Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Idea: Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy, Social World - by Gary Vaynerchuk; Is your Kansas or Missouri small business ready to go global? Not Getting a College Degree will Cost You $500,000; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Membership) - Gary Vaynerchuk

New York Times bestselling author and social media expert Gary Vaynerchuk shares hard-won advice on how to connect with customers and beat the competition.
When managers, marketers, and small business owners outline their social media strategies, they plan for the "right hook"—their next campaign that will produce profits. Even companies committed to "jabbing"—creating content for consumers and engaging with customers to build relationships—still desperately want to land the powerful, bruising swing that will knock out their opponents or their customers' resistance in one tooth-shattering, killer blow. Right hooks, after all, convert traffic to sales. They easily show results and return on investment. Except when they don't.
In the same passionate, streetwise style his readers have come to expect, Vaynerchuk is on a mission to strengthen marketers' right hooks by changing the way they fight to make their consumers happy, and ultimately to compete. Thanks to the massive change in and proliferation of social media platforms in the last four years, the winning combination of jabs and right hooks is different now. Communication is still key, but context matters more than ever. It's not just about developing high-quality content; it's also about developing high-quality content that's perfectly adapted to specific social media platforms and mobile devices. It's about truly engaging with customers, not by shouting at them over social media but by using new narrative forms particular to each different media platform—especially, though not exclusively, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumblr. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook is a blueprint to social media marketing strategies that really work.

Source: BarnesandNoble.com

Is your Kansas or Missouri small business ready to go global?

It may be an easier step than you think. Your local U.S. Export Assistance Center is your one-stop shop, designed to provide export assistance for your small- or medium-sized business. Below is the USEAC located in the Kansas/Missouri territory:

U.S. Export Assistance Center
4300 Goodfellow Blvd., Building 110, Suite 1100A
St. Louis, Missouri 63120
Tel: 314-260-3788
Fax: 314-260-3792
Email: john.blum@sba.gov



Not Getting a College Degree will Cost You $500,000

With so much discussion focused on the rising costs of a college education, many wonder if college is really worth the investment. The answer: you better believe it.
In a recent article in Science magazine, MIT economist David Autor explores the widening wealth gap within the so-called “99 percent” in which he attributes education as a primary factor. Autor researched the earnings gap between workers with a four-year college degree and those with only a high school diploma.
In 1979, the household median annual earnings gap between college educated and high school educated was roughly $30,000. Today, that gap has expanded to more than $58,000.  Autor simply states that, “The single most important factor [of inequality] is the rising return on postsecondary education.” Read more: U.S.  Chamber

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Membership)

“Your story needs to move people’s spirits and build their goodwill, so that when you finally do ask them to buy from you, they feel like you’ve given them so much it would be almost rude to refuse.” - Gary Vaynerchuk, author Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy, Social World

Monday, June 9, 2014

Indiana University taps Indiana chamber executive to lead public-policy institute; Duncan Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce sells out Bid Bash; HCCI names Kansas Chamber veteran Leatherman its new president/CEO; Chamber Fresh Idea: 200 miles of sales happening in one weekend in Michigan; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership): Margaret Thatcher

A veteran executive at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce is taking over as director of the Indiana University Public Policy Institute. R. Mark Lawrance, a lifelong Hoosier and IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate, is scheduled to take over the post in July. He replaces John Krauss, who is retiring. Read more: Indianapolis Business Journal

Duncan Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce sells out Bid Bash
The Duncan Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual Bid Bash is already sold out. With less than a week remaining, the Chamber is focused on collecting more donations for the event, which benefits the Food For Kids program through the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank and Chamber capital improvement projects. - See more at: Duncan Banner

HCCI names Kansas Chamber veteran Leatherman its new president/CEO
Terry Leatherman, who worked in multiple capacities in the Kansas Chamber of Commerce for nearly 20 years, has been named the President/CEO of Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc., the organization announced Friday.
Vince Frye, chairman of the HCCI Board, said Leatherman’s “solid history” of working with different Kansas agencies made him a strong candidate for the top spot of the not-for-profit organization. HCCI serves a 22-county area in northeast Kansas in areas of consumer credit counseling, debt repayment, first-time home purchases, rental housing counseling and consumer education. Read more: Topeka Capitol Journal

