November Chamber Report by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

November 2010

Inside this issue: • Business Long Term Recovery • Linn Area BizPAC Endorsements • Good Morning Cedar Rapids

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Table of Contents Article

Page

Featured Member of the Month............................................4 ImpactCR..............................................................................5 Linn Area BizPAC Endorsements.........................................6 New Members.......................................................................7 Calendar of Events................................................................8 Video Partnership..................................................................9 Business Long Term Recovery..................................... 10-11 Sales Roundtable.................................................................12 Breakfast of Champions.....................................................13 EDC.....................................................................................14 Developing Leaders With Chamber Institute.....................15 Legislative Preview Luncheon............................................16 America’s Small Business Summit.....................................17 October PM Exchange Recap.............................................18 PM Exchange......................................................................18 Good Morning Cedar Rapids..............................................19

November 2010 Volume 80 No 3 (USPS558-200) Chamber Report (ISSN 108-50775) is published monthly by the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, 424 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Subscription price of $35 per year is included in an annual chamber membership. Periodicals postage paid at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Postmaster: Send changes to: Chamber Report Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce 424 First Ave. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1196 Chair: Chuck Peters President & CEO: Shannon Meyer Editor: Kari Stillman Contact the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce at 319-398-5317 for reprint permission. ©2010 Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

2010-2011 Board of Directors Officers

Chuck Peters, SourceMedia Group, Chair Nancy Kasparek, U.S. Bank NA, Chair Elect Brad Hart, Bradley & Riley PC, Immediate Past Chair Rob Frederick, The AEGON Companies, Secretary William Vincent, Clifton Gunderson LLP, Treasurer Shannon Meyer, Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, President

Board of Directors

Jill Ackerman, Marion Chamber of Commerce, Honorary Director Dawn Ainger, Genova Technologies, Director Thomas Anderson, Merrill Lynch, Director Todd Barker, NAI Iowa Realty Commercial, Director David Benson, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Director Barry Boyer, Van Meter Industrial, Inc., Chair Priority One Scott Byers, NAI Iowa Realty Commercial, Director Lijun Chadima, Thorland Company, Director Ron Corbett, Mayor, City of Cedar Rapids, Honorary Director Chris DeWolf, Lil’ Drug Store Products, Inc., Director Jeff Elgin, J & T Elgin, LLC, Director James Ernst, Four Oaks Inc. of Iowa, Director Gary Ficken, Bimm Ridder Sportswear, Director Ronald Fielder, Grant Wood Area Education Agency, Director Kristie Fisher, Kirkwood Community College, Director Don Garland, Chair Marion Chamber, Honorary Director Scott Gasway, J.P. Gasway Company, Inc., Director Bernard Gill, Ascott Transcription Services, Director Shannon Hanson, ImpactCR, Honorary Director Tom Hobson, Rockwell Collins, Inc., At Large Director Beth Houlahan, Mercy Medical Center, Director Tim Kintner, Bankers Trust Company, Director Christine Landa, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, Inc., Director Robb Loftsgard, Wells Fargo Bank, Director Curt Nelson, Entrepreneurial Development Center Inc. Honorary Director Doug Neumann, Cedar Rapids Downtown District, Honorary Director Ron Olson, Paulson Electric Company, Director Hazel Pegues, Diversity Focus, Honorary Director Mark Seckman, Priority One, President Priority One John Sheehan, St. Luke’s Hospital, Director Tim Spain United Fire Group, Director Vernon Squires, Leadership for Five Seasons, Honorary Director Michael Sundall, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, P.C., Director Paul Treangen, Alliant Energy – Interstate Power & Light Co., Director Monica Vernon, Cedar Rapids City Council, Honorary Director William Vernon, Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC, Director Brandt Worley, Worley Warehousing, Inc, Director

November 2010___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3

From the Chairman’s Desk:

