The Advantage e-News

May there always be work for your hands to do, May your purse always hold a coin or two; May the sun always shine on your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; May the hand of a friend always be near you; And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. The blessing above is just for you! There are a lot of Irish blessings swirl-ing around in my head, passed down from my Grampa which may not be proper to print here! This is an exciting month for us because the long awaited Cham-ber trip to Ireland is in just a few weeks. This trip is actually work for us. It includes net-working the locals traveling with us, plus the other chamber groups that we will meet up with and of course the Chamber businesses in Ireland. We are all different. Our businesses, while similar each have their own nu-ances and it will be interesting to hear and see how others operate. Ireland is very pro-businesses and has a very strong chamber system. It would be similar to our state chamber associa-tion. But even those can vary—sometimes a great deal. Attached to this months newsletter is a great educational piece—10 Ways to Increase Sales. It was written by Brian Cleary, CEO of the Calomel Chamber of Commerce, which is one the largest in Ireland. One of the exciting new service pro-grams that we just became a member of is Chamber World, a social media and educational cooperative. This programs includes chamber organiza-tions from around the world and is a great way to learn from each other. Each week we will post inspirational and or fun photos on our Face Book

page—Merrill Chamber. We will also use mini videos and educational pieces (like the one attached) sub-mitted from leaders from around the world. And an unusual aspect to this program is that chambers from around the world will be using and posting the same information all during the same week! What a great way to educate our members and future members on the work of the chamber! Look for these posts each week! We are also launching “What’s Up Wednesday”. Each Wednesday we will e-blast information on events/

activities or things that you need to know. This is will be a simple news format with no pictures. Our goal is to cutback on individual e-blasts and put

weekly information into this format. That doesn’t mean that you won’t re-

ceive an occasional email from us, but not as many Members can participate too. If you have an event or activity that you want included, submit a text-only message for $15 with up to 25 words. This does not eliminate flier attach-ments for the monthly newsletter. We will still continue the newsletter flier program. We also kicked off the Morning News e-blasts at the beginning of the year. If your were not opening these on a regular basis, you have probably been removed from that e-blast. If you want to receive this easy news of the day and are no longer receiving it, please let us know and you will be added back to the list. Remember, if there is a certain type of e-blast that you do not want to receive, you can be removed from that email list simply by sending us an email or call. DO NOT click on the message requesting to be re-moved. This will remove you from

Volume XXXVI Issue III

From The Director’s Doorway

March 2015

Business after Hours

2

Chamber Foundation 2

Ribbon Cuttings 3

Business of the Month 4

Member-to-Member 4

Chamber Chat 5

Taking Notes 5

Inside this issue:

Highlights Membership Counts

Reflections

Member Programs

Ambassador News

Extra Nuts & Bolts

Calendar/Events

Dia duit!

Advocacy  Visibility 

Networking Credibility 

ALL e-blast messages. Mark your calendars for March 11—Morning Mixer at Church Mutual and March 17—Business after Hours at Johnson’s Gifts. Come spend St. Patty’s Day with us! We are so blessed to have such a strong Chamber organization made up of so many wonderful members. Luck has nothing to do with the suc-cess of our membership! We have the hardest working, most inventive and community invested businesses in the Northwood's! There are sooo many great things happening in Merrill right now and many more on the horizon. So from my doorway to yours—May the luck of the Irish be with you! May we have safe travels to Ireland and make new friends along the way. May your pockets always jingle but not weigh you down. May your face always hold a smile and not a frown. May rainbows always fill your sky, if only in your mind. May success follow you always no matter the road you choose. May your heart always be full with someone to love. And may you always dream when you lay your head, with happy thought of the days ahead. Happy St. Patty’s Day to all! Debbe Chief Executive Officer        

   

Date:   March 17 

Place:  Johnson Gifts 

Time:  5:00 pm 

Sponsor: Johnson Gifts & Collectibles 

Celebrate with business friends!    

   Join us in April at Ballyhoos on April 9! 

