HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It’s always exciting to begin new and fresh. 

I always feel that the possibilities are unlimited as I begin the New Year.  I plan my goals and set my calendar to accomplish new ideas and pledge not to let the old ways interfere.  I promise to never say “well, we tried that in the past and it didn’t work”.  Perhaps it wasn’t the process that didn’t work but the timing.  The New Year allows us to re-think the process and the timing.

Open your mind to all possibilities during this New Year.  The past few years have forced us to think outside the box.  For some of us, myself included, that can be an uncomfortable process.  But the good thing is many of the old ways have been kicked to the curb during this economy.  We have ventured into new territory and many of us have found an inner strength we didn’t know we had.  The great news is the new ways are working!   Each time we venture out of that box and stretch ourselves we grow.  I didn’t start venturing out of the box by myself.  I listened to other business owners and networked with the members of our Chamber.  At times I asked for advice and found strength from what others had done. 

It’s not always easy to schedule another meeting onto your calendar. Do you find that you make excuses for not attending events?   Do you tell yourself that networking and meeting new people makes you uncomfortable so you’ll just stay in your office where you are more at home.  Make a New Year’s Resolution to be more adventuresome.  Remember what I said about getting out of that box.  Networking is necessary.  At the Chamber we will do our best to always make you feel welcome.  I believe that networking is essential to growing your business.  I have been more involved this year than ever before.  I can personally speak to the difference that participating in our Chamber events has made for my business.  I will also tell you that networking has opened up connections to so many new friends and I have come to cherish those new friendships.  This was an unexpected bonus to me.  You will never meet a group of people more in tune with the local business climate and with whom you will personally connect.  Business people in your Chamber understand! 

I wish you renewed energy, growth and success for your personal and business goals as you enter into 2012.  Have a safe and happy New Year!

I hope most of you were able to attend the Bullseye the end of October.  You might ask why I’m referring back to an October Event when here it is December.  At this time of year, we all tend to be over committed, over worked and find ourselves trying to find more time in each day.  We sometimes think we don’t need one more event to attend this time of year.  However, if ever there was a reaffirmation of the power of networking this event brought that home.  There were four powerful speakers delivering valuable information regarding building our businesses.  Brooks Patterson, our Oakland County Executive continues to build a stronger and more vibrant county.  His diversification plan for business continues to expand and grow.  We are fortunate to be doing business in one of the strongest Counties in the country.

 As Gerard van Grinsven, President/ CEO, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital said, “we are all in the business of relationships not the business of finance”.  His proven theory, as stated, was relationships grow your business.  If we all take care of the relationships with our clients, customers or members the finance and profit part of our business will take care of itself.  He challenged us to surprise and delight people with whom we do business.  Building on the relationships and getting the positive referrals is what all of us need and want.

Terry Bean, Founder & Entrepreneur Motor City Connect suggested that when the bad stuff in life happens to us or the tough times affect our business, say “So What”.  The “So What” attitude allows us to move through the difficult times and not be held back by dwelling on the negative.

And last but not least was Tim Green, President, Referral Institute of Michigan.  Tim spoke to finding referral partners for our businesses which was not to be confused with referral sources.  As Tim said “Become a Player-Not a Spectator”.  What better endorsement for continuing to find the time in your busy schedule to network.  He mentioned that he wholeheartedly believes in joining and participating in your Chamber of Commerce. 

So, as I will continue to stress, it all comes back to networking.  We are fortunate to have such an involved Chamber in Clarkston with so many opportunities to network.  Take one month and try to attend all the networking events of the Chamber.  Find out what fits best for you and your business.  Meet a lot of new business members in your community.  Who knows, maybe you can find your referral partner at the very next meeting you attend.

With the holidays upon us I want to wish all of you a Blessed Christmas and I hope the blessings of family and friends fill your households with joy this season and though out the coming year.

Fall is here and your Chamber is in full swing to head into this busy time of year!  We have just completed another successful Taste of Clarkston event, once more putting Clarkston on the map as a small town treasure that does things in a big town way.  The 25^th Business Expo is this month and your Chamber promises you excitement worthy of 25 years.  We will be rolling out the Red Carpets to celebrate 25 successful years of showcasing our community businesses. This event also exposes not only the Clarkston community residents to all our businesses but other residents of nearby local areas as well.  This is your opportunity to have well over a thousand people get a chance to meet you and see what your business has to offer.  Remember, the first hour will be your time to network with all the other one hundred businesses that will be on site at Expo.  This pre-public hour is a business to business networking opportunity that only comes along once a year.  Don’t miss it!!

I’m so pleased to report that four new businesses celebrated ribbon cuttings in October.  Congratulations to Divine Nutrition, Health Quest Physical Therapy & Medical Fitness, Believe Spa and Silverkiss Jewelry Boutique.  November 1^st Above Board Construction celebrated their ribbon cutting event.  This proves that the Clarkston Community is a wonderful place to build new business or expand your current business opportunities.  Your Chamber can help you do this.  Become involved in all the networking opportunities available. Become involved in your community. The Clarkston Chamber has events that can fit into any busy schedule. 

I know that we are all doing more with less.  But we are still growing our businesses, being involved in community volunteer projects, and yes, networking whenever we can.  Never underestimate the value of networking.  Just joining the Chamber won’t magically increase your business.  Getting involved, meeting people and getting to understand your community will help you grow your business.  So even though you might think there isn’t enough time in your day to go to one more meeting, I challenge you to make the time. You will get out what you put in, so make it part of your business plan for this year to be more involved.

As my first contribution to the President’s Corner I’d like to share with you my comments from this year’s Annual Meeting held September 15, 2011.

Good evening.  My name is Donna Bullard and I am the President/CEO of CBCCU.

I am honored to be allowed to serve as your Chamber President for the upcoming 2011-2012 year. 

