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April 30, 2008News for association and chamber leaders
 
  Business Leadership 
  • Find your innovative thinkers
    Tap into nontraditional sources of innovation by inviting creative input from everybody at your company, from the receptionist to the accountant. Hold contests. Line the walls of a conference room with flip charts and encourage employees to drop by. You might be surprised at what develops in a nonthreatening atmosphere. BusinessWeek (4/24)
  • Meetings that matter
    Companywide meetings at bag maker Timbuk2 used to bore employees to sleep. Then the CEO got some good advice. He moved the meeting to the lobby, where more people could sit; he shifted the time; and he gave a random prize at each gathering. The most important change, though, was assigning his office manager to run the show. BusinessWeek (4/28)
  • Welcome new hires the right way
    Employers should realize they need to do more to welcome new workers to the company than just show them to their desk, HR consultants say. "You've got a two-week period there where you have to manage that buyer's remorse," says one consultant. Bayer's Hello Bayer program lets new hires explore the company's culture and facilities before they even show up for work. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (4/26)
  Quick Poll 
  • Poll: How would you rate your organization's meetings
    Look for the results from today's poll in the Editor's Note section of next week's U.S. Chamber SmartBrief.
They're actually enjoyable -- the right balance of time and information.
They're your normal, run-of-the-mill business meetings.
They define boring. Off the record, I've fallen asleep in some of them.

  CEO Update 
CEO Update and U.S. Chamber SmartBrief partner to bring you exclusive association and other nonprofit reports and career listings.
  Chamber Spotlight 
  • Georgia chamber to celebrate 100th anniversary Friday
    Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce in Georgia will celebrate its centennial Friday in an event that will recap the chamber's history, provide entertainment by local talent and display a laser light show over Gainesville's skyline. Planning for the "Celebration of the Century" has been in the works for months. AccessNorthGa.com (4/28)

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  Association Watch 
  • Social responsibility is an all-around win
    Social responsibility is a key area of interest for employers, according to a 2008 report from the National Restaurant Association. Companies known to support charitable causes, such as Ben & Jerry's, can contribute to their communities while boosting their business. QSR Magazine (4/2008)
  • Profile: Electronic Research's "Renaissance man" Silliman
    Tom Silliman, president-CEO of Electronics Research, one of two recipients of this year's NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award, is profiled. "Tom Silliman is often called a renaissance man due to his varied passions, but he is best known for his accomplishments in the field of antenna engineering," said Lynn Claudy, senior vice president of NAB Science & Technology. "He's a friend to many broadcasters and is always willing to help solve problems. Tom takes the time to explain complex RF issues to anyone willing to take the time to learn." Radio World (4/23)
  U.S. Chamber News 
  • U.S. Chamber launches new member benefit
    U.S. Chamber Deals powered by OneBigPlanet is an exclusive program through which all Chamber members are eligible to receive instant savings on products and services from more than 600 nationally recognized merchants including retail, restaurants, car rentals and airplane tickets. In addition, this interactive program will provide you with several search engines, such as the Dining Deal Locator, to find restaurant deals nationwide. Activate your FREE membership today! Each member will need their member number to access the program. If you need help finding your member number, please call 800-638-6582
  • Enroll by Thursday for Institute and Get In at a reduced rate!
    Where can you get the knowledge you need to help your organization sizzle this summer? Institute for Organization Management, the leading professional development program for the chamber and association industry, kicks off in June, but now is the time to enroll without making your budget sweat. Enroll online before May 1 for Midwest Institute in Madison, Wis., and for Southeast Institute in Athens, Ga., and save $200! Institute's cutting-edge course topics and unparalleled networking opportunities will get you fired up with new ideas to help your career and your organization. Don't get left out this summer. ... Get In now before temperatures and tuition go up! Visit the Institute Web site for more information on sites and dates.
  U.S. Chamber Member Benefits 
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  Editor's Note 
  • Poll results: How does your organization promote customer loyalty?

    Last week's poll asked readers how their organization promotes customer loyalty.

    • 94% said we believe that quality service and products are the best way to build customer loyalty.
    • 6% said we use alternative means to garner repeat customers.
  SmartQuote 
To fly, we have to have resistance."
--Maya Lin,
American architect

  


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Contributing Editor:  Ashley McMaster
     
 
 
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