heart beat december 2012

101 E. Wisconsin Avenue | Kaukauna, WI 54130 920.766.1616

www.heartofthevalleychamber.com

Be Loyal, Buy Local - Now and all year long

Managing Millennials

What’s Inside

Meet the Board

Workplace Wellness—Fox Valley Slimdown

Boost your Online Reputation

Member Spotlight -Autumn Hill Creative

December 2012

Autumn Hill Creative - Marketing Communications

That Grow Your Business, Sustainably

Heart Beat | December 2012 2

East Wisconsin Savings Bank recently sponsored a Heart of the Valley Chamber’s PM Connect as part

of their 125th Anniversary celebration.

www.eastwis.com

The event was held at their Corporate Office in Kaukauna on November 7th. A ribbon cutting preceded the event to commemorate the recent expansion and major remodel of the downtown Kaukauna office. President Charlie Schmalz said the expansion shows the banks long standing commitment to the community. In fact, East Wisconsin has been headquartered in downtown Kaukauna since D.J. Brothers drew up the banks charter in longhand back in 1887. Society was still fairly primitive back then, but a local manufacturer named Norman J. Brokaw had a vision of providing an opportunity for every local worker to own a home. According to the bank’s history, Brokaw knew that if workers were given the opportunity to own a home their families would be stronger, they would be better employees, and the community would benefit. He saw the necessity for some means of financing the building of homes for the workers, and to him, the building and loan plan presented the most local means for home ownership. Since 1887, East Wisconsin Savings Bank has remained committed to their original mission statement of providing a good safe place for people to save their hard earned money while providing home ownership for local families. From that base they have experienced continual growth, expanded banking services for their members, and continued their commitment to home ownership, systematic saving, and good sound money management principles for their mem-bers. East Wisconsin currently has 6 offices in the Fox Valley. They prides themselves on providing proven financial solutions and personal attention to their members. If you’re in the area you’re invited to stop in the newly expanded and remodeled Kaukauna office and have a bag of freshly popped popcorn. Ask for Ric, and he’ll give you a tour!

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New Day—New Format The Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce provides our member companies with tools so that you are not only in the arena but have the bullhorn to address policies and politics that affect your business. We want all of you to be effective advocates for the business community in Wisconsin. Advocating for issues you care about is an important activity to bring about change in public attitudes and policies that impact all of us every day. To paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, you cannot impact decisions and achieve success if you aren’t in the arena. The Advocacy Council invites you to join their monthly meetings. Each month we will invite to our meetings our Federal and State Legislators, our local elected and appointed leaders and our School Superintendents to engage in dialogue, keeping us informed of the latest issues. These meetings are designed to be a safe, respectful environment for both our business leaders and our legislators. Meetings are not open to the general public. The Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce has invited Randy Stadtmueller from Stadtmueller and Associates to the monthly “Coffee and Conversation” meeting on Friday, December 14, 2012 from 7:30 to 9:00 AM, at the Chamber office. Stadtmueller and Associates is leading the efforts to renovate the former Eagle Mill into a multi-use center to house the Kaukauna Public Library and other businesses. Randy looks forward to answering questions and concerns we may have with the project. If you have an interest in attending this meeting or joining the Advocacy Council call the Chamber office for more information at 766-1616 or visit www.heartofthevalleychamber.com. These monthly meetings are sponsored by AT&T.


I recently received this in a mass email so I cannot take create for writing it (although I did add a few words). I do think it is appropriate for reprint, especially at this time of year. This is only too true these days and we need to think about what we spend our money on and where. As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE (Except my husband!!) gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the dollars on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed or lawn mowed for the summer or driveway plowed all winter. Have you thought about giving Dad a few games at the local golf course? This area is blessed with many locally owned, 1st rate golf courses within an easy drive of the Fox Cities. There are hundreds of owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your American home town with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open. How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car,

truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady or a day at a spa. If your computer could use a tune-up, I KNOW you can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn,

leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about us, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. Feel free to share this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about? BUY AMERICAN - BE AMERICAN - The job you save might be your own. Bobbie Beckman, Executive Director, Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce

now and all year long! Be Loyal Buy Local...

