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Jim Geyer, Grace Church of the Foothills and Pat Wilhoit, Alcoa Chiropractic Center network at the January Coffee Club at Alcoa Chiropractic Center. For more pictures from recent events visit See and Be Seen

 

 

• Build New Relationships at Thursday's Coffee Club
• IRS/Business Stimulus Package
• How is your Business Weathering the Storm?
• Increase Profitability Quickly
• Tech Tuesday - Understanding Video Teleconferencing and Video Streaming
• Managing Change
• Get Connected
• Blount Area Jobs
  
• Member 2 Member Discounts
• See and Be Seen
• Member Headlines - News & Events

 

 

Build New Relationships at Thursday's Coffee Club

The November Chamber Coffee sponsored by American Red Cross, Blount County Chapter will be Thursday, February 25, 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at our sponsor's location, 1741 Triangle Park Drive, Maryville . Take advantage of this great networking opportunity, meet new members and reacquaint yourself with veteran members. Be sure and bring your business cards.  Need directions?

 

IRS/Business Stimulus Package

In the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 (WHBAA), President Obama reconfigured how companies may recoup business losses. Previously, when a business incurred a loss, they could recapture a portion of taxes paid by going back to the last two years of filed tax returns. The new legislation now states that eligible businesses, large or small, can go back five years to recapture taxes paid against income. In simple terms, businesses can now look back to 2004 to recapture taxes. For more detailed information, contact your tax professional. To read more about this act, you may also visit the IRS page at http://tinyurl.com/yf9spbs

 

How is your Business Weathering the Storm?

In an effort to better understand how the changes in the economy may be impacting businesses in communities across the Innovation Valley region, we are providing you with the opportunity to give us some feedback. Your answers will help us identify how we may better assist our local industries. If this email has reached a sales or information address, please forward to the appropriate person or department. Please take a few minutes to answer a brief survey at the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9QLWMLK. Please complete the survey by February 26. Your answers will be kept confidential. Thank you for your input!

 

Increase Profitability Quickly

Looking for ways to increase profitability quickly? Most all will answer YES and the Chamber may be able to help. Roger Lewandowski, CEO of World Competition Consultants, former President of Carrier Air Conditioning and a turnaround specialist will do a special presentation for Chamber Members on February 24, at 3:00 p.m. at the Chamber. "Increase Your Profitability Quickly," a hands-on workshop, will include a 30-minute presentation followed by an individual problem-solving session. Lewandowski will also visit each workshop participants' facility and do a no-cost confidential assessment to increase profitability. This is a free member service for Chamber Members and $10 for non members. To attend, email reservations@blountchamber.com, call 273-1205 or register online.

 

Tech Tuesday - Understanding Video Teleconferencing and Video Streaming

Keep travel costs under control by taking advantage of new technology. Learn how video teleconferencing (VTC) and video streaming can allow meetings without the travel. The Chamber's next Tech Tuesday on March 9, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Chamber presents the topic of Video Teleconferencing and Video Streaming for Business. A few years ago, only large companies embraced these technologies. In its early days, VTC was expensive, difficult to use, unreliable and required technical staff support to operate. Today, none of these are true, and businesses of all size are realizing significant cost and time savings and the ability to pursue even more opportunities with the savings generated. Participants will learn exactly what is required for VTC and video streaming, from information technology infrastructure to financial investment. The Tech Tuesday presentation will include demonstrations of point-to-point video calls and multi-point calls. Presenter Mike White, president and owner of Multi-Media Solutions, Inc. of Alcoa and 20-year veteran of the industry, currently serves on the International Board of Directors for Infocomm, the industry's international trade association. The cost to attend is $20 members and $30 for non-members and includes a boxed lunch. To make a reservation, contact 273-1205, email reservations@blountchamber.com or register online.

 

Managing Change

How effective is your organization with implementing change? Are changes you implemented years ago still in place? Are you passing your competitors, or are they passing you? Jim Rose, president of EQ Consulting Services, will answer these questions and others at a seminar titled "Managing Change," scheduled for March 11, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Chamber. Topics will include a plan for long range success, being proactive instead of reactive, changing an organization's culture to reflect differences in the younger generation now in the workforce, and whether continuing doing what you have been doing you will actually move you backward while the world is changing rapidly. Rose helps leaders manage change to improve the bottom line and has worked with organizations from 6 to 6,000 employees in areas such as manufacturing, service, distribution, construction, material handling, health care, retail, non-for-profit organizations and others. This is a free service to Chamber Members, but to make a reservation, contact 273-1205 or email reservations@blountchamber.com.

 

Get Connected

In these unusual economic times, make sure you and your staff maximize membership in the Chamber and get connected with potential customers. Connect with others by joining a special interest group, volunteering for special events planning and/or taking advantage of Chamber programs. Not just for the business owner or Chamber representative, circulate this form to your staff and get them signed-up today.  Complete form online

 

Blount Area Jobs

Have a job opening? Post it here for free. This is a free service for Chamber Members.

 

 

Member 2 Member Discounts

Save money by using Member 2 Member Discounts on the chamber website. Discounts are currently being offered by: Adecco the Employment People, Alpha Graphics, The Bed Store, Commercial Lighting Supply, Inc., East Tennessee Rewards, K & M Gallery, Lalka Tax Services, Courtyard by Marriott, The Massage Therapy Clinic, Matlock Tire Service, The Reserve at Maryville, Socle' Medical Spa, Southern Tail PetSitting & The Village Tinker.  Access these discounts by using your username and password, go to Members Only , click on business directory and then view member discounts. Misplaced your user name and password? Contact Amy Lawson.

 

See and Be Seen

Check out our picture gallery of members who were seen at recent Chamber activities. Go to our See & Be Seen page. 

 

Member Headlines - News & Events

See what’s happening with our members in our Member News and Member Events sections of our website. If your company has recently been recognized for an award, a special achievement or a noteworthy accomplishment, let us know. Have a special event coming up? Send us the details. Contact Brenda Farner.