Commerce Corner - Colorado Community Media

Dr. Michael Pomarico, district 38 superintendent, joined the
group with a warm welcome and words of encouragement with a promise
of continued support for these kinds of community enrichment
programs. Merlin Prater, president of First National Bank and
chairman of the Chamber Business Improvement Committee kicked the
program off with introductions and an overview of what to expect
from future sessions.

By By: Bill Roach

The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce started a series of monthly
small business seminars with it’s first Thursday, Aug. 3 at the
District 38 Administration Building in Monument.

The seminar was a success with more than 20 small businesses
represented. Participants were from both retail and service
businesses, with some businesses falling into both camps.

Each program in the series is designed to be interactive with a
variety of templates and “takeaways” that a small business owner
can immediately apply to their business.

Programs will alternate among the major business functions:
management and operations; sales and marketing; accounting and
finance and applying people-skills effectively. At scheduled times
throughout the year the chamber will host a “hands-on” software
based business planning program with the goal of developing a
business plan that can be used to support funding requests, model
growth strategies, analyze business posture and create profitable
exit alternatives for business investment.

The cost for this first seminar was $10 for chamber members and
$20 for non-members with coffee and pastries provided. This was a
“kick-start” trial program price designed to encourage initial
attendance, a bargain for those attending who will have access to
materials and subject hands-on as requested. Future prices will be
structured to cover costs.

This first seminar was about sales cycle management. It was
provided as a “how to” for quickly and effectively qualifying
prospects and optimizing the sales cycle by incorporating control
processes. This makes the sales process fun and turns more leads
into customers faster while maintaining a good referral base. The
seminar was presented by Bill Roach, the executive director of the
Tri-Lakes Chamber.

Also, at the end of the first seminar a drawing was held which
resulted in one business owner, Tom Martin of Renaissance Real
Estate Group, receiving access to a valuable on-line business
course based on the best selling “Emyth” book by Michael Gerber. A
participating Monument business owner, Rhonda McCauley of Lookin’ 4
Somethin’, was selected to receive a lead qualification assessment
and documented process and supporting control templates customized
for her business. An offer was presented to all participants to
have the chamber work with a member to develop an ACT sales cycle
management database for small businesses that would then be
available as a template for use by all members. Both a service and
retail template will be designed and then modified for use by other
members. The plans currently are for each future seminar to have a
similar door prize and offers of assistance.

Future seminars will highlight outside industry or functional
experts relative to the topic. The next seminar to be conducted in
September (specific date to be announced) will be on business key
performance indicators (KPI’s) and will be hosted by Joe Zalewski,
from JAZ Advisory Services. Joe has over 20 years of senior level
experience in accounting, finance and operations in a variety of
industries, with a concentration in small- to medium-size
businesses.

The work shop outline will introduce a one-page summary of 10-15
key indicators that a business owner or senior executive can use to
get a strong grasp of how his or her business is performing and
where the focus should be applied. Most of these indicators are
germane to every business environment. Others are unique by
industry or business. Those industry or business specific
indicators will represent the largest portion of the next seminar’s
interactive discussion. The intent will be to have each participant
walk away from the Key Indicator seminar with a useable template
that will outline a one-age key indicator report for their
business.

SCORE counselors provide expert, senior level advice to small
businesses at no charge. SCORE, Counselor’s To America’s Small
Business, is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business
Administration. The chamber encourages members and others to take
advantage of this free service.

The chamber begins hosting a local SCORE counselor at the
chamber office each Monday afternoon beginning in September. Harold
Larson, chairman of SCORE Counselor’s to America’s Small Business
announced the arrangement and shared how SCORE will be available by
hourly appointment scheduled in advance by calling the chamber
office at 719-481-8232.

Chamber calendar of events:

* Touchstone Energy Golf Classic – Friday, Aug. 25, at the Air
Force Academy. Registration will be from 12-1 p.m. and “shotgun
start” at 1:30 p.m. Sponsorships are available. Call the chamber
office at 719-481-3282 for more information.

* Pig Roast – Matt Lang’s 8th Annual Open House Friday,
Aug.11.

* Business After Hours -The offices of Dr. David Jones,
5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15. 18925 Base Camp Road. Call
719-488-2375.