Another way to Be Loyal, Buy Local is to purchase

Chamber Gift Certificates for all your

holiday gift giving needs. From groceries to gas,

jewelry to golf, Chamber Gift Certificates can be used at over 100 local

businesses.

5 www.heartofthevalleychamber.com

Our newsletter is an affordable way to advertise your business. The publication is sent via email at the beginning of each month and reaches over 11,000. All ads are full color and can be linked to your company’s website at no

additional charge. Black and white ads are acceptable.

Heart Beat Newsletter Options Purchasing Size 1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

1/4 Page: □ $100 □ $250 □ $475 □ $800

1/2 Page: □ $150 □ $400 □ $775 □ $1200

Full Page: □ $200 □ $525 □ $900 □ $1500

Back Cover: □ $300 □ $750 □ $1200 □ $2500

Email Bobbie at bbeckman@heartofthevalleychamber to reserve your ad space.

YOUR AD HERE

www. dentalassoci-ates.com

www.schencksc.com

www.markseastside.com

Holidays Around Town


Simon’s Cheese retail store offers more than 100 different kinds of cheese including their own award-winning Masters Reserve brand. They also have a great selection of wine, beer, sausage, fresh pizzas to take & bake, more than 20 flavors of homemade fudge, and many other gifts and gourmet food selections. Order your gift baskets today at www.simonscheese.com

Great gift idea for anyone on your list. Get a Clear Water Car Wash Coupon Book. Buy 4 washes and the 5th is FREE. www.clearwatercarwash.net

Tired from a long day of shopping? Stop by Butch’s Pizza for dinner. Their pizzas can be prepared hot and ready-to-eat or for you to pick up and bake at home. www.butchs-pizza.com

Plans on bringing the kids to the Kaukauna Holiday Parade? Stop by Kaukauna Coffee and Tea for a hot drink to warm you to your toes. Located at 127 West Wisconsin Avenue, they are open until 8pm on weekdays. www.kaukaunacoffeeandtea.com

The holidays are right around the corner! Forget the candy, bring flowers to dinner instead. Robin-son Florist & Greenhouses has traditional holiday centerpieces or modern arrangements or even plants for a fun surprise. Either way, make someone smile this season with flowers! Can’t be there in person? Robinson Florist & Greenhouses can deliver!www.robinsonflorists.com

King's Variety Store sells balloons of all colors, shapes and designs. They can fill balloon orders of any size and deliver them to your location. Whether you need just a few to deco-rate for your party at home, or need a large balloon arch for your company function, they can fulfill your needs. Nothing brightens a room like a few well placed balloons. www.kingsvarietystore.com

Www.kerriganbrothers.com

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Does someone on your gift giving list want new power tools? Be loyal, buy local at Hardware Hank in Little Chute, where you will always get great service and good prices. www.hardwarehank.com

Coin collecting can be fun and profitable at the same time. Start your children’s collections with a proof or mint set from Fox Valley Coin and Diamonds. You can order online at www.foxcoin.com

www.heartofthevalleychamber.com

Want your business featured here? Email [email protected]

Having your furnace routinely maintained allows it to operate at its peak efficiency and can extend the life of your furnace. Berken Heating and Cooling does a thorough inspection, testing and cleaning on furnaces, boilers and air conditioning units. They service all makes and models throughout the Fox Cities. www.berkenheating.com

WPS Garden of Lights features nearly a quarter of a million twinkling lights. Brighten up your holidays with a visit to the Green Bay Botanical Gardens. Stroll the Gardens, enjoy the festive music and partake of some sweet treats and holiday goodies. www.gbbg.org

Get your holiday cut-out cookies and decorating supplies at Baker’s Outlet in Little Chute. While you are there you might want to pick up some ready to cook appetizers for your next holiday party. www.shopbakersoutlet.com

Have some teenagers on your holiday gift giving list? Try a Quizno Gift Card. 3 easy ways to purchase one without leaving your home. www.quiznos.com

