- A new Health & Wellness Fair on Sept. 17 - free to attend
- The kickoff of a new Coffee Connection Leads Group for Tempe Chamber members
- Business Excellence Awards nomination forms
- Tempe Chamber ballot endorsements
- Tempe Links Golf Tournament offers
- Annual Luncheon photo roundup

Plus exclusive offers available only to Tempe Chamber members.

Take a look today and boost your productivity and resources.

Monti’s, La Casa Vieja on Mill Ave., Tempe

By Michelle Pence

Surrounded by friends, family and coworkers who might as well be family, Pio Robles, Eddie Wong and Roger Bradford were recently honored by Monti’s La Casa Vieja for rendering over a century of combined service to the restaurant, each serving over 40, 30 and 30 years respectively.

Meeting with the three men at Monti’s to talk about the celebration and their time working at the restaurant was like sitting down with a group of brothers. After chatting with them for almost an hour, it was clear that this analogy was right on the mark. The trio shared stories about how at one time Monti’s was one of the only restaurants located on Mill Avenue and reflected fondly on the restaurant’s original owner, the late Leonard F. Monti Sr.

“It’s like a family away from home,” said Wong. “It has that comradeship because of the fact that you’re working in close proximity with people, there’s constantly stuff going on, and you’re working unusual hours. It becomes your separate family.”

When Robles started as a dishwasher in 1969, he was a young newlywed, just starting his family and struggling to learn English. During his time at Monti’s, he learned how to cook and eventually switched from washing dishes to working the broiler and doing prep and other kitchen work. One of his proudest accomplishments is his remarkable sense for the “doneness” of each of the many different sizes and cuts of steak that are on the broiler at any given time.

“It is very, very hot behind that broiler, and it takes a tough guy to spend hours there and endure the heat while cooking hundreds of steaks,” said current owner Michael Monti.
Both Wong and Bradford joined the team at Monti’s in 1980. Wong, who calls himself a “renaissance man” and loves to work with his hands, began as a bar back, moved up to bartender, then manager and finally became the restaurant’s maintenance man. In fact, he had framed and hung all of the various memorabilia hanging in the very room we were sitting in.
“He is very thrifty,” said Monti. “For example, over the years he managed to save up parts from dozens of worn-out bar blenders and was known to cobble together a new blender from time to time out of pieces when we needed one in a pinch.”

Aside from being known as an all-around handy man, Wong is known for his colorful personality and off-duty wardrobe. One of his favorite memories during his time at Monti’s was when several of the managers dressed up as him on his 20-year anniversary at Monti’s. In addition to his fondness for hats and vintage clothing, Wong is well-known for being deadly with puns. True to his colors, he had thought of a pun for the occasion: He said that he, Bradford and Robles were “Monti’s Troika,” or a Russian sled drawn by three horses.

Bradford, the youngest of the bunch, started at Monti’s as a bus hop and was trained by both Robles and Wong. Now he mainly checks in deliveries, washes dishes and cleans. Organizing the inventory is still one of Bradford’s favorite tasks, which he proudly does meticulously and claims he naturally has a knack for. Breaking out of his shell and learning how to communicate with people and ask questions is one of the skills Bradford, who confessed he was painfully shy at one time, claims working at Monti’s taught him.

“Roger has worked quietly and reliably in our kitchen for all of these years,” said Monti. “I don’t remember a time when he has ever called in sick or complained about a thing.”
While Bradford still works full-time at Monti’s, Wong has recently retired, and Robles works part-time as his health allows. During his retirement, Wong volunteers at the local art center and has been building an art studio of his own. Bradford balances work with being active in his church and staying physically active by playing volleyball, ping pong, bowling and hiking. In the future, he says he will enjoy volunteering at local hospitals and working with the handicapped. Robles has been battling a chronic illness but still enjoys the occasional game of pool.

One thing is clear from speaking with the trio - Monti’s must be doing something right to have a staff of such loyal and dedicated employees.

“Our staff is as important as our customers,” said Monti’s CEO Eddie Goitia. “We believe that if they are treated like customers, they in turn will treat everyone who comes into Monti’s the same.”

“We try to keep a human face on our business,” added Monti. “We cannot always compete with the wages and benefits offered by much larger businesses, but we can put a personal touch on the workplace that really appeals to some people.”

Whatever the case, staying with one business as long as the three men have is no small feat in a time when most people will end up holding jobs at multiple companies during their adult life.
Wong summed it up best when he said, “I think that each of us possess a strong work ethic, which we picked up from our role models who taught us the value of hard work. This is where we learned that longevity is a good thing.”

