CONNECTIONS November 2011 - Vol 42, Issue 11

Updates on the Southwest Light Rail Corridor & Hennepin County Issues

IN THIS ISSUE... Leadership P2- Article by Pat MulQueeny P3- Ambassador Updates P3- Ambassador of the Month

Thursday, November 17th from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Join us for our General Membership Luncheon on Thursday, Novem-

Public Policy P4- Article by Eric Kaler & Steven Rosenstone

Community Building P5- Article by Mike Stanton P5- Women’s Golf Event Wrap-Up

ber 17th, where we will hear from Jan Callison, who serves as Hennepin County Commissioner representing the 6th District. She will be updating us on the Southwest Light Rail Corridor and other Hennepin County issues. Also, Mark Fuhrman from the Met Council will provide additional details on the Southwest Light Rail Corridor. Jan was elected to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners in 2008. As a group, county commissioners provide leadership and oversight for county government. Services provided by Hennepin County include transportation and public works, health programs, libraries, social services, law enforcement, corrections, public records and environmental services. She serves as vice chair of the Public Works, Energy and Environment Committee, chair of the Hennepin County Housing & Redevelopment Authority and as treasurer of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority. The board also appointed Jan to the Hennepin Healthcare System (HHS) Board. The HHS Board governs the operations of Hennepin County Medical Center.

Networking P6- Article by Craig Ramsey P6- Sponsorship Corner P7- Newest Members P8- November 2011 Calendar

She serves as the board representative to groups such as the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Advisory Board, Southwest Light Rail Transit Corridor Management and Southwest Light Rail Transit Community Works Steering committees, the Transportation Interchange Working Group, the I-35W Solutions Alliance, the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (Secretary-Treasurer), and the Twin Cities Community Land Bank.

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Additionally, Jan serves in her individual capacity on the following non-profit boards: the Minnesota Housing Partnership, the YWCA of Minneapolis, and CornerHouse. Don’t miss it!

Look for us on Facebook “Eden Prairie Chamber” Look for us on LinkedIn “Eden Prairie Chamber”

LOCATION: DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington/Mpls South located at 7800 Normandale Blvd. in Bloomington.

V our YouTube Visit CChannel “EPChamber2”

COST: $25 for Chamber members & their guests / $40 non-Chamber members. Limited seating!

Join the Discussion! epchamber2.blogspot.com

Supporting & main sponsorships are still available! For more information or to participate, contact Pat MulQueeny at pat.mulqueeny@epchamber.org or at (952) 944-2830.

A special THANK YOU to our 2011 Annual Sponsors! Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

YOUR CONNECTION TO BUSINESS & COMMUNITY SINCE 1969

General Sponsor

Leadership Great ATHENA Awards Program By Pat MulQueeny, President Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber’s 19th Annual ATHENA Awards program featuring a presentation from Sherry Smith, CFO of SUPERVALU was outstanding and well attended. Sherry’s message highlighted SUPERVALU’s structure and businesses they have; plus she added her own personal touch describing how she got to where she is and tied in a leadership theme. A couple of points made during her presentation included: •

SUPERVALU is a 140 year old company, one of the largest U.S. grocery retailers and the 47th largest U.S. company based on revenue.

•

They have a diverse retail format – hard discount, traditional grocery, and value retailer.

•

The heart of their strategy is one company, winning their customers and being committed to growth.

Sherry also highlighted their efforts to be involved in the communities they serve- hunger relief, health and nutrition and environmental stewardship. These efforts include a focus on healthy eating and providing information in their stores to help people eat better and battle obesity. SUPERVALU has recently donated $1 million dollars to youth sports teams nationwide.

2011 ATHENA Winner, Cathy Haukedahl (center) & Sponsor, John Peifer (center, Suburban Chevrolet) with past Athena Winners

From left to right: John Peifer, Suburban Chevrolet (Sponsor), Sherry Smith, SUPERVALU (Speaker), Patrick Bernal, SUPERVALU (2011 Board Chair)

She finished her presentation with her top five career lessons learned: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Make your own path Get a mentor and be a mentor Understand continuous change Handling it all- work/life balance Always keep learning

We want to thank Sherry for her time and her great presentation. Also thanks to Suburban Chev for their continued support of this great program and CONGRATULATIONS to Cathy Haukedahl our 2011 recipient of the ATHENA award – she is very deserving!

Incomi ng Boar d Chair Schwar Gl tz with Gov. D enn ayton ATHENA Award

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“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 Ambassador of the Month: October Barb Lyons, Sign-A-Rama Barb, with her husband Lee, have owned the Sign*A*Rama Franchise in Eden Prairie for the last 5 ½ years and have been members of the Eden Prairie Chamber since their beginning in business. Barb and Lee have two daughters, Christy and Sarah. They live on a Hobby Farm south of Delano with three Morgan Horses, a barn/house cat (Miss Kitty) and Sarah’s Long Hair Chihuahua, Lucy. Barb has enjoyed many of the activities that the Chamber offers, but especially enjoys being an Ambassador. This enables her to meet and greet the newest members of the Chamber, and help them make the most of their membership in the Chamber. Being an Ambassador has also enabled Barb to see the new companies and what their products and services are so that she can keep Sign*A*Rama in a position to be able to meet the visual marketing needs of our new and existing clients.

Ambassador Updates The 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 September and October! The iDoctor Garry Schumacher 8251 Flying Cloud Dr., Ste 2222 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 612-201-3297 www.idoctormn.com

Search Marketing Wizards Shikha Bagchi 2613 Clover Field Circle Chaska, MN 55318 952-448-3806 www.search-marketing-wizards.com

HM Cragg Barb Callahan 7674 Washington Ave. S Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952-884-7775 www.hmcragg.com

Shapco Printing Don Johnson 524 North 5th Street Minneapolis, MN 55401 612-375-1150 www.shapcoprinting.com

REALM Promotions Marty Stanchfield 7132 Shady Oak Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952-814-9000 www.realmpromotions.com

World Pay Kimberly Waite P.O. Box 44855 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 802-343-7763 www.worldpay.us

Ambassador Lunch Sponsors:

www.redmoonchinesecafe.com 952-941-6556

REALM Promotions

Shapco Printing

www.goumbria.com 952-374-6464 Search Marketing Wizards

WorldPay

The Connections publication is produced monthly by the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization under federal tax status 501C6. In accordance with USPS regulations, the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce issues this Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation to be published within said publication #7297-70 in the November 2011 issue as required by the United States Postal Service for periodical circulations. Per the Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation, the Chamber prints 1,050 copies and pays for postage to mail 1,030 copies of the Connections publication monthly. 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 U, MnSCU Embrace Business Partnerships By Eric W. Kaler, President of the University of Minnesota and Steven J. Rosenstone, Chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities *** They wrote this guest column after addressing the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at its annual planning conference.

I

t’s time to think in new, bold ways about how the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities can work more closely together. The opportunity is unique. The potential is exciting. Recently, we have become the leaders of these two higher education systems during a time of shrinking public resources but growing demand for higher education. We know your businesses need an even more educated – and re-educated – workforce and more robust research to drive innovation and business growth. You know the backdrop. State funding for higher education has tumbled. Ongoing fiscal challenges likely will continue to limit state and federal support. While we will strive to find efficiencies under every stone in our respective organizations, we worry that the reduction in state support drives up tuition to maintain quality, thereby threatening or denying access to higher education for many students, particularly those who are low income. At the same time, we need to graduate the next generation of professionals who will lead your companies and serve your communities. Whether you’re looking for MBAs, physicians, accountants or precision manufacturing technicians, it’s our job to help you make Minnesota work. Each system has its distinctive role. We are going to work hard to ensure each system complements the other without unnecessary duplication. The risk is high. If we fail to meet your evolving workforce needs or to drive innovation, Minnesota will lose its ability to keep the nation’s best and brightest. Businesses may be less able to keep pace with competitors. We will fall behind our national and international competitors. The U’s and MnSCU’s missions are different, but we share a commitment to quality and service. As a land-grant research institution, the U teaches undergraduates and graduate students in a wide range of programs. With campuses statewide, it is also world-renowned for invention from medical devices to strains of wheat, from software to bone marrow transplantation. MnSCU, with its state universities, community and technical colleges across Minnesota, educates undergraduate and graduate students each year in programs ranging from nursing and business to computer networking and robotics. MnSCU’s customized training programs are recognized for their service to businesses throughout Minnesota. You need our graduates for your businesses to succeed. Eighty-five percent of all the job growth in Minnesota between 2008 and 2018 will require some postsecondary education. More than half of those jobs will require a certificate or associate’s degree. Higher education is the solution to the continued vitality of regional economies across the state. Higher education is a critical investment for our state. Still, we know we need to do things differently. At MnSCU, we must keep access to our outstanding programs high and the cost affordable. We must match employer needs with student aspirations. And we must be always available to businesses and communities in need of our expertise. At the U, we need to be excellent in all we do, and be accessible. If we have second-rate programs, we either need to build them or eliminate them. Together, we must reduce our operating costs – perhaps through joint purchasing or shared services. We have begun those conversations and expect fruitful outcomes. Meanwhile, we all need to ensure that more Minnesota students leave high school college-ready. We need to tackle our unacceptable achievement gap between white students and students of color. Higher education depends on the quality of our P-12 system. We are ready to roll up our sleeves to develop a smarter higher education strategy for Minnesota. We welcome your ideas. We value your support and look forward to working with you to sustain Minnesota’s prosperity and high quality of life. Contact Steven Rosenstone at chancellor@so.mnscu.edu and Eric Kaler at upres@umn.edu.

