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www.chillicotheypn.com
Visitors Bureau
www.visitchillicotheohio.com
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Copyright 2008
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722
Friends, connections and fans:
The lingo of social media
By Marvin Jones
President and CEO
How many “friends” do you have? How about “connections?” Does your business have “fans?” Do you even know what I am writing about?
As of this writing, I have only 80 friends on Facebook and only 58 connections on LinkedIn. The chamber’s page on Facebook is showing only 47 fans. We’ll be posting a group on LinkedIn shortly and we’ll be looking at Twitter to see if that’s another form of social media in which we’d like to become involved.
Communications with and between members is an integral part of what this chamber is all about and that’s why we’re trying to stay abreast of the latest trends and vehicles that are emerging in today’s cyber world. We’re trying to learn more about all of them and how we might be able to use them to stay in touch with members and to allow members to network more often.
Facebook is becoming more and more the means for people of all ages to stay in touch with family and close friends and renew friendships with high school classmates, former co-workers and colleagues who are now miles physically away, but only a couple keystrokes close by. It can become addictive and, if you aren’t paying attention to your settings, it can be revealing of details in your life you’d just as soon keep secret. Be careful. Facebook is growing by 5 million new users each week.
With Facebook, you can let the world know what you are feeling or experiencing every minute, every hour, every day, or, in my case, maybe every two weeks. You can upload photos and “tag” the people in them so that if they are on Facebook, they’ll know you added their photo. You can list your favorite music, movies, books and animals, your education, your relationship status. Heck, you can post just about anything (legal) you want.
But how does this fit with our chamber’s mission of “providing services and addressing issues important to business?” By making it easier to network which can mean more business for you which can mean more success. Or so we hope. It means using one more tool to communicate with members. Maybe three hours before a Business After Business, we can “tweet” a reminder to members on Twitter.
In the coming months, we’re going to explore what’s out there and try some things we think our members might like to see. Better yet, write on my Wall on Facebook with your suggestions so all my friends can see and respond.
And while you’re there, make sure to become a fan of the chamber. Who knows, you might want to become friends with other fans.
If you want to “connect” with me, visit my LinkedIn profile: Marvin Jones.
Or, you could do it the old fashioned way and pick up the phone and dial 702-2722.
Owners starting to stimulate the downtown
Using money from the $400,000 grant from the state, the owners of more than 40 properties in the downtown district are beginning to make improvements that will make the First Capital District even more inviting for visitors and potential new investors alike. For smaller projects, the owners are getting a match from the grant for the private money they invest.
The first five projects using grant money were approved at last week’s Design Review Board meeting. In addition to some work at the Majestic Theatre on Second Street, probably the most visible project approved was for 30 E. Main St. Horizon Telcom plans to remove the aluminum faux façade (shown here) to reveal the original brick finish on the building that now houses the Academy for Kids and several other businesses.
With spring rapidly approaching, the hanging flowers baskets approved by City Council last year should soon start sprouting. The brackets, like the one shown here in front of Carl’s Townhouse on West Second Street, are in and waiting to be installed along Paint and Main streets.
Coffee’s aroma pleases the judges
Tom Johnson of Two Roasting Joes Coffee, a relatively new chamber member, moves on to the finals in the Pitch Your Plan competition after winning the local contest held Thursday at the Ross County Service Center. The contest for entrepreneurs coordinated by the OSU South Centers in Piketon was broken down by counties. Johnson and the winners in the other regions compete April 22 in Piketon for the top prize of $5,000. The judges will choose the winner after inspecting their business plans and interviewing the finalists. Check out Johnson’s new company at www.tworoastingjoes.com and order one of his specialties.
Card check introduction expected shortly
There is no room for a compromise on the Employee Free Choice Act, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, so it is vital that businesses of all sizes get in touch with their members of Congress. The card check initiative, as it’s better known, is expected to be introduced in Congress very shortly. Unless derailed, the bill could become law faster than it took for the economic stimulus bill to be approved. Remember, the measure effectively would do away with the secret ballot election provision for unions to organize your business. If formed, the union could force an arbiter to decide the terms of the first contract that would be binding for two years. Check here for information on getting in touch with our legislators: Card check
All-Terrain set to host the next BAB
ATVs and other off-road vehicles will be on display for those planning to come to the next Business After Business. All-Terrain Sports on North Bridge Street across from the new Menards is hosting its first BAB and will have the usual appetizers and beverages available for folks. It’s not too early to register to attend: BAB registration. Photos (like the one here) from the last BAB at the Elks and co-sponsored by several members are now available online: BAB photos
Members signing on to become Ambassadors
More than 10 members took us up on our invitation this week to join the new Ambassadors contingent of the chamber. This group will assume some of the old duties of the Membership and Events Committee, such as helping plan the Annual Dinner and Expo, but will also become more involved in welcoming new members, assisting at ribbon cuttings and visiting other members. It’s a great way to expand your network and the more Ambassadors the better. To check it out, give us a call at 702-2722 or email rdaughters@chillicotheohio.com.
