NWA Emerging Leaders Roll Out Mastermind Groups

By: Whitney Yoder

Vice-President of Development

Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce

 

NWA Emerging Leaders is committed to personal and professional development for emerging talent in our region.  That is evidenced by a new program rolling out in April; Legacy Mastermind Groups.  Mastermind Groups bring a combination of brainstorming, education, peer accountability, and support in a group setting to sharpen business and personal skills.  In short, belonging to a mastermind group helps you and your fellow group members grow and achieve success.  

Here are some of the great benefits that come with participating in a Mastermind Group:

1. You’ll be part of an exclusive community, a small, tightly knit group of like-minded peers all working toward similar objectives;
2. Advisement.  You’ll lose that feeling of being alone as a business person as the other members of the group turn into your informal advisory board;
3. Collaboration.  You may find someone in the group who is a perfect fit for a project you’re working on.  How great would it be to find that missing person you’ve been seeking?;
4. Extend your network.  People do business with people they know, like, and trust, and these mastermind groups are great ways to build your network by making new, trusted friends;
5. New learning.  Even if you’ve been in your field for years and years, and are an industry expert, you’ll still learn new things from the experiences and perspectives of your new friends;
6. Cross-promotion.  Your business will benefit as you and your group members find ways to work together and cross promote each other’s services to your respective client, customer, and vendor groups;
7. Think bigger.  One of the greatest benefits of mastermind groups, brainstorming on a regular basis with a group of driven, intelligent people is going to make you a bigger person.  You will think bigger, take on bigger challenges, and grow into a bigger person

Mastermind groups encourage you to challenge yourself and others to set and accomplish important goals, but to be successful members have to be willing to commit, listen, and give their best to each participant.

These aren’t classes; they’re not networking groups; and they’re not coaching.  They’re simply you and a group of highly committed peers engaging to make each other better.  

In the business world, author Napoleon Hill, who wrote the famous book “Think and Grow Rich”, says mastermind groups are the basis for every great fortune, and that great power can be accumulated through no other principle.

Not everyone who joins a mastermind group wants to become rich or powerful, but Hill’s comment points to the power of what can happen when a group of committed individuals focus their energy on helping each other grow.

Groups are forming now, so to make sure you have the opportunity to get your own personal advisory board.  Currently over 100 people have signed up to participate in a group.  The program kicks-off with a luncheon on April 23, 2014.  For more information or to sign-up contact Whitney Yoder at 479-619-3197.

RLACC Releases Community Assessment Report

By: Brad Phillips
Vice-President, Marketing Communications
Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce



The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the City of Rogers and the City of Lowell released to the public its Community Assessment report, a detailed examination of the Rogers-Lowell area as a place to live, work and do business.  The Assessment leverages quantitative and qualitative research conducted during Phase 1 of the six-month, four-phase strategic planning process to update the vision for a new Community Action Plan.  This Community Assessment completes phase two of the project, delivers a comprehensive overview of the trends and challenges facing Rogers-Lowell in 2014 and beyond, and within the context of residents' vision for the future and the implications of regional development.  The visioning process culminates later this year with the development of a Community Action Plan and Implementation Guidelines.

The Assessment reveals a community and region that has experienced rapid population growth, driven predominately by young couples and their children.  These families are attracted to a community that is centrally located within the region, home to relatively high quality public schools and offers comparatively affordable single-family housing.  The Assessment also reveals a place that has seen enormous growth in its Hispanic population;  residents want to ensure that Rogers doesn't become a segregated community socioeconomically along racial and ethnic lines.  Residents of all races and ethnicities indicated that they are proud of the fact that the community is welcoming and want to ensure that the community is united.  

The community is also a place that has experienced a great deal of economic transition within
a relatively resilient and growing regional economy.  Retail and professional services have emerged while manufacturing and distribution have remained a key component of the economy. Continued growth has given rise to concerns from residents about traffic, transportation and other issues.  "Residents wonder what the future of the community will hold for them, their children, and their businesses," said Raymond Burns, President/CEO of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.  "They wonder if the next generation will be attracted to the amenities that are currently available.  Will there be an abundant supply of young, skilled workers to support diversified economic growth?  What will Downtown Rogers look like in the future, and will it be a place that young residents want to visit?"



Market Street Services, based in Atlanta, is facilitating the process for development of the
new, Community Action Plan. The Plan will build upon the history and success of past
strategic planning efforts such as Vision 2025 community's future.  The development consists
of four phases:  Stakeholder Input(complete), Community Assessment(complete), Community Action Plan and Implementation Guidelines. The process will last approximately six months
and is set to conclude in July 2014.

The Community Assessment report may be accessed at http://www.rogerslowellvision.com/project_downloads.html 

Top 5 Reasons to Join the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce

By Jacque McQueen

As an Account Executive for the Chamber, I get to hear first-hand from both prospects and new members on why one chooses to join the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.  The following reasons are often cited and are very good reasons why you should consider joining:

        1.   Awareness
The Chamber provides a complimentary ribbon cutting and announcement of your grand opening, new location, new ownership, and anniversary celebration in the local newspaper,
the Chamber Voice newsletter, and in weekly eNews blasts to influencers and decision-makers
in the community.

2     2.  Exposure
RogersLowell.com enables you to have your business listed in the Chamber’s online business directory along with a free hyperlink to your business web page. You simply provide a 35 word description with keywords that will help people search and find you.  The website utilizes both keyword search and category search for visitors to easily find your business.  The Chamber website also offers affordable advertising opportunities, and your business news and announcements are listed for free in the Chamber News section.

3     3. RFP (Request for Proposal) Connections
Business Connect on RogersLowell.com allows members to submit Request for Proposals (RFPs) to other members. This gives you the opportunity to offer your bid/quote to members when requested and also to submit to a bid request from other members. Good examples of members using this benefit include plumbing quotes, business card quotes, printing quotes, janitorial quotes, etc.  Business Connect connects you to new business and to significant savings for
your business.

        4.  New Contacts & Learning Opportunities
Members love the Chamber’s networking and educational events and opportunities for committee involvement. Most networking and educational events are free and include Business After Hours, Coffee Connection, Community Diversity Celebration, FYI Brown Bag Lunches, Chamber University seminars and numerous committees to get involved with extracurricular activities.  In addition, there is a variety of members-only sponsorship packages available for events and meetings to help increase your visibility and make new contacts.

5     5. Promotion
The Chamber offers you opportunity to submit eCoupons and discounts to be featured on the RogersLowell.com Business Directory’s Coupons and Discounts web page.  These eCoupons
help promote your business to both members and thousands of monthly website visitors. 
It’s free and a very popular benefit with our members for promoting trial offers and competitive discount deals.

These are my top five reasons for new members joining the Chamber but there are many more reasons to join and benefits of membership.  The bottom line is that Chamber membership is an effective business strategy.  Contact me and let’s explore together how Chamber membership benefits you and let’s make it a part of your strategy. 

Call me at either my office (479) 619-3189 or my mobile (479) 387-6546.

The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce is accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
and is one of only 77 Chambers nationwide to be awarded the highest level of five stars.  The
Chamber is committed to growing business and building community, and provides numerous opportunities for businesses to build new contacts and generate leads throughout the area. 
The Chamber’s mission is to be the voice of business, to promote and initiate responsible
economic growth, and to address community challenges in the Rogers and Lowell Area,
as well as the Northwest Arkansas region.