It's time for the final coffee club of 2016 as we will gather at the Clayton Center for the Arts on the Maryville College campus on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7:45 a.m. Coffees are designed to offer our members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization in an "open house" setting. Coffees are open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business.

 

Also join us Thursday, Nov. 17 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) to learn more about the Chamber and the many opportunities that go along with being a member by attending. You'll also learn how to make the most of the benefits afforded to you. RSVP to alawson@blountpartnership.com

 

Read our 61st and 62nd installments of The Dialogue at the bottom of this email where we visit Wesley Bloeme, owner of College Student Pressure Washing, LLC and Abhijit Verekar, a principal with Mindboard.

 

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Make plans to attend our next Women in Business Meeting on Monday, November 21 at noon at Airport Hilton. The topic will be "8 Tips for Leading Those Who Don't Want to Follow," by Sharon Hannum. Please RSVP to Amy Lawson @alawson@blountpartnership.com by Friday, November 18 if you plan to attend.

 

This will be a Dutch Treat Lunch from Cooper's Restaurant. You can either do soup or salad bar for $8.95 + tax, this includes drink, and dessert or the whole buffet for $12 (Including tax) and includes drink, buffet and dessert.

 

BLOUNT CHAMBER MEMBERS INVITED TO FANTASY OF TREES

RSVP to Becky Miller by Nov. 18 with your name, business name and chamber if you wish to attend.
 

 

REGISTER FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION UPDATE

Jeff Francis, Assistant Administrator Workers' Compensation Division from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, will be at the Blount Chamber on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 3-4 p.m.

He will discuss the latest updates to the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Act as well as Bureau Rules or Policies and effective dates of those updates and more.

RSVP to Amy to register.

 

PLACE YOUR AD IN THE 2017 BASICALLY BLOUNT

Basically Blount 2017 lifestyle magazine and membership directory is entering production once again. This annual, full-color lifestyle magazine and chamber membership directory is initially distributed to all Chamber members starting Feb. 2017, along with distribution four times throughout the year via area professional offices, newcomers, visitors, and new businesses all looking to relocate to Blount County.

 

In addition to intriguing stories and area photography that highlight the best of Blount County, Basically Blount also includes a finger-indexed, color-coded directory and buyer's guide of all Chamber members. Chamber members consistently tell us that they keep Basically Blount on hand throughout the year in order to find business products and services when they need them. In addition to 5,000 lifestyle magazines, we will have a complete online version on both the chamber and economic development websites.

 

We are pleased to offer a variety of advertising opportunities at cost effective rates. We have contracted with Marcon Marketing Consultants, a local Chamber member, to handle production and ad sales. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Basically Blount, the importance of supporting the Chamber, and how to get your business involved contact Rick Ford of Marcon Marketing at (865) 705-8580. Download the media kit here.

 

PARTICIPATE IN SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

This Nov 26, we want to celebrate Small Business Saturday with you! It's a special holiday created so communities can show love for small local businesses. And it wouldn't be a celebration without businesses like you joining us! Check out the businesses signed up and their deals.

 

The day was setup to help businesses with their most pressing need -- getting more customers. The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before.

 

If your small business is interested in participating, please email Amy your logo and specials for the day. We are trying to get the word out about shopping locally at the beginning of the holiday season.

 

SIGN UP FOR NEXT SOFT SKILLS CLASS

It's Your Career! That's the focus of free soft skills sessions offered in partnership by the Blount County Public Library, the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County and the Blount County Chamber of Commerce that are scheduled over the next eight months.

Registrations are currently being accepted for the second class set for Nov. 18 entitled, "Make Your Social Media Look Good Using Free Tools." Learn how to sharpen your online presence for a consistent, professional delivery of your brand or image. Explore tools and platforms for easy-to-create designs and beautiful graphics. Bring your laptop or tablet or one will be provided for your use.

All classes are conducted in the Blount County Library's learning lab located at 508 N. Cusick in Maryville and limited to 50 participants. Those interested must register online at www.blountchamber.com/community/soft-skills. A complete class description is located on the registration site. All classes run from 8-10 a.m. with networking beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The other classes offered include Managing People & Personalities, Tips for Public Speaking, Hiring Good Employees, Motivation and Burnout, Time Management and Managing Change in the Workplace.

 

CHECK OUT NOVEMBER MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS

Check out the November member-to-member promtions, please do. New offers are being posted weekly, so check out the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Member-to-Member promotions online. This Member-to-Member Promotional Program offers you and your company the opportunity to market your products and services to the membership.

 

Here's how it works:
1. Submit a PDF of a service, product or discount you'd like to offer to the Chamber membership to jmuir@blountpartnership.com. Be sure to include an expiration date.
2. An email with all the promotions will be sent out on the final Monday of every month to our member database.
3. All promotions will be posted on www.BlountChamber.com

 

TWITTER TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

With Twitter having over 300 million monthly active users, you may have found yourself trying to use Twitter as a marketing tool for your business. At times it may be hard to connect with your current customers or find new ones, so here are a few tips on how to get your Twitter feed alive and active. Read more

Learn more about marketing your small business in a digital world, ask questions about social media, and take the time to discuss future campaign ideas. What are you waiting for? It's free with your chamber membership. Schedule your FREE session today.

 

If you have any questions regarding your free digital marketing member benefit ( Save Local Now), your digital platform, or online marketing in general please reach out the Blount Chamber's Rachel Coffman. She is here to help you in the year ahead and will keep you on track as you fulfill your resolutions in 2016.

 

REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!

 

It's fun. Sleep in, meet for breakfast at a local café, then go shopping in small stores. Nice!

 

Find what you're looking for in the Chamber Directory.

 

GOT AN EVENT OR NEWS? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT

Is your organization hosting an event in the community? Submit it here on our community calendar. If it's a tourism event, please email Ashlee so she can post it on www.SmokyMountains.org.

 

Also, please send us any news releases or good news about your business. We'd love to share it with the community.

 

REMEMBER WHEN

"Wild, Wild West" by The Escape Club topped the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1988. The Escape Club is the only British artist to have a No. 1 hit in America while never charting in the UK.