What do you get for your Chamber membership? Maybe more than you think you do...

Many people ask, ‘What do I get for my Chamber membership?’  The Chamber does so much throughout the year for the community, business, and advocacy.  The Lloydminster Chamber is here to serve, promote and protect.

The Chamber serves member businesses through several value added programs; these would include discount programs, free job postings on lloydjobs.com, a complimentary page on the Chamber website, and access to many resources.  The networking opportunities alone are invaluable.  Networking opportunities include our monthly Chamber Connect events, business awards, golf events, and curling bonspiel.  Through participation in events, members make valuable connections that can further their business. The Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance plan is one of the best insurance plans for small business in Canada. 

The Chamber promotes by being the information hub for the community, promoting events, businesses, and the community as a whole.  The Chamber promotes private enterprise through a fair, competitive & open market.  We promote the community locally as well as through various regional tourism information sources.  Every day the Chamber office receives inquiries from near and far of where one can find a particular product or service; it is our policy to refer to a member first every time.

The Chamber protects Lloydminster businesses through the advocacy work on behalf of members.  By regular community & provincial scans, Chambers advocate for business members, protecting them from legislation that could be bad for their business.  The Lloydminster Chamber has authored and taken forward many policy resolutions that have seen changes made in legislation or actions at all levels of government.  The Chamber successfully lobbied the Saskatchewan government to release Saskatchewan businesses from their obligation to charge and remit Provincial Sales Tax. The City has also responded to the Chamber’s policy resolution that requested a ‘made in Lloydminster solution’ for some kind of public transportation.  The Chamber has great power in the voices of the 600 members it represents! 

Your support of the Chamber’s work on behalf of the business community, whether that is through participation in events, being a strong advocate, promoting the community as the best place to live, work, and do business or a great place to visit, is very important. 

Many people and businesses do not understand how important a vibrant and progressive Chamber of Commerce is to the community.  The Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization, dependent on membership dues to deliver valuable services, business advocacy and member events to our clients.  Your membership fee is like a utility bill that only needs to be paid once per year.  It helps the Chamber do the work of advocacy, connecting, and public relations for our business community.  We profit every member we serve. 

Your Chamber, the largest business organization in the region.

Tips from the Chamber: 6 ways to get more from your Chamber membership

With membership renewal season on the horizon, we have many members ask about the value of membership for their business. The truth is, not every business or organization joins the Chamber for the same set of reasons, but we've outlined a few of the most universal perks of Chamber membership for you below. 

The Chamber’s basic purpose is to advocate on behalf of business members to government bodies about issues that impact business in Lloydminster, and provide value and promotion for Chamber members to build a stronger business community, but often, a person might be unsure of exactly what else there is for his or her business in Chamber membership. Here are a few easy ways to make the most of your Chamber membership:

·     Use LloydJobs. We don’t need to tell you that Lloydminster has one of the hottest job markets in Canada with one of the lowest unemployment rates. It can cost a couple hundred dollars to post a job ad in a newspaper. Why not take advantage of a job search site that allows you to post for free? Lloydjobs.com is connected to several larger job websites, such SaskJobs, which means that when you post on Lloydjobs.com, your ad is searchable on these sites as well.

Network! Can’t make it to the golf tourney in April? Well, there’s also the Nine & Dine golf event and many other networking events throughout the year. Send your staff to Chamber Connect with some business cards and brochures; they’ll enjoy the networking, prizes, and great food at this monthly event. Come out to a few and even sponsor an event once you’ve experienced the value for yourself.

Take advantage of the discount programs. It would only take a few minutes to call our office to learn more about these programs, and even less time to look at the Value Added Programs list on our website. Beyond the Chambers Group Insurance Plan, there are programs like fleet fuel discounts, special credit card merchant rates, and an on-hold phone package rate! There might be something on that list that could be saving your business money.

Use your Chamber webpage. Despite the fact that you likely already have an online presence, be it a company website, blog, or Facebook page, your Chamber webpage makes your information easier to find and increases your online credibility. Add links to direct visitors to your own website, make sure your current logo is there, and upload product pictures.

Use the Membership Roster for good! Our membership list is available for all Chamber members to use in their business. Use the online directory or give us a call to get the membership list in a table form.

Talk to us. The Chamber is the Voice for Lloydminster Business, advocating on behalf of business members year after year. Make sure the issues you’re facing are being discussed. Some members are able to attend our Policy Development Roundtable in January to tell us about the things they’d like to see change, but others just call the office, or talk to a board member. Most business members have something they would like to change – transform that into a step towards constructive change by telling a Chamber representative about it. 