Chamber Fresh Idea: 200 miles of sales happening in one weekend in Michigan
The Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce, along with area partners, is planning a 200 Mile Yard Sale for the weekend of June 6-8. The chamber is hosting the event in conjunction with the Higgins Lake- Roscommon Chamber of Commerce, St. Helen Chamber of Commerce, Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau and the Roscommon County Economic Development Corporation.
The concept of the garage/yard/side of the road sale is to get people into the heartland of rural, scenic northeast Michigan. The event encourages businesses and residents to participate by having yard sales, sidewalk sales and special promotions for a continuous stretch from one end of the sale route to the other – the intended end result being a lot of fun for sellers and shoppers alike.Read more: Houghton Lake Resorter

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership): 



“Don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you.” ~ Margaret Thatcher

Forbes  18/50

Friday, June 6, 2014



Tim Allen, CEO and president of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the chamber served as the direct liaison between ArcBest, the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority and the AEDC in development of the plans and tax incentives. - See more at: http://arkansasnews.com/news/arkansas/arcbest-announces-975-new-jobs-new-hq-fort-smith#sthash.4PUDQwNz.dpuf

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Best Chamber Practices and Chamber Affinity Program: Dearborn (Michigan) Chamber of Commerce and Electronic Certificate of Origins; Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Illinois General Assembly Springfield Session Recap; Arkansas State Chamber, Arkansas manufacturing and business reps meet with Gov. Beebe, Workforce Cabinet; Missouri Lawmakers Reflect on 2014 Session at St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce; Mary Meeker's 2014 Internet Trends; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Preparation) - Abraham Lincoln

For the chamber that issues more than one Certificate of Origin per week, this program stands out as the single best resource available the chamber can offer their membership.  This takes a paperwork headache out of the chamber's workload, offers better service and makes it available 24/7! It also can be customized to your chamber's website, and you know who's using it and how often. Here is the information from the Dearborn Area (Michigan) Chamber's website:

Electronic Certificates of Origin --- Tradecertify.com delivers online Certificate of Origin and other document certification services to exporters around the world.

    • No Travel
    • No Couriers
    • No Mail/Post applications to chamber required
Pay as you use
    • No upfront charges. Simply pay as you use
    • No software installation required
Improved Time Efficiency and Productivity
    • Documents certified & returned in minutes rather than days
    • Avoid numerous trips to chamber. System identifies errors in advance
    • Users can quickly copy, edit & resubmit previous applications & rejections online.
    • User friendly system informs exporter of the next steps for successful application.
    • No training needed

Intelligent System

    • Break down of costs for export document in advance of application
    • Improves transport costing practices

Easy to remain compliant with rules and regulations

    • Our system identifies documentation errors in advance

Reduced shipment delays

    • Documents received in minutes rather than days

Reduced operational costs

    • No need for courier/postal and telephone costs associated with making manual submissions.
    • Reduced human error costs with editable online applications

User-Friendly Interface

    • Our online document application designs match the look and feel of the original paper-based documents.

High Level Customer Support

    • 9am to 5pm telephone support
    • 9am to 9pm email support
    • Simplicity of system to clients means reduced queries and calls to chambers

Tried and Tested Solution

    • Tradecertify.com is being used by some of the world’s largest export companies operating across a variety of industries
Policy effective April 1, 2013 - Electronic Transactions: (www.TradeCertify.com)

Submission time:
Turnaround
Member

Non-Member


time:

cost:

cost:














Midnight to 3pm
By 5pm the
$25

$75
EST, Monday-Friday
same day











4pm to midnight
Within 24

$25

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After 4pm EST on
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Paper Documents.....................................................................$30 Member Cost
Paper Documents...........................................................$100 Non-Member Cost

For more information, Contact the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce


Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Illinois General Assembly Springfield Session Recap


The Illinois House adjourned its spring session on the evening of May 30 and the Illinois Senate did so shortly after midnight, thus ending an Illinois General Assembly session that proposed a lot of grandiose plans, but did not see many of them come to fruition. From the Chicagoland Chamber’s perspective, there were some victories and some frustrations.    
The FY 2016 budget adopted by the legislature does not adequately address the state’s current spending obligations and is expected to be revisited before the end of the fiscal year, with the possibility of a tax increase after the November election.
A complete legislative report will follow next week, but below are some highlights:
  • Extension of the Income Tax Increase: Due to expire on December 31, 2014, the “temporary” higher rates of the personal and corporate income taxes were not extended, nor was Governor Quinn’s $500 property tax rebate plan advanced in the legislature.  (Chamber opposed.)
Read more: Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce - Public Policy Advocacy Report