Chamber’s Prosperity Agenda The two key pillars of this Chamber’s Prosperity Agenda are developing a culture of innovation and regional collaboration. Richard Longworth (Senior Fellow at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs) confirmed those pillars during the Iowa City Area Development Group’s annual meeting in September (www.corridor2020.com). In essence, if this region is going to compete in the new global, knowledge based, economy, we need to develop the spirit, culture and support systems for innovation to develop an effective regional economy. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the United States Department of Commerce has come to the same conclusion, and has created a fund to support the development of a regional Innovation Center. So, to fulfill our mission, we are deep into the planning of the Innovation Center. It will be located on the current land owned by this Chamber at the corner of 1st Avenue and 5th Street in downtown Cedar Rapids. It will house other organizations and other programming critical to developing a culture of innovation. This space, and the programming contained within it, will be unlike anything that exists in our area. Those working on the plans are very excited about the possibilities of this new space. Given all that excitement, I am amazed by the myths I still hear about this center: 1. The Chamber diverted flood recovery money away from the most needy in this community. The federal and state support for this project is from funds that are not available for flood recovery. If this building is not built, the money will go to other communities for similar purposes. 2. The building design is extravagant, and too costly, particularly in this tough economic environment. We are designing this building for the next 50 years, and it will be built at a cost per square foot comparable to many recent buildings in the area. 3. The Chamber is building a “palace” for itself. The actual space the Chamber staff have for personal offices today will be reduced, in favor of more open, collaborative spaces that can be used by many in the community for programming that will advance the entire community. 4. There is no need for a new building, when there are so many vacant buildings downtown. This will be a unique space, which cannot be developed within an existing building. The EDA and state recognized this, which is why they are supporting this project. If you would like more information on this project, contact our President, Shannon Meyer, at smeyer@cedarrapids.org. Thanks,

Chuck Peters chairman, board of directors

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Featured

At Work Skyworks Solutions

The Skyworks Advantage

Skyworks Solutions, Inc. is an innovator of high reliability

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Broad front-end module and precision analog product portfolio

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Market leadership in key product segments

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Solutions for all air interface standards, including CDMA2000,

military and mobile handset applications. The Company’s

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Engagements with a diverse set of top-tier customers

portfolio includes amplifiers, attenuators, detectors, diodes,

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Analog, RF and mixed-signal design capabilities

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Access to all key process technologies: GaAs HBT, PHEMT,

Events

analog and mixed signal semiconductors. Leveraging core technologies, Skyworks offers diverse standard and custom linear products supporting automotive, broadband, cellular

GSM / GPRS / EDGE, LTE, WCDMA, WLAN and WiMAX

infrastructure, energy management, industrial, medical,

directional couplers, front-end modules, hybrids, infrastructure RF subsystems, mixers/demodulators, phase shifters, PLLs/

BiCMOS, SiGe, CMOS and RF CMOS and Silicon

synthesizers/VCOs, power dividers/combiners, receivers, switches and technical ceramics. Headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA, Skyworks is worldwide with engineering, manufacturing, sales and service

New

facilities throughout Asia, Europe and North America. New products are continually being introduced at Skyworks. For the latest information, visit our Web site at www.skyworksinc.com.

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World-class manufacturing capabilities and scale

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Unparalleled level of customer service and technical support

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Commitment to technology innovation

A Culture That Breeds Success The Skyworks culture is designed to promote fast decision making, uninhibited sharing of best practices, and a sense of individual ownership, so we can create unparalleled products and respond quickly to customer needs. These values lead to business agility and customer cen tricity — essential ingredients for success. We are an equal opportunity employer supporting diversity in the workplace.

Career Opportunities Skyworks’ Cedar Rapids Design Center is currently hiring Design Engineers. For a complete listing of all of our openings, please visit www.skyworksinc.com.

5110 North River Blvd. NE • Cedar Rapids, IA 52411 • (319) 743-4000 • Email: sales@skyworksinc.com www.skyworksinc.com • NASDAQ: SWKS

November 2010___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5

❖❖ Ugly Sweater Contest 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., December 4 Dublin City Pub ImpactCR continues the Fire & Ice Festival festivities by hosting its annual Ugly Sweater Party from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Dublin City Pub, 415 1st Street SE. This annual event encourages everyone to bust out their ugliest holiday ensemble for this hilarious ImpactCR event. Admission is free with an optional $5 participation fee for a “Best of Ugly” competition. Competition is fierce as proven by last year’s photos.

❖❖ Celebrate the Community Watch for upcoming details ImpactCR will hold its annual meeting - Celebrate the Community, in late January, 2011. The evening event features a review of the past year and an energetic preview of things to come in 2011. The 2010 Corridorians of the Year (COTY’s) will also be announced recognizing three individuals for their outstanding contribution to supporting “now” and “next gen” individuals in our community. Businesses who wish to engage and retain young talent will not want to miss out. Stay tuned for upcoming details. Last year’s cruise-themed event was enjoyed by many.