Senator John McCain has been announced as a guest speaker at the Aug. 27 ASU Sun Devil Football Kickoff Luncheon, presented by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce at the Wells Fargo Arena from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Learn more at http://bit.ly/tcckick

Senator McCain was elected to the United States Senate in 1986, after serving two terms in the U.S. House. He joins guest speakers Governor Jan Brewer and US Congressman Harry Mitchell in addressing an audience of more than 500 people as ASU jump starts its football season with presentations by Head Coach Dennis Erickson, ASU Athletics Director Lisa Love, ASU VP Christine Wilkinson, Sun Devil football players, coaches and other special guests.

Sparky, the Spirit Squad and the ASU band will perform at the event which features a plated luncheon, video program, live Q+A with Sun Devil football team captains and more.

The event is produced by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the ASU Sun Devil Club and ASU Alumni Association and is presented by US Airways. It will take place on Friday, Aug. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way. Tickets are required and may be purchased by calling (480) 967-7891 or visiting http://bit.ly/tcckick

Tickets range from $10 to $60 and VIP seating with ASU Football coaches and players is available.

Debra Boehlke with Attorney General Terry Goddard’s Crime, Fraud and Victim Resource Center will speak about the most dangerous current threats to business. From scams to skimming and identity protection, she shares her front line knowledge to help companies combat these threats.

Document security and safety is a vital element of any plan. With many laws in place to regulate the storage and disposal of printed and electronic documents and records, your company needs to be aware of the proper and safe methods of information security. Also presenting will be Dustin McKissen, Deputy CEO of NAID (National Association for Information Destruction). NAID is the worldwide trade association for information destruction companies.

The session will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the University of Phoenix, 4635 E. Elwood St. in Phoenix. Sessions are $15 for members and $25 for non-members. RSVPs are also accepted at a reduced rate. Advance registration is required through www.tempechamber.org or by calling (480) 967-7891. This class is limited to 25 people.

And if you’ve taken the time to read this far, here’s a special offer. We’re giving away free passes to the event to the first 5 people to email sean@tempechamber.org and request one.

Michelle Pence, Communications Dept. Intern

By Michelle Pence, Communications Dept. Intern 

It’s about that time of year when local students are preparing to say goodbye to the freedom of summer, pack up their backpacks and head back to school. With the list of school necessities ranging from new clothes to laptops, parents are faced with an important shopping decision – shop at locally-owned stores or shop at larger national retailers?

Statistics show that when someone shops at a locally-owned business, 45 cents of every dollar stays in Arizona, while national chains contribute only 13 cents.

“Every time you make a purchase, you’re exercising power of choice,” states the Local First Arizona website, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting locally-owned businesses. “The choice is yours.”

Shopping locally strengthens communities and economies by re-circulating money in the community, sustaining local jobs and generating tax revenue for the community and state, while shopping at larger national retailers or online companies drains local tax revenue and can damage the local economy.

“When you shop online with out-of-state companies, it doesn’t contribute a dime to the local economy,” says the website. Instead of shopping online, do a little research and try to find local businesses who offer the same or similar products locally.

Other publicized benefits of shopping locally include the often convenient store locations, the emphasis on personalized customer service and the character such businesses bring to the community.

“Independent businesses provide meaningful service with a personal touch,” says the Local First Arizona website. “It matters to them that you are satisfied and will come back again.”

To aid in the decision shoppers face, many communities are launching campaigns similar to Local First Arizona, encouraging people to recognize the charm and importance of small businesses and to shop locally. The City of Tempe hosts the Shop Tempe! Program, which promotes how shopping at local Tempe businesses helps support the citizens and businesses of Tempe by keeping stores open and people working.

“Shopping Tempe helps pay for community parks, police and fire service and many other city services,” states the Shop Tempe! website.

Finding and patronizing local businesses is one of the most basic and important decisions a person can make to help support local retailers. Both Shop Tempe! and Local First Arizona feature directories of local businesses on their websites, which businesses sign up to be a part of.  Shoppers are encouraged to peruse the businesses, listed by category, and to make a decision to shop or dine at one of the local businesses as opposed to a national retailer.

After making a conscience effort to shop locally, sharing the decision to do so with friends and family is the next step in sustaining local businesses by encouraging them to recognize the benefits of shopping locally and to make a similar decision.

What may seem like a simple decision to purchase new binders and lunchboxes for back-to-school is actually a decision of how much to contribute to the local community and economy.

To learn more about Shop Tempe! and Local First Arizona, please visit www.tempe.gov/shoptempe and www.localfirstaz.com. To see a list of Tempe Chamber of Commerce members you can support, visit www.tempechamber.org.

Michelle Pence, Communications Dept. Intern

By Michelle Pence, Communications Dept. Intern

With unemployment rates on the rise and businesses closing their doors for good at an alarming rate, many business owners are left wondering when the light at the end of the tunnel will appear and whether or not the long and prosperous life they had once hoped for their business is still a viable possibility.

