Corvallis Independent Business Alliance

February CIBA Newsletter

CIBA CONVERSATION

A Newsletter for Members and Friends

February 2006, Issue No. 6

January Membership Meeting

Our January Membership Meeting was very well attended. We gathered in the ‘available space’ behind the Darkside Theater. Thanks to Bob Baird for hosting this meeting. Guest speaker, Bill Ford of the Business Enterprise Center (BEC), gave an update on the BEC’s changes. It is newly reopened at 4100 Research Way, has 10 offices for lease, with 3 targeted for ‘start-ups’. Marketing services will provide assistance to all of the various businesses. Their tag line of “Business in a Box” refers to a business that develops a plan, and is then able to practice being in business without all of the responsibilities of being solo. Visitors and possible new business owners are welcome to stop by and check them out.

Celebrate Corvallis

CIBA had its annual presence at this year’s Celebrate Corvallis. Our nominee for “First Citizen” was our Board President and owner of The Book Bin, Bob Baird, acknowledging his generous contributions of time and resources in helping many other organizations. Our nominee for “Business of the Year” was American Dream Pizza, with owners Scott McFarland and Mark O’Brien being acknowledged for their contributions to the downtown business area and the community. CIBA Board Vice President, Barbara Ross, was nominated by ZONTA for ‘Senior First Citizen’ for all the volunteer work that she participates in to better our community. And the various CIBA members who shared the CIBA tables enjoyed spending time with our nominees, guests, and each other. It was a fun and inspiring night.

Membership Meeting Needs

The Board is welcoming input into the planning and preparations for the CIBA Membership Meetings. A questionnaire was available at the January meeting asking for suggestions and input on topics and presentations. If anyone would like to have this questionnaire, contact Lindsay at info@corvallisiba.org">info@corvallisiba.org, or 752-0047, to have one sent to you. It’s very helpful to have this input from membership, so that the meetings are fulfilling some of the many needs for information pertaining to independent business owners. Another area of needed help is with the food that has been traditionally available at all of our meetings. Some may not realize it, but for the majority of our membership meetings, our various Board Members have provided the great “treats”. Additional options are being explored, such as ‘cook-offs’, potluck style buffets, purchasing food directly from member businesses, or having donations by member restaurants or others who would be interested in contributing. Anyone with suggestions or offerings, please send or call them in!

Home Depot Group Meetings

Bob Baird, Scott Lockwood of Robnett’s, and CNHS Ameri-corp volunteer, Matt Holton, helped coordinate a gathering of several local gardening businesses for a discussion about the certain impact on them when a new Home Depot opens in Corvallis. Bob Baird and Jack Wolcott also offered insights into the impact and how their businesses coped when Borders came to town. A similar group meeting is being planned for local businesses in the construction related businesses.

Using the CIBA Logo

A simple, but great recognition and marketing tool for our members is the CIBA logo. All members are encouraged to use it in their independent advertisements throughout the entire year. The effect of it really does strengthen with numbers! The GT has it on file for use in preparing your advertisement by your ad reps.

March Membership Meeting

The CIBA Membership Meeting will be on March 22nd; from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. ENDEX Engineering will be hosting this meeting at the newly renovated and historic ‘Washington Hall’, located at 800 SW Washington Avenue. ENDEX has done a fabulous job of refurbishing this former OSU Poultry Science Building, and it is now available for various leasing opportunities. “Workplace Safety” is the program theme, with representatives from the police department and CARDV, each offering some very important information and insights regarding this crucial issue for many business owners. There will also be time for socializing, and refreshments will be available as well. All members are encouraged to attend. The meetings are a great opportunity for our new members to meet and get acquainted with CIBA members, and for others to reconnect. Hope to see many of you there!

Upcoming Meetings

Executive Board Meeting: Tuesday, March 7th, 10:30 a.m., @ A & S Accounting

Board Meeting: Tuesday, March 14th, 2:00 p.m., @ First Alternative Co-op Meeting Room

Philomath CIBA Group: Tuesday, March 21st, 12:00 p.m., @ Janni Lou’s Creations

Membership Meeting: Wednesday, March 22nd, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., @ 'Washington Hall’, 800 SW Washington Avenue

jerryheilman@consbio.org">jerryheilman@consbio.org">jerryheilman, 3:47 PM [link]

February Commentary by Jack Wolcott

All the customers who come into your store have come from someplace else. How they feel when they first enter significantly influences their impression and ultimately their decision on what to buy or not buy. They may just have come from home, lunch with a friend or a break from work. Perhaps they had a bad experience in traffic. Or, they may just be out looking for something to do.