Is Worth Repeating Miron Construction promoted four employees at its corporate headquarters in Neenah. Dan Lynch was promoted to senior project manager; Lance Krause was promoted to industrial project manager; Jen Mason was promoted to project manager and Matt Clark will now be the conceptual estimator. Miron Construction was also recently selected as a 2012 Wisconsin 75 company by Deloitte. The Wisconsin 75 is an annual listing of the largest privately held businesses headquartered in the state. Network Health promoted David Bloedorn to vice president of information systems. Keller, Inc., announces the following projects: Remodel of Hot Heads Salon. Located at 206 North Main Street, construction has begun and is expected to be completed in November, 2012; Design and build an 18,100 square foot office and manufacturing plant for Futek Forms, Tags and Labels. Located at 540 Discovery Drive in Neenah, construction will begin in November and is expected to be completed in June, 2013; Design and build a 464 square foot addition for All-Lift Systems. Located at 2146 West Pershing Street in Appleton, construction has begun and is expected to be completed in December, 2012; Design and build a 612 square foot load-out facility for Arla Foods. Located at 489 Holland Court in Kaukauna, construction has begun and is expected to be completed in December, 2012. Stellar Blue Web Design opened its Stellar Blue Training Studio at 1580 Lyon Drive in Neenah. The 3,000 sq. ft. facility will be used to conduct educational programs. The Wellness Council of America presented its Gold Well Workplace

Award to Fox Valley Technical College. The Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau hired Kelly Hekler as convention sales manager. Mae Ibe was selected to the Wisconsin Chapter of Meeting Professionals International Hall of Fame. Jessica Syring joined Fox Valley CPA’s as a staff accountant. Syring has more than 5 years of experience in business accounting. Eagle Graphics, an industry leading printer and supplier of corporate apparel, promotional products, signs, banners and business printing announced it has purchased the assets of screen print, embroidery and promotional products distributor Createch, Inc. located in Kimberly, WI. Assets include all screen printing equipment, embroidery machines and customer embroidery and screen print art files. Also included in the sale is the Panther Division, a mobile screen printing production unit used for large scale event merchandising and retail sales.

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP is pleased to announce Greg Sofra joined the firm as an Audit Partner. Sofra is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of the University of Dayton in Ohio. Sofra has significant experience with privately held companies including, attest work, purchase accounting, due diligence, fair value measurements, consolidation of multi-location and multi-national operations, and IFRS accounting.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) presented Thilmany Papers with one of its inaugural Better Practices, Better Planet

2020 Sustainability Awards at the association’s annual meeting. Designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives, awards are given based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories. This year, Thilmany was honored with the “Leaders in Sustainability” award for Energy Efficiency / Greenhouse Gas Reduction for its “Energy and Water Restructuring Program.” “We are honored to be among the first to receive AF&PA’s ‘Leaders in Sustainability’ Award for energy effi-ciency and greenhouse gas reductions,” said Thilmany Vice President and General Manager Russ Wanke. “Our employees accomplish wonderful things. In this case, by completing nearly three dozen different projects, they’ve achieved astounding energy and water conservation results. We plan to achieve our initial goal well ahead of time, but our work will not end there. Thilmany has a long history of moving forward - developing innovative new products for our customers, finding new ways to support our local communities, and improving our environment. Where improvements can be made, we will work to achieve them.” Fox Valley Technical College recently received nearly $3 million from the state of Wisconsin to train nearly 400 workers to help fill the state’s manufac-turing gap. The grant will help train people interested in jobs in welding, machine too operations, printing and electronic/automation. The grant money is funded through the Federal Trade Adjustment Act. Any change or update within your business such as a promotion, new addition, award won, etc. can be included in this section. News must be submitted by the 15th of the month for the following month’s publica-tion. Send to [email protected].


GOOD NEWS

www.kellerbuilds.com


www.capitalcu.com

www.autumnhillcreative.com

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Member

Heart Beat | December 2012 Our next spotlight can be about your business. Call 920-766-1616 if interested.

Spotlight

Today Autumn Hill Creative is a single source for entrepreneurs and business owners who need to focus their marketing dollars on their target market and build their bottom line with creative strategies.

