Plant Your Garden

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Business Article

Culpeper Star Exponent

April 6, 2015

Plant Your Garden

Well friends, I think it is finally spring.  The iceberg-sized block of ice in my driveway has melted away, the grass is growing, and the tulip bulbs I planted last fall are beginning to make their appearance.  When I haphazardly buried those little treasures, I knew it would be a while before I would reap the rewards of my efforts. But now I am pleased that I took the time and effort - soon my garden will be scattered with little tulip surprises.

Last week, I did a bit of professional gardening. I attended a conference for chambers of commerce from across the Commonwealth.  My full calendar and busy schedule told me I didn’t have time to participate, but I resisted the easy path of not going--and attended. The agenda was full, informative, and I returned with a few “tulip bulbs” to plant and share.  

Regardless the size of your business or organization, or even if you are a sole proprietor, it is important that you take time to invest in yourself and if applicable, your team to create a performance environment conducive for success.  Try to avoid saying “I’m too busy for that”.  Yes, “time”, however defined in your particular “world of work”, is a valuable resource in today’s fast-paced world, but successful leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs recognize that the cultivation of business growth requires that “time” be so invested.

As you juggle your full calendar and busy schedule, take some “time” to identify areas where training yourself or your employees will lead to enhanced on the job performance--but also understand that productivity is often the result of good play. Take some time to have fun!  I’m not a management guru or one who can sling out the latest leadership buzzwords or catch-phrases, but I do look for ways to help your Chamber staff, and me, add tools to our workplace skills - it always leads to little ‘tulip surprises’!

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2015 Professional Development Conference on Thursday, April 23rd at Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center.  This full day  offers affordable education and training for non-profit organizations and small businesses.  Topics will include management, legal issues, branding, board development, and creativity in the workplace.  Jo Ellen Armstrong, of Mary Washington Healthcare, will be the keynote speaker addressing “Leading a Multigenerational Workforce”.  For detailed information on each session and registration go to culpeperchamber.com.  

While gardening isn’t on the Professional Development Conference’s agenda this year, I am certain you will still find a few “tulip bulbs” of your own to plant--I know I will.

Connect Your Dots

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

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March 30, 2015

On any given rainy day during summer vacation from grade school, I could be found with my big box of 64 Crayola Crayons - complete with sharpener on the back - and one of those giant coloring books.  I would satisfy my creative urge, despite the lack of artistic talent, by coloring, tracing pictures, and my favorite of all - connecting the numbered dots!  Connecting dots #1-74 would always reveal a masterpiece of which any real artist would be proud to affix a signature!  

During a recent babysitting stint with my grandchildren I was once again immersed in another of those activity books with several connect the dots puzzles. This led to reminiscing and a stream of consciousness where I realized how important “dots” are to my life!  My mother’s name was Dot, I love polka dots, candy dots, and the iPad game Dots, and I do my share of dotting i’s while crossing  “t’s”. As that seemingly endless list reached ice cream dots in my mind, I suddenly made the connection (pun intended) that I work to connect dots daily.  

Yes, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is a dot connector!  We help draw the lines that connect  businesses with prospective customers and opportunities;  we provide information to potential customers with sources of goods and services; we connect Chamber affiliates with access to a myriad of quality membership services; we help connect Chamber members with the community through monthly newsletters reaching over 10,000 homes and 25,000 readers; we help ensure members remain connected with government through advocacy representation, locally and in Richmond.  In a nutshell, that’s what your Chamber does: facilitate business connections. If I were more of an artist, I could creatively assign individual “dot numbers” to our members, chamber events, and activities that when connected, would reveal a scene depicting the vibrant regional business community and great place to live that is Culpeper County.

Assignment of a “dot number” to your business or organization will ensure you are added to the scene and help you establish and maintain solid connections with customers or suppliers.  Your chamber’s tagline captures the essence of its mission: “Connect * Grow * Prosper”; note the dots between the words and how they connect the concept.  Let your Chamber assist you with the connections that broaden your network and optimally position your business or organization for success.  

Connect with me or Martha Sanford at 540-825-8628 to discuss the benefits of a Chamber membership.  When you do, we’ll make sure you get connected to all the other ‘dots’.  Meanwhile, I’m off to purchase another activity book for my grandkids.  It seems all their connect the dot pages are missing - wonder how that happened?

