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April 23, 2008News for association and chamber leaders
 
  Business Leadership 
  • CEOs must be ready for prime time
    A CEO can delegate a lot of tasks, but when someone has to speak for the entire organization on national television, only the chief will do. Yet few CEOs know how to make good use of fleeting minutes before the camera. Nick Ragone, director of client development at Ketchum PR, advises his clients to take the "Henry Kissinger approach": Answer the questions, then quickly bridge to the message you want to deliver. Forbes (4/21)
  • Giving freebies costs little; customer loyalty is priceless
    Nothing works quite as well as freebies when trying to truly win customers' hearts, says small-business writer Gene Marks. Whether it's a free service to make up for something that went wrong, or just a free product when a customer had to wait, the smallest of gestures can mean a happy customer who will come back -- and will probably tell their friends. American City Business Journals (4/14)
  • Roll the dice while others circle the wagons
    When the market goes sour and most CEOs are dwelling on their sad returns, this may be precisely the time for you to launch a new growth initiative. "The best time to place your bets is when competitors are focused inward and when pursuing new opportunities is more affordable," writes Jiri Maly, a principal in the Toronto office of McKinsey & Co. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (4/21)
  • How to hire from left field
    Hiring an unexpected job candidate -- someone, say, whose experience is outside your line of business -- is risky. Employees and clients may not appreciate the new hire's talents, but the potential payoff is high, says Margaret Neale, a professor of organizational behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. "People with different backgrounds ask different sets of questions. You ultimately get more information," she said. Here, then, are some tips to ensure your recruit from left field is right for the job. The Sydney Morning Herald/Forbes (4/16)
  Quick Poll 
  • Poll: How does your organization promote customer loyalty?
    Look for the results from today's poll in the Editor's Note section of next week's U.S. Chamber SmartBrief.
We offer several free promotions in order to keep our customers.
We believe that quality service and products are the best way to build customer loyalty.
We use alternative means to garner repeat customers.

  CEO Update 
CEO Update and U.S. Chamber SmartBrief partner to bring you exclusive association and other nonprofit reports and career listings.
  Chamber Spotlight 
  • Myrtle Beach invests $1 million to attract Travel Channel
    The Travel Channel series "Passport to Great Weekends" will film in Myrtle Beach, S.C., next week, thanks to an agreement by the city and chamber of commerce to spend $1 million in advertising on the channel and to fund some production costs. "What we're purchasing is proven advertising that helps build our base of visitors," says Brad Dean, head of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) (4/22)

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  Association Watch 
  U.S. Chamber News 
  • Common sense solutions to today's energy challenges
    Join the U.S. Chamber's Institute for 21st Century Energy at 2 p.m. April 29 for a conference call led by retired Marine Corps Gen. Jim Jones, president and CEO of the Institute. The call will update the business community on policies designed to make energy affordable and clean while diversifying our supply of fuel and power, and will give you ways to get involved. RSVP here. For more information, visit the Institute for 21st Century Energy's Web site.
  • U.S. Chamber launches Connect! campaign to promote broadband technologies
    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has formed a partnership with Connected Nation to launch Connect!, a campaign to promote broadband proliferation across the country. Join the Connect! tour on the road to learn about the ability of broadband to impact everything from economic development and U.S. global competitiveness to telemedicine and education, as well as the need for sound broadband policies. For dates and locations, visit here.
  U.S. Chamber Member Benefits 
  • New LTL freight shipping options
    Chamber members can receive a 65% discount on qualifying less-than-truckload shipments with the YRC Worldwide carriers of Yellow Transportation, Roadway, New Penn, USF Holland and USF Reddaway! A large portfolio of service options are available for your national and regional freight needs. To enroll or receive more information, call 800-293-0414 or visit here.
  Editor's Note 
  • Poll results: Does your company proactively reward its quality workers?

    Last week's poll asked readers how proactive their organizations are about rewarding their best workers.

    • 23% said yes -- my organization is great at rewarding its workers.
    • 29% said it's hit or miss -- there really isn't a consistent reward system.
    • 48% said no -- my company rarely rewards its outstanding workers.
  SmartQuote 
They can because they think they can."
--Virgil,
Roman poet and philosopher

  


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Contributing Editor:  Ashley McMaster
     
 
 
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