Chamber Executive Ongoing Education: Plugging Your Leaks: Is Your Organization “Seeping” Displeasure?
“Leaks are not the problem, they are a symptom.”
– Heather Brooke
Air Leak
Last month I was flying coast to coast. I met by a flight attendant as I boarded who gave me a cheerful greeting but I could tell he wasn’t having his best day. After taking off, they started talking with me and we started a conversation about family, movies and flight travel. Then he opened-up about how the airline is “nickel and diming” their customers and the attendants are bearing the brunt of customer complaints. It was like I unlocked a door of discontent.
Last month I was flying coast to coast. I met by a flight attendant as I boarded who gave me a cheerful greeting but I could tell he wasn’t having his best day. After taking off, they started talking with me and we started a conversation about family, movies and flight travel. Then he opened-up about how the airline is “nickel and diming” their customers and the attendants are bearing the brunt of customer complaints. It was like I unlocked a door of discontent.
From that point on, he felt like I was someone he could discuss everything about the leadership of the company he and many others in the organization were displeased with. He has a grudge against the CEO and policies. I sat and listened and allowed him to vent. It was an educational journey!
Have you ever done business with someone who was not only having a bad day, but was working for a company they just didn’t like? “Don’t blame me; blame my boss.” I’ve heard that one several times in the past year. They don’t like their boss and they take it out by “leaking” their feelings to customers. They don’t care that hurting the company is actually damaging them.
Your organization is probably “leaking” inside information on work relations every day right under your watchful eyes. They may be doing it behind your back or out in the open but it is hurting your business. The truth is, you may be to blame.
Your people don’t all like working for you
-for a whole lot of reasons.
-for a whole lot of reasons.
Ask these questions as you ponder that fact:
1. Are you fighting for them? They don’t trust that you have their backs when the chips are down.
2. Are you micro-managing them? They are dependable and creative, often with no credit from you.
3. Are you keeping them out of the loop/in the dark? They have no idea what your vision really is.
4. Are you getting in the trenches with them? They see you removed from their day-to-day grind.
5. Are you indecisive? They are waiting for you to give them permission to make you look good.
6. Are you shutting them down? They have valuable feedback that can help you and the business.
7. Are you being inconsistent with them? They are looking for stability and strength.
More information: Jim Mathis
Email: info@jimmathis.com
Toll Free: 1-888-688-0220
Greater Elkhart Chamber CEO Kyle Hannon: Putting up a fight for U.S. 31 highway
There are a couple of times a year that we really think about roads. In the near future we will think about our road and whether the snow is cleared or not. In the spring we will consider whether the potholes are patched properly.
In the Chamber world, we think about roads all the time. Roads are how our businesses and people thrive. This coming legislative session I encourage you to think a lot about roads too. Transportation funding is going to be one of the top issues.
It’s a top issue because, quite frankly, road funding is not keeping up with road needs.
Are our roads in good enough shape to move product from one place to another? Can employees get to work quickly and safely? Can you get to Indianapolis as quickly and safely as you need?
U.S. 31 is a great example because it is the most visible, and I would say the most threatened. About 20 years ago the Elkhart Chamber and St. Joseph County Chamber realized that the dream of businesses and residents for a limited access highway between South Bend and Indianapolis was not going to happen by dreaming. Our organizations collaborated with local government and other interested companies to form the U.S. 31 Coalition.
Thanks to the work of the coalition, and legislative partners, U.S. 31 has been greatly improved. The limited-access roadways around Lakeville, Kokomo and through Carmel have shaved a half hour off my journey. If you get there even more quickly, well, that’s between you and law enforcement. Regardless of which side of the speed limit sign we drive, U.S. 31 is getting closer to the roadway we imagined.
But it is not finished. We have to remind lawmakers and others of this. Even with the constant work of the U.S. 31 Coalition and the tremendous improvements and bypasses, U.S. 31 is not complete. We get so giddy with the improved travel time that we overlook the six remaining stoplights, two railroad crossings, and 200 cross streets and driveways.
Every year, state Sen. Joe Zakas introduces SB 31. The number stays the same, but the subject ranges from limiting stoplights to protecting the corridor, all designed to improve the flow of U.S. 31. Each year the coalition and the Elkhart Chamber meet with INDOT and reminds them of the importance of this vital corridor. We met with former Gov. Mitch Daniels, Gov. Mike Pence and will meet with incoming Gov. Eric Holcomb. This is important to our region and state.
