April 2017 Page 1 Inside This Issue: Business Development 2 Business After Hours 3, 6 Lunch and Learn 4 New Members 4 Rise and Share 4 Upcoming Events 4 Executive Message 7 Renewals 7 Member News 8 Advertisers 9-11 Calendar 12 Chamber News “Like” us on Facebook F EATURED M EMBER Try.Discover.Create This educational non-profit 501c-3 organization was established in 2015 to impact the out-of- school hours for Belgrade community youth. With a highly motivated Board of Directors and staff and a carefully designed curriculum, its mission is to help southwestern Montana youth discover the world of art, music, and science through fun exploration and guided development. As Belgrade is undergoing a time of tremendous growth, Try.Discover.Create (TDC) recognizes that working parents need good options for their kids in the summer. They know that when families succeed, communities succeed. Having a high-quality, safe, and fun place for kids during working hours lets parents relax and helps kids learn new skills. Hands-on and sleeves rolled up, they grow in self-confidence and create higher educational goals for themselves. For the third year, TDC is offering their Lego ® Robotics Summer Camp. In this week-long camp for boys and girls aged 9-12, your camper will work with a buddy to design, build, and program awe-inspiring robots using Lego’s most ad- vanced new technology: the Mindstorms ® EV3. A 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio helps the kids have an outstanding experience as they let their creativity and imaginations loose! Throughout the week, they learn science and engineering concepts, have fun with their “bots” in competitions, and make new friends! The camp is limited in size and fills quickly each year. Visit TDC’s website (www.trydiscovercreate.org) for details and registration information. You can get involved and help TDC continue to provide engaging after-school programs and summer activities. A couple of hours can change a young person’s life… and yours. There are many ways to volunteer: teaching, coaching, graphic design, marketing, fundraising, event planning, and construction, among others. To volunteer your time, donate to programs, contribute needed items, or just find out more about TDC, contact Executive Director Joni Benson at 548-8053 or e-mail her at Try.Discover.Create @gmail.com. Would you like to be featured in a future newsletter? Call the Chamber at 388-1616. It’s easy and it’s free! Farm Fair 2017 Volunteers Needed… It’s fun and it’s an event that will blow your mind! The Gallatin Valley Agriculture Committee will host their 12 th Farm Fair at the Ed Brainard Ranch on Dry Creek Road. The Farm Fair is an educational program for fourth-grade students from all over the Gallatin Valley. More than 1,100 kids will participate in the 3-day event on May 9, 10, and 11. Students arrive starting at 9 am, and the sessions start at 9:30 am. Throughout the day, the students go to 16 stations and learn about bees, farm safety, sheep, water, pigs, horses, beef cows, dairy cows, goats, farm to table, potatoes, crops, forestry, and 4-H as well as how to make Tin Can Ice Cream! They are treated to a nutritious lunch and get a horse-drawn wagon ride around the ranch to hear about crop rotation. The event takes over 200 volunteers each day, and at least 25 volunteers to set up the event site on Saturday, May 6. We would love to have you volunteer! Volunteer spots can be for all day or just a few hours. To volunteer or for more information, contact Debe at 388-1616 or [email protected].
Transcript
April 2017 Page 1
Inside This Issue:
Business Development 2
Business After Hours 3, 6
Lunch and Learn 4
New Members 4
Rise and Share 4
Upcoming Events 4
Executive Message 7
Renewals 7
Member News 8
Advertisers 9-11
Calendar 12
Chamber News
“Like” us on Facebook
FE
AT
UR
ED
M
EM
BE
R
Try.Discover.Create
This educational non-profit 501c-3 organization was established in 2015 to impact the out-of-school hours for Belgrade community youth. With a highly motivated Board of Directors and staff and a carefully designed curriculum, its mission is to help southwestern Montana youth discover the world of art, music, and science through fun exploration and guided development.
As Belgrade is undergoing a time of tremendous growth, Try.Discover.Create (TDC) recognizes that working parents need good options for their kids in the summer. They know that when families succeed, communities succeed. Having a high-quality, safe, and fun place for kids during working hours lets parents relax and helps kids learn new skills. Hands-on and sleeves rolled up, they grow in self-confidence and create higher educational goals for themselves.