Sponsored by Stark Automotive.   

Date:   March 11  Place:  Church Mutual Insurance  Time:  7:30—9:00 am  Sponsor:  Church Mutual Insurance 

          Continental Breakfast & guided tours of the Church Mutual facility will be conducted.  Come visit Merrill’s largest employer & see what’s new! 

Business After Hours

PAGE 2  THE  ADVANTAGE    VOLUME  XXXV I   I S SUE   I I I  

Our Merrill Vision 20/20 Program is kicking off with a program designed to link our employers with middle school students. Now is the time to educate students about what it takes to work in your business! We will be working with all segments of our employer population linking Merrill employers with Merrill students. If you are interested in more information contact Debbe at 715-536-9474. Women of Distinction is changing a bit in 2015. We will be kicking off a Leadership Series and will end the year with an award dinner in November. Want to be a part of the Leadership Se-ries? Contact Debbe at 715-536-9474. We are investigating starting a Young Professionals Program. If you are 45 years of age or under and interested in being a part of this special network, please contact Debbe at 715-536-9474. We are sending out a Daily News from WMC that will highlight the daily news of interest. Just click on the links that interest you. A simple way to get today’s news highlights! We have started a new social media marketing program, ‘Chamber Moments’ that will include daily pho-tos & thoughts on Face Book, a weekly mini video & a weekly article. Watch for these ‘moments’! Cham-ber’s around the world are taking part & posting the same info simultaneously. We are also starting a weekly e-blast called ‘What’s Up Wednesday’ that will updates on upcoming events/activities & things you need to know. Members may include their text only messages for $15 up to 25 words—no pictures allowed. Call Cheryl for details at 715-536-9474.

Business After Hours

Additional Programs

Bricks make great gifts for any occasion!    There are 4 sizes of bricks to choose from & each brick can be engraved with names, dates or special messages. The bricks make wonderful gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, holiday gifts or simply to honor someone in a permanent way. 

 

 

River District Development Foundation

The Capital Campaign is off & running! The goal is to raise $1 million for the Phase 1 River Bend Trail that will begin downtown and travel west to Council Grounds State Park. www.riverbendtrail.com You can also ‘friend’ us on Face Book now. The Chamber Foundation is the fiscal administrator of the River District Development Foundation & the Friends of the River District.

Merrill Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc.

News

Other Foundation Programs

Friends of Normal Park

Other programs that the Chamber Foundation administers include: Discover Downtown Merrill Emergency Relief Fund Courthouse Christmas Tree Lighting Foundation Community Fund For the Love of Merrill 125th Anniversary Fire Dept. Prints Friends of the Merrill City Band  Please consider making a tax‐deductible contribution to any of the foundation programs. Send your tax‐deductible donations to: 

 Merrill Chamber Foundation  705 N. Center Avenue Merrill, WI  54452 

So...What’s New?

It’s that time of year again when we start to dream of spring & summer & those beautiful hanging flower baskets that adorn our streets.  These baskets are made possible by a dedicated group of volun‐teers & cash donations from residents of Merrill.  Please help us beautify the corridors of Merrill this summer by making a contribu‐tion to the  Hanging Basket Fund.    Send your tax‐deductible donation to:  Merrill Chamber Foundation Hanging Basket Fund 705 N. Center Avenue Merrill, WI  54452 

Community Enhancement Fund Morning Mixer

Ch[m\_r on Tour We believe that your business is a STAR.  Showcase your business by joining the Chamber Tour Program.  Contact us to get your business on the tour schedule today! Sign‐up now for 2015 tours…. 

 Morning Mixer                                                           Sign‐up now to host/sponsor a quarterly program in 2015.  Business before Hours is a great way to showcase your business & have social interaction with your fellow business members—especially if you are unable to attend Business after Hours!  Government News This program will email blast government informa‐tion to members such as City of Merrill agendas & other state & fed‐eral government information, pro‐grams & newsletters. 

