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February 13, 2008News for association and chamber leaders
 
  Business Leadership 
  • Improve customer service to set your company apart
    When other factors are relatively equal, customer service is the one area in which companies can differentiate themselves. A list of six management tips for making the most of opportunities includes evaluating your telephone system; improving e-mail accessibility; calling your own company to find out the type of service being offered; and conducting customer-service surveys. CEO Strategist (1/29)
  • Inspirational words help define, focus mission
    Creating an "Inspiring Proposition" that defines a company's purpose not only can brand it as something remarkable to its customers but can provide a working mission statement for its employees, experts say. The process of developing the "IP" engages key personnel in focusing on and achieving clarity about what they do. Financial Post (Canada) (2/11)
  • Create a niche to increase sales
    Retaining customers and targeting local markets are key to building a shop's clientele. "A small independent store has to have a niche, has to be known for something, because you simply can't compete with the bigger stores in things like pricing and advertising," according to one expert. CNNMoney.com/Fortune Small Business (2/6)
  • Good ideas go only so far; inventor needs a partner
    An inventor with an idea on a new way to produce electricity needs a partner to help raise money and launch a business, advises Jennifer Lawinski in Fortune's Small Business column. "I believe that all really good ideas will find investors -- the hard part is executing on the idea once you've actually raised the money," says Ben Lerer, founder of Thrillist.com. CNNmoney.com/Fortune Small Business (2/11)
  Quick Poll 
  • Poll: How would you rate your organization's customer service?
    Look for the results from today's poll in the Editor's Note section of next week's U.S. Chamber SmartBrief.
Outstanding! I am continually impressed with the great service we offer.
Good, not great. We could stand to improve in some areas but we excel in others.
Not so good. We could stand to make major improvements in that department.

  CEO Update 
CEO Update and U.S. Chamber SmartBrief partner to bring you exclusive association and other nonprofit reports and career listings.
  • CEO search

    CEO searches under way at these organizations: Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce, National Recreation and Parks Association, Trucker Buddy International. More information at CEO Update.

    Nonprofit Recruiting Fact: How many association CEOs are paid over a million dollars? Find out here.

    New at the Top: Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, Specialized Information Publishers Association and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Find out who they are and where they came from at CEO Update.

  Chamber Spotlight 
  • Chamber groups back education-funding amendment in N.H.
    A number of business groups in New Hampshire, including the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, are supporting a proposed constitutional amendment on education funding. "Without the ability to target aid, the state could ultimately be forced to increase taxes or create new ones," said Sean Owen, chairman of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce's government affairs committee. Concord Monitor (N.H.) (2/12)
  • Vegas Chamber turns networking into art form
    Networking continues to evolve as a business practice, with more emphasis being placed on short, successful interactions. "There's a lot of value in the old school, developing friendships and seeing people at multiple events," Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Cara Roberts said. "But innovations like 5 Minute Networking maximizes people's time so you can make multiple business connections within an hour. I also think it's a lot of fun. With online networking, it's something we intend to look at in the future." Las Vegas Business Press (2/11)

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  Association Watch 
  • Groups join debate on tax strategy patent regulations
    A securities-industry group wants the government to consider using a narrower approach as it considers new rules that would require disclosure of transactions using patented tax strategies. A number of trade groups have been jumping into the debate over the proposed rules. "At a minimum, we believe the proposed regulations should not be finalized until Congress enacts legislation," SIFMA told the Internal Revenue Service in a Jan. 31 letter. BNA (subscription required) (2/11)
  U.S. Chamber News 
  • Top Prospects for U.S. Education Firms in Asia
    The U.S. Commerce Department's Foreign Commercial Service in Vietnam and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in a briefing on the "Top Prospects for U.S. Education Firms" from 10 to 11 a.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 21. This live teleconference/Web seminar will focus on export opportunities in Vietnam for U.S. educational institutions. To participate, register before Feb. 14.
  • Over 12 million workers victims of forced labor worldwide
    Help put a stop to forced labor today. Attend the U.S. Chamber's sponsored event Engaging Business: Addressing Forced Labor on Feb. 20 in Atlanta. This event will help you learn to how to identify and address the risk that this ongoing issue can pose to your company. Michael Eastman, executive director of labor policy at the U.S. Chamber, will discuss the importance of the business community's engagement in worldwide efforts to confront this problem. The one-day conference will be held at Coca-Cola Co. headquarters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free of charge but you must register. To attend or for more information, please contact Mike Dendas.
  U.S. Chamber Member Benefits 
  • Find Great Employees on Monster
    You can find good employees anywhere -- through referrals, with window signs or online. But you'll find GREAT employees on Monster. Monster provides job seekers with the tools they need to find jobs they love -- like a job with you! So if you are looking for the best and the brightest, post your jobs on Monster. Go to http://www.uschamber.com/member/benefits/monster or call 877-870-2158.
  Editor's Note 
  • Poll results: Does the government play a major role in your organization's survival?

    Last week's poll asked readers about the role the government plays in their organization's survival.

    • 7% said yes, my success relies heavily on government sales.
    • 28% said a bit, although the majority of my earnings come from nongovernment sources.
    • 65% said no, my organization doesn't rely on the government at all.
  SmartQuote 
Olympism is a doctrine of the fraternity between the body and the soul."
--Pierre de Coubertin,
founder of the modern Olympics

  


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Contributing Editor:  Ashley McMaster
     
 
 
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