August 2012 Newsletter

CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2012 - Vol. 43, Issue 8

IN THIS ISSUE...

General Membership Luncheon - Stevie Ray Thursday, August 9th from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM at The DoubleTree

Leadership P2- Article by Glenn Schwartz P2- Sponsorship Corner P3- Ambassador Updates P3- Ambassador of the Month

Join us for our General Membership Luncheon this month to learn better networking skills from Stevie Ray with Stevie Ray’s Improv Company! We are partnering with the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce for this event so there will be great networking opportunities! Stevie Ray will demonstrate his program on “How to Network at Programs and Events.” He will use hands-on exercises to help you sharpen your skills for handling tough, onthe-spot challenges.

Public Policy P4- Article by Pat MulQueeny P4- Save the Date!

Community Building P5- Article by EP Schools P6- Article by Reed Daniels

Networking P7- ChamberFest Information P7- Girls Gone Golfin’ Information P8- August 2012 Calendar

Stevie is a master entertainer as well as a respected keynote speaker and corporate trainer. He is a nationally syndicated columnist for the Business Journal Newspapers, and is the author of several books, including Working the Room: Networking for Professionals, Keep Your Mind on Your Work, What We Laugh At...and Why, and Speaking in Public without Sweating in Private.

In addition to his executive director role at the improv company, he is a corporate trainer for Fortune 500 companies, has been a keynote speaker for conferences and events nationwide, is an executive coach in leadership and communication, and is a real estate owner and investor. Stevie performed his first show at the age of nine and has been making people laugh ever since, touring the country as an improvisational and stand-up comedian. Don’t miss it!!!

We have three Sponsorship Display Tables available ($150) at this event. Have your business be seen at this great luncheon! Contact Pat for more information: pat.mulqueeny@epchamber.org or call our office at 952-944-2830.

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LOCATION: DoubleTree by Hilton, 7800 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington

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COST: $25 for Members & their guests / $40 for non-members

V our YouTube Visit CChannel “EPChamber2” Join the Discussion! epchamber2.blogspot.com

OU THANK Y 12 to our 20 rs! ponso Annual S

NEWSLETTER PREFERENCE- ELECTRONIC or PRINT If you want to only receive an electronic version of the newlsetter, please send an e-mail to Sammi at communications@epchamber.org and in the subject line, put “Electronic Newsletter Only.”

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Leadership Life (and Business) is Good on the Prairie

By Glenn Schwartz, 2012 Chamber Board Chair Glenn J. Schwartz, Attorney at Law

Almost

two years have passed since Money Magazine selected Eden Prairie as the “Best Place to Live in America.”

The selection came as a pleasant surprise, considering the perception of the rest of the U.S. that Minnesota is in the middle of the “frozen tundra.” This perception was enhanced when a national telecommunications company filmed its ad in Eden Prairie showing the coordination of snow-plowing efforts by phone intercom.

While it may not be politically correct for Money Magazine to select Eden Prairie again, make no mistake, life and business are good on the (Eden) Prairie.

United Healthcare certainly thinks so. The company is in the process of building an entire office campus south of the Route 62 bypass off Shady Oak Road consisting of 1,500,000 square feet and eventually providing 6,500 jobs in Eden Prairie. The City will be improving Shady Oak Road to create more lanes and bike pathways to accommodate the United Healthcare project.

Mark Phillips, the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development, states that while statewide unemployment in Minnesota was 5.6% (well below the national average), unemployment in Eden Prairie was 4.3%.

Our city has nearly as many jobs as residents.

Eden Prairie is exceptionally well-run and financially sound. The Police and Fire Departments provide a sense of security to our residents, businesses and visitors. Our park system is large, varied, well-maintained and growing.

I recommend an evening walk around Purgatory Creek to experience a unique blend of urban, forest and wetland viewing.

Our school system is well operated with world-class buildings and facilities. The high school is more like a college campus than a secondary school. We also have the best Chamber of Commerce in America (I’m just saying) with 500 members and a culture of constant service to the business community.

So, while it would be awesome for Eden Prairie to win the Money Magazine Award for 2012, it simply is not necessary to prove what we all know: life and business is good on the Prairie.

Glenn Schwartz is the 2012 Board Chair for the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. If you would like to contact Glenn regarding the Eden Prairie Chamber, he can be reached at 952-943-3955.

~ SPONSORSHIP CORNER: JULY~ Ambassador Lunch Sponsor (All Year)

7922 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie 952-374-6464 www.goumbria.com

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Interested in sponsoring a General Membership Luncheon, Women’s Networking Luncheon or other Eden Prairie Chamber event?