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Linn Area Releases 2010 Candidate Endorsements The Linn Area BizPAC, a political action committee affiliated with the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, announced its endorsements for the November 2010 Iowa House of Representatives and State Senate elections. The endorsed candidates were selected through a process of questionnaires, interviews and research by the Linn Area BizPAC Board. To be considered for endorsement, candidates must complete the Linn Area BizPAC questionnaire and participate in an interview with the BizPAC Board. The BizPAC also used criteria such as support of a pro business agenda, leadership positions and electability to make the final decisions. We believe our endorsements will lead to a greater Cedar Rapids and a better Iowa for business growth. As this community continues to work toward recovery, our endorsements are not as obvious as in the past when we worked to prevent certain anti-business positions supported by the Legislature’s majority party. We hope that working together for jobs and recovery initiatives in this community will be the priority of all of our endorsed and recognized candidates.

ENDORSEMENTS 2010 Candidate Endorsements – Iowa Legislature Iowa House District 29: Shawn Graham Iowa House District 33: Kirsten Running-Marquardt Iowa House District 35: Kraig Paulsen Iowa House District 36: Nick Wagner Iowa House District 37: Renee Schulte Iowa House District 38: Tyler Olson We did not endorse any senator candidates this year. We believe recognizing our Senators is the right thing to do for the business community.

RECOGNITION We had a number of incumbents who championed flood recovery efforts and the effort to fund the match for the EDA grant. Sen. Robert Dvorsky (Senate District 15), Sen. Wally Horn (Senate District 17) and Sen. Robert Hogg (Senate District 19) and Representative Todd Taylor (House District 34) who are up for re-election all receive our recognition for their work on behalf of the community in flood recovery. We appreciate their commitment to this community and all of their work on disaster recovery and other community priorities. Sen. Rob Hogg and Sen. Wally Horn, running unopposed, chose not to complete the survey or participate in the interview process.

2010 Candidate Endorsements – Linn County Board of Supervisors Linn County District 1: Lu Barron Linn County District 5: The Linn Area BizPAC will not be endorsing a candidate in this race. We appreciate the work of Jim Houser in recovery work. His opponent John Harris completed our survey with a pro business theme, but was unable to complete the interview process due to unforeseen circumstances.

You can find the full endorsement release on The Chamber’s Website at www.cedarrapids.org

November 2010___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7

New

ACP, Inc.

Martin Design, P.C.

225 49th Avenue Drive SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 Mary Nedved Potter, Vice President Marketing Phone: 319-368-8120 Web: www.acpsolutions.com

700 11th Street, Suite 200 Marion, IA 52302 David F. Martin, President Phone: 319-377-7604 Web: www.martindesignpc.com Email: info@martindesignpc.com

ACP, Inc. is a leading producer of commercial high speed ovens under the Amana Commercial and Menumaster brands. ACP offers a complete line of high-performing commercial microwave and high-speed comination ovens for the global foodservice industry.

Chiropractic Health Care Associates 515 7th Avenue SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Christopher A. Bowers D.C., C.C.E.P., Associate Chiropractor Phone: 319-366-2225 Web: www.chiroassoc.com Email: bowers@chiroassoc.com

Dr. Christopher A. Bowers joined Chiropractic Health Care Associates in January 2010. He is a Cedar Rapids native whose number one goal is to increase the health and quality of life for his patients and the community. Services include spinal and extremity adjustments, active and passive rehab, sports injury, nutritional consultation and weight-loss, core strengthening and massage. Accepting new patients.

Harmsen Marketing, LLC Stacey Harmsen, President Phone: 319-361-8200 Web: www.harmsenmarketing.com Email: Stacey@harmsenmarketing.com

Harmsen Marketing, LLC is a promotional products distributor offering thousands of unique promotional solutions that creatively and consistently communicate your message. We assist businesses in branding themselves through the use of promotional products.

Martin Design, P.C. is a full service architectural firm. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been providing excellence in design, master planning, and consulting in eastern and central Iowa for more than 25 years. Anytime that you have a question about our services, our projects, construction in general, or just what an architect does, I hope you will feel free to contact us.

WWS Environmental Services 640 63rd Avenue SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 Mark Lob, President Phone: 319-247-2403 Web: www.wwsenvironmental.com Email: marklob@gmail.com

WWS provides disposal, recycling and consulting services for many types of industrial waste. This includes chemical treatment for many waste streams, and recycling of oil products into a supplemental fuels program. With over 30 years of Haz-waste experience and regulatory environmental issues, WWS also provides environmental consultation and phase I & II real estate environmental audits.

