Chamber of Commerce Daily News

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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Phil Harwick — What remarkable associations do that others don’t; Large Chamber interest: Chicago Fed newsletter: Using private sector “big data” as an economic indicator: The case of construction spending; Chamber relationships: Participate in a Business Showcase at La Porte High School!; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Rapid City Chamber ribbon cutting: Century old family business looks to the future; Chamber event: 28th Street Metro Cruise will feature tribute to former host, new location for DreamWheels event; LZA Chamber host: Food is focus at Lake Zurich's Taste of the Towns; Chamber Report: 2016 1st Half Retail Sales Up In Charlottesville Region; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership); #BestChamber practices: Total Resource Campaign: Paducah Area Chamber; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps

Good morning Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!

Phil Hardwick — What remarkable associations do that others don’t

Why do some organizations thrive and really make a difference when others seem to be just hanging on? One thorough research project revealed that there are several things that make a significant difference in the success of associations. This research, which was conducted by the American Association of Society Executives, was presented in a book entitled 7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Others Don’t. If you manage an association, serve in a leadership role in an association or are a member of an association this book is worth reading.

The 7 Measures Project, as it was called, began in 2002 and resulted in publication of the book in 2006. An updated version was published in 2012. It presents as checkup on the associations that were mentioned in the first edition. The research used the matched-pair methodology, which was also used by Jim Collins and colleagues and resulted in the classic business management book, Good to Great. Basically, what that means is that the researchers looked at organizations that were in the same era and faced the same challenges. The successful companies were then compared to those that were not so successful to find out why. The researchers looked at 104 associations that had been in business for a minimum of 20 years.

Listed below are the seven measures, or factors, that were discovered. along with some comments by this writer.

1. A Customer Service Culture – The remarkable associations built their organizations by serving members and providing value to their members. They actively sought ways to continuously improve services to their members.

Some organizations make the mistake of forgetting that they are membership organizations. For example, the leadership of one chamber of commerce in Mississippi decided that it wanted to effect change in an issue facing the public. It got involved in a campaign that resulted in a referendum that was defeated by the community by a wide margin. The members were never asked if they wanted to participate in the campaign. It took a while for the chamber to rebuild member trust.

2. Alignment of Products and Services with Mission – The associations were driven by mission, not money. Everyone knew the mission of the organization and whom they served. The mission was central, regardless of the external environment.

Some organizations that are really good at what they good get lured into doing other things by funders who are in search of effective organizations. For example, an organization good at building houses may not be so good at job creation. But because of their success and opportunity to expand they refocused their mission, which led to a crisis when the funding dried up.

3. Data-Driven Strategies – Surveys of members, analysis of the environment in which they operated and continuous analysis of information resulted in accumulation of data that was acted upon. The remarkable associations were good at gathering and sharing information. They knew what members wanted and were willing to pay for.

4. Dialogue and Engagement – The staff and volunteers listened to each other and talked to each other. There were cross-functional teams, and no so-called silos. There was constant communication. By the way, the typical level of member non-involvement is 69.9 percent.

5. CEO as a Broker of Ideas – The CEO facilitated “visionary thinking” throughout the organization and developed a strong staff and volunteer partnership. The CEO was not necessarily the idea generator, but was the person who connected ideas with people and action.

Organizations should beware of charismatic leaders who have followers. It should be the organization and its mission that is followed, not the leader.

6. Organizational Adaptability – When remarkable organizations face a crisis they learn from it and change accordingly. Nevertheless, they know when not to change. The key is to know when to change. Sometimes that means abandoning a project or idea; sometimes it means refocusing.

This is why regular strategic planning is so important. Planning is about looking ahead, but it is also learning from the past, e.g. what worked and did not work.