All of their services can be aligned and customized to fit your business at one source: Marketing Strategy Branding High-quality Graphic Design Printing Public Relations Website Development Social Media Internet Marketing Promotional Products Direct Mail “Having defined roles helps keep us from overlapping into the other’s responsibilities,” says Yvonne. “I am so proud of the community-minded servant leader Autumn has become. She’s a leader in promoting the sustainability of our region, our creative culture, and small business development.” Autumn and Yvonne’s best advice for working with family is to cultivate your sense of humor and gain perspective by walking in the other’s shoes.

Autumn Hill Creative

Imagine coming to work each day and your mom is there. Not just working there, but co-owning the business with you. Autumn Hill and her mom, Yvonne Kehl, launched their Kimberly-based Marketing Communications firm in 2004 and became active in the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce soon after. When asked recently about their working relationship, Autumn smiled and said, “Who better to promote your business than your Mom? She’s the best sales person we could have. Besides, having a business partner you can trust completely is important.”

www.autumnhillcreative.com


¡Viva el Verde! - Long Live Green! Is the eco-friendly promotional products division of Autumn Hill Creative, LLC. “Back in 2005 when CFL light bulbs were just emerging, we offered our clients free bulbs as an incentive and educated them about how going-greener could benefit their businesses”, says Autumn. Today the firm offers eco-friendly promotional products as a way for clients to promote their products and services in a sustainable way. Yvonne notes, “There are thousands of Made in the USA, eco-friendly promotional products in every category, and pricing is favorable compared to traditional products. Your brand will live with your customer in a sustainable way.” This year Autumn introduced the idea of creating a sustainable music festival to the Board of non-profit Sustainable Fox Valley. The Big Green, a sustainable music festival was launched in January 2012 and premiered as a success in August 2013 at Sunset Park in Kimberly. “We accomplished all of this with the support of local businesses, key leadership, and a group of dedicated volunteers. The Big Green 2013 is scheduled for August 17”, said Autumn. “The goal of this near-zero waste public festival is to raise awareness and under-standing of sustainability by the community, foster measureable progress toward a more sustainable Fox Valley, and at the same time engage and develop our creative culture.”

www,autumnhillcreative.com

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Gary Vanden Heuvel President BLC Community Bank www.blccb.com Year established - 1906

Give us a brief description/history of your business…. A: BLC Community Bank, founded in 1906 with a capi-talization of $15,000, is one of the few remaining inde-pendent community banks in Wisconsin. The original bank was built on the corner of Main and Depot Streets.

Q: How did you get started in your field? A: I started at the Appleton State Bank right after school. I have been in banking for 40 years. Q: Who is the one person that helped to make you who you are today? A: There is not just one, but many. Q: What do you like most about working in the Heart of the Val-ley area? A: I like the change of seasons, the work ethic and positive out-look of the people. Q: What do you hope to accom-plish during your term with the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce? A: I look forward to continuing the great process hap-pening at the Chamber now and the future.

Q: What is the worst job you’ve ever had. A: Shift work at a mill. Q: OK, now the good stuff. What do you like to do for

fun? A: Photography. Q: What’s your favorite movie and why? A: Animal House - no comments needed. Q: Is your desk messy or orga-nized? A: Very organized. Q: Green Bay Packers or another team? A: The Pack for sure! No other team. Q: Where was your best vacation and why? A: Jackson Hole - Yellowstone. Q: What are the Top 3 items on your bucket list? A: Visit as many national parks as possible, and a trip to Alaska.

Heart Beat | December 2012

Meet The Board

BLC Community Bank, founded in 1906 with a capitalization of $15,000, is one of the few remaining independent community banks in Wisconsin. They are locally owned and all

banking decisions are made right here. They are large enough to serve your financial needs,

yet small enough to give you the personal service you deserve. BLC Community Bank offers a wide variety of products and services to meet your financial needs today and in the

future. Their friendly and helpful staff is dedicated to providing superior service and we continually strive to exceed the expectations

of their customers.