CornerHouse Gallery & Frame 2753 First Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Mary Suess, Partner Phone: 319-365-4348 Web: www.cornerhousegallery.com Email: info@cornerhousegallery.com

The CornerHouse Gallery & Frame offers art by local and regional artists and giftware. We have an experienced staff to assist you with any art project from selection and design layout to framing and installation. We have a certified appraiser for insurance, estate or donation appraisal needs.

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Events Calendar November

December ❖❖ Wednesday, December 1

❖❖ Wednesday, November 3

❖❖ Saturday, December 4

ImpactCR Siren Wednesday

Good Morning Cedar Rapids

ImpactCR Ugly Sweater Holiday Party

Cedar Rapids Fieldhouse

Cedar Rapids Ice Arena

Dublin City Pub

1140 Blairs Ferry Road NE

1100 Rockford Rd SW

Siren Wednesday provides a casual atmosphere for ImpactCR members and friends to network and meet new people.

This breakfast event offers plenty of entertainment while acknowledging our key businesses in a variety of industry with the annual BRAVO award.

Continue the Fire & Ice festivities and bust out your ugliest holiday ensemble for this hilarious downtown tradition.

Complimentary

$35 per person, $350 package of 10

7:15 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by

ImpactCR - Dinner in Nifty Eateries (DINE) 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

For the latest listing of events or to register and pay on-line please visit www.cedarrapids.org

Hamburger Mary’s Join ImpactCR for dinner to enjoy, connect and support a local restaurant in the area.

January

❖❖ Tuesday, November 30 Chamber Academy Business Succession

❖❖ Friday, January 21

Sponsorship Opportunities Available Contact Candy Nanke for details 319-730-1417 or cnanke@cedarrapids.org

Legislative Lunch

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Chamber Boardroom This academy will help business owners thinking about retiring to establish a successful transition plan. $30 Members, $45 Future Members

Chamber Boardroom Member Networking Event Complimentary Sponsored by

Sales tax included, lunch provided.

Upcoming Signature Events ❖❖ Good Morning Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids Ice Arena December 1, 2010

❖❖ Ag Business Luncheon

The Hotel at Kirkwood Center March 9, 2011

❖❖ The Gala Theatre Cedar Rapids April 29, 2011

November 2010___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9

Highlight Your Business with Online Videos The Chamber has teamed up with MVP Video Production and StratosFour to provide members an additional way to promote their company on The Chamber’s online business directory. Videos will be produced by MVP Video Production and hosted by StratosFour. Consider enhancing your company’s presence on the web by incorporating a video that will highlight your business. To see an example, various Chamber staff created videos for our website. Simply visit www.cedarrapids.org and

Video Overview: ★ New members can have a video produced for FREE if done within 3 months of joining The Chamber.

view staff videos by clicking on Staff under The Chamber. The Business Directory is the most viewed Chamber page following the home page, people are looking to do business with Chamber members and a 30 second video is a great way for you to share your message with potential customers. Studies show, 63 percent of consumers are more likely to buy from Chamber member businesses and 59 percent of businesses are more likely to buy from Chamber member businesses. Our partner organizations are very willing to work with you and create an end product that you will be excited about. Contact MVP Video Production at 319.364.8900 and schedule your video today.

★ New members will have their video hosted for the first three months FREE. ★ Existing members can produce a video for $100.00. ★ Videos can be hosted for $50/year for existing members and new members following the first three months of free hosting. ★ Videos will be up to 30 seconds in length. ★ You will be given an electronic copy of the video. ★ All videos will be filmed over a green screen at MVP Video Production.

“It’s about respect.” Mike Sundall

Chief Executive Officer Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa

Lynn Sundall Watercolor Artist BANKERS TRUST private banker: Elizabeth Daly

Iowans Mike and Lynn lived out East for years, then moved to C.R. days before the flood. They loved the positive Iowa response. Mike says, “It verified our decision to come back. And Bankers Trust was wonderful.” Lynn adds, “They go so far above and beyond. I’m just very impressed.”