YPN gets financial advice
Rathkamp Financial’s Bruce Rathkamp talked to the chamber’s Young Professionals Network this week about the recent stock market gyrations and answering their questions about 401ks, investing and other monetary issues. The session was held at the Dock at Water. www.chillicotheypn.com
News from and about chamber members:
- Good customer service, animal care and presentation bridge cultural divides and are some of the reasons Petland expanded by two stores in Shanghai recently. President Frank DiFatta said the company is quickly becoming the market leader there.
- USEC expects a 40 percent increase in sales of enriched uranium next year, based on the refueling cycles of nuclear power plants. The prediction comes on the announcement the company’s net income for the year was $48.7 million, down from $96.6 million the year before, due in large part because of the cycle. “We had a solid fourth quarter and the full-year results came in better than expected,” said USEC President and CEO John Welch.
- Nancy Russell has been promoted to vice president of National City Bank, now a part of PNC. She is handling business and personal accounts from the office at 800 Western Ave.
- TPMC President Buck Sheward recently received his project management professional certification through the Project Management Institute. He has more than 30 years of senior management experience at the uranium enrichment facility in Piketon.
- Chamber members Max & Erma’s and the Chillicothe Jaycees are teaming to provide funds for the Secret Santa program. The restaurant is donating 15 percent of its sales to the program for those using a special coupon on Thursday, March 5 and available by emailing Angie Lochbaum at angie.l@chfands.com.
- Bishop Flaget’s Lenten Fish Fry to benefit the junior high class trip is being held each Friday through April 3 from 4-7 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Family Life Center at 40 E. Fourth St.
- The Ross County Farm Bureau’s annual “Share the Bounty of Ohio Agriculture” breakfast is 7-10 a.m. Monday, March 16 at the Ross County Service Center on Western Avenue. The breakfast only costs $1 and an additional donation of $1 will go to the Farmers Feed Our Needs program with proceeds going to Ross County charities.
- The economy has claimed another local victim: Hoverally 2009 along and on the Scioto River has been canceled for this summer. Sponsors who are trimming expenses and participants who depend on the sponsors are hoping an economic upturn will mean a return of the event in coming years.
Little Caesars took advantage of its benefit of being a new chamber member by celebrating the opening of its new store at 787 N. Bridge St. (former JR Valentines) on Feb. 17. Owner Taze Thomas invites members out to enjoy not only the pizza, but also wings, ribs and other fare in its pick-up/drive-through only location. Call and order ahead: 772-6222.
Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:
- Angela Terry, 76 Meadowlark Drive
- Jam Automotive, 982 N. Bridge St., by Michael Warden
- Ozzy’s Hideout, 2052 Wilson Run Road, by Michael Osburn
- Conley’s Farmhouse Primitives, 11138 Ohio 28, by Freeman Conley
- G&J Asphalt and Material, 379 Seney Road
- Little Caesers, 878 N. Bridge St., by Goodwin Family Foods
A personal note to chamber members
To be recognized last week as the Professional of the Year by my peers in Ohio after only six and a half years was a very humbling experience. The announcement at the conference of the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio came as a total surprise to me, even though apparently half the town knew ahead of time.
Even more humbling was to turn around on the stage and see so many members of my family, staff, board (present and past) and friends who made the trek to Columbus on a cold, winter night to share in my celebration. That was very special.
The award was more a recognition of what this chamber and its members collectively have been able to accomplish and what it stands for in this community than it was about singling out an individual. I have been blessed with having the support and guidance of so many people over these past six-plus years.
To all of you who had a hand in this award -- and there are so many -- I wish there were more expressive words to convey than “Thank You!” I can’t say them enough.--Marvin
Click here for photos from the event
Weekly Update is taking a small break.
The next edition will be March 12.