The original bank was built on the corner of Main and Depot Streets in 1906. The present building, located next to the Van Hoof Law

Office and former bank building, was built in 1952. In 1972 the Gloudemans Department

Store and Herziger house were razed to renovate and enlarge the bank. A 1997 addition added about 1800 sq. ft. to the east side of the building and extensively changed the interior

and exterior design of the bank.


Kevin Schneider General Manager Bergstrom Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram www.bergstromchryslerjeep.com Year Established - 2009

Give us a brief description/history of your business…. Bergstrom Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram. New and used vehicle sales along with service and parts. Acquired by Bergstrom Automotive in Feb 2009. Q: How did you get started in your field? A: Started in financial services at Bergstrom GM of Oshkosh in 1991 Q: Who is the one person that helped to make you who you are today? A: My father Roger Schneider Q: What do you like most about working in the Heart of the Val-ley area? A: It is a honest and hardworking community where the people care about their work and their community. Q: What do you hope to accom-plish during your term with the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce? A: Give people a reason to be with the chamber. Help small business's get services and forums they normally wouldn't have access to. Q: What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

A: Concrete flat work during summer in college. I was low man on totem pole and worked to the bone. Q: OK, now the good stuff. What do you like to do for

fun? A: I enjoy watching both my children compete in sports and other activities, watching high school basketball and spending time at my cottage on Legend Lake with family and friends. Q: What’s your favorite movie and why? A: Remember the Titans. The overall themes were very power-ful. Q: Is your desk messy or organized? A: I would say both - depends on time of day. Q: Green Bay Packers or another team? A: Pack Q: Where was your best vacation and why? A: Cabo San Lucas.

Awesome place very relaxing. Q: What are the Top 3 items on your bucket list? A: Go see Packers in Super Bowl, be recognized for successful automotive career, have my children be successful in what ever they choose.

Bergstrom of Kaukauna is proud to serve the Appleton region with quality Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep vehicles. With models like the new Town & Country, Ram 1500, Wrangler,

Grand Caravan and Sebring, they have something for every taste and need. Visit them at 2929 Lawe St to see their vehicles and take

one for a test drive. If you're looking for a used car in Appleton, they can assist you there as

well. Visit their inventory page to see their large collection of pre-owned vehicles.

Bergstrom of Kaukauna is not just your greater

Appleton Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep dealership. They also provide a full line of services dedicated to their local customers.

From auto service repairs performed by expert mechanics, to OEM car parts in Greater

Appleton, to car loans and leases, Bergstrom of Kaukauna is the smart choice for your

automotive needs. Visit them at 2929 Lawe St or you can call (866) 939-0130

16 Heart Beat | December 2012

Workplace Wellness...

A new year is just around the corner and kick starting your wellness program is a way to help your employees achieve one of their new year’s resolutions—to be healthier. Wellness programs are linked to greater productivity, less absenteeism, and a reduction of long-term health care costs. What Is Workplace Wellness? Workplace wellness is any program that aims to improve the health of your employees and their families while reducing your health-related costs as an employer. Many companies implement comprehensive wellness programs that focus on preventive health and lifestyle modification. This means encouraging employees to focus on key health behaviors such as increasing physical activity, improving eating habits, reducing stress, and ceasing tobacco use. Why Implement a Workplace Wellness program? Before what may seem like another costly employee benefit program scares you off, consider the savings. For many companies, wellness programs actually save money in the long run. In fact, in a 2008 survey of 628 employer groups conducted by Buck Con-sultants, 74% of U.S. companies cited reducing health care costs as their number-one motivator. Other motivators identified included improving employee productivity, reducing health-related absences, improving employee morale, and retaining employees. Health and efficiency have a clear relationship—healthy employees take fewer sick days and are more productive at work—and businesses are starting to take notice. What if You Don't Have the Resources to Implement a Wellness Program? The good news is that even if you aren't in a position to implement a comprehensive program, there are many small steps you can take to promote wellness. Trying out just one small component of a wellness program can act like a trial run—it gives you a chance to see how your employees respond and whether a more comprehensive program might work in the future. Here are eight ideas to bring your company closer to wellness:

1. Promote preventive care. When your employees avoid the flu, they avoid missing out on days, if not weeks, of work. Consider offering on-site flu vaccines to employees. Or if your health insurance doesn't cover it already, consider reimbursing employees for vaccination fees. 2. Encourage exercise. Turn your office into an active campus. Consider secure bike parking, provide showering facilities and locker rooms for employees who wish to workout at lunch, implement and promote a lunch hour walking club, or bring in yoga, tai chi, or aerobics instructors for lunchtime classes and offer incentives for employees who participate. Encourage the entire office to use the stairs. And offer discounts or partially subsidize memberships to a local gym or exercise club.

