Connect - Grow - Prosper

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

March 31, 2014

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce has a new logo. We felt that it was time to set a new direction in promoting our business community. The initiative began almost a year ago with the approval of the Board of Directors to explore new logo options. The marketing committee led by Tom Spargur set a course in developing an RFP to go out to our member design firms. As a member driven organization, using our members is always a priority. The Marketing Committee reviewed the proposals and finally selected K-Art and Design to develop the new look. Their understanding of our mission and our business community after a decade of service to Culpeper was evident in the inspired result.

The Marketing Committee transitioned from the leadership of Tom Spargur to Sophie Hudson of KASH Design in January, 2014. Ms. Hudson stepped into the lead in continuing the logo development with great support from Mr. Spargur. The team effort of the committee is a testament to the value of the Chamber network. Working across company lines for the benefit of the Culpeper business community demonstrates the quality of our business leaders.

The final product was not the end of the story but rather the beginning of something very exciting. Given that we celebrate our 100th year anniversary this year, the Marketing Committee wanted to showcase the new look and feel with a grand “reveal.” With the help of the Culpeper State Theatre and over 20 sponsors, we were able to showcase the new logo in a style reminiscent of a Fortune 500 Company roll out. We had champagne glasses raised and special carry bags full of sponsor donated items in celebration of the milestone event.

The logo tells a story that is unique and progressive. Most economic development logos, including Chambers of Commerce, use the community name in the logo. However, given that we are in a new global business reality, the committee felt that we needed to make clear our location. As you will see, they approached this with a masterful display showing our location in the Virginia state profile. To take this a step further, there is a red arch starting from the letter U pointing to the location on the state map. In other words, where is the best place to do business in Virginia for U? Culpeper, of course.

The banner underneath of the name Culpeper is pointing forward to suggest positive motion. This is underscored by the key words - Connect - Grow - Prosper. The words also show a logical progress as they are in alphabetic order. The words appear obvious in their relevance to business, however, there is an element that speaks volumes about our Chamber. The word Grow is a central theme in our economy resulting from our significant agribusiness community. Agribusiness is a cornerstone of our vitality and having this represented in the center fulcrum of the logo offers appropriate respect for our heritage.

Thank you to our marketing team, our sponsors, our members, and the Culpeper State Theatre for making the new logo reveal a great success. If you would like to see the new logo - go to www.CulpeperChamber.com.

Networking in Business

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

March 24, 2014

Networking is a staple in most business priorities and takes on many forms within the membership of a Chamber of Commerce. The vibrancy created in the business community by a strong network is a reflection of a healthy ecosystem. Networking is not as easy as showing up for a meeting. Nor is it as easy as having one conversation with a business acquaintance. Successful networking takes work. It would be unrealistic to think that one could play a successful game of golf after playing just one round. It takes practice to understand the game of golf. Like a set of clubs in the golf bag, networking also takes the mastery of a set of skills.

Why network? For many today, their office may be a home base business or a small office. These can be very isolating. The best way to keep communication skills sharp is to interact in person with your peers in business. Understanding which club to play out of the bag of networking is best developed by experience on the course. More importantly, this is best refined in action. It is rare and unlikely that one’s skills will be improved while sitting in an office waiting for the phone to ding with the next email.

 

It is further important to refine one’s networking skills in order to build a base of business referrals. There is nothing more powerful than to have an associate that you have worked with refer you to a friend. As humans we are built for networking. We look to others to validate our decisions. We also look for others to help us find shortcuts to making good decisions. Plus, according to an industry study, consumers are more likely to do business with a small business if they are a member of the Chamber of Commerce network.

It would be naïve to ignore the new world of social networking as a club in the bag of networking skills. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google Plus are extensions but NOT replacements for personal networking. Social network interactions online are a way to keep up with a community of associates. However, when integrated with face to face networking, the combination can be especially powerful. Conversations are often jump started and more refined as a result of  online social media linkages.

Members in a Chamber of Commerce are part of something much larger than the individual parts. As a group, our network enables a sharpening of skills. It supports a greater level of opportunity to build referrals. It supports the perception of greater community support. It allows the voice of business to be stronger in setting the table of economic prosperity. Our joint strength is not only recognized as beneficial in local opportunities, but also in the newest frontier of strength, our aggregated online visibility. Local communities of business that invest in the online visibility of Chamber members combined with traditional networking will illuminate opportunities in the new digital business ecosystem. Grow your business today through the membership network of your local Chamber of Commerce.

