stc news you can use vol 1 issue 1
DESCRIPTION
Chamber NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
Visit us at :
www.southtarrantchamber.com
Join us at our next luncheon
to meet and greet all of our
board members and staff per-
sonally. Miller will also convey
his vision for the chamber in
2009. This is a lunch that you
do not want to miss. Get ready,
get set, let’s go into the new
year on fire!
Happy New Year! The new
year is here and we are excited
to help take your business to
the next level. STC has experi-
enced a shift in leadership and
with this shift comes new ideas,
new programs, and a new di-
rection. David Miller, City Man-
ager of the City of Forest Hill, is
our new Chairman.
Miller has expressed a
strong passion for our busi-
nesses. He desires to bring an
enthusiastic common sense
approach to the table. His goal
is to see an effective chamber
truly building better businesses
in South Tarrant County. He
started the new year running
and has assigned new duties to
our board members to ensure
our Chamber operates at it’s
highest capacity.
In addition to our new Chair-
man, Sam Shafeeq who served
as Chairman with honor from
2006-2008 is now our new
Vice-Chair. Nicole Spencer will
serve in the position of Execu-
tive Director; Gwen Barbee will
Chair our Membership Commit-
tee and Venus Wehle will Chair
our Events Committee. Shirley
Fowkes will lead our Ambassa-
dors Committee and lastly,
Ozell Birks will lead our Fiscal
Management Committee.
This year we would like to
encourage your participation in
all of our programs and events
to maximize the benefits of the
chamber. Please bring business
cards and marketing items to
every event. Our website has
been created to keep you in-
formed of upcoming events.
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V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1
C H A M B E R N E W S Y O U C A N U S E
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
B U S I N E S S / E C O N O M I C
D O W N T U R N
2
2 0 0 8 M E M B E R S 3
U P C O M I N G
E V E N T S 3
V O L U N T E E R
C A M P A I G N
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A B O U T U S 4
Business Quotes
“There is one thing
stronger than all the
armies in the world,
and that is an idea
whose time has
come.”
-Victor Hugo
•
David Miller, Chairman
Luncheon Explosion
New in ‘09
2/12/09 2/12/09 2/12/09 2/12/09
11:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.–––– 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m.
Glen Garden Country ClubGlen Garden Country ClubGlen Garden Country ClubGlen Garden Country Club
2916 Glen Garden Drive2916 Glen Garden Drive2916 Glen Garden Drive2916 Glen Garden Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76119Fort Worth, Texas 76119Fort Worth, Texas 76119Fort Worth, Texas 76119
RSVP Today! (817) 568RSVP Today! (817) 568RSVP Today! (817) 568RSVP Today! (817) 568----2685268526852685
• New Leadership
• New Programs
• New Members
Page 2 C H A M B E R N E W S Y O U C A N U S E
Caption describing picture or graphic.
How to Successfully Navigate Your Business through an Economic Downturn by: Terry H. Hill
An economic downturn is a phase of the business cycle in which the economy as a whole is in decline. This phase basically marks the end of the period of growth in the business cycle. Eco-nomic downturns are character-ized by decreased levels of con-sumer purchases (especially of durable goods) and, subse-quently, reduced levels of produc-tion by businesses. While economic downturns are admittedly difficult, and are formi-dable obstacles to small busi-nesses that are trying to survive and grow, an economic downturn
can open up opportunities. A well-managed company can realize the opportunity to gain market share by taking customers away from their competitors. Resource-ful entrepreneurs capture the available opportunities, from an economic downturn, by develop-ing alternate methods of doing business that were never imple-mented during a prior growth period. The challenge of successfully navigating your business through an economic downturn lies in the realignment of your business with current economic realities. Spe-
cifically, you, as the business owner, need to renew a focus on your core clients/customers, re-duce your operating expenses, conserve cash, and manage more proactively, rather than reactively, is paramount. Here are best practices that will help you to successfully navi-gate your business through an economic downturn: Goals: The primary goal of any business owner is to survive the current economic downturn and to develop a leaner, more cost-effective and more efficient op-
eration. The secondary goal is to grow the business even during this current economic downturn. Objectives: • Conserve cash. • Protect assets. • Reduce costs. • Improve efficiencies.
• Grow customer base.
Required Action: • Do not panic… History shows that economic downturns do not last forever. Remain calm and act in a rational manner as you refo-cus your attention on resizing your company to the current eco-nomic conditions. • Focus on what YOU can con-trol… Don’t let the media's rheto-ric concerning recessions and economic slowdown deter you from achieving business success. It’s a trap! Why? Because the condition of the economy is be-yond your control. Surviving eco-nomic downturns requires a focus on what you can control, i.e. your
relevant business activities. • Communicate, communicate, and communicate! Beware of the pitfall of trying to do too much on your own. It is a difficult task in-deed to survive and to grow your business solely with your own efforts. Solicit ideas and seek the help of other people (your employ-ees, suppliers, lenders, custom-ers, and advisors). Communicate honestly and consistently. Effec-tive two-way communication is the key. • Negotiate, negotiate, and nego-tiate! The value of a strong nego-tiation skill set cannot be over-stated. Negotiating better deals
and contracts is an absolute must for realigning and resizing your company to the current economic conditions. The key to success is not only knowing how to develop a win-win approach in negotia-tions with all parties, but also keeping in mind the fact that you want a favorable outcome for
yourself too.
