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Call Us:
937.548.2102
Email:
info@darkecountyohio.com
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Darke County's Premier Source For Business And Community Development |
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Greetings!
The leaves are beginning to change and our ag folks are busy harvesting corn and soybeans. (My grandson made up a song about "Corn, corn, everywhere" when he visited last week!)
Big news on the labor front with the announcement of the increase in Ohio's minimum wage. See the link below for more information.
And we celebrate all of the great kids on Homecoming Courts (and not) all around Darke County in this season.
Have a great week!
Peggy
(Photo from Darke County Visitor's Bureau)
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It is MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY time again!
The Daily Advocate crew will be contacting you (if they haven't already) about purchasing ads in our Annual Membership Directory. This booklet functions as both an annual report and membership guide for the next year.
This directory is one of our most successful fundraisers each year and allows us to create and promote programs like our new Small Business Sessions, Business After Hours networking and so much more.
The directories are distributed to members, visitors, agencies and more.
Please consider placing an ad to promote YOUR business for the next twelve months.
All members are listed in the directory, regardless of ad purchase.
Deadline to participate is TODAY
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Reaching More Customers Online: What you need to know now
October 12 11:00 AM - Noon
Virtual
Ernie Seta, AIM Media
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Small Business Sessions
Working together, the Darke County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Greenville Association want to provide opportunities for growth for our small business members. Anyone can participate in these virtual workshops (or view them later) for no cost.
Presenters are a variety of experts in their fields. They range from local companies such as Greenville Federal or AIM Media to regional representatives from OSHA or Ohio Department of Development.
These workshops are held virtually to encourage participation from our small businesses without having to leave their office/shop/restaurant.
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October is Fire Safety Month so we will be joined by Ryan Gross of Koorsen Fire & Security for training on Extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.
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BWC is hosting a number of occupational safety and health webinars and virtual classes in October. For detailed information and to learn how to register, view this flyer.
Virtual Training Classes**
- Electrical Basics (October 12)
- Bloodborne Pathogens (October 13)
- Ergonomic Basic Principles (October 31-November 1)
In-Person Classes**
- View the full schedule here.
- Webinars
- The Real Cost of Safety (October 13)
- Fall Protection and Fall Arrest Systems in Construction (October 25)
Online E-Courses
- Bloodborne Pathogens, Developing a Safety Culture, OSHA Recordkeeping 101 and others
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Want to join a committee or council to get more involved?
Contact the Chamber to let us know.
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Chamber Member Benefit - Evalon
Never Miss a Sale!
We can help save you money!
Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance has partnered with Elavon, a leading payment processor, to provide you with innovative payment solutions to enhance your business. Chamber members who take advantage of Elavon’s payment processing program will get the Chambers preferred partner pricing.
Today, customers want you to accept payments a number of ways – in store, online, over the phone or mobile wallet. This doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated, which is where Elavon can help. Elavon offers a simple, cost effective payment processing program, all backed by the highest standard of customer service.
Advantages of Choosing Elavon
All the payment types you need
- Elavon enables businesses to accept all major credit and debit cards, corporate, purchasing commercial cards and electronic checks.
Latest payment technology
- Smart/Chip/EMV terminals, mobile wallet payment technology, billing and invoicing, medical payments software, in-person, online and tablet solutions for all of your business needs.
Data security
- We help you protect data with strong encryption and tokenization technology with our Safe-T suite solution.
Get the answers you need when you need them
- We are here when you need us with 24/7/365 access to Customer Service.
- Feel secure in knowing that you have a dedicated account manager to help you manage your payments efficiently.
Convenient, Easily Accessible Reporting
- Monitor your account at your convenience from any web browser.
Get a free competitive analysis and let us find a solution for your business. To learn more call John Webb at 937-671-1606 or John.webb@usbank.com
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For a complete list of Member Benefits, Programs and links for more information, please check out our website!
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October is Disability Employment Awareness Month - Daily ...
GREENVILLE - The Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Held each October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and...
Read more
www.dailyadvocate.com
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County Shred Day is Oct. 8 - Daily Advocate & Early Bird ...
GREENVILLE - On Saturday, Oct. 8, the Darke County Solid Waste District will partner with Farmers State Bank to hold a free County Shred Day. This event will allow you to help protect yourself and your family from identity theft.
