What's Happening?
Upcoming Chamber Events
If you are interested in sponsoring a Chamber Event please contact: Glen Hawes at 250-469-7357 |
Lucky to Have You
 | | John Glennon, Sandler Training |
You've hear the old saying, "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity..." but how often are you preparing for or thinking about adding value to a client relationship?
Sales are often focused on prospects. Where to find them and how to sell to them? However, it is much easier to maintain a relationship than form a new one. With that in mind we should have a customer care strategy to service our current clients, strengthen our relationship, and be aware of what they are doing. The fact is that your best client is your competition's best prospect. We need a strategy to protect those clients. Many sales people put out fires with clients. If you wait to put out fires, eventually that client will burn out. Customer Care professionals communicate with them and take a proactive interest in what they are doing. By keeping in touch with clients more you will have stronger relationships that last longer and result in more sales.
So what does taking an interest in a client look like?
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Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
On Tuesday, March 26th the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors elected the 2013 Executive Committee.
Among other things, the Executive Committee is responsible to ensure there is an annual strategic plan in place, to provide feedback from businesses to all elected officials, to develop alliances with other like-minded organizations for the purpose of promoting approved policy
positions, coordinating efforts and formulating common objectives.
The Executive Committee is comprised of six members of the Board of Directors. This shall comprise of the President, the immediate Past-President, and our Vice Presidents as elected by the Board of Directors. The 2013 Executive Committee is as follows:
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Dave Bond
2013 President |
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Curtis Darmohray
Executive VP |
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Dr. Ian Stuart
Vice-President |
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Ken Carmichael
Vice-President |
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Peter Angle
Vice-President |
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Karen Hawes
2011/2012 President |
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Okanagan College buzzed with excitement as Venture Okanagan's spring Investors Forum took place on April 3rd. The creativity and calibre of the six pre-screened entrepreneurs was well noted and enjoyed by the forum's guests. Chris Priebe of 2 Hat Security (a leading edge technology that will keep kids safe online) walked away with the $5000 cash prize presented by VO sponsors Grant Thornton LLP and Prospera Credit Union.
Shaw Business also presented the runner-up Janice Taylor of Just Be Friends with one year of free service. Guests also heard from Trajectory Design Automation, Bananatag, Keycafe, Factors 9 Sports, and MiTaxi. "Entrepreneurs who present at Venture Okanagan either gain a mentor or acquire equity financing to grow their business", noted Steve Watson, Venture Okanagan Chair and business Professor at Okanagan College. The sold out event was the sixth forum held by Venture Okanagan, which is now in its third year of operation under the umbrella of Enactus Okanagan College.
The success and initiatives of VO has drawn the support of key players in the overall growth of the Okanagan such as the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Accelerate Okanagan, and the CO Economic Development Commission. Andrew Malahewsky had the following to say about Venture Okanagan, "Grant Thornton LLP jumped at the opportunity to sponsor Enactus OC's Venture Okanagan Program. We recognize the importance of the availability of capital for growing businesses in our community. VO provides this in addition to connecting those businesses to the right people and networks. We believe the recent successes are merely an indicator of the potential this program has and are we are excited to be a part of it." Connect online with Venture Okanagan to discover more.
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In the newsBusiness, Technology, Economy
Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites tie for TOTA Award - Always striving to reduce their carbon footprint, the BEST WESTERN PLUS Kelowna Hotel & Suites has tied for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association's (TOTA) Environmental Responsibility Award. With the hard-earned award, the Kelowna hotel hopes to inspire the rest of the tourism industry to go green.
Bike to Work Week - The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and spring is finally here! Time to get ready for Central Okanagan smartTRIPS Bike to Work Week. Registration opens on April 15, and now is the time to start talking to your coworkers and spreading the word. Remember that Bike to Work participation is based on the total number of people in your workplace (drivers are on your team too!), so boost your participation rates by getting everyone to try biking.
Are You Self-Employed? - As a self-employed individual, you have until midnight on June 17, 2013 to file your 2012 income tax and benefit return. Don't forget -- you must pay any balance owing for 2012 on or before April 30, 2013, regardless of your filing date.
Accelerate Okanagan: Traction Program - Is your tech company positioned for high growth? You may qualify for Traction, a 4 month intensive program that accelerates the growth of high performing small to medium sized enterprises.
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Ribbon Cutting: Lindal Cedar Homes Daily Courier Article - From the classic post-and-beam A-frame to a contemporary gull-wing roof beauty, Lindal Cedar Homes is making a triumphant return to the Okanagan. "There hasn't been a Lindal dealership in the Okanagan for years," said Gaia Mueller, who along with her husband, Rob, opened B.C. Modern Home Systems in order to run the Lindal franchise. "It just makes sense to have a Lindal dealership here. They are such iconic homes and they fit the Okanagan aesthetic. Plus, Lindal's pre-engineered system means the designs are incredible and the price point is amazing, from $400,000 up." The Muellers also own the Benjamin Moore Paint store in Kelowna at 1768 Springfield Rd.
 | | photo courtesy: legendphotography |
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Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting
Sponsorship Opportunity
Sept. 28-30, 2013
 Did you know that the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual conference and AGM in Kelowna this fall?
We want your business to get involved, and provide that great Kelowna welcome to the 425 visiting delegates and spouses from across the country.
We're putting together spousal tours, a huge celebratory reception at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, and have a range of ways member companies can get involved.
Click here to see our sponsorship package with all the details.
This is a remarkable opportunity that only comes around once in a very long time. Let's work together to make the most of it, and help make money for your business.
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