Greetings!
This week, you'll see a new feature called "Critical Knowledge." This is a term I coined decades now. It is the kind of stuff you learn from years of experience and it's knowledge you almost take for granted because you may have forgotten what it was like not to know it. However, for someone who is just learning, that is exactly the kind of information that can help shorten a learning curve, make a task easier, provide an "aha!" moment. Do you have some critical knowledge to share? Let me know!
This week's essay is a quintessential example of the power of connecting and what can be accomplished one connection at a time.
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Upcoming Events
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To pre-register for an event, you have several options:
- Visit the Chamber's secure website to register and pay online.
- Complete the monthly event flyer sent to you by postal mail or
available on the website's events page and mail/fax it to the Chamber
with payment.
- Stop by the Chamber Tuesdays-Fridays from 9:30-2:30 and pay in person.
Once the deadline for pre-registration for an event has passed, you'll be able to register at the door for an event.
Multi-Chamber Winter Business Card Exchange
When: Tuesday, February 12 from 5:30-7:30pm
Hosted by: Montvale Plaza
Where: Montvale Plaza, 54 Montvale Avenue, Stoneham
Fee: $10/member; $20 visitor
Special Bonus: 4:00-5:00pm seminar, "E-mailing More Effectively"
Gather
your business cards and company brochures and then make your reservation for
another great networking and marketing event with Chamber members from Arlington,
Bedford, Burlington,
Lexington, Malden,
Medford, Melrose,
Reading-North, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield,
Waltham, Winchester
and Wilmington. Shared table space
will be available and provided on a first come, first serve basis. Appetizers are included and there will be a cash bar.
When you attend the free "E-Mailing More Effectively" seminar from 4:00-5:00pm presented by Zak Barron of Constant Contact, you'll leave with concrete information about how e-mail marketing can have a direct, positive impact on your business. [NOTE: For those who attended the Chamber's January breakfast seminar, this will essentially be the same presentation.] Space is limited for the seminar so make sure to check "yes, sign me up" when you register. Pre-registration for this event is now closed.
However, you are welcome to register at the event.
Arlington Storefront
Improvement Program Kick-off
OR
How You May Be Eligible for an Architect's Services for FREEand Have Access to Low Cost Loans-Oh, My!
When: Thursday, February 28
from 7:30-9:30am
Hosted by: Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Where: Robbins Library, Community Room, 700 Mass. Ave.
Fee: $10/member; $20 visitor
FEE AFTER FEB. 26/AT DOOR: $15/member, $25/visitor At this breakfast meeting, learn
about Arlington's
new Storefront Improvement Program and the town's efforts to improve its
community spaces.
The Planning Department and the
Redevelopment Board will:
- Explain
how you may be eligible to participate in the new program's first phase
- Discuss
interim improvements planned for the Broadway
Plaza
in the Center
Participating banks will be
invited to:
- Outline
their new loan programs to assist business owners who want to improve their
businesses
Network with other attendees and
town officials from 7:30-8:00am over a Continental breakfast. The presentation
will begin promptly at 8:00am and will include the opportunity for questions.
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Welcome Our New Members
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Meet new Chamber members here first! As members join, we will provide you with their company name, a direct link to their website and contact information, too.
- Fitzsimmons Law Office, 635 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite R, Arlington, 781.641.2300, (referred by David W. Adams)
- Last week, I made a mistake in Quadmultisport's phone number. It is 781.646.5600
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Good News to Share About Chamber Members
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Has your business got good news to share-won an award, been reviewed, appeared in the media, added a
new employee, relocated? Then shoot an email to info@arlcc.org and we'll spread
the word in our weekly email. For your information to be included it must be in
the body of the email and not in an attached document or in the body of a
newsletter. - Andy Winig of Improve Andy was a featured guest on the TV show
"Employment for All," hosted by Kim Bisset. He discusses how leadership training can improve team performance and enhance career
development. The
interview is available on his website.