221 Third Avenue SE 319-896-7777 400 Blairs Ferry Road NE 319-221-1230 www.bankerstrust.com Member FDIC

10 �� November 2010

Business Long Term Recovery — The future continues to look brighter for Cedar Rapids flood affected businesses. Business Long Term Recovery (BLTR), an initiative of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, has received more good news that will help distribute funds to businesses quicker while also making the process to receive funding a little easier. The State of Iowa announced last month their decision to increase the cap on the Equipment and Inventory Reimbursement Assistance Program to $300,000. This gives businesses an extra $225,000 in funding for equipment/inventory losses sustained in the 2008 disaster. The state had originally offered up to 75% in reimbursement for equipment and inventory with a maximum reward of $75,000. In addition to increasing the cap, the state is also easing its requirements on proving ownership of equipment and inventory owned pre-flood. Businesses were originally required to provide documentation that proved ownership of specific items claimed as losses. This proved to be a near impossible task as many businesses lost documentation papers, as well as equipment and inventory, in flood waters. Now the state asks that businesses just prove they owned equipment prior to the flood, which can be done through a tax return. Receipts to replace items purchased post-flood are still required in order for businesses to be eligible for the money. “This is a big deal for many of our flood affected businesses,” said Case Management Team Leader Bob Harschnek. “Providing documentation of equipment and inventory owned before the flood has been an enormous hurdle. It tied up a lot of money that these businesses desperately need to stay afloat. With these modifications, we will see more money going out.” The recent announcement follows the September decision made by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to no longer consider private loans a duplication of benefits in order to receive assistance. In addition, HUD determined that while Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are a duplication of benefits, funds may be applied towards the SBA loan. HUD had originally said that if flood affected businesses received private and/or SBA loans, the amount of the loan would be subtracted from assistance the businesses would be eligible to receive. In 2008 financial estimates suggested Katering Kitchen, owned by Alex Hadjis, would have had a record year had it not been for the flood. Now Katering Kitchen has relocated and is up and running, but they still have a ways to go. Prior to the flood, the catering company was known for its involvement in community organizations including March of Dimes, Taste of Cedar Rapids, Freedom Fest, Marion Arts Festival,

the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, American Heart Association, Festival of Trees, Linn Mar High School Foundation, KCCK Jazz Under the Stars, the Farmer’s Market, and Washington High School’s Patrons of Performing Arts and Athletic Club. Hadjis said that because of the slow but gradual flood recovery, he has not been able to offer support as he has in the past. With continued increase in sales, he plans to offer that community support again. “It’s important to me to be part of the community and I feel terrible that we can’t do these kinds of things right now. I hate to blame it on the flood, but the fact of the matter is we had to draw a line somewhere,” Hadjis said. “I never had to say no before – this was something I really enjoyed.” Hadjis is another recipient of funds that helped with some of the costs incurred from the 2008 disaster. Yet Hadjis was not as receptive to the funds at first. “I felt guilty taking the money; it felt like a handout,” Hadjis said. “Once I realized how long it will take to take to get my business back, I knew that without that money, my business wouldn’t have survived at all.” Harschnek believes some businesses may be hesitant about connecting with BLTR because of the type of guilt Hadjis first felt. “We recognize the outstanding work Cedar Rapids businesses have done to keep going during this tough time. It’s been a double whammy for them with the flood and then the economic downturn,” Harschnek said. “We’re only here to help; whether that’s through applying for funds, or offering suggestions that the businesses haven’t thought of yet. Our services really have proven to be helpful.” Helping flood affected businesses come back is exactly the purpose of the Chamber’s The applicat BLTR. Case managers conduct for all pr business assessments, which help determine programs that December may provide financial assisand awa tance. Funding is administered administe by Jump Start 2, and businesses first-come, firs that received money from Jump Start 1 may still qualify for Jump Start 2.

