Feedback Loop – Input=Success

Posted on | November 8, 2011 | No Comments

We want to hear from you!

At the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, our motto is “Your Success is Our Business,” and the Chamber has been devoted to helping businesses succeed for more than 100 years. To ensure that you are receiving all of the benefits your membership offers and that we are helping your business succeed, we would like to extend an invitation to you to voice any concerns or feedback you may have.

Your feedback will allow us to develop more effective strategies to help our members’ businesses grow and implement new ways to make your membership with the Tempe Chamber even more valuable. Your business is important to us, and we are committed to helping you succeed.

Please send any questions or comments to info@tempechamber.org.

Social Media Contest – Win Tickets to the SMAZ Conference!

Posted on | October 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

 

By Lucas McCarville, Communications Dept. Intern

Social Media AZ (SMAZ) is hosting a full day conference on social media on Nov. 18 and you can win a free ticket by simply telling us how you successfully incorporate it into your business model.

The event is designed to help companies better understand and utilize digital marketing and social media. A variety of presentations will be given by a range of experts, consultants, and entrepreneurs who will show how to implement internal and external social media strategies.

At the Tempe Chamber, we employ social media through (among others) Facebook, Twitter and our blog to create an atmosphere where our members and business community can interact and share knowledge in whatever way they’re most comfortable.

To enter, write a minimum of 200 words on how your business is using social media to succeed. Winning entries will be instructive in nature, so that other companies can follow the lead you’ve set. Choose from the following categories:

Building Social Authority               
How is your company using social media to distinguish itself from other companies and take the lead in your field?

Social on Mobile               
Arguably the fastest growing venue for social media, how is your company utilizing mobile platforms to its best advantage?

Trailblazer         
How is your company using social media in a cutting edge way and changing the way people work or think about social media?

Compose your article and email to sean@tempechamber.org by Wed., Nov. 9 at 12:00 p.m. Three tickets will be awarded as prizes, one in each of the above categories. You may enter in as many categories as you like but each company may win only one ticket and may submit only one entry per category. Only Tempe Chamber members are eligible to win.

Winning entries are chosen at the discretion of the Tempe Chamber and will be posted to this blog page.

2012 Business Excellence Awards Nominations Needed

Posted on | October 21, 2011 | No Comments

We are accepting nominations for the 2012 Business Excellence Awards through Nov. 14. The awards promote the advancement of responsible business leadership and honor those that demonstrate a passion for excellence.

Through the awards, the Tempe Chamber identifies companies whose practices in business growth, employee development, community involvement and customer service exemplify excellence. Nominating a company you know of who shares a commitment to success is a great way to show your support.

The 2011 recipients were Honey Moon Sweets and the Morrison Vein Institute.

To nominate a company, visit http://bit.ly/BEA2012 to fill out a simple form, or just email the company’s name and contact information to sean@tempechamber.org.

 

What’s In a Good Exit Plan?

Posted on | October 14, 2011 | No Comments

 

By: Kjell Andreassen  Acceler8 llc

With the many challenges of today’s economic environment it is easy to overlook the critical task of exit planning. However, at some point: 

1. All owners exit their businesses; and when that date arrives,
2. Owners want to exit on their terms; the two most important of which are financial independence and choosing the person or entity that will receive or buy the business.

Designing a comprehensive Exit Plan—based on your exit objectives and flexible enough to adapt to changing economic, business and personal circumstances—can be the difference between liquidating your company and selling / transferring it for millions of dollars.

Here is a sad, but common story of two hypothetical business owners who failed to plan: 

Several years ago, I met with Jim and Tim McCoy, the owners of a thriving construction company. What I assumed would be a business planning meeting turned into a We-are-getting-out-of-business-so-how-do-we-do-it? meeting. As successful as they were, the McCoys were tired of navigating the labyrinth of government regulation and of paying ever-increasing taxes. Ultimately, the day-to-day grind of running a multi-million dollar company had taken its toll. Read more

Sticking a Toe (or two) in the Exit Planning Pool

Posted on | October 6, 2011 | No Comments

 

By Kjell Andreassen , Acceler8 llc

Some of the most common objections owners make to undertaking the planning necessary to exit their companies successfully are:

1. The business isn’t worth enough to meet my financial needs. When it is, that’s when I’ll think about leaving.

2. I will be required to work years for a new owner.

3. I don’t need to plan. When the business is ready a buyer will find me.

4. This business is my life! I can’t imagine my life without it!

Exit planning not only helps your business while you are in it, but is also the best way we’ve found to leave your company to the successor you choose, on the date you choose and for the amount of cash you want. So, how do you, as an owner, jump into exit planning? Let me suggest that one of the best places to jump in is to take some measurements. Read more

Invent a Better Cardboard Box

Posted on | October 3, 2011 | No Comments

by Russ Perry, Keane Creative

This past July my family joined the ranks of many unfortunate souls as we underwent the infamous Arizona Summer Move. If you’ve never experienced this, consider yourself a lucky human being. 117+ temperatures, boxes, stairs, asphalt, and no luck getting a “head start” on the heat.

