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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
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT MARIJUANA ISSUE
Issue 3 is a constitutional amendment that Ohio voters will consider at the ballot box on November 3rd that would legalize marijuana use for both medical and recreational purposes. The measure also sets up a monopolistic system where only certain individuals and groups can produce and sell the drug. The Board of Directors of the Chamber has voted to oppose Issue 3. Here is more information about this issue and about the Chamber's reasons for taking this stance. This website is a great resource for information about the proposal, and it's information you can easily share with your workforce and others. It includes videos on topics such as:
- Do you know what Issue 3 says?
- 10 Things Your Employees (as Parents, Taxpayers & Voters) Should Know About Issue 3
- Marijuana & Your Business: Workforce Readiness
- Marijuana & Your Business: Workplace Operations
- What Should Employers Be Asking About Legalized Marijuana
STATEWIDE ECONOMIC SURVEY
We invite you to take the 2016 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.
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
This week we started a series of classes called Social Media in 1 Hour a Week, and you can still sign-up for the remaining 5 classes. These sessions will help you get started on social media for business, if that is your need, or help you improve what you do and how you do it if social media is already one of your marketing techniques. You can sign up by emailing jmasterson@zmchamber.com. Fees will be prorated if you sign up for the remainder of the series. Many thanks to our two sponsors: Gold Sponsor - Disrupt Media, and Silver Sponsor - The Times Recorder.
WHY FESTIVAL OF TREES?
The Chamber organizes the annual Festival of Trees event as a community holiday celebration, a promotional opportunity for members, and a fundraiser for the Chamber organization.
- Visiting the festival display, which features about 200 decorated trees, wreath and other items, has become a holiday tradition for many local residents. It's a beautiful and enjoyable place to gather with friends, take in the creativity of local people, and generally celebrate the season.
- The festival is a way for businesses and organizations to gain visibility and shine a light on their products and services. Providing an entry or incentive gets your name in the display, online, on the air, in print and more. And coming up with a creative entry that represents your products or services - or donating an incentive that does so - provides you with even greater brand awareness and name recognition.
- Finally, the resources generated by the festival auction are put right back into Chamber programs that promote the community, support area employers, and grow the economy. The auction of all the entries will be held on December 4. The auction proceeds are an essential source of income for the Chamber and help keep it operating each year.
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT UPDATE
If health insurance and the Affordable Care Act are somewhat murky topics to you, come to a free seminar on November 11 at 6:30 at the John McIntire Library.
- Quality Care Partners (QCP) is sponsoring a presentation by a national expert, Chris Goff, who is CEO and General Counsel for Employers Health Coalition.
- Mr. Goff will break down the Affordable Care Act into understandable pieces, bring you up to date on its implementation schedule, and help you understand what you need to do to comply with its provisions.
- Bring your questions and feel free to ask them.
- There is no cost to attend but reservations are recommended since seating is limited.
- Make a reservation at http://www.zmchamber.com/rsvp-for-aca.html.
FOUNDATION SEEKING IDEAS
The Muskingum County Community Foundation is developing a multi-year strategic plan and as part of the process, they are collecting ideas, thoughts, and opinions from the community. You can help by taking 5 minutes to answer a short survey. Only Benefactor Group, the foundation's consulting firm, will have access to your responses. They will summarize the comments and report back to MCCF's leadership. Click here to answer the survey. For more info MCCF, visit www.mccf.org.
SELLING ON AMAZON
Join us to hear from two successful Amazon marketers who will share their experiences and advice on how to set up shop and sell on Amazon.
- Mike and Britni Ross are a husband and wife team who make a full-time living selling products on Amazon.com. Their online business started in 2002, as a small eBay store, selling antiques and collectibles.
- After nearly 10 years on eBay, they made the move to Amazon in late 2011. In 2014 they had their best year, selling more than 30,000 units for an annual revenue of $1M.
- This workshop will be held on Thursday, November 12 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Muskingum County Business Incubator (MCBI), 2725 Pinkerton Road.
- Make a reservation by emailing chumphreys@mcbi.info and make payment by sending a check to MCBI, 2725 Pinkerton Road, Zanesville, OH 43701, or send payment via your PayPal account to familytree-llc@hotmail.com. The fee is $35 per person, or just $25 if you are a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
- This program is presented by MCBI, FoodWorks Alliance, and the Chamber.
DRIVING SAFETY PROGRAM
On November 11, AT&T and the local Safety Council are partnering to provide area business people the chance to try out a virtual reality driving simulator and hear a presentation called "It Can Wait".
WHAT MEMBERS SAY
In our annual Chamber member survey conducted in August, members told us:
- 95% of respondents expect their sales or shipments to either grow or remain the same over the following 6 months.
- The top 3 reasons respondents are members are, in order, to support economic and community growth, to stay informed, and to promote their businesses.
- Respondents said the Chamber's top 3 priorities should be supporting and retaining existing businesses, assisting small businesses, and recruiting new businesses to the area.
- 71% of respondents were "very likely" to recommend chamber membership to a colleague.
FOR THIS WEEK'S MEETINGS AND EVENTS!
You can also add your own event by clicking the submit event button at zmchamber.com.
Goss Supply & Rental
Longaberger Country Club
Norvell Hearing Aid Center
Partyland Supply Co.
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