The Multi-Faceted Culpeper County Library

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Business Article

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March 23, 2015

My mother-in-law, the late Alcidie Stohlman, was an avid reader.  She always had a stack of books sitting on a shelf next to her reading chair waiting to reveal their stories.  Having grown up during the great depression, she learned to rely on her neighborhood library to satisfy her insatiable "guilty pleasure".  Weekly visits to the library were the norm throughout her entire life. She was quick to point out that she had travelled the globe, visited the most inaccessible of places, and carried out conversations with many of the world’s famous and infamous -- simply by turning pages.  She was quick to exclaim that "My ‘library book shelf’ (as she called it) could never support my passion for books!”

I consulted Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as I was drafting this week’s column to find a definition. I’m sure you have a mental image of that book if you have attained a certain chronological advancement in life, but this time I used the online version found on the Culpeper Library’s website, www.cclva.org.  Merriam-Webster defines “library” as “a place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials are kept for use but not for sale”. Certainly this is a traditional definition that my mother-in-law’s generation would have considered accurate.  But does it truly reflect the mission of a modern 21st century “library” such as what we have here in Culpeper?

I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the board of directors for the Friends of the Culpeper Library.  During my tenure, I learned that the widely used and simple definition of “library” is far too narrow to fully describe the programs available to Culpeper’s residents through our local library.  In addition to the 400,000 books checked out in 2014 over 9,100 people participated in a wide range of adult and children’s programs and more than 33,000 people took full advantage of the internet and computers available without charge. Recently, our library completed a renovation project which added additional study rooms, computer terminals, and improved their used book store.

21st century libraries are more than just book repositories.  They are important to the quality of life in any community and are another ingredient in the virtual gumbo called economic development.  Locally, the Culpeper County Library supports students, assists job-seekers with connection to potential employers, while transporting armchair travelers to far-flung and exotic places.  Our library also helps us understand and appreciate the rich diversity of the region we call home through the breadth and depth of the available programs.

We have quite the resource here in Culpeper. I recommend you stop in sometime soon to explore the library’s offerings.  My mother-in-law would surely endorse it’s quality, and as I see it, that says a lot.  I’m also pretty sure she’d be asking my father-in-law to build her another “library book shelf” next to her reading chair.   

Our Agricultural Heritage

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

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March 16, 2015

I want to milk a cow.  Not sure why really, it is just one of the items on my bucket list. Maybe it has something to do with all the 'farm' related nursery rhymes of my childhood or watching too many episodes of Green Acres.  I've shared this desire with a few of my agribusiness contacts hoping they would know a cow or two in need of milking, but have been told that I have an overly romanticized view of farm life!  You know the one--red barns, idyllic pastures, and quaint farmhouses with large porches for sitting, guitar strumming or banjo pickin’.  The more I learn of agribusiness, the more I realize that farm life is rewarding, but chock full of hard work and long days.

With more than 111,000 acres of Culpeper County devoted to raising livestock, growing and cultivating various crops, and greenhouse operations, the economic impact of agribusiness can not be overlooked.   Interestingly, Culpeper’s census data indicates that over the last 30 years or so, there has been a 50% increase in the number of farms.  Commensurate with this growth there has also been a reduction in total acres farmed, indicating that the larger farms are being divided into smaller parcels.  This tells me that despite societal changes or demographic shifts, there are still many entrepreneurs willing to embrace the challenges and harvest the rewards of agribusiness in Culpeper County; and we are lucky to have them.

Annually, the Agriculture Council of America (ACA)  organizes a celebration to recognize the amazing abundance provided us all by those farmers, ranchers,  producers and distributors who choose to engage in agribusiness.  This year, March 18th is National Ag Day.  With the theme “Sustaining Future Generations”, the ACA’s message is designed to increase public awareness of the quality and quantity of our Nation’s bounty and the efforts of many to bring it to our tables.

Locally, your Culpeper Chamber of Commerce named Kenny and Edith Anderson and Family the 2015 Agribusiness of the Year.  The Anderson Family has operated their brood cow operation for more than 40 years. We are pleased to recognize their contributions to Culpeper’s agricultural community and congratulate them on the success of their family-run business.

