Chamber Partners with SCORE to offer Small Business Roundtables

Article by Dean L. Swanson, South East Minnesota Chapter of SCORE

Small business owners are learning that it helps to be able to talk to other owners about issues and learn from each other. This is not a new idea, but there are getting to be more of these groups across the country. In fact, large corporations have used the idea of a “Round Table” or “Think Tank” for several years. The mission statement for one such national group states that they focus on “Helping entrepreneurs to help each other have happier personal lives and more successful businesses. We are there for those who want to be in business for themselves but not just by themselves.”

In general, many of these groups recruit entrepreneurs into membership (there’s usually an annual membership fee). They are placed in a group with about 10 to 30 other entrepreneurs, carefully selected so there are no conflicts of interest among the group members. Each member signs a Confidentiality Contract, promising never to disclose anything that is discussed in a group meeting. Under the guidance of the organizers, the group meets once per month for about three hours to discuss business (and sometimes personal) problems, challenges and opportunities. The whole idea is to allow each member to tap into the collective wisdom and experience of the group to help them prevent mistakes, solve tricky business situations and to maximize their opportunities.

A Business Round Table provides entrepreneurs with an opportunity to discuss with their peers business matters of importance to them. They can bounce ideas off the others, get new ideas about solving old problems and share each other’s experiences in order to help each other become more successful in business.

A newly created Small Business Round Table series launched last month as a joint effort between the South East Minnesota Chapter of SCORE and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, and will use the concept of peer interaction and support to assist small business owners in this part of the State to be successful.

A key feature of this endeavor will be the Peer Network which will provide a supportive environment, allow for the building of useful contacts, and a variety of perspectives. The benefits of this will be to help the business owner learn what works, get peer feedback, test your ideas with a supportive group of entrepreneurs, and learn from their successes and experiences, while growing your business network.

Another key component of this new Small Business Round Table will be the useful business topics. Each meeting will feature a different “hot topic”. These will be based on the participants needs, ranging from business plans and structures to marketing and budgets for example. The group will identify the topics for future meetings.

The structure of the Small Business Round Table will be a guided discussion through a facilitated format lead by a SCORE mentor. The sessions will be informal and conversational.
For more information about participating in the new Small Business Round Table or expanding or operating a small business here in Southeast Minnesota, contact SCORE at www.score-rochester.org or 507-282-8960.

UPCOMING ROUNDTABLE:
How to Effectively Market Your Business

How is your business marketing going? The “Hot Topic” for the next Small Business Round Table, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 26th, will be How to Market Your Business. Are you pleased with your current marketing results? Are you getting more customers? Are your marketing dollars worth it? What is working for you and what isn’t working? Do you need more sales? Are you meeting your sales projections? Do you keep doing what you did last year and expect different results? Is your 2011 marketing plan in place?

Come to the next Small Business Round Table and listen to and discuss your marketing efforts with our Hot Topic presenter, Jacque Hahn of markit, a marketing firm in Southeast Minnesota. For more information or to register, click here.

Fueling the Future

A grand celebration of Epic FUEL proportions! You're invited! Join us to celebrate Fuel Rochester's accomplishments and share its vision for Fueling the Future. The celebration, scheduled Thursday, Jan. 27th, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. at the Rochester Doubletree hotel, will take place of Fuel Rochester's monthly happy hour event, and will include a short presentation and high quality networking with Rochester community leaders and young professionals. Fuel members receive one free drink; hors d' oeuvres will be served.

Agenda:
5-5:30 p.m. - Presentation
5:30 - 7 p.m. - Networking/Happy Hour/Hors d' oeuvres

Young Professionals Day:
This morning, Mayor Ardell Brede Proclaimed Thursday, Jan. 27th, as Young Professionals day in Rochester! Check out the video here, and don't forget to mark your calendars - 2 weeks from today - for Fueling the Future. See you there!

Attend next month's Rochester on Tour at the Capitol! Growing Minnesota's Future. Today!

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to bring you the 8th annual Rochester on Tour at the Capitol, Rochester’s largest advocacy and networking event of the year. With a new governor and state legislature, the stakes are higher than ever to make our voice heard. We need to ensure that the Rochester area is well represented and receives fair treatment in the upcoming competitive legislative environment. More than 3,000 business and community leaders have taken advantage of this day to rally, promote Rochester, meet their legislators and enjoy a day full of networking.