Often they have just come from another store. How they were treated there and how they felt when they left directly affected their decision to continue shopping, just browse the neighboring businesses or go someplace else. If they are feeling good when they enter your business, chances are very good that they will respond positively to your store and your staff’s customer service. Conversely, if they are discontented or upset, then you will be fortunate if something in your store doesn’t further irritate them and cause them to feel you are responsible for it.

So, no matter how good your service, store layout or inventory, even your pricing or quality, there are some things that you just can’t control. And that is where your neighbors and business associations come in. The Corvallis Independent Business Alliance firmly believes that one of the advantages of locally owned, independently operated businesses is that we look out for each other. We recognize that our strength is in our willingness to work with each other to build an interactive business community that refers our customers to other businesses that can satisfy their needs with quality products and service.

Does your staff know what products neighboring businesses carry? If a customer asks for something you don’t stock, does an employee make a reasonable effort to suggest where they might find it? If necessary, do you call a competitor? And, perhaps most important, if you hear regular requests for something not available in town, do you consider carrying it or suggest it to another appropriate business? Even if you must send customers to another store for the item, they will remember that it was your store that found it for them and compare the other store’s service to yours. This gives you the clear advantage for repeat business and referrals.

CIBA publishes an annual directory of our member businesses, complete with product descriptions, store hours and contact information. It is a great way to educate your staff on where hard-to-find products may be purchased from locally owned businesses. If you do not see a particular product listed that you have had regular requests for, e-mail CIBA at info@corvallisIBA.com">info@corvallisIBA.com and we will try to find a member to stock it. The best way to keep our shopping dollars in Corvallis is for all of us to work together to fulfill our customers’ requests.

CIBA believes that one of the best things businesses can do for themselves is to make sure customers leave their store feeling better than when they entered. This will help ensure that that they will want to return sooner. If each business followed this practice, then Corvallis would, in effect, achieve supermall-like variety with superior customer service and selection. Our community would also benefit from the multiplier effect of keeping money in the local economy.

jerryheilman@consbio.org">jerryheilman@consbio.org">jerryheilman, 3:41 PM [link]