Contact our office at 952-944-2830!

General Membership Luncheon

610 Opperman Drive, D5-N429, Eagan 651-848-7819 www.thomsonreuters.com

“Connections” (USPS 729770) is published 12 times per calendar year by the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, 11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Periodicals postage paid at Hopkins, MN - POSTMASTER: Send address changes to “Connections,” 11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Leadership July’s Ambassador of the Month: Kieth Schultz - Sharper Management

July’s

Ambassador of the Month is Kieth Schultz!

Kieth has worked in the real estate industry for more than a dozen years and has bbeen partnering with h the h Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Sharper Management, an Eden Prairie-based property management firm, for nearly six months.

Ambassador Updates from the Month of July!

T

he Eden Prairie Chamber Ambassadors serve as goodwill representatives in our business community. They learn about member businesses and encourage membership retention through mentorships, personal phone calls and much more. Below are some of the places that our very busy Ambassadors visited during July of 2012!

Town Planner Community Calendar Tony Selinger & Brian Burnstein, Owners 17960 69th Place N. Maple Grove, MN 55311 612-203-8189 www.Townplannermn.com

Black Cat Promotions Colin Serle, Owner 410 N Van Buren Place Hopkins, MN 55343 952-935-6908 Ideal For U Judy Nelson, Owner 12100 Singletree Lane, Suite 110 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952-746-1289 Coming soon: www.idealforu.com

By day, Kieth coordinates single-family leasing and homeowners’ association programs for Sharper Management, a company dedicated to providing superior services and being a strong neighbor in the local community.

Kieth brings this dedication and enthusiasm to his work with the Chamber of Commerce’s Membership Growth committee and has quickly become a key partner in a short period of time. Kieth is also an active member of Fusion, a group established to help emerging leaders of Eden Prairie and surrounding area businesses grow professionally and personally through networking and education.

Black Cat Promotions

Sharper Managment will be hosting an After Hours event on Wednesday, August 29th from 4:30 - 6:00 PM! It’s going to be a great event, so come on out and meet Kieth and the rest of the Sharper Managment team.

Congratulations and thank you, Kieth!

Town Planner Commun

ity Calendar

11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

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Public Policy DEED Commissioner Discusses the Economy SAVE THE DATE!

By Pat MulQueeny, IOM, President Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce

Commissioner Mark Phillips discussed the Minnesota economy with members of the Eden Prairie Chamber at the June 21st luncheon. Commissioner Phillips highlighted h hl h d that h one of his department’s top priorities is Minnesota’s economy. He stated that Eden Prairie has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the metro at 4.3% compared to 5.2% statewide.

The Commissioner discussed one of their biggest issues and that is demographics in Minnesota and how those are changing. The baby boomers are retiring which means they are not paying as much in taxes and the pipeline of students/future workers is shrinking. There are skills gaps for some industries as they search for employees with the qualified skills they need for the job. The manufacturing sector is in need of employees and he highlighted a company he knows is looking for 400 welders and is struggling to find them.

DEED offices employ 1,800 workers with 1,600 of those in the workforce centers. He told the group one of the most difficult parts of his job is changing the culture in their offices and that he does enjoy his job. Phillips highlighted two areas of opportunity for Minnesota – bio-chemistry and data center industries and the work his offices have done to make Minnesota more competitive.

TASTE the Chamber Sept. 27th, 2012 Do you know someone who should be an Eden Prairie Chamber Member?

Would their business benefit from Membership?

Bring your guests and join us for our FREE lunch to spread the word about Chamber membership and grow the connecƟons in our chamber!

Current Eden Prairie Chamber Members are invited to aƩend this event at no cost provided they bring at least one prospecƟve Chamber member!

WHERE: Buca Di Beppo 7711 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie WHEN: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM You MUST RSVP for this event!

Questions from our member businesses focused on LRT and potential dollars to the Southwest LRT line, business competitiveness of Minnesota compared to North and South Dakota and the ROI multiplier effect on dollars invested.

BusinessConnection

Everyone’s got an answer...

Your connection to business answers.

...ours will GROW your business.

We know times aren’t easy for Minnesota businesses these days. You need a resource that provides direct and immediate help for all of your important business questions. BusinessConnection is your free, go-to service in Minnesota for any and all business questions. Its purpose is to help Minnesota businesses grow by breaking down barriers, opening doors and answering questions – so you can get back to business.

Connect anytime: www.mnbizconnect.com Call toll-free: 1-888-MINN-BIZ / 1-888-646-6249 Personal assistance is available 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. BusinessConnection is a service of Grow Minnesota! and sponsored by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, its local chamber partners and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Connect online: www.mnbizconnect.com

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Join us for this year’s Annual Gala Event- Twilight in Tuscany!

This year’s Gala will be on Saturday, October 27th at Hazeltine National Golf Course. See the enclosed flyer for more information on tickets, sponsorships and the silent auction!

11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

Community Building A Message from the Eden Prairie School District

By Eden Prairie Schools

food waste caused by mold. Along with the other finalists, Carolyn will have the exclusive opportunity to work directly with a 3M scientist during a summer mentorship program.

Over the course of the summer, the finalists will be challenged to create an innovation that solves a problem he/she has identified society(center) with guidance from their mentor as EricinNelson @ his After Hours event they develop ideas from a concept into an actual prototype, which they will present at the competition’s final event at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul.

Summer is a busy time in Eden Prairie Schools with many activities focused on preparing for the start of the 2012-2013 school year. Here are some of the highlights: •

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Joshua Fourre, student at Eden Prairie High School, recently earned a perfect composite score of 36 on the ACT test. He will be an EPHS senior this fall. While the actual number of students earning a perfect score varies from year to year, roughly one tenth of one percent will achieve a 36.

In a letter recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT CEO Jon Whitmore said, “While test scores are just one of the many criteria that most colleges consider when making admission decisions, your exceptional ACT composite score should prove helpful as you pursue your education and career goals.” ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges, and exceptional scores of 36 provide colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead. The ACT consists of test in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores.

For most 18-year-olds the thrill of high school graduation lasts at least through the summer. But in less than three weeks, Rachel Bootsma topped that with the thrill of a lifetime. On Wednesday, June 27, she secured her spot on the Olympic swim team by placing second in the 100-meter backstroke final at the Olympic trials in Omaha. Rachel swam a 59.49, finishing just behind Missy Franklin, who swam a 58.85, setting a new American record. Bootsma beat out two-time backstroke gold medalist Natalie Coughlin. At the semifinals on June 26, Rachel swam her career best, 59.10, in the first heat. Up next for Rachel are training camps in Tennessee and England in preparation for the opening ceremonies of the summer games on July 27. Prelims and semifinals for the women’s 100-meter backstroke are slated for July 29, with finals on July 30.

Discovery Education and 3M have named Carolyn Jons, a CMS 8th grader, one of the 10 finalists in the 14th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier science competition for students in grades 5-8. Carolyn was chosen due to the scientific ingenuity and innovation she demonstrated in her project on preventing

•

Eden Prairie High School finished the 2011-12 school year as the top “AAA” school in the Minnesota High School League’s (MSHSL) Challenge Cup competition. This marks the fifth straight year, and sixth year overall, that the Eagles have won this award. Referred to as “The Cup of Champions,” the Challenge Cup represents excellence in athletics and the fine arts. The Challenge Cup is a statewide, yearlong competition among League member schools. Points are awarded to schools based on their success in section and state fine arts and athletic tournaments. For the 2011-12 school year, Eden Prairie had four state championship teams (boys’ soccer, volleyball, football, and boys’ swimming & diving) and eight individual state champions (in girls’ swimming, boys’ swimming, boys’ alpine skiing, wrestling, and girls’ track & field). The Eagles scored points in 26 of the 41 events the MSHSL sponsors and their margin of victory is the widest they have seen in the years they have been a Challenge Cup winner.

•

The Eden Prairie Schools website is now available in a mobile format to make it easier to view on most smartphone and tablet devices. When the district website is opened on a smartphone or tablet, it will automatically open the mobile version of the website. The mobile format makes it easier to view the components of the district website on a smaller screen. Mobile versions of the school and program websites will be launched in late summer or early fall.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION!!!

Be sure to check the Chamber’s Facebook page, LinkedIn group, blog and YouTube channel to get in on the action!

11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

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Community Building 5 Steps to More Devoted Customers

By Reed Daniels Owner, KABYT | Social Media + Promotion

Don’t Be A Stranger As Americans we are familiar with a lot of businesses. The grocery store always has bread and milk in the same place. It’s the darn toothpicks that they keep moving on us. Do they really move them or is it because toothpicks are not something we pick up every time? Share the new services, forgotten about products (the ones with the high margins!) and the randomness that is your business. Your current and prospective customers will get to know you, feel more connected to you and think of you first.

Talk With Not At ‘I am so awesome. I get up in the morning and the sun rises just so that it has the pleasure of having its rays bless my beautiful face. When I get in my car, the traffic parts to let me through.’ YAWN! Many companies use Social Media to talk about themselves and scream their message out to the world. Without engagement and without actually giving a darn about your customers, they likely won’t give a darn about you either. Ask questions, answer theirs, and genuinely care about them as people instead of dollar signs. Let us know what you find out.