Location: Rochester/St. Paul, Minn.
Cost: Lunch, Dinner & Entertainment: $40/person
Transportation: $10/person (free for seniors 62+ and students)
History Center & Supreme Court Tours: Free!
Register (deadline to register: Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011)

"The state is faced with significant fiscal challenges, and how they are dealt with will impact our area," says Julie Fiesel, director of government affairs at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. "You can make a difference by joining us at the Capitol and voicing your concerns to show our state legislators we care."

Rochester on Tour allows business leaders and community members to show the more than 85 legislators from across the state how important Rochester is to the economic vitality of the state. When attending this event, you have the opportunity to network with legislative, business and community leaders while highlighting many of Rochester’s prominent legislative priorities.

In 2004, the Chamber organized its first Rochester on Tour at the Capitol, drawing just over 200 attendees to fight for Rochester in the approaching legislative session. In the past seven years, this event has grown considerably, and is now widely known among legislators at the Capitol as the largest gathering of its kind. Last year, over 500 business leaders and community members arrived at the Capitol to show more than 85 legislators from across the state how important Rochester is to the economic vitality of the state.

"In addition to showing the state legislature how important our community is to the economic vitality of the state, Rochester on Tour doubles as a premier networking opportunity for the business community," says Kristine Ihrke of Best Western Soldiers Field in Rochester and this year’s Rochester on Tour committee chair. "It’s a great time to meet other community members and interact with a group of concerned citizens."

This year’s tour will again kick off at Galaxy 14 Cine with a breakfast compliments of Hy-Vee and a greeting and send-off from Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede. Attendees then load the buses and the tour begins. The day continues with lunch at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront in downtown St. Paul. Here, newly elected Governor Mark Dayton and our area legislators are invited to say a few words. The fun continues as attendees are then bused to the Capitol Rotunda where Rochester makes its voice heard during a rally which includes music, fun and prizes.

Following the rally, attendees are invited to watch legislature in action, tour the Capitol complex, visit with area legislators and participate in various local issues discussions. New in 2011, a tour of the Supreme Court is available. The tour then moves down the road to the site of our Grand Reception at the National Guard Armory. Here, local businesses and community members continue to promote our city to state legislators while enjoying live music, a taste of Rochester compliments of area restaurants and a small trade show of Rochester area exhibitors. All Minnesota state legislators are invited to attend.

The evening winds down around 7 p.m., with buses arriving back in Rochester at 9 p.m.

Regardless of our viewpoints, we can all be sure of one fact: Whatever happens at the 2011 state of Minnesota legislative session will affect the Rochester area. It’s your city, county, business and home. Be there to have a say in how they will be affected. Whether you know a little or a lot when it comes to government affairs, you’ll find this event worth your while. Please consider joining us. Together we can grow Minnesota’s future, today.

Click here to download event flier.
Click here for a full schedule of events and/or to register.

Governor Pawlenty Farewell Visit

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us for a farewell visit with Governor Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday, Dec. 14th from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Rochester. Refreshments will be provided. While there is no fee for this event, we kindly request that you register in advance.

Doubletree Hotel; 150 S. Broadway
Cost: Free (please register)
Register

Facebook for Business: Tips & Tricks for Success

Spots are filling quickly for the Chamber's Facebook for Business: Tips & Tricks for Success event coming up in December (Friday, Dec. 10, 2010; 8 - 10 a.m.). Attend this informative seminar to learn the tips and tricks the experts are using to market their business with Facebook.

During this interactive, 2-hour seminar, you'll learn all about Facebook Pages, strategies to promote your Facebook page, how to set up deals for your customers, tips to engage your customers, how to convert "likes" into "sales" and much more.

Opening remarks and moderated by Lee Aase, director of the Center for Social Media at Mayo Clinic. Keynote speaker is Alan De Keyrel, owner and president of CWS, Inc. in Rochester. Panelists include Tessa Leung of Sontes, Keely Hruska of the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau, Nate Stanley of Werner Electric Supply Company, and Michelle Kalina of About Face.

To learn more or to register, click here.

Next week's Gubernatorial Debate to feature candidates Mark Dayton, Tom Emmer and Tom Horner

Join the Chamber on Friday, Oct. 22 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Rochester Golf & Country Club as we partner with the Rochester Post-Bulletin to host a Governor Candidates Debate. Please join us as the candidates discuss the issues that affect Rochester and greater Minnesota. Confirmed candidates include Mark Dayton, Tom Emmer and Tom Horner. Cost to attend is $20 for Members and $30 for Non-Members. Click here to register.