What can business owners do to survive this recession? In this article, we speak with the owners of two booming Tempe businesses who dish out advice and testimonials on the strategies that have helped them stand the test of time 

A national and world award winner for its beer, Four Peaks Brewing Company has by all means earned the right to be called a successful business. Since opening its doors in December of 1996, Four Peaks has become Arizona’s largest brewery, brewing over 18,500 barrels, while striving to reach 40,000 barrels in the next year or so

Another prospering local business, Celebrated Cuisine, Inc., is well known in the area for providing premium cuisine and hospitality to numerous upscale private, corporate and university clients. With the unofficial company motto of “strive for perfection, settle for excellence,” owner and chef Laura Slama takes personal responsibility in ensuring the cuisine and services provided by her company are of the highest quality, whether being delivered to a plated dinner party for eight guests or an hors d’oeuvres reception for 200.

Focus

When asked what he attributes his business’ longevity to, Jim Scussel, owner of Four Peaks Brewing Company, named four elements: beer quality, food quality, ambiance and service. “I think we nail all four, and that is what makes us successful,” he explained.

Both business owners agreed that concentrating on specific areas, such as customer service or food quality, has helped them to create a niche for their businesses and allowed them to do well in the long run.

Karma

Good business practices may not always seem to be the easiest way to boost profits, but in terms of creating a lasting business, keeping your nose clean will most likely pay off in the end.

“We just feel that if we work hard and keep our head down that good things will come, which they have - karma,” said Scussel.

“What you put out there is what comes back to you,” added Slama. “Positive energy, integrity and authenticity are never optional, and there is never room for ego.”

Positive customer relation 

When money for advertising is tight, relying on satisfied customers to spread the word about their positive experiences with a business, a method utilized by both Four Peaks and Celebrated Cuisine, is one valuable way to acquire new customers 

“Customers are our biggest cheerleaders in that they go to bat for us and promote us better than we can promote ourselves,” said Scussel. “You would listen to a friend much more than you would the radio or TV, correct?”

Dedicated employees

As the old adage goes, a business is only as good as its employees; namely, they are the part of a business having the most direct effect on customer satisfaction. Building a quality team of employees that lasts is often one of the most vital and challenging parts of operating a business. Scussel proudly describes how the Four Peaks staff, many of whom have been employed with the company for years, is one of the business’ greatest assets.

“Have your employees take ownership and be proud of where they work and treat them with respect,” advised Scussel. “Offer them benefits like health insurance and a 401k.”

“Surround yourself with people you like working with and [who] you can trust,” added Slama.

In order to improve team performance, Four Peaks offers frequent employee team building outings. “Just last week we took 11 managers, brewers and owners down the Colorado River rafting for 10 days as part of a team building exercise which worked out wonderfully,” said Scussel. “Talk about building morale!”

On the topic of the weak economy, Slama strongly urges businesses to diversify. When Celebrated Cuisine experiences slow months, Slama stays busy with her second business, Laura’s Gourmet, which provides artisan crafter granola in high end markets in the west, currently expanding to the east.

When economic times are tough, it is all the more important to stay focused on the fundamentals, such as customer relations and fostering faithful employees, in order to run a business able to survive the test of time.

Sean Donovan

Wow, I just realized how much we have going on in August! There’s something for everyone, from our dynamic new take on Networking @ Noon, to a special Hot Topics and Lunch with Mayor Hallman. Maybe we’ll even learn what the fate of Tempe Town Lake is! We’ve got an amazing series on Business Security and Safety taking place every Friday, a joint mixer with Tempe Leadership and so much more. The month culminates with the 10th Annual Sun Devil Football Kickoff and Pep Rally at its brand new location at Wells Fargo Arena. This is going to be the best one yet.

For your convenience, all of the events and their info/registration links can be found at http://bit.ly/ce7AFB 

If you want the whole snappy, full-color postcard, we’ve made it available as a PDF that you can print or email at http://bit.ly/c8vtiW

We look forward to seeing you there!

“We are pleased to endorse these highly-qualified candidates,” says Tempe Chamber President/CEO Mary Ann Miller. “We are confident that they will be strong representatives of the business community and that their talents and abilities will be valuable assets in fulfilling the Chamber’s objective of promoting the best interests of business.”

Candidates submitted written questionnaires and were interviewed by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce pertaining to state spending limits; tax issues; the budget deficit; and much more. The Chamber’s recommendations were reviewed and discussed by the Chamber Board in order to choose candidates for the available seats.

For complete coverage of these candidates and the endorsement process, please visit http://bit.ly/tccnews

The Gulf is the fastest growing region for US goods and services.  Contrary to the current world economic conditions, this region is still experiencing tremendous economic growth. Public and private investment is projected to be over $1.5 trillion US dollars in the next 5 years.

The Made in the USA-Qatar exhibition, the largest event of its kind in the Gulf, will be held October 12-15, 2010 at the Doha International Convention Center, in Doha, Qatar.  Microsoft is its strategic partner and the exhibition enjoys government support and is presented under the patronage of H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry.

Please visit www.madeinusaqatar.com/ for complete details.