Thankfully we survived and the experience allowed me to discover a welcome innovation in the field of moving and storage: a reinvented cardboard box.

Now you have to stay with me here. Yes, I am going to talk about how cool this cardboard box is and yes, I am going to relate it to business. Hang in there.

When you think about cardboard boxes, the last thing that comes to mind is innovation. The cardboard box is as old as the act of moving itself and how could something so iconic (and so aggravating) be improved? Well, let me introduce to you the official U-Haul Cardboard Box.

First this box comes in three sizes: Small, medium and large. The sizes are equal proportions of each other so widths and heights stack up evenly. If you’ve ever gone hunting for cardboard boxes, you know size inequalities can result in precarious Jenga-like towers. These even sizes make any combination pack up perfectly, without the fear of a corrugated avalanche. Read more

Top 10 Reasons to Visit the East Valley Business Expo

Posted on | September 28, 2011 | 2 Comments

By Sally Harrison, Vice President, Mesa Chamber of Commerce

If you’ve not attended an East Valley Business Expo presented by the Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Tempe Chambers of Commerce - or even if you have – it’s time to come explore what’s out there for you. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should attend and what’s new and exciting at this year’s expo.

The expo takes place Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 2-6 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center, 201 N. Center St.

10. It’s a Free Event!  Who says you can’t get something for nothing! Bring your business card and there’s no fee to enter.

9.  New Workshop:  Professional trainer and motivator Stacy Stack will host free workshops on managing conflict and change at work and on leadership’s role in creating a fulfilling workplace. Participation in these valuable presentations is free for all attendees and exhibitors as Stack charismatically motivates her audience through expertise and laughter.

8.  Free Food: This year’s vendors include Jason’s Deli, Texas Roadhouse, Village Inn, Paradise Bakery, Rotolo’s Pizzeria and Sub Zero Ice Cream. The food court is always a great area to network!

7.  Meet New People:  The expo is a great opportunity to network with vendors as well as other attendees.  Bring plenty of business cards! Read more

Expo Creates Profits for Businesses

Posted on | September 26, 2011 | No Comments

by Sean Donovan, VP of Media & Program Development, Tempe Chamber of Commerce

Is your company looking for a proven, cost-effective and fun way to promote your business? You can find it by investing in a booth at the Oct. 5 East Valley Business Expo.

Exhibitors know that this event is the ideal venue for business-to-business and business-to-consumer outreach and sales. Between 1,000 and 1,500 people attend the event and more than 100 exhibitors are on site. While your business will benefit greatly from simply attending (at no cost!) the best way to capitalize on all the potential profits is to become an exhibitor. Some booths are still available, but you’re encouraged to act quickly to secure yours.

Top Reasons To Exhibit

1. It’s extremely time efficient. The Expo is one of the most efficient ways of marketing your business, product or service. It offers the best way to connect with potential customers and clients in a short amount of time in one location. In fact, more than 1,500 people – each representing untapped revenue – walked through the doors of the East Valley Business Expo last year. 

2. You’ll generate much stronger leads. Attendees are ready to do business. By their presence alone, they have already shown that they’re serious about making connections, buying and selling and engaging your company in a businesslike fashion.

3. There is a strong return on investment. Expos are an excellent way to realize high ROI.  Expo-based contacts, leads and sales outweigh those of other forms of marketing, something any business likes to see. Plus, with four chambers of commerce engaging in a powerful combined marketing strategy, you’re getting an incredible amount of bang for your buck.

4. Your presence speaks volumes. Your presence tells people that you’re an important industry player. Conversely, the risk of absence is a factor as well, especially in a tough economy when people are more careful than ever who they do business with.  By failing to show up, you can be seen as a non-player, lowering consumer confidence and giving your competitors the stage all to themselves. You need to be present to reinforce your viability. Your competition will be there – can you afford not to me?

