Finding the Funny – Using Humor to Communicate
Posted on | May 14, 2013 | No Comments
by Jan McInnis, keynote speaker at our May 22 Women in Business Conference
Jan McInnis
I’m a baby boomer, and I just read that the latest tattoo “trend” for baby boomers is Medical Tattoos. People are actually tattooing health instructions on their body, like “DNR” (Do Not Resuscitate) or “No CPR” so that if they drop dead on the sidewalk, the medical personnel will know what to do. I decided I’m going to tattoo PMSBO on my chest – that stands for Put My Shirt Back On! I’m in public! Okay, I probably won’t do that because I don’t like needles, but I bet my tattoo would get some attention!
As communicators, whether it’s business or personal communications, we all want to get some attention . . .and humor will do that. Because I’m a comedian, I communicate using humor all the time, and people are constantly telling me that they wish they could use humor or they wish they had a “funny bone” like me. Well, here’s the secret, you can use humor; anyone can. There’s humor all around you . . .you just have to pay attention.
I’ll be sharing my keynote Finding the Funny at the Tempe Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Conference on Wednesday, May 22, in which I’ll offer up some quick tips for adding humor to your communications. But I encourage you to start looking for humor now, and incorporating it into your communications.
A lot of things have the potential for being funny, if you can put aside emotions like anger or being offended. I stopped by the store to pick up a few items I needed to do my laundry, and I asked the clerk where the bleach was. Read more
Business Spotlight – Acceler8 LLC
Posted on | May 8, 2013 | No Comments
Business name: Acceler8 LLC
Year started: 2004
Address, hours and phone number:
4409 S Rural Rd Ste 202, Tempe, AZ 85282
M-F 8 AM-5 PM
480-270-8325
Website: www.acceler8.net
What does your company do? We help small business owners create business value that is sustainable and transferable by providing comprehensive tax and accounting, consulting, and exit planning services.
What makes you special? What differentiates us from other CPA and consulting firms is our unique ability to offer end-to-end solutions for business owners. We help startups get growing, experienced businesses get to the next level, and mature businesses transition.
What do you like most about doing business in the Valley? Arizona is a hub of entrepreneurial activity and innovation thanks to Arizona State University, SkySong, and business incubators like Mac6 and JumpStart. It is very exciting to be a part of the economic growth of our community.
How do you support the community? We mentor businesses in the valley through Mac6 in Tempe, JumpStart in Fountain Hills, and the National Association of Women Business Owners. We also volunteer with Junior Achievement of Arizona. Through our annual barbeque we raise money for a local charity, and lunch is on us!
Who are your ideal clients or customers?
-Growth minded owners of small businesses with $1-10 million in revenue looking to create transferable value for their company
-Baby boomer business owners looking to transition out of their business in the next 3-5 years
-Startup and early stage businesses looking for ways to grow
Learn how your business can be featured in the Business Spotlight here at no cost.
Tags: Acceler8 > business spotlight > tempe > tempe chamber
10 Reasons I admire Jackie Thompson as a Public Speaker
Posted on | May 3, 2013 | 1 Comment
by Jan Whalen, Whalen Voices
Jackie Thompson
As a presentation coach, and a professional speaker, I’m always searching for ways to enhance my skills. Great ideas come from popular speakers, so today I’m reflecting on Jackie Thompson’s “BE” presentation for the Tempe Chamber Women in Business Leadership seminar last January. Jackie’s appeal is partly what she does, but mostly who she is. By our observation, we can learn a few more lessons in how to “BE” on the platform.
(Hear from Jackie herself in this video)
- BE PRESENT ~ The most important quality Jackie expresses through public speaking is her ability to notice each person. This is an undervalued skill and sounds too simple to mention, yet many speakers are so wrapped up in what they’re going to say and how the audience will like them, they forget to really SEE the audience as individuals. Jackie has the presence of mind and the poise to notice each person. She makes us feel, regal; and it’s great to be royalty. Kindness radiates from her face. Her approach is the same one-on-one, in a small group or in front of a large audience. This consistency in an organic part of her style, endearing her to us.
- BE MUSICAL ~ Her voice carries an accent—a second British invasion. She could easily play Eliza Doolittle (after her elocution lessons) in the play “My Fair Lady,” because her voice demonstrates class and dignity; as if someone had placed a lampshade over the tones to make them pleasing to the ear. The rhythm of her voice is congruent with her gentle eye contact.
