Archive for the ‘Business’ Category
The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) today announced the publication of a new study detailing the credit scores and payment behavior of ten local chambers of commerce across the United States, comparing their member businesses with other regional, state and national business averages. Produced by Cortera™, a community-driven business credit bureau, on behalf of ACCE, the study includes the Bowling Green (KY) Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Boca Raton (FL) Chamber of Commerce, Greater Durham (NC) Chamber of Commerce, Greater Omaha (NE) Chamber of Commerce, Helena (MT) Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Champlain (VT) Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lubbock (TX) Chamber of Commerce, Salem (OR) Area Chamber of Commerce, San Diego (CA) Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Tulsa (OK) Metro Chamber. According to the study, chamber of commerce members possess an average credit score of 629, compared to a 557 average score for businesses at large. Such scores – the payment behavior from which they are derived — play a significant role in attracting lines of credit and securing favorable terms from lenders and suppliers.
A complete copy of the study, which includes both the aggregate findings, as well as the individual commercial credit scores for each of the ten local chambers, is available on the ACCE and Cortera sites. The study was contracted by ACCE and performed by Cortera, which reviewed payment behavior for chamber member businesses.
“Chamber members have long been seen as responsible and reliable members of their community,” said Mick Fleming, president and CEO of ACCE. “What this study indicates is that the perception is right. From a credit standpoint, chamber members on average are better businesses, and as a result they have significant advantages in obtaining the funds they need. In this economy and the tight credit environment we are experiencing, that’s especially important.”
“The economic health of the entire supply chain is dependent on the payment behavior of each of its stakeholders,” said Jim Swift, president and CEO of Cortera. “This study suggests that chamber members are among the most dependable participants in this ecosystem.”
About the American Chamber of Commerce Executives
Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association serving the professional development needs of chamber professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,300 individuals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staff through education, benefits programs, trend analysis, benchmarking, and network development. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession.
About Cortera
In a sea of business information providers, Cortera is different. With over 15 years of experience serving finance professionals, Cortera combines premium business information and innovative tools with a fresh community approach to commercial credit. It represents the first community for small business credit reporting and a fundamentally new way to capture the collective insight of millions of financial transactions. As a result, small businesses can make smarter, informed decisions to ensure optimal cash flow while attracting more favorable payment terms from existing and potential business partners. Free credit reports on millions of businesses are available at http://start.cortera.com.
A new study reveals that membership in a local chamber of commerce can significantly boost a business’s image among consumers, as well as among other businesses. In a scientific survey of 2000 U.S. adults, The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, found positive perceptions of chamber members in a number of areas, including overall favorability, consumer awareness and reputation, and likelihood of future patronage.
Click here to view the Chamber Study
The study, commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), IBM, Administaff, Small Business Network, Inc., and Market Street Services, showed that when respondents were told that a particular small business was a member of its local chamber, they were 44 percent more likely to rate it favorably than study respondents who were not told of the chamber affiliation. Respondents were also 63 percent more likely to want to purchase goods or services from a small business that is a chamber member.
“We discovered that informing someone about a company’s chamber membership opens the door to substantial increases positive perceptions of that business,” said Alex Trouteaud, Ph.D., senior strategist for The Schapiro Group. “There clearly is a feeling by our respondents that chamber membership is synonymous with quality and desirability.”
To tap into this reservoir of goodwill, a small business should not only join the local chamber of commerce and participate, but also make sure consumers and other businesses are aware of that chamber affiliation.
The positive impact of perceived chamber membership is felt by big businesses, too. For example, when consumers believed that a restaurant chain was a member of the local chamber of commerce, they were 40 percent more likely to eat at the franchise in the future. And if a consumer believed that one of the major automobile manufacturers was a member of its local chamber, that consumer was 9 percent more likely to consider purchasing his or her next car from that automaker.
“This study reinforces research done in 2005 about the perceived capacity of chambers to lead businesses and lead communities,” said Mick Fleming, president of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). “These new national findings point to even more direct benefits for companies willing to be stakeholders in their local chamber.”
The study results had good news for chambers themselves, where 82 percent of respondents indicated that a local chamber of commerce “creates jobs and promotes economic development.”
“The message from this national study is as simple as it is ground-breaking,” said Jim Blasingame, small business expert and president of Small Business Network, Inc. “Join your local chamber, be an active participant in your chamber’s programs and be sure to let your customers and prospects know you’re a proud chamber supporter when they come in your business and when they see your marketing material.”
J. Mac Holladay, CEO of Market Street Services, an economic development consulting firm based in Atlanta that helped create the study, said, “It is refreshing to learn what we have suspected for years — that chamber membership and community involvement are good investments.”
