ENGAGE OR DIE

Presented by Realty Executives Relocation, managers need to make plans to attend our next HR Focus Group on Tuesday, March 19 at 8:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). The topic is "Engage or Die: How to Get and Keep Rock-Star Employees" by Kurt Greene of Arrow G Consulting, LLC. Seven out of ten of employees don't give a crap. Learn cool ways to turn your organization into a magnet for talent.

This activity, ID No. 378977, has been approved for 1 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). REGISTER HERE.

 

WASSUP WITH EDUCATION

Join us March 22 from 8-9 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) as we hear from college presidents and administrators from Maryville College, Pellissippi State, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, King University and Roane State as they give us an update on what is happening in our community at the post-secondary level. REGISTER HERE.

 

SPEED NETWORKING THAT WORKS

Spend your Tuesday morning from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on March 26 meeting at least 15 new people and begin building a business relationship with BNI's speed networking at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). Facilitated by BNI Director Consultant Susan Moser, this free event will get you in touch with individuals from many industries. Attendance is limited to one person per company and two people per industry. Email tracy@tntmarketing.guru with your name, business name and phone number to sign up.

 

READY, SET, MOVE! AWARDS

This recognition award, sponsored by Blount BEneFITs, was established in 2009 to recognize the efforts of Blount County schools and businesses that are taking steps within their organizations to promote and embrace healthy living through creative programs that encourage good nutrition and increased physical activity. Previous winners include weight loss challenges, running clubs and other exercise programs, some of which were long-standing programs and others that were start-ups. MORE INFORMATION.

 

GLENN SHEPARD RETURNS

Because the response was so overwhelming, we're bringing Glenn Shepard back on April 16 to present a more advanced seminar for managers ready to move from management to leadership. As Glenn puts it, "Managers can only get compliance from their employees. It takes a leader to get commitment."

In the seminar, he'll show you how to motivate your people, not just manage them. How to get them to follow you because they believe in your goals, your skills as a leader, and they are committed.

This program has been approved for 5.5 (General ) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute.

The fee is $197 for Chamber members. When three or more from one business enroll, the fourth attends for free. REGISTER HERE.

 

NETWORKING 101

Presenter Betsy Cunningham is hosting a free seminar entitled "Networking - It's Not Just for Sales People," on March 25 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). Networking 101 focuses on how to connect, create and cultivate relationships whether in a group or one-on-one setting. Participants will learn how to introduce themselves in a meaningful way, be goal focused and other strategies to make meeting people more beneficial. So, take that step and see how much good networking skills can improve your personal and professional life. REGISTER HERE.

 

BLOUNT COUNTY JOB FAIR SEEKS PARTICIPANTS AND SPONSORS

The Blount County Chamber of Commerce, working off its mission statement to promote economic growth, is hosting a job fair presented by Blackberry Farm, Pellissippi State, Staffing Solutions and Resource MFG on March 28 from 2-6 p.m. at Foothills Mall in Maryville.

If you are interested in sponsoring, please review the form here.

Any business or company interested in participating can reserve booth space which includes one eight-foot table, two chairs and table linens if needed. The fee is $160 for Blount Chamber members and $210 for non-members. Please review this form to register.

 

SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST SOFT SKILLS CLASS

It's Your Career! That's the focus of a free soft skills session offered in partnership by the Blount County Public Library, the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County and the Blount County Chamber of Commerce.

Registrations are currently being accepted online at www.blountchamber.com for a class entitled Time Management on March 29. All participants will earn .5 CEUs per session for participating. They will also receive an email survey two months after workshop participation to assess application of new ideas.

All classes are conducted in the Blount County Library's learning lab located at 508 N. Cusick in Maryville and limited to 50 participants. 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.

 

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

Take advantage of your Blount Chamber discount and protect you, your family and employees by enrolling in IDShield. IDShield monitors identity from every angle and alerts you to status changes immediately. It can also help restore your identity if it has been compromised. LEARN MORE

 

LYNDA AT THE LIBRARY

Businesses need to take advantage of the Blount County Library's subscription to Lynda.com. Using your library card, get access to Lynda.com, a LinkedIn Company, with thousands of courses in software, creative and business skills to develop your staff skills and meet learning needs at your own convenience. Learn More.

 

YOU CAN POST YOUR OWN MEMBER-TO-MEMBER DEALS

Blount Chamber members can now post their own Member-to-Member deals on this page at no charge. Simply login to your account, Click on the "New Coupon" button, fill out the form and click save. It's that easy.

Click here if you need access to your login information.

Of course, we will be happy to add your coupon. Just email information about the product or discount you'd like to offer to the Chamber membership to jmuir@blountpartnership.com. Be sure to include an expiration date.

View the latest deals.

 

REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL

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

 

Research shows a strong correlation between the percentage of small locally-owned firms and various indicators of personal and community health and vitality.

 

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

 

REMEMBER WHEN

Topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week in 2000 was the crossover hit from the country chart "Amazed" by Lonestar. "Amazed" and Carrie Underwood's "Inside Your Heaven" are the only country songs in the 2000s to hit number one on the Hot 100.