THIS WEEK 

January 6, 2014

Finding Great Candidates - This week the Muskingum Valley Human Resource Management Association is hosting a roundtable discussion on "Finding the Best Candidate for Your Open Position."The discussion among attendees will focus on questions like: What are the best ways to recruit/advertise for open positions? and What should the perfect interview be structured like for your top candidates? The meeting is on January 8 from 8 am to 9 am. Chamber members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please make a reservation by emailing or calling Joy at jriddle@zmchamber.com or 455-8282.

Customer Service - In 2014 we will hold a series of seminars on customer service.  The first seminar will be on Friday, January 31 from 9 am to 12 noon. The presenter will be Lisa Kristensen, who is the Guest Relations Manager at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium & Zoombezi Bay.  Lisa manages the 350 employee guest relations department at the Zoo and will share with us their approach to customer experience and satisfaction.  The admission fee for Chamber members will be $20 for members and $40 for non members.  Visit the Chamber's web calendar to register online and for more details.

Buy Local TV Series - The Chamber of Commerce has again partnered with WHIZ-TV to produce three 30-second television messages to promote both local buying and the American free enterprise system.  Each message will feature seven representatives from participating businesses and they will air during the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics on WHIZ-TV.  f you would like to appear on TV and to be associated with these positive messages, contact Jenni at jmasterson@zmchamber.com.  Here is more information about this opportunity.

Oil & Gas - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is starting to collect and release oil and gas production numbers on a quarterly basis; previously they were only announced annually.  Utica shale drilling Ohio produced 33.6 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas in just the third quarter of 2013.  By comparison, the Utica produced just 12.8 Bcf of natural gas for all of 2012. So far Ohio has approved 1,033 Utica shale permits, of which 661 wells have been drilled. Of that total, 249 wells are in production.  For more information here's an article on third quarter results.

Grow & Save - A Chamber Marketing Package is a bundle of Chamber services that help you promote your products or services.  When you buy a Marketing Package in advance you save BIG compared to purchasing the services one at a time. These services are a great way to target other area businesses. Marketing Packages are good for a 12 month period, and you can start any time.  Visit this webpage for all the details, including examples about what you get with a Marketing Package: www.zmchamber.com/Marketing_Packages.htm 

Submit an Event - If you have an event coming up you should enter it in our online events and meetings calendar at zmchamber.com as a way to promote it.  It's free to members and it's simple to use.  There is a "submit new event" link on the right side of the calendar page.  Click it and fill in your details.  You can also find the calendar link at any time on the homepage of zmchamber.com.    

Resources - Take a look at the buttons at the bottom of this email.  These are quick links to services and information that will be useful to you.  These buttons appear in each edition of the THIS WEEK message from the Chamber.

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