3. Emphasize education. Brown bag luncheons or break-time seminars are prime opportunities for helping employees learn more about healthy habits. Recruit speakers to lead sessions on cooking healthy meals, staying healthy while travelling, or quick stress management skills. Keep sessions entertaining but informative, and offer incentives for employees who attend. 4. Bring the doctor in. On-site health clinics give employees the opportunity to schedule office visits for routine care without taking time off work. A recent survey from the Center for Studying Health System Change found that on-site clinics increase productivity,

reduce medical costs, and enhance a company's reputation as being a desirable place to work. 5. Invest in incentives. Employee incentive programs offer rewards—financial or otherwise—for employees who engage in healthy behavior. Consider covering an additional percentage of the cost of health insurance premiums for employees who pass certain biometric markers – such as having a healthy body mass index, blood pressure, or blood sugar reading.

If any of these ideas appeal to

you, it may be time to take a step in the wellness direction. Ghost Town Fitness in Kaukauna has a 12 week weight challenge - the

Fox Valley Slimdown. Teams of 4 will compete for $1000 cash

prize and individuals for a $200 cash prize. The Heart of the

Valley Chamber of Commerce will pay $10 toward each of your employees registration fee. Just bring in the receipts and we will send a check. Funds are limited,

to 20 employees per business, sign up today.

Begin the new year right...


6. Hone hunger options. Offer your employees healthy meal and snack options that help fuel their performance while also meeting their nutritional needs. Replace sodas with milk, juice, or sparkling water, and stock snack machines with nuts, dried fruit, and other healthy options. Maybe stock lunchrooms with fresh fruit baskets once a week, and be sure the office cafeteria has plenty of healthy meal options. 7. Be mindful of mental health. Unmanaged stress has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep trouble. At the workplace, it can lead to inefficiency, job dissatisfaction, and absence from

work for related health conditions. Consider offering an employee assistance program for employees who have financial troubles, excess stress, or depression symptoms. And encourage employees to take simple steps to reduce stress, like taking several breaks a day to go for a walk, chat with a co-worker, or just get outside for a breath of fresh air. 8. Recommend behavioral resources. For some employees, a few work-based activities may not be enough to make lasting change. In these cases, coaching and disease management programs may be the way to go. Consider offering tobacco cessation, weight loss, or stress

management programs to help empower your employees make lasting, noticeable change. Ready to Get Started? The main tenants of a workplace wellness program are awareness, education, and behavioral change. Try focusing on just one of these to start. If it's successful, try another idea a few weeks later. If, after a few trials, a wellness program seems right for your company, consider a comprehensive program. Research the options, and look at resources available to you. You may even consider hiring a company to run a wellness program for you. Whatever you choose, know that taking even a small step in the wellness direction can benefit your employees, your productivity, and your bottom line. If any of these ideas appeal to you, it may be time to take a step in the wellness direction. Ghost Town Fitness in Kaukauna has a 12 week weight challenge called Fox Valley Slimdown. Teams of 4 will compete for $1000 cash prize and individuals for a $200 cash prize. The Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce will pay $10 toward each of your employees registration fee (up to 20 employees per member business.) Just bring in the receipts and we will send a check. Funds are limited to the first 200 people, so sign up today.