7. Alliance Building – These associations were very good at finding and forming alliances and partnerships that complemented their mission and purpose. They also were good at communicating clear expectations about the partnerships. They are not driven by money, nor were they afraid to dissolve the partnership if it was not effective. Read more: Mississippi Business

Large Chamber interest: Chicago Fed newsletter: Using private sector “big data” as an economic indicator: The case of construction spending

by Daniel Aaronson, vice president and director of microeconomic research, Scott A. Brave, policy economist, and Ross Cole, associate economist

This Chicago Fed Letter provides an account of our collaboration with the construction contracts and payment management firm Textura to use their data to evaluate the state of U.S. construction spending. We show that new construction projects budgeted by Textura’s clients are a leading indicator for total U.S. construction spending and provide information beyond other already publicly available data. Read more

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Chamber relationships: Participate in a Business Showcase at La Porte High School!

What is a Business Showcase: Set up a table-top display and provide information to local students about the products and services you provide and also present to them the skills needed to work in your place of business. The table is set up outside of the La Porte High School cafeteria.

When do the Business Showcases occur: Your business can participate in a Business Showcase on Wednesdays during the lunch period from 10:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Only one organization is allowed per Business Showcase.

How can I participate in a Business Showcase: Contact the Chamber at gesse@lpchamber.com or call 219.362.3178 to reserve a spot.

Read below for more information about the program:

One of the many goals of the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce is to further develop a relationship between the La Porte Community School Corporation and our local business. One way to achieve and further strengthen this relationship is to create a "Business Showcase" at the High School during the lunch hour periods.

We are suggesting that the Chamber member provides the La Porte High School student body a table top display of their business which can contain examples of your products and services that your business manufactures and/or provides, the skills required to work in your place of business and any other information about your company that would spark interest to a young person to consider employment here in La Porte County after graduation.

The Chamber members' commitment would be to provide a single day "Business Showcase" during the High School's lunch periods between the times of 10:20 AM - 12:20 PM. We have designated each Wednesday as the "Business Showcase" day and the specific date will to be determined based upon the participation level and your convenience. Tables, chairs, and electrical outlets will be provided at the school.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to "Showcase" your business and allow you to ability to recruit potential future employees. If you are interested in assisting us by participating in the worthwhile project, please contact the Chamber at gesse@lpchamber.com or at 219.362.3178. Michael B. Seitz, I.O.M.

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Virginia Peninsula Chamber

Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Rapid City Chamber ribbon cutting: Century old family business looks to the future

Even Brad Dudley will tell you his company, Servall Towel and Linen Co., isn’t the most exciting business around.

But Servall is indeed a vibrant local business, celebrating its 100th anniversary, including 79 years in Rapid City.

The fourth-generation, locally-owned company provides employment for more than 100 employees.

Evidence of Servall's products and services can be seen in many places.

Anyone setting foot in a public building or storefront will likely take their first step on a Servall entrance mat or use Servall-supplied hand towels and bath tissue in a restroom.

Restaurant patrons will likely enjoy a meal on Servall cloth table linens, served by wait staff wearing Servall aprons and prepared by chefs wearing Servall coats.

Many retail businesses use Servall dry and wet mops. Auto mechanics and other industrial shop employees wear Servall rental uniforms and use their shop rags.

“We’re a behind-the-scenes support company,” said Dudley, not only company president and CEO, but the fourth generation of his family to continue Servall’s long tradition.

“All this is part of our service. We bring you clean stuff every week and we take the dirty stuff out. We clean it up, and we bring it back. We are basically a recycling company, a green company,” he said.

Servall traces its beginnings to 1916 in Norfolk, Neb., when Brad’s great-grandfather, George M. Dudley converted an old motorized taxi barn and livery into the Dudley Laundry Co. where a handful of employees picked up household laundry for washing, then delivered it back to homes to be hung outside for drying.

In the wake of a fire that leveled the original building in 1926, Brad’s grandfather, Darrel Dudley, changed the name to Servall just before opening a commercial laundry on Fourth Street in Rapid City in 1937. Read more: Rapid City Journal

Chamber event: 28th Street Metro Cruise will feature tribute to former host, new location for DreamWheels event

This year's 28th Street Metro Cruise, set for Aug. 26 and 27, features a new location for the popular DreamWheels event as well as a tribute to its former host, Grand Rapids Fire Lt. David Knisley, who died unexpectedly in May.