When I was asked to serve as your President I must admit that I was a bit nervous.  As a lot of us do, I looked back at the past and all the strong presidents that served before me.  Many of them are here tonight.  When I looked back I saw each displayed common characteristics; positive energy, amazing strength of character, resolution to keep our Chamber strong and a tremendous dedication to hard work.

What I also noticed is strong leaders aren’t successful because they look back into the past, but rather because they look into the future and what possibilities might lay before us.

Everyone in this room that has maintained their business though the past 3 years certainly knows that the way we did business before these challenging economic times most likely isn’t the way we do business today.  We’ve had to change to remain successful.  We have obtained an education that couldn’t have been learned anywhere else except in the trenches. But because we are resourceful, because we spend most of our time looking into the future we have only become better, stronger, more innovative, and more creative.    The credit union philosophy is “People Helping People”.  We help one another, both on a business level and a personal level.  That’s why I’ve always felt so strongly about our connections to our Chamber.  I’ve seen time and time again how this Chamber’s strength comes from cooperation.     It comes from the staff at the Chamber office and from each of us, networking together, doing business with one another and sometimes just listening to each other vent when business gets a tad stressful.     

Networking and getting involved in your Chamber provides this kind of connection and support.  None of us can run a strong business alone, without the ideas and energy that comes from networking.

Networking is fun as well as rewarding.  Let me review a few of the events that are going to occur or have occurred here at your Chamber; 

• This year is the 25th Business Expo anniversary – look for the red carpet treatment on this one.
• This will be our 25th Golf Classic
• We are ramping up for the 25th anniversary year of the Clarkston Chamber and will sponsoring a new logo contest.
• We have plans to renovate the Chamber offices updating its looks and functionality
• The Chamber’s “Women in Business” keeps getting stronger and stronger and you can look forward to topics on effective networking, stress reduction, humor and reinventing ourselves.  All delivered by dynamic speakers known in their fields.
• Chamber new member orientations will continue to help new members take advantage of their memberships immediately.  These have been attended by 67% of new members.  Up over 20% from last year.
• Your Chamber helps with the promotion of community service projects such as Calvary Lutheran Church “Kids Against Hunger” which will be holding a free benefit concert following Taste of Clarkston in order to meet a goal of providing 50,000 meals for at risk kids.

The Chamber believes in” paying it forward” – that each of us learns about each other’s businesses and gives referrals (without even being asked).  I know that I have sent business to our local members and received referrals in return.  That is truly a result of networking

The best thing you can do to help guarantee a strong future for your business is to build a strong network of associations though your Chamber membership.  Come to the BOB’s before work, take time for a nice lunch out occasionally and mingle with the local businesses at our luncheon events.  Call us and ask us how you can become more involved.  Take time to talk to and get to know our Ambassadors.  Let us show you how you can get more out of your membership.  This is just what you need to help you grow your business – not to mention the fun you will have by being part of this association.

Our chamber believes in positive promotion – of our businesses, of our community, and of the hard work that all of you do.

As I take this position to serve as your Chamber President this year I pledge to look to the wisdom learned from the past, be every vigilant of the challenges of the present and to think strategically in order to keep our chamber strong and ready for whatever the future may bring..

Thank you.

Thoughts from your President:

This is my last article as my term of office winds down.  It has been a privilege to serve as your President this year.  I have had the pleasure of meeting so many of you this year and I trust your membership is worth its weight in gold.  I know mine is! 

The Chamber’s activities this year have been awesome.  The many events have all proved that this is a great Chamber.  As a board member we look at the finances and I assure you that the Chamber is running on all cylinders.  We have surpassed our budget in Concerts, Women in Business, Expo, Golf and Beer University.  What this tells me is that we offer a great brand in everything we do.

Please continue to attend the various mixers, this is where you meet and learn what is going on and use it as a way to market your business.  All of us need help getting the word out about what we do and where we do it and what better way that to use the resources of your wonderful Chamber.

You will still see me around at the various events and I am always willing to help if you ask.

Continue to prosper!

Thoughts from your President:Summertime and the living is easy.  Your Chamber has been busy.  Concerts in the Park had a great run, with record attendance each week, which meant tremendous Ice Cream sales.  Though many travel this time of year our attendance at BOB’s has been outstanding.  Having a great summer is the Challenge Cup, if you follow its exploits on Facebook you will know that it has been all over the Detroit area.  From all appearances it is having a better time than me.

Work is underway for a new Beer University, the chair women have some awesome plans, stay tuned for more info.  Taste of Clarkston our major fundraiser is coming up on Sunday, September 25^th we will need plenty of volunteers.  Also, there are exhibit opportunities for you business.  Finally, the 25^th Anniversary  of Expo is coming on Thursday, November 10^th.  This promises to be a grand event showcasing the Best of the Best businesses of the Clarkston area.

Soon I will take a little vacation and some time with my wife.  We all need time away from the grind to refocus ourselves and I intend on doing just that.

See you at the next event.  Continue to prosper!

The summer is getting off to a great start.  We had a wonderful Challenge Cup Golf Outing with 112 golfers and it raised more money to support the Chamber than in the past few years.  This shows our members support our activities strongly.  Also, Concerts in the Park have started with success with Ice Cream sales especially at the first concert hitting goalJ

The Chamber doesn’t sleep during the summer it continues to plan for the future.  Coming soon you will be seeing invitations to Beer University.  The new and improved committee has some outstanding ideas to make this event not only fun but a brand that will carry us forward.

Our staff continues to go strong working on new members and sponsorships for future events.  One of those events is the Taste of Clarkston coming up on Sunday, September 25^th, mark your calendars and remember volunteers will be needed.

Continue to have a nice summer, relax and enjoy.  Don’t forget to watch online for Chamber News especially Ribbon Cuttings those new businesses really appreciate our support.

See you at the next event.  Continue to prosper!

May is over and summer begins.  We have survived all the rain and all are ready to have fun.  My friend Karen Phelps (karenphelps.com) says “Having Fun reduces stress and renews your body and spirit!  Life is too short not to have fun”!  Well your Clarkston Chamber has some fun events coming up.  First the Golf Challenge Cup will be a great day to network and play a round of golf.  Next is Concerts in the Park starting off with Blackthorn, this is topnotch entertainment right in your own backyard and don’t forget there is ice cream too.

