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March 2009

Chamber E-News
Monthly Publication
Member of the Week
Mary-Gran Nursing Center
Butler & Faircloth Realtors
Mary-Gran Nursing Center has proudly served the community for over 33 years. Located at 120 Southwood Drive, Mary-Gran provides skilled nursing, inpatient and outpatient therapy and assisted living. MaryGran employs about 201 great individuals.

Roberta Grady, Administrator
120 Southwood Drive, Clinton, NC 28328
910.592.7981
Email
What's in this issue?
Member of the Week
Using the Chamber to market your business
Web Benefits Workshop
Professional Development Seminar Series
SBA Launches Small Business Community
Read about our new members
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
A Great Time for Chamber Membership
In the midst of the economic recession, many businesses may be hesitant to spend money on something that is not a "necessity."  
While moderation and wise judgment are still important, research shows that those that maintain visibility during economic recessions maintain and even increase their sales after the recession is over.  Your Chamber membership just may be the perfect return on your investment during more difficult times. 
An article published by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania cited McGraw Hill research that studied over 600 companies from 1980-1985. They found that "those businesses which chose to maintain or raise their level of advertising expenditures during the 1981 and 1982 recession had significantly higher sales after the economy recovered. Specifically, companies that advertised aggressively during the recession had sales 256% higher than those that did not continue to advertise."
 
"Companies that consistently advertise even during recessions perform better in the long run."

Chamber membership provides not only special member benefits (such as access to other members, networking, events, consumer leads, business information, etc) but also targeted advertising opportunities. The Chamber provides advertising value not only through listings in the business directory but through the ability to include a detailed business description, hours of operation and driving directions that may be modified by you at any time.  It's FREE advertising with unlimited updates.
In addition, members may advertise through Hot Deals, job postings and events - - all of which promote the normal, everyday life of a member business and will gain world-wide exposure just through a listing the chamber website.  Little effort, but wide-spread exposure.
Your Chamber membership provides double value on money spent--member benefits and website advertising all in one!
Chamber Web Benefits Workshop
The Chamber website is full of useful tools that provide increased exposure and visibility to members at no additional charge.
Did you know that through your personal login you can search members, add your own upcoming events, change your personal information, add a link to your own company website and enhance your listing to make it easier for customers to find you? 
These are just a few of the many benefits of utilizing our online network.  It's simple to get started, but to make you more comfortable using these new features, we'll be conducting a few workshops to answer your questions and guide you through the process.  It's completely free to our members.  You can register online, email, or call the Chamber to reserve your spot!  Walk-ins are welcome, but a head count in advance will help us prepare enough workstations.

Workshop Info
 
Date:   
March 5, 2009
Times: 
Class 1: 9:30-10:15 am
Class 2: 10:30-11:15 am
Class 3: 1:00-1:45 pm
Class 4: 2:00-2:45 pm
(Please choose 1 of the 4 classes and indicate which one when registering)
Place:
Sampson Community College, Administrative Building, Upstairs Room N-204
Fee:
No Charge!!
 
Register Online! 
Register by Email!        
                                             
Or Call The Chamber of Commerce at (910) 592-6177 to register today!
Sign up now for our Professional Development Series
Go from Ho-Hum to High Power!
This program will enhance your ordinary work skills and make you a polished professional. No matter your profession or skill level, it's important to continuously develop proper skills that will set you apart from others. Whether you're having a business lunch or attending a wedding reception, a strong set of business and social skills is vital.
Our spring seminar series will give you a set of skills that can be put to use immediately. These seminars will be highly beneficial to anyone in the public eye. We encourage anyone from executives and top level managers to those being groomed for management to attend!

Register Now Online!
Register by Email
Call us: 910.592.6177

Executive Presence
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 1:00-3:00 pm
$10.00 Chamber Members/$15.00 Non-members
Acquire the skills you need to be a polished professional in this course.  Learn what top leaders do to develop and maintain business.  This presentation illustrates the value of relationships and empowers the professional.