Six Tips for Retaining Great Employees in Lloydminster

Lloydminster has a unique business climate.  We benefit from a very strong economy.  That is not to say that doing business in Lloydminster does not present its challenges.  One common challenge we hear from our members is the difficulty in attracting and retaining employees.  High staff turnover can be costly to businesses.  How do business owners and managers improve employee retention?  Success in any organization comes out of the culture of that organization. Sometimes the success and the positive bottom line of an organization is about how well we train, support and nurture those people in our businesses that do the hard work every day.

An appreciative culture has strong effects on staff morale.  This culture cannot happen if it doesn’t start at the top. Becoming an “employer of choice” takes work. It takes making changes in attitudes and it means throwing out that old authoritative management style.  Allow your employees to feel that what they do makes a difference, listen to them, value their input and ideas, encourage an atmosphere where they feel safe and appreciated, and best of all, have fun! Engaged employees who recognize that their efforts make a positive contribution to the organization, and employees who feel connected to their job and the organization are far less likely to leave. 

A supervisor is a person who achieves results through the efforts of other people. A supervisor is charged with creating and maintaining an environment in which all employees feel valued, supported and motivated. Ultimately, managers are responsible for what their staff does or does not do. Making sure that staff is informed about the policies of the organization and trained to their job is the manager’s responsibility.

Values in your organization are lived by the leaders. Values are important because they dictate how you treat others and how you treat your members or customers, including how you act, what you do and say. In organizations they are also called codes of conduct.  Values are integral to working in a positive environment, one that is free from bullying, discrimination, harassment, and disrespect.

Communication is an integral part of an organization. Not just the formal type of communication that includes memos and postings, but the informal kind where staff feel free to share their ideas and concerns. Regular staff meetings work well for that type of communication amongst the group. Having an open door policy where staff feel free to pop in and express their ideas and/or talk about their area of work not only keeps managers connected with staff, but keeps them in the loop as well.

A recent report stated that employees consistently rate learning opportunities and skills development high on their wish list. Organizations that support training, career development, and performance plans report improved productivity and employee morale, fewer errors, accidents and turnovers. Ensure that professional development is relevant and appropriate for each individual. 

Successful leaders understand that there is no single solution that will ensure employee retention. Listening to your employees, watching what other successful businesses are doing and examining your own leadership styles, the culture of your organization and your ability and willingness to make changes when needed is what will make the difference.  

Tips from the Chamber: Five Key Benefits of Networking

We all know that making new connections is vital to growing your business and increasing exposure. This is why your Chamber of Commerce continues to provide events where networking happens naturally and comfortably in a variety of settings.

Business Networking is a really valuable way to expand your knowledge, learn from the success of others, attain new clients and tell others about your business. Building a successful business takes a lot of time and drive, so it’s good to have a network of friends and associates to draw energy from and keep you going.

Below are some of the key benefits of networking:

Generation of referrals/Increased business. This is perhaps the most obvious benefit and the reason most business owners decide to participate in networking activities. The great news is that the referrals that you get through networking are normally high quality. You can then follow up on these referrals/leads and turn them into clients.

Raising your profile. Being visible and getting noticed is a big benefit of networking. Make sure you regularly attend business and social events that will help to get your face known. You can then help to build your reputation as a knowledgeable, reliable and supportive person by offering useful information or tips to people who need it. You are also more likely to get more leads and referrals as you will be the one that pops into their head when they need what you offer.

Connections. “It’s not WHAT you know, but WHO you know”. If you want a really successful business, then you need relevant connections that you can call on. Networking provides you with a great source of connections, and really opens the door to talk to highly influential people that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to easily connect with.

Opportunities. Expanding your contacts can open doors to new opportunities for business, career advancement, personal growth, or simply new knowledge. Active networking helps to keep you top of mind when opportunities arise and increases your likelihood of receiving introductions to potentially relevant people or referrals.

Advice. Having like-minded business owners to talk to also gives you the opportunity to get advice from them on all sorts of things related to your business or even your personal life and obtaining that important work-life balance.

Upcoming Networking Events:
• Vic Juba Theatre Chamber Connect. Attend a special Chamber Connect hosted by Vic Juba Community Theatre that will take a special Dragons Den format. September 11, 5:00 pm at the Vic Juba Theatre.
• Young Professionals Under 40 event makes building connections and networks easier for the under-forty members with a casual, no-pressure setting. September 26, 5:00 pm at Ernie's Coffee House.
• Speed Networking. Accelerate your networking at this type of event—think speed dating without the awkwardness. Speed networking is an exciting, high impact, structured event that produces exceptional results for participants. Next Event: October 9, 6:30-9:00 pm at the Sticks.

