Parkville Chamber of Commerce: Newsletter

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Issue: # 3

March/2009

The Parkville Chamber of Commerce

Working together to support one another!

We are facing some of the most difficult economic times we have seen during many of our lives. It is more pertinent now than ever that the chamber, its members and the communites we serve work together to support one another. This issue of our newsletter offers ideas of empowerment for us all to support each other. Collectively, we can be an example of how a community of people committed to each other can work together through such challenging times.

A Message from the President

Bill Quitmeier, Quitmeier Martsching Law Firm

Piropos on the Hill

As spring and summer 2009 approach, fun times in Parkville blossom along with our lovely hills and valleys in gorgeous Platte County.

MAY
The 6th annual Microbrewfest will be held Saturday May 2, 2009 from 1-5. Twenty-four microbrewers will allow you to sample their product while listening to live music in English Landing Park for a fair $20.

JUNE
Next up is the annual Parkville Jazz and Fine Arts River Jam on June 19 and 20. Live music will play from 5 pm Friday evening until Saturday at 11 pm. Our fine artists will be better than ever. Please visit the web site at www.parkvilleriverjam.com. Not many things are finer than listening to wonderful live music around art in English Landing Park under the waiving Cottonwoods, while tugboats push sand barges up the Mighty MO, BNSF trains pass by and the castle like McKay Hall majestically watching over all. Admission is free, but we encourage you to support event sponsors.

JULY
Come join us for Parkville's Fourth of July Celebration. See the parade at 10 a.m. on the fourth and the fireworks that evening. As always, your children can enjoy the carnival from July 1, 2009 through July 4, 2009 and many other celebrations to the birth of our great Country. Admission is free.

AUGUST
The 41st Annual Parkville Days River Fest will beheld in English Landing Park August 21-23. This event transforms the park into its own village of vendors and food services. Live music plays Friday night through late afternoon Sunday. Admission is free, we ask you to continue to support event sponsors.

SEPTEMBER
Daren Higerd and the Parkville Chamber of Commerce's Membership Committee are introducing a new event called the Parkville Bluegrass Block Party which debuts Saturday, September 26, 2009 on Main Street in downtown Parkville.

Your Parkville Chamber supports each of these events. If you would enjoy working on any of these events, please call me at 816.891.6300. Please remember to shop Parkville and your fellow Chamber members.

Economic Development Committee

Jim McCall, Country Financial

Kerby Varner

March 6 BOB

The Economic Development Committee finished the year 2008 working on plans for a busy 2009. We did not meet in December so our members could enjoy the holidays. However, in October and November the committee set in motion plans for a series of educational seminars for 2009. The seminars, using a Business over Breakfast format and a mid-year luncheon will focus on the changing economic environment and topics related to small business operation.

A formidable task for the committee, members discussed an array of ideas that would benefit the business community. Becoming proactive in our city and focus on meeting with our elected officials is a high priority with the committee. An outreach effort to similar committee's in the Chamber of Commerce community would enhance our vision for the future. Partnering with ParkUniversity and The Platte County Economic Development Council gives us opportunity and knowledge about many business topics, an excellent source of expertise to help plan our economic future.

Membership Committee

Daren Higerd, Weichert, Realtors-Advantage Professionals

Hold onto your seats, 2009 is here and a lot is going on! Stay tuned to www.ParkvilleChamber.com for all upcoming event details. Add it into your favorites so you don't miss out.

Set aside Saturday, September 26 in your calendar, NOW, for the first annual Parkville Bluegrass Block Party on Main Street in downtown Parkville. Come support your downtown merchants and enjoy the festivities.

We're always looking for volunteers and good contacts that love bluegrass!

The chamber continues to grow. Don't delay-get involved today!

5LINX Ribbon Cutting

Upcoming Events...Please join us!

March 26: Ribbon Cutting - Parkville Scooter Guy

March 27: Small Business Expo hosted by Congressman

Sam Graves

April 1: Grand Opening of Iron Horse Restaurant & Bar

April 2: Ribbon Cutting - Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina

April 9: Ribbon Cutting - Staley Farms Golf Glub

April 16: Business After Hours - KC Nutrition

May 1: Business Over Breakfast - Nick and Jake's

Workmen's Compensation-Your Business Require-

ments and Your Bottom Line

May 2: 6th Annual Parkville Brewfest - English Landing Park

2008 Holiday BAH Majestic Resource RC

Attention, all small business owners!

The Sixth Congressional District Small Business Expo hosted by Congressman Sam Graves is being held March 27, 2009 at Maple Woods Community College. The event will be held in the Campus Center building located at 2601 NE Barry Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64156. Exporting Goods and Services, procurement, health savings plans and access to capital are just a few of the items that will be discussed.

Please RSVP to Shawna Searcy by email at Shawna.Searcy@mail.house.gov, by fax to (816) 792-0694, or by mail to the below address.

Congressman Sam Graves
Attention: Shawna Searcy
113 Blue Jay Drive, Suite 100
Liberty, MO64068
Shawna.searcy@mail.house.gov
Phone: (816) 792-3976
Fax: (816) 792-0694

Social-Fundraising Committee

Linda Varner, Patriots Bank

Shane Davis, Best New Member

The fund raising committee has been very busy the past few months planning and staging the 3rd Annual Denim & Diamonds. Thanks to each and everyone who attended the gala we had a very successful event raising $8,343.01. Our 2009 goal was to raise $10,000, but due to the uncertainties of our economy the event was a success.

A big THANK YOU to the Fund Raising Committee! All their hard work made it possible to obtain items for the Silent Auction, as well as, many other tasks. My hat's off to Karen Allenbrand, Bebe Bartholomew, Pam Beaman, Mark Cremer, Cindy Gettel, Paul Gross, Laura Guy, Lisa Hatcher, Debbie Hopkins, Anthony Luebbert, Jim McCall, Denise McPherson, Kathy Nelson, Ryan Paulus, Jim Schank, Annette Silvio, Kerby Varner, Jay Wilson and Steve Wood.

Congratulations to 2009 Parkville Chamber of Commerce award winners:
Shane Davis, "Best New Member", Weichert, Realtors-Advantage Professionals, "Best Overall Business", Watercolors High Fashion, "Most Attractive Business", Daren Higerd, GEM (Going the Extra Mile) and Hopkins Distinguished Service, Deborah Butcher.

Plans are underway for the 4th Annual Denim & Diamonds.

The Fund Raising Committee continues to work on other exciting events to fund the operation of the Chamber, if any of you have ideas please do not hesitate to share with the committee.

Depot Early 1900's

Railroad Museum Committee

Kathy Dusenbery, Platte County Commissioner
Debra Hopkins, Platte Valley Bank

The Railroad Museum Committee has new leadership with Debbie Hopkins and Kathy Dusenbery sharing the role as co-chairs. Husbands Mike Hopkins and Brad Dusenbery are both long time railfans and are offering suggestions to make this the best railroad museum in the area. The goals of the museum have been defined as:

· To fulfill the commitment to the City to have a railroad museum in the depot
· To encourage visitors to Parkville with the goal that visitors will shop and dine in Parkville
· To provide a volunteer opportunity for local citizens

A "wish list" has been developed and the committee is focusing on acquiring or having loaned to museum the following items:

Burlington Sign, approx 4'x4'
Black/gold Railway Express sign 7' to 8'
Red Diamond sign
Burlington Lantern with nice globe
Burlington locks, keys
Scissors phone
Burlington conductor uniform with hat and a mannequin to

   model
Burlington step stool
Baggage cart
Passenger car memorabilia
Telegraph, wire to work
Railroad station desk

Contacts are currently being pursued with the CB & Q Historical Society and the National Railroad Historical Society.

Anyone having an interest in serving on the new railroad committee is asked to contact Debbie Hopkins at 816-746-7600 or dhopkins@plattevalleybank.com.

1849 Did You Know...

(Facts about Parkville)

Barbara Lance
Parkville Records & Special Projects Administrator
& Parkville Chamber Board Member

Parkville's city officials have not been a vain lot-- that is proved by the lack of pictures of them. We sent out a request for pictures of former mayors last year and we finally got most of the more recent ones, but it took a while. At some point pictures of all mayors (or as many as we can get) will appear in City Hall. Mayoral pictures we do not have yet would be very welcome if you have them.

I would also like to have pictures of aldermen; these would go in the files to further remind us of who built this town from the very small and mostly poor town settled all those years ago.

I cannot use pictures which have to be copied and returned, just ones we can keep in the city files. Pictures by e-mail are welcome; please send them to barbara@parkvillemo.com. I would appreciate it if you could include full names, plus names of anyone in the pictures with them, plus the approximate date of the picture. Plus your name and address and phone number. I know that is a lot to ask, but it would flesh out the city's history.

Thanks for your help.

Barbara Lance
Parkville Records & Special Projects Administrator
& Parkville Chamber Board Member

Tips to Recession Proof Your Small Business

Step 1: Focus on your balance sheet. Make sure you're managing your cash flow well. It's something you should be doing all the time, but it's even more critical in a recessionary environment, because there's just that much less cash floating around.

Step 2: Diversify and launch. Economic downturns have a benefit for business. A recession gives you the opportunity to step back, rethink and review all sectors of your operation. Consider launching a new product or service not currently offered in your market. Differentiation within your market may be a reason for consumers to choose you over a competitor.

Step 3: Review your agreements with suppliers. Maybe you don't have to pay in 30 days; maybe you can pay in 45. Again, it's easier to be proactive and negotiate in advance. .

Step 3: Review your company's discretionary spending items. Although small businesses are typically very lean, recession survivors often still manage to trim some fat. Think of all the discretionary items. Take whatever steps you can to reduce your debt. The less you have to pay out on a regular basis during an economic slowdown, the less painful it will be. Employ labor and time-saving technology to reduce business costs. More effective use of the Internet can save on travel, training, administration and operations costs. Lastly, measure your return on investment. Make sure what you spend money on brings a return to your bottomline.

Step 4: Review your customers. Start reviewing how a recession will impact your customers. If your customer base is involved, for example, in the home-building industry, and home building is down, then you know their customers are not going to be demanding as much product, so you'd better get ready for that. One way to do that is to search out alternatives. Somebody's always making money, even in a recession, so if you can find out where those pockets are and if you have services you can provide to them, maybe you want to expand those services.

Step 5: Now is also the time to take customer service to a new level. Get in touch and stay in touch with your active customers. Take nothing for granted. Make sure your pricing is competitive, your service is exceptional and your attitude reflects how much you value their business. Revisit dormant customers and see what you can do to bring them back into the fold. Sometimes it takes as little as just asking to restart a relationship. Other times it can take some imagination and insight, but resurrecting a past customer can still be easier and less expensive than finding and breaking in a new one. Ask your customers for referrals. While this is a good practice at any time, it is particularly important in a down economy.

Step 6: Keep up marketing. Many companies cannot afford to stop marketing, regardless of economic conditions. New products are always certain revenue generators if marketed properly. Determine what sets your business apart from the competition and market it like crazy. Attend networking functions, spruce up your Web site, send out post cards, put out a new sign in front of your office.

Step 7: New business, however, doesn't have to come from new customers. Many small-business owners can find that their best prospects for new revenue are their existing customers and clients -- established relationships mean an owner doesn't have to spend time, energy and money trying to make a good impression, and knowledge of customers' needs makes it easier to come up with new products or services they'll want to buy. Whether it involves prospecting for new business or working with a long-standing customer, success can turn on making a valid case that your product or service will benefit the buyer, even if the economic times are uncertain.

This article was provided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' National CPA Financial Literacy Commission.

13 Ways to Give Your Budget a Raise

· Restrict family between-meal snacks to inexpensive and healthy in-season fruit and vegetables, home-popped corn, raisins, etc. Junk food can be expensive.

· Become a "brown bagger". Take your lunch to work at least twice a week.
· Attend movies early when prices are generally lower and the crowds are smaller.
· Organize a baby-sitting club with friends & neighbors. Take turns.
· Think in terms of doing it yourself rather than hiring someone to do it, such as home repairs, painting, garden work, cutting the lawn, etc.
· Pay credit card charges when they become due so interest isn't added. When you don't, the item just cost 10% to 18% more each month until you do.
· Give yourself a weekly cash allowance and leave your debit card home. You will not spend what you don't have.
· When buying big-ticket items, learn all about them from consumer magazines and on line reviews. You may also price compare on line to save time.
· Garage sales and flea markets are excellent for both selling and buying.
· Estate sales can be the source of some outstanding bargains.
· Buy things out of season for big savings.
· Coffee is expensive. Consider brewing yours at home.
· Before buying anything new, ask yourself if you really need it.

Get Involved TODAY and make a difference!

The chamber offers five committees that allow you to get involved while you build business relationships in the Parkville area communities and with other chamber members.

Communications/Promotions

To find out more, click on the committee you are interested in. Ready to volunteer? It's simple, just send an email to Annette Silvio, asilvio@parkvillechamber.com.

In This Issue

A Message from the President

Economic Development Committee

Membership Committee

Upcoming Events

Attn: Small Business Owners!

Social-Fundraising Committee

Railroad Museum Committee

Did You Know

Tips to Recession Proof Your Small Business

13 Ways to Give Your Budget a Raise

Get Involved TODAY

Welcome New Members!

PCOC Top 10

Recession Marketing 101

Online Marketing Can Be Your Own Economic Stimulus Package

Parkville Cruise Night

2009 New Members

Agave Mexican Grill

AMS Financial Services, LLC

Avon

Bebe Bartholomew

Chapin Photography

The Dry Cleaner of KC

Jared D. Gerhardt, DDS

Howard Johnsons Plaza Hotel

Iron Horse Restaurant & Bar

Joe's Carpet

La Petite Academy

Missouri Contracting & Cleaning/AAS Cleaning

Northern Lights Pizza

Parkville Scooter Guy

Senior Helpers

Shackelford Floral Designs

Small Business Development Center

Sonrisa Day Spa and Salon

Staley Farms Golf Club

PCOC Top 10 Reasons for Putting Parkville 1st!

1. Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy. When shopping in Parkville and with chamber members, you simultaneously create jobs, support local education, fund public services, invest in neighborhood improvement and promote community development.

2. Shopping Local Saves You Money. Out of town goods may cost more if you add gas, travel time, fees and delivery charges. Consider these factors when making a purchase.

3. Local Shops Sell a Wide Range of Great Products at Affordable Prices. Many people are out of the habit of shopping locally and are surprised by the range of products and gifts available. Parkville offers more shopping options than ever before. As retail and service industries thrive, more people will open new businesses here.

4. Shopping Local Retains our Unique Character. Independent and one of kind shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Local businesses can respond to your needs on a much more personal level.

5. Shopping Local Retains Our Communities. People don't like losing shops and services, but don't equate this to how they spend their money.

6. Shopping Local Saves Services and Institutions. Private and Public sector services cluster around shops. As we see shops disappear, so do hair salons, banks, restaurants, and other local favorites

7. Shopping Local Saves the Environment. Local shops can have a higher tendency of carrying more local goods (i.e. Farmers Market, local artists). This along with traveling less to shop can help reduce our global footprint.

8. Local Independent Shops Invest More in Our Communities. Local businesses are proportionately more generous in the support of local charities, schools and community groups and events. This is true financially and with their time. So supporting local shops means a good financial impact on your community.

9. Local Shops Value You More. People receive better customer care locally. These businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business which means you can expect a higher standard of service.

10. Care about Our Community. So Caring about Parkville means shopping locally whenever possible.

So...
SHOP SMART, SHOP LOCAL!

Recession Marketing 101: 2009-2010

By:

Dr. Alphonso Ogbuehi, Dean School of Business
Park University business@park.edu

Strategy #1:

Understand the customer
-New buying patterns
-New perceptions of value

Strategy #2: Back to Family Values
-Emphasis on home life
-Family connections matter

Strategy #3: Do not cut marketing budget
-Use marketing to reassure

customers
-Use radio instead of TV,

more direct sales

Strategy #4: Need to adjust product mix
-Focus on multipurpose

products
-Emphasize reliability and durability

Strategy #5: Help your distributors
-Allowances for early buyers
-Use price cuts to keep loyal

dealers

Strategy #6: Adjust the price points
-Price promotions
-Lower thresholds for quantity discounts

Strategy #7: Keep an eye on market share
-Weaker competitors may vacate market space

Strategy #8: Be true to core values
-Strengthen employee

loyalty
-Reassurance of key

stakeholders

"As sure as the spring will follow the winter, prosperity and economic growth will follow recession."
Bo Bennett, CEO
iGrOOps

"During hard times, a structural break in the economy is an opportunity in disguise. To survive - and, eventually, to flourish - companies must learn to exploit it."
Richard P. Rumelt
The McKinsey Quarterly 2009,

No. 1

Online Marketing Can Be Your Own Economic Stimulus Package

Online Marketing Can Be Your Own Economic Stimulus Package

When local customers use Google, Yahoo, or some other search engine to find what you sell, do you come up or do your competitors?

Most Americans (54%) have substituted the Internet for phone books. 90% of online searches result in a local offline purchase. 61% of all local searches results in a transaction. Do I have your attention?

With the economic crisis is on the minds of both companies and consumers, Online Marketing, including Search Engine Optimization (S.E.O.) is an extremely cost effective marketing tactic that has a history of producing large dividends.

S.E.O. helps business websites be found by people who are looking for your product or service using Google, Yahoo or some other search engine. These visitors to your website, called organic traffic, is often more qualified, more interested and less expensive than traffic accrued in any other way. It makes for a safe bet when times are lean.

What better way to increase sales than to get in front of people who want what you sell at the exact moment they want it?

While S.E.O. isn't a one-time fix, costs associated with the initial work and maintenance pales in comparison to media.

Consumers are continuing to move online, their reliance on online tools to perform searches for local information, local businesses and everything else local will only continue to grow. It's to your advantage to ensure your business is found by people looking for what you sell.

S.E.O. is an emerging business. There are lots of confident folks who claim to know the ins and outs of S.E.O. Remember, confidence doesn't equal competence. Ask questions. Hire a specialist.

Brigid Greene owns Be Found, an online marketing company specializing in driving traffic to websites using Search Engine Optimization (S.E.O.) and building effective websites.