November 2010_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11

— Putting the Pieces Together

Harschnek said case managers work hard to make the process hassle-free. Applying for assistance can be done online and case managers will even help with the application process. “We want to make this as easy as possible for our flood affected businesses to get the assistance they need,” Harschnek said. “We know they have been through a lot in the last 28 months. We want to help alleviate some of the stress they are feeling.” BLTR also has mentors available through a partnership with Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to offer business counseling assistance. Mark and Shannon Debner of DPI Quality Custom Finishes have been working with a business mentor and say without their mentor, Scott Loggins, they wouldn’t have been aware of all of the assistance available to them or laws that have changed over the last 28 months. Loggins, in addition to serving as a mentor and now working for BLTR as a case manager, is a former flood affected business owner. He owned Kieck’s Career Apparel at the time of the 2008 disaster. The Debners feel Loggins’ firsthand experience of the devastating aftermath involved with having a flooded business has given them reassurance that he understands what they’ve been through and it makes them appreciate his advice even more. “Scott doesn’t dictate to us,” Shannon Debner said. “He approaches mentoring as an opportunity to give advice and he has multiple suggestions for resolving a situation.” “No business wants someone from the outside to come in and say: ‘This is what you’re doing wrong and you should do it this way,’” Harschnek said. “We don’t approach mentoring that way. Sometimes it means helping businesses with their marketing efforts or assisting in developing a business plan. Other times we are helping them cope with the emotional rollercoaster they ride to stay in business. The businesses that have utilized mentoring services have learned new ways to tion deadline strengthen their company and rograms is they have been very appreciative of this service.” r 31, 2010 Harschnek said businesses ards are should make note that time is ered on a running out to apply for these st-served basis. funds. The application deadline for all programs is December 31, 2010, and

awards are administered on a first-come, first-served basis. “People should not wait – the time to act on this is now,” Harschnek said. “Our case managers are reaching out to flooded businesses, but by all means give us a call if you’re not involved in this process yet and we will get someone out to you right away.” BLTR may be reached at (319) 731-5864. You can also connect with BLTR online at www.cedarrapids.org, on Facebook at: CR Biz Comeback; Twitter: CRBizComeback; or Blog Spot: http://crbizcomeback.blogspot.com.

Business Long Term Recovery Team::

Front row, left to right: Brittany Oglesby, Jerri Whitters, Bob Harschnek, Jennifer Jentz, Linda Manary; Back row, left to right: Bill Bennett, Gary Carleton, Scott Swenson, Steve Hunter, Scott Loggins.

12 �� November 2010

2011 Sales Roundtable Consider attending a monthly meeting that can instantly provide you with new insight and knowledge to make you better in your current position. By becoming a part of The Chamber’s Sales Roundtable you will be placed in a small group setting of non-competing sales professionals providing a forum to discuss successful strategies and best practices to increase your organization’s sales. The monthly meetings will follow an agenda of predetermined topics relevant to the sales professional today including lead generation, conversion rates and client retention. Driven by group discussion, participants will receive tips and advice, learn from others and of course, grow their network.

R O U N D TA B L E

e l b a dt n u o : R e t s a 1 Sale ckoff D 1 0 Ki 11, 2

y r a u

Jan

PROGRAM FACTS •

Program meets monthly from Jan. – Nov.

•

The annual participation fee is $90

•

Roundtables are open exclusively to Chamber members

•

Registration is available online at www.cedarrapids.org

For questions or additional details, please contact Jeff Schamberger at 319-730-1402 or jschamberger@cedarrapids.org.

JUST DRIVE

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November 2010_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13

Nuclear Energy’s Place in our Community Thursday, December 9 7:00 a.m – 8:15 a.m. Cedar Rapids Marriott 1200 Collins Rd NE, Cedar Rapids $20 Members, $30 Future Members Join us for December’s Breakfast of Champions hosted by NextEra Energy Duane Arnold Center. NextEra Energy Resources took majority ownership of the Duane Arnold Center in 2006. This nuclear power plant began operations in Palo in 1975 and generates enough electricity to power about 500,000 Iowa homes. The plant is currently in the processing of extending its operating license for an additional 20 years, which would extend to 2034. This major employer in Linn County employs approximately 600 people and pays property taxes of nearly $3 million annually. The Duane Arnold Energy Center plays a major role in our region not only as an employer but also a community partner donating more than $100,000 annually to charitable causes such as United Way. NextEra Energy Resources is currently the largest owner and operator of wind turbines in the US, owns or co-owns 13 natural gas fired power plants in the US, three nuclear power plants and is also co-owner of the world’s largest solar site.

Corn Belt Power Cooperative is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides electricity to 10 rural electric cooperatives (RECs) and one municipal electric cooperative. These utilities provide power to farms, rural residences, small towns and commercial/ industrial customers in 41 northern Iowa counties. Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) is a member-owned, not-for-profit, generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative serving 13 rural electric cooperatives and associations. As Iowa’s largest cooperative energy provider, CIPCO serves approximately 311,700 Iowans in 58 counties; with headquarters in Cedar Rapids, transmission offices in Wilton and Creston, and generating facilities in Montpelier (Fair Station) and Creston (Summit Lake). Registration is required, on-line registration and payment is available on-line at www.cedarrapids.org. For additional details regarding the Breakfast of Champions, contact Jeff Schamberger at jschamberger@cedarrapids.org or 319-730-1402.