Annual Member Celebration Award Nominations

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Member Celebration is an evening of good food, great entertainment and networking. The event also showcases the Volunteer of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Lamp of Knowledge award winners. To nominate a candidate for one of the following awards, visit the link below by Sept. 10, 2010.

Business of the Year Award: The Business of the Year Award is presented to a Chamber-member business. To attain this award, the business must show commitment in the areas of community service, client relations, investment in employees, business ethics and business improvement and growth.

Jan Warfield Volunteer of the Year Award: The Jan Warfield Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually to a member of the Chamber who has demonstrated outstanding participating and leadership in Chamber activities. This award is given in Jan Warfield’s memory in honor of her dedication and commitment to the Chamber.

For detailed criteria or to nominate a candidate, visit http://www.rochestermnchamber.com/annualawardsnomination/.

In the News: Chamber Annual Golf Outing

You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day than yesterday as more than 270 golfers hit the links at Willow Creek Golf course for the Chamber's 30th Annual Golf Outing. The tournament, themed Hollywood, had the golfers' and sponsors' creative juices flowing, many of which were captured by area businesses and the media. Although we will have the "official" results for the tournament in an upcoming edition of the Chamber Advantage magazine, we thought we'd share some fun tidbits we found floating around the Web!

• Hollywood Takes Over Willow Creek (Fox 47)
• Snapshots at Roch. Chamber golf bash 2010 (Kiger's Blog/Post-Bulletin)
• Fox 47's Facebook Fan Page Album
• Olmsted Medical Center's Facebook Fan Page Album
• CWS's Facebook Fan Page Album

If we missed an album or any media coverage, please let us know (email bolson@rochestermnchamber.com)!

2010 Worksite Wellness Conference & Expo - Now Accepting Exhibitor Applications

The 2010 Worksite Wellness Conference and Expo in Rochester, Minn. will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010 at the Mayo Civic Center. The conference will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the expo will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity for Southeast Minnesota businesses to get involved in worksite wellness.

As a provider of services and opportunities to improve and enhance employee wellness, the Expo planning committee would like to invite you to apply to participate in the event with a table of information and resources. However, due to a limited number of spaces, there will be an application to fill out to be considered as an exhibitor for the 2010 Worksite Wellness Expo event.

Highest priority will be given to exhibitors with a focus on employee wellness and those with interactive displays. Please fill out the attached application form and return to Pete Moehnke at pmoehnke@rochestermnchamber.com. Application deadline is Friday July 9, 2010. Exhibitors will be chosen and notified by Friday, July 30, 2010.

There will be a $50 fee to have a display table of information at the Worksite Wellness Expo. A representative from your organization must be available throughout the event to share information and answer attendee’s questions. There is a separate $40 charge for electricity.

30th Annual Golf Outing Marketing Opportunity

Promote your business to more than 500 individuals at our 30th Annual Golf Outing on Wednesday, July 28th, with our targeted coupon book!

Cost to Participate:
$50 Payment is due with submission of art work.

Distribution:
The coupon book will be inserted in bags that more than 500 individuals will receive at the golf tournament (this year's theme: Hollywood). Bags will contain the coupon book and other gift items; no loose coupons will be allowed.

Specifics:
- 3” tall x 7.5” wide
- One-sided
- Black & White
- Printed on light green paper
- PDF – Print Ready Artwork

How To Reserve Your Space:
Ad space reservations should be submitted to http://my.rapidnewsletter.com/redirect.php?mailID=10101&addrID=&email=&href=mailto:

Deadline for Submission:
Ads are due to the Chamber by Noon on Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Bio-Science - What Is It & Why Is It Important? - by Tim Penny, President, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

In an increasingly competitive world marketplace, every region must identify and build upon areas of strategic advantage. Here in southern Minnesota, the bio-sciences offer us that edge. What is bio-science?

Bioscience applies biological technology to innovations in medicine, energy and agriculture. Southern Minnesota has long been recognized for its innovative businesses in these very areas. We have the world famous Mayo Clinic, MVTL Laboratories in New Ulm, numerous ethanol plants, and a significant cluster of agriculture-based industries such as Hormel in Austin, Bushel Boy Tomato in Owatonna, Hubbard Milling in Mankato, Malto Meal in Northfield, and Associated Milk Producers in New Ulm.