At the last Board meeting we approved a plan to upgrade the Chamber office and are excited to see this done.  Gone will be the 70’s type arrangement and arriving will be the 21^st century.  Keep a lookout for this to happen probably next year when some office stations become available at affordable prices. 

On the horizon is the Taste of Clarkston to be held on Sunday, September 25^th.  The work on this has begun and many sponsorships opportunities are available for you to showcase your business.  It takes a great number of volunteers, so mark your calendars now.

My term as your President has four months left and I am pleased that this year has shown growth and a sense of excitement at each event.  Meeting with David Spencer of the OU Incubator he commented on how well our Chamber has grown and I said that I notice that our members see the value in the great offerings of the Chamber.  I also mentioned that there a renewed enthusiasm in our members.

So, join us for the upcoming activities and I will see you there.

May 1, 2011

May is here and now promises nice weather and longer days.  Your Chamber has just finished our Women in Business Series with Marilyn Suttle’s “Who’s your Gladys”.   Marilyn tells in her book how to turn even your most difficult customer into your biggest fan.  The whole WIB series this year was awesome and performed over budget.

I am happy to report that the Golf Challenge is tracking nicely and many sponsorship opportunities are still available, so don’t wait too long to join this outstanding new concept for us.   Wouldn’t your Company name look great on one the Team’s shirts?

As I think of nice weather I think of Concerts in the Park which has become a family tradition for many, so make sure you save room on your calendars.

At all the events I notice that this Chamber offers many opportunities to network and enjoin each other into to serious conversation.  I hope you are all taking advantage of these great events.

See you at the next BOB or Luncheon Mixer!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG well maybe.  Spring is a time for us to renew and refresh our lives.  We can do so by looking at our businesses and seeing what is old and outdated and try to recreate newness among our products and staff.  The thought of a new beginning can be daunting but it can be the perfect way to step up and make all things better.  I have found that spring is a good time to pick up a book that will improve my business approach.  I am currently reading John C. Maxwell’s “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.”  I am learning to manage better and not take leadership for granted rather see leadership as a form of serving.

Your Chamber continues to track nicely with budget items hitting targets and in some cases surpassing them.  Wonderful events are on the horizon, Concerts in the Park, Challenge Cup Golf Outing and still events like Women in Business are moving along well ahead of predictions.  And don’t forget the Community Awards Breakfast sponsored by Clarkston Community Church coming up in May.

There still plenty of time to step up and sponsor a variety of events.  Select one that will fit your business model or if that doesn’t work volunteer for an upcoming event.  You get out your Chamber membership what you put in.

See you at the next event!

Continue to prosper!

Your Attitude is the Key to Your Success

I woke up early today excited about all the many things I would do before the clock strikes midnight.

I have many responsibilities to fulfill today.  My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or II be thankful that the grass is getting watered free.

Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money in my pocket or I can be glad my finances encourage  me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am still alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today stretches ahead of me waiting to be shaped, and here I am the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today and 2011 will be is up to me.  I get to choose what kind of day and year I will have.

Credited to: Dr. Charles W. Edwards, Jr., Chaplain of the Disabled American Veterans.

Thoughts from your President… 

I am currently reading a book by Seth Godin called “PURPLE COW” Transforming Your Business by Being Remarkable.  His premise is that after you have seen one, two or ten cows they become boring.  But a Purple Cow would be something outstanding, remarkable.  That is what we have to do to our businesses, make them remarkable.  Your Chamber membership is the first step in setting your business apart from the crowd.  With membership in our Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce you instantly have over 500 Business Friends who can be referral sources and networking contacts.  The events that we offer give you a great opportunity to learn about the community and what ideas work for other businesses.

This year has gone by fast I am already one quarter through my Presidency and it has been a great learning adventure.

I cannot say it enough that you only get out of the Chamber what you put into it.  We have committees to serve on, events to attend and offices to hold.  Please look into becoming more involved in YOUR Chamber.

Continue to prosper, 

Bill Burr 

Thoughts from your President:

Since I last wrote, we completed a very successful Chamber Expo.  The evening with over 100 exhibitors was a wonderful night to see and hear all about the products and services available from Chambers Members.  The room had a festive feel to it and I feel it was very worthwhile to the community and our members.

Now we begin the Holiday Season, please seek out members that have products that can become nice gifts for your staffs and family.  It is important during the holidays that we keep our eye on the ball and not forget we still have businesses to run.  I know myself it is easy to get complacent during this season thinking I will just pick it up after the holidays, but each year I have to remind myself that this is not a good practice.

The Chamber staff does not slow down this time of the year.  It is time to focus on upcoming events and their plan of work.  Planning is never done.

May you have Blessed Holidays and when next I write we will be looking at a New Year.

Thoughts from your President:

MOOMBA! 

If you were at the Bulls Eye Conference you learned that fun at work is okay and highly recommended.  Well, fun at the office carries over to having fun at Chamber activities and your Chamber staff goes above and beyond to make all our events fun and rewarding.

Your first chance to have a MOOMBA Day will be at the Expo on November 11th.  That evening you will see over 100 of your Chamber members create a Downtown atmosphere giving you the opportunity to learn about what area businesses do their products and services.  So don’t miss this event or better yet sign up for a space or volunteer to help out.

Time around the Chamber always seems to go by quickly.  Planning for future events is constantly going on.  If we all ran our businesses like the Chamber with its long-range planning and vision we would all prosper. So take time to do that planning and stick to it.  What I do each quarter is set realistic operational and sales goals and the steps to achieve them and due dates.  I am sure all of us do some planning but how many of us reduce it to writing?

As this month’s” Thoughts” come to an end, remember to “Shop Local, Shop Chamber”.  When you use one of our businesses tell them that you are a Chamber member or refer someone to a local business.