Young Professionals meet in Lloydminster ....

May 23, young professionals gathered at The Sticks to network, meet new people and enjoy some appetizers. This second Young Professionals Under 40 gathering, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, was a social and professional event open to all young professionals who work in Lloydminster and area. The event connects young professionals to one another and to the Chamber of Commerce and other business resources.  The success of these events determine that more will be held in the future. 

The Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is tomorrow at the Lloydminster Golf & Curling Center. This tournament is very popular every year, but this year especially so. We ended up with an overfull tournament and folks on the waiting list. Maybe has something to do with the extra long winter we had. Everyone is anxious to get outdoors and enjoy our world class golf course right here in Lloydminster.  If you were unable to join us for this tournament, be sure to think about coming out to the Nine & Dine which we hold in August at our beautiful rural golf course, Rolling Green. 

I'm off to Drumheller this week for the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Annual Meeting and Policy Session where I will present three policy resolutions on behalf of our Chamber. Highway 17 Upgrades, Physician Development and Ports To Plains Transportation Corridor.  In addition, I will be part of a panel presentation talking about our success in attracting young people to our board and the value and gifts  that our Chamber has received by having so many young people involved. We will also be having a discussion about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the recent changes to the program. Alberta Chamber has mobilized the Prairie Caucus to respond to this program that could have devastating effects on western businesses and the entire Canadian economy. 

MP Leon Benoit was in town last Friday to discuss the Hire - A - Vet program with Chamber members.  The Government will act more as a clearing house for this program, rather than put resources behind it to encourage businesses to participate. Mr. Benoit was also asked to answer questions regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker program and went away from the meeting with a very good idea about how it will effect Lloydminster businesses and how strongly apposed Lloydminster businesses are to the withdrawal of the Accelerated LMO as well as the clause to devise a plan to transition to Canadian workers. I asked the question if the government knows if we actually have enough skilled workers to fill the labour shortage. It is my understanding that as baby boomers retire, those who were never born behind us will not be here to pick up the slack. Mr. Benoit stated that there was strong public opinion that the TFWP was being abused and so the changes were a reaction to that. When asked where this public opinion was coming from, a definitive answer was not given.  What's best for Canada ...............  or what's best for the government?  The Lloydminster Chamber has alerted both MP, Gerry Ritz and Mr. Benoit that we are interested in hosting a Consultation meeting here in Lloydminster that we understand the government will undertake over the summer to discuss the TFWP and what needs to be done to make it work better. 

Till next week ...........

Pat

Lloydminster will soon have an addition to its skyline ....

Congratulations to Platinum Corporate member Synergy Credit Union who broke ground this week at the location of their future building on Highway 17. 

The Chamber has been working with the Alberta Chambers of Commerce who have spearheaded a Prairie Caucus response to the changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers program which will affect many or our members. Consultations will be happening over the summer and Lloydminster Chamber has requested a spot as host of one of the consultation sessions. 

Towards the goal of assisting members with the labour shortage in the region, the Chamber will host a noon luncheon with MP Leon Benoit  who will be in the City on May 24th to discuss the Federal Hire a Vet program. This could be one way to fill some of the vacancies. I spoke with Mr. Benoit by phone last night and he said he will be willing to answer questions about the Temporary Foreign Worker program at that time as well.  If you are interested in this event, call the office. 

The Chamber board is pleased to inform members that the two policy resolutions presented at the Saskatchewan Chamber AGM & policy session in the Battlefords last week were approved to go forward to government. The two resolutions titled,  Upgrades to Highway 17 and Physician Development are important to our area and to both the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. I will also present these resolutions at the Alberta Chamber Policy Debate in Drumheller later this month along with a third resolution entitled Ports to Plains Transportation Corridor. If you are interested in reviewing the complete policy document, call the Chamber office. 

Till next time ....

Pat

Breakfast with Honorable Cal Dallas ..

Chamber President Michael Holden with the Honorable Cal
Dallas, minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Chamber Executive Director with Honorable
Cal Dallas and Honorable Richard
Starke at the breakfast this morning. 

Those who attended the breakfast with Minister Dallas this morning learned a bit more about ways that businesses and companies can get  assistance with expanding into international markets.