Arkansas State Chamber, Arkansas manufacturing and business reps meet with Gov. Beebe, Workforce Cabinet


Representatives from Arkansas’ manufacturers and other state business leaders met with Gov. Mike Beebe and his workforce cabinet on Tuesday (May 27) for what was described as a “candid” forum on ways to improve jobs with existing industries. The meeting was co-hosted by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas.
“This is more about opportunity than difficulties or challenges,” said Randy Zook, president & CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber/AIA, who moderated the forum. The City Wire

Missouri Lawmakers Reflect on 2014 Session at St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce

Three St. Joseph state lawmakers offered insight Friday into the issues they witnessed and handled in the 2014 Missouri General Assembly.
The occasion was St. Joe Rising, a quarterly event staged by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. State Sen. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph; state Rep. Delus Johnson, R-St. Joseph; and state Rep. Pat Conway, D-St. Joseph, spoke before a crowd of 85 people at the Ramada Inn. Read more: St Joseph News-Press

Mary Meeker's 2014 Internet Trends

Since 2001, Mary Meeker has developed a knack for highlighting what’s currently happening on the Internet and how this information may impact technology and business in the future. Last week she released her 2014 Internet Trends and it reveals some interesting digital trends. Here are the highlights:
  • Marketing: Social messaging is changing from broadcasting a few messages to a large audience (like Facebook) to frequent interactions with targeted groups (like Snapchat).
  • Apps: Single purpose apps are on the rise, making apps geared towards specific services more popular than ones that have multiple purposes.
  • Big data: Sensor use in devices is providing companies with a lot more data to mine.
  • Cloud: Falling costs for computing (33 percent), storage (38 percent) and bandwidth (27 percent) have enabled the cloud.
  • User interfaces: As industries have developed new ways to present applications, bad user interfaces have started to disappear.
  • Mobile first: Internet touch points with stakeholders are increasingly becoming mobile connections.
Read more: DigitalGov

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Preparation)

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Kent Oyler Named President & CEO of Greater Louisville Inc.; AT&T's Paul La Schiazza to head Chicagoland Chamber board; Michigan Court of Appeals "Officer Liability" Ruling a Huge Victory for Taxpayers; Indiana State Chamber president says improving education still the top priority for the future; "Reaching Out to You" in Kansas City: A Small Business Workshop Hosted by SBA, FDIC and UFSC; Oklahoma Governor Fallin Signs Gross Production Compromise; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership):

Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) announced... that Kent Oyler will become the business leadership organization’s new President & CEO, effective June 1.  Oyler most recently served as managing partner of OPM Services, Inc., a financial-services and investment firm and has founded or co-founded over 18 other businesses, including High Speed Access Corp., a broadband service provider. 
 “We had many strong candidates from both the private and nonprofit sectors. Kent Oyler was the ideal choice.” said Kerry Stemler, President, K.M. Stemler Company, Inc., and Chair of Greater Louisville Inc.’s Board of Directors.  “With Kent in place GLI is positioned to move forward and chart a new course of action for a truly regional approach to driving business growth and economic prosperity.” Read more: Greater Louisville Inc.

AT&T's Paul La Schiazza to head Chicagoland Chamber board

Paul La Schiazza, president of AT&T Illinois, will be named the new board chair of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce next week. He replaces PNC Bank Regional President Scott Swanson, whose term is wrapping up. The chamber's staff is headed by CEO Theresa Mintle. Read more: Crains Chicago Business
 

Michigan Court of Appeals "Officer Liability" Ruling a Huge Victory for Taxpayers

We are pleased to report that last week the Michigan Court of Appeals stood up for taxpayers by finding that the Michigan Department of Treasury had wrongly accused the widow of a corporate officer as being a tax evader. In Deena Shotwell v Department of Treasury, the Court recognized that the widow, upon the death of her husband, did not assume the role of corporate officer of her deceased husband's company despite Treasury’s allegation that she had. Read more: Michigan Chamber of Commerce Capitol Report

Indiana State Chamber president says improving education still the top priority for the future

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has never seen a session of the General Assembly that treated it better: More than 40 bills it supported were enacted, but none that it opposed became law, said the group’s president. But there’s still an enormous amount of work to do in state government to improve the state’s economic standing, said Kevin Brinegar, president and CEO of the Chamber.Read more: Fort Wayne News-Sentinel
 