See you at the next event!

Well, welcome to the President’s Corner. 

Each month I will share with you the marvelous things going on with the Chamber and our business community.  Let me introduce myself, I am Bill Burr your new President for 2010/2011.  For those that don’t know me I am the Director of All Saints Cemetery and The Preserve our Natural Burial Ground.  I have been a member of the Chamber since 1994 and thrilled to serve you. 

I announced at the Annual Meeting last week that my theme this year is collaboration.  This is very fitting since we just finished our annual Taste of Clarkston which exemplifies collaboration.  That Chamber along with Parks and Recreation, Oakland County Sheriff and the City of the Village of Clarkston all came together to host a wonderful event.  The volunteers came from all walks of life, with churches, service clubs and schools adding help.

I feel it is very important that we work together.  The “Shop Local, Shop Chamber “is one example of that.  The various Service Clubs, Rotary, Lions and Optimists are good examples of working for a better community.

I look forward to an exciting year, the Chamber staff will continue to offer us many events.  This year our attendance at events was super let’s keep it up.

I am always available to any member, please feel free to call me at        248-608-7001. 

Johnna Struck

Changing Places Moving & Storage

www.changingplacesmovers.com
Johnna Struck
248-674-3937
4290 Hatchery Rd
Waterford , MI 48329
Fax: 248-674-1468
Johnna@cpmoving.com

ARE YOU HAVING FUN...one of my goals as your Chamber President was to make sure the events were informative, interactive, worth your time and money…BUT most importantly included FUN!  Business cannot be all work and no play.  Relationships are built with people and businesses that you like and that like you.  FUN…opens the door to leave a happy and positive impression.  It also provides a special window to a relationship that serious side may not provide.

If you do not enjoy what you do, where you are going, and what you are attending you are most likely not going to go or be involved.  Our Chamber is accessible to its members, engaging, and most of all it discovers ways to connect you to other members and opportunities to make your business shine. 

The Chamber’s Ambassadors went through some development changes this past year to create and give each Ambassador an opportunity to LEAD during their monthly meetings, and through this discovery leaders arose, strong connections were made, the chamber and its events grew in size…and FUN was had by all.

Michigan has faced hard times, and during hard times people and businesses tend to recoil and the famous phrase that organizations hear as the #1 reason why someone is not attending or sponsoring is “THEY CAN’T AFFORD IT”, and a close #2 “I DON’T GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT”.  You can’t not afford to being involved!  Your Chamber is a fine group of mighty businesses, non-profits, and individuals that will help enhance, grow and introduce you to opportunities.  So be SEEN and be on the SCENE to be SEEN.

So I say have FUN…develop a passion in your business that you promise yourself that you will have some type of fun, even if it is a simple smile out of the corner of your mouth…perhaps if we all engage in having FUN…society may become just a bit less stressful, critical, tense, and apprehensive and life will return with gusto to the State of MICHIGAN. 

It is time to launch an enthusiasm campaign that it is FUN to do business in Michigan!

Let’s start by launching that campaign at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting

Thursday, September 23 @ The Fountains with a social hour beginning at 6pm and dinner and festivities to follow.  It is my farewell to the many members whom have supported me throughout the year and introduction of the new President…come and have some FUN!!!

ARE YOU STAYING CONNECTED WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP…?  Many times we join organizations and it is gang busters in the beginning; we are attending events and volunteering and soon we find ourselves uninvolved.  Whatever the reason may be we may have lost touch.  Don’t let this happen to YOU!

If you are not attending the morning BOB’s or the Luncheon Mixers now is the time to create time in your schedule to come out and meet your fellow chamber members.  These events need to be treated as revenue generating appointments.  August also offers a networking workshop that you won’t want to miss!  People like to do business with a company that has a face.  Make sure your business has a face.  Try to attend and you too will feel the momentum that is building at YOUR CHAMBER.

Just around the corner the Chamber has two awesome events for SPONSORSHIP – TASTE and the Business EXPO.  Don’t miss out on an opportunity to have 36,000 eyeballs looking at your logo.  Many visitors attend these events from neighboring communities – make sure your business is be marketed!

The Chamber is your resource to promote and enhance business opportunities in the Clarkston Area…what are you waiting for?  Get on board…get connected…stay connected…use your membership to promote yourself today.  The chamber staff is waiting to hear from you.  They will assist you in ways to market to its members, get involved in leadership opportunities, and connect you to the people and businesses that will help your business grow.

Do you allow your customers and clients to evaluate your performance and or service?  Evaluations are key to the success of any business.  Evaluations are used to show the progress or lack of and provides for an opportunity to communicate towards a common goal.  Customer service evaluations allow for business owners, managers, as well as employees to receive input on how their system is working or not working.

These evaluations can be considered as hidden treasures for your company.  WHY?  They allow one to see your business through the customer’s eyes.  It provides an outside view.  Sometimes when you are very close to the operation you may not see the obvious flaws or the KUDOS that should be shared with potential customers.  I encourage you to poll your clients to find out how you are doing.  If you are not using this process plan to incorporate it soon. 

When designing a questionnaire to evaluate your services or products, be clear of what you want to know about your company’s performance.  Make sure the information you are requesting from your clients will be effective to utilize in marketing material.  Evaluate from the first time contact was made with your business and every step throughout the process of service.  These evaluations then can be converted into testimonials, and remember to help your customer to provide the information vs. getting feedback that everything was GREAT.  For example – what is it that made it great, was it the employees, was it the products, timeliness…get your testimonials to be specific.   Use leading statements for your customers to fill in the blanks.  Always ask if they would recommend you? and ask if you can you use them as a reference or testimonial.  (Get their permission)  Remember from these evaluations come TESTIMONIALS, which are golden for prospective customers.  People like to do business with companies that provided their customers with an overall positive experience.

Stay connected to your customers!  Being connected will bring future sales to your bottom line.  Evaluations, review, and testimonials are what keeps this connection alive.  Customers feel connected when you ask them for feedback.

