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HOW ARE WE DOING? How likely are you to recommend Chamber membership to another business person? Let us know right now through this one question survey.
BRIGHT SPOTS
Did you know that the official White House Thanksgiving turkey came from a farm in western Ohio? Learn about this and other bright spots in our community (and state) by visiting our Zanesville & Muskingum County BRIGHT SPOTS website, and check back frequently to see new content.
SMALL BUSINESS
This coming Saturday, November 29, is national "Small Business Saturday." First observed on November 27, 2010, it is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. Please do what you can to support area small businesses on Small Business Saturday.
BOOST SALES
In her new book, Sell Local, Think Global, small business and entrepreneurship expert Olga Mizrahi provides small business owners with 50 powerful tips for increasing sales and growing a business. Here are 11 to get you started. Read more.
FESTIVAL OF TREES
This annual community festival and auction is a GREAT way to promote your business. Provide an entry and/or incentive and increase familiarity with and awareness about your business. The dates are December 3-5 - mark your calendar for next week for the grand opening on the 3rd and the auction on the 5th. Also,this is the last call for entries! Look for details at www.zmchamber.com.
STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS
Get into the holiday spirit in Zanesville-Muskingum County where the community has adopted the theme "A Storybook Christmas". Many attractions and businesses have chosen their favorite story books and have decorated with that book in mind. Over 50 businesses in Downtown Zanesville, New Concord and Dresden will have sales, specials, events and great decorations. In addition there will be a daily music and light show from 6 - 9 PM at the Muskingum County Courthouse. "A Storybook Christmas" kicks off December 3 and goes through January 4. For a complete list visit www.visitzanesville.com.
STATEWIDE ECONOMIC SURVEY
We invite you to take the 2015 Ohio Economic Outlook Health Check. The health check is a short online survey you can complete on your phone or laptop in 5 minutes. The free online health check poll gathers the perspectives of business people on the outlook for their organization, community, region, and Ohio. Over 6,000 U.S. and Canadian chambers of commerce, convention & visitor bureaus, and economic development councils are distributing this health check to their members to better understand how we can make our communities great places for businesses to grow. Please take the health check poll now.
MCBI HIRING The Muskingum County Business Incubator, which is an affiliate of the Chamber, is looking to hire to Client Engagement Specialist. Generally, this position is responsible for assisting MCBI small business clients and for marketing MCBI services. For more information visit www.mcbi.info.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Consumer spending, representing roughly 70 percent of U.S. economic activity, decreased 0.2 percent in September but was up 3.5 percent from a year ago and has increased in 59 of the last 65 months according to Insperity. Economists blamed the weak September spending figure on falling energy prices and slower auto sales (down 0.2 percent in September after surging 10.4 percent the previous month). Retail sales, which account for 30 percent of consumer spending, dipped 0.3 percent in September after jumping 0.6 percent the previous month. Sales fell at auto dealers, furniture stores, building-supply outlets, and clothing merchants. Further, here is the monthly Economic Dashboard for Muskingum County, courtesy of the Muskingum County Library System and the Chamber of Commerce.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
"In order for a small business to be successful in today's marketplace, it's essential that you deliver great customer service. The ability to wow your customers can make the difference between a small business that flies and a small business that dies." Download the free e-book The Small Business Guide to Customer Service, from Salesforce.com, and receive nine tips on how to use customer support to beat the competition and grow your business faster.
    
  
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