"Reaching Out to You" in Kansas City: A Small Business Workshop Hosted by SBA, FDIC and UFSC
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Urban Financial Services Coalition (USFC) will host a small business workshop – “Reaching Out to You” on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at the Kansas City Public Library – Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street, Ste. 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64112 from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
This workshop is designed to promote community development by educating entrepreneurs to  resources that assist in starting, growing or expanding a business.   
The event will feature an expert panel on entrepreneurial resources, a credit report room (a valid ID will be required to visit the credit report room), as well as networking opportunities with SBA, SCORE, Women’s Business Center, Small Business Development Center and several other local business organizations and financial institutions.
This event is free and open to the public.  Registration is required. Please register by close of business Monday, June 23, 2014 by e-mailing ecaughey@fdic.gov.  Please include your first and last name, organization name and contact information.

Oklahoma Governor Fallin Signs Gross Production Compromise

The State Chamber of Oklahoma would like to thank Governor Mary Fallin for signing House Bill 2562 today, helping ensure Oklahoma’s economic future.  The bill, which sets a permanent, across-the-board gross production tax rate starting in July of 2015, provides certainty for one of the state’s leading job producing industries. Read more: State Chamber of Oklahoma

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership): 
“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Forbes 16/50

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Tim Gibbs new Ashland Alliance president/CEO; Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Guerilla Marketing: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business by Jay Conrad Levinson; Green jobs on the way to Cheboygan, Michigan; Groundbreaking set for farmers' market pavilion in Stuttgart, Arkansas; Indiana INTERNnet - an Exceptional Indiana Chamber Affiliated Resource; Former Governors Tackle Common Core Foes; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Training)

The Ashland Alliance has selected Tim Gibbs as its new president and chief executive officer. Gibbs, 46, has several ties to the northeastern Kentucky area. He grew up in Morehead and holds degrees from Morehead State University and Eastern Kentucky University.
He also has a diverse background as the economic development director for several organizations. Most recently he was the CEO of the Greater Grays Harbor, Ind., near Seattle, Wash., where he was asked to merge the Grays Harbor Economic Development Council and the Chamber of Commerce in Aberdeen, Wash. Read more: Ashland Alliance

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Guerrilla Marketing: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business by Jay Conrad Levinson

When Guerrilla Marketing was first published in 1983, Jay Levinson revolutionized marketing strategies for the small-business owner with his take-no-prisoners approach to finding clients. Based on hundreds of solid ideas that really work, Levinson’s philosophy has given birth to a new way of learning about market share and how to gain it. In this completely updated and expanded fourth edition, Levinson offers a new arsenal of weaponry for small-business success including

* strategies for marketing on the Internet (explaining when and precisely how to use it)
* tips for using new technology, such as podcasting and automated marketing
* programs for targeting prospects and cultivating repeat and referral business
* management lessons in the age of telecommuting and freelance employees

Guerrilla Marketing is the entrepreneur’s marketing bible -- and the book every small-business owner should have on his or her shelf.

Source: Amazon


Green jobs on the way to Cheboygan, Michigan
Thanks to $120 million grant a northern Michigan community that has seen more jobs leave town in recent years may be turning that trend around. These tax-exempt grants are part of the state’s green initiative that would bring more than 125 jobs to the Cheboygan area. For years Cheboygan has relied on summer traffic to drive the local economy.
“It's been tough in northern Michigan for the past few years,” said Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Matthew J. Friday. “So this is a great opportunity to secure some good year-round jobs. Read more: UpNorthLive.com

Groundbreaking set for farmers' market pavilion in Stuttgart According to Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Stephen Bell, the goal is to make the new pavilion home to a regional farmers’ market that will include surrounding counties.  Read more: Stuttgart Daily Leader

Indiana INTERNnet - an Exceptional Indiana Chamber Affiliated Resource
Indiana INTERNnet is a FREE internship-matching program linking employers, students, high schools, colleges and universities. It is a dynamic, searchable database, matching and reporting system coupled with personal assistance—including a toll-free hotline to answer questions and provide internship guidance and resource materials. The goal is to help create or expand high-quality experiential opportunities within Indiana.
Indiana INTERNnet was formed in 2001, shortly after a series of Indiana Chamber-led studies that demonstrated the state's "brain drain" issue. The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce initiated and operated the program in partnership with the University of Indianapolis. With continued funding from the Lilly Endowment, the organization was granted 501(c)3 tax exempt status in May 2004 and moved to the Indiana Chamber, the state's largest business advocacy organization. Read more: Indiana INTERNnet