But it will cost a lot of money to complete the U.S. 31 project. And other projects in our area. And other projects around our state. Read more: South Bend Tribune
Holiday decor, spirit shine at Geneva's Christmas Walk and Holiday House Tour
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Geneva. The city is planning a magical experience for its 49th Christmas Walk and Holiday House Tour.
Festivities take place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, in downtown Geneva.
Among the twinkling lights and fresh greenery-lined streets, chestnuts will roast over open fires, carolers will fill the night air with seasonal favorites and a live Nativity scene will illustrate the reason for the season. Dazzling window displays, brimming with gift ideas, invite shoppers to stroll through shops as merchants serve holiday refreshments.
This popular and family-friendly event offers visitors a very merry Friday evening full of hometown traditions as well as special treats -- the arrival of Santa Lucia, Christmas cookies, the great tree-lighting, homemade candy canes, and a visit from Santa with the opening of his Gingerbread Home.
Treat yourself to the Christmas House Tour on Friday and Saturday. Five charming homes, aglow with holiday decorations, will open their doors to visitors for self-guided tours. The personality of each home will illuminate when local decorators and landscapers work with homeowners to create holiday magic. A holiday tea held at the Congregational Church in Geneva is included in the $30 price of the ticket.
Both events are presented by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce with the support of the city of Geneva, sponsors and community volunteers. Proceeds from the house tour go to decorating the downtown for the holidays. Read more: Daily Herald
#BestChamber Practices: Royal Oak Chamber: Website Business Resources
Things to consider…
Have you put together a complete Business Plan? The purpose of a business plan is to make you think through the various components of your business. Things like an overview of your business, your product or service, market research you have done, the location of your business, marketing, financial, and legal issues, and how you are going to fund your endeavor.
You can get free assistance with your business plan by meeting with a SCORE counselor. SCORE is a group of retired business executives who donate their time and expertise to help prospective business owners get started. You can schedule a meeting with a SCORE counselor by contacting the Chamber offices at 248.547.4000. For more information on SCORE simply click here.
Once your business plan is complete, what do you do next? You should start by contacting the Planning Department at the City of Royal Oak offices located at 211 S. Williams St., Room 311. They can be reached via telephone at 248.246.3280.
The Planning Department’s (PD) charge is multi-faceted with an overall goal of maintaining, improving, developing and redeveloping property in the City of Royal Oak. Two key functions that they oversee are:
Once your business plan is complete, what do you do next? You should start by contacting the Planning Department at the City of Royal Oak offices located at 211 S. Williams St., Room 311. They can be reached via telephone at 248.246.3280.
The Planning Department’s (PD) charge is multi-faceted with an overall goal of maintaining, improving, developing and redeveloping property in the City of Royal Oak. Two key functions that they oversee are:
- Enforcement of the City’s Zoning Ordinance
- Providing assistance/information on the City’s development processes
How does this concern you? You will need to know where your intended usage/business activity is permitted within the City of Royal Oak. If you already have a location identified you need to confirm that your intended usage/business activity is allowed at that location. If you do not have a specific location identified you will need to know which zoning district(s) allow your intended use/business activity. The PD can answer these questions for you. The PD can also explain any processes, procedures or options you may have in regards to your proposed use/business activity as it relates to a specific location. The links below show the current zoning in the city.
>> Zoning Map
It is highly recommended that you do your homework before signing any lease or purchase agreement. The PD can describe the steps or processes involved in starting a business in Royal Oak, including any estimated time periods. It is also a good idea to consult a professional service [architect, attorney] to assist you. Time, energy and money spent up front can save you plenty of each on the back end.
>> Zoning Map
It is highly recommended that you do your homework before signing any lease or purchase agreement. The PD can describe the steps or processes involved in starting a business in Royal Oak, including any estimated time periods. It is also a good idea to consult a professional service [architect, attorney] to assist you. Time, energy and money spent up front can save you plenty of each on the back end.
Also included are links to various other sites that you may find helpful as you consider opening a business in Royal Oak. The Chamber is here to provide you with assistance you may need in locating your business to a vibrant and growing community.
Other resources
Connecting people, jobs: Hope House starting bus service to Kentucky Transpark
There are hundreds of available jobs – with more on the way – at the Kentucky Transpark, and there are many people in Bowling Green who are looking for work. The obstacle keeping those intertwined needs from intersecting is often lack of transportation.
One local nonprofit hopes to bridge that gap. Hope House Ministries is starting public bus service Jan. 3 from its West 10th Avenue location to the Transpark.
Hope House is a community development nonprofit that works with churches and businesses and offers wide-ranging programs, such as financial and other counseling services, a recovery center for men, a community store and English as a second language classes.
