Columbus ranks in top 100 Best places to live and launch a business by Fortune Small Business Magazine

Columbus, Ind., lies within a 75-minute drive of Indianapolis and Louisville. The city houses the headquarters of Cummins, a Fortune 500 engine manufacturer and distributor, as well as the 48,000-square-foot IT center for auto supplier ArvinMeritor. Manufacturing is the town's primary industry, thanks largely to Cummins: The industry employs more than 15,000 workers and pays $1.1 billion in annual wages.

When it comes to business, you have a choice on who you do business with.   Do you utilize businesses that give back to the community? Chamber Members distinguish themselves from others by making a commitment to Columbus. 

To take advantage of discounts available only to members click the link below and start browsing or create your own online offer to the membership expanding your marketing reach to over 700 businesses. It's quick and easy.  

Sarah Storm, Sr. Account Executive for Spotlight Indianapolis (Local Cable Advertising) Sarah helps local businesses by increasing their exposure through advertising on our demographically and geographically targeted cable television networks, on Video on Demand, Vehix.com and Comcast.net

No matter what your skill level – from hacker to pro - there are plenty of ways to get involved in the Chamber’s Annual Golf Outing! Playing in Hackers’ Holiday will give you the chance to network with peers and potential clients. With a minimal investment sponsor a Tee Sign to provide marketing for your business. For just a little bit more sponsor a Hole where you can personally marketing your services to every golfer!

Sales Leads divided by a gallon of gas, Tim Cooney, Advantage One Color Lab

The other day I was watching the six o’clock financial news and the graphic flashed up on the screen declaring that a barrel of oil had just reached an all time high. Being the Sales Manager for my company, this economic news could have been devastating from a cost standpoint. However, since products and services that I sell are Tradeshow related, this just re-emphasized a point that I often tell my customers. Tradeshow marketing is one of the most cost effective ways to get in front of your market that there is.

If you’re interested in unlocking your entrepreneurial potential, you’re in good company.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, self-employment is predicted to grow to 12.3 million by 20141. For many reasons, America offers very fertile ground for starting your own business.

Is your company ready to lose its baby-boomers? In the coming years there will be 10 million more jobs than people to fill them. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that over the next three decades our country will face a serious worker and skills shortage due to the retirement of more than 61 million workers. The workforce may potentially be short 5 million workers by 2011 and 36 million workers by 2031. Learn how to cultivate, develop and retain the knowledge at your company an how to protect and leverage it. 

By all reasonable accounts, the move from traditional phone lines to VOIP (Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol) voice communication has thus far been driven by cost reductions or feature flexibility.  

The Dangers of Email, Dana Bristol-Smith

Just because email is easy and fast DOES NOT mean that it is the most effective communication medium. Here are some of the dangers of using email for all of your business communications:

Chamber Members Invited to Rainmakers Columbus Launch

Rainmakers Marketing Group is pleased to announce the launch of Rainmakers Columbus. You have been selected by the Advisory Board as a VIP guest for the launch of our newest event. We would be honored to have you attend on April 18th at Indiana Business College (located at 2222 Poshard Drive Columbus, IN 47203). The event will be held from 7:30am to 9:00am and hosted by Chairperson, Mark McNulty.

2008 Purdue Advancing Manufacturing Summit

Today, manufacturers of all sizes and sectors are confronting an increasingly complex global manufacturing environment. For individual businesses and the U.S. economy to prosper, innovation is key. Join us at the seventh annual Advancing Manufacturing Summit to discover:

Lean and Six Sigma training available through Purdue University Technical Assistance Program in May

Career Advancement Account (CAA) training is being provided by Tomorrow’s Manufacturing Workforce grant through the Region 9 Workforce Board. Career Advancement Accounts (CAA) shall be used to provide tuition, books and fees associated with Occupational Skills Training and Skills Up-grading and Retraining.  Click below to learn more.

Sam's Club Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Sam’s Club will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with a nationwide Weekend-Long Open House to appreciate existing members and associates. Sam’s Club plans generous food and dessert samplings known as “demos” throughout the weekend. In honor of the Silver Anniversary, Sam’s Club has stocked up on special products at exceptional values from digital cameras to high definition TV’s, to lawn mowers and luxe pillows.