COMMERCE CHENANGO MEMO

Leading Business, Leading Communities™

Weekly Update of Happenings & Business Tips for Chamber Members

Week of Oct. 6th – 10th, 2008

"In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior."
--Sir Francis Bacon, Renaissance author

Chamber Member Good News

• News from United Methodist Homes…
  • Good luck to Gary Wannamker, MSW, and Liza Newman. Both have recently joined the United Methodist Homes’ Doris L. Patrick Campus as social workers.
  • Environmental Services Supervisor Charlene Duddy has been named the September Employee of the Month at UMH. Duddy has worked for the Homes for 16 years.
• Congratulations to Lily Katherine’s Bridal Boutique who recently received an Elite Retailer of the Year award from Jim’s Formal Wear. Jim’s is the largest formalwear distribution network in the U.S. with over 5,000 independent retailers. Jill Eddy, owner of Lily Katherine’s, has been providing tuxedo rental services since 2007.
• Your good news could be here!

Help Wanted: Five Ways to Get the Word Out

For many small business owners, filling an empty position takes a lot of effort -- after all, you don't want to hire the first semi-qualified applicant who walks through the door. So how do you attract the perfect employee when you need to fill a vacancy? You may be tempted to simply place a "help wanted" sign in your window, but that's not always enough to attract someone who will mesh with your team and perform well at their job.  Would that simple sign reach the candidate pool you hope to hire from?

A "help wanted" sign is a great place to start, but you might also consider adding another approach or two to your search. Here are five additional ways to look for help:

1. Your local newspaper. Classified ads are still alive and kicking, and your local newspaper probably has an online classified section as well. While you're placing your ad in print, consider your trade or industry publication as well.
2. Online job sites. The big boys like monster.com and careerbuilder.com have a national readership and may reach more potential candidates than just your local newspaper.
3. Your own Web site. Even if you don't have a page or section specific to job vacancies or careers with your small business, a quick blurb about the position on the home page with a phone number or email to contact for more information may get some hits. If you have a company blog, you might also post the job opening there.
4. Online networking. Do you Twitter or have a Facebook account? Check with your contacts on those sites. If you're looking for a human resources specialist, you never know who might have a former colleague, friend or family who happens to be looking for a job in that area. 
5. Look within. Perhaps you can promote someone who's been with your business for a while already. But if that's not an option, your current employees may have a former colleague or classmate who happens to be in the market. You might even consider offering a finder's fee or token of appreciation to the employee who helps you find your new staff member.

Hiring a new employee is one of the most important tasks you'll face as a small business owner. You want to find qualified, competent and loyal employees, and using one or more of the avenues mentioned above as part of your process will help to do just that.

$10 Million Available for Projects that Expand the Level of Manufacturing of Renewable, Clean, and Energy-Efficient products in New York State

Program Opportunity Notice (PON) 1176: Renewable, Clean Energy and Energy Efficient Product Manufacturing Incentive Program.

NYSERDA seeks to expand the level of manufacturing of renewable, clean, and energy-efficient products in New York. This program is designed to provide New York electricity consumers with greater access to renewable, clean-energy, and energy-efficient products by providing financial assistance for developing manufacturing facilities to manufacture these eligible products in New York State. This program invites proposals requesting funding to develop or expand a facility to manufacture eligible products. Incremental additions or modifications to existing manufacturing lines will not be considered.

Eligible products include:

1. Renewable or clean-energy products that produce or support the production of renewable or clean electricity;
2. Energy-efficient end-use technologies that use electricity as a principal input and result in a substantial increase in the efficient use and or conservation of electricity compared to the status quo; or
3. Electric storage technologies for grid-connected applications. In order to be eligible, products should be beyond the prototype stage and mature enough to warrant designing and building or expanding a commercial manufacturing facility.

Proposals will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis as they are received. Proposals will be accepted through June 30, 2011 by 5:00pm Eastern Time or until funds run out, whichever is first.

For more information see attached announcement or visit www.nyserda.org/Funding

Voter Registration Deadlines Coming Up

The last dates to register to vote for the Nov. 4th General Election is Friday, October 10th at the County Board of Elections, or on local registration day, Saturday, Oct. 11th at sites throughout the County. The Board of Elections hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Anyone with questions should call the BOE at 337-1760 or 337-1762.

Chamber Seeks Nominations for Small Business Awards

Commerce Chenango is accepting nominations for the Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Small Manufacturer of the Year, and Small Business Gems. These awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Small Business Dinner scheduled for November 19th, 2008 at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich. This is your chance to be a part of the awards process. Nomination forms are available by calling Rachel Crandall @ 334-1402 or by visiting www.chenangony.org. All nominations must be received by October 15th.

Save the Date...

This Week

Oct. 9th ~ Business After Hours @ Benedict’s, Norwich ~ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
In addition to networking with members of the Chenango County business community, guests will have the opportunity to win a free alignment, watch demonstrations such as an air bag exploding as well as the process of painting a vehicle, and a chance to turn the key in selected vehicles to win prizes. Bendict’s is currently celebrating 103 years. Chamber members may register by calling Rachel at 334-1402 or email rcrandall@chenangony.org.

Next Week

Oct. 14th ~ Meet the Candidates Night @ SFCU, Norwich Branch ~ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Take this opportunity to network with candidates for State offices prior to election day in a relaxed social environment. Business owners and their employees are urged to attend. Please RSVP by October 9th to 334-1402 or email rcrandall@chenangony.org.

November

Nov. 13th ~ Business After Hours with Café Connection and Natoli & Natoli ~ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 19th ~ Small Business Dinner @ the Canasawacta Country Club, sponsored by Mang Insurance and NBT Bank.