The Chamber appreciates your feedback; it is through our members’ chamber experiences that encourage other members to volunteer, sponsor, and attend events.  Special kudos to Dawn Horner and Sue Welker and the “DREAM TEAM” golf committee, not only was the weather spectacular, the event ran smoothly, and the course as well as room was filled with HAPPY GOLFERS!!! 

Watch for information coming soon on ways you can sponsor, exhibit or volunteer at Taste of Clarkston, the Chamber’s biggest community event! (Sunday, September 26, 2010)

Remember to be connected is to be involved!

Are you giving back?   You have a business plan, a marketing plan, a sales plan…basically some type of structure that helps you navigate through the day, week, month, and year to get to the finish line – however have you thought about the community that is helping you build your business or career?  Good businesses and employees are always measuring and comparing to previous year’s sales numbers and expectations to grow, but sometimes forget to take care of the community that surrounds their development and growth.  STOP – take a look about, and see what you can give back.  We have all heard the more you give the more you receive.  Be the giver!

There are many charities in and around the community be it a non-profit, a school, or a cause – YOU need to support what surrounds you, what feeds your business or career.  Take some time to investigate your involvement find something that may enhance your line of work, find something that will challenge you, perhaps something that may even develop your skill set.  There are ample organizations in and around the Clarkston Area that need your “special” level of expertise. 

The bottom line is to get involved and give back.  We at Changing Places Moving believe in home ownership; therefore we take our involvement with Habitat for Humanity very serious.  We collect donated “estate type furniture” all year long for an estate sale sponsored by Hall & Hunter.  We are helping our clients who are moving by picking up the items that are to be donated, we are helping the real estate company as we store the items all year through for the final sale in September, we are helping those that come to the sale to find that “gem” of an item at an affordable price, and most importantly we are helping Habitat Families build a home by donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale.  The “SALE” this year is September 11, 2010 – on that day Changing Places Moving gets the most incredible feeling of GIVING to so many…Try it…you too may experience the “givers gain” – remember cast you net wide. 

Your Chamber is always looking for volunteers…these opportunities are right under your nose – so get engaged and get involved as always GET CONNECTED. 

What’s really in a forecast?   Isn’t it amazing that the weather man can be wrong and still get paid!  I prefer to look out my own window vs. putting trust in what the weather man forecasts.  Same is so for business!

For the past few years the media, economic forecasters, and politicians have been painting a very dismal picture of Michigan.  Anytime you would tune into the local news one would hear about the economy and recession.  In my lifetime I have never heard of a State pulling up the carpet and “closing”, and the last time I checked there were 50 states in the union, as there was when I was in elementary school.  No change there!

After attending the Oakland County Economic Outlook, the picture does not look so bleak, however what I have learned in the past seven years is that YOU are responsible for your own economics.  YOU have to create, work, network, jump outside the box, and get creative.  If you don’t, someone else will and they certainly will pass you up.

This past month your Chamber had a representative from SCORE speak at the luncheon mixer.  There are affordable ways to learn and expand your business or your career – but you need to discover them.  The chamber works to create opportunities to connect and help all its members to thrive in this Economy and Recession.

I encourage you to get up, get out, CONNECT with your Chamber and its members. You will be amazed at the leverage you have right within your very own membership…Get out there and make your business thrive whether you are the owner or an employee! 

Chamber involvement makes for a healthy business and a healthy you too!  The chamber is conscientious about the events offered to its members.  The focus is to connect your business or line of work with other chamber members to of course increase your bottom line, but also assist you in continuing education for changes that occur in human resource, technical support, social media networking, marketing…and the list goes on and on. 

The events are also good for your mind, soul, and attitude.  Positive networking sets the tone for the day…and that is why it is great to join in on the monthly BOB’S which are offered for the A.M. networkers.  A chamber member hosts the event and it allows members an opportunity to see the inside workings of a member’s operations as well as meeting new and seasoned members.  Our monthly Luncheon Mixers feature a speaker that informs and educates the members of opportunities in the community, politics, general business information, etc.  The Chamber Golf Outing gets members outdoors while interacting in a sport, as well as an opportunity to develop the relationship with fellow members.  Women in Business allows for the opportunity for women to share challenges and accomplishments with other liked minded business people, feeding their soul.  Concerts in the Park allow for our dancing feet to get moving while also being exposed to our members’ messages.  The Expo affords for the downtown feel all under one roof allowing you the opportunity to solve your shopping, health care, living needs with a walk through Clarkston High School.

The one event that seems to get over looked as a health booster is BEER UNIVERSITY!  Listen up…researchers have discovered that BEER can help stop bones from becoming brittle.  Since there is no known cure for osteoporosis I believe this chamber event is the best medicine…  Silicone found in beer boosts bone formation and it is rich in phytoestrogens. 

So I ask, what are you waiting for...check out the chamber website for upcoming events to feed your mind, soul, and bones!  Beer University is April 29th at Oakhurst.  Call today and reserve your spot.  Bring the people you work with, friends, neighbors.  FYI, if you join the chamber for Women in business that same afternoon your ticket will also get you into BEER UNIVERSITY.   Let’s work at raising the attendances at all our events…get healthy!   

You might be on the scene at the chamber…but are you being seen?  Marketing you logo is just as important as building relationships.  Let’s face it you may network and build relationships and when you walk away from the conversation others may not be sure what it is you do or for who.  Be sure that you have branded yourself with the logo of your company.

Once you have an exciting image make sure it is being seen at the chamber.  This is where your company gets its legs.  There are many affordable events at the chamber that will provide sponsorship opportunities.  Sponsorship is offered at varying levels.  Some are in name only, others give you an opportunity to speak at an event, while others get your logo printed on banners, or printed handouts.  Take some time today, contact the chamber to seek hidden opportunities to really connect with the chamber membership. 

