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Finding Success by Putting Company Culture First
As the economy
recovers, will your employees want to stick around? Learn from the examples set
by Patagonia, Google and Zappos.
As the economy continues to recover and the job market begins to bounce
back, companies with strong and supportive cultures are likely to be the ones
leading the way in attracting and retaining top talent.
So how do you create an atmosphere
in your business that the best and the brightest will want to join -- and stay?
Consider the examples set by Patagonia, Google
and Zappos -- three of the most well-known
culture-driven companies around.
Patagonia
Patagonia
Inc., based in Ventura, Calif., attracts outdoorsy types with its
athletic clothing brand and laser-like focus on work-life balance. Time away
from the office isn't just tolerated here, it's required, says Rob BonDurant, Patagonia's vice president of marketing and de facto
culture guide.
Patagonia's 1,300 employees enjoy what the company calls "Let My
People Go Surfing" time -- a period during any work day where employees
can head outdoors to get their creative juices flowing. Of course, they can’t
abandon their duties or ditch a meeting, but popping out for an impromptu climb
or bike ride is encouraged.
Patagonia's flex-time policies -- which originated from Yvon
Chouinard, an outdoor enthusiast who founded the company in 1974 --
are good for employee morale and invaluable to the company, which projects $400
million in revenue in 2011, up from $333 million last year.
"The
time we spend outside the office helps us manage the storytelling process
around our products," says BonDurant, a 10-year Patagonia
veteran and an avid mountain climber. "We're designing ski and surfing
apparel, we need to be traveling and trying things out."
Click HERE for entire article
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Four Simple
Ways to Find Customers
For new business
owners, finding customers is job No. 1. Here's how to get the job done.
What most people call getting new
customers, I call "buying" new customers.
The reason? If you stop and think about the price you're paying to bring in
added shoppers in terms of time or money, you can start to make better
decisions about how and where to put those resources.
The practice is especially important for new business owners who tend to not only have more
limited means, but also don't generally register a profit from a new customer
until the fifth of sixth purchase. And without a stable of customers to tap for
repeat purchases, being more careful about where you ply your limited resources
can only serve you.
Here are four simple ways to "buy" new customers:
1.
Advertising. The key to advertising successfully is to generate
promising leads in exchange for the money you spend. To do so, it helps to
offer a message that not only hits on your target customers, but also showcases
the value you can offer them.
Take television, for
example. In general, TV will be your most expensive option. But targeting based
on programming instead of channels or networks -- that is, placing ads on
"Cooking with Joe" versus a campaign on a cooking network -- offers a
more specific outlet for your resources
Radio also allows you to selectively target
formats and programming. And even in large metro areas, you can often score
inexpensive sponsorships of weather or
traffic reports.
And though newspaper subscribership has dwindled
in recent years, depending on your market, they're still a worthy option for
attracting new customers. If your target market is, say, people aged 55 or
older, you may want to consider community papers or niche publications as older
consumers still rely on them for information.
Click HERE for entire article
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Dear Subscriber,
Don't Ignore the Easiest Place to Find Customers
This
week I received a great marketing lesson in the form of a hand-written thank
you card from my insurance agent. The card was thoughtful and sincere enough,
but the timing could have been a lot better. The card was sent to beg me to
come back in response to my decision to switch to another insurance provider.
At that point in our business
relationship, the agent seemed willing to do almost anything to earn back my
business. If only the agent had been willing to offer the same level of service
in order to insure my continued patronage during my previous two years as a
customer.
It can be easy for business owners
to ignore their existing customers. After all, you've already won them, right?
Not necessarily. Even current customers can become prospects again because the
minute they complete a purchase, you'll want to lasso another.
Of course, keeping up a constant
stream of marketing communications can be daunting. But if the enticement of
boosting sales isn't enough, it should be some comfort to know that getting shoppers to come back is almost always an easier -- and
cheaper -- proposition.
