Mobile Internet Expected to Surpass Desktop Internet Usage in 2014

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

Chamber's New Mobile Web App
Helps Community Stay Connected to Members
More and more web users are finding what they need while on the go with their mobile devices.
It's a busy world and being able to search for local businesses, stay connected to news and events
and even access exclusive discounts through your mobile device is more important than ever.  This
is true for both business and leisure mobile users.  Today, 50 percent of mobile web users now use mobile as either their primary or exclusive means of going online. Further, one half of all local searches are now performed on mobile devices. Eighty percent of consumers plan to conduct mobile commerce in the next 12 months. 

 “In today’s tech-focused world, we realized a mobile web app that is smartly designed for visitors and residents of our community to easily access our members’ businesses is the best way for us to connect the community with technology” Brad Phillips, Vice President of Marketing Communications, said.

 “Our new mobile web app offers better aesthetics and user interface, and will deliver tremendous value to not only our members, but also the community as a whole. We see this mobile web app becoming a popular destination for mobile Internet users seeking information about the Rogers-Lowell area.”

 Chamber's Mobile Usage Growing
The Chamber's mobile web app usage has grown from 6,000 total page views in the first quarter of 2013 to just over 16,000 in that same period for 2014, an increase of 166 percent year-to-year.  The new mobile web app is expected to increase page views by offering quick and easy navigation to Directory Search, Events, News, eCoupons, Dining, Lodging and About Us via graphic icons.  “We’re very excited,” Phillips, said. “Our new mobile web app will put our members and our community on more and more mobile devices.  This means no matter where people are, or what they’re doing – they will have access to valuable information about Rogers and Lowell, and our members. Through this technology, mobile web visitors can find our member businesses, get detailed maps and driving directions, read company profiles, view pictures, and contact them – in one convenient location."

The newly improved Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce mobile web app is free to users, and available on iPhone, Android, and Blackberry platforms. To access it, visit RogersLowell.com, click on the pop-up screen that prompts you to "Install this Web App on your Phone," then follow the prompt to add to your smartphone or other mobile device.

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 

Does Your Workplace Need an Employee Handbook?

By: Janine Springer, IOM
Chief Financial Officer
Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce

Do you and your employees a favor – create an Employee Handbook

Nothing builds ill will or decreases morale in a workplace than treating each employee differently on the same issue.  Well, you say, each employee has a different story as to why they need you to treat them special.  While that may be true, having the company policy in writing will ensure you treat everyone fairly.

Employee handbooks not only help the employee better understand the company and how they want their employees to conduct themselves in the workplace, but they potentially could keep you, the business owner, from an employee lawsuit in the future. 

Employee handbooks should include an introduction page that explains the company’s history and business culture.  Other items that should be included are:  Hours – do you have full time and part time employees?  How is overtime calculated?  Who is entitled to overtime?  Pay and Salaries – how do you set pay and raises?  Do you have a bonus program and if so, how does it work?  Benefits – explain vacation pay, sick pay, unpaid leave, etc.  Do you have medical and dental benefits? Retirement benefits?  Drug and Alcohol Abuse – Do you require drug testing?  Do you have a policy prohibiting employees from using drugs and alcohol in the workplace?  Do you offer help for employees with drug and alcohol related issues?  Harassment – Remind employees that any form of harassment is illegal and you take it seriously.  Specify how and to whom employees can make complaints, what procedures should be followed, how the complaint is investigated, and what actions will be taken against harassers.  Attendance – Explain what happens if there are numerous unexplained absences or repeated tardiness.  What are the normal business hours? Discipline – What types of conduct can get employees into trouble?  What are the steps for disciplining employees?  Employee Safety – Do employees know they need to follow safety rules and report any unsafe conditions?  Smoking – Do you have a written policy for on-the-job smoking?  Are your rules in compliance with your state law?  Complaints  - do you have a procedure in place for employee complaints?  Who receives complaints?  Who enforces the complaint procedure?  Electronic Communications – Do you have a policy on use of email?  The internet?  Social networking sites?  Blogs?  Workplace Civility – State how employees are to act toward each other

This listing is in no way all inclusive; you cannot possibly cover every possible workplace situation that could arise and you should state this in your handbook as well. 

Writing an employee handbook can seem like a daunting task and very time-consuming but there are easy (and free) ways to get it written.  Many corporate benefit companies have free online HR help that includes forms, legal guidelines, employer mandatory posters, and generic handbook samples that you can quickly modify with your information/logos, etc for a simple and easy employee handbook! 

The chamber has several members who offer corporate benefits (look in our Small Business Toolkit at http://www.rogerslowell.com/live_and_work/small_business_toolkit.aspx) and would be a great place to start your search for getting help in creating your employee handbook.  You and your employees will feel better knowing what the written rules are in the workplace.