Additional Programs

Ribbon Cuttings

Edward Jones Investments

Welcome New Ambassadors

Nicole Johnson Park City Credit Union 

   

PAGE 3 THE  ADVANTAGE    VOLUME  XXXV I   I S SUE   I I I  

Ambassador of the Month Sue Kunkel 

Red Carpet Pak Did you know that only mem-bers can advertise & make special offers in our Red Car-pet Pak’s that given to new Merrill residents to welcome them & intro-duce them the Merrill area? Webvertising Advertise on our website! Cost for this great new webvertising is only $25 per month! Great way to grab attention to your business Our website & links receive 7000+ hits per month so it’s an economical way to advertise!

2015 Ambassadors  

Anna Winningham—Waid Funeral Home Chad Olson—Clabough Insurance 

Cheri Bocek—Walgreens Cheryl Hanson—Ballyhoos 

CJ Robinson—Edward Jones Investments Debbie Schleif—Ministry Good Samaritan Dena Lueck—Lincoln Community Bank Dennis Grefe—Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe 

Dona Beyer—Foto News Dr. Carri Kennedy—The Wellness Center Elizabeth Messner—River Valley Bank Heidi Borchardt—River Valley Bank 

Jennifer Porath—WIPFLI Julie Weber—Our Way 

Dr. Kathy Gress—Gress Chiropractic Kelly Zagrzebski—WPS Krissy Emmerich—WJJQ 

Leah Nelson—Associated Bank Lori Wendt—Merrill Sheet Metal Works 

Mark Bares—Les & Jim’s Nancy Stadler—BMO 

Nicole Johnson—Park City Credit Union Becky Roberts—River Valley Bank Sue Kunkel—Park City Credit Union 

 

Ambassador News & Ribbon Cuttings

We are looking to grow our Ambassadors Club in 2015 and we need YOU!  Our Ambassadors are the ’welcome wagon’ of the Chamber.  They celebrate new businesses, business ex‐pansions & membership! 

Want to meet new businesses?  Then become an Ambassador!  Contact us for all the details. It’s a great way to grow your business & cele‐brate what makes Merrill so great—our local business members!  

24-Hour Information Center Did you know that only Chamber members & other Chamber/visitor centers can advertise in the Information Center? Place your bro-chures, flyers and/or business cards for FREE. The Information Center is a very busy place & is restocked daily. Newsletter Inserts Did you know that only members can adver-tise in the Chamber e-news/newsletter? Cost is only $25 & your message will reach over 500 people. It’s also on our website that receives over 6000 hits per month. Member to Member Did you know that you can offer other mem-bers discounts on purchases and services as a way of advertising & marketing your business? If you are willing to offer a discount to other Chamber members, please contact us so that we can get the word out to other mem-bers! Office Assistance Did you know that only members can make copies free of charge at the Chamber? Or use our fax machine? Or bulk mail stamp for large bulk mailings? Contact us for details.

Our membership depends on volunteers! Here are some ways that you can help:

Golf Outing ■ Crazy Daze ■ Pork in the Park Promotions Committee ■ Ambassador Club

Women of Distinction Contact Debbe for more information. Email director@merrillchamber.org

At the Chamber, it’s all about You! We are bringing the Best to the Best!

Do you know someone opening a new business that would like to have a ribbon cutting? Have you recently remodeled your business or façade & would like a ribbon cutting?  Contact us & let us know! 

Member Programs

Building Business One Ribbon at a Time

Ambassador of the Month is a new column and Sue Kunkel is our first selection for March!

Sue has been an Ambassador since ——- and most recently she is now the Immediate Past Chair.

Being an Ambassador is an important job at the Chamber of Commerce. They are our ‘front-line’ meeters-n–greeters within the Chamber organiza-tion.

Sue has consistently been a work horse for the Am-bassadors, spending her lunch hours stopping at member businesses to check-in with our member businesses, dropping visitor guides and Merrill maps, and out collecting prizes for our golf and annual celebration events.

