Chamber Launches Foundation Web site

The Rochester Chamber of Commerce Foundation is excited to announce the launch of its newest Web site, focusing primarily on building a competitive workforce.

http://www.competitivewf.com/ is home to the Foundation’s workforce and education programming, and is a valuable resource guide for various workforce and educational initiatives available in the community.

Site features include a Workforce News blog, Foundation calendar, helpful links and resources, and much more. The site is also home to a new and improved Business Learning Network (BLN) calendar.

The BLN calendar consists of various Chamber-member events that provide relevant, applicable and superior educational opportunities to Chamber members. These opportunities encourage professional growth and instill tools necessary for recruiting and retaining employees in today’s ever growing and changing market. Chamber members are encouraged to submit their educational events by visiting the Web site and clicking on the BLN calendar tab.

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

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 Business Gives

Rochester Area Business Gives is an excellent way for businesses to receive recognition from their peers and their community for the many contributions they make to their local community. Businesses are recognized for giving cash and/or in-kind contributions to charitable organizations amounting to 2 percent or more of their pretax earnings.

Your business can participate and be recognized by completing the participation form online and submitting it to Loree Flick at the Chamber by Friday, Sept. 25. Business Gives winners will be recognized at the Annual Member Celebration on Oct. 29. Click here for more information or to apply.

Using Social Media to Grow Your Business and Build Your Career

Tuesday, July 14, 2009; 4 - 6 p.m.
University of Minnesota Rochester (room 417)

Cost: Chamber Members: $10; Fuel Members: Free (includes pizza/soda)Register

Did you know Facebook has more than 200 million active users? A recent survey says 90 percent of professional marketers believe that social media will become a tactic AS IMPORTANT as email and paid search marketing. How is your business utilizing social media? Looking to understand the best way to brand yourself or your business using social media? Then this seminar is a must!

This event, sponsored by Fuel Rochester, is proud to present Lee Aase of Mayo Clinic as the keynote speaker. Aase has been called a social media "rock star." He travels the country to speak at conferences and runs his own virtual Social Media University, Global (SMUG), a Web site including courses such as Blogging 101. Allina Hospitals and Clinics in the Twin Cities invited him to show them how it's done. He was interviewed by Shel Isreal, a Silicon Valley media guru, for the upcoming book, "Twitterville."

Agenda:
Pizza & Networking: 4-4:30 p.m.
Lee Aase: 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Panel Discussion: 5:15 - 6 p.m.

Panelists:

Alan De Keyrel, owner, CWS, Inc.

Wade Beavers, CEO, DoApp & Dave Borillo, CTO, DoApp

Becky Ross, communications manager, Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin

Aase's Bio
Lee Aase is manager of Syndication and Social Media for Mayo Clinic. His team’s focus is developing quality medical news resources for mainstream media, and using social media applications to create more in-depth, extended relationships directly with key stakeholders. You can see examples of Mayo Clinic’s social media offerings through the Mayo Clinic News Blog at http://newsblog.mayoclinic.org/ or at Sharing Mayo Clinic, http://sharing.mayoclinic.org/.

By night, Lee is Chancellor of Social Media University, Global (SMUG), a free online higher education institution that provides practical, hands-on training in social media for lifelong learners. Visit SMUG at http://social-media-university-global.org/

Prior to joining Mayo Clinic in 2000, Lee spent more than a decade in political and government communications at the local, state and federal level. He received his B.S. in Political Science from Mankato (Minn.) State University in 1986.Fuel Rochester is an initiative of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.

In the News: Eggs & Issues

Minnesota Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren spoke in Rochester Saturday at the Chamber's third of four installments of its annual Eggs & Issues series. Seagren talked in-depth about Governor Tim Pawlenty's Teaching Transformation Act initiative as well as other proposals to reshape the education system in Minnesota.

Media coverage of this event can be found below:

Education commissioner pitches Pawlenty's plans for teachers (Post-Bulletin)
The Future of Education (KAAL-TV)

Save the date for the final installment of Eggs & Issues - Economic Recovery through Green jobs - on Saturday, May 2, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Rochester Golf & Country Club. To register or learn more about this event, click here.

New Speakers added to Chamber's Speakers' Bureau

Six new speakers were added to the Chamber's Speakers' Bureau today, including five lawyers from the 2008 Chamber Business of the Year: Dunlap & Seeger, P.A.

The Speakers' Bureau is a list of Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce members who have offered to speak to area groups on a variety of business and communications topics. For more information about the Speakers' Bureau and to view a complete list of speakers, or to apply to be a speaker yourself, click here!

Business Learning Network Calendar of Events Recently Updated

The Chamber's Business Learning Network calendar of events was recently updated and includes a plethora of continuous workforce/education and professional development opportunities for the community and Chamber members. To view these opportunities, visit the calendar here.

The Business Learning Network consists of more than 15 area higher education providers and organizations and provides relevant, applicable and superior educational opportunities to Chamber members. These opportunities encourage professional growth and instill tools necessary for recruiting and retaining employees in today's ever growing and changing market.

Business Survival Summit and Workshop - sponsored by Augsburg College MBA Program, Post-Bulletin and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce

A Business Survival Summit and Workshop, sponsored by the Augsburg College MBA Program, Post-Bulletin and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is being held on Tuesday, Jan. 27th from 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Hear from two local business leaders, including Kelly McDonough, CEO and President, First Alliance Credit Union, about reacting to economic challenges and attend two interactive workshops on strategic thinking and marketing and advertising effectiveness designed to help you survive and prosper in these challenging times.