Professional & Social Versatility
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 1:00-3:00 pm
$10.00 Chamber Members/$15.00 Non-members
Business people must effectively interact with various personality styles in order for their professional network to run smoothly.  Have fun learning how to recognize, understand and communicate with the four major personality types.

Maintain Relationships:  Verbal & Nonverbal Communications, including written, telephone and electronic communication
Wednesday, May 13, 2000 1:00-3:00 pm
$10.00 Chamber Members/$15.00 Non-members
Learn how written, telephone and electronic communication can be used to create a positive business culture.  You'll take away practical, ready-to-implement techniques for business success. 

Bonus Dining Seminar
Wednesday, May 13, 2009  6:00 pm 
$30.00 per attendee
This presentation incorporates a working meal and demystifies the dining skills that will make you shine as a professional. You represent your company not only at work but also at parties, dinners and meetings that on the surface seem purely social. Many business people are at ease at such functions; however, knowing how to take advantage of the potential in these situations adds to an individual's overall effectiveness.

SBA Launches Small Business Community
Business.GovAs part of its ongoing effort to serve small businesses across the nation, and in support of the White House's mission to create a transparent and connected democracy, Business.gov has launched an online Community.  Business owners, bloggers, government and others now have a place to discuss and share information about starting and running a successful business. 
The Community features discussion forums, an idea page and blogs, where small business owners can talk about their unique business issues and get direct access to even more valuable resources. 
By joining the community, you will be able to enjoy benefits that include:
  • Easy access to other small business owners and experts who can answer questions
  • The ability to learn from the experiences and expertise of others
  • A way to save time by getting answers quickly
  • Direct input into Business.gov, to voice the ways that government can better serve them
As the first federal agency to sponsor an online community, specifically targeting small businesses, this is an exciting step for Business.gov
 
Welcome New Chamber Members!
Butler Financial & Consulting Services, Inc.
Butler Financial & Consulting provides financial services, investments and long-term planning and estate planning.
Location: 200 East Cumberland Street, Dunn, NC
Phone: 910.892.2815

Email

Edward Jones Investments-Agent Bryan Griffin
Edward Jones provides customized solutions to individuals seeking income and retirement planning. Agent Bryan Griffin is located at 312-B College Street in Clinton.
Phone: 910.592.2437
Email

Kappa Rho Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Since its founding nearly 100 years ago, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity has aspired to uplift communities through several mandated programs. Programs include, but are not limited to:  
  • Assault on Illiteracy
  • Annual Charles R. Drew Blood Drive
  • Voter Registration
  • Talent Hunts locally and Nationally
  • National Essay Contest
  • Health Initiatives for  Diabetes ,Prostate Cancer and many other diseases that ravage our communities
  • Annual  Scholarship of $1000.00 locally to a graduating senior enrolling in a 4 year college
  • Annual Achievement Week
  • Habitats for Humanity in Bladen County
Chartered in 1963, the local chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (Kappa Rho) has represented the fraternity locally for  Bladen, Duplin and Sampson Counties.  Anyone interested in joining the Fraternity through the chapter can email kapparhoques@gmail.com.
 
The Chapter Meets monthly at Sessoms Medical Practice, 500 Beaman Street, Clinton, N.C.

Memories 4 U
Memories 4 U is a photography business operated by Lisa Knape. Lisa takes pictures for all occasions, including weddings, children, families, sports, business, dance and senior portraits. Lisa also does scrapbooking and can create a full book or individual pages to preserve your memories.
Location: Clinton, NC
Phone: 919-390-4050
Email
Visit Memories 4 U Online

Sampson Farmers Hardware
Sampson Farmers Hardware is the merge of Farmers Hardware and Sampson True Value. Sampson Farmers Hardware provides full line retail, hardware, paint, plumbing supplies and plumbing contracting.
Location: 1325 Lisbon Street, Clinton, NC
Phone: 910.592.5574
Email


 
 
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