 

Many Opportunities to Grow Your Business

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

March 17, 2014

We help business improve their story. We help business celebrate their story. We are the place that business stories matter. We grow business stories. These are just a few ideas that came to mind on Friday as I attended the transformational workshop - Marketing Your Story with Kim Weitkamp at Culpeper Library as part of the Culpeper Tells Weekend. Congratulations to the Friends of the Library on their outstanding program. The Culpeper Chamber is a proud sponsor of the event. We wish them great success as a Storytelling Festival for many years to come.

In other Chamber news, there are many opportunities to grow your business with us. Lead Culpeper 2014 is a go! We have notified 15 candidates of their acceptance into the program. There are a few new and improved additions to the program this year. Our first session will be held at the remarkable Verdun Adventure Bound facility in Culpeper at the end of April. There are only a few more openings available. Please contact the Chamber office ASAP for details or go to our website at www.LeadCulpeper.com - Congratulations to the Class of 2014 Candidates.

The Chamber will host a Town Council Candidates Forum Breakfast on April 9th. Breakfast is served at 7:30 AM. The forum begins at 8 AM. We are accepting questions to consider for the candidates to be asked at the Forum. The event will be held at the Germanna Community College Daniel Technology Center. We have confirmed participation from all but one (incumbent) candidate. All have been invited. We wish all of the candidates congratulations on their candidacy and their willingness to dedicate their energy to public service. Go to the www.CulpeperChamber.com to register for the event. With nine candidates on the ballot, this will be interesting. Most importantly, please put May 6th on your calendar and remember to exercise your protected privilege to vote.

The Chamber is working with the Culpeper County Schools to help coordinate the 2014 8th Grade Career Expo on April 11th. We have extended invitations to many businesses to participate. Our hope is to have one or two businesses from unique areas, Banking, Retail, Entrepreneurship, Non-Profit, Food Service, Government Service, Law Enforcement, and Real Estate, Construction, Trades, High Tech, Engineering, Automotive, Healthcare, and others. The program offers students at a critical decision point for educational options to talk with business leaders in the community about career requirements in their selected industry. Please contact Jim Charapich at JimC@CulpeperChamber.com if you are interested in being considered. Industry sectors fill up quickly.

In addition, The Culpeper Chamber continues to work closely with Career Partners and The Culpeper County School’s to bring E Squared to our high school students. The program is an award winning nationally recognized entrepreneurship development program. In my “graded” session with the students on how to develop a business plan, I emphasize that E Squared Culpeper is a locally developed and refined program that is rare at the high school level. Our students are gaining a significant advantage in the job market. How many job applicants have actually written a business plan? The Culpeper educator and business collaboration is a progressive strength unique to our community. Go to www.ESquaredCulpeper.com for details about how the program participants have an opportunity to win $5,000 in higher education scholarship funds. Please remember to thank an E Squared Culpeper sponsor for their generous support.

The State of Our Community

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

03-10-14

The Culpeper Chamber hosted State of the Community on Friday March 7th at Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center. The event showcased facets of our community that are sometimes unseen and yet vital to our economic success. Given that there were 15 speakers - the timing of each speaker was limited to 5 minutes each. This encouraged the speakers to focus on the highlights in their area of subject matter expertise.

I would like to say a special thanks to the speakers for taking the time to prepare and deliver the unique facets of Culpeper from their perspective. Dr. Reynolds and Greg Napps provided an excellent summary of the progress at Culpeper Regional Health System. The recent announcement of the increased partnership with the University of Virginia Health System in advancing our health system as a community hospital is significant. Chris Miller of Aging Together described the benefits of support for our aging population. The data that she shared pointed to above average health care in Culpeper compared to other areas of Virginia. Anthony Clatterbuck representing the volunteer fire and rescue departments in Culpeper shared that they made 6282 calls for help in 2013. The volunteer fire and rescue departments would cost $20,000,000 to replace with dedicated County resources.