Sponsored by:

D UA N E ARNOLD

14 �� November 2010

ENTREPRENEURS’ CORNER

Josie Heskje, VP Marketing, Entrepreneurial Development Center

Marketing Collateral Material – It’s More Strategic than You Think Your marketing collateral (printed /printable materials used to share information about your business, products or services) can be a significant component of how your business is perceived by prospects and customers; impacting your brand. You can be instantly judged by how professional (or not) your materials look and read. Here are some key considerations to make when you are in the planning phase for creating marketing materials for your company. Strategic Need / Goals of the Marketing Piece – There are many reasons for having collateral material developed, but clearly identifying why you need the marketing piece developed, for whom and what goals it should achieve will help ensure your money is well spent. •

Why do you need to develop a marketing piece in the first place? Will it help you provide credibility for your business? Or help your sales team influence a decisionmaker? etc.

•

Who is the intended audience (or audiences) for the collateral? This will impact everything from the message you create, how technical or simple your copy will be written, which benefits you will emphasize, to the images used in the design.

Once you understand the goals of the piece, everything you do should keep those goals in mind. From this point, I recommend answering a series of questions regarding: 1) Key Messages/Copy (i.e. Have you provided too much information, leaving no reason at all for the prospect to contact you? etc.) 2) Design and Layout (i.e. Does the layout need to be innovative to keep with your brand and achieve the goal of the piece? etc.) 3) Managing the Marketing Collateral Project (i.e. Do the design /printing costs adhere to your budget? What is the production schedule? etc.) When preparing your written communications, think strategically. With the right amount of thoughtful planning, your marketing collateral should carry out your company’s brand and serve as an effective tool in your marketing and sales arsenal. For a more complete list of questions and considerations addressing marketing collateral, visit www.edcinc.org and click on the Resources tab.

319.369.4955

Discover a New Way.

www.truenorthcompanies.com

Employee Benefits

Risk Management

Financial Strategies

Individual Solutions

November 2010_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15

Developing Future Leaders: The Key to Business Success Utilize the Chamber Institute to Ensure Future Success

The Chamber Institute The number of managers available to step into leadership roles will drop dramatically in the coming years, according to a recent study by Egon Zehnder International the average company will be left with just half the talent it needs by 2015. Why? Demographics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there just arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that many people around with the right type of skills and experience. Surveys conducted by the firm indicate that the number of managers in the right age bracket for leadership roles will drop by 30% in just six years. Companies will have little choice but to identify talent at an early stage and develop prospects at a fast pace. This means that companies are going to have to get a lot better at identifying and nurturing talent from within, as recruit-

ing externally is going to get tougher and more expensive. This is the process of succession planning, and not many companies do it well. In fact, only 36 percent of organizations have programs in place to immediately fill leadership positions. It takes effort to identify qualified candidates to fill current and future leadership roles. In addition to this, companies and senior management often lack the tools and techniques to develop their teams through a leadership program and prepare them to become the leaders of tomorrow. However, it is something that managers should be doing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially now. (continued on page 16)

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16 �� November 2010

Legislative Preview Luncheon with Area Legislators 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. December 3 Chamber Boardroom Attend this legislative preview to hear about the upcoming legislative session. There is no cost to attend. Feel free to bring your own lunch, drinks and dessert will be provided. Registration is available online at www.cedarrapids.org or email Sara Mentzer at smentzer@cedarrapids.org Sponsored by:

(Developing Future Leaders: continued from page 15)

Leadership Development Even if your company doesn’t have a formal succession planning program, you can still build a development plan for your key team members. Research shows that the most successful leadership development schemes recognize and understand the type of leadership style needed for their culture, then align leadership development with overall corporate strategy. Developing effective leadership using a consistent talent management program at all levels across the organization can return significant business value.