To grow bio-businesses you also need a facilities focused on scientific research in genetics, molecular biology, bio-informatics, renewable energy, bio processing, food ingredients, medical technology, human health technology, and biomaterials. In this regard, too, our southern Minnesota region is well-positioned. Our bio-science research assets include Mayo in Rochester, the Hormel Research Institute in Austin, the Agriculture Utilization and Research Institute and the University of Minnesota’s Southern Research Center in Waseca. The research capacity of the region has also benefited from a partnership between computer giant IBM and both Mayo and Hormel.

We already know that through Mayo Medical Ventures, new discoveries are being taken into the market place. As we look ahead, we can expect more and more commercialization opportunities to come out of these regional research labs. We need to capture and keep more of those businesses right here in southern Minnesota.

A proposed bio-research park just north of Rochester – called Elk Run – along with a bio-business office building to be constructed adjacent to the Mayo Clinic also enhance the region’s prospects.

On the workforce side of the bio-business equation, we can look to Winona State University’s Center for Excellence in Health, three regional Community College campuses, Minnesota State University-Mankato, and a cluster of higher education facilities in Rochester - including the new downtown campus of the University of Minnesota-Rochester.

All of these assets form the basis for future bio- business growth in our region.

Tim Penny, President of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, will speak on the topic “Access to Bio-Business Capital” at the Small Business Summit on Friday, May 21st. Register today by visiting www.rochestermnchamber.com/evolve.html.

FOR PREVIOUS EVOLVE BLOG POSTS, CLICK HERE.

Slice of the Big Pie - by John Kilian, SE MN Program Manager, Procurement Technical Assistance Center

In 2009, government expenditures reached more than $520 billion, making the federal government market the largest market in the world. But entering this market can be intimidating to entrepreneurs. Questions arise in how to navigate paperwork and red tape. An entrepreneur might give up because of questions like “where would my products or services fit” or concerns that “it’s too much work” or thinking they will be turned down. There is a lot to learn in order to position your company to sell in the government marketplace.

Would you like to participate in that marketplace but don't know where to start? Then attend the Small Business Summit seminar introduction to the basics of selling to the government. You'll get basic information on the market, contracting methods with Agencies and Prime Contractors, buying channels, terminology, registrations and certifications involved and the starting points for positioning your company to sell into the government market.

By John D. Kilian, SE MN Program Manager, (PTAC) Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Kilian has over 31 years of experience in government procurement and contracting management expertise. He will be speaking on this topic at the Small Business Summit.

FOR PREVIOUS EVOLVE BLOG POSTS, CLICK HERE.

Twenty Years – What a Difference! - by Nancy Domaille, CEO & Chair of the Board of Domaille Engineering

"We’ve been told that the last couple of years have been the worst since the Great Depression and that we’re still far from pulling out of the current recession. As a result, the perception may be that 1990 presented a better business environment than 2010. Granted, today’s economic and business environment is dramatically different than it was in 1990, but not necessarily in the ways you may think. In 1990, the inflation rate was 5.65%, today it is about 2%; the 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 10%, today it is 5%; the prime interest rate was 10%, today it is 3.25%.

It wasn’t easy to start or grow a business in 1990. Many of the principles that applied then can still be applied in 2010. At the same time, 2010 brings new challenges. These challenges require new and creative methods to ensure success. Join me at the Small Business Summit on May 21st to gain insight into how existing businesses are weathering the economic storm and why now, as in 1990, may be an ideal time to start a new business."

by Nancy Domaille
CEO & Chair of the Board of Domaille Engineering and
Small Business Summit keynote speaker

Fuel Rochester turns 1

Join us to celebrate Fuel Rochester's first birthday! The Chamber introduced Fuel Rochester to the community on April 30th, 2009 at Goonie's Comedy Club, and brought in more than 300 young professionals. Today the organization has more than 250 members and 30 volunteers, was awarded the Known for Networking award by the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau, and continues to provide relevant networking, social, educational, community engagement and professional development opportunities for Rochester's young professionals. To learn more about Fuel Rochester or to join, click here.

