New Members  

Carroll Advertising - Dorchester

New York Life-Schuster - Waltham

Amichetti, DeLuca & Co., PC - Norwood 

Myriad Technologies - Plainville 

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Upcoming Chamber Events

From the President

Economic Stimulus from Your Chamber

Last week Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke opted not to offer any new economic stimulus programs aimed at boosting the economy. Meanwhile, there are many who feel that it is not the role of government to create jobs, particularly additional public-sector jobs. So I guess that leaves the job of economic stimulation up to us.

For its part, the Chamber of Commerce has always been in the business of promoting business and encouraging job growth. In years past we have sponsored job and career fairs, worked with local officials to make our communities attractive to businesses looking to relocate and offered scores of networking opportunities, seminars and programs designed to help business grow and grow smarter.

Today is no different. The Chamber is constantly seeking partners with whom we can work to enhance the local business environment. Last month I wrote about SCORE and the MSBDC programs that are available to new and existing businesses. I also mentioned that we will be hosting two basic business workshops on October 5^th at the Chamber office aimed at assisting potential and existing entrepreneurs.

The free workshops are being led by SEED Corporation in cooperation with the Norwood Economic Development Committee and Norwood Bank.

The first of these workshops entitled "Learn the Fundamentals in Planning, Preparing, and Financing Your Business" will be held in the morning. This workshop is geared toward helping potential entrepreneurs evaluate and understand the fundamentals of owning one's own business. Information on how to get started, where and how to get financing and the loan application process will be presented. Attendees will also be provided with a free guide to writing a business plan and other materials.

The second workshop entitled "Understanding the Purpose of Financial Statements and How They Can Help Determine the Health of Your Business" will be held in the afternoon. The focus of this workshop is to help attendees understand a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The workshop also explains how a small-business owner can anticipate financial needs in order to operate his/her or her business more efficiently. Breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge to attendees.

Later this month we will be sending you a survey developed by the Pioneer Institute, a Boston think-tank, in cooperation with chambers of commerce from across the state to compile the opinions of business people on a number of important issues. Armed with the data that this survey provides, the NVCC as well as other chambers and business organizations will be able to more strongly advocate on your behalf for the things you need to be competitive in this economy.

Finally, you should be aware that we are working to help you reduce your health insurance savings in a variety of ways. Escalating healthcare costs are often cited as one of the major reasons that businesses are not expanding. First, our Chamber is part of a statewide coalition of Chambers that has applied to become one of a handful of cooperatives that state will soon approve. These cooperatives will have the ability to negotiate lower health insurance rates for businesses with 50 and fewer employees. In order to achieve these savings the plans will likely include wellness programs, tiered networks and flexible deductible plans.   Secondly, in November, we will present a program headlined by Barbara Anthony, Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations that will focus on creative ways that small-business owners can reduce their health care costs.

We all know by now that the government is not going to improve the economy by itself, but there are a number of small and incremental things that businesses can do to help themselves. It is our role as your Chamber of Commerce to help you do that.  

Tom O'Rourke

President and CEO

Needham Bank Small Business Seminar Series: Love Them or Lose Them: Client Retention in Action!

Today's businesses battle endlessly for new clients. However, they are difficult and costly to obtain, so once you have them, it is vital to keep them. In fact, clients could be considered a major asset. Considerable management attention is being focused on identifying the reasons for client attrition, particularly the controllable ones that deal with service quality, client loyalty and retention issues. This session's presenter, Lynn Thomas, an experienced expert in retention, will lay out the steps you can use to cultivate a powerfully driven, client-focused environment that produces passionately loyal customers. Discover how to attract, retain, and reclaim your most profitable clients, the 20% who generate 80% of your revenue.

Ms. Thomas is the founder and President of 21st Century Management Consulting, located in Newton, Massachusetts. Her firm specializes in customer retention, which plugs the "leaky customer bucket" and thereby increases a company's profitability.  

'QuickBooks for Small Business' workshops
sponsored by G.T. Reilly & Company

Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce programs will help small business owners leverage their productivity, profitability

Small business owners will learn how to leverage their productivity and profitability at two workshops sponsored by G.T. Reilly & Company and the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Oct. 17 and Monday, Oct. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day at the Chamber office in Norwood.

On Oct. 17, "QuickBooks for Small Business: The Basics" will help beginning QuickBooks' users get started by learning to use features for billing, receivables, time tracking and other simple functions.

On Oct. 24, "QuickBooks for Small Business: Beyond the Basics" will help business owners who are already using QuickBooks for invoicing utilize the software's more advanced features, including customization of reports and forms, job costing, online banking, year-end tips and tricks, and troubleshooting.

Participants may attend either one of the workshops or both.

"In this economy, small business owners need to get a handle on their finances and use all the tools at their disposal to improve profitability," says Gina Weinstock, a Certified QuickBooks Advanced Pro Advisor who will lead the workshop. Weinstock works with Reilly Business Services, which provides bookkeeping services, payroll preparation, financial statements and income tax returns for small businesses, in addition to QuickBooks support.

These workshops are free of charge to chamber members, but registration is required and seating is limited. The charge for non-chamber members is $25. A continental breakfast will be provided.

October 17 easy registration

October 24 easy registration

Member Spotlight

Get In Shape For Women's unique body transformation program guarantees results!

Get In Shape For Women offers small group personal training for women.

One personal trainer works with 1 to 4 women at a time in a private upscale studio for as little as $19/session.

Each session will consist of 30 minutes of weight training, 25 minutes of cardio, and nutrition coaching, for a complete balanced fitness program that produces amazing results!

Get In Shape For Women does not accept everyone. You must have a measurable goal and be committed to reaching it, be coachable and be ready to transform your body and your life. We want you to add to the culture of transformation that is created in each studio.

Paula Wiseman, the studio manager, has been in fitness for 25 years teaching, group muscle, aerobic dancing, step and kick boxing. She has a true love for helping others and enjoys teaching.
 

For more information contact Paula Wiseman at paulawisewoman@msn.com.

Get In Shape For Women

14 Washington Street

Canton, MA

(781) 708-5738

www.getinshapeforwomen.com

*Businesses featured in the Member Spotlight are chosen from attendees of the Noon Networking Events. Sign up today for the next Noon Networking at Buca di Beppo on September 13 for your business' chance to be highlighted in the NVCC Business Connection. 

Noon Networking at Buca di Beppo

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