- BE A STORY TELLER ~ She shared the history of her project, wove a story and gave her personal experiences. Before introducing a concept that is simple in nature, it’s usually a good idea to trace its development. Most truths (Iove is all there is, you have nothing without your health, or honesty is the best policy) are not appreciated until experienced. Jackie begins with the ineffectiveness of the traditional New Year’s resolution then shares the evolution of her “Be” program; and as an audience, we say, “Oh yes, this is it.” The magic is in the unfolding of the story. Read more
Tempe Leadership Project Benefits Teen Resource Center
Posted on | April 26, 2013 | No Comments
By Maycie Thornton, Tempe Leadership Class XXVIII
During the second “Issue Day” in our Tempe Leadership adventure, we were brought to the Teen Resource Center at Evan’s Compadre High School. The Teen Resource Center is a free facility open to teens in need of clothing and personal care products. Every year, the TRC serves over 500 students. When we arrived at the Center, we were greeted by Lynette Stonefield, who runs the operation.
She explained the purpose of the Center, and shared heartwarming stories of the impact it has had on at-risk youth in Tempe. One thing that stuck out to me during our meeting with Lynette was the fact that the Center’s volunteers encounter many students who are apprehensive to leave with the items they pick out- they have never had an experience like this, and sometimes get overwhelmed by being given something to call their own. I was touched by this story, but her words now have a whole new meaning to me.
The Famous Shoes!
After our visit to the Teen Resource Center, Tempe Leadership Class XXVIII decided to use our nine months in the program to expand the project to Tempe High School, and Threadz was born. While our store doesn’t open until May 2nd, we had a soft opening on Tuesday, so that Tempe High’s JAG (Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates) students could get business attire to wear to their annual Career Development Conference. Read more
Tempe’s Business Woman of the Year Finalists Named
Posted on | April 22, 2013 | No Comments
The Tempe Chamber of Commerce has announced three finalists for the 2013 Business Woman of the Year award. The recipient will be honored at the 18th Annual Women in Business Conference on May 22.
The award was established to recognize an outstanding Tempe business woman. The finalists have achieved excellence in their fields, displayed leadership in the community, served as positive role models and are active in programs within the community and the Tempe Chamber.
The three finalists are Linda Kalaf, Director of Human Resources, Passenger Relations and Community Engagement of Veolia Transportation; Kristine Kassel President of Benefits by Design; and Deborah Ostreicher, Deputy Aviation Director at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
“The Business Woman of the Year award recognizes the valuable contributions that the candidates have made to the business community and to the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. Their hard work and dedication have made an admirable and positive impact that we are proud to recognize,” said Mary Ann Miller, president and CEO of the Tempe Chamber.
To RSVP or learn more about the Women in Business Conference where the recipient will be announced, visit http://bit.ly/WIB2013
Learn more about the finalists below… Read more
Tags: Business Woman of the Year > deborah ostreicher > kristine kassel > Linda Kalaf > women in business conference
Senators McCain, Flake Leading Way on Long-awaited Immigration Reform
Posted on | April 12, 2013 | No Comments
Mary Ann Miller
by Mary Ann Miller, President and CEO of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce
I’m excited that Congress may finally take up the issue of immigration reform.
Nearly three years ago, I led an effort by chambers of commerce throughout Arizona to develop a policy on comprehensive immigration reform. Together, we went to Washington, D.C., in January 2011 to meet with congressional leaders and Arizona’s representatives to present our collective vision but were told the timing for reform wasn’t right.
The policy statement was endorsed by more than 20 chambers of commerce in Arizona, representing more than 70,000 businesses employing more than 1 million people.
Last month, the chambers were joined by more than 100 other business leaders to support the immigration reform led by Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake. Let’s hope the timing is right in 2013.
We support comprehensive immigration policy reform that:
» First and foremost, strengthens border security. From guarding the physical border to better tracking of expired visas, we must stem the tide of illegal immigration.
» Creates a secure, reliable system for employers to verify the legal work eligibility of employees. Employers need a federally based, user-friendly, low-cost, non-discriminatory method to ensure they are complying in good faith with the law.
» Establishes a market-based immigration process to support a wide range of workforce needs and to respond quickly to the employment demands of U.S. businesses. Legal international workers play an integral part in the U.S. economy.
» Develops criteria and establishes a guest worker/visa program for illegal immigrants already in the U.S. with no other criminal record, which is based on strictly-enforced criteria, including payment of penalties. Productive, integrated members of our society should be given an opportunity to continue to add to our economy.
We applaud Senators McCain and Flake for their leadership in pursuing this issue and stand ready to help them in any way we can.
Tags: flake > immigratin reform > mary ann miller > mccain
The Value of Competition
Posted on | April 9, 2013 | No Comments
Melody Johnson
By Melody Johnson, VP Membership Development
As the NCAA tournament draws to a close, I am reminded as a former college basketball player, of the value of competition. Though winning is the objective of any athletic competition, it is the take-away associated with losing that is of most value – many things can be learned from one’s competitors.