To read the remainder of this article please visit Terry H. Hill ‘s
website.
Terry H. Hill is the founder and managing partner of Legacy Asso-ciates, Inc, a business consulting and advisory services firm. A vet-eran chief executive, Terry works directly with business owners of privately held companies on the issues and challenges that they face in each stage of their busi-ness life cycle. To find out how he can help you take your business
to the next level, visit his site
at http://www.legacyai.com
Copyright © 2008 Terry H. Hill
Join TodayJoin TodayJoin TodayJoin Today
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• And more!And more!And more!And more!
We celebrate our 2008
members and look forward to
many more in 2009. If you
have a new business or a new
business location please con-
tact us to conduct a ground
breaking or ribbon cutting
ceremony. (All requests must
be at least 2 weeks in ad-
vance.) We can also do an-
nouncements and press re-
leases in the next newsletter.
Some of our new members in
2008 are listed below. To get
more information on the busi-
nesses listed please visit our
online business directory.
www.southtarrantchamber.com
• Guardian First Credit
Union
• Brothers III Carpet
• Chesapeake Energy
• Jabez Enterprise Group
• Pathway Builders
• My Credit Union
• Sunrise Personnel
• Liberty Mutual
• South Tarrant Star
• Life Unlimited
• Jackson Hewitt
• Cement Colors
• Up and Away Travel
standing teachers and students
on a quarterly basis. Donations
of any kind to this scholarship
program is welcomed.
We also have plans to volun-
teer with non-profit organiza-
tions to help carry out their mis-
sions in the community. This
work will range from helping the
City of Forest Hill’s parks to do-
nating toys at Christmas to the
What better way to connect to
your community then through
volunteering? STC believes in
giving back to our schools and
community. In 2009 many volun-
teer opportunities will arise and
we would like to encourage your
participation.
In the past we have given nu-
merous scholarships to our local
schools. We recognize out-
Forest Hill Action Group.
Join us in making a differ-
ence.
STC’s committees al-
ways welcome new volun-
teers. We have several
committees on which you
can serve, to be a part of
the action contact Nicole
Spencer 817.568.2686.
N E W M E M B E R S I N 2 0 0 8
V O L U N T E E R S N E E D E D
U P C O M I N G E V E N T S - S A V E T H E D A T E
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MarchMarchMarchMarch
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3/30/09 Business Directory3/30/09 Business Directory3/30/09 Business Directory3/30/09 Business Directory
AprilAprilAprilApril
4/30/09 Awards Banquet4/30/09 Awards Banquet4/30/09 Awards Banquet4/30/09 Awards Banquet
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YOUR COMPANY YOUR COMPANY YOUR COMPANY YOUR COMPANY
HEREHEREHEREHERE
How will they How will they How will they How will they
know unless you know unless you know unless you know unless you
tell them? tell them? tell them? tell them?
Advertise today!Advertise today!Advertise today!Advertise today!
817.568.2685817.568.2685817.568.2685817.568.2685
Page 3 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1
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Donation from STC to Kennedale High School
6800 Forest Hill Drive6800 Forest Hill Drive6800 Forest Hill Drive6800 Forest Hill Drive
Forest Hill, Texas 76140Forest Hill, Texas 76140Forest Hill, Texas 76140Forest Hill, Texas 76140
Phone: 817Phone: 817Phone: 817Phone: 817----568568568568----2685268526852685
EEEE----mail: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]
Our Mission:Our Mission:Our Mission:Our Mission:
Build better businesses through
networking, education and exposure.
Our Slogan:Our Slogan:Our Slogan:Our Slogan:
“Building Better Businesses”
Our Service Area:Our Service Area:Our Service Area:Our Service Area:
• Forest Hill
• Everman
• Kennedale
• South Arlington
• South Fort Worth
We welcome your We welcome your We welcome your We welcome your
business or organization.business or organization.business or organization.business or organization.
Join Today!Join Today!Join Today!Join Today!
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y /M A R C H 2 0 0 9
We are on the web!
www.southtarrantchamber.com
STC Board/Staff plan for 2009
Wednesday
April 22, 2009
Fort Worth Convention Center
Expo offers:
* Educational opportunities for
small business owners
* Minority/Women Business
Enterprise (M/WBE)
certification education
* Procurement opportunities with
large prime contractors
and government agencies
* 300-plus vendors in Exhibit Hall
Register to attend or exhibit:
www.The Expo.org
Expo Hotline: 817-871-6021
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