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

Community Building The Speed of Business Trust By Mike Stanton, Membership Director Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce

everything was painful and slow to get done? A place where no-one returns calls, emails or does anything on time?

perform my job. Would you do business with me? No! Let’s assume you have both character and competence, but yet struggle to gain new customers. Could it be that only you know you have character and competence, and your prospect doesn’t? The answer may likely be yes.

Trust in a business setting is a tricky concept to quantify, but yet, we sense when it is missing. Businesses that operate in a low trust environment, spend extra time and effort to get everything done and time and effort invariably cost money.

Decisions to buy a new “brand” are often based on the buyer, trusting the brand enough to say yes. In essence, if the buyer doesn’t know you or your brand…no sale!!!

Did you ever work for a business where

Why is this and what could we do to become a “high trust” business? First, let’s understand the building blocks of trust in business, which are character and competence. Both are necessary for you to be trusted in business. Imagine if I were competent at my work, but had questionable character or if I was a decent honest person and yet couldn’t

The Chamber exists as a place for your brand to get known; if I know you, like you, and trust you (there’s that character/ competence again), I might just buy your product! My advice: invest your time in Chamber events and get your brand known and build trust….good things will happen. See you all at upcoming events!

Girls Gone Golfin’ Wrap-Up September 26th at Bent Creek Golf Club A special THANK YOU to our Sponsors! •

Check Engine Express 952-937-0501 / www.checkenginexpress.com

•

Davisco Foods (BiPro USA) 952-914-0400

•

Farmers Insurance Group

•

Global View Capital

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Handyman Matters

952-255-9682 952-876-4011 952-836-6326 / www.handymanmatters.com/twin-cities

•

Healthy Training, LLC 952-334-4594 / www.healthy-training.com

•

Jason’s Deli

Tournament Results: 1st Place Team: Allied Waste Services Heidi Jaskowiak, Julie Pittman, Betsy Krause, Laura Wachholz 2nd Place Jean Way, Patty Hoben, Diana Smith, Lynda Gooch Hartmann Closest to the Pin: Anne Warfield, Impression Management-- HOLE IN ONE! Longest Drive: Betsy Krause, Allied Waste Longest Putt: Diana Smith, Sentry Insurance THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED AND MADE THIS EVENT A GREAT ONE!

952-944-7200 / www.jasonsdeli.com

•

Memorial Blood Center 888 GIVE-BLD / www.mbc.org

•

Refine Laser & Electrolysis 952-474-7474 / www.berefined.com

•

SUPERVALU INC. 952-828-4000 / www.supervalu.com More photos are on our website at www.epchamber.org! 11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

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Networking From Networking to Collaboration By Craig Ramsey ProIntroNet

A

shift in perspective is nothing new. In the 90’s we called it a paradigm shift. What it really means is “The old way is not working, and I’m not sure I know a new way yet” Average networking seeks leads. At its worst, it’s an inefficient and sometimes painful way to meet more strangers. Exceptional networking seeks linkage and collaboration (effective connections) with associates and advocates. One way to think about moving from networking to collaboration is to reframe the goal of networking; from generating leads to expanding your team of advocates. How do we identify and develop advocates? Most prospecting and networking begins in a field of ANONYMITY. Once you meet someone they become an AQUAINTANCE; if you discover synergy with them you may decide to ASSOCIATE with them. Mutually beneficial associations create loyal ADVOCATES. Linkage and collaboration are infinite; they are always providing possibilities that could not arise in a transactional conversation where I am focused on getting leads. Networking moves you from anonymous to acquaintance and possibly (with luck) to the associate level. Discovering synergy and developing into advocates happens in a setting devoted to a deeper conversation -not at a networking event. Think of the people in your network in terms of your ability to advocate for them, and their potential to advocate for you. The above description for identifying and developing advocates speaks to the stages of relationship building in a networking context. Relationship Stage Anonymous Acquaintance Associate Advocate

Will recommend you No Maybe Yes Yes

You will recommend No Maybe Yes Yes

Will advocate for you No No Maybe Yes

You advocate for them No No Maybe Yes

The perspective shift occurs when “Selling” is reserved for the appropriate time. The subject of another article, but in brief, we’re referring to creating a buying environment which is not the goal of networking. The goal of networking is to move people who are anonymous to acquaintances and eventually, associates. The advantage of collaboration (in this context) is to increase the boots on the street advocating for you and to increase your ability to help others by knowing someone who can solve their problems. To shift from networking to collaborating, remember: • • •

Networking is not selling Your message should be memorable and transferrable so you can occupy some mental shelf space in your networking community Always strive to move yourself and the folks in your community towards advocacy.

