If you or someone you know is looking for a job, please check out www.BlountAreaJobs.com. Additionally, if you need employees, please utilize the job board to advertise your open positions. Click here to get started.

 

The Dialogue returns this week with our 68th installment visiting with Jeff Morton, owner of Morton Construction. Check it out at the bottom of this email.

 

RIBBON CUTTINGS AND GRAND OPENINGS

We've got a couple more ribbon cuttings this week to celebrate a relocation and a remodeling. Please come out and support these businesses.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, Get Fit Maryville is holding a grand opening at its new location at 911 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, at 11:45 a.m. Refreshments provided.

On Friday, Jan. 20, McAlister's Deli (465 Marilyn Lane, Alcoa) ribbon cutting to unveil its remodel is from 10:30 a.m.-noon. There will be free lunch for chamber members after the ceremony.

 

 

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TICKETS AVAILABLE

The Blount Chamber's 97th Anniversary Celebration is coming on Friday, Jan. 27 at the Airport Hilton. Be sure to get your tickets for $100 by calling 865.983.2241.

 

So join us for this trendy event that gives the business community the opportunity to entertain clients while making connections within the county. With a live band, a menu of heavy hors d'oeuvres along with games taking place in a casino-type atmosphere, it will be a night to remember.

 

Providing the entertainment is Jessie's Girls which combines the stylings of a five-woman live national party band backed by a four-piece ensemble with two horns and a pair of disc jockey's churning out dance hits from today and yesterday.

 

Additionally, attendees have the opportunity to participate in interactive casino-style games and get a take home a souvenir photo with an on-site photo booth.

 

PROMOTE, THEN PARTICIPATE IN OPERATION THANK YOU

Promote your business during "Operation Thank You" by sending 1600 gift certificates, brochures or business promotional pieces to us and we will distribute them.

 

Your Chamber constantly looks for ways to help you promote your business through the ABC theory - Always Buy Chamber. We do ask that your enclosure piece not to exceed 8 ½" x 11". These inserts should be delivered to the Chamber no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, February 9.

 

If you are interested in participating, please contact Amy Lawson or call 865.983.2241. There is a fee of $200 for insert enclosure.

 

Participate in the Chamber's 19th annual "Operation Thank You" set for February 21-23, 2017 and meet other business people on a one-on-one basis.

 

During this three-day event, Chamber members, the Chamber staff and Board of Directors will personally deliver Chamber member information packets. We invite you to join us in this three-day effort. You can agree to call on as many or as few members as your schedule permits.

 

If you, someone (or several people) from your business, organization or group is interested in participating, please contact Amy Lawson or call 865.983.2241.

 

BUSINESS PLANNING WITH GROWTH WHEEL

On Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Blount Partnership board room, discover Business Planning with GrowthWheel! Small Business planning is much more dynamic and moment by moment rather than a dull chore with fabricated forecasting. Lots of decisions are made over a cup of coffee or while driving not predetermined months in advance. Business owners are much more reactionary to the market and have limited planning budgets. GrowthWheel is a new innovative tool that lets the business owner plan the most pressing needs for the business. It also is a visual tool to provide structure and direction allowing the business owner to set goals and take action. NO MORE writing 40 pages of useless information that always ends buried in your desk. Gone are charts and graphs replaced by 30 day plans and action steps. GrowthWheel is not just for new businesses but also works for all businesses in all stages and for all industries. Come try this totally innovative approach to business planning.

Register Here for this free program.

 

REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

Join us for our Regional Legislative Agenda Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 27 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Calhoun's Restaurant Conference Center, 100 Melton Lake Peninsula in Oak Ridge. We will present the regional legislative priorities of the Oak Ridge, Knoxville and Blount Chambers of Commerce to our legislators as they begin the 2017 session. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online or by phone at 865.483.1321.

 

SIGN UP FOR NEXT SOFT SKILLS CLASS IN JANUARY

Registrations are currently being accepted for a free soft skills session set for Jan. 27 entitled, "Tips for Public Speaking." Whether you're naturally shy or love hanging out with a crowd, learn how to effectively capture an audience and inspire action.

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 THE JANUARY MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS

The January member-to-member promotions are in, so take a look. With nearly 50 merchants participating, there's something for you. Check out the member-to-member promotions. 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

 

HOW TO MARKET YOUR SERVICE LIKE A PRODUCT

Marketing for services can be hard. Here are four tips on marketing your service like a product to make it a little bit easier: 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.

 

REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL

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

 

Shopping small creates and supports local jobs. Each time you purchase a product or a service from a small business, you are helping to pay the salary of a friend or neighbor.

 

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

Bobby Vinton released the most widely successful version of "There! I've Said It Again" in 1963. Vinton's version topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week in 1964 during the middle of a four-week run atop the chart.