Business Services / Networking & Education

The El Cajon CDC is working to ensure the economic vitality of Downtown El Cajon. A large part of our efforts include free technical assistance to business owners in the form of educational and networking opportunities.

Business Newsletter

El Cajon CDC continues to work in a collaborative effort with the downtown business community to ensure the economic vitality of Downtown El Cajon. The Business Education Newsletter has a wealth of information on different business topics, workshops, and financing opportunities. Feel free to browse through the Business Education Newsletter to learn about the business services available to you:

The New El Cajon CDC Resource Center in Downtown El Cajon

El Cajon CDC would like to extend a warm welcome to all property owners, business owners, residents, community members, commercial brokers, and first-time homebuyers to the new Community and Business Resource Center at El Cajon CDC!

The Resource Center provides the community of Downtown El Cajon with two technologically-smart classrooms, one private consulting office, a library of business material, A/V materials, and two computers with various computer programs to assist you. El Cajon CDC will like you to come and visit the Resource Center to experience the wealth of information available to you such as:

Of course the dream of the Community and Business Resource Center would have not been possible without generous contributions from the Rotary Club of El Cajon, Business Office Outfitters, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, El Cajon CDC would like to express great gratitude to the following individuals whose contributions and support have made the Resource Center a reality: Mehdi Naraghi, Byron Long, Todd E. Leigh, and Roberto Hernandez from Los Rancheros Mexican and Seafood.  

The El Cajon CDC Resource Center is open to the public from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, except on holidays. For more information on the resources available contact El Cajon CDC at (619) 401-8858

We look forward to your visit!

Merchant Promotion Committee (MPC)

Give insights into the type of business that YOU want to see in YOUR downtown. The MPC works towards creating a healthy business environment in Downtown El Cajon. Discussions range from streetlight concerns to marketing tips. If you are a business owner or if you are in the pursuit of becoming one, this committee is a great way to begin your entrepreneurial ambitions. Contact Kathryn Courter, Promotion and Event Manager, at (619) 401-8858 for more information about joining this committee.

Teamwork in a Challenging Economy Seminar

On Tuesday April 14, 2009 the merchants in Downtown El Cajon witnessed a dynamic and informative Dale Carnegie workshop. With support from our breakfast sponsors Los Rancheros, Starbucks, and Sprouts, the participants enjoyed breakfast burritos, coffee, bagels, and fruit.

The fun and interactive workshop, "Teamwork in a Challenging Economy," provided participants with tools to build relationships in life and in the workplace. Presenter Gary Lowman focused on team building as a way to combat the negative effects of the economy on the workplace and emphasized teamwork as an essential part of every healthy relationship between employers and employees. He used the acronym TEAM to describe that Together Everyone Achieves More. Gary Lowman explained that when people work together towards a goal that is going to benefit them and others, the purpose in achieving something becomes more meaningful. Therefore, employees will want to work in an environment in which they feel their contribution matters.

Moreover, Gary Lowman mentioned that part of being a team means acknowledging each other as a way to build personal and professional relationships. By “giving an honest and sincere appreciation” to someone in your team, you and your coworker and/or teammate begin to share a connection that transcends daily routine. In doing so, trust increases and healthier relationships are established that increase worker productivity.

As part of creating meaningful relationships with coworkers, Gary Lowman also emphasized “coaching” as being a main drive towards achieving team goals. He talked about coaching people as a means to redirect paths when necessary. Not only does coaching someone provide essential development of leadership skills, but it also provides a space for employers to know more about their employees. An employer needs to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of his/her employees in order for them to be more effective and direct managers.

Furthermore, Gary Lowman introduced the Cycle of Continuous Growth and Development. This cycle is composed of four complementary parts that need to be realized one at a time in order to achieve success. Imagine a circle or a pie divided in four parts.

1. The first part starts clockwise with the word “Attitude”. “Attitude” defines the goal setting phase for any person, company, group, and/or team; it describes the necessary steps to accomplish any given goal, and begins with the words “I will.”
2. Following Attitude is “Knowledge”. People need to acquire information regarding their goal. As one becomes more knowledgeable about the subject matter of their goal, then the goal can be understood at a deeper level making the goal more approachable.
3. Once the goal has been researched and analyzed, then the implementation part of the goal comes with “Practice”. This is the phase when the individual, the team, or company takes the steps that are going to lead them closer to their goal. For example, in order for a restaurant to bring more people to their door they need to promote their food, and a retailer that wants to sell any product line needs to educate consumers on the properties of their new product. All steps leading to the desired goal come with “practicing what you preach.”
4. The final phase is “Success.” When the individual or group manages to successfully implement all of the steps towards their goal and arrive at the desired outcome, they achieve “Success.” Then the Cycle of Continuous Growth and Development begins a new to pursue new goals.

Overall the workshop gave insightful views on how to maintain happy employees and how to grow on a personal and professional level.