Online Marketing Author Shares Tips

Brandon Eley, who is the interactive director at Kelsey Advertising & Design, is also the author of several articles about websites and is soon to release a book on e-commerce called “Online Marketing Inside Out.” He shared his expertise with chamber members at a seminar today and when Lori Rhoney, of Genesis Physicians, answered his first question correctly, she won a copy of the new book, to be released next week.

Eley told us that "online web use will double by 2014" and the use of social media (such as blogs) is on the rise. He noted that there's also "a shift in spending from traditional to online." The benefits of marking online include the ability to measure the response to your efforts, you can target specific customers, and it's not intrusive.

To learn more, visit brandoneley.com.

Small Business of the Year

Jerry Johnson of ERA First Realty of LaGrange is all smiles, not just because he's surrounded by beautiful women, but because he's been named the Small Business of the Year by the chamber. Celebrating with him are from left Miss Troup County Whitley Cooper, Chamber Chair Carol Todd (W. Ga. Health System), Miss Georgia Chasity Hardman, and Chamber Small Business Committee Chair Libby Willingham (Mallory Agency).

Energy Talk

Georgia Tech's Dr. Sam Shelton was featured at the chamber's "Lunch & Learn" today. Speaking on energy and alternatives to current use, he noted that a lot of the data shows that we (the U.S.) have already peaked in oil production, and that it will, overall, decline from here.

Some statistics he shared:
25% of the world’s oil is used by the US (we only produce 2%)
8% is used by China, followed by 7% by Japan.
Saudi Arabia produces the most, with 20%; followed by 10% Iran and 9% Iraq.

Dr. Shelton said what looks to be our (particularly in the southeast) best bet for reducing our usage of oil will be to start using “southern pine cellulosic ethanol.” We have the crop. There are 18-million tons of timber grown that are not harvested. If we used what we have now, we could offset, by 15-20%, Georgia’s petro use. And that is without replanting. So, with the replanting of timber used, we could continue to offset petro. (And we’re not the only state that can do that.) Using pine cellulosic ethanol would be beneficial locally. Timber grown here, would go to ethanol plants built here and ethanol would be used by autos here. Using pine cellulosic ethanol also creates electricity that can be used.

The Chamber and Your Business

The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) commissioned a study, along with IBM, Administaff, Small Business Network, Inc., and Market Street Services in 2007. The Schapiro Study discovered some interesting information about chambers and business. You may view the full report on ACCE's website, http://www.acce.org/. But here are some highlights:

• Most consumers (59%) think that being active in the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It is 29% more effective, however, for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices and 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable.

• If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber (e.g., sits on the chamber board), consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition.

• When a consumer thinks that a company’s products stack up better against the competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and is an industry leader.

• When consumers know that a restaurant franchise is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 40% more likely to eat at the franchise in the next few months.

• When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 43% more likely to consider buying insurance from it.

• When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

Business of the Month

Rick Brock, owner of DB Green Enterprises at 1691 Vernon Road, incorporated his residential contracting and repair business in LaGrange in April of 2006. He and his wife Diana felt their hometown in Florida had lost its identity as it grew. But, LaGrange has embraced change and still cherishes its history - a concept he says the chamber of commerce embodies. The Brock family believes that part of building relationships is giving to the community. They support several local projects, including the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry. Rick is a member of the 2009 Class of Leadership Troup.

Update on Flu

1 – West Georgia Health System message: The Centers for Disease and Infection Control have confirmed a case of swine-like influenza in LaGrange. The patient is not from this area and had recently returned from a trip to Mexico. The patient has been in isolation since entering West Georgia Health System. People who have had contact with the patient are being notified by public health. The hospital is fully operational and is taking every precaution to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients, families, visitors, and employees. Community members can call the District 4 Public Health hotline at: 1-888-899-9788 with questions or for general information.