The East Valley Business Expo takes place on October 5, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center, 201 N. Center Street. Online registration is open at www.eastvalleybusinessexpo.com and booths are first-come, first-served. Admission for attendees is free with a business card.

The East Valley Business Expo is a joint production of the Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa Chambers of Commerce.

Women in Business Council Announces New Mentoring Program

Posted on | September 22, 2011 | No Comments

By Linda Kalaf, Veolia Transportation
Chair, Women in Business Council

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Council is proud to announce a new mentoring program designed to help members reach and achieve their personal and professional goals, and to create an environment in which members can prosper and celebrate their success. 

The Council’s purpose is to foster the growth and success of women in business through personal and professional development, in order to improve Tempe businesses and the community.  The new Women in Business Council Mentoring Program will do precisely that.

Mentoring can best be described as a relationship between two individuals in which a more accomplished person (the mentor) assists a less accomplished person (the protégé).  Through the program, protégés will gain an understanding of their true self through assessments and workshops.  They will learn how to assess their values, create a vision for their life and live with purpose and passion.  Protégés will benefit from the program by developing into stronger, more capable leaders while increasing their business acumen and learning how to grow into positions of greater importance and value.

This fall we are rolling out the pilot Mentoring Program which will be six months in duration from December, 2011 through May, 2012.  Sessions 1-5 (December – April) will be morning sessions from 8:00 am – 10:30 am.   The mentors and protégés should plan on attending the scheduled monthly events. The final session (May) will be a grand celebration at the Women in Business Conference and Trade Show. 

The Mentoring Program is designed to provide a learning environment for both the mentors and protégés.  Various workshops and activities will be scheduled to contribute to the protégés’ individual development plans and to create an atmosphere that enhances the relationships and communication techniques between the program participants.

The Mentoring Program will pair six protégés with the following mentors:  Lorraine Bergman, Caliente Construction; Bill Goodman, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Julie Jakubek, All State Insurance; Vicki Kringen, The Centers for Habilitation; Jackie Thompson, Southwest Airlines, and Bobbie Cassano, Tempe Community Council. 

Interested protégés must:

• Be a Tempe Chamber of Commerce member;
• Have at least two years of business experience;
• Have been in your current position for at least six months;
• Willing to make a commitment to the six month program – December 13, January 10, February 14, March 13, April 10 from 8:00 am – 10:30 am; May date and time TBD;
• If not self-employed; obtain employer’s commitment to participate in the program;
• Be open to self-assessment, self-discovery and the life coach experience and enrichment.

If you are interested, click here for program guidelines and the application.  A tuition fee of $150 is applicable if accepted into the program. Applications must be submitted by October 10, 2011.  Please submit your application to sachiyo@tempechamber.org and linda.kalaf@veoliatransdev.com

Kiss Summer Goodbye with the Year’s Best Chamber Golf Tournament

Posted on | September 14, 2011 | No Comments

 

After all, when and where else can you have four or five hours of a client, partner or CEO’s attention? Combined with the fact that there is no stress in our tournament, you have the recipe for a productive and rewarding event.

Since we do a blind draw for teams and prizes at the end of the tournament, there are no worries if you shank, hook or sink your ball in the lake. It won’t matter to your foursome’s score, since you’ll be randomly scored once we conclude. Golf with anyone you like and enjoy the day!  

Why not invite clients or staff to be your guest? Be their host and buy their tickets, connecting with them on a new level. The relaxed pace of the day gives you the opportunity to chat with your foursome and other players on a personal level. 

(We found a great article about golf networking here)

This dynamic tournament features a full round of golf, prizes, boxed lunch, a silent auction and BBQ dinner with live emcee Ron Meritt. The format is a modified scramble with a blind draw for teams – a fun format that encourages speedy, unintimidating play. We have some single spots and foursomes available, and encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity.

 If the rumblings about redevelopment are true, this may be your last chance to golf at ASU Karsten in the Tempe Links Classic. Don’t miss this great event! Members pay $100 each when golfing as a foursome, one of the lowest costs for any tournament and a bargain for everything included in the event. Learn more or RSVP to 480-967-7891 or http://bit.ly/LINKS11.

Highlights include

Lunch

18 holes of golf with cart

BBQ Dinner

Tilted Kilt girls

Live auction

Raffle

Hole prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin and longest putt for men and women

1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place team trophies

Live emcee Rob Meritt

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Our mission is to build an environment that enhances the economic vitality of our membership. We’ve always stayed true to this goal and to our commitment that “Your Success Is Our Business.”

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