For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Connect is a program exclusively for President/CEOs and business owners of privately-held companies who want to connect with peers, share strategies and engage in discussions to help each other succeed in business. Occasionally, expert guest speakers will join the group to present best practices and help facilitate discussions. 

This month, Bret Belfer of Akron General will present "Workplace Wellness Workshop."

 

 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 

  

 

Greater Akron Chamber Offers Two Healthcare Plans for Chamber Members
 
The Chamber recently added Medical Mutual to our benefit savings portfolio in addition to SummaCare.  Medical Mutual healthcare plans are built around Medical Mutual's network of doctors and hospitals, the largest provider network in Ohio. That network includes Akron General Medical Center and Summa Health System.

Designed as a private exchange model built around a fully integrated technology platform, this consumer-driven choice tool encourages responsible healthcare spending habits and more involvement in treatment decisions. The plans are available for member companies with 51 to 500 eligible employees.  As an added benefit, Chamber members will receive a 1.4 percent discount on their healthcare premiums. For more information, please contact the Medical Mutual Sales Team at (440) 572-6349.

For over 18 years, SummaCare and the Greater Akron Chamber have partnered to save local businesses over $25 million on health insurance premiums. Those savings are used by companies to grow their bottom line and boost our local economy.

 

SummaCare is pleased to continue to offer Chamber members and the Affiliate Partner Chamber members the maximum allowable discount of 1.4% on their health insurance premiums. We are the only health insurance option offering a discount through the Greater Akron Chamber for employers of 50 or fewer employees.  For more information, contact the SummaCare Sales Team at (800) 996-8818 or call your broker.

The Greater Akron Chamber's Group Rating Program offers savings up to the maximum available discount on your Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) premium.  The Chamber partners with CareWorksComp because they help employers achieve the highest group rating discount possible.  Nearly 30,000 customers choose CareWorksComp to manage their workers' compensation plan.  Click here to download an authorization permitting CareWorksComp to provide you with a NO-COST, NO-OBLIGATION analysis.  To learn more, call CareWorksComp at 1-800-837-3200.
 

---

Important Steps to Take When a Workplace Injury Occurs

Workplace safety is a high priority and concern for employers and employees alike.  A workplace injury can affect a worker's life, health and ability to earn an income.  Workers' compensation claims also have a direct impact on an employer's bottom line. Claims can result in higher workers' compensation premiums, affect worker moral and create labor shortages that affect completing projects on time. 

Despite our best efforts, accidents happen, and when they do it is very important to manage the claim effectively from the moment it occurs. All employees should be trained and familiar with injury protocols and procedures so when an incident occurs they know what is expected of them. This is especially important for businesses with employees who perform their duties off site without supervisors present. It should be company policy to immediately report all injuries to their supervisor or manager and all supervisors should be trained on the steps they need to take once the incident is reported to them. Most injuries are minor; but, regardless, all incidents should be reported and an Incident Investigation Report completed and kept on file even if the employee refuses or does not require medical attention. 

1. Obtain immediate medical attention if needed and report incident to supervisor/employer
2. Secure the accident site and preserve evidence
3. Investigate and gather facts as soon as possible
4. Notify your Managed Care Organization (MCO)/Third Party Administrator (TPA) and OSHA (if reportable)
5. Evaluate findings and identify  the root causes of the incident
6. Report findings / implement corrective actions /evaluate effectiveness

For more information, click here.

 

 

Membership in the Greater Akron Chamber has its privileges...like savings from other Chamber members! This month's deals include: 
Savings from ACE Products & Consulting, LLC, Palitto Consulting/Business Communications Specialists, Boggs Chiropractic, Electric Impulse Communications, Everstream, Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park, It's a Breeze Travel, Hawthorn Suites Wyndham Extended Stay in Montrose, House of Plants Florist, Jilly's Music Room, Leanne Cannon, Miracle on Main Street, NOTO Boutique, Pak Computers, PPG Industries, Service Master of Hudson, Unite This City, The Vation Group, Vitality Massage Therapy, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, and YB12 Coach.

Special savings from Greater Akron Chamber members to Greater Akron Chamber members.  Check out the deals here.  And if you'd like to offer a deal, contact your Greater Akron Chamber representative at (330) 237-1234.      

 

 

Residents in Summit County who live in Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Green, New Franklin, Norton, Stow and Tallmadge will be voting for local primary candidates on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.  There will be no voting in Medina or Portage Counties this September.  

Early voting has begun!  The Greater Akron Chamber encourages our members to vote and promote the importance of voting to their colleagues.  Please click here to find your location or hours to vote early at the Board of Elections.

 

Kent State is conducting grant-funded research on the information needs of entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio.  Your help identifying local entrepreneurs to be interviewed for this study is appreciated.  For an entrepreneur to be referred for this research, the following criteria must be met:

1. Must be an original founder who has owned the company for less than 3 years
2. Must be an entrepreneur with a new product or service in any industry
3. The company must have the potential to create 20 - 25 or more jobs in Ohio (not a micro-business)

 

 

Nominees from Summit, Portage and Medina Counties will be recognized as winners of the 14th Annual Employee of Distinction Awards Luncheon. The program helps area businesses showcase their top notch employees who make a significant difference by going above and beyond provides a means to let those employees know how much they are valued by their employers.

Keynote speaker will be Dan Flowers, President & CEO, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Where & When
Guy's Party Centre
500 W. Waterloo Rd.
Akron, OH  44319
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  

For more information, please contact Tracy Keenan at (330) 786-2573 or tkeenan@goodwillakron.org.  
 

Wellness on a Budget for Summit County Employers

Learn how to bring wellness to your organization at low or no cost. Who should attend? Business owners, public, private, and non-profit executives and Human Resources professionals.  Keynote Speaker will be Ken Jones.  For more information and to inquire about being a vendor, please call (330) 926-5646.
 
Where & When
Summit County Public Health
1867 W. Market St.
Akron, OH  44313
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cost is $25 per person

Click here to register.

 

 

Co-presented by Crain's and MAGNET, this year's event will provide attendees with an in-depth, street-level view for growing their business. Educational sessions will address ways to increase your competitive advantage in the new face of manufacturing and today's economically challenging times. The 2014 event was a sell-out, and we encourage you to purchase your tickets early.

Join us on September 30th and POWER UP for Manufacturing Month!

Where & When
John S. Knight Center
77 E. Mill St.
Akron, OH  44308
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  

For more information, click here.

Transform goals into reality and participate in this inaugural (free) event - to learn the secret to leadership and professional development.  Join Congressman Jim Renacci to discuss how women from all walks of lie and backgrounds:

• Learn how the present legislative and regulatory environment helps or hinders the professional development of women in the workplace;
• Discover how Federal agencies and current federal policies enhance women entrepreneur and their opportunities to excel in today's economic climate;
• Conquer the challenges facing professional women.

Keynote speaker will be Kristi Noem, Congresswoman from South Dakota.

Where & When
Holiday Inn - Strongsville
15471 Royalton Rd.
Strongsville, OH  441356
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
7:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Click here to register.

  

Greater Akron Chamber
1 Cascade Plaza, 17th Fl.
Akron, Ohio 44308
www.greaterakronchamber.org

---

The Greater Akron Chamber is the only economic development organization in the State of Ohio   to be accredited by the International Economic Development Council.