Each Ambassador is given a membership list annually and are required to make at least one member visit each month. Sue always goes above and beyond the minimum required. When you see Sue and she asks how things are going—there’s a reason behind the question, but most importantly its because she really cares and wants all our members and potential mem-bers to active within the Chamber.

Each Ambassador reports back to the CEO each month summarizing their member calls. If there is a problem, this allows staff to respond promptly to the member.

Our Ambassadors take their jobs very seriously. They are much more than the ribbon cutting folks. Sue sets a great example for all our new Ambassa-dors and has the experience that makes her an Am-bassador leader.

Wanted: Ambassadors

Ambassadors Club: Beautification & Facade Recognitions & Ribbon Cuttings

VOLUNTEER

Chamber Education: 2015 Workshops 

PAGE 4  VOLUME  XXXV I   I S SUE   I I I  

•Sports Medicine for spine injury rehab, knee, shoulder and hip rehab; acute sprains and strains; sports performance enhance‐ment; and assessment/treatment/education/prevention. 

•Specialty Niche Programs for balance/fall prevention and cancer related fatigue; foot & ankle program; women’s health; pediatric rehab; sports enhancement programs and TMJ dysfunction. 

For more information on the services offered you can contact them by telephone at 715‐539‐2740 or visit their informative website at www.merrillpt.com 

Merrill Physical Therapy is a local business that keeps us strong and gets back into the game of life again.  And  it’s just one more hometown business that Merrill can be proud of!

Member-to-Member Club Join Today & Save

The Chamber’s Member to Member Club, is a product discount program for Chamber members only. If your business is willing to offer a discount to other Chamber members contact us now! Gain marketing exposure & potential new business customers. Be a part of the Club! As a Chamber member you will receive a dis-count at the following businesses:

Put Your Business Name Here!

*Ye Old Sweet Shoppe—10%

*Blooming Wishes —10%

*Super Lube—15%

*Creative Card Acceptance—1/2 priced USB reader or $25 off USB signature pad

The Business of the Month for March is  Merrill Physical Therapy.  It is located at 100 Eagle Drive, Suite 2 in Merrill.  

 Merrill Physical Therapy is owed by Anthony Gerlach and was established in 

1996.  Their hours of operation are Monday‐Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Early morning and evening appointments are available upon re‐quest.  And they accept most insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid. 

Merrill Physical Therapy is an outpatient physi‐cal therapy and rehabilitation practice that specializes in orthopedic and sports injuries. Their treatment is based on state‐of‐the‐art medical technology along with proven manual treatment techniques to achieve optimal re‐sults. 

As a community service, Merrill Physical Ther‐apy provides Athletic Training service and cov‐erage to Merrill High School. 

In addition to general physical therapy ser‐vices, Merrill Physical Therapy offers the fol‐lowing specialty programs:   

•Orthopedic Care for strains/sprains, arthritis/DJD; spine disorders; tendonitis; surgical re‐pairs/reconstruction and manual therapy. 

*VIP On-line Member Discounts— to join email them at VIP@dwave.net for complete details on discounts.

*Northwood's Evergreen & Wire Co. —20%

*Ziesemer Photography - 15% on business portraits

*Off the Grid Technologies—they build your website & receive 1/yr Free web- hosting

*Lincoln & Timeline Windows—factory di-rect—10%

Just mention the Member-to-Member Club & start saving today!

Business of the Month Merrill Physical Therapy

                                                                                

Never doubt that a small, dedicated group of people can make a difference. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

THE  ADVANTAGE    

Coming in 2015 Credit Cards—How to Protect Your

Business & Customers—April 7

Social Media Series Peer to Peer Series Government Contracts Theft: How to Protect your Business 20/20 Vision Program If there are other educational programs that you would like the Chamber to bring to you, please contact us with your ideas. Send us your suggestions via email at info@merrillchamber.org In the subject line type: Education Topic

S h o p

m _ r r I l l

Reminders

Chamber Office to Be Closed Just a reminder that that Chamber office will be closed March 23 thru March 30. Staff will be in Ireland taking part in the Chamber travel exchange program. The office will reopen on March 31.