THANK YOU to our Sponsors for October! ATHENA Luncheon Sponsor

www.suburbanchev.com 952-828-6500

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Cloud Technology Summit

www.ptsmn.com 952-943-1632

www.rasmussen.edu 952-545-2000

www.visi.com 612-395-9000

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

Networking

Meet Some of Our Newest Members!!! Byrne Law Office, LLC 7825 Washington Avenue, #500 Eden Prairie, MN 55349 Anne Byrne, Esq. Category: Attorneys www.AnneByrneLaw.com (952) 943-3909 Comparatio USA, LLC 5353 Gamble Drive #100 St. Louis Park, MN 55416 Jan Pohland, CEO Category: Computer Software www.comparatio.com (952) 926-5500 Cundy & Martin, LLC Family Law & Immigration 7900 Xerxes Ave. S. #1125 Bloomington, MN 55431 Vincent Martin, Partner Category: Attorneys www.cundyandmartin.com (952) 746-4111 The iDoctor 8251 Flying Cloud Drive, Ste 2222 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Garry Schumacher, Owner Category: Technology Repair www.idoctormn.com (612) 201-3297 Leutem Commercial Real Estate, LLC 4645 Vinewood Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55442 Mark Leutem, Commercial Broker Category: Commercial Real Estate (763) 234-8128

Life in Focus 6386 156th Street Apple Valley, MN 55124 Bill Pomerenke, Founder/CEO Category: Business Consulting (612) 940-7760 Minnesota Divorce & Family Mediation 6542 Regency Lane #210 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Tera Olson, Owner Category: Consultants www.mediatemn.com (952) 270-0134

Risk & Insurance Consultants, LLC 4737 Cty Road 101 #282 Minnetonka, MN 55345 Laura Kasemodel, President Category: Insurance Agencies/Companies www.risk-ins.com (612) 386-1421 Seelye Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

8759 Knollwood Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55347 Kristanne Seelye, Owner Category: Health & Wellness www.seelyeacupuncture.com (952) 607-0219

Perusse Family Law & Mediation 7760 France Ave S #1100 Edina, MN 55435 Cindy Perusse, President/Attorney Category: Attorneys www.perusselaw.biz (952) 841-6372

Travel Style 8251 Flying Cloud Drive #2224 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 DJ Jaspel, President Category: Retail Stores (952) 941-0150

REALM Promotions 7132 Shady Oak Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Marty Stanchfield, President Category: Advertising Specialty Products www.realmpromotions.com (952) 814-9000

The Vanella Group of MN, LLC 16526 West 78th Street #268 Eden Prairie, MN 55346 Vince Vanella, President Category: Bisuness Consultants www.vanellagroupmn.com (612) 367-6879

REV Solutions Inc. 10400 Viking Blvd. #500 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Chad Simich, Dir. of Operations Category: IT Services www.revsolutionsinc.com (952) 746-6005

WEALTH Financial Consultants 15830 Venture Lane Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Caroline Emswiler, President Category: Bisuness Consultants www.wealthfinancialconsultants.com (952) 294-4921

CUNDY & MARTIN, LLC FAMILY LAW AND IMMIGRATION LAWYERS

(952) 746-4111 www.CundyandMartin.com

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

PAGE 7

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

NOVEMBER 2011 - EPC Calendar of Events Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

1

2

11:30 AM- Ambassador Mtg. at EPC

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

8

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

7:30-9:30 AM- Board Mtg at EPC

15

16

7:30 AM- Government Committee Mtg at EPC

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

11:30 AM- 1:00 PM, Fusion Mtg. at ITT Technical Institute

21

22

23

Saturday 5

7:30 AM- Chamber 101

10

3:30 PM- Recognition Committee Mtg. at EPC

Friday 4

9

11:30 AM- Gala Mtg. at EPC

14

3

4:30- 6:00 PM, After Hours Expo at Biaggi’s

5:30 PM- Alaska Cruise Info Mtg at STAR BANK

7

Thursday

* Newsletter ads due to the Chamber

11

12

11:00 AM- 1:00 PMWomen’s Networking Luncheon at The Bluffs

* Newsletter inserts due to the Chamber

17

18

Bourbon Street Ball Gala Event at Sofitel!!!

11:30 AM- 1:00 PMGeneral Membership Luncheon at DoubleTree

24

25

26

* No Business@Breakfast! Happy Thanksgiving!

EPC Office Closed!

EPC Office Closed!

28

29

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

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