BizWord November 2009
 

  Table of Contents
  From the desk of Laura Crawford
  Letter from the Chairman of the Board
  Holiday gifts your employees will actually USE!
  Chamber Talk with Lauren

  Just in from Jane
  Just in from the U.S. Chamber
  "Don't Forget!" on downersgrove.org
  Chamber Memberships equal Savings Savings Everywhere!

  Members in the News
  Thank you Members!

From the desk of Laura Crawford

It’s not often that I get to report on good news coming out of Springfield but I feel obliged to convey that our legislators successfully retracted a tax that would have cost many of our Members thousands of dollars.  The Income Tax Act signed last July by Governor Quinn included a 50% increase in income tax for LLP and LLC’s.  Last September this bill was brought to my attention by a Member, a partner in a medium sized accounting firm.  He told me this bill, SB1912 would cost his clients alone, $2,000,000.  He requested action from his Chamber which was easy to accommodate in accordance with the Board approved Legislative Platform. 

SB1912 was intended to generate revenue for municipalities, NOT the State of Illinois.  It was introduced on the last day of the special session as a ‘technicality.’  It’s important for you to know that none of the local legislators sponsored this bill; in fact, most of the sponsors were from the City of Chicago. Perhaps the ‘technicality’ was intended to fund the 2016 Olympics (?)

I started talking to legislators last September, actually, the night of our Black and White Ball.  The following week I personally contacted every legislator that sponsored that bill and asked our Members to also contact them.  Doug Whitley, president of the IL Chamber also got on board and I’m happy to report that a repeal was submitted and unanimously passed through both the Senate and the House. 

To quantify:  The Chamber has 15 Member accountants.  If this bill cost each member’s clients only $1M – half of what was reported by the medium sized firm – then repealing this bill saved 15,000,000 - 30,000,000 of your dollars that did not go to the government.  Congratulations to Representatives Bellock and Pihos, Senators Cronin and Dillard, for their work, I am thankful.  If you are, please let them know.

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Letter from the Chairman of the Board

I want to share with you the personal goals I have while serving as your Chamber Chairman.  They are as follows:

1. Increase the value of the Chamber membership
2. Increase membership in the Chamber
3. Improve the financial position of the Chamber

To accomplish these three goals will take a team effort.  As part of this effort, I introduced “BUY CHAMBER” at the Black and White Ball as well as in my last letter to you.  I want to clarify what BUY CHAMBER means.

BUY CHAMBER is not a program per se, but rather a perspective; a perspective that all  chamber members should have.  Hopefully it is also adopted by the residents of our communities.

BUY CHAMBER is the perspective that anytime we, as business owners, need a good or service for our businesses and our personal lives; we go to the Chamber website and look for a Chamber member to satisfy that need.  Even if we are required to get multiple bids before deciding on a purchase, at least one of those bids should be from a Chamber member.  Not a big deal, just a small behavior to adopt.

Why is BUY CHAMBER important? 

1. It helps you!
2. It is good for the community.  Our businesses will see more business revenue, our residents will interact with more vibrant businesses and our local government will see more tax revenue.  All of this ultimately keeps the business environment in Downers Grove attractive. 
3. Lastly, it helps to accomplish the goals identified above.  A strong, active, progressive Chamber further enhances the business environment of Downers Grove.

So everyone please adopt the perspective of BUY CHAMBER!

Last, but not least, any Member wanting to get more involved with the Chamber, please speak up.  We are establishing our board teams over the next month.

Your Chamber Chairman,

Holiday gifts your employees will actually USE!

Don't know what to give your employees? How about-the power of perks!

Loyalty Builders Inc. provides a service that offers your employees unbeatable discounts from the best selection of local and national merchants.  Everything from auto repair and maintenance, to department stores and restaurants, your employees will be earning money and earning cash back on things that are an important part of their lives. The LoyaltyBuilder Merchant Network handles all the work, you get the credit for “the best gift ever,” and your employees enjoy all the perk!

This Holiday season remember to BUY CHAMBER. Think back to downersgrove.org to see a complete list of Chamber Members to help with your holiday shopping. LoyaltyBuilders, Inc is one of the Chamber’s newest Members and is ready to help you show your staff how much you care!

To try the Chamber’s newest affinity program, please contact Sales@loyaltybuilder.com

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Chamber Talk with Lauren

HOLIDAY MARKETING E-BLITZ

Happy Holiday Season Chamber Members! There are so many reasons to celebrate your business these next couple of months! Get people into your doors from Thanksgiving through the New Year, by hosting an E-Blitz. Right now, you can book e-blasts between November 6th to December 18th for just $35!! That is a $15 dollar savings! Click here to reserve your $35 ad space.

Wow, I'm definitely excited to share that with everyone. Get your Holiday messages, coupons and savings out to the entire Chamber Membership! Your e-blast will go to 1,400 email addresses.

If you need some creative input on your ad designs or some helpful hints for promotions, please email me at ltarasewicz@downersgrove.org. I would be happy to help with your seasonal brainstorming!

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Just In from Jane

We give thanks!

We give thanks to our 680 business members.
Especially during the month of November

We give thanks to our 21 Board of Directors
Who guide, enhance and are the protectors

We give thanks to our 8 committees
Who are extremely dedicated and very witty

We give thanks to our 3 leads groups
Who gather the referrals and rally the troops

We give thanks to our major sponsorships
With their support we have no blips

We give thanks to our seminar presenters and trainers
And that’s how the Chamber is a big gainer

We give thanks to our Members large and small
Who support the Chamber’s efforts at a drop of a call

We give thanks to for the 58 years of success
And with that we say THANK YOU and God Bless

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Just in from the U.S. Chamber

Are your emails being received?