The chamber staff is very good at listening to your needs, your budget, your market, and they will be able to find the right sponsorship program for you.  The best part about the chamber is they want to see your business or the company you work with succeed.  There are some really great events just ahead that market to businesses as well as the community.  I hope to see many more members becoming “new” sponsors at these events.

Do you track your marketing plan…Business plans, marketing plans, financial plans…they are important in helping us navigate, but theses plans mean nothing unless you TRACK!!! 

I will hear in passing that a chamber member is dropping their membership and when asked they will say they are not getting anything from their membership.  When asked what marketing plan is working one will typically get the “deer in headlights” look and they will respond by saying “well I just know, I track in my head”.  Well I have learned that the tracking you keep in your head is rarely accurate and what is kept in the head usually stays there and never comes to fruition.

TRACK you business.  Create a spreadsheet.  Actually what form of marketing is supporting your business or sales base?  Also remember that while you are tracking dollar generating leads, keep a side note of the knowledge or informational leads (other known as Supporting Actions) that help with your bottom line.

This article wouldn’t be complete if I did not have the testimonials to back up the idea of tracking…

“My company has generated $3,500 worth of moving and storage from chamber leads in the past year, but even more importantly my position on the Chamber Board has taught me a system of evaluating our movers; that has not only assisted in employee retention, lower claims, and actually goal setting amongst the movers”

                                          Johnna Struck, Changing Places Moving

“In 2009, the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce was the best chamber source of business for my company resulting in 11% of new business.  That is a return on my membership dues of over 1000%.”                       

                                          Steve Hyer, IGD Solutions

“I have gained an enormous amount of knowledge concerning our local businesses and what they provide to our area…by attending workshops and networking events.  This allows me to not only utilize their services (which I have done on a regular basis – benefiting the SHOP LOCAL campaign), but to offer our services and know how to sell our service based on the benefits these local businesses may need.  It’s not always about the numbers; it’s about the “future” numbers and building relationships that are priceless.”

                                          Donna Bullard, Clarkston Brandon Community Credit Union

Membership works…you need to connect, look to give, be ready to follow through and track your results!

On your mark get set go…Happy New Year!  It’s not too late…If you haven’t put together a business plan or budget there is still time.  Make it simple something you can work with, but most importantly get it in writing.  When the ideas, plans, and numbers dance around in your head that is where they stay.  When the ideas, plans, and numbers are put into writing it provides you with a road map to guide you through the year.  It’s not wise to set out 2010 without a navigator.  In today’s day an age one doesn’t leave on a journey without their tom tom, navigator, or road map; why would you try to operate your business or your position in a company without a plan or a budget.   Employees as well as business owners need to plan, act, react, and work to stay ahead in the world of business.

Remember to make your plan and budget specific, measurable, and realistic.  A plan or budget will not work for you or your business if you have some pie in the sky numbers or unrealistic expectations.  If you cannot work with the plan more than likely you will fall away and head into unchartered waters.

Set appointments with yourself to track your efforts and accomplishments.  Have target dates as to when you would like to accomplish parts of your plan, trying not to leave everything to be accomplished in December.  Follow up with yourself; hold yourself accountable to the road map that you have laid out in the beginning of the year.

If you fall away from your plan don’t panic you have twelve months to keep working on it.  Reward yourself for the tasks you accomplish along the way.  The most important point is to get started now.  Write it down NOW!

As always stay connected with your Clarkston Area Chamber – be seen and be heard at the Bob’s, luncheon mixers, WIB.  January is a busy month the chamber kicks off the first Women in Business of 2010 this is a networking opportunity that should not be missed by anyone – don’t let the name fool you WOMEN IN BUSINESS – you will find men networking there too!

The Crisis of doing things on the last minute…  Every year we have the privilege of knowing the actual date of Christmas.  My entire life it has always been December 25th.  It has never changed.  Every year I listen to how people wait to the last minute to prepare.  Take the opportunity now to change and make some plans so that you can actually enjoy the holiday season.  As a matter of fact while you at it why don’t you work on your New Year’s resolutions and goals now.

Crazy idea – we just don’t take the time to engage in this process and then the following December we ask ourselves why we may not have achieved our goals.  Now is a great time to review your numbers, reflect on your networking pattern, and recap your highs and lows for the previous year.  What could you have done better, what would you have changed, what will you work harder at next year, perhaps you will consider getting involved in the community.  December is a grand month to do some planning so that on January 1, 2010 you will hit the ground running versus being stuck in trying to figure out what you want to do for the next 365 days.  Use December also as a time to reflect on the accomplishments you made.  You have four weeks left to pump it up and make some changes.  Get things done NOW.

As always NOW is a great time to take some time and CONNECT with the Chamber – use the chamber as a resource to networking yourself amongst your fellow members, market you company to fellow members as well as the community.  There are many events and programs that are looking for sponsors just like you.  Perhaps now is the time you decide to get more involved with your chamber – volunteer this too can sharpen your business skills.  Did you ever think of referring a new member to the chamber?  Share the wealth that the chamber has to offer.

I wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season and remember to spend some very special time with those that mean the most to you.

YOUR CHAMBER IS MEMBER FOCUSED - ARE YOU CHAMBER FOCUSED?

ARE YOU ON TARGET?  If you attended the Bulls Eye Small Business Conference on October 22, 2009, you at least have some new ideas to steer your company, or manage your position at your company.  Here is a prime example of how your Chamber focuses on you the member.  This conference was the collaborative efforts of three area Chamber of Commerces, Clarkston, Waterford and Pontiac.  Resources were pulled together to host an affordable event that featured four speakers, breakfast, exhibits, and NETWORKING.

The room was full of excitement, information and networking.  Key topics were discussed – Media Exposure, Memory Threshold, Differentiation, and Marketing your Business in Today’s Economy.  Thank you Clarkston Area Chamber for working so hard with the other Chambers to produce such an affordable conference!  This is an annual event – make certain not to miss next years’.