Read more
www.dailyadvocate.com
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(Please include the Chamber on your press release distribution list so we can include your information and updates here.) |
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How to Build Untiring Customer Loyalty
Customer loyalty is essential to strong sales. After all, it’s easier to get repeat sales than it is to convince a new consumer to buy from you. But customer loyalty is something grown and nurtured, not bought or ordered. It takes time.
That time investment is worth it because it means more revenue and sticking power. Bill Zinke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at BELFOR Franchise Group said, “One of the key lessons from the pandemic has been [that], in good times, building customer loyalty can help you grow faster and more profitably, and in tough or challenging times, it can be the difference between surviving and going out of business.”
However, just because someone has been buying from you (or donating to you if you’re a non-profit) does not mean they are loyal. It may just mean that they tend to do the same things over and over until they don’t. If you want a strong customer (or donor) base, you need to cultivate loyalty. The methods to do so require consistent tending and upkeep.
How to Create Loyal Customers (or Supporters)
While building and increasing loyalty isn’t a set formula, there are several components that make it easier. They are:
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Tell your business (or nonprofit) story. People want to know you. Being loyal to an organization is partially about a customer wanting to be a part of what you’re doing and believing in your mission. If you’re not sharing your story, you’re missing an opportunity to build connections.
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Give customers/donors a reason to be loyal. When people buy from you repeatedly, make sure you thank them and are always appreciative for their loyalty. They could spend their money elsewhere, but they chose you. Loyalty programs reward your frequent customers. Even a small freebie or discount can make them feel valued and want to return. Being part of a loyalty program increases customer spend. According to a 2020 McKinsey survey “Members of paid loyalty programs are 60% more likely to spend more on the brand after subscribing, while free loyalty programs only increase that likelihood by 30%.”
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Recognize them. Whether you are a brick-and-mortar store or an online operation, customers want to feel like you remember them. It’s like the theme song of the old TV show Cheers, everybody just wants to go somewhere where the business remembers their name. But you don’t have to literally remember a name, a face and an order will do or past buying history will make them feel like you recognize them. What they’re looking for is to feel valued and seen.
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Make them feel like they were missed. If your customer hasn’t purchased from you in a while, invite them back with a special coupon. People want to feel missed when they’re gone. This type of reminder can be automated if you have buying/donation history and an email list.
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Don’t offer new customers better deals than past customers. Cable companies and cell phone businesses are notorious for giving new customers unbelievable deals and offering very little for existing customers. Don’t make that same mistake. Past customers should feel appreciated. Giving great offers to newbies and not loyal customers is one of the easiest ways to make sure your past customers don’t feel valued.
Reward past customers for their loyalty. Show your appreciation and make them feel important. Loyalty is a great fix for pricing competition. After all, you might not be the cheapest, but you can offer the best value and feelings behind a purchase. That will keep your customers coming back—and with any luck—referring you to their friends as well.
Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and believes the world would be a better place if we all had our own theme song that played when we entered the room. What would yours be?
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Minimum Wage Increase Announced
COLUMBUS, Ohio -Ohio's minimum wage is scheduled to increase on Jan. 1, 2023, to $10.10 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.05 per hour for tipped employees. The minimum wage will apply to employees of businesses with annual gross receipts...
Read more
com.ohio.gov
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Industry Sector Partnership Grant
The Ohio Industry Sector Partnership Grant helps fund collaboration between businesses, education and training providers, and other community leaders who are invested in improving their region's workforce. These collaborations create a more...
Read more
workforce.ohio.gov
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Upcoming Chamber Events & Meetings |
October 10 - Executive Committee - 7:30 AM - Virtual
October 12 - Small Business Session - 11:00 AM - Virtual
October 14 - HR Council - 8:30 AM - Virtual
October 20 - Safety Council - 11:30 AM - Birchwood Training Center
October 27 - Legislative Committee - 8:00 AM - Virtual
October 28 - Coalition for a Healthy Darke County - Board Retreat - DREC
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We thank the Diamond Circle and Executive Prestige level members
for their ongoing support of the Darke County Chamber of Commerce.
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130 Martz Street, Suite 5
Greenville, Ohio 45331
Phone: 937.548.2102
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