You've taken the time to build a good e-mail list targeted to the right market for your business, have established a good value proposition for the people on your list, and know when to contact your list to maximize the positive impact of your message (see E-sources, "E-Mail Marketing Strategies").

Now, all you have to do is ensure that the e-mails that you're sending actually reach their intended recipients.

Increased security concerns mean that e-mail is now routinely screened and can be flagged as being suspicious or blocked. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps that you can take to minimize the chances of your legitimate correspondence being rejected before it reaches its destination or of being ignored once it gets through.

• E-mail only those people who have specifically asked for you to do so (opted in).
• Never send attachments to your list. E-mail attachments are frequently used to deliver malicious software, and you don't want to risk losing customers who follow good security  practices (see E-sources, "Fight Phishing").
• Avoid shouting (using all CAPS), exclamation points, and flamboyant sales language ("Act now!!") in your subject lines. Spam and virus filters will flag or reject messages with  suspect subject lines. It's best to use a simple, consistent subject line, such as your company (or newsletter) name, followed by the topic: My Business Newsletter: This Month's Specials. A consistent subject line format results in a more consistent acceptance rate, in which case many spam filters will "learn" to flag your messages as good.
• Make it easy for people to select more than one format in which to read your e-mails.   HTML e-mails with pretty pictures and colors may look attractive, but some people prefer to receive plain text messages without all the "dressing." Plain text e-mails are also less of a security hazard than their HTML counterparts, so spam and virus filters are less likely to block them.

E-mail remains an efficient, cost-effective way to reach and keep customers. But like traditional direct mail, you need to constantly tweak your message, format, and delivery methods to keep yours from getting lost in the crowd-or dumped in the trash.

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"Don't Forget!" on Downersgrove.org

Are you missing Chamber events?

Downersgrove.org offers an easy way to remember your Chamber event schedule! On every event page there is an option to "Don't Forget" icon at the bottom of the page. Below you will find step by step instructions to set up reminders so you "Don't Forget!"  your next Chamber event!!

1. Click on the Chamber Events tab on the homepage of downersgrove.org

2. Once on the Calendar of Events page, click on an event.

3. Now you are on the webpage for the event you chose. Scroll down to the bottom to find the "Don't Forget!" icon.

4. Now you are at the bottom of the event webpage. Here is the "Don't Forget!" icon.

5. Enter your email address.

6. Now choose the # of days prior to your event that you wish to receive your reminder.

7. Click "Save All Reminders" and you are finished! Remember to repeat for each event your are attending!

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Chamber Memberships equal Savings, Savings Everywhere!

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Members in the News!

Congratulations to the following Members:

American Family Insurance announced the winner of the Step It Up Business of the Year was awarded to Michelle Binks of HR Consulting Solutions.

Scot Press - Melna Langham for winning a Free 3 hour rental at the Golf Course Clubhouse meeting room and to Diveheart-Jim Elliott for winning 25% off room rental at the Lincoln Center or Recreation Center from the Downers Grove Park District at the November Business After Hours-Holiday Showcase.

Ann Garvey of Downers Grove, executive director for Celebrity Dance Studios, was named one of the top teachers at the Chicago Windy City Dance Competition. Selection is based on the ability to to train students in ballroom dancing.

The Humidor, Inc. of Westmont has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital has been recognized as one of nation's Top 75 hospitals by Data Advantage of Nashville. Titled the Superior Quality Merit Award, Good Samaritan's recognition is based on the hospital's ability to deliver superior outcomes in quality, affordability and patient satisfaction.

Walden Floral Design Co. celebrates  its 10 year anniversary!

Congratulations to all the employees and students in District 99 for scoring in the top 50 for best 2009 PSAE results in the State of Illinois!

Labriola Bakery Cafe is celebrating its One year anniversary!

Corporate Strategies, A Sandler Training Center is celebrating its 15th Anniversary.

Don Duncan of D3 Financial Counselors was honored with the Regional Spirit Award in the 2009 Business Ledger Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards.

Downers Grove Reporter named state's top large non-daily paper. It earned first place in the General Excellence category of the Illinois Press Association editorial contest.

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Thank You Members!

The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry would like to Thank the following members for their generosity and support:

Thank you to Charles Place Office Condos for hosting the November Business After Hours.

Thank you to Wilson Rental, Barbara's Elegant Touch Staffing and Events by Tommy R's for donating to the November Business After Hours-Holiday Showcase!

Thank you to all those who hosted a table top at the November Business After Hours at Charles Place Office Condos on November 19th!

Thank you to the following members who made the New Members Welcome luncheon a success:
LODGE & Joe Marchioretto, THE ENTREPRENEUR'S SOURCE
Events by Tommy R’s – Tommy Romano
Ambassadors Chair – John Page, Vistage and Joe Borsche, Borsche Digital
W2W Referral Group Chair – Lisa Cosgrove, DoubleTree Guest Suites & Conference Center

Thank you to The Melting Pot for hosting the Women's Business Council Networking Night on such short notice!

Thank you to Ballydoyle Restaurant & Pub for hosting the 2009 YPN Howl-o-ween Bash.

Thank you to Melna Langham of ScotPress for guest bartending at the 2009 YPN Howl-o-ween Bash.

Thank you to You & Me, Inc. for donating the t-shirts for the 2009 YPN Howl-o-ween Bash.

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