond’s remaining funds are obligated, which is estimated to 2027