Among the programs at the faith-based Hope House is Jobs for Life, an eight-week jobs training program. In working with Jobs for Life participants and others in the community, a recurring issue has surfaced, according to Bryan Lewis, Hope House executive director.
“What we have encountered is that transportation is one of the biggest roadblocks,” he said. “It’s amazing how many people wind up losing or missing out on a job because of transportation issues.”
Conversely, local manufacturers have said they need employees, with the need being especially strong at the manufacturing plants at or near the Transpark on Louisville Road.
“We have heard it both from employers and (job placement) agencies that transportation is an issue,” Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce President Ron Bunch said. “It’s great to see (Hope House) stepping up and putting it in place.”
There is no GO bg Transit route to the Transpark, so people without vehicles are dependent on others to get them to and from work – “the going rate is $5 a ride” from people in the neighborhood, Lewis said. Read more: Bowling Green Daily News
Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map
The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map is available at the Rochester Regional Chamber today! Thanks to Sheri Heiney, Maggie Bobitiz and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Manassas, VA- On the evening of Thursday, December 2nd the members of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce gathered for their annual Holiday Open House at Chamber Headquarters near the Manassas Regional Airport. Presented by the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the event was sponsored by C.C. Bartholomew, Keller Williams Solutions. Bartholomew is the Chairman of the Chamber’s Board. It was a festive occasion, complete with door prizes, trays of Christmas cookies and roughly a dozen Christmas trees decorating the room. Most festive of all, attendees were asked to bring a toy for the TML-A Xerox Company Toy Drive to benefit the Gifting for Families program of Northern Virginia Family Service; specifically the SERVE campus in Manassas. Nearly 100 toys, games and puzzles were collected to help the Manassas-area homeless shelter and food pantry reach their goal of providing gifts for children in need across Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
TML employees kicked off the drive by filling half of a large box with toys before sending the box over to the Chamber Open House. When all was said and done, two large boxes were overflowing with toys for local children. TML President Ben Simms and Major Account Executive Will Nance picked up the toys and delivered them to the SERVE campus the next day.
The Gifting for Families program ensures that children in Northern Virginia receive a gift or gift card for the holiday season. In total, close to 2,000 children will be served across Northern Virginia, many of whom live in the Prince William region.
For additional information about NVFS’ Gifting for Families holiday drive or how to donate, please visit www.nvfs.org/giftingforfamilies or contact Sarah Crosley: scrosley@nvfs.org, 571-748-2502. Contact: Andrea Whaley, Prince William Chamber of Commerce, awhaley@pwchamber.org; 571-765-1876
EMBDC, local merchants encourage shopping on Terrific Thursdays
The East Mississippi Development Corporation is encouraging people to experience, support and shop downtown small businesses
“You really don’t have to go elsewhere to shop, they can come right here locally and support the businesses but also find the gifts that they really need,” said Casey Holladay, Events Coordinator with the EMBDC.
Nearly 15 downtown merchants will be open until 8 pm every Thursday leading up to Christmas.
“We are hoping that we can bring back the Thursday night shopping in Downtown Meridian and we are just really excited about it and it is more of a community feel and it really does help our customers,” said Tricia LaBiche, Owner and Manager of LaBiche Jewelers.
With new restaurants, stores and shops opening in Downtown Meridian leaders say the town thriving and they want to continue the momentum through the holiday season.
“There are so many people who maybe don’t work or come downtown throughout the week, so this gives them an extra time frame to be able to come and support the local businesses,” said Holladay. Read more: WTOK.com
Twin Lakes to feel the holiday spirit
The village will usher in the holiday season Friday and Saturday with the annual Trees on Parade holiday bazaar and the lighting of the village tree downtown.
The 11th annual Trees on Parade, hosted by the Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association, will kick off the festivities from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at St. John’s Catholic Church, 711 N. Lake Ave. It continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“It is just a nice, old-fashioned community event,” Chamber director Marilyn Trongeau said.
This year’s “Winter Wonderland” features a seasonal craft and gift fair set among the backdrop of 15 trees decorated by various schools, charitable groups and businesses. Patrons can vote for the their favorite trees to win the People’s Choice Award.
“We have about 18 retail vendors this year,” Trongeau said.
Trees on Parade also features:
— Gingerbread houses designed by Wilmot High School culinary arts students.
— A Kids Korner with crafts, activities and face painting.
— Door and raffle prizes.
— Visits with Santa from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Admission to the event is $2 for adults and $1 for ages 3-12. Children under age 3 are free. Read more: Kenosha News
Good morning #Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
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