		Home » Archives » March 2006 Thursday, March 9th February CIBA Newsletter CIBA CONVERSATION A Newsletter for Members and Friends February 2006, Issue No. 6 January Membership Meeting Our January Membership Meeting was very well attended. We gathered in the ‘available space’ behind the Darkside Theater. Thanks to Bob Baird for hosting this meeting. Guest speaker, Bill Ford of the Business Enterprise Center (BEC), gave an update on the BEC’s changes. It is newly reopened at 4100 Research Way, has 10 offices for lease, with 3 targeted for ‘start-ups’. Marketing services will provide assistance to all of the various businesses. Their tag line of “Business in a Box” refers to a business that develops a plan, and is then able to practice being in business without all of the responsibilities of being solo. Visitors and possible new business owners are welcome to stop by and check them out. Celebrate Corvallis CIBA had its annual presence at this year’s Celebrate Corvallis. Our nominee for “First Citizen” was our Board President and owner of The Book Bin, Bob Baird, acknowledging his generous contributions of time and resources in helping many other organizations. Our nominee for “Business of the Year” was American Dream Pizza, with owners Scott McFarland and Mark O’Brien being acknowledged for their contributions to the downtown business area and the community. CIBA Board Vice President, Barbara Ross, was nominated by ZONTA for ‘Senior First Citizen’ for all the volunteer work that she participates in to better our community. And the various CIBA members who shared the CIBA tables enjoyed spending time with our nominees, guests, and each other. It was a fun and inspiring night. Membership Meeting Needs The Board is welcoming input into the planning and preparations for the CIBA Membership Meetings. A questionnaire was available at the January meeting asking for suggestions and input on topics and presentations. If anyone would like to have this questionnaire, contact Lindsay at info@corvallisiba.org">info@corvallisiba.org, or 752-0047, to have one sent to you. It’s very helpful to have this input from membership, so that the meetings are fulfilling some of the many needs for information pertaining to independent business owners. Another area of needed help is with the food that has been traditionally available at all of our meetings. Some may not realize it, but for the majority of our membership meetings, our various Board Members have provided the great “treats”. Additional options are being explored, such as ‘cook-offs’, potluck style buffets, purchasing food directly from member businesses, or having donations by member restaurants or others who would be interested in contributing. Anyone with suggestions or offerings, please send or call them in! Home Depot Group Meetings Bob Baird, Scott Lockwood of Robnett’s, and CNHS Ameri-corp volunteer, Matt Holton, helped coordinate a gathering of several local gardening businesses for a discussion about the certain impact on them when a new Home Depot opens in Corvallis. Bob Baird and Jack Wolcott also offered insights into the impact and how their businesses coped when Borders came to town. A similar group meeting is being planned for local businesses in the construction related businesses. Using the CIBA Logo A simple, but great recognition and marketing tool for our members is the CIBA logo. All members are encouraged to use it in their independent advertisements throughout the entire year. The effect of it really does strengthen with numbers! The GT has it on file for use in preparing your advertisement by your ad reps. March Membership Meeting The CIBA Membership Meeting will be on March 22nd; from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. ENDEX Engineering will be hosting this meeting at the newly renovated and historic ‘Washington Hall’, located at 800 SW Washington Avenue. ENDEX has done a fabulous job of refurbishing this former OSU Poultry Science Building, and it is now available for various leasing opportunities. “Workplace Safety” is the program theme, with representatives from the police department and CARDV, each offering some very important information and insights regarding this crucial issue for many business owners. There will also be time for socializing, and refreshments will be available as well. All members are encouraged to attend. The meetings are a great opportunity for our new members to meet and get acquainted with CIBA members, and for others to reconnect. Hope to see many of you there! Upcoming Meetings Executive Board Meeting: Tuesday, March 7th, 10:30 a.m., @ A & S Accounting Board Meeting: Tuesday, March 14th, 2:00 p.m., @ First Alternative Co-op Meeting Room Philomath CIBA Group: Tuesday, March 21st, 12:00 p.m., @ Janni Lou’s Creations Membership Meeting: Wednesday, March 22nd, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., @ 'Washington Hall’, 800 SW Washington Avenue jerryheilman@consbio.org">jerryheilman@consbio.org">jerryheilman, 3:47 PM [link] February Commentary by Jack Wolcott All the customers who come into your store have come from someplace else. How they feel when they first enter significantly influences their impression and ultimately their decision on what to buy or not buy. They may just have come from home, lunch with a friend or a break from work. Perhaps they had a bad experience in traffic. Or, they may just be out looking for something to do. Often they have just come from another store. How they were treated there and how they felt when they left directly affected their decision to continue shopping, just browse the neighboring businesses or go someplace else. If they are feeling good when they enter your business, chances are very good that they will respond positively to your store and your staff’s customer service. Conversely, if they are discontented or upset, then you will be fortunate if something in your store doesn’t further irritate them and cause them to feel you are responsible for it. So, no matter how good your service, store layout or inventory, even your pricing or quality, there are some things that you just can’t control. And that is where your neighbors and business associations come in. The Corvallis Independent Business Alliance firmly believes that one of the advantages of locally owned, independently operated businesses is that we look out for each other. We recognize that our strength is in our willingness to work with each other to build an interactive business community that refers our customers to other businesses that can satisfy their needs with quality products and service. Does your staff know what products neighboring businesses carry? If a customer asks for something you don’t stock, does an employee make a reasonable effort to suggest where they might find it? If necessary, do you call a competitor? And, perhaps most important, if you hear regular requests for something not available in town, do you consider carrying it or suggest it to another appropriate business? Even if you must send customers to another store for the item, they will remember that it was your store that found it for them and compare the other store’s service to yours. This gives you the clear advantage for repeat business and referrals. CIBA publishes an annual directory of our member businesses, complete with product descriptions, store hours and contact information. It is a great way to educate your staff on where hard-to-find products may be purchased from locally owned businesses. If you do not see a particular product listed that you have had regular requests for, e-mail CIBA at info@corvallisIBA.com">info@corvallisIBA.com and we will try to find a member to stock it. The best way to keep our shopping dollars in Corvallis is for all of us to work together to fulfill our customers’ requests. CIBA believes that one of the best things businesses can do for themselves is to make sure customers leave their store feeling better than when they entered. This will help ensure that that they will want to return sooner. If each business followed this practice, then Corvallis would, in effect, achieve supermall-like variety with superior customer service and selection. Our community would also benefit from the multiplier effect of keeping money in the local economy. jerryheilman@consbio.org">jerryheilman@consbio.org">jerryheilman, 3:41 PM [link]

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