DreamWheels, in its fifth year as a part of Metro Cruise, combines a Hollywood-style movie premiere with a classic car show, complete with a 100-foot red carpet. Knisley, along with Kim Carson, of WLAV FM, had served as the event's hosts.

Knisley, a classic car enthusiast and 19-year veteran of the department, waskilled when his boat caught fire and sank at the Spring Lake marina on May 8.

In a tribute to Knisley, this year's DreamWheels will include a 1911 steam engine pulled by Clydesdale horses. The steam engine comes from the Engine House No. 5 Museum in Allendale.

DreamWheels, sponsored by WKTV Community Media and the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce, is moving this year from the former Klingman's building in Wyoming to Pal's Diner, 6503 28th St. SE in Cascade. Read more: M LIVE

LZA Chamber host: Food is focus at Lake Zurich's Taste of the Towns

Food was the focus Sunday in Lake Zurich's Paulus Park for the 10th annual Taste of the Towns.

Hosted by the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, the event featured a variety of food and beverage vendors serving samples from their menus.

Popular local establishments, including Beelow's Steakhouse, My Flavor it! Place, On Occasion Catering & Events, Bobbers Bar & Grill, Biaggi's Restaurant Italiano, Culver's and Smokin T's BBQ were a among the participants.

One sampling of food or beverage from each vendor could be tasted by purchasing a single Tasting Menu. The Tasting Menus could be shared by more than one individual.

Visitors also were treated to live entertainment and family and children's activities throughout the day. Read more: Daily Herald

Chamber Report: 2016 1st Half Retail Sales Up In Charlottesville Region

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce today released compiled sales & use tax data which show that during 2016’s first half year (January-June) retail sales activity was up across the region, with sales off slightly only in Waynesboro.

Virginia Department of Taxation sales tax data compiled showed that retail sales during the first half of calendar year 2016 compared to the first half of calendar year 2015 year, up in Albemarle County +7.25 percent; in Charlottesville +3.93 percent; in Augusta County +9.81 percent; in Fluvanna County +12.13 percent; in Greene County, +15.45 percent; and, in Louisa County, +7.06 percent. Retail sales where slightly off, essentially flat in Waynesboro -0.32 percent.

Over the first six months of 2016, Albemarle County and Charlottesville, the region’s retail hub, in the aggregate, accounted for $1.29 billion (+5.79 percent v. 2015-Q1 & Q2) in total retail sales (not including motor vehicle or gasoline/diesel sales).

Due to confidentially, competitive and proprietary requirements, the Virginia Department of Taxation does not report retail sales of particular enterprises or retail sales within areas of a locality.

The 2015 Chamber Jobs Report data showed that more than 16,316 jobs, 23.65% of all private sector jobs within the Greater Charlottesville region, are in “Trade, Transportation & Utilities;” most of those in retail. The Chamber will release its comprehensive 2016 Chamber Jobs Report prior to the Labor Day holiday and the 2016 Chamber Jobs Action Summit on September 7 at The Senior Center.

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)

"We have to wake up every day with a servant's heart!"

Frankfort, Indiana mayor Chris McBarnes, age 23 (that's right, 23!) to Indiana chamber executives at ICEA Annual Comference

#BestChamber practices: Total Resource Campaign: Paducah Area Chamber

The Chamber conducts an annual Total Resource Campaign to generate new members and budget reduction items. It’s always an exciting and FUN time of year for the Chamber and over 100 business volunteers. The chair for the campaign is next year's Chamber Chair of the Board - this is always a good way for them to familiarize themselves and interact with our volunteers!

Team Captains recruit 10 volunteers for their teams for a total of 100 volunteers.

Volunteers are asked to bring in at least one new member to the Chamber. Great prizes are awarded to the top individual and team producers as well as random prizes for the hard working volunteers - last year's winner won a trip valued at $2500!

The 2016 Campaign will run from August 25 through September 19. Everyone is invited to the Kick-off Mixer and the Victory Celebration!