For the third year, TDC is offering their Lego® Robotics Summer Camp. In this week-long camp for boys and girls aged 9-12, your camper will work with a buddy to design, build, and program awe-inspiring robots using Lego’s most ad-vanced new technology: the Mindstorms® EV3. A 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio helps the kids have an outstanding experience as they let their creativity and imaginations loose! Throughout the week, they learn science and engineering concepts, have fun with their “bots” in competitions, and make new friends! The camp is limited in size and fills quickly each year. Visit TDC’s website (www.trydiscovercreate.org) for details and registration information.
You can get involved and help TDC continue to provide engaging after-school programs and summer activities. A couple of hours can change a young person’s life… and yours. There are many ways to volunteer: teaching, coaching, graphic design, marketing, fundraising, event planning, and construction, among others. To volunteer your time, donate to programs, contribute needed items, or just find out more about TDC, contact Executive Director Joni Benson at 548-8053 or e-mail her at Try.Discover.Create @gmail.com.
Would you like to be featured in a future newsletter? Call the Chamber at 388-1616. It’s easy and it’s free!
Farm Fair 2017
Volunteers Needed… It’s fun and
it’s an event that will blow your mind!
The Gallatin Valley Agriculture Committee will host their 12th Farm Fair at the Ed Brainard Ranch on Dry Creek Road. The Farm Fair is an educational program for fourth-grade students from all over the Gallatin Valley. More than 1,100 kids will participate in the 3-day event on May 9, 10, and 11.
Students arrive starting at 9 am, and the sessions start at 9:30 am. Throughout the day, the students go to 16 stations and learn about bees, farm safety, sheep, water, pigs, horses, beef cows, dairy cows, goats, farm to table, potatoes, crops, forestry, and 4-H as well as how to make Tin Can Ice Cream! They are treated to a nutritious lunch and get a horse-drawn wagon ride around the ranch to hear about crop rotation.
The event takes over 200 volunteers each day, and at least 25 volunteers to set up the event site on Saturday, May 6. We would love to have you volunteer! Volunteer spots can be for all day or just a few hours. To volunteer or for more information, contact Debe at 388-1616 or [email protected].
Mission Statement “The Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, through the leadership and integrity
of its members, is committed to unite the business community, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life.”
Focus on Business Development
The Chamber has several standing committees that help guide projects and activities (see below). New committee members are always welcome; con-tact a Committee Chair (listed in the left-hand column) for more informa-tion. Meeting times and locations are shown on the Calendar on p. 12.
For 2017, the Chamber’s focus will continue to be on business develop-ment; this section will feature articles on that topic. Items of interest from the committees will be included separately in the newsletter.
……..
10 Easy Ways to Increase Sales
Brian Cleary
One of the most obvious ways to boost revenue in your business is to make more sales. Here are 10 ways you can start doing that today.
1. Do You Have a Sales Strategy? Most businesses think they have a stra-tegy, but they don’t. Now is a good time to develop one. You need to consider who your ideal customer is and what the products and services are that provide the best return for you. The sales strategy should be a brief one-page roadmap that encapsulates the following information (keep it simple and keep referring back to it):
• What you want to sell?
• Who you are going to sell to?
• Where you are going to sell?
• How you are going to sell?
• When you are going to sell?
2. Are You Missing Opportunities? You could best sum up this approach as “preach to the converted.” Your current customers are likely an excellent source for new business. You may have a product or service they may not know about that might suit their business. Essentially, the first port of call should be the clients that have already bought from your business.
3. Back to Basics Chambers mentor businesses that have sales issues. Often, the problem is businesses have veered from their target market and fail to realize it. Take an honest look at what your market is and where you are at the moment. If sales are not at a level that you would like, you might need to ask yourself some tough questions such as, “Have I focused too much on one sector of my business?” or “Have I deviated from my sales strategy and forgotten about my target market?”
The second question is quite a common question. In struggling economies, many businesses survive by “throwing everything at it.” But the economy is largely picking up now. It’s time to assess your business and get back to selling the right products to the right customers.
4. Customer Is King. Simon & Garfunkel knew this 45 years ago when they sang Keep the Customer Satisfied. In an age when almost anything can be bought or sold online at any time of the day or night by anyone, the need for excellent customer service has never been greater. Some businesses have built their reputations by looking after generations of families. Your business can do that too by ensuring that staff are properly trained and that customers get consistent excel-lent service every time that they deal with your business.