Here are some of the simplest and
most cost-effective ways to engage with your current customers so they'll not
only return but also refer your business.
Click HERE to read entire article
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Meet Our Leadership
State Director - Michigan
 | Marvin Azzopardi |
Throughout Marvin’s
career, he’s worn many hats, from entrepreneur, restaurateur, factory rat,
salesman, bottle boy, chief bottle washer, grunt, had the title of Owner/CEO,
president, vice president, director, manager all those fancy titles, but what
he really enjoys is the brain storming of new business ideas, products or
services.
Marvin’s true skill is an ability to visualize
projects from a 120,000 ft view, 10,000 ft view to building, developing and
motivating teams to execute strategies from the ground up. He prides himself on
developing new innovative projects and the ability to build brand awareness
through key relationships with strategic partners, customers, clients and the
communities they serve.
”Our mission statement and business philosophy is
Paying It Forward…supporting our local communities, our passion is helping
others to better their situation through awareness and education!”
President - Cleveland, OH
 | | Nancy A. Haag Motl |
Nancy was born and raised in Cleveland, OH
and spent over 25 years in the commercial property insurance industry. Most of
those years, were working with clients.
Many of whom were the Risk Managers of Fortune 500 companies. The one core principle through the years was
developing long-term relationships with the customers and being responsive to
their needs. As a Customer Service
Executive, Nancy
was on the front line with the customer.
Nancy was later introduced to the
factoring industry and began helping business owners secure working capital
utilizing alternative forms of financing.
As a business owner and working with business owners, Nancy was always told to network, network and
network more.
Last month,
she stumbled upon Mike Clough’s article on the Internet, A New Business Model for 2011
and loved the concept. It made sense and there is nothing like it in Cleveland, N.E. Ohio or Ohio.
It was her Ah Ha Moment!
After correspondence
with CEO, John Bellave, State Director – MN, Mike Clough, and yes, even called
some Chapter Presidents to get their thoughts and see how they were doing, Nancy is 100% on board and excited to launch MainStreetChamber in Cleveland
President - Philadelphia, PA
Gwendolyn W. Ebron
Gwendolyn
W. Ebron has a Bachelor Degree in Journalism and a Masters Degree in Counseling
in Education. Gwendolyn has worked in many capacities as a counselor and an
educator for over twenty-five years, and an entrepreneur and business woman
since 1995.
Besides her
husband and her raising four children to be contributing adults to society, the
most important thing that she desires to accomplish is making a difference in
the lives of others by being the change she wants to see. Being the
President of MainStreetChamber – Philadelphia
chapter helps fulfill that quest.
Assisting
small businesses and/or companies on their ladder to success can help turn the
economic tides for this country and that is what MainStreetChamber offers, and
this is why Gwen is proud to be a part of such a worthwhile organization.
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Imagination Marketing Solutions
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Imagination Marketing Solutions is your one source for full
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discount for Chamber members, PLUS a FREE 30-minute consulation! *To receive
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Digital Audio Transcription Service
Contact Person: Laurie Kristensen
Phone: 952-814-7296
Transcription (typing) of digitally recorded audio files into
readable text for General Business, Students, and Individuals
10 percent
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BFK Cleaning Service
http://www.bfkcleaningservice.com/
Residential & Commercial Window, Gutter, Blind, Dryer Vent
& much more Cleaning - Hard Water Spot & Trash Removal
15% OFF for
any Service we Provide!
Pattie Kelchner's Bar Trenders
Contact Person: Pattie Kelchner
Phone: 717-542-0237
Professional Mixologist for your special Event
10% off of
total service
Denny's-Sanford
24 Hour Restaurant
$5.00 off
$15.00 or more with the purchase of 2 drinks
B2Cafe-Winter Springs
http://b2cafe.com/
Restaurant
10% off
entire order
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Print Our Member Certificate
and customize it with Your Company Name
Download & Print the Badge of Credibility needed in today's Business World
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