What's Happening?
Upcoming Chamber Events
Mark your calendars!

What's the Chamber working on?
Connection, Advantage, Influence 

Board Nominations - Nominations for the 2013-2014 Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are currently being sought. Nominations must be received at the Kelowna Chamber office by 4:00 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013. Click here for more details. Please contact the Chamber to update your business' voting members.
 
Changes to Policy - Our Federal and Provincial Policy Committees are looking for new policies for the Chamber to champion. If there are any governmental issues getting in the way of your business success, let us know! See our Committees page for more information.
 
Call for Committee Members - Our committees are always looking for new member representatives to take part. Learn more about your community while influencing change. Contact the Chamber for details.
  
Office Makeover - Thank you to those who have renewed your membership prior to Dec. 31, 2012. We have selected the finalists and have posted their office photos to 103.9 The Juice's Facebook page. "Like" the photo of the office you think should win!
  
New Members - Each month our membership is growing, to find out who has recently joined go to our New Member section of the website. 
  
Sandler Training Customer Care Tip
Setting Clear Expectations
John Glennon
     

How many times have you had a conversation with a customer thinking one thing was going to happen only to find your expectations were misread? Establish a strong up-front contract with the other person on what is to happen next. Do not hear only the things you want to hear; and, make sure the other person understands what he or she is agreeing to. One way to insure this is to "sum up" what you believe the next steps are, so both of you are on the same page. "No mutual mystification" will save you countless hours in follow-up, and managing other people's expectations.

 

The problem with most people is they hear exactly what they want to hear. We call it 'happy ears'. We tell them: "We can't promise, but we'll try to deliver on Thursday." What do they hear? They drop words they don't want and hear "We promise we'll deliver it on Thursday."

 

Read the rest of the article  

  
Micro-Business Training Pilot Program
 

The BC Chamber of Commerce Micro Business Training (MBT) Program is 100% funded by the government, and offers courses such as Bookkeeping, Marketing & Sales, Management, Computing, Websites & Social Media.

 

Training is available in a variety of formats, such as traditional classroom, seminar/webinar, online and even on-site. Providers include Public Post-Secondary Universities and colleges, PCTIA Accredited organizations, and Private Trainers with membership in the Chamber Learning Network, a member benefit of the BC Chamber of Commerce.

 
Click here for more information

In the news
Business, Technology, Economy

 

Bernard Revitalization - The first phase of the Bernard Avenue revitalization has debuted from Richter to St. Paul street with wider sidewalks, new lights and trees. But before Phase 2 - from Abbott to Pandosy streets - starts there are more things happening!
  
Learn How to Apply for Civic Grants - Registered, non-profit societies and community organizations planning to apply for 2013 grants from the City of Kelowna can receive the latest information during a Jan. 17 session organized by the Central Okanagan Foundation.

 

Phasing Out the Penny - To help consumers, businesses, charities and financial institutions to plan, a transition date of February 4, 2013 has been set after which the Royal Canadian Mint will no longer distribute pennies.

 

LAX to YLW - Politicians, business leaders and tourism officials throughout the Thompson Okanagan were at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) to celebrate the inaugural United Airlines flight from Los Angeles (LAX).

  

63% of BC Businesses unprepared for PST Transition - In total 970 businesses across British Columbia took part in the PST business survey. Of those, 62% were not aware of the changes that will be made to the PST, and 73% did not feel they had received adequate information.


 
BYOBrochures!
Kelowna Chamber Events 

 

As an added reward for our members the Chamber will be bringing a stand to our Chamber Events where members can display brochures.

 

Members will be responsible for bringing their own brochures and collecting them when the event has concluded. Space is limited so the display will be based on first come, first serve.

 

We look forward to seeing your marketing materials there!


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Kelowna BC V1Y 6C9
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