MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: “It’s hard to shake hands and be hostile.” — Sandra Day O’Connor, explaining why the Supreme Court justices have the ritual of shaking hands before going into court, according to the Wickedly Fun Dictionary of Business.

The most common place for a business handshake is during the time allocated for networking at each of the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber activities. Networking is an opportunity to create a relationship and your initial approach will determine the foundation for future interactions. Networking can pay off in new information, new contacts, and potential business.

The SMMC urges business people to show up at these activities. After showing up, it’s the handshake, a traditional greeting and a part of every business deal that builds the foundation. Accompanied with a smile, it sets the mood for the rest of your interaction.

And when you shake hands, mean it. Business deals can be won or lost over a handshake. In addition to setting the mood, a handshake provides a quick way in determining what kind of person you are. Are you weak and passive, or strong and a go-getter? You can tell by your handshake.

So what is a business-to-business handshake? Here’s a step-by-step definition: “It’s where the bottom edges of each person’s right hands are parallel to the ground, and the grips meet web-to-web at the thumbs with a firm — not bone crushing — grasp. Three pumps up and down should do it. Five or more means you’re lonely and looking for companionship. Not letting go will get you arrested,” again according to the Wickedly Fun Dictionary of Business.

Remember, people do business with those they like and trust. The first interaction and impression may very well be the handshake, good eye contact and the smile on your face.

See you at the next SMMC networking event.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

— April 10 is a public meeting to discuss tourism marketing of the Mid-coast section of Maine (Brunswick to Searsport). Learn about the 2014-15 marketing efforts and results and provide input for the 2015-16 Maine Tourism Marketing Partnership Program Grant. The meeting is 11 a.m. to noon at the Community Room, 8 Venture Ave., Brunswick Landing, Brunswick. Please R.S.V.P. at info@mainesmidcoast.com.

— Mid Coast Edge’s first professional development panel is “Managing & Leading Through the Generations.” On the panel is BEK CEO Gil Buthlay, Cool As A Moose web store manager and marketing coordinator Emily Cromwell and Androscoggin Bank CEO Paul Andersen. Find out the differences and similarities from baby boomers to millennials. The meeting is at 4 p.m., April 16, Curtis Memorial Library, Pleasant Street, Brunswick.

— Chamber After Hours is Wednesday, April 22 at RE/MAX Riverside, Bowdoin Island, Topsham. It will be catered by Sea Dog Brewing Company with a cash bar by Byrne’s Irish Pub. SMMC’s Chamber After Hours events are the best regional networking events. Make new connections, gather business leads and reconnect with business owners. Chamber members, their employees and guests are all invited. The event is always free.

— Your business card is the “cost” of admissiontotheB2B(BusinesstoBusiness) Marketplace on April 28, 1-5 p.m. at Coastal Performance Training Center. Sponsored by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and presented by Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber and Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce, this event will include 40 exhibitors. Businesses are invited to attend to build their customer base and discover products and services to increase their own success.

Please pre-register for all events at www.midcoastmaine.com.

OUR MEMBERS: Welcome to Northern Chi Martial Arts, a family oriented karate school, located at 25 Stanwood St., Brunswick.

SMMC proudly serves 700 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich. Our members represent 132 varied business sectors. Find them all on our website at wwwmidcoastmaine.com.