5. The Price Is Right. How is your product or service priced? What research have you done to make sure that it is competitively priced and that overheads and margin are fac-tored in? It is very easy to sell too cheaply just as it is easy to end up broke.
6. Be Ruthless. What you are not selling is as important as what you are selling. Look at the products or services that are simply glued to the shelves and get rid of them. Don’t be reluctant to retire certain products or services. One of the secrets to success is being able to detach yourself from the emotion of a business decision. If something is not selling, don’t stock it and don’t waste money marketing it.
7. Open Your Eyes. The first quarter is a good time to look at what your competitors are doing. It is also an excellent time to look at similar businesses in different geographical areas to see how they are trading and to see if lessons can be learned. Consider using events such as Chamber networking events to meet new people and gain market intelligence.
8. Raise Awareness. You know all about your business, as does your family; but never presume that your target audience does. Think about how you how can market your business. Go back to your sales strategy and identify your ideal customers and then target them where they are.
9. Look the Part. When was the last time you looked at your branding? Branding isn’t just a logo or a website. It is everything from an auto signature on an e-mail to letterhead to company vehicles. There are more options available now to help you to get your branding right. There are countless examples of how you can carry out a brand audit online.
10. Stay in Shape. Just as much as the New Year provokes people to get back in physical shape, the first quarter should also be a time when you identify training needs and areas for professional improvement. There’s a good chance your local chamber can help you with training through networking and other learning-based events. They are also a great resource on what your community offers.
Every company needs sales to be successful. In order to do so, sales and marketing strategies should be reviewed periodically to ensure they are the most effective for your business. Adjusting your tack every so often is the best way to stay on course.
Brian Cleary is the Chief Executive of Clonmel Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest business services organizations in Ireland. He’s also the past director of Chambers Ireland. He writes for a number of online publications and is a regular co-presenter of the 'Small Business Show' a syndicated radio program broadcast on a number of stations throughout Ireland and available as a podcast.
Join other business owners to chat about how businesses can support each other!
Date: Tuesday, April 11 and April 25 Time: 8:00-9:00 am Place: Belgrade Chamber of Commerce This open forum requires no RSVP. Join us for coffee and talk shop. What are your successes? What diffi-culties are you facing? “Rise and Share” is a “coffee klatch” for business people.
“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn”
Phil Collins
Welcome to New Chamber Members
Community Medical Services Rowen Schuler 8707 Jackrabbit Lane, Ste. A Belgrade, MT 59714 (406) 404-7900 http://communitymedicalservices.org
Community Medical Services is an addiction service for adults who are dependent on opiates and/or heroin. Services include counseling, medical appointments, and medication management with Methadone, Suboxone, Subutex, and Vivatrol.
Whatever your flooring needs are, Pierce Carpet Mill Outlet can help. From hardwood to carpet to tile to vinyl, they help you choose the right flooring and make sure it gets installed correctly.
Pro Physio April Wilhelm 8757 Jackrabbit Lane, Ste. B Belgrade, MT 59714 (406) 388-8118 http://prophysiomt/com
Pro Physio is a rehabilitation clinic specializing in physi-cal therapy and spinal decompression therapy. Since 2006, they have served Bozeman/Belgrade and sur-rounding areas including Manhattan, Three Forks, Liv-ingston, Dillon, Ennis, Deer Lodge, Butte, Anaconda, and Helena. Call or visit their website for information.
Whether you want a custom metal sign for your farm or powder-coating services, you’ll find exceptional crafts-manship and first-rate customer care at Split Mountain Metals. They have a lifetime of knowledge and have been completing a variety of projects for years. Take a look at their work on their website and then call 581-5100 to schedule an appointment.
The Nest tackles a variety of marketing, communication, and advertising challenges including graphic and web-site design, social media, public relations, content stra-tegy, and event planning. Kendra is assisting the Con-vention & Visitor Bureau committee with their market-ing plan and marketing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 9-11 Farm Fair (Brainard Ranch) May 14 Mother’s Day May 19-20 Division A Track Meet May 20 Belgrade Customer Appreciation Day June 3 BHS Graduation June 4 Central Valley Fire Fighter Association Breakfast July 21 Chamber Golf Scramble August 17 Annual Chamber Corn Feed September 16 Fall Festival 2017 October 19 “Business After Hours” Expo
“Lunch & Learn” (Just “Learn” – No “Lunch” This Month)
Thursday, April 27, 2:00-5:00 pm Belgrade Chamber
Is Your Google Business Information Up-to-Date?
Google is one of the most widely used search engines. Come and learn how to use Google Business and update your information. Make sure your customers are getting the right information and that your location on Google maps is correct. Kendra Callantine from The Nest Collective will be the instructor. Bring your laptop, or let us know if you need one to use as this will be hands-on instruction. The class is $25, and refreshments will be served.
The Belgrade Police Department is asking voters to renew and in-crease the expiring 2007 City Mu-nicipal Services Levy for Public
Safety. The 2007 City Municipal Services Levy for Public Safe-ty enabled the Police Department to fund the following areas:
Staffing: 3 full-time police officers were added, which brought the ranks to 15 sworn officers.
Retirement: The Department was able to move the sworn police officers into the Municipal Police Officers Retirement System, which assisted with officer retention.
Police Training: A training fund was established for staff to remain up-to-date on new laws, skills, and legally mandated training.
Patrol Vehicle/Operational Expenses: The Department began purchasing one new fully equipped marked patrol unit per year. A fully operational patrol vehicle is a high cost to the citizens. We operate 7 fully marked patrol units. By purchasing 1 per year, the vehicles are on a 7-year replacement schedule, which is a long time for a patrol vehicle to be in service. Repair costs become very high when a patrol vehicle reaches high mileage. We also operate and maintain 1 Community Service vehicle and 3 unmarked vehicles for detectives and admin-istration. These vehicles are not on a replacement rotation, the General Fund is used to replace these vehicles. The 2007 Levy also allowed us to purchase other operational needs such as bulletproof vests, body cameras, Tasers, recorders, and digital cameras and to update specialized equipment that the General Fund would otherwise not be able to fund.
2018 Mill Levy: Why is the Police Department asking to re-new the existing Levy and increase the costs to taxpayers?
Staffing: With the end of the 2007 Levy, we will no longer be able to continue to fund the following: 3 officers, retirement, police training, replacement of aging patrol vehicles, and some of the operational expenses mentioned above. The need for these items has not gone away and the General Fund cannot absorb this cost. Without this renewal, we will lose 3 officers at a time when the City is continuing to grow and needs more officers. We will also lose funding for police training, a patrol vehicle, and some operational expenses. Some of these costs will have to move to the General Fund, such as retirement and a reduced police training fund.
The Police Department has not added any staff since the 3 of-ficers were added as a result of the 2007 Levy. FBI statistics show that on average cities under a population of 10,000 have approximately 4.3 officers per 1,000 residents. We presently have approximately 1.8 officers per 1,000 residents. The 2018 Levy would continue to provide support for the items in the 2007 Levy as well as add for the future. Most importantly, we would be able to add 3 officers. With more officers, comes in-creased costs for retirement and added vehicle replacement and repairs. Operational costs increase as well.
Activity: The Police Department has seen increases in the majority of crime types since the passing of the 2007 Levy. In 2009, we handled 9,183 calls for service. In 2016, we handled 11,946 an increase of 2,763 calls for service. These totals in-
clude traffic stops as well as criminal activity. The number of traffic stops has decreased, but the number of criminal investi-gations and criminal activity has increased. Traffic continues to increase daily in our jurisdiction, so traffic-related contacts should be going up, not down. With the large increase in ser-vice calls from 2009 to 2016, Officers are busy with reports of assault, sex crimes, theft, criminal mischief, drug crimes, fraud, mental health issues, death, arson, and robbery and oth-ers. These important and time-consuming areas have all in-creased and, in most cases, take precedence over traffic patrol. With the increase in traffic crashes and traffic volume in our city, we need officers on the street as well as handling criminal complaints.
What are the costs to taxpayers?
2007 Levy (present costs):
• Homes with an assessed taxable value of $100,000 pres-ently pay $45.90/year or $3.825/month.
• Homes with an assessed taxable value of $200,000 pres-ently pay $91.80/year or $7.65/month.
2018 Levy: If approved, taxpayers would pay the following:
• Homes with an assessed taxable value of $100,000 would pay $91.80/year or $7.65/month.
• Homes with an assessed taxable value of $200,000 would pay $183.60/year or $15.30/month.
Tax payers are already paying half of the proposed cost of the 2018 Levy with the 2007 Levy. The taxable value of your home is not the value that you could sell your home for on the real estate market. The amount comes from your yearly tax bill from Gallatin County.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have:
March’s “Business After Hours” Hosted by Montana Canvas
April 2017 Page 7
Dear Members:
Dead, but not forgotten! Although our first bill pertaining to liquor li-censes died in committee, we had a second chance to create a bill that would have removed the language in the code stating that two commu-nity city limits 5 miles apart would be one Liquor District. By taking that out, we would become our own district and therefore would have been able to obtain more Full Beverage and Beer/Wine Licenses for our community and they wouldn’t be able to be transferred to Bozeman. Unfortunately, this bill also died in committee.
As Montana’s urban areas grow, this is going to become a big problem for small towns and cities trying to keep businesses in their communi-ties. We have no grudge against Bozeman, but it is our job is to protect Belgrade and help it grow. Although this bill died in committee, it re-ceived two more votes than it did the first time. The Montana Tavern Association is a strong lobby and carries a lot of weight with other asso-ciations. This last bill wouldn’t have hurt other businesses; in fact, one restaurant owner said that it would have made Bozeman’s licenses worth even more. We even agreed to grandfather existing licenses to be able to move their license within a 2-year period of the passing of the bill.
We will continue to fight for Belgrade and gather other small communi-ties that will be affected to push for an Interim Committee to evaluate the problems and hopefully come up with a solution. Thank you to all who helped out, especially Representative Bruce Grubbs who carried both our bills.
Debra K. Youngberg, Executive Director
Belgrade...the “Heart” of the Gallatin Valley
Home Is Where Our Heart Is and Our Heart Is in Belgrade!
Executive Message
A big “Thanks” to the members listed below who continue to make a commitment to the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce!
Beartooth Arch & Fence, LLC
Belgrade Bandits Baseball, Inc.
Belgrade Community Library
Belgrade Dental Associates
Belgrade Education Association
Belgrade Mini Storage
Big Country Landscapes, Inc.
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Bozeman Health Foundation
Bozeman Trophy and Engraving
City of Belgrade
CRH-Trident Plant
Custom Ag Services
Desert Communications and Consulting
Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service and Crematory
D-Tel Communications
The Chamber accepts credit cards and partial payments for dues!
Recent Renewals
More Renewals…
Elliot Insurance Agency/State Farm
First Interstate Bank
InterWest Moving and Storage
J&H Inc.
KCMM Radio/The One
New Holland of Belgrade
Peace Lutheran Church
Prospera Business Network
R.O. Brooks Leather
Randall Fence Services, Inc.
Rise and Shine Café & Bakery
Rocky Mountain Credit
Rocky Mountain Credit Union
Rocky Mountain Timberlands
Scissorbills Beverage Catering
Security Title Company
Snap Fitness
Stone-Tek Recycled Granite
Susan Swimley, Attorney at Law
The Eagle 104.4, 105.7 and KSKY Country 106.9
Page 8 April 2017
Mother's Day Brunch at The Mint: Looking for something special to do for Mother’s Day? The Mint will be hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 14. The first seating will be from 10 am to noon, and the second one will be from noon to 2 pm. The buffet menu will feature a prime rib carving station, smoked salmon, bacon, and more. Tickets are available at the Belgrade Community Library and The Mint; 20% of the proceeds will go to the Belgrade Community Library Foundation. Tickets cost $19 for adults and $9 for kids (12 and under).
Member News
Do you have news to share? Submit your information to the Chamber office.
Saturday, May 20, has been designated as Belgrade Business Customer Apprecia-tion Day.
Take this opportunity to thank your loyal customers with specials, sales, or special events at your business.
George Hoffman from the Belgrade News will be doing a special tab for the day with great advertising opportuni-ties. The Chamber will have a full-page ad that lists all the events for the day. Rocky Mountain Supply will have their big Open House and lunch that day, so take ad-vