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Headlines of June/July |
June/July 1999 |
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June 22nd June 29th July 10th July 16-25 August 9th October 23rd January 29th (2000) |
Chamber members excited about first ever networking scramble More than 75 companies and organizations signed up to participate in the McHenry Area Chamber's Marketing Connection Groups first-ever networking Scramble. The event took place on Friday, April 30th at the McHenry Country Club. Admission to the event was $15 for Chamber members and $18 for non-members. In all, 110 company owners and managers attended the networking event. Participants went to different tables for their three course lunch, where they had the opportunity to meet 30 new people along the way. To further the discussion at each table, table topics were introduced on various subjects. We encourage you to take a close look at the Top 10 responses for each of the discussion questions on page 8. Attendees also had the opportunity to register to win over 15 prizes that were donated by generous Chamber members. According to the results of a survey that was given to all attendees, the event was a real success (please note survey results on page 8 in this newsletter). The Chamber would like to thank all the companies and organizations that attended the event, as well as those who helped make it happen! Thank you especially to Merrill Millman, Elm St. deSIGN, Pat Hupke and Hi Point Promotions for their donations of signs and bags. Keep on the look out for information on future Networking Scrambles in upcoming issues of the Spectrum newsletter! |
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Chairman’s Column I hope you all survived tax season and are well on your way to a record year. We are living in a good financial environment right now and I hope you have found a way to maximize the opportunity growth. Maximizing your money is one thing, but maximizing time is another. We can all make more money but none of us can manufacture more time. We have as much as we will ever have. Over the last twelve months I have focused my attention on doing the things I am good at and delegating the rest. As a result I have realized that investing in good staff is the best investment I can make. For those of you who want to take your business to the next level, but hesitate because of the cost of hiring, I hope you have the courage to hire anyway. It will pay off. One benefit I have realized is time to interact more with other. In most businesses, meeting people is critical. For example, I was able to attend the chamber Scramble. When you can meet 24 to 30 new people in two hours and promote your business in a fun and exciting way, that’s leveraging your time. For those of you who attended, I hope you’ve had good results. For those of you who did not, I hope you can "find more time" and join us next time. With common goals in mind, Keith |
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President/CEO’s Report It’s hard to believe Fiesta Days is just around the corner. We have exciting new entertainment this year along with new events, including the Plywood Boat Challenge. Be sure to get involved in our Boat Challenge (an application form is enclosed), it will be lots of fun. The McHenry Area Chamber has been spearheading our McHenry County Tourism Committee and has it been exciting! We have met and put together a strategic plan consisting of our Mission Statement, Our Purpose and have analyzed all our resources to market in McHenry County. We are working hand in hand with the Northern Illinois Bureau of Tourism and will begin to formalize the organization by creating a structure and establishing a liaison with all communities. We plan to work with our McHenry County Board, our County MCEDC, area EDC’s, Townships, City Councils and Partnering organizations. We hope to also establish an events calendar for the entire County. We will be developing a promotions strategy to create a countywide marketing plan and work to create funding mechanisms to help support our organization. Obviously, it’s an exciting time for McHenry County and hopefully with the addition of a Tourism organization we can move forward to really market all our wonderful resources that we have to offer within this great County. We will keep you posted on our progress. Enjoy your summer and I hope to see you all at Fiesta Days. Debbie Harr |
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Guest Editorial Tips For A Positive Networking Experience Building a Solid Foundation 1. Understand How It Works. The concept of networking is simple: It’s planning and making contacts and sharing information for professional and personal gain. The key words in this definition are planning and personal. Networking has to be planned – it doesn’t just happen, and quality networking happens only when supportive or friendly relationships, as well as business contacts, are built. Networking is a 24-hour process that’s about giving as well as getting. You can’t expect to attend one network meeting every six months and get results. You must always be on the lookout for people you can include in your network, and whose networks you can join. Understand that you may not benefit immediately, but somewhere down the pike. It may take years to see results. Or it may bring a phone call overnight. It’s best to constantly work at building your network, so you’ll have it in place when you suddenly lose your job or have to take a transfer to a new town. You won’t have to scramble for a support system; it will be there for you. 2. Set Your Goals. Decide whom you want in your network and how you will contact them. Some people prefer making telephone calls to writing letters; others feel just the opposite way. Try doing what you’re most uncomfortable with. After all, networking is about pushing yourself forward and learning new skills. How will your "networking rendezvous" take place? Over coffee, at lunch, at someone’s place of business, or over the telephone? Maybe you’ll concentrate on joining organizations and attending meetings. 3. Plan Your Strategy. Make lists of names. Go through your Rolodex and list the people with whom you haven’t talked in six months. Perhaps you want to reconnect with people from more than a year ago; list them. And don’t forget to make cold calls. Maybe you’ve read articles about "stars" in your profession or friends have told you about wonderful speakers or authors that they’ve heard. Many of these people (sometimes well known) could be included in you network. List them, too. 4. Take Action. Set a timetable to achieve your goals; perhaps you can aim for one cold call, one lunch and two reconnecting calls a week. Create a file or notebook to record who you’ve called and what the outcome or response was. Stick to your schedule and, to stay on the track, read over your responses from time to time. You’ll be surprised and encouraged by how many contacts you are making. It helps to set aside a special networking time, such as 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays, if your work schedule allows. Quiet Sunday evenings at home can be good times for telephone networking, often the only way to make long-distance contacts. If you put yourself on a mental schedule, you’re more likely to really make those contacts. When attending meetings, set goals to meet a certain number of people or leave with a certain number of business cards. Then, do it! First of a Three Part Series. |
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Most automobiles driven by people today will be equipped with automatic transmissions and you will discover that for all their complexity they respond well to basic service and maintenance procedures. This doesn’t mean that they should be tampered with too often. To make sure you don’t run into problems that you can prevent - you should perform routine maintenance such as checking and changing the fluid and filter, along with learning how to road test your vehicle to detect troubles that require attention. (If you happen to be all thumbs type person with no mechanical know-how - it would be wise to take your vehicle to a transmission specialist and have them road test it occasionally - just to make sure that it is operating properly.) Advice on what improper care and driving habits can do to a perfectly good transmission. Heat developed primarily in the torque converter assembly for instance, is the biggest enemy of any automatic transmission. Normally, this heat is dissipated by the circulation of the transmission fluid through a tube in the radiator. But when a car is caught in hot weather traffic, or stuck and spinning the wheels in winter snow end ice or mud, overheating fluid could damage the transmission. Motorists should know that to minimize heat buildup. They could shift to neutral when the car is not moving and can increase idling speed slightly. They should also know that when a car is stuck, they shouldn’t spin the wheels excessively, but shift back and forth from reverse to low at a low engine speed, and fast idle in neutral every half minute or so. Also, for those of us who like to beat the traffic, going from idle to stomping on the gas and quick starts and stops, can also have the potential for damaging a transmission. If it has been awhile since you checked your transmission, think about seeing your transmission specialist BEFORE serious repairs are required. |
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Bimbo’s Italian American Cuisine recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony inaugurating its new Mediterranean Room. The new room features a beautiful view of the Fox River with an elegant, expanded dining area. As always regular and new customers alike enjoy the Italian pasta dishes, barbecue ribs and butt steak sandwiches created by renown chef Paula Archos. |
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News from the State Capital Small and medium-sized businesses drive much of the local economy in McHenry County. As a partner in a small business and a practicing attorney in the county, I am acutely aware of how the prosperity of all the businesses in the county are interrelated. An important part of my job as the state representative for the 63rd district is to help foster the most productive climate possible for businesses in McHenry County and the rest of the state. And that begins with keeping taxes in check. In my short time in Springfield, I have seen how easily legislators attempt to solve and fund new programs by expanding taxes and creating new taxes. These legislators forget that behind every tax on small business are individuals and entrepreneurs who must pay these new taxes in addition to the ever-rising costs of keeping their small business afloat. Beyond that are the consumers who must spend more for the same services because legislators continue to tax. That’s why I am opposed to the creation or expansion of taxes in Illinois. In order for our businesses to thrive, we must do more than just fight taxes. Our proximity to the Wisconsin border puts us in a unique situation, as the rules for businesses in our county are much different than the rules in Wisconsin. Throughout Illinois, communities that border other states face the same problem we do. How do we compete when other states offer lower taxes and a better climate for the creation of small business? Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson has become a master at enticing business across the border, stealing our jobs and tax revenues. He understands the importance of job creation to a thriving local economy. I understand that too. We need to create new jobs and retain the existing jobs in order to maintain a stable tax base. This must be a priority for McHenry County. As our population increases, we must continue to create jobs if we are to maintain the quality of life we have come to expect in McHenry County. When I was elected last year, I began looking at programs from around the country that are working to create good paying jobs without costing the state too much on the front end. The "Wage Rebate Program," developed in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana is a good model for Illinois. The program requires companies which create 25 jobs to pay at least 160% of minimum wage. When the new companies create these jobs, a percentage of the wages are rebated back to the company in the form of tax credits. The beauty of the program is that the tax credits come from revenues that would not exist if these jobs were never created. The creation of the jobs pays for the rebate. The government’s role is simply to help the market. The Wage Rebate Program is credited with creating thousand of jobs in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Why shouldn’t we enjoy this benefit in Illinois? Our workers are just as skilled. But we must create the right climate for business here so that jobs don’t go across the border. I introduced legislation to implement the Wage Rebate Program in March. The legislation received a hearing in the House Revenue Committee. Though the reaction to the bill was positive, it was held in committee without a vote. I would like to hold local hearings in McHenry County to discuss this issue further. Wage rebate is a good starting point in my fight to create and retain good paying jobs in McHenry County. But I need your input. Please give me a call at 334-0063 and let me know what you think about the idea. I look forward to hearing from you. |
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Member Profile Owner: Paul Myer Type of Business: Fantastic Charters, Inc. We are a interstate carrier, licensed and insured to travel throughout the United States. Our staff can assist you in planning a trip for your group or organization or supply just a coach for your outing. We do corporate, church, sporting and senior outings. We can also provide airport transfers for groups. What we are most proud of is the fact that 80% of our charters is repeat business. Most Memorable Trips: One of our most exciting trips was taking Mr. Jack Franks and his family to Springfield to celebrate his inauguration ceremony to be sworn in as State Representative for the 63rd District. One of the others was when we provided transportation for McHenry High School’s football team to the championship play-off game in 1997. BUS EQUIPMENT: Fantastic Charters owns four coaches and works with many other charter companies in order to provide additional equipment if the need arises. Coaches all have washrooms, VCR’s, Monitors, P.A. systems, and can seat 47-55 passengers Chamber Involvement: The Chamber has enjoyed having Fantastic Charters, Inc. as a member for over three years, as well as seeing the organization’s incredible growth. The company has experienced over 300% growth from its initial start back in 1995! Personal: The Myer family are long-time McHenry area residents with a strong commitment to the community. The family has been involved in local school cheerleading programs, football teams, as well as various associations including the United Motel Assoc. and Joliet Heritage Corridor. |
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City of McHenry Banner Contest
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Sylvan This Summer . . .Better Grades Next Fall Sylvan Learning Center is Looking for Corporate Sponsors At Sylvan, we can help any child do better in reading and math. We recognize our social responsibility to the community and we are interested in establishing a scholarship program with the sponsorship of the McHenry business community, to help students who can benefit from the Sylvan experience but would otherwise be unable to afford the program. Phil Palumbo, the owner of the McHenry Sylvan, envisions a three-way, equal sponsor/parent/Sylvan funding mechanism. Four scholarship award winners would be selected by an independent committee, providing six months of study with Sylvan. You can be a part of making a pivotal difference in a deserving child’s educational success! Call Phil Palumbo if you are interested in participating in a pilot. |
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Chamber Members, with PBX and Centrex Telephone Systems take Note!!! Organizations now have another 12 months before they are forced to comply with E-911. June 30, 2000 is now the date that Illinois legislation goes into effect that requires companies with PBX and Centrex telephone systems to upgrade to an emergency status. This legislation will identify by office and phone location where an emergency situation exists. Legislation introduced by Frank Watson (SB 149) is asking to decrease the complexity and costly effect that E-911 will have on organizations of all sizes but especially those with less than 40,000 square feet. SB 149 was just recently passed, awaiting Governor’s signature. Under this new legislation, SP 149 organizations less than 40,000 sq. feet will be exempt from this legislation and buildings of more than 40,000 sq. feet will only have to identify large blocks of space or wings. If you are concerned about the cost involved in upgrading you office to this emergency status, please contact you local State Senator and urge him to support SP 149. For more information, call Todd Maisch, Vice President, Government Affairs at the Illinois Chamber at 217-522-5512 ext. 233. |
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Scramble QUESTION #1 1. Advertising QUESTION #2 1. Customer service QUESTION #3 1. Word of mouth & referrals
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Scramble Survey Results Did you enjoy the Scramble Networking luncheon? Did you meet potential business clients? Was the setting appropriate? Would you attend another Scramble? How often should they be held? |
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Congratulations to the following members on their significant achievements! Chris Cardamone (McHenry’s Favorite Sport Center) for being elected to the School Board for District 15. Pam Althoff (City of McHenry- City Clerk) on her election to the Board of Trustees for the Fox River Water Way Agency. Don Doherty for receiving the honor of being selected a "Distinguished Graduate of McHenry High School." |
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