Former Governors Tackle Common Core Foes
Five former governors who have long supported Common Core standards in their states took on the program’s critics and came out in strong support of the voluntary standards during an event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"Frankly, I’m embarrassed by some of my conservative friends. We shouldn’t have to sell higher standards…I don’t know how in America you could be against higher standards,” said former Gov. Sonny Perdue (R-GA), who helped lead the development of the standards and continues to support them. Read more: U.S. Chamber

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Training)
School is a building that has four walls --- with tomorrow inside" - Lon Watters

Monday, June 2, 2014

Longtime Lawrence businessman to become Chamber of Commerce CEO; Terre Haute Chamber Selects New President; Oklahoma City tied for nation's lowest unemployment rate; Missouri and St Louis District SBA Added Locations of Free Credit Building Workshops; Coalition grows for Michigan civil rights amendment to bar sexual orientation discrimination; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attitude) Curly McLain

"My family's known for 30 years I've always said that if I were to do any other job in this town that I think I have the skills set for, and the passion for, to be the chamber exec," Larry McElwain said.
From owning the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, to now being named as the new Chamber of Commerce CEO, Larry McElwain's words have finally caught up with him.
"Never dreaming that that would ever occur," McElwain said.
But for the longtime Lawrencian who graduated from the University of Kansas and has worked with community members for over 40 years, he recently sold his mortuary business. However, he believes the relationships he's attained from working in his former career, has prepared him for his new role. 6NewsLawrence



Terre Haute Chamber Selects New President

Terre Haute, IN – The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce announced today that Terre Haute native David Haynes has been selected by the Board of Directors to serve as President. He will assume the role on June 16.
“This is an exciting day for the Chamber,” stated Jeanette Winchester, Chair of the Board. “Over the course of the past three months, we have considered a number of candidates, both local and non-local. Our members asked us for someone with a commitment to the community and we’ve been fortunate to find that person. Not only is he local, but he is also a great fit for this position.” - Read more: Terre Haute Chamber

Oklahoma City tied for nation's lowest unemployment rate

Oklahoma City jobless rate of 3.8 percent in April tied with Austin, Texas, for the lowest unemployment rate among large U.S. cities, according to a monthly Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Wednesday. Read more:  NewsOK


Missouri and St Louis District SBA Added Locations of Free Credit Building Workshops

The SBA St. Louis District's Lender Relations staff will present information on how to obtain financing for your small business at free credit building workshops in Ellisville, St. Ann, Columbia, Rolla, Cape Girardeau and Hannibal, Missouri. Each session will provide information for entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing their business on how to obtain financing and on the importance of your credit scores in accessing capital.
Choose from the following locations:
Thursday, June 12
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
St. Louis County Library - Daniel Boone Branch
300 Clarkson Rd., Blue Room
Ellisville, MO 63011-2222

Thursday, June 12
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
St. Louis County Library - Rock Road Branch
10267 St. Charles Rock Road
St. Ann, MO 63074-1812

Thursday, June 19
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Small Business & Technology Development Center
Regional Economic Development, Inc. (REDI)
500 East Walnut, Suite 103
Columbia, MO 65210
Thursday, June 19
5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Matt's Steakhouse
12200 Dillon Outer Drive
Rolla, MO 65409
Thursday, June 26
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Douglas C. Greene Center for
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
920 Broadway, Room 112
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Thursday, July 10
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hannibal Area Community College
190 Shinn Lane
Hannibal, MO 63401


Coalition grows for Mich. civil rights amendment to bar sexual orientation discrimination

Michigan's two largest chambers were to announce Thursday that they had joined the coalition working to amend state civil rights law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Michigan Competitive Workforce Coalition supports amending Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include barring discrimination based on those two categories.
The Detroit Regional Chamber, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Kellogg Co. and PfizerInc. are among those signing on to the initiative launched earlier this month. The coalition now includes major employers, ranging from AT&T and Herman Miller Inc. to Chrysler and Steelcase Inc. Read more:  Business Insurance

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attitude) 
"Oh, what a beautiful morning, oh, what a beautiful day, I've got a wonderful feeling everything is going my way" --- Character Curly McLain from the musical "Oklahoma"