November 12, 2009 your Chamber is hosting a Business Expo – All are invited.   Make sure you take this opportunity to showcase your business to other Chamber members as well as the community.  I like to think of it as the DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT OPEN HOUSE.  This is the one night that Clarkston Area Chamber Members have an opportunity to hold an open house with fellow businesses’ all under one roof – Clarkston High School.  Check your schedule and be sure to be an exhibitor and/or a supporter of your Chamber.

You the member pay for membership…work the membership…it goes beyond just writing the check and attending a few events.  It is to CONNECT!  I am hoping that throughout this next year I will encourage more members to attend events, get involved, sponsor events, join a committee, perhaps even become a leader within the Chamber.  It can do nothing but enhance you and grow your business in ways you could have never imagined. 

Look forward on the Clarkston Area Chamber web-site www.Clarkston.org to ensure you are familiar with upcoming events and plan to not only attend but to play an active role of making a difference in your company’s future.   It’s time to wake up today and do something DIFFERENT with your job or business.

As my year begins as President of the Clarkston Area Chamber I ask you, ‘the member’, are you utilizing your membership to its full potential?  If not, why not?  At the beginning of every new year, people set out with New Year’s resolutions, goals, or a new business plan and four to six weeks into the year they tend to go back to their old habits.  Fortunately, the Chamber just had its Annual Meeting in September and the new fiscal year begins October 1st.  I guess you can look at that as a gift.  You now have a head start on your New Year’s resolutions, or if you had set some goals/resolutions back in January 2009, let this be a gentle reminder that perhaps you haven’t quite accomplished what you wanted to for the year and you have three months left to meet those accomplishments. 

Stimulus packages are being offered in every way, shape, and form to get the economy back on its feet.  I challenge you, ‘the member’, to create your own stimulus package and start utilizing your membership.  The Chamber is an excellent avenue to grow your business, but you need to do the work.

I invite you to network.  You can choose to do this at our monthly BOBs, Luncheon Mixers, and Women in Business where one will find an opportunity to experience facilitated networking , be introduced to fellow members on a regular basis to build relationships, and experience a variety of speakers that will educate and enhance your business at various levels which even includes the happenings in the local community.

I invite you to market. There are several opportunites to market your business through out the Clarkston Chamber be it the Web Site Advertising, The Chamber Directory or perhaps Event Sponsorship (Golf outing, Concerts in the Park, Taste, Expo, or Women In Business).  Take the time and research the crowd that participates at our events to see what best suits your business needs and plan to be a sponsor.  Logo recognition is priceless.

I invite you to showcase your business.  In November, the Chamber sponsors a Business EXPO.  This event is well attended and is an awesome opportunity to meet other businesses and actually see many of them in action.  The public is welcome so the audience includes both business and community buyers.

I am inviting you to get involved.  There are opportunities to get involved on a committee as a volunteer, serve your Chamber as an Ambassador, or perhaps apply for the Chamber’s Board of Directors.  All are opportunities to develop leadership skills.

GET CONNECTED TO STAY CONNECTED

As you can see, your Chamber is member focused…have you focused in on what your membership can do for you?

I strongly encourage you to attend the upcoming

BullsEye – Small Business Conference 10/22/09

www.tcfcu.org

Sponsoring a Chamber event is a great way to market your business. 

         When Genisys Credit Union opens a branch in a new community, one of the first things it does is join the local Chamber.  The Chamber provides many great benefits to its members, but one of the best values Genisys finds is the opportunity for sponsoring events.  Joining with the Chamber for an event is a great way to get involved in the community. The Chamber offers great events and programs that are well attended.  The Chamber staff and the committees have already laid all the ground work to create the events.  You don’t have to go out and create an event, provide all the manpower for the event and market it, the Chamber has already done all this for you.  You can choose which events to sponsor based on the market you want to reach.  You can target the community with some Chamber events, other businesses at some events, and both the community and businesses at others.

              Genisys doesn’t stop at just sponsoring the event, we also provide volunteers for the event or have a booth at the event, so that we have a presence at the event.  During the 2009 Concert in the Park Series, we had many sponsors that attended all six concerts.  Planet Kids Children’s Center, Stars and Stripes Gymnastics Academy, LaFontaine Automotive Group and Clarkston Medical Group each had a booth at the concerts that drew people in to talk to them.  This gets their name out in front of the attendees and plants seeds for the future

            Most businesses only have a certain amount of money allocated for marketing and the Chamber events and programs are a great way to invest it.  So, the next time you are looking at where to spend your marketing dollars, call the Chamber office to see which event best fits your needs.

The Engagement Gap

               The Engagement Gap is the discrepancy between the effort that someone is actually putting forth and what they are capable of giving.

              Most companies are “right-sizing” their staff to make their company more efficient.  Therefore, as a business owner or a manager it becomes more apparent that you need to make sure that all of your employees are fully engaged with your company.  A Gallop Study shows that 52% of employees are not engaged, 19% are disengaged and only 29% are engaged.  Employees that are engaged out perform disengaged employees by 20-28%.

              To unlock an employees full potential,  you must engage them.  Engaged employees stay employed with you because of what they give to the company while disengaged employees stay for what they get from the company.  Similarly, engaged employees are willing to go above and beyond what’s expected of them to help your company succeed, while disengaged employees will do just enough to stay employed.

There are many ways to engage employees. To help engage employees on a larger scale, you need to provide them with resources, tools and an overall good workplace environment.  On a smaller scale, managers need to help their employees establish a thriving personal connection with their work and create a satisfying future in your organization. 

Here are five keys to help you engage your employees.

1. Know them-Find out what’s most important to your people.
2. Grow them-Help them develop new skills and advance their careers.
3. Inspire them-Embody your organization’s values and show concern about your employees well-being.
4. Involve them-Inform employees how they contribute to your company’s performance, and involve them in business processes.
5. Reward them-Appreciate their efforts and reward them for work well done.

Think of how much more productivity you would have if every one of your employees were engaged with your company.

Do You Know Your Purpose?