Basketball, as in any contest, involves strategy. Impossible to develop an effective strategy without knowing your competitors strengths and weaknesses, coaches continually watch game film, study plays, scenarios, and potential opportunities to exploit the opposition’s inevitable shortcomings.
Business is no different. What are your competitors doing that you are not? How have they positioned themselves in the market that perhaps you haven’t thought of?
The notion of “avoiding” competition is futile at best, because as we all know, in a free-market economy, competition is good for consumers – keeping prices affordable and increasing the level of customer service. That being said, innovation is key, however there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Often times it is in the best interest of business to “borrow” successful ideas, launching innovation from there.
This is where the Tempe Chamber of Commerce comes in. In addition to providing businesses a platform on which to market their products and services, and connect with the local community, the Chamber offers its members exposure to competitors, industry partners and local leadership – all a tremendous value in designing an effective strategy.
Be it networking, professional development or advocacy, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce exists to make doing business in Tempe attractive and profitable.
Win the game of business.
Belong.
Business Spotlight – Beauty by Andrea
Posted on | March 28, 2013 | No Comments
Business Name: Beauty by Andrea
Year started: September 2010
Address, hours and phone number:
9020 S. McClintock Dr. Suite 27 Tempe, AZ 85084
480.204.1407
Monday – Saturday (by appointment only)
Website: www.BeautyByAndreaSalon.com
Beauty by Andrea
What does your company do? Haircuts, Hair Color, Blow-dry Style, Ultimate Treatments to men and women and training on how to recreate your hair style at home.
What makes you special? I am a small local business, born and raised around the Tempe area. I am an educator for the product line I carry and use in the salon called “L’ANZA Healing Haircare.” My on-going training through L’ANZA allows me to provide service with the most up and coming styles and trends. I provide a comfortable atmosphere with very individualized care and train my customers on how to do it on their own. I am also an educator for the latest styling tool line called “Sultra.”
What do you like most about doing business in the Valley? All my clients and everyone I meet. Our part of the Valley has such a variety of people. It’s so great to hear everyone’s story and how they have become who they are today!
How do you support the community? I am involved in an annual Locks of Love event held at McClintock High School, Tempe. At this event students and facility come together and donate hair to the Locks of Love Foundation. I provide my services with removing the 10 plus inches of hair followed by a new fun haircut. I am also active the American Legion Post 35. Coming from a long line of military, supporting our active and non-active military is very important to me.
Who are your ideal clients or customers? Everyone! I have clients of all ages and prefer to keep it that way. I very much enjoy working with people.
Tempe Chamber Poised to Become Clean Energy Leader
Posted on | March 27, 2013 | No Comments
The Tempe Chamber is now on the path to become a local clean energy leader, and we want to help you become one too. We recently signed-on to participate in the new clean energy information hub called Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE).
CICE
Our goal is to help you, our members, navigate the clean energy space, share best practices, spur business innovation and accelerate business competitiveness through clean energy.
All Tempe Chamber members now have exclusive access to information about clean energy initiatives around the nation, incentives in our area, and connections to clean energy leaders throughout the U.S.
As part of CICE, we’re now engaged with a network of local chambers of commerce focused on helping to become clean energy leaders. By providing you with new resources, we are spurring innovation and accelerating business competitiveness through clean energy.
We hope that you will take advantage of the new benefits this partnership brings.
We can answer your clean energy questions.
http://www.chambersforinnovation.com/ask-the-experts/faq/
Here are some best practices for your company
http://www.chambersforinnovation.com/chambers-lead-the-way/clean-energy-best-practices/
To learn more visit www.chambersforinnovation.com
Fore! Join our Golf Committee
Posted on | March 14, 2013 | 1 Comment
Tempe Links Classic!
Here’s a great way to have fun, meet other chamber members and celebrate with a happy hour party. By helping us plan our annual golf tournament, you can be a part of one of our most eclectic, playful and productive committees.
You don’t even need to know a thing about golf. We meet just once a month for five months starting on April 10 to organize our Tempe Links Classic and create an exciting, rewarding and fun event for participants. Committee members plan and facilitate a full round of golf for our September 13 tournament at ASU Karsten.
After the event, we meet for a wrap up meeting replete with beverages, food and good times. Learn more or join by contacting sean@tempechamber.org Our first meeting is from 11:00 – 12:00 on April 10 right here at the Tempe Chamber.
keep looking »
Tempe Chamber Website
About
Archives
Additional Resources
Blogroll
- No Blogroll Links
Social Media Project
- No Blogroll Links