Take the Good with the Bad Some people love you and your business and some people may have had less than spectacular experiences with you.

Embrace both. It’s always easier to put the rose-colored glasses on and listen to the people that fawn over you like a 14-year-old girl does with the latest boy band and the ‘dreamy lead singer’. Be a strong leader and business professional: take a bite of humble pie and a moment to really listen and digest the bad. Use it as an opportunity to grow as an organization by taking feedback and having the ability to earn another raving fan. Social Media is an incredibly powerful tool to engage with clients who have opinions and will be saying things anyway, you might as well hear it and respond.

Give Them Something to Talk About So. You have gotten to the point that you are talking with your customers. They feel engaged, loved, heard, and like they know you. Now it’s time to have some fun! Share deals, promotions, fun drawings and giveaways for your loyal customers. These are just like thank you notes to your faithful customers and can turn them into cult-like followers that won’t shut up about how great you are. The possibilities are endless. Stand out from the crowd. Be the company that people fight over the opportunity to work with, spend money at, and can’t stop talking about. Remember that ‘normal’ doesn’t go viral.

Share Your Culture BREAKING NEWS: Customers Interact With People and Not the Company Itself. Your customers interact with the people employed by the company. When was the last time you called up Target and asked for Mr. Target?

(The answer to the rhetorical questions is “never.”) The more you allow your customers to get to know the store manager, the bag boy, the accounts payable guy or gal, the more they can connect with your brand. Highly successful companies have great brand ambassadors. When these ambassadors share their experience with the company and its values, it creates a megaphone for others to hear what greatness a company has to offer!

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Reed Daniels is the owner of KABYT | Social Media + Pro-

motion. If you would like to speak with him about Social Media, he can be reached at 612-305-8055 or by email at reed@kabyt.com.

11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

Networking

ChamberFest, our membership appreciation event, is fast approaching! Be sure to mark your calendars, here are the details: • • •

WHEN: Thursday, August 23rd TIME: 4:30 - 6:00 PM WHERE: Emerson Process Management/Rosemount 12001 Technology Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Free for all members...there will be PRIZES, food, cash bar and more! RSVP online at epchamber.org/events.asp. See you there!!!

Girls Gone Golfin’

8th Annual Women’s Networking Golf Event Monday, September 24th starting at 2:00 PM Bent Creek Golf Club Join us for the 8th Annual EPC Women’s Networking Golf Tournament at Bent Creek Golf Club. We’ll play nine holes of golf followed by an AŌer Hours with hearty appeƟzers and a cash bar, non-golfers are welcome too!

Don’t miss door prizes, goodie bags and more! Plus, we will award prizes to the 1st and 2nd place teams, the longest drive, puƩ winners and the closest to the pin winner. Not a golfer? Join us for the AŌer Hours only. This event will sell out quickly….so sign up early!

See the enclosed flyer or contact communicaƟons@epchamber.org for more informaƟon!

11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

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This is a publication of: Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce

11455 Viking Drive, Suite 270 Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Ph: 952.944.2830 Fax: 952.944.0229

www.epchamber.org

AUGUST 2012 - EPC Calendar of Events Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday 1

Thursday 2

Friday 3

7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony

3:30 PM- Recognition Committee Mtg. @ EPC Office

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7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony

7:30 AM - Board Meeting @ EPC

11:30 AM- Ambassador Committee Mtg. @ EPC Office

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11:30 AM - 1:00 PM- General Membership Luncheon - Stevie Ray @ DoubleTree

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7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony

7:30 AM - Business Development Committee Meeting @ EPC

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM- Forecasting the Future of your Small Business @ EPC Office

5:00 - 7:00 PM- Fusion Annual BBQ

*ChamberFest donations need to be turned into the EPC.

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11:00 AM - 1:00 PM- Women’s Networking Luncheon - Women’s Health @ The Marsh 4:30 - 6:00 PM- After Hours @ Prosperwell Financial

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*Newsletter ads due to EPC by 4 PM

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7:30 - 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM- Fusion Monthly Meeting @ STAR BANK

4:00 - 6:00 PM -CHAMBERFEST @ Rosemount’s Pavillion *Newsletter inserts due to EPC

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11:30 AM - Gala Committee Meeting @ EPC

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*Small Business Person of the Year Award nominations due by 4 PM! 4:30 - 6:00 PM -After Hours @ Sharper Management

PLEASE RSVP FOR ALL EVENTS BY 12 PM THE DAY PRIOR! Visit epchamber.org to view details, pricing or to RSVP today!