The workshops will be conducted by two Augsburg College business professors who are also business consultants. The summit is part of the "Connecting with the Community" learning series. This summit will be held in Bethel Hall at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Avenue SE, Rochester and is free and open to the public. No registration is needed. Contact Dave Conrad at 507-287-7791 or conradd@augsburg.edu for more information.

Learn.Do.Earn Initiative featured on LearnMoreMN blog

This past week, the Chamber was asked to provide a blog for the LearnMoreMN team (This group had come in this past summer to present to the Workforce 2020 coalition on “Vanishing Graduates” and did a series of advocacy videos with MNSCU and others on education/workforce related issues).

Chamber Vice President - Education & Workforce Jess Ihrke was asked to do a guest blog for the LearnMoreMN Web site in November about the Chamber's Learn.Do.Earn program that is being launched in the Rochester school district this year. To read the blog, click here.

We encourage those willing and able to provide a response to the blog on behalf of the Rochester community! This is great opportunity to advance Learn.Do.Earn and let others know across the state how our community is preparing our workforce.

STEM Summit Photos

On election day, the Chamber and Workforce 2020 held it's annual Greater Rochester STEM Summit at the RCTC Field House in Rochester. More than 700 kids were in attendance to enjoy exhibits related to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers. More than 70 area businesses and educational institutions were on-hand to give the students a first-hand, interactive look at how STEM is an important field to study. A huge thank you to our sponsors as well - RCTC, WSU Rochester, Crenlo, McNeilus, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Southeast Service Cooperative and Workforce 2020.

STEM Advocacy Videos (created by area students)

With the Chamber's Greater Rochester STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Summit right around the corner (Tuesday, Nov. 4), we thought we'd share a pair of STEM Summit advocacy videos created by area Lincoln middle schoolers. Enjoy!





STEM summits are a component of a community initiative to promote advanced science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) coursework to greater Rochester students.

For more information about how your business can participate in November’s STEM Summit (i.e. giveaways, interactive booths, bus sponsorship, etc.), contact Julie Fiesel at 507-424-5665.

Chamber Chat Show - October 2008

On yesterday's Chamber Chat show on AM 1340 with Tracy McCray, Chamber Vice President - Education/Workforce Jess Ihrke joined Lincoln middle school student Celeste to discuss the upcoming STEM Summit on Nov. 4. To learn more about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and the Greater Rochester STEM Summit (which is expecting more than 800 middle school students to attend), hit the play button below!

Tune into AM 1340 the fourth Monday of each month at 9:50 a.m. to hear the show live! You can listen to past Chamber Chat shows by clicking here.

WSU Rochester to hold reception/open house as part of sesquicentennial celebration

In conjunction with Winona State University's Sesquicentennial celebration, WSU Rochester will hold a reception and open house for current and prospective students, alumni and community members from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in the Atrium of University Center Rochester, 839 30th Ave. SE, Rochester.

President Judith Ramaley will announce the university¹s renewed commitment to serving the needs of a diverse population in Rochester through academic programs, student services and community outreach. WSU has served the Rochester area for more than 90 years, beginning in 1917.

Rochester Community Technical College President, Don Supalla, and University of Minnesota Rochester Chancellor, Stephen Lehmkuhle, will join Ramaley for a brief program at 5 p.m. A representative from the City of Rochester Mayor¹s Office will present a proclamation, recognizing WSU's long-term commitment and contribution to the region.

The public is invited to attend. Birthday cake, coffee and punch will be served.

For more information, call Brenda Phillips at 507-285-7139 or email bphillips@winona.edu.

Generational Diversity in the Workplace (a BLN seminar)

Did you know that for the first time in U.S. history there are four generations in the workplace?

Does your business have a succession plan in place to meet the workforce needs of the future?

Human behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs around human interaction and generational diversity are deeply rooted, complex, and subtly ingrained. Generational diversity requires employers to develop skills that engage cross-sections of people to work together and thrive.

Join Dr. Tolbert and Dunlap & Seeger, P.A. for this Business Learning Network event to find out how your organization can manage generational diversity, protect your bottom line, and deliver results. This half-day session will provide owners, managers, and human resource professionals the jump-start your business needs. Plus, you will have the opportunity to network with other professionals on issues specific to your organization.

Session Details:
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008
1-4:15 p.m.
(Social / Networking 4:15 to 5:30 p.m.)

Location:
University of Minnesota Rochester; Room 417 (4th floor of University Square)
111 South Broadway ~ Rochester, MN


Registration:
There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required at
http://www.rochestermnchamber.com/register/index.php?eventID=392.

Ribbon Cutting: UMR Student Services

Yesterday afternoon, the University of Minnesota Rochester held a grand opening ribbon cutting of their Student Services offices on the main floor of the Shops at University Square. Chamber Ambassadors, elected officials and the local media were among those on hand for the grand opening, which included guided tours of the campus throughout the day and live entertainment. Congrats!

Thank you to MLT Group for the photo!

Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Summit - sponsored by the Augsburg College MBA Program

On Thursday, Oct. 16th at 7 p.m., the Augsburg College MBA Program is sponsoring a Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Summit that is part of the "Connecting with the Community" learning series.

This conference will be held in Bethel Hall at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Avenue SE, Rochester and is free and open to the public. No registration is needed.

Featured panel members are Mayo Clinic Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Glenn Forbes, Crenlo LLC CEO and President, Lance Fleming, Post Bulletin Newspaper Managing Editor, Jay Furst, and Apollo Wine and Spirits President, Ari Kolas. Panel members will provide short presentations followed by an open audience question and answer period.