Rob Wilson Director of the Culpeper State Theatre described his collaboration with community groups and nonprofits. In addition, He described the efforts of the State Theatre and Culpeper County Public Schools to open opportunities for more student artistic inspiration. Gary Close described the efforts of the Arts Council established by the Culpeper Town Council . He described the May 2015 Arts Festival in collaboration with the Culpeper Ruritan Club, drawing art lovers from Northern Virginia.

Kelsey Carlson - Owner of the Green Roost and President of Culpeper Renaissance pointed out that more Culpeper residents are shopping local,  bucking the online buying trends of other communities. Dewey Cashwell, Culpeper Town Manager highlighted that the Town employees are focused on customer service to our residents. Speaking to a largely business audience the words “customer service” in public service is very meaningful.

Dr. Johnson, Superintendent of Culpeper County Public Schools shared that enrollment is up for elementary age groups, adding pressure on space and resource availability. In addition, she described the Germanna Scholars program that will allow Culpeper County High School Students to enroll in courses at Germanna to accelerate degree attainment for students in the program. Jon Krawchuk described the partnership with the Young Professional Group in Culpeper and the local executives holding mentoring luncheons during the year. The group has grown from a core group of 40 to over 100 YP’s in the group roster.

Dr. Sam described the efforts of Germanna Community College to advance training opportunities in Culpeper addressing the constant demand for skilled workers. Rod Gentry - Union First Market Bank and speaking for the Piedmont Workforce Network / Workforce Investment Board, shared the progress in supporting the workforce needs in the region. He commented that economic vitality is a complex system requiring a balance of talent and jobs to maintain a strong workforce.

Cole Johnson, Director of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation announced the Piedmont Give Local Campaign set for May 6th. The campaign will open opportunities for nonprofits in the region to engage existing and new contributions through an online campaign. There are 87 nonprofits signed up and she would like to see 100 before May 6th. Finally, Steve Nixon representing Culpeper County government shared some of the statistics and legislative issues facing the County.

Cole Johnson summed up the event well - Culpeper is on Fire… This is a great place to be.

 

Medicaid Expansion : Virginia

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

March 3, 2014

Medicaid Expansion : Virginia - “The Virginia Chamber of Commerce, joined by business leaders and Chambers of Commerce from across the Commonwealth, endorsed a private option approach and released a series of principles to address Medicaid in Virginia. These free-market based principles highlight eleven reforms that businesses are urging the General Assembly to consider as they work to address Medicaid expansion in Virginia.” Virginia Chamber of Commerce press release February 24, 2014. Among the Chambers to support the Virginia Chamber private option approach is the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, the press release included the following highlights of the free-market based reforms that businesses are urging the General Assembly to consider:

·  Total privatization of Medicaid expansion in VA

·  Requirement that the Commonwealth achieve sufficient savings to offset the state’s share of contributions for the private option;

·  Requirement that enrollees must be employed or actively seeking employment;

·  Encourage a market-oriented approach for new enrollees to control their use of health care services and maintain healthy behaviors, including cost sharing;

·  Financial incentives to encourage healthy behaviors, including health savings accounts;

·  Require an audit of the Medicaid program and a renewal of the private option plan every 4

years;

·  Language that the private option plan would terminate if the federal government fails to meet their financial obligations under the ACA;

·  Support wellness and preventative services;

·  Require annual performance reviews;

·  Expand fraud and abuse prevention measures to control costs.

The General Assembly has one more week to address one of the most significant issues of this session. The VA Chamber press release included figures that are staggering to consider. “Over the next 8 years, Virginia businesses will incur $16.4 billion in ACA-related taxes to pay for federal health care reform. A private option plan will allow Virginia to take control of $15 billion of its federal tax dollars and put them to work for Virginia businesses, taxpayers and communities.” Gary Thomson, Regional Managing Partner with Dixon Hughes Goodman and Chairman of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Our proximity to Washington is no reason to import Washington partisan gridlock to Virginia.  We have an opportunity to repatriate an estimated $5,000,000 per day from Washington and put it to work for Virginia. The General Assembly Session ends on March 8th. This is the time to contact your Senator and Delegate and urge them to approve a budget that includes our ACA tax dollars that are docked in Washington. Why throw them overboard when we can find safe harbor for them in Virginia.