Chamber Institute The Chamber Institute is a talent development program to strengthen future business leaders through an innovative fusion of action, interaction and mentoring. Each session offers individuals the opportunity to benefit from experienced mentors focusing on practical applications and skills necessary to become an effective business leader. Sessions are held quarterly, for a full day, and include four segments totaling 16 key business topics that center around the pillars of business – customer, employees, owner-mindset and you, the individual. Each of the four segments will be led by an executive, who is focused on bringing action-oriented learning, and arms participants with the skills to take away three to five relevant business tools which can be immediately applied in the workplace. Learn more about this innovative leadership program by contacting Julie Stow at jstow@cedarrapids.org or 319.730.1409

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November 2010_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17 Does your operational software make you feel like you’re always trying to fit a square peg into a round hole? With custom-designed software from StratosFour, your company will save money by eliminating seat licensing and reoccurring fees. The StratosFour team will work with your staff to ensure the solution matches your business processes and needs – helping to fit a square peg into a round hole.

U.S. Chamber Of Commerce – Regional Government Affairs Conference Sara Mentzer, Vice President of Public Affairs recently attended the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 11th Annual Regional Government Affairs Conference held in Dallas, TX October 6-8. The Conference provided an abundance of information and the opportunity to focus on the emerging issues that will have a profound impact on the business community in the coming year. Numerous topics were discussed ranging from healthcare reform, taxes and the economy. Many of the same topics will be addressed in the upcoming America’s Small Business Summit allowing businesses to hear first-hand details affecting business and advocate for pro-business policies while in Washington D.C.

America’s Small Business Summit StratosFour client Judy Lubben, Controller & VP of Administration at Raining Rose, Inc., said: “When we were looking at another software upgrade and the additional costs associated with it, we were initially hesitant on making a change to a new custom-built system. Would people embrace it? Could we really go paperless? Will support be there for us when we are done? Will there be any real cost savings? StratosFour has answered all these questions and so much more. With the software they built, our company is saving over $150,000 a year!! StratosFour has been there to really listen and hear what we are saying. They come up with solutions to situations that we didn’t think were available.”

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The Chamber is already in preparations to bring a delegation of area businesses to America’s Small Business Summit 2011, May 23-25. This annual event brings together more than 470 small business owners from across the country. Cost for attending is $2,000 and includes three nights hotel, airfare, some meals and transportation. Meetings with our delegation and their staff on key issues are arranged as well as the opportunity to hear from nationally recognized speakers provided by the U.S. Chamber during the conference. The Chamber has nominated five local employers for the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award. The award goes to a deserving small business recognizing them for their dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Local nominations will be judged and regional winners will be selected. All regional winners are showcased at the event and the winner is announced during the Small Business Summit.

The Chamber has nominated the following companies for the 2011 Award:

v Genova Technologies v Bimm Ridder Sportswear v Metro Studios v Raining Rose v Lil Drug Store The reservation deadline for this event is early March to ensure booking of necessary items. Registration is available online at www.cedarrapids.org. For additional details on this event feel free to contact Sara Mentzer at smenzter@cedarrapids.org or 319-730-1404. More information on America’s Small Business Summit and the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award can be found online at www.uschambersummit.com America’s Small Business Summit is sponsored locally by:

18 �� November 2010

October PM Exchange Recap More than 340 guests enjoyed the October PM Exchange held at Homewood Suites by Hilton. Homewood Suites, located at 1140 Park Place NE, celebrated their ribbon cutting and grand opening event with an abundance of refreshments and hors d’oeuvres and tours of their new hotel.

November PM Exchange

Marion Hy-Vee Holiday Show and Chamber PM Exchange Thursday, November 4, 2010 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. 3600 Business Hwy 151 East

The Marion Hy-Vee welcomes you to the 2010 Holiday Show and Samplefest during the Chamber PM Exchange. Stop in and browse our showcase of holiday party ideas and enjoy delicious holiday appetizers and beverages. For more information visit www.marioncc.org

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Wednesday, December 1 7:15 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. Cedar Rapids Ice Arena 1100 Rockford Rd SW $35 per person, Package of 10 for $350

Zany Has Gone Zamboni! The same zany, lively, entertaining Chamber event has taken Good Morning Cedar Rapids to the ice as we present three fabulous businesses with the 2010 BRAVO Award and highlight two organizations demonstrating extraordinary service to our community during the Community Spotlight. Join us as we get up close and personal with local business owners receiving the BRAVO Award due to their unique, local appeal, and Chamber commitment. You are sure to enjoy this fast-moving event so treat your staff to a morning of entertainment and enjoy the opportunity to laugh, network, and honor area businesses on December 1st.