January 2007 Edition

Chamber Launches eNewsletter
The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce launches a new eNewsletter as its primary means of communication with our members. The eNewsletter will feature business related articles, Chamber news and events.   The objectives of the eNewsletter include:
Dr. Richard Florida to Speak at Chamber of Commerce  Annual Meeting
The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus Young Professionals present: Dr. Richard Florida at the 98th Annual Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 18th at the Holiday Inn Conference Center beginning at 11:30am.

Dr. Richard Florida is the Hirst Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University, a senior scientist with the Gallup organization, and a Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution.
Creating Value in Your Chamber Membership
Chamber Membership is similar to a gym membership; your results are directly proportionate to what you put in.  There are several ways in which you can help the Chamber and your business simultaneously.   Consider doing one of the following:
The Small Business Committee Launches 2007 Events Schedule
The Small Business Committee was designed to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to build relationships, learn with peer leaders, become thought leaders, and connect with the community.  This year’s schedule of events includes four modules that will be rotate three times throughout the year.   The modules include
Member-to-Member Discount Program
In effort to create opportunities for our members to increase value in their membership, the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce is launching a new member-to-member discount program.   We hope that designing a forum for all members to offer discounts to one another will increase the number of members meeting, interacting, and doing business with each other.  
Real Estate Value Trends and Factors Influencing Those Trends Tim Scheidt, SRA, Manager Columbus Office
How has the Columbus/Bartholomew County Residential Real Estate Market measured up in returns on your largest personal family investment?  

A review was performed on the single-family residential sales volume and marketing time statistics.  Two time frames were reviewed (November 1, 2004 through November 1, 2005 and November 1, 2005 through November 1, 2006) and a percentage of comparison in change was calculated. The three categories of statistics reviewed included: Location, Sales Price Change (from one time frame to the next), Percentage of Change/DOM or Days on Market, and a cumulative Percentage of Change for the ending 12 month period.

Columbus Young Professionals Movement Maintains Momentum
Cities have always struggled to attract college educated talent.   Recent population trends have moved this struggle to the forefront.   By 2012, the work force will be losing more than two workers for every one it gains.  Young Professionals between 21 and 39 are more likely to choose their community first and then look for employment.   

 In an effort to help Columbus gain a competitive advantage against the brain drain, the Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) launched on December 1, 2005 since launching CYP last year, CYP has celebrated many successes in the battle to ensure that Columbus is a cool community.  

Columbus featured on Gerry Dick's (i) on South Central Indiana
Inside INdiana Business spotlights Columbus during an in-depth look at the South Central Indiana region. Gerry Dick reports from The Republic in downtown Columbus on the top businesses and business leaders from Bartholomew, Brown and Jackson Counties. 

Protect Your Data; It's What Makes or Breaks Your Business Mark Sperka, CFO TLS.NET, Inc.

If “Knowledge is Power” as Sir Francis Bacon said, then certainly the 21st century rendition of his statement would say “Information is Money”.  Nothing will interrupt the cash flow of any business faster than the loss or inaccessibility of data.  

Healthy Employees= Increased Productivity
Want healthy employees in your work place?  Of course you do.  Studies have shown that healthy employees are more productive than those with frequent health issues and related absenteeism.  And promoting health in the workplace is the right thing to do.  A workplace with healthy, less stressed employees can work to everyone’s advantage.  
January12th                Small Business Committee/ The Entrepreneurial Network (TEN): Community Roundtable                      8:00am Visitors Center
January 16th Meet Me @ 5
5-7pm at Aqua Systems            
January 18th Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
11:30am Holiday Inn
January  22nd-   April 16th            3rd House Session- Every Monday while in session
7:30am, Commons Mezzanine
January 18th              SIHRA AM Series- Integrated Wellness models and programs to positively influence employee health and wellness.   8:00a.m. City Hall
January 18th              CYP- 3rd Thursday Social                                5:30pm at Columbus Bar

   

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© Copyright 2006 Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
A Monthly Publication of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce