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 BRIGHT SPOTS
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 Featured News
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BUSINESS OUTLOOK SURVEY RESULTS
Local business people are somewhat optimistic about what the next months holds for them, according to a survey the Chamber conducted during the last two weeks. The survey asked area businesses for their predictions about their sales or shipments, their employment levels and the economy in general. Businesses were also asked what they thought would be their biggest challenge over the next six months. Forty-five percent expect their sales or shipments to increase, while 41% say they will stay the same. Ten percent of the respondents expect a decline in sales. For the complete results visit www.zmchamber.com.
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Business Resources & News
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NEW MARKETS
The IMAGE program, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Ohio Office of Export Assistance, offers financial assistance for small businesses to promote their products and services in international markets. The grant will provide a 50% reimbursement up to $10,000 per fiscal year for qualifying activities. Funding is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and the deadline to complete proposed activities is September 29, 2016. To learn more and to apply, please visit http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_image.htm .
PRODUCTIVITY
Margin is simply defined as "an amount allowed or available beyond what is actually necessary." Or to put it another way, margin is that extra space between what you have and what you need/require. When that space is small (e.g. you need to make payroll and you only have $10 more than payroll in your cash account), stress is high. When that space is large (e.g. you have a year's worth of expenses in your cash account), your stress level is low. In other words, margin isn't your foe, margin is your friend. And to help you add more margin to your life, here are five key areas for you to think about adding more margin to. Read more from Wired To Grow.
HUMAN RESOURCES
- If you hire contract workers, there are new rules from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) you should be aware of. The key issue focuses on contract employees who are shared by more than one employer, and who is liable for the workers' pay and hours under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Read more from the Society for Human Resource Management
- Think twice before requiring your employees to come to work during a snow or ice storm: Companies can require workers to report to work unless a governmental order bans travel, such as the one that was instituted in New York City during the blizzard of 2016. But employers may face a negligence or wrongful death lawsuit if an employee is involved in an accident while in transit. Read more from the Society for Human Resource Management
SOCIAL MEDIA
Is your LinkedIn profile working for you? Want to build a presence that supports your company role? While many people think of LinkedIn as a place only for jobseekers, salespeople and recruiters, LinkedIn can help employees build influence around any business role. In this article you'll discover three ways to build a LinkedIn presence to boost visibility for both you and your business. Read more from Social Media Examiner
MARKETING
- It's no surprise that we are all bombarded with social proof appeals. Browsing through the web seems to be an endless stream of product ratings, testimonials, statistics, actions and desires of other people. I myself was a firm believer of the whole social proof mojo. Needless to say, my heart skipped a beat when I encountered a study last month that changed this for both the worse and the better. To make a long story short: social proof works, but I was using only a fraction of its full potential all that time. Read more from Neuroscience Marketing.
- Smart marketers know branding is far more than a logo. The logo is the easy part and only one small, yet very important component of your brand. Smart and savvy marketers also understand the importance of building a brand architecture and strategy inclusive of the brand identity with supporting visuals, language and more. The colors, language and visuals are supporting elements, not "the" brand. Big difference. Listen to this podcast from Marketing Nutz
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Chamber Updates & Services
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TV EXPOSURE PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS
The Chamber of Commerce is teaming up again with WHIZ-TV to put together a TV campaign to provide members with a unique marketing opportunity while explaining the advantages and benefits of Chamber membership.
- This promotion is a perfect opportunity for businesses like yours to increase local visibility at a relatively low cost per exposure. And it connects you to a positive community message while helping the Chamber get the word out about what it is and does.
- Each video message will feature 7 representatives from participating businesses, and each representative will be featured on-camera voicing one segment of each message. Your segment will also prominently display your company logo.
- Each message will air a minimum of 120 times over the course of the six-week campaign tentatively slated to air from February 22 through March 10 and will appear during: WHIZ-TV Reports at 6, 7, and 11, NBC Primetime and syndicated programs, Sunrise in Southeastern Ohio, The Today Show, Live at Noon.
- The cost to participate in this high-profile community-awareness campaign is $525 per business. If you would like to have a presence on multiple versions of the campaign, two positions may be purchased at $495 each, or three or more for $475 each.
- Secure your place now in this TV series by contacting us today: Jenni Masterson, jmasterson@zmchamber.com.
NEW MEMBERS
Congratulations and thank you to the following businesses for recently making an important investment in their businesses, the chamber and our community. You can find more information about each in the online directory at www.zmchamber.com.
- Ladybug Coffee Galleries, LLC
- Girl Upcycled Studio, LLC
- McPeek Land Surveying, LLC
- Cardinal Oil Distributing Inc.
- Theo's Catering
- Claxon Communications, LLC
- Rebecca Wolfe, Realtor
ACES CELEBRATES YOUR SUCCESSES
It's that time of year when we want you to tell us about your growth and investments in 2015 so we can officially tell you "THANKS!".
- The ACES award program recognizes and celebrates economic investment and other business achievements by businesses and organizations in Zanesville and Muskingum County.
- The awards are presented annually by the Muskingum Growth Partnership- the Chamber's economic development program - to all area businesses that made a tangible investment or improvement in buildings, equipment, machinery, inventory or other business assets that resulted in the creation or retention of jobs, increase in tax base, and other forms of economic growth.
- Please submit a nomination and help us recognize your firm or another business and celebrate these very real successes. Your information will be confidential and will NOT be shared except as part of investment and jobs totals when we combine it with that of the other award recipients.
- Awards will be presented at the Chamber's annual Spring Break event.
STUDENT-BUSINESS CONNECTOR BUILDS WORKFORCE
We want to help more local young people get ready for the world of work and become prepared and productive employees for you.
- Therefore, we are compiling a directory of businesses and other employers that provide students with opportunities to be involved in their operations. The online Directory will be called the "Student-Business Connector".
- We want to collect information from businesses that offer programs to expose students to employment and careers and list those on a website where students, parents and educators can find them.
- If you offer any work-based learning programs or similar opportunities, please tell us.
- If you do not, you could consider starting a program. It can help you attract and identify qualified workers and it helps young people be better prepared for jobs and explore careers. Plus, all of us want to retain as many young people as we can in our community after their high school or college graduations, and this program could help in that regard, too.
USE CHAMBER DIRECT MAIL FOR YOUR MARKETING
If you mail a brochure, flyer or sales letter today it costs over 50 cents per piece. A stamp cost 49 cents, and an envelope maybe 5 cents...and then you have the real cost: Your time to fill the envelope and to make sure it gets mailed. What if we told you the Chamber can do it for just over 10 cents each!
- The Chamber's Direct Mailing sends 1,200 copies for $125
- The Direct mailing service is a great way to get your message in front of 1,200 decision makes who are Chamber members and at a cost that can't be beat!
- Here is how it works: You provide 1,200 8.5" x 11" documents and we mail them in our monthly Chamber mailing.
- You will want to reserve your space in the mailing at least a month in advance. We are limited to eight inserts in each mailing and it does sell out so schedule early.
- Please have your 1,200 copies delivered to Allegra Print & Imaging located at 1326 Brandywine Boulevard by the 15th of each month (or the Monday following if the 15th falls on a weekend.)
- To reserve your spot or for more information please contact Dana Matz at dmatz@zmchamber.com or 455.8282.
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