It is easy to take the food supply chain for granted and only see the red barns and green pastures as we drive along Culpeper’s beautiful country roads.  But on March 18th, join me in taking a moment or two to ponder the role of agriculture in today’s modern society. For those of us who have never truly experienced life on a farm, I presume we will always retain that overly romanticized image of that way of life.  But perhaps through the ACA we will better appreciate the true work and level of effort occurring daily.  I know it’s not all porches and pickin’.  I do still want to milk a cow, though.

CulpeperFest 2015

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Business Article

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March 9, 2015

I have an annoying quirk - random songs often swirl around my brain involuntarily for days on end.  While loosely associated with events taking place in my life, melodies and lyrics take-up temporary residence in my frontal lobe from time-to-time.  

For the last week or so, I’ve been stuck in the 1980’s after hearing David Bowie’s song, “Changes”.  Even those not as chronologically advanced as me will almost certainly be able to immediately recall the melody and the lyrics “bridge”  ...  “Ch-ch-ch-ch changes” …  Can you hear it?  Did you just sing it?  

I surmise that this song is stuck in my brain because it has become the unofficial anthem of CulpeperFest 2015.  Since last June, the CulpeperFest Committee has been exploring ideas and concepts to further enhance this highly successful event.  The group tried very hard to avoid saying, “well, that’s the way its always been done”,  or  “it’s not broken, don’t fix it”. We believe we have freshened-up CulpeperFest in a way that will truly connect business to the community.

CulpeperFest will be held Friday, June 12th at Eastern View High School from 3-7pm. Admission will be free with pre-registration at www.culpeperfest.com. In addition to the usual goodies and informational handouts from exhibitors, food and beverages will be available for purchase. A varied line-up of entertainment has been planned along with a selection of short seminars presented by some of our exhibiting businesses.  Yes, this is a big change from previous CulpeperFest formats.  David Bowie’s song was about re-invention, and so is CulpeperFest 2015.  

We have quite a few additional enhancements in the works….watch this column for updates! Uh-oh, Pharrell Williams’ "Happy" just popped in my mind!  I fully expect we will be doing the Happy Dance at CulpeperFest this year.  Hope to see you there!   Interested in exhibiting or food vendor space - go to www.culpeperfest.com or call 540-825-8628.

A Unity of Effort

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Business Article

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March 2, 2015

I certainly go to my share of meetings!  If it weren't for my online calendar, I'd be lost.  I've learned to color code my calendar folders according to committees, councils, and boards.  And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the meetings which are pre-meetings to prepare for the meetings to follow!  If I were texting this column, this is where I’d insert the ‘smiley face' or the 'LOL'.   But seriously, nothing beats the value of a face-to-face discussion to avoid miscommunications, lost nuanced quips, or body language interpretations to ensure that all are on the same sheet of music.  Unquestionably, unity of effort is key to the success of any endeavor that involves multiple people, agencies, or organizations.

Recently I attended my first meeting of “Healthy Culpeper”.  The gathering was held in a meeting room at UVA Culpeper Hospital.  When I walked into that room, I could literally feel the collective energy of those in attendance.  There was a palpable passion for making Culpeper an even greater place to live, work, and play; there was unity of effort.

“Healthy Culpeper”, is a nonprofit community-focused coalition devoted to promoting a healthy, safe, and educated community.  Established in 1997 as the result of a community health assessment conducted by Culpeper Regional Hospital, Healthy Culpeper is actively engaged with a diverse network of more than 75 community partners representing a broad slice of the governmental agencies and private organizations that provide social support services or conduct wellness-related programming in the County of Culpeper.  The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is proud to be included in the list of community partners participating in this forum; we believe in unity of effort. “Healthy Culpeper” is a sterling example of how our friends and neighbors can find common ground and collectively turn aspirations and vision into reality.

Clearly, your Chamber is a business-focused organization.  Having said that, it would be quite myopic to not realize the importance of a “healthy community”, broadly defined.   The overall quality of life or community “health” directly affects efforts to grow existing and attract new businesses.   This is why YOUR Chamber participates in so many meetings, serves on so many committees, and plans community outreach activities.  YOUR Chamber works very hard to not only be a facilitator of, and advocate for, business, but also to function as the catalyst that helps ‘make things happen’.