www.ghosttownfitness.com

Chamber member and their employees only pay $39


ww.bakertilly.com

Www.WeMakeSoftwareWork.com


Boost Your Online Reputation Five Ways to Leverage Customer Reviews Because more and more consumers are researching businesses’ credibility online before making a purchase, it is imperative that you incorporate a program to build your online reputation. The tips below will help: Review your business’ Unique Selling Proposition (USP). Begin by documenting what customers find special about your business and how they benefit from your products or services. Audit your marketing material and revise, if necessary, to align with your USP. Develop a 5-Star Reputation. Online reviews are critical to success. 72% of buyers trust reviews as much as personal recommendations, and 70% trust consumer opinions posted online, according to a Nielsen Global Trust in Advertising Survey. Strive to have at least 10 happy customers post great reviews about your business. Ask them to post to at least one of the following: Google Plus Local, Yelp, CitySearch, SuperPages, YP.com, your Facebook Fan page, or Linkedin. A high volume of positive reviews can counter a poor one. Market Your Reputation. Once reviews are posted, im-plement a well-designed online marketing strategy to drive targeted traffic to your website. Begin with a comprehen-sive keyword search that identifies what your target market is looking for online. Conduct a competitive analysis to prioritize keyword phrases to ensure top search engine rankings. Insert these keyword phrases into your content and distribute to YouTube and other content-sharing directories as well as to Facebook and Twitter. If you are a local business, claim and thoroughly complete your Google Plus Local, Bing, and Yahoo accounts. When your business profiles and website are optimized according to user and search engine best practices, they can simulta-neously achieve top page rankings. Additionally, complete your listings on the top business directories, such as Yelp and Merchant Circle. Ensure that your business information is accurate and identical across all directories. You must continuously market online to achieve and maintain top search engine rankings; if you do not have an internal person who thoroughly understands Internet marketing, hire a consulting firm.

Manage Your Reputation. Regularly check reviews about your business. You can receive Google Alerts for your business name; however, you will need to check the local directories, too, since they’re not picked up by Google Alerts. Quickly post a reply to a negative review. Always be professional and indicate what action you have taken to remedy the situation. Create a Reputation Marketing Culture. Train your staff to proactively ask customers for reviews and to deal immediately with unhappy customers. By incorporating a sound digital marketing strategy, you will brand your business as an authority online while having customer reviews to prove it. With this approach, you will be less concerned about your competition and more focused on properly serving new customers. By John Rizzo, Originally published October 2012. Reprinted by permission, freeenterprise.com, November 2012. Copyright© 2012, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

www.unisoncu.org


Managing Millennials: If you are struggling to make the most out of your relation-ships with Millennial employees, here is a quick guide to turning those born between 1980 and 1992 into some of your biggest fans and assets. Communicating: Veterans like face-to-face meetings, boomers like phone calls, Generation X prefers email, and Millennials do most of their communicating via cell phone, text messages, and social media. Millennials’ interpersonal skills and presentation skills often need work. But be open to letting them develop relationships through the channels they’re most comfortable with. Their informality can often lead to more frequent contact and faster relationship build-ing. Recruiting: When you set out to hire younger workers, consider your em-ployer brand. What does your company stand for? What are your values? Young people want to work with those they like and companies they believe in. Also understand that what they learn about your company online—from LinkedIn, your website, or customer reviews on Yelp—will shape their opinions and interests. Inspiring: Don’t assume that the job itself, let alone a paycheck, is enough to keep Millennials working at their full potential. You have to motivate and inspire them. Showing concern for their happiness and well-being will go a long way. Training: Turnover rates are higher among younger work-ers, so consider breaking up training into segments deliv-ered over time. Link training with increased responsibilities and compensation or benefits so that you both see ROI. Also integrate as much experiential learning as possible,

such as going to meetings or conferences together and talk-ing about what works and what needs to be worked on. Rewarding: Money is important to Millennials, but it is not what drives them. Before you start writing checks, find out what motivates them. Maybe it’s a 401(k), a gym mem-bership, flex time, or the opportunity for travel and ad-vancement. Mentoring: This generation has been coached more than any other. They require attention and frequent communica-tions. Focus instructions on what you need done and sug-gest how, but give them the freedom to try new ways. Re-

view and judge the results more than the methods. Parenting: Millennials are extremely close with their parents. It is a fuzzy line these days as to what is the ap-propriate level of parental involve-ment in interviews, discipline, con-tract negotiations, etc. It’s up to you to set boundaries, but making heli-copter parents your allies can pay off as well. Retaining: Don’t expect Millennials to be lifers. They typically change

jobs every one to three years. But there are exceptions. Show them possible career paths, milestones to different levels in your company, and how staying with you will build their careers. Give them big goals to achieve, then big rewards if they deliver. Written by Jennifer Kushell. Originally published October 2012. Reprinted by permission, freeenterprise.com, November 2012. Copyright© 2012, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Money is important to Millennials, but it is not

what drives them. Before you start writing checks, find out what motivates

them. Maybe it’s a 401(k), a gym membership, flex time, or the opportunity for travel

and advancement.

A Crash Course


www.guidentbusiness.com

Here’s the scenario: You receive a call from someone claiming to be from “the company that provides your print-er supplies” offering you a great deal on closeout toner, inkjet cartridges, paper, or other supplies. If you take the bait, they take your credit card number, and the supplies never arrive or are of inferior quality. These scammers, known as “paper pirates” or “toner phon-ers,” target small businesses in hopes of either tricking un-suspecting office managers or exploiting lax accounting practices (sometimes they just send bogus invoices hoping that nobody will check them against purchase orders). Like most scams, protecting yourself against phony suppli-ers requires having internal controls in place at your com-pany. The first step is to designate specific employees to take responsibility for ordering office supplies, assuring delivery, and submitting receipts or packing slips to the person who pays the bills. If contacted by phone with a “great deal,” ask for the per-son’s name, the company name, and a phone number. Veri-

fy that it’s the same company you normally do business with. Legitimate companies will be more than happy to let you call them back. Don’t let them intimidate you into paying with threats of collections or legal action. If the supplier misrepresented themselves or the goods, write a letter to their payment ad-dress explaining why you’re disputing the bill, and keep a copy for your own records. If they’ve already charged your credit card, contact your card issuer to dispute the charges. Report fraudsters to law enforcement and the Better Busi-ness Bureau to make it harder for them to continue their scam. Richard Szymanski [email protected] CMIT Solutions of Appleton

Phone Scam Targets Small Businesses

Welcome New Members


Dave and Vicki Erdman met years ago as col-lege students in Waukesha and bonded over their mutual love for panzerotti, which are nick-named ponza rottas or ponzies. The Erdmans opened Ponzie’s, located at 136 E. Second St. in Kaukauna, which serves nothing but ponzies to eat in or take out. What is a Ponzie? It’s Pizza with Pizzazz. A ponzie is a pocket of fresh pizza dough folded in half and stuffed with all of your favorite pizza toppings. It is then cooked to a golden brown. Ponzie’s are made fresh to order. A large ponzie is $6.95, and weekday $5.49 lunch specials include a ponzie and soda. To order your ponzie, call 920-462-4039!

Rainbow Play Systems is a provider of high-end swing sets, basketball hoops, trampolines, and more, all of which can be fully installed by our professional crews. In addition to our quality products, we also offer our huge indoor showroom, complete with a fully-equipped party room, where guests are welcome to arrange birthday parties and open play sessions throughout the year. Rainbow Play Systems has been in business locally for 16 years, and services all areas of Northeast Wisconsin and all of Upper Michigan. Whether you’re ready to Jump, Shoot, Slide, or Party, we’ve got something for you! Rainbow Play Systems is located at 3001 Spirit Court, Appleton. www.RainbowNEW.com

The Appleton Sam's Club strives to educate both prospec-tive members and existing members on the quality items and services they offer at an exceptional price. The club gets involved in the community through networking events, community grants, local donations, and through their "Volunteerism Always Pays" program. Joining the local chamber was the next step for them to make sure the community knows they are here to support them. From stocking the shelves of local business to filling a pantry, Sam's Club prides itself on being the one stop shop for products and services to fulfill both business and household needs. For more information, visit our Sam’s Club at 1000 N Westhill Blvd. in Appleton or contact Stephanie Taft, Membership Team Lead at 920-733-6246.


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heart beat december 2012

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