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President's Column
Surviving & Thriving in 2009 and beyond
How are you handling the economic challenges? According to a November 20, 2008, article in the Wall Street Journal, 57 percent of the CEO's survey said execution of business plans is their primary job, but 47 percent "speed, flexibility and adaptability to change" is number two on the list of concerns". As we know, for some businesses, they have seen an even more significant loss of business since November 2008. And for some, business is GOOD and they are expanding. Being the optimist that I am, I am thrilled to see new businesses opening in our region and to know that new residents are choosing the Barrington area as their new home. A perfect time for us to consider strategies to Accelerate Growth for our area. Janet Meyer
President/CEO
"The current set of crisis can be opportunities to do important things that you'd otherwise overlook or avoid"- Gary Harpst
More than ever, the Chamber's role is to create a strategic plan to Accelerate Growth for the Barrington region, so that our businesses do not just survive but thrive in 2009 and beyond. Our region needs to ensure the next wave of economic progress. We recognize that our economy will need to rely primarily on existing businesses to fuel growth. Business of all sizes, will need to be bold and entrepreneurial in order to seize growth opportunities. BACC commits to being the driving force and to reaching out to other partners in our region and state to focus on developing an environment that cultivates business innovation and increased economic opportunities.
Accelerating Business Growth, the strategic plan for BACC through 2010, is being developed through the efforts of the Board of Directors, both as a whole and through its strategic planning task force, with input from Chamber membership and staff. Implementing this plan will require a long-term commitment, as building an entrepreneur community will take time and patience. Success will not be easy to gauge and promote. The plan is designed to provide a clear strategic direction for the organization. It is meant to be static, therefore is flexible to respond to lessons learned on emerging issues. Each year the Chamber Board of Directors will develop a business plan with tactics to advance strategies. Take a peak at our Organizational Description & Flowchart showing the commitment made by the Board and Staff to execute an outreach to engage the membership. In next month's column, we will showcase our Chambers 2009-2010 Action Plan, with core strategies outlined.
Please be reassured that this Chamber intends on offering every possible opportunity for your business to accelerate your growth if you'll just leverage your membership. Programs and services have been custom designed around membership needs in today's environment. Coming soon will be the launch of the Leadership Institute and Small Business Tool Kit programming.
"People want to be part of "big things." They want to be part of "performing organizations". Come to an event or program, and see for yourself. You'll observe the need for connectivity- Connecting Business to Business" and the experience the synergy at our events!
Here are some things that you can participate in the month of March to connect to prospective clientele:
1. List a HOT DEAL on the BACC website. Just this week, we have mailed over 4,000 HOT DEAL CARDS to employees in the Chamber family to shop Member to Member encouraging Employers to list HOT DEALS and employees to redeem the HOT DEAL discounts. If you need assistance listing your HOT DEAL on our website, please contact the Staff.
2. Consider the marketing your product or service in BACC weekly e-advertisement. Every Friday, the Chamber will send out a member advertisement to almost 800 members/representatives. Cost $100.
3. Choose to spend your advertising dollars placing an ad on the Barrington Map (in partnership with Village Profile), or the annual Barrington Finger Tip Resource Directory (in partnership with Pioneer Press). Both projects are distributed to the residential and business community of Barrington and placed on our website.
4. Choose to attend an event. Your choices include: Network for Success Scramble on March 11 at 11:30 AM with 4 area Chambers; Network at 8:01 AM on March 6-FREE; Constant Contacts Email Marketing training on March 16 at 12 PM-FREE; Network at 12:01 PM at Mikey's Pizza Kitchen on March 18-Cost of a lunch with appetizers; Women's Biz Net on March 26 at 12 PM- Cost $15; and 5:01 Club after Hours at Alden Estates of Barrington at 5:01 PM-FREE!
Look at the calendar on our home page for details and registration information. For a complete listing of upcoming events, please take a moment to check out the Events part of our website. In April is our spectacular Spotlight on Barrington's Stars: Staff Appreciation & Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show on April 22. Registration and sponsorships are being accepted.
Best wishes for a successful March.
Janet Meyer
President/CEO
A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE
The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) is the voice of business serving 750 Businesses with over 15,000 employees in four counties, seven villages and six townships in a 90 square mile radius.
