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BOONE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber LINK Newsletter
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| January 2008 |
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In This Issue
Letter from the
Executive Director
Business
Chamber Events |
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Chamber Events
January 2008
Monday, Janury 14, 2008
CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTING
Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds New Pavillion
Boone County Fairgrounds
1300 E. 100 S. Lebanon
4:30-7:pm Refreshments
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Thursday, January 17, 2008
North Park Community
Credit Union
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
450 S. Lebanon St. Lebanon
4:30-7:00 pm
Hors d'oeuvres
RSVP requested
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Saturday, January 19, 2008
LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST
Witham Health Services
2605 N. Lebanon Street
7:30 am No fee
Continental Breakfast
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
BUSINESS OVER COFFEE
Eagle Creek Coffee Company
10 S. Main St. Zionsville
No charge
8:00-8:30 am
Please join us for complimentary coffee and networking.
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NEW MEMBERS
SEARS
2236 N. Lebanon St.
Owners:
Randy &Diana Parr
Store Hours:
9a.m. to 7p.m. M-F
9a.m.-6p.m. Saturday
485-2466
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EXCEL HOME
HEALTHCARE
1102 S. Lebanon St.
Excel Administrator
Shari Pryor
A healthcare provider of a variety of services that is locally owned and operated.
482-6680
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Grand Opening
FREEDOM CHURCH
Pastor Shane Frazier
Sunday, January 13, 2007
Located at the Pavilion
Lebanon, 9:45 AM
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Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Member,
On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I would like to wish you a happy and prosperous 2008.
As we look back on 2007, we are very proud of our membership and the continued support we have received from you. The Boone County Chamber of Commerce will continue to work harder for you and your business.
I would like to take this opportunity to let you know what the Chamber is doing for your business and community in Boone County.
As the Executive Director, I am very happy to say that we are moving forward and working harder for better business and community. First, we have implemented a rural economic development initiative to work closer with local and state government to assist communities throughout Boone County with rural development projects.
Secondly, the Chamber has added many opportunities for members to network their business and community at our monthly events. Membership participation is the key. We hope you will take advantage of these networking events and attend. The events are an opportunity to meet new people and promote your business through out Boone County.
Third, we will be launching a new website in February that will increase opportunities to promote membership businesses and Boone County. The new site will provide users with access to more information on Boone County businesses, real estate, communities, jobs and more. Also, look for our new Member to Member Discount opportunity for your business.
Last but not least, we are always looking for ways to improve our services for our membership and communities. Please let us know how we are doing or what we can do to help your business and community. Your comments and feedback are always welcome.
The Chamber really appreciates the support from our membership which allows us to carry out our mission to help Boone County businesses and communities thrive. We hope you will consider our efforts and please join us in making 2008 another great year for Boone County.
Sincerely,
Hope
click here for more information regarding the Boone County Chamber of Commerce |
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BUSINESS NETWORKING
Networking as a business and marketing strategy can be extremely effective and give you a much quicker client win. It doesn't mean attending meetings with the intention of getting rid of as many business cards as possible or giving a speech to whom ever you can steer into a corner. The key is to listen, be curious, ask questions and share resources. These are skills that most successful business people have acquired to be a great networker.
Here are some top tips for effective networkers:
1. Give all the attention to the person you are speaking to. Don't look over their shoulder to see if someone 'better' is available. This individual could be the person your business needs
2. Be friendly and curious. Make eye contact, smile, and be genuinely interested in learning more about their business. Some good questions;
• What do you enjoy about what you do?
• What made you decide to become a ---?
• Where else do you network?
• So who's your ideal client?
Most likely they will appreciate your interest and be interested in your business.
3. Ask for their business card and keep it in your hand until your finished speaking. Add notes on the back for future reference. Follow up with an email or phone call.
4. Avoid the temptation of getting stuck with one person because you feel nice and safe with them. Be on the look out for others you can include in your conversation and be prepared to introduce new people to each other. If their new to the group and feeling awkward on their own, they will be grateful. It is okay to excuse yourself after a few minutes in order to mingle with others.
5. Some of the best networking is at the beginning or end of an event. So plan to arrive early to meet and have enough time to chat at the end..Attending early will place you in a position to meet and greet, while at the end of the event people are feeling comfortable and are likely to be looking to build relationships further.
Source: Effective Business Networking, Top Business Tips.
November 2007.
The Chamber welcomed special guest speaker from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development , Commissioner Voors. The Commissioner presented information on programs and grants available for employers through the state. The TAG program could serve employers and their employees very well.
In 2005, the Indiana General Assembly revised the IWTF legislation, which paved the way for the development of the Training Acceleration Grant (TAG). The TAG program is administered through a partnership between the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (IDWD) and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
TAG provides financial assistance to companies and organizations committed to expanding the skills of their existing workforce through training that results in a transferable and industry-recognized credential.
For more information on the TAG program or other funding available, please visit www.in.gov/dwd/ or contact the Chamber. The Commissioner is very excited about TAG and encouraged the Chamber to contact her directly for assistance if requested by a member. |
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