2 – Troup County Board of Education message: Based on the most current information, we have no indication that students and staff are at a greater risk for infection by remaining in school than the general public at this time. However, as we continue to work closely with District IV Health Services, we encourage you to stay tuned to our website and local media for information on possible school closings should this become necessary. We need your help to prevent the spread of illness in our schools – not just swine influenza A (H1N1) virus, but any kind of virus. There are everyday actions you can take to stay healthy, and please encourage your children to follow these simple steps, too.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If your child gets sick, please keep them home from school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. If your child is ill and has recently traveled to an area affected by swine flu, or has been in contact with someone who has been infected with swine flu, contact your child’s healthcare provider immediately.

3 – State Department of Health teleconference today:
Seasonal flu is still around. Symptoms are the same – fever, chills, aching body, cough, sneeze. If you have these symptoms, contact your health care provider for instructions. If you don’t have these symptoms, you probably don’t have the flu. The flu is transmitted by close contact with respiratory secretions – by air or on surfaces. Follow the school board instructions above to prevent the spread. The incubation period for the flu can be from one to seven days.

For information on flu, see the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org. You may also look for updates at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ and www.district4health.org.

No Cause for Alarm

It has been confirmed that there is one case of swine flu in LaGrange at the hospital. But don't panic. The case has been isolated and all precautions are being taken. And don't worry about eating pork - you cannot get swine flu from eating pork. It is transmitted like any other flu - by sneezing and coughing.

Local health officials tell us that you should maintain good hygiene – wash hands in hot water with soap or use hand sanitizer. Cough into your arm. Instead of shaking hands, show respect by bowing slighting.

If someone exhibits flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, chills, body aches, breathing problems), they should contact their doctor for testing. There is prescription medication available, which is reported to lessen the effects and duration if used at the beginning of the bout of flu.

Social distancing has not been implemented. However, businesses are encouraged to have a pandemic plan in place – for instance, if some of your employees are out sick, how will the company do business.

For information on flu, see the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org. You may also look for updates at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ and www.district4health.org.

Energy & Economics

Join Us For a Lunch & Learn with Dr. Sam Shelton

The public is inundated with energy news that is contradictory and confusing. Come listen and ask questions about our current and future energy technologies and economics. Why did gasoline move from $1.50/gal to $4.00/gal and back down to $1.50 in a very short time? Is coal, nuclear, wind, or solar the best technology to meet our increasing electricity demand? What about our automobile technologies like hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars? What are the status and economics of alternative energy technologies? The technology and economic issues surrounding these questions will be discussed and put into perspective by Dr. Sam Shelton, Founding Director of the Georgia Tech Strategic Energy Initiative.

If you're interested in attending this seminar, which includes lunch, on May 11, at 11:45 a.m. at the Best Western Lafayette Garden Inn call the chamber at 706-884-8671. The cost is $15.

RV Resort Opens

The Pine Mountain RV Resort offers the visitor “an upscale hotel experience – you just bring your own room,” said Yale Spina, corporate officer, as he cut the ribbon for the new business at 8804 Hamilton Road, Pine Mountain.

This location is the first of several planned to open in various states. The managers of the southern Troup County recreational vehicle resort are Paul and Linda SanFilippo and they can be reached at (706) 663-4329. The amenities on site include a new store, game room, fitness center, and a kennel for visitors who don’t want to leave their dogs in their R.V.'s while touring the local attractions.

The ribbon cutting and Open House event was attended by members of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce, the Harris County Chamber of Commerce, the Pine Mountain Tourism Bureau, the Georgia Visitor Center in West Point, the Warm Springs Visitor Center, and many friends, family, and resort guests.

Willingham Winner!

A four-night stay in a mountain retreat was won by Libby Willingham of The Mallory Agency. She was the grand prize winner in the 2009 chamber membership drive. Presenting the gift is Robby Burch, Hutchinson-Traylor Insurance Agency, chair of the chamber's membership committee.

The prize was donated by Jerry Johnson's ERA First Realty in LaGrange.