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| Chamber Connections |
The Chamber is where connections are made and business happens. If you have
connected with a Chamber member at a recent event, let me know and I will share
the good news here. And if you have kudos to share about another Chamber member, send that along too! - Arlington Community Education is a Chamber member. When members are looking for ways to promote their business, the Chamber suggests they offer to teach a course: the catalogue is mailed to EVERY household in Arlington and prospective customers or clients get to try you on for size. This spring a number of Chamber members are doing just that. Director Donna Eidson is always interested in hearing from you. To view a pdf
version of the catalogue, click here.
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| Chamber Member Events |
Are you having an open house, a benefit, a wine tasting? Then send me the info
in sentence form like you see below in the body of an email and I will mention
it and include a link to your website for folks to visit.
- An Apple A Day Acupuncture is one of the founders of a free community-style acupuncture clinic for
veterans who are returning from Iraq
and Afghanistan.
The Arlington Veterans' Acupuncture Clinic, associated with the national group
Acupuncturists Without Borders, is dedicated to serving returning vets who are
suffering from post traumatic stress, insomnia, flashbacks, panic and
depression. The clinic is located at the Jefferson Cutter House in Arlington Center, in the Eva Cutter Gallery, and
will be open Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM. Treatments are available on a
walk-in basis; no appointment is necessary. (Please note, on the second Mondays
of the month the clinic will be held at the alternate location of the American
Legion Hall, Post # 39, 370 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington).
- Celebrate
Valentine's Day at Ristorante Olivio. Enjoy a special menu at $50 per person (beverages,
tax and gratuity not included). For more information call 781.648.2300.
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Special Offers for Chamber Members
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Do you want to extend a special offer to your fellow Chamber members? Send it
along and we will include it.
Susan Willey, CPA: Re QuickBooks or Quicken
Set-up
Susan is offering QuickBooks or Quicken
Set-up for $100. This includes up to four hours of my time to install your
QuickBooks or Quicken software and set up your online account access. Basic
introduction for you on how to use your software and address any special needs
you may have. Additional time is billed at her regular rate of $35 per hour.
QuickBooks software is available at QuickBooks ProAdvisor discount rates. For more information, call her at 617.686.7874.
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FYI: Members with Info to Share
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Would you
like to post a job? Are you moving? Has your business name changed? If you have
information you would like to share with your fellow members, send it along. For
your information to be included it must be in the body of the email and not in
an attached document or in the body of a newsletter.
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Critical Knowledge: Tips from Chamber Members
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Do you have critical knowledge that you would like to share with fellow Chamber members. Then include it in the body of an email and send it to the Chamber. - From Susan Willey, CPA contributed this timely tip: "If you use electronic banking or credit card services and use a
bookkeeping software program or an Excel
based spreadsheet to keep track of your finances, you can download transactions from
your bank or credit card's website directly onto your computer."
Timely Tip: "Most online bank accounts will only allow you to download the most recent
activity, often not more than 90 days old. Even if you don't have the time or
inclination to organize your data, accessing and saving your online statements
onto your own computer will eliminate hours of manual input later."
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| SCORE-Appointments for March |
SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business is a
nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneurial education and the formation,
growth and success of small businesses nationwide. SCORE's national network of
retired and working volunteers are experienced entrepreneurs and corporate
managers/executives. These volunteers provide free business counseling and
advice as a public service to all types of businesses, in all stages of
development. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business
Administration. A SCORE counselor comes to the Arlington Chamber's office twice every
month to meet with Chamber members for free confidential one-hour consultations.
Once the counselor has met with you, meetings can occur more often at your and
SCORE's mutual convenience. Call the Chamber at 781.643.4600 to make an appointment. Both
members and non-members can take advantage of this opportunity; however, Chamber
members get first preference for appointments. February
- Marty Kress, Wednesday, March 5: Completely booked!
- Judy Wessels, Tuesday, March 20: 9:00, 10:00 and 1:00
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Sincerely,
Michèle M. Meagher
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
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From Michèle
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The Anatomy of a Chamber Connection I think of
connecting as networking raised to the next power. Let me illustrate with the
anatomy of a Chamber Connection or how one phone call led to an exciting and ongoing
collaboration, new loan programs for small business owners and an upcoming
Chamber event. It all
started with Kathy Keady, the proprietor of La Ladybug Boutique.
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