The BACC serves the communities of Barrington Hills, Deer Park , North Barrington, South Barrington, Lake Barrington , Tower Lakes and the Village of Barrington . Our Chamber family welcomes businesses and organizations outside this geographic area that have an interest in being part of a vibrant Chamber comprised of over 265 classifications of businesses. BACC members range from large corporations to small office/home office entrepreneurs.
BACC is an advocate for businesses, helping members to succeed by growing their Businesses and prospering through networking, business management assistance, exposure, education and referrals.
BACC is known for being the voice of business with government leaders about issues involving our communities. Opportunities exist to address important legislative issues at local, state and national levels with a unified voice. The Chamber stays informed and strives to take a proactive stand on issues that affect the business and residential community.
BACC is also the official voice for the BACC communities, helping to coordinate the resources and talents of local business people with issues from economic development to revitalization efforts of our downtown to schools, taxes and transportation. We serve as advocates for the interests of commerce.
BACC also serves as the visitor's resource center, promoting our villages to the many callers inquiring about the Barrington area as a destination to Live, Work and Do Business. We offer to the public the Welcome Neighbor Program, greeting newcomers to Barrington in the first 60 days of their arrival, a link to our business members and a comprehensive Community Guide offering a directory of their names, contact information and services
PRINCIPLES OF THE BARRINGTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AS A MEMBER OF THE BARRINGTON AREA CHAMBER, OUR MEMBERS ENTER A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE BARRINGTON REGION. THE CHAMBER HARNESSES THE TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL OF THE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND ENABLES ITS MEMBERS TO ACCOMPLISH COLLECTIVELY WHAT NO ONE ENTITY COULD DO INDIVIDUALLY.
The Vision of the Chamber
BACC strives to create a dynamic business economy for the Barrington region. Our primary purpose is to function as an agent of change to advocate and support economic growth by facilitating collaboration and directing member resources towards issues that are of importance to local businesses.
The Purpose of the Chamber
- Expand, attract, retain the business community to serve the needs of the Barrington area,
- Provide leadership to the business community, always working to improve the community services and the quality of life for the workforce,
- Represent and voice the business point of view on important legislative and community issues affecting the business climate,
- Conduct membership services designed to benefit Barrington businesses and expand member involvement in the Chamber.
Key Benefits of the Chamber
- ADVOCACY
- Chamber Government Affairs Committee
- Illinois Chamber & US Chamber Vote for Business!
- Northern Illinois Business Advocacy Coalition (NIBAC)
- State of the Region with BACOG
- Lake County Partners
- ANNUAL EVENTS HOSTED BY BACC
- Saluting Excellence: Installation & Awards Luncheon
- Spotlight on Barrington Stars: Staff Appreciation Luncheon & Fashion Show
- Golf Classic
- Sidewalk Days
- The Great Taste' fest & EXPO
- Holiday Beginnings
- BUSINESS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
- Barrington Executive Club
- Barrington Summer Golf League
- Networkers I, II, III
- Networking Scrambles & Extravaganza's
- “After Hours” Events
- 501 Club
- COMMITTEE INITIATIVES / INVOLVEMENT
- Barrington Economic Partnership
- Healthier Communities
- Barrington Retail & Professional Association
- Barrington Young Networkers (BYN)
- Diplomats
- Ad Hoc's & Task Forces
- Small Biz Advisory Council
- Marketing & Communication Council
- Barrington Retail & Professional Council
- International Business
- Educational opportunities
- Lunch & Learn Series
- Barrington Leadership Institute Series
- Small Biz Tool Kit Series
- Marketing / Business Exposure
- Membership Resource Guide
- Business Referrals
- Business Expos
- The Barrington Magazine
- Premium Web Site
- Sponsorship/Exhibits
- Newsletter & Website Advertising
- Area Map Advertising
- Barrington Community Guide
- Economic Development Profile
- Shopping & Dining Guides
- Barrington Business Report– bi-annually
- Monthly Barrington Business News
BACC proudly serves the region of Barrington & surrounding areas
BARRINGTON-BARRINGTON HILLS-DEER PARK
NORTH BARRINGTON-LAKE BARRINGTON
SOUTH BARRINGTON-TOWER LAKES-INVERNESS |