Fifty-eight new members have been added to the chamber roster so far this year.

Other prize winners were Otto Korth of Re/Max Culpepper, Lon Marlowe of Oakhurst, and Matthew Stermer of CleanSmart. Their prizes were a hand-painted tile, one year dues, and $100 in $hop at Home gift certificates.

Our thanks to all who recruited new members. And a very sincere welcome to all the new members.

KIA News

Joe Mazzone of Ace Aerial Photo, LLC, loves to fly and take photographs. Today he sent us his latest photo of the KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia, scheduled to open later this year in West Point.

LaGrange Development Authority Executive Director Jane Fryer noted, "Kia has begun to move into the new facility and is vacating the space they have used at West Ga. Technical College for the past three years. There are nine tier one suppliers in Troup County and the region. They are all in various stages of construction with most nearing completion of the buildings. Equipment is being installed and hiring has begun for all suppliers and Kia. Test runs will be made during the third quarter with full production still scheduled for late 4th quarter of this year. "

Meanwhile, the "New York Times" featured KMMG and West Point in it's newspaper today: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/22/us/22kia.html?_r=1&hp

Manufacturing Appreciation

Jim Lientz, the chief operating officer for the state of Georgia, told a packed house at the Cobb Galleria that the annual Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week "shines a light on these incredibly valuable assets." He was referring to the 100 nominees for the Manufacturer of the Year awards, two of which were from Troup County this year.



The locally nominated companies were InterfaceFLOR and SAFA, both shown above in a photo at the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting last week, where they were honored along with Emerson Network Power. The companies were nominated by West Georgia Technical College, represented by Interim President Perrin Alford (left), for the state's Manufacturer of the Year award.

Next to Alford is Steve Noble of Emerson, which was nominated in 2008. Next is Bob Niedrack and Tommy Bell of InterfaceFLOR, nominated in 2008 and 2009, and David McCarty of SAFA, nominated in 2009.

At the state-wide meeting in Atlanta, Lientz said, "Manufacturing is grounded in the real world" and it is exemplified by "the quality of the workforce and the companies' products." He added, these 100 companies "are stellar examples of manufacturing in the 21st century."

Jan Youtle, PhD, manager of Public Services for the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute, shared results of a recent survey in which 800 manufacturers in this state participated. She noted, "Innovation is a business strategy," which was echoed by Lientz who said the annual awards were begun in 1995 to recognize "simple hard work, innovation, and community involvement."

Youtle announced that 75% of the respondents to the survey "practice green" and that "energy and efficiency go hand-in-hand with productivity."

InterfaceFLOR has been named an "environmental hero" for their green thinking (see http://daily.chictoday.com/2009/04/19/interfaceflor-environmental-hero/) in carpet production. SAFA makes brake pads for the automotive industry. Emerson Network Power manufactures metal cabinet enclosures for the telecommunication industry.

Lientz declared a "bi-partisan statement" as he said he "agreed with both" Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue that he "like(s) folks who make stuff" and U.S. President Barack Obama who recently commented, "We need to make things the world needs." Lientz added that the manufacturing companies in Georgia are "bottom-line businesses that don't just leverage value, they create it."

The winners of the 2009 Georgia Manufacturer of the Year awards were OraCal USA of Black Creek, Alcan Packaging of Peachtree City, and Toyo Tire of Bartow County.

Georgia Chamber

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce keeps their finger on the pulse of the General Assembly every year. Here is the link to their 2009 "Legislative Wrap Up," with comments on specific bills of interest to the business community:

http://www.gachamber.com/article-Apr-8-2009-23211.html

Discount for Members

We have partnered with Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) to bring you a great deal on printer cartridges. Each time you place an order at their secure website at http://www.dtsga.com, your chamber will received 5% of the total purchase price. Not only will you find competitive prices, but the chamber of commerce benefits from you doing business with a fellow chamber member. When you visit the site, be sure to enter the code LCC. The cartridges are new and meet your equipment specifications.