Happy Birthday!
On Friday, April 30th, Fuel Rochester will take over Whiskey Bones Road House to celebrate its first birthday! We will have a live band (incognito), birthday cupcakes, giveaways (Korn tickets and more!) drinks, and more! Cost to attend is free for Fuel members or $5 for the general public.

In the News:
Young Professionals Power Rochester's Growth (Post-Bulletin)

KROC Chamber Chat features Small Business Summit

On yesterday morning's Chamber Chat show on AM 1340 with Rapid Rich Peterson, Chamber Vice President - Education/Workforce Jess Ihrke and Alan De Keyrel, owner of CWS, Inc., discussed the Chamber's upcoming small business summit, titled Evolve - Thriving & Sustaining in Today's Economy. De Keyrel, who is one of the event's featured entrepreneurs, is leading the session on Social Media. For more information on Evolve, click the banner above.

Download Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce - Chamber Chat

And be sure to tune into AM 1340 the fourth Monday of each month at 9:50 a.m. to hear the show live!

Event Recap: April Eggs & Issues (Minnesota's Strategy for Building a Competitive Workforce)

Minnesota's Strategy for Building a Competitive Workforce was the topic at the April 10th Eggs & Issues. State Representative Sandra Peterson reviewed her bill which requires students entering high school to have a plan to guide him/her though high school and beyond into competitive employment and post secondary education. The Rochester Area Chamber supports this bill.

Following her presentation Representative Demmer, Representative Welti and Senator Lynch joined Representative Peterson for a question and answer session on other issues important to the business community.

Event News Coverage:
Post-Bulletin story
Post-Bulletin editorial

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede and Chamber President John Wade Urge Rochester Citizens to Fill the Capitol on Feb. 24th at Rochester on Tour

Rochester area projects are in jeopardy. We need you at the Minnesota State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the Chamber’s Rochester on Tour at the Capitol event to save our projects from being on the chopping block. As a community, this is a chance to make a huge difference in the future of Rochester. Rochester is a driving economic engine in Minnesota, but all in the state do not recognize this.

Rochester’s bonding projects are in jeopardy of not happening! The Mayo Civic Center expansion project alone will have a huge impact on the regional and state economy. It is expected to create 1,200 jobs (400 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs) and increase the Mayo Civic Center’s economic impact by $44 million per year.

These tourist dollars fill hotels and restaurants. Tourists shop in Rochester stores and keep our residents employed by bringing their business here. This, and other projects in the bill, is essential to Rochester’s economy. We need to make sure Rochester receives the tools to prosper economically and retain and grow jobs!

Rochester area bonding projects include:

• Southern Rail Corridor
• Mayo Civic Center Expansion
• Classroom additions and renovations at RCTC
• Co-location of Workforce Development Center at the RCTC Campus
• Multipurpose Corridor Acquisition
• Lake Zumbro Restoration
• Rochester MnDOT facility upgrade
• National Volleyball Center

Register today for Rochester on Tour. To register, click here or call 507-288-1122. We have extended the registration deadline to Noon on Monday, Feb. 22.

Tomorrow's (1/21/2010) Power Network with a Twist event cancelled

Tomorrow's regularly scheduled Power Network with a Twist networking event has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Please check back on our Events Calendar on our Web site as well as our weekly Chamber E-News Update for upcoming Power Network and other networking events.

Chamber hosts Public Safety Forum

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a public safety forum with Rochester Police Chief Roger Peterson (pictured to the left) earlier this month. Chief Peterson and his leadership team updated our membership on the latest Rochester crime statistics and its impact on the business community. In relating news, the results of the Chamber's 2009 Public Safety survey that was recently sent out to members will be shared in February's edition of the Chamber Advantage newsletter.

Transportation Forums

Would you like to hear firsthand about transportation issues in the Rochester area? The first Friday of each month, September - May, members gather for a Transportation Forum at the Holiday Inn South at 7 a.m. Each month's breakfast meeting starts with a presentation on a transportation-related topic. Recent presentations include Elk Run, MnDot stimulus funds and county/city parking and planning departments. Additionally, MnDot, Olmsted County,t he City of Rochester and the Rochester International Airport regularly provide updates at each meeting.

On Nov. 6, Tim Geisler, representing the Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance, will be updated the group on the recently released Tri-State III High Speed Passenger Rail Study. For more information, contact John Eckerman at jeckerman@rochestermnchamber.com or 507-424-5687.