From the President’s Desk
A very Happy and Prosperous 2010 from all of us at the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce to you, your friends and family. This year will undoubtedly be challenging and the Chamber is committed to strong leadership of the business community and continuing to endorse and promote issues that affect your business.
Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers, sponsors and supporters who give so much time, resources and energy to the Chamber and local business.
Immediately upcoming we will be hosting the 2010 Legislative Reception at the Convention Center on January 25. Tickets are now available.
We are now preparing the 2010 calendar of Chamber events. If you would like to host, sponsor or partner with the Chamber, please email Lacie for information.
The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee is working on the 2010 Legislative Agenda. Read a draft here.
The Committee is also hosting a Candidates Forum in preparation for the March 4 City mayoral and council election. The Forum will be held at Collected Works Bookstore on February 18th at 5:30pm. All are welcome
If you would like to learn more about Chamber committees and their programs, please contact Marilyn Blessie.
Read the Chamber’s blog here. Also please friend the Chamber on Facebook.
Listen to business issues and member businesses on Business Matters the Chamber’s radio show on Talk 1260 KTRC every Sunday morning at 10 am.
We have a few spaces still available for the April 23 – May 6, 2010 Chamber Trade Mission to Thailand. Contact Kathi Odell for information.
Confidential business assistance is available free to all Santa Fe businesses from Val Alonzo, the Chamber Business Development Director.
The Chamber is pleased to welcome air travelers to Santa Fe (SAF) on American Eagle Airlines from Dallas (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX). We are also advocating for direct daily air service to Denver (DIA).
The Class of 2010 of Leadership Santa Fe is already half way through the program and the participants are doing great work learning about personal skills, community issues and preparing to lead us into the future.
Remember to read the Chamber’s Business Advocate newsletter on the first Tuesday of each month in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Read an opinion piece from the Chamber about job creation HERE.
Keeping your purchases in Santa Fe helps to create jobs and taxes and prosperity for all Santa Feans. Santa Fe – Buy Into It!
The Chamber’s website has a complete list of local business resources.
To help the Chamber and local businesspeople mentor local students contact Lacie Mackey for more information.
Mark your calendars for Santa Fe Restaurant Week from February 28th to March 6th, 2010.
Partnering with the Chamber is the best way that you can invest in the local business community Please contact me at any time with questions, suggestions or observations.
Best wishes for a great 2010.
Simon Brackley
President and CEO
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
The New Mexican Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 – 11/17/09
I have recently had a number of conversations about positions taken by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. From these conversations it has become apparent to me that there are a number of misapprehensions about chambers.
The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce is an independent nonprofit organization with around 1,000 local member businesses and a board of 21 directors representing hospitality, arts, manufacturing, media, finance, real estate, restaurant, insurance and other industries.
The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce has no affiliation with the U.S. Chamber. Any position taken by the Santa Fe Chamber is approved by the board of directors. At no time does the Santa Fe Chamber take direction from the U.S. Chamber. In fact, the Santa Fe Chamber rarely, if ever, takes positions on national issues.
The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce is committed to creating local jobs and prosperity for all Santa Feans.
1. Stay in contact with customers on a regular basis.
2. Create a customer focus group. Invite some of your most loyal customers to meet regularly to give you ideas and input on how to improve your customer service.
3. Make it easy for your customers to navigate on your web site. Have a “FAQ” page on your web site to explain anything that might confuse your customers.
4. Resolve your customers complaints quickly and successfully. Answer all e-mail and phone calls within an hour.
5. Make it easy for your customers to contact you. Offer as many contact methods as possible.
6. Make sure employees know and use your customer service policy. Give your employees bonuses or incentives to practice excellent customer service.
7. Give your customers more than they expect. Send thank you gifts to lifetime customers. E-mail them online greeting cards on holidays or birthdays.
8. Always be polite to your customers. Use the words your welcome, please, and thank you. Be polite to your customers even if they are being irate with you. Always apologize to your customers should you make a mistake.
9. Build strong relationships with your customers. Invite them to company meetings, luncheons, workshops or seminars.
Seventy percent of small businesses anticipate moderate to significant growth in 2009, according to the Small Business Attitudes & Outlook Survey conducted by Constant Contact, a leading provider of email marketing and online surveys. Constant Contact conducted the survey of more than 3,000 respondents, in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), SCORE and the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), organizations dedicated to the success of small businesses. The survey was conducted from April 30, 2009 through June 12, 2009 and was focused on small business and their expectations for the future and the economy. Complete survey results are available online.
“The results of the survey reveal the optimism and perseverance that so often marks this spirited group of business owners, as well as their adaptability to meet current economic conditions,” said Gail Goodman, CEO and chairman, Constant Contact. “These companies show us all what it takes to succeed in any economic climate. We are grateful to our partners in the survey, which has given us an encouraging glimpse into the minds and attitudes of today’s small businesses.”
