Attitude is important

There is no doubt that we find ourselves in times that are more economically challenging than any in the past 30 or even 80 years. Businesses of all sizes and types, manufacturers, service industries and non-profit organizations like local Chambers of Commerce are facing similar challenges as we all look for the least painful and often most creative ways to keep expenses at a minimum while maximizing available revenue streams. Some things are within our power to affect while others must simply be dealt with as best we can.

However, there are a couple of things we can all do during this time (and beyond) that are simply good business. As we have listened to local business owners and managers, we've learned that they are not standing still or just waiting for the other show to fall.

They are seeking out new markets for their products and services. They're looking a new ways to do things, new uses for their equipment and goods. They're researching what others in their industries are doing - it's not always necessary to re-invent the wheel. Find a good idea that has worked somewhere else, tweak it to fit your needs and situation and give it a try.

The other thing that I have noticed are the people who, despite the economy and all the challenges it has put in our lives, maintain a positive attitude and outlook. These are the individuals who will tell you that we have to be positive and keep doing what it take to move forward. We have to expect things to get better and work to make it happen.

These people are not looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. They know things are not good. But they are refusing to give up the ship. A Chamber in Pennsylvania has billboards throughout their community that read "REFUSE TO JOIN THE RECESSION"! In other words, keep working and anticipating success despite the current economic conditions. We need to move forward whenever possible in order to survive this.

Positive attitudes, positive conversations and a positive outlook will cultivate the same in those individuals with whom we work and converse. We're literally in this together and together we will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Have good news? Share it on the Chamber Blog. We have heard from a number of businesses who are doing well. Sharing good news business stories serves as positive reinforcement for all of us and gives other ideas as well.

Tech Talk

Technology continues to be a priority here at the Adrian Area Chamber and we are proving that you can teach old dogs new tricks!

Today's Tech Talk focused on Google Apps and the session was attended by Will, Carole and Kathy from our staff. Based on what they learned and our own ingenuity, we have begun utilizing the calendar function on Google and accomplished a great deal today.

Using the Google calendar enables our entire staff to have access to all calendars at-a-glance and facilitates planning and setting appointments. It also focuses more pairs of eyes on the schedule and makes spotting errors in dates, etc. easier. While we stil have some learning to do as far as setting appointments and sending notices and confirmations, we made a lot of progress in a short time! Thanks to Paul Slusser for his Tech Talk presentation and Will Willnow, our webmaster for his sense of humor and patience!

As the work day was drawing to a close, we tackled Google Chat, set up our accounts, invited co-workers to be on our guest list and practiced sending and replying to each other's messages. Utilizing Google's chat feature allows us to "talk" to each other from wherever we are in the building or while traveling. It will make it easy to stay in touch on projects while out of the office.

Google Maps was another topic addressed at Tech Talk and if you haven't tried it yet, check it out. I hadn't realized that Google had come to Adrian and photographed our streets. So, you not only get a great map, but can request a Street View and see the home or business which you are seeking. The Street View screen can be turned etc. and is pretty amazing! I We pulled up the Chamber office, City Hall and a number of local businesses.

I know many of you are way ahead of us at the Chamber in understanding and using the tools offered by technology, but for those of you who are in the learning curve or are hesitant about trying some of what is out there, I encourage you to find a friend or co-worker or a kid and have them get you started. You can take classes and most software has a HELP button as well.

Learning more about how to utilize the tools on your computer is a means of becoming more effecient and effective whatever your occupation. And learning those new things, makes you feel pretty good about yourself too! Here at the Chamber, we are striving to model the learning and use of technology that we are recommending to our member businesses and organizations, encouraging them to become increasingly competent in their use of available tech tools.

Welcome to the first "Chamber Conversations" Post

I am learning much more about the opportunities that are made available via technology than I ever dreamt I would and not to take advantage of them for the benefit of the Chamber and our members wouldn't be wise, so here goes! "Chamber Conversations" will be used to share news, tips, create awareness of business and community issues and topics and give members a channel for their thoughts, opinions and observations. We encourage you to post frequently and be a part of making the "Chamber Conversations" Blog an effective communications tool.

Technology is the focus of many Chamber programs this year as we develop initiatives that serve as learning opportunities for our members. Examples of this include the newly re-formatted "Tech Talk", an interactive lunch-time conversation held on the 2nd Thursday of each month and focusing on a single topic. This Thursday's "Tech Talk" will look at Google Apps.

Mark Murray, Image Center, JCC@LISDTECH, and the Chamber successfully offered a no-cost technology program to the general public last fall. It was a quick bird's eye view of a number of tech topics. Plans call for two similar events to be held again at JCC on North Adrian Highway again this year, so watch for details.

Another new program in 2009 is the "First Friday Forum". Website effectiveness was the topic of last week's first event and those who attended picked up great ideas that can be easily implemented. Here are a few:

• Use your domain name as part of your e-mail address. Make it easily visible on business cards, media placements, billboards and signs to drive people to your website.
• Add a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) to your website.
• Create a simple Response Form to elicit contact with site users.
• Collect all the users data each month, compiling it to use as a selling tool with potential advertisers.
• Add a blog site - an effective way to encourage conversation among your site users, solicit opinions and share observations and expertise. Check out blogspot.com.

The Chamber must model the tech tools we encourage our members to utilize, so expect to see us adding new features through out the year including Member Forums and webinars as well as video. We look forward to reading your postings as we learn from each other.