November 30, 2015
Celebrate the Holidays with Us
 
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Celebrate the holidays with your favorite Chamber members! December is jam-packed with four holiday parties and you are invited to come to one or to them all. We will also be collecting toys for Toys 4 Military Kids at each of the holiday parties. Be sure to register in advance by clicking the links below. We'll see you there!

December 8 - 5:30 p.m. at Celt's Pub in Farmington
December 10 - 11:30 a.m. at Jensen's Food & Cocktails in Eagan
December 14 - 11:30 a.m. at Cherokee Tavern in West St. Paul
December 16 - 11:30 a.m. at Rudy's Redeye Grill in Rosemount
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Government Affairs Committee Gearing Up 
 
Your Chamber's Government Affairs Committee is gearing up for 2016. If you have an interest in public policy development and grassroots advocacy on business issues at all levels - local, county, state and federal, let us know. We'd be happy to provide you additional information on how you can get involved in committee work or as part of our grassroots network. Contact Vicki Stute. 
Meet the South Metro Young Professionals
 
Are you or your employees wanting to get more involved with a great Young Professionals Group? Are you in your 20's or 30's and interested in networking, educational and community service opportunities? Then check us out on December 9th to find out what we are all about!

Bring your business cards to network with other young professionals and enter a drawing to win some fun prizes. Find out who the South Metro Young Professionals are and what is in store for a great 2016!

Thank you to Green Mill Restaurant & Bar for providing lunch. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
30
1

 		2
4:00 p.m.
3
7:30 a.m.
4
7:30 a.m.

7
8
5:30 p.m.

9
8:00 a.m.
Noon
Noon
10

11:30 a.m.
11
14
11:30 a.m.

15
12:00 Noon

16
7:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.

17
7:30 a.m.

18
21
22
23
24

Chamber
office closed

25

Merry Christmas
Did You Know?
Photos from the Business Excellence Awards have been posted to your Chamber's Facebook page. Be sure to check them out, share them, like them and tag yourself if you see yourself!
Wanted Analytics Demonstrates Importance of Soft Skills
 
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Wanted Analytics is a new tool being used by area organizations which combines real-time, global business intelligence with years of hiring demand and talent supply data to help make better strategic business decisions. Hiring trend data that is collected can assist HR professionals with the data to support future projects and approaches. Dakota Scott Workforce Investment Board recently shared with us that through data produced by Wanted Analytics, the top 10 requested soft skills for jobs posted by area companies include:
  • Oral and written communications skills
  • Detail oriented
  • Customer service oriented
  • Marketing
  • Team oriented/teamwork
  • Integrity
  • Microsoft Office
  • Problem solving
  • Work independently
  • Self-starting/Self-motivated
In many ways, this list is no surprise to your Chamber. Many members comment about soft skills being a critical component in tomorrow's workforce. These conversations will continue within our area business education partnerships. Contact Vicki Stute if you would like more information on how to become involved in the area partnerships.
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community

Eagan City Council meets November 30 - see the agenda
West St. Paul City Council meets December 1 - see the agenda
Rosemount City Council meets December 1 - see the  agenda
Mendota Heights City Council meets December 1 - see the agenda  
Dakota County Commissioners meet December 1 - see the agenda 
Member Spotlight: Staying Informed on Issues
 
Jill Skogheim 
Since we opened our first Dakota County 5-8 location in West St. Paul, the Dakota County Regional Chamber has been a great resource for getting to know the local business community and connecting with other small business owners. Further, Vicki Stute's knowledge and attention to local government affairs allows me to stay informed of issues that might affect my business and strengthens our position as a group through advocacy on a local, regional, and statewide level. I believe in the strength of businesses large and small working together to make the region vital and have made a number of connections through the events in which I've participated. I've found that I get out of the chamber at least as much as I put in whether it's sponsoring a hole at the golf tournament, attending womEn's circle events, or one of the public affairs sessions and getting to know other members informally. I am also looking forward to more opportunities as a new member of your Board of Directors.
 
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

Piepho Moving & Storage
Auto Vault LLC
Inland Real Estate Corporation
Writing and Design Partners

Watch for more information about these fine companies in upcoming Weekly Updates.

Celebrate Business Success
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
 

Do you have good news within your business to share? Be sure to send it to  Emily Corson for inclusion in the Weekly Update.

 
The Minnesota Vikings recently released a time lapse video of the construction of US Bank Stadium. The stadium is currently 80% complete. See the video here.

Comcast recently announced they have chosen Minnesota as the location to add 400 new jobs beginning in early 2016 at its downtown St. Paul office. The new positions are part of a multi-year plan to reinvent the customer experience-the company's #1 goal.  

wrapped_presents.jpg Beyond the Yellow Ribbon-Eagan is partnering with Toys 4 Military Kids to collect toys this holiday season. If you are interested in donating to this cause your Chamber has a collection box at our offices, 3352 Sherman Ct, Suite 201, Eagan. We will also be collecting toys at each of the Dakota County Regional Chamber holiday parties.

Let's celebrate high ethical standards in Minnesota business. The Minnesota Business Ethics Award® (MBEA) invites all Minnesotans to nominate one or more Minnesota-based businesses for the 2016 awards. Go to www.mnethicsaward.org and click "Nominate a Company." The nominations deadline is January 22, 2016. 

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201
Eagan, MN 55121
651.452.9872