You don't have to lift a finger

Chamber members benefit from their membership even if they never attend a meeting or event, or somehow initiate use of chamber services? How? We offer many benefits that provide you with real value without requiring you to lift a finger. These services benefit your company all day, every day. Here's what we mean:

1. The Chamber's web based Buyer's Guide has been searched over 3,000 times since January 1 of this year by people looking for services and products. If you are listed there - and all members are - you automatically receive benefit from your membership. Its like a an electronic referral service, or a salesman, working for you non-stop. If you are not there, you are flat out missed by those potential customers. This is just one leading example of our web-based services - here's the complete list: http://www.zmchamber.com/Membership/Web%20Based%20Services.htm

2. Chamber membership is considered a sign of business credibility, according to a national survey. Seventy percent (70%) of those surveyed believed that being a chamber member enhances a business’ reputation and demonstrates that it uses good business practices. Display your membership certificate, your 2012 member logo, and your member door decal and receive the direct benefit of enhanced credibility in the eyes of your customers.

3. If you are in business in Muskingum County – no matter what kind of business you are in – the Chamber’s economic and community development activities benefit you. The Chamber plays an active role in economic development including new business attraction, business retention, and small business development. And if you do business locally, economic development generates sales for you. When local people have jobs, they can afford to spend money with your business. So, your sales grow when the community thrives.

We provide business services, not membership for its own sake. So, there is real value in being part of the Chamber, even if you never attend an event or participate in a chamber program.

ACES awards from 2012

Here's the list of area companies that were recently awarded ACES Awards at the Chamber's annual meeting "Spring Break" event.

LINK: http://www.zmchamber.com/Economic_Development/ACES%202011.htm

ACES stands for “Awards for Community and Economic Success”. The ACES program, which is sponsored by the Chamber’s Muskingum Growth Partnership, is designed to recognize businesses and organizations that have invested in new facilities or equipment, have increased employment, or have achieved some other noteworthy business accomplishment during the previous calendar year.

The program was created so that our community could celebrate the achievements of local businesses and their positive economic impact on the area. In short, it’s the community’s way of publicly thanking businesses and organizations for investing and growing in Muskingum County.

Local entrepreneur presents workshop at OU Zanesville

Ohio University Zanesville is offering a business course entitled “Entrepreneurship-Starting and Growing a Business” to help local residents realize their dream of owning their own business.

Larry Triplett of Cerner Corporation, formerly Resource Systems in New Concord, will present a two-day, hands on workshop for those interested in starting a business. Through this two-day course, students will learn what it takes to launch and grow a business. Participants will gain insight regarding the importance of strategic planning, working with limited resources, creativity, concentrating on efficiency, and the value of a continual education.

Throughout the course students will develop the framework for a business plan, either for a real business opportunity they may be considering, or a fictitious business idea. Actual research and development of that plan will take place during the second day of the course.

Resource Systems has been helping care for people with innovative software solutions for 30 years. The company employs more than 80 people and provides services for more than 3,500 facilities and providers nationwide.

To begin to realize your dream of owning a business contact Cindy Oliver at 740-588-1400 or oliverc@ohio.edu to register for the two-credit hour course, which will be held from 8am to 5:30pm on Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31, at Ohio University Zanesville.

Dealing with Facebook changes

Disrupt Media Group created a PDF titled "Timeline for Brand Pages - What You Need to Know Now". This PDF highlights the new changes Facebook is making. This report is a great resource for Chamber members (it is free). These Facebook changes are major and will effect everyone. Here is the link to their site where you can sign up and get the report: http://www.disruptmg.com/2012/03/facebook-timeline-brand-pages/