Culpeper is rich in so many areas; but none so important as the people who call this region home.  Through unity of effort, we can accomplish much.  Follow your passions and participate accordingly; I’ll color code another appointment folder just for you!

What’s Your Story?

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Business Blog

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February 23, 2015

Sunday dinners were always a special event during my childhood.  After church, the family would gather around the dining room table, all set with the 'good' china and silverware, and eat the delicious meal my mother had prepared.  The select fare always consisted of a roast, some sort of potato dish and two vegetables.  Tradition dictated my father carve the roast and as he performed this ritual, he would bellow the Christian hymn, 'I Love to Tell the Story.'  My memory recalls these were the only words he would sing before he'd go into a story of his own.  My sisters and I loved to hear his tales of 'back in the day'.  Sometimes I'd catch my mother rolling her eyes at his version of a story - I guess they were often embellished!

Storytelling is an ancient art found in almost every culture around the globe.  Stories can be used to entertain, educate, or to preserve cultural heritages and traditions.  A well crafted story creates connections between the teller and the listener through shared feelings, emotions or events.  

Storytelling has found its way into marketing strategies for business - both big and small. In our homogenous world, the telling of your business's journey to success can create a lasting connection with customers.  Your story is unique and sets you apart from your competition.  Have you taken the time to think about your story and how it could be used as a marketing tool?

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is hosting professional storyteller, Kim Weitkamp, at the 3rd Annual Professional Women's Luncheon on Friday, March 13th at Tuscany Hall.  Kim's diverse experience in storytelling for entertainment and marketing will make for a fun and informative event. She will introduce you to the concept of storytelling as a tool to market yourself and your business and she will discuss how it could improve your ability to attract the people and clients that are right for you.

This event is sponsored by Fantastic Sam's, It's Up to You, and Kash Design.  To register for the luncheon visit www.culpeperchamber.com or call 540-825-8628.  The program is open to members, non-members, men and women!  Join us for "What's Your Story?"

Kim will also appear at 'Culpeper Tells...A Festival of Words' on Saturday, March 14th at the State Theatre.  This 2nd annual storytelling festival is sponsored by The Friends of the Culpeper County Library. (www.culpepertells.com)

Be A Culpeper Local

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

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February 16, 2015

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

Occasionally I find myself in need of retail therapy.  I find it to be a very effective self-prescribed treatment for many ills.  Last weekend, my husband was hanging out with his amateur radio buddies doing whatever it is that “hams” do with all that electronic stuff, so I seized the opportunity to indulge myself - free of retail guilt!  Also, since the shopping weekend was proximate to Valentine’s Day, I knew I had a clear pass to avail myself of as much “retail therapy” as may be needed to cheer-up the late winter blahs!

While a quick “Google” search of Valentine’s Day will provide great detail with regard to how the holiday came to be, it is generally accepted today as a day  ‘associated with romantic love’.   Yet “love” is defined by Wikipedia as a ‘variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, etc.’  So, I am going to make the connection and report that the receipts collected during my retail therapy sessions could be justified as Valentine’s Day cards to myself!  Yes, I am a lover of shopping; Culpeper, Virginia shopping to be more specific!

If you want (or need) to buy “it”, there is a very good chance you can find “it” right here in Culpeper.  Since this was a “retail therapy” session, the therapeutic value was immediate as I could browse, hold, select, purchase, and then take home.  I found many things I wanted and a few that I didn’t know I “needed” until I saw them!  It really is amazing the diversity of shopping and dining available to us in our community.  

As they say on TV, ‘But wait, there’s more’!  My stack of receipts yielded a bonus round of good vibes.  With each and every dollar I paid in sales tax, 2% will come back to Culpeper - 1% for town and county general funds and the other 1% for our schools. And the bonus round gets even better -   “Studies have shown that for every $100 spent in a locally owned business, $45 stays and circulates in the community”, according to the Culpeper Department of Economic Development’s program, Be a Culpeper Local.  (www.beaculpeperlocal.com)

My day of retail therapy did the trick - the winter blahs are gone and my pride in the community where I choose to live, work, and shop positively reinforced.  There is plenty to love about Culpeper - and love her, I do.  I am proud to call Culpeper home and I enjoy knowing that my ‘therapy of choice’ helps to support our rich and diverse economy.    

As you make decisions on where to spend your hard earned dollars, consider keeping them in Culpeper - it will help create a stronger community for all of us.  In the coming weeks watch for more information on the program “Be A Culpeper Local” as Culpeper’s Department of Economic Development works to create awareness of the impact of keeping your dollars circulating in the local economy.     

As always, if you have any questions about what your Chamber of Commerce can do for you, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.  

Connections

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

February 9, 2015

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

As many of you know, I’m a military wife.  My husband’s career as a Coast Guard officer provided a wonderful opportunity for our family to see the United States--at least that’s how the assignments were so advertised!  Although we were never permanently stationed overseas, we still did our share of travelling around this beautiful country during our 29+ years of service.  Our daughter was young then, and our Golden Retriever older (and perhaps wiser than us all), so travel by van or SUV was the selected mode of transportation. And oh, by the way, please don’t ask me about how to avoid overheating brakes when crossing mountains.  Moving also meant new schools, churches, neighbors, and friends -- a new network to be built every few years.

As we drove the highways and byways of this beautiful country during transfers or trips back to New Orleans to see family, I was often struck by how connected our Nation is today. I could be anywhere in the country and continuously drive on an improved surface to the opposite side of the continent. Our Nation’s physical network of roads is among the more amazing and for me, they were always my connection to home.

Connectivity is an often tossed about buzzword, but it is so frequently used with good reason. Transportation-related “connections” create business opportunities through interstate road travel and modern mass transit systems. The internet and its leading-edge information management technologies allow us to connect, communicate, and share data with amazing speed.  However, it is vital to note that there is always some type of network or “hub’” to facilitate the connectivity I mention above.  

For businesses in our region, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is the “facilitator” of business-related connections and the opportunities they create.  In addition to serving as a general advocate for business, a core function of your Chamber of Commerce is to help membership connect with each other and the community at large so they may explore the potential for mutually beneficial business opportunities.

Are you as connected as you want (need) to be?  Your wi-fi may work great, but could you benefit from exposure to a wider cross section of the regional business community? Are you new to the area and need to build your network?  Please feel free to connect with me by calling me at 540-825-8628 to discuss what your Chamber can do for you and your business.  

Chamber Day at the Capitol

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

February  2, 2015

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

Beginning before sunrise this past Wednesday, members of the “Lead Culpeper” class boarded a bus and headed to Richmond to participate in an annual event hosted by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, “Chamber Day at the Capitol”.  The wheels on the bus went ‘round and ‘round as the group made the trek to Richmond which was to be the final stop on the journey the Lead Culpeper Class began a year ago.

At the 2015 convening of “Chamber Day at the Capitol”, leadership representatives from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, local chambers of commerce, and the general business community, had the privilege of hearing from several elected officials regarding key business issues facing the 2015 General Assembly session.  It is my hope that this body of elected officials received a message as well - the business community stands strong in its desire for Virginia to remain competitive in a global economy. “The collective voice of Virginia’s business community is essential in matters of economic competitiveness to ensure Virginia is the best place to live, work, and to do business” says Barry DuVal, President/CEO of Virginia Chamber of Commerce.   This final session was the perfect capstone for our Lead Culpeper participants. It was made clear to all in attendance that local and state economies are interdependent.  Policy changes made at any level of government have far reaching effects.

Our Lead Culpeper 2014 participants now have a complete picture of the workings and intricacies of our town, county, region and state.  They are ready to be a ‘collective voice’ to ensure Culpeper maintains a good quality of life for its residents and businesses.

Congratulations to the Lead Culpeper Class of 2014; Mike Breitenbach, Germanna Community College; Jaci Bennett, PDP Group, Inc.; Ashely Carter, UVA Culpeper Hospital; Ed Dunphy, CFC Farm & Home Center; Keith Farrish, Saddle Ridge Farm; Honore Hastings, Verdun Adventure Bound; Heather Houchens, Nicholas, Jones & Co., PLC; Sophie Hudson, Kash Design; Jennie Locsin, Nicholas, Jones & Co., PLC; Tom Spargur; Bobby Stakes, Yount, Hyde & Barbour, PC; Cathy Weaver, Virginia National Bank; Kristen Dowell; Sheila Lyles, Pepperberries; Patrick Mulhern, Town of Culpeper.