As the economy gets more uncertain, one thing becomes certain.  You need to make sure you understand your business’s purpose.   With all of the changes that are going on, now is a perfect time to take a look at your vision.  You need to make sure everything you are doing is in alignment with your purpose for doing business.  When you begin the visioning process, you need to involve a representative from all the stakeholders in the business.  This would include the key decision makers, the people that will help implement the vision and anyone that can block the implementation.  They all need to be on board with any changes made to the vision.  One key to implementing a new vision is repetition.  Keep repeating the new message so that everyone involved with the business knows the vision and can make sure they are demonstrating it in everything they do with the business. 

The chamber makes sure that we check our alignment with our vision on a regular basis.  A few years ago, we spent time defining our vision and mission. During the process we had to look at the demographics of our area, the direction we wanted the chamber to take and our current member composition.  The part that really surprised us about the information we gathered was how much our member composition had changed over the years.  We think it has probably changed again from just a few years ago. 

 During this process, we came up with a vision of being essential for doing business in the Clarkston area.  To help facilitate our vision we offer events, programs and resources that can help our members grow their business. 

Later this month, the Chamber is going to reevaluate our vision.  After we solidify our vision, we will be evaluating all of our programs and events to make sure they fit with our vision.  This may result in a lot of changes to the events we offer.  We may need to eliminate events or revise programs that we have offered in the past.  We may even offer new programs that are more aligned with our vision.

Watch for the new and improved chamber in the coming months and make sure you tell us what you think.  

My Clarkston, Buy Clarkston

               Did you ever think what Clarkston would look like if your three favorite locally owned businesses went out of business? The chamber wants to try to do something to insure that doesn’t happen. We brought many area business leaders together and created a Shop Local Task Force.  The goal of the task force is to create consumer awareness and loyalty to shop Clarkston Chamber members first.  We are surveying area business leaders and residents to get their thoughts on how we can get people to shop local.  Make sure you take the short survey on the chamber website and give us your input. 

               The Task Force unanimously agreed on the slogan “My Clarkston, Buy Clarkston”.  We all know that Clarkston is a great place to live and work.  I grew up in Clarkston and I still love the close-knit community.  This is our town and we need to support the people that choose to bring their businesses to our area. Local businesses provide job opportunities for our residents and give back to our community by supporting many school projects, service groups and charities.  Getting everyone to think Clarkston first will take a mindset change. Buying local has a big impact on our local community.  It puts money back into the area through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.  Keeping our dollars close to home could be our economic salvation. It will help our friends and neighbors who are fellow chamber members stay in business.  The business owners and citizens of our community need to rally together more than ever to keep Clarkston a viable place to live and work.  We want to keep our storefronts occupied.

             Take ownership and do your part by shopping Clarkston first.  The Chamber website is a great place to find local businesses.

Community Collaboration at its Finest

When the municipalities and the community work together, great things can happen.  Last year the Independence Township Board of Trustees decided something needed to be done to revitalize the Dixie Highway Corridor.  In January 2009 Carlisle/Wortman Associates held a meeting for Dixie Highway business and property owners.  The meeting drew over 100 people and the Dixie Corridor Improvement Committee was formed.  There were over 30 ideas generated and the goal was clear.  What can we do to create a pleasant shopping corridor, retain current business and attract new businesses to the Clarkston area?  

Because there were so many ideas generated,  The Dixie Corridor Improvement Committee broke into four subcommittees to research implementing the short- and long- term goals that were suggested.  Each of the subcommittees had a member of the Independence Township Planning Commission included in it.  The volunteers that make up the committees spent many hours researching what could be implemented right away. 

The first idea they felt could be changed immediately was to amend the temporary sign ordinance for businesses.  This change would make it possible to purchase one permit, and the  business owner could use the temporary sign four times per year and keep the sign up for 14 days at a time.  They suggested some type of sticker to help enforce compliance. 

Also, there was an idea to reduce fees and obstacles for current businesses that want to change their permanent signage.

Another suggestion is to lower capital fees for water and sewer.  The fees would be less for businesses moving into vacant buildings versus new builds. 

Another idea is to beautify the area along Dixie Highway from Andersonville Road to White Lake Road and try to create a revitalized shopping district.

The final idea was to try to create a Commercial Rehabilitation District or a Brownfield District for certain areas on Dixie Highway.

This information was swiftly pulled together, presented to the Independence Township Board of Trustees on April 21st and some of the ideas are on the path for possible approval in the near future.  The community, planning commission and township working together can make a positive difference.  Attend the Township and Planning meetings to find out all the details about what’s happening and to show your support for this initiative.  The more businesses we have that move in to occupy our empty buildings, the better it is for all of our businesses.  

Market your business, especially in the tough times

In our current economic situation, everyone is looking for ways to cut costs.  One area that people feel is an easy area to cut is marketing.  A lot of people feel they can stop marketing altogether, and start again when the economy turns around. What they really need to do is evaluate their current marketing efforts. 

Take a good look at the cost of the marketing versus the benefits they are receiving.  A great way to market is through the Chamber.  The Chamber offers affordable sponsorship opportunities that will get your business name out in front of various groups of people.  Whether you are trying to reach local consumers or other business people, there are programs for both.  It may be that the Concerts in the Park would be best for you, or it could be the Golf Classic or one of our other great events.

When you sponsor an event, if possible, you should also have a presence at the event too.  If people see your name on a banner, then hear your name as a sponsor and see your people there with logo wear on, it helps the people attending the event to remember your name.  It is a great way to market your business and it makes sense to target people in the local area.

The events that you sponsor, also enhance our community.  Our members’ financial and volunteer support help the Chamber bring high quality events to the area.  These events bring the community together, which is essential in times like these.   A strong community is needed to help us get through tough times; which are easier to weather if we are all supporting each other.

So, what I am suggesting is that you don’t just completely stop marketing, but make sure you are getting the most for your money.  The Chamber offers many sponsorship opportunities that can help you promote your business and enhance our community.  Call the Chamber and see which ones best match your marketing needs.

248-625-8055