March
2018
Volume 10, Issue 3
Business Connection Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce
In October, Nicole Tideman with Walstead Mertsching helped local business owners understand the new paid family and sick leave laws at the Chamber's Small Business Boot Camp class.
Chamber CEO’s Message By Bill Marcum
Boot Camp classes leave an imprint in the business community A little more than six years ago when I
Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team Bill Marcum, CEO Amy Hallock Project Manager Pam Fierst Visitor Information Center and Office Manager
Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400 kelsolongviewchamber.org To advertise, call Bill Marcum, 360-423-8400 or email bmarcum@ kelsolongviewchamber.org Ad Deadline: 20th of each month
interviewed for the position of CEO for the Kelso Longview Chamber, I was asked, “As the new CEO what would you do that most Chambers do not do to help local businesses be successful?” My response was easy. As a Chamber member for 30 years – in Ashland, Pendleton and Albany, Ore., as well as Yakima, Longview and Enumclaw, Wash. – the one thing I wanted from the Chamber was education for my staff and myself. I wanted an opportunity that did not include driving to Portland or Seattle, spending the night and attending a $695 class for the day or day and a half. That day I started thinking about how the Chamber could provide low-cost training for local, small business owners. The outcome was Small Business Boot Camp. March 9 begins our 95th Boot Camp class, with number 100 scheduled for April 13. We have sponsored 24 classes on the financial pieces of running a business like reading a financial statement, budgeting, purchasing, pricing and overseeing expense control, to name a few. We have hosted 24 classes on human resource issues like figuring out the new marijuana law, hiring and firing, updating your employee handbook, hiring the right person for the job and many others. We
have had 18 classes on social media, exploring everything from Facebook to search engine optimiation, and how to use Facebook to engage customers. We highlighted 11 classes on marketing, advertising and sales. The six classes we are featuring starting March 9 are on what we call boardmanship, or how to succeed in the role of board member. When complete this will mark 24 classes on this subject. A couple years ago one of my board members asked why boardmanship is part of the Chamber goal of helping local businesses be more successful. I think it might be the most important series of classes we offer and here’s why. First, who serves on most of our local nonprofit boards? Look in the mirror; it’s local business people – owners, managers, employees and the family of employees. Research shows that locally owned businesses donate more than twice the amount large business contribute, both in time and money. I never want to see one of our local business leaders’, who is volunteering for a nonprofit orgaFor more Boot Camp, see page 2