Full Moon Walk on River Bend Trail The Friends of River Bend Trail host another Full Moon Walk on Friday, March 6. Arrive anytime after dark. Park at corner of Stange & Polk Streets. Bring flashlights. To warm you up, First Street Coffee will be open late to accommodate walkers.

Happy Anniversary Congrats to Dr. Kathy Gress & her team at The Wellness Center on their 16th Anniversary!

Very Merrill Christmas Print Just a reminder that we now have a few 12x18 signed prints of our TB Scott Mansion Christ-mas print. The prints already framed & mat-ted. The cost is $150 and they are beautiful!

Tourism Grant Applications Organizations interested in applying for tourism marketing grants can now apply. Grant applica-tions are available at the Chamber office and on our website www.merrillchamber.org Deadline

for filing is March 30—no exceptions. The tourism com-mission will review and an-nounce grant recipients on May 1. Remember the Chamber

office will be closed March 23-30

“Positive Possibilities”

Thanks to our members, sponsors & nu-merous partnerships, the Chamber sup-ports dozens of community programs & is actively involved in many initiatives that you may not be aware of.

Look for this symbol to learn more about our history & our future & the community pro-grams we are involved in.

Requests for Merrill information only during the month of Febru-ary:

Phone calls: 140

Emails: 86

Walk-ins: 117

Info mailed out: 517

Website Visits: 2272

Restock Center: 76

Taking Notes…..

Extra Nuts & Bolts

Mark Your Calendars The Chamber Golf Classic is right around the corner. The Golf Com-mittee has already started meeting! Mark your calendar now for June 1. Registration forms will be out in early May. It’s coming up sooner than you think!

PAGE 5 THE  ADVANTAGE    VOLUME  XXXV I   I S SUE   I I I  

Chamber Chat….did you know?

2015 Visitor Guide & Maps The new guides & maps are here! Pick yours up at the Chamber.

Credit Card Workshop Mark your calendars for April 7 for our work-shop on credit card protection for you & your customers. It will be at the Chamber office from 8-9am. Free for Chamber members.

Chamber

Historical Society History Hunt It’s a scavenger hunt or is it a trivia contest? It’s both! Teams of two or more will answer questions & solve puzzles to win. Clues within 50-miles in & around Merrill, learn bits of historical trivia while you search for puzzle pieces. Several prizes awarded. Come take part in the newest game in town on April 25 from 10am-4pm. Early registra-tion is $10 before April 3 & $15 thereafter. For info call 715-536-5652 or download registration forms at www.merrillhistory.org Forms are also available at the Chamber office.

Movie in the Park This year’s event will be July 10 at Normal Park. This event is always fun thanks to our sponsor Marshfield Clinic. With hundreds of movie choices it’s hard to pick just one! Help us nar-row the field of choices & tell us what family friendly movie you would like to see. Email your movie recommendation to man-ager@merrillchamber.org

Promote your upcoming events Be sure to promote your upcoming events by contacting the Chamber to get them on one of our calendars! Best way to get your event seen!

Do you have news that you would like to share with our member-ship? Contact the Chamber at 715-536-9474 for information!

2015 

HISTORY  

HUNT 

705 North Center Avenue Merrill, Wisconsin 54452 TOLL FREE Phone: 877-907-2757

MERRILL AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THE ADVANTAGE

March 24—Cornet Chop Concert Association presents St. Louis Show Band per-forming Dixie, show tunes & jazz at Prairie Middle School at 7pm. For more info contact Megan at 715-252-6295.

March 28—Spring Craft & Vendor Sale Jump into spring by attending the craft & vendor sale at Les & Jim’s. More than 40 vendors will be there to help you jump into spring!

March 29—Bridal Fantasy Expo Check out the newest Bridal fashion trends for the year at the Smith Center from 11am to 3pm. Cake Dive will take place at 2:45pm. For more info contact Dawn 715-536-7313.