The next session of Lead Culpeper kicks off in spring 2016.  If you are interested in participating in this dynamic program, contact me at debbies@culpeperchamber.com.  

Chamber Membership is a Positive Perception

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

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January 26, 2015

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

Late in 2012, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) in cooperation with the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.), commissioned The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, to conduct a national survey* to measure the impact of chamber membership upon businesses.  The findings weren’t a surprise to those in the “chamber world”, but it did provide these organizations with relevant and useful data.

Summarizing the findings, the survey affirmed that chamber membership does indeed affect consumer perception-- in positive fashion.  The data indicated that customers had an enhanced perception of businesses which were active in their local chamber of commerce. Those surveyed felt that these businesses were very likely to be customer focused, reputable, deliver quality goods and services, and recognize the overall importance of community involvement.  Quite often the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce receives feedback from members that while anecdotal, serves to reinforce the findings of the 2012 survey.  

The image that customers (and potential customers) have of businesses is a complex blend of both tangible and intangible factors - and chamber membership could be one of those factors.  Do you believe that your marketing toolbox is complete or could it be tweaked to become more effective?  I can assure you that here at the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce we are always looking for new ideas or ways to hone existing processes and improve our effectiveness as advocates for  the business community.  In reality, our “business” also benefits in much the same manner as do our members from Chamber-related activities and programs.

If you are already a member of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, I want to express my deep gratitude for your membership. I see it as a statement of your commitment to business in our region and fully recognize it as an investment in your business.  It is the Chamber’s responsibility to help you realize a return on that investment; a duty we do not take lightly.  You can remain confident that the board of directors and chamber staff is working very hard to ensure our operations are efficient and relevant to you--our customers.

If you are not yet a member of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, I encourage you to consider the findings of the survey I mentioned in the opening paragraphs.   Please feel free to contact me or Martha Sanford at 540-825-8628 (email marthas@culpeperchamber.com) so we can play an effective role in your business strategy.

*If you would like to read highlights, or the entire Schapiro survey, you may access it here:  http://www.culpeperchamber.com/chamber/join.asp .

Evaluation and Improvement

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

January 19, 2015

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

January has arrived and with it colder temps, post-holiday diets, and football, football, and more football.  I am just about football-ed out!  I thoroughly enjoy the sport and find it a perfect excuse for extended sitting (AKA napping) in front of the flat screen.  I also enjoy the theatrics of it all, especially the on-air broadcast personalities.

Whether it be the pre-game talking heads, the play-by-play booth announcers, or the post-game "Monday morning quarterbacks", I find their profession fascinating.  Yet, I wonder if the subjects of the endless banter find it as interesting?  Owners, coaches, and players must have very thick skins to endure the sharp criticism which often accompanies the fame, praise, and glory.  I wonder if the old axiom "praise in public but criticize in private" really applies to those in the limelight of athletics? How do professional athletes handle this aspect of their professions? Does it spur them on to better performance or weigh them down with frustration and aggravation? I wonder how our businesses would fare under such high-visibility scrutiny where a broadcaster announced or provided commentary on each strategic move or management decision!

For many businesses, January also kicks off (pun intended) the employee performance appraisal cycle.  While I am not an "HR Professional", I am somewhat familiar with the concept of "360 degree evaluations" where members of the same work group provide performance feedback to each other in a non-traditional manner.  While this might require some measure of "thick skinned-ness" for all participants, if the process is done properly, it can be very beneficial for a work group.  Who knows, maybe it will spur you or a co-worker on to even higher levels of achievement and productivity. If you are not already doing so, perhaps consider the inclusion of your customers in a feedback process through the use of surveys or comment cards. Clearly, their feedback is paramount.

This full circle type of evaluation can also be directed inward toward ourselves and our businesses. Are we providing the best possible service to our customers, and leadership to our employees? Are there opportunities for us to tweak business plans to help grow our businesses and improve bottom lines?

January is always the time for resolutions. One really needs to know where one is, before charting a path for change.  Stop, take a minute or two and critically analyze the performance of yourself and your business with that same levels of “thick skinned-ness”....seek continuous improvement and you will find it.

Gotta Work, But Dad Needs Me!

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

January 12, 2015

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

Hurricane Katrina devastated my hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana on Monday, August 29, 2005.  My late father-in-law, Morris Stohlman, who was 91 years old at the time, lost everything--except his life--on that fateful day.  With that opening, you may be thinking that this week's column will be somber...but it isn't!  Katrina actually led to one of the most rewarding experiences of my life - my husband and I become his caregivers.

Christiane Miller, Executive Director of Aging Together, spoke at the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast.  She stated, “80% of the care of older adults and people with disabilities is provided by family members.  That’s the equivalent of approximately six billion dollars in services annually.  Nearly 44 million unpaid caregivers provide assistance to older adults.  Three quarters of them are in the workforce.   For business, the costs of employees with caregiving responsibilities are extensive. The consequences include employee absenteeism and presenteeism (present on the job but not performing up to par), arriving late, leaving early, taking a leave of absence, choosing early retirement, turning down promotions, or taking a less demanding job.  Additionally, workers who are family caregivers have more health problems than non-caregivers, significantly increasing the price tag.  Across the United States more and more businesses are recognizing what’s going on with their employees who are family caregivers.  And they are taking steps to support them.  In part because it’s a good thing to do.  And in part because it’s good business. Research shows that providing support, ranging from simple information and referral to more substantial options, such as counseling, respite care, education and training for caregivers, can reduce the negative health and work-related effects of caregiving and improve overall employee productivity.”

If you are an employer, chances are you may have someone on your staff who is a family caregiver.  Since these situations are often complex, there may be new and/or specialized personnel support programs available. Aging Together is hosting a casual breakfast gathering on Thursday, January 22nd, 8am at Culpeper Cheese Company on E. Davis Street to present information to businesses about programs and services available to family caregivers. Quoting Chris Miller, 'Aging Together has always maintained that a community that plans for the needs of its older citizens ultimately benefits people of all ages.  This holds true for businesses supporting employee caregivers as well.  The policies and resources that benefit them will also boost productivity and reduce turnover among employees with everyday stresses and chronic illnesses', says Ms. Miller. 

I believe Ms. Miller's thoughts are spot on. My husband and I were both very fortunate to have understanding and supportive employers during our caregiving days.  It afforded us the needed flexibility to balance work/life while delivering the best possible care to my father-in-law.

I personally invite you to attend this informative program.  Call our office at 540.825.8628 or email me at debbies@culpeperchamber.com if you plan to attend.

Come Out and Meet Us!

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

January 5, 2015

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

The first full day back to work after the long holiday season is usually a rough one - at least for me it is. My routines get completely out of whack beginning in November.  By the time the calendar turns to January, I am ready for normalcy to return.

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is getting back to a normal routine quickly with two membership mixers scheduled for January. Rappahannock Media and Culpeper Times is hosting their event on Thursday, January 8th and Culpeper Auto Parts, Inc/NAPA Auto Parts, Inc. is sponsoring their business after hours on Thursday, January 15th.  These types of gatherings are very popular with our members.  The casual setting allows attendees to step out of digital networking with a face-to-face meet and greet.  It seems the more ‘virtual’ our networks become, the more necessary it is to get acquainted with potential clientele through a genuine handshake and real conversation.   

Networking doesn’t always come easy.  For many it feels awkward and intimidating with flashbacks to their first high school dance!  With practice and determination, you can develop this skill and add it to your business growth toolbox.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Everyone is there for the same reason - to make business connections.  They want to meet you just as much as you want to meet them.
2. Create your own personal tag line! When someone asks what you do, respond with something that will pique their interest and make them want to know more about you and your profession.  Stay away from replying with your position title!
3. Smile and be approachable.  Wallflowers didn’t get asked to dance in high school and they don’t make business connections either!
4. Bring a colleague or ask chamber staff to introduce you to an ambassador that will help you get acquainted.

If you master this essential professional skill, your business will reap the benefits of connections, growth and prosperity.   The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Membership Mixers are reserved for members only, but if you have an interest in joining this organization, we will extend you a one-time invitation for these networking events.  We simply ask that you contact our office to let us know you’d like to attend.  If you join the Culpeper Chamber within 60 days of attending, the $10 guest fee will be credited to your dues.  

People want to do business with people they know. The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce has many opportunities for you to meet your future customer.  Join us in 2015!