Check the Chamber Calendar 1st

For a complete listing of area events & activities check out the Chamber of Commerce website www.merrillchamber.org or the digital sign at the Chamber office for event info. Listen to us every Wednesday on WJJQ 92.5FM or the 2nd & 4th Friday on WJMT 730 AM.

March 11—Morning Mixer Join us for our first Morning Mixer of 2015 on March 11 at Church Mutual Insurance from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. A continental breakfast will be served and tours of the facility will be given by Church Mutual staff. Come see what our largest employer is all about!

March 13 —Comedy Show Comedy Night at Les & Jim’s. Comedian Josh Alton will perform. Doors open at 7pm, show begins at 8pm. Ad-vanced tickets $7. For more info contact Les & Jim’s at 715-538-9405

March14-Victorian Undergarments Come to the Merrill Historical Society as the they share the secrets behind Victorians’ tiny waists & how women’s undergarments reflected societal values. Leslie Bellais, of Wisc. Historical Society will be there to ‘tell all’. Hospital-ity begins at 1pm with presentation at 1:30pm. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. For more info contact Jane Francoeur at 715-536-5652.

March 17—Business after Hours Join us on St. Patty’s Day for Business after Hours at John-son’s Gifts & Collectibles from 5-7pm. Buy a few raffle tickets & Let the ‘Luck of Irish’ be with you!

March 19-Ladies Nite Out Time to pamper yourself with chocolate, massage, wine & shopping at the 8th Annual Ladies Nite Out sponsored by The Wellness Center at Gress Chiropractic. Join them at Eagles Club from 5-8pm. Admission is $2 & includes a free drink!

March 21—7th Bowl for Kids Sake Big Brother Big Sisters will hold their annual event at Les & Jim’s. To register your team call 715-848-7207.

Mark Your Calendar

Phone: 715-536-9474 Fax: 715-539-2043 Website: www.merrillchamber.org

Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce Mission Statement The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce is directed by its membership to support the area’s businesses to grow, succeed and thrive Vision Statement To promote Merrill as a community to live, work and play for today Mailing Label

Executive Board Board Members Marty Heyne– Chairman Dan Frick Tonia Speener—Chair Elect Pat Hinner Randy Wixson—Vice Chair Nancy Kwiesielewicz Noel Bushor – Financial Officer Jim Medley Kurt Rust – Past Chairman Val Mindak Shelly Mondeik Craig Rezin Brian Richards Kurt Wendt Mayor Bill Bialecki Ex-Officio Dave Johnson—Ex-Officio

Staff Debbe Kinsey – Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Skoug – Programs Manager Autumn Doyle – Office Assistant

Comments, Questions & Concerns

PRESORTED STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

MERRILL WI PERMIT NO. 11

CHAMBER MEETINGS

Return Service Requested

Legislative – 3/9

Foundation— No Meeting

Ambassador Club – 3/17

Board of Directors— No Meeting

Retail Promotions—TBA

Pork in the Park—TBA

The Merrill Area Chamber of Com-merce wants you to read about area businesses and other information that we feel is important to our members. If there are any topics you think we should cover, please let us know. Call the office (715-536-9474), fax us (715-539-2043) or stop in at our office (705 N. Center Ave).

Our individual emails are:

Debbe Kinsey—Chief Executive Officer

director@merrillchamber.org

Cheryl Skoug—Program Manager

manager@merrillchamber.org

Autumn Doyle—Office Assistant

info@merrillchamber.org

Website -

www.merrillchamber.org

Members…..working together since 1911

It is time to get out of the dreary weather and onto following the rainbow to the pot

of Gold on the lower level of Johnson Gifts and Home Décor!

Join the Merrill Chamber of Commerce for

Business after Hours at Johnson Gifts and Home Décor on Tuesday, March 17th at 5pm.

The Leprechauns of Johnson Gifts and Home

Décor and Johnson Pharmacy will be sponsoring and hosting this event. Please feel free to park in

the back and enter on the lower level.

Come and have a Grand time starting at 5pm on Tuesday March 17th.

Chamber will be leaving for Ireland on March 21st and return on March 31st. Office will be closed.

Every Thursday during the month of March, six winners will be drawn.

Enter to WIN Weekly Cool Prizes

$16 Krist Gas Card

$16 Checkered Churn Gift Card

$16 One - Hour Massage

$16 Cool Clinic Cash

$16 First Street Coffee Card

16 Minute Chair Massage

Refer in your friends and family during

March and save big!

In honor of our 16th Anniversary, we are providing a health consultation, complete chiropractic examination, including x-rays if needed and a report of doctor’s findings – all for just $16.00! And there’s no limit to the number of people you can send in for this offer!

AAANNNNNNIIIVVVEEERRRSSSAAARRRYYY CCCEEELLLEEEBBBRRRAAATTTIIIOOONNN!

15th

15th

Call for an appointment: (715) 539-9797

109A South Center Avenue, Merrill

wwww.kidschirowi.com

We love, love, LOVE our patients and especially love to have fun with you all. It’s our Anniversary Celebration - so until March 31st, we’re giving you a chance to win some way cool prizes just for doing what you’re already doing! Enter every time you come in.

March Massage Madness! 1 Hour Massage = $16

(Limit one per person)

Weekly Drawings ● Prizes $$1166 FFiirrsstt VViissiitt

Vendors Include:

8th Annual Ladies Night

Thursday March 19th 2015

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Event will be held at the Eagles Club

1205 Lake Street in Merrill

CALLING ALL

LADIES

Arts E Nature L’Bri Tupperware Pampered Chef

Tastefully Simple Squash Blossom and Ginger Pure Romance Scentsy

Avon Thirty-one Mary Kay Mustard Seed

Kindhearted Home Care Brose’s JewelRae

Traveling Vineyard To Your Health Market

Deb a spiritual medium Eagle's Lady Auxiliary And many more!!!!!!!!!!!

Event brought to you by:

www.KidsChiroWI.com

Time to pamper yourself with an evening of

Chocolate, Wine, Appetizers, Massages, and lots of Shopping!

You will be automatically entered to win, and bring

a friend with you for a second chance to win our Grand Prize Give Away worth $300!

Admission is $2.00 (One free drink included with Admission)

1

Cheryl Skoug

From: Debbe Kinsey [director@merrillchamber.com]Sent: Monday, February 16, 2015 10:30 AMTo: 'Cheryl Skoug'Subject: FW: Leadercast 2015 - The Brave Ones

Attach to newsletter for March….

From: Northcentral Technical College [mailto:mark@ntc.ccsend.com] On Behalf Of Northcentral Technical College Sent: Monday, February 16, 2015 10:03 AM To: director@merrillchamber.com Subject: Leadercast 2015 - The Brave Ones

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Leadercast 2015 - The Brave Ones May 8, 2015

Speakers Include Leadercast exists to positively change the way the world thinks about leadership. This year's theme - The Brave Ones - challenges leaders to focus on the courage necessary to lead. Experience Leadercast Live on May 8, 2015 and discover what it means to be a leader worth following

2

Click here for speaker bios

Leadercast will be held at the NTC Wausau, Antigo, Phillips, Medford and Spencer campuses. Check in: 7:15 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. Event times: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Per Person Rates: Early Bird Rate $89 / Regular Rate $99 / Chamber Member Rate $79 (Early bird rate available through April 23) For more information please call 715.803.1230, email ce@ntc.edu or visit http://www.ntc.edu/ce/conferences/leadercast

Get an idea of what this amazing event is all about by viewing the 2014 recap video below!

Leadercast 2014 Recap Video

Forward this email

This email was sent to director@merrillchamber.com by lauj@ntc.edu |

3

Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Northcentral Technical College | 1000 W. Campus Drive | Wausau | WI | 54401

No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4284/9125 - Release Date: 02/16/15

No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4284/9106 - Release Date: 02/13/15

10 Easy Ways to Increase Sales

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / olivier26

One of the most obvious ways to boost revenue in your business is to make more sales. Here are ten ways you can start doing that today:

1. Do You Have A Sales Strategy?

Most businesses think they have a strategy, but they don’t.

Now is a good time to develop one. You need to consider who your ideal customer is and what are the products and services that provide the best return for you.

The sales strategy should be a brief one-page roadmap that encapsulates:

• what you want to sell • who you are going to sell to • where you are going to sell • how you are going to sell

Tip: Grow your business by connecting with other business people at chamber networking events.

• when you are going to sell

Keep it simple and keep referring back to it.

2. Are You Missing Opportunities?

You could best sum this approach up as ‘preach to the converted’. Your current customers are likely an excellent source for new business. You may have a product or service that they may not know about that might suit their business. Essentially, the first port of call should be the clients that have already bought from your business.

3. Back to Basics

Chambers mentor businesses that have sales issues all of the time. Oftentimes the problem is businesses have veered from their target market and fail to realise it.

Take an honest look at what your market is and where you are at the moment. If sales are not at a level that you would like you might need to ask yourself some tough questions such as ‘Have I focused too much on one sector of my business?’ or ‘Have I deviated from my sales strategy and forgotten about my target market?’.

The second question is quite a common question. In struggling economies many businesses survive by ‘throwing everything at it.’

But the economy is largely picking up now. It’s time to assess the business and get back to selling the right products to the right customers.

4. Customer is King

Simon & Garfunkel knew this 45 years ago when they sang ‘Keep the Customer Satisfied’. In an age when almost anything can be bought or sold online at any time of the day or night by anyone, the need for excellent customer service has never been greater.

Some businesses have built their reputations on looking after generations of families. Your business can do that too by ensuring that staff are properly trained

and that customers get consistent excellent service every time that they deal with your business.

5. The Price is Right

Have you considered how your product or service is priced? What research have you carried out to make sure that it is competitively priced and that overheads and margin are factored in? It is very easy to sell too cheaply just as it is very easy to end up broke.

6. Be Ruthless

What you are not selling is as important as what you are selling. Take a look at the products or services that are simply glued to the shelves and get rid of them.

Don’t be reluctant to retire certain products or services. One of the secrets to success is being able to detach yourself from the emotion of a business decision. If something is not selling don’t stock it and don’t waste money marketing it.

7. Open Your Eyes

The first quarter is a very good time to take a look at what your competitors are doing. It is also an excellent time to look at similar businesses in different geographical areas to see how they are trading and to see if lessons can be learned.

Tip: Use events such as the Chamber networking events to meet new people and to gain market intelligence.

8. Raise Awareness

You know all about your business, as does your family, but never presume that your target audience does. Think about how you how can market your business. Go back to your sales strategy in point 1 and identify your ideal customers and then target them where they are.

9. Look the Part

When was the last time you looked at your branding? Branding isn’t just a logo or a website. It is everything from an auto signature on an email to letterhead to company vehicles. There are more options available now to help you to get your branding right. There are countless examples of how you can carry out a brand audit online.

10. Stay in Shape

Just as much as the New Year provokes people to get back in physical shape, the first quarter should also be a time when you identify training needs and areas for professional improvement.

There’s a good chance your local chamber can help you with training through networking and other learning-based events. They are also a great resource on what your community offers.

Every company needs sales to be successful. In order to do so sales and marketing strategies should be reviewed periodically to ensure they are the most effective for your business. Adjusting your tack every so often is the best way to stay on course.

Brian Cleary is the Chief Executive of Clonmel Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest business services organizations in Ireland. He’s also the past director of Chambers Ireland. He writes for a number of online publications and is a regular co-presenter of the 'Small Business Show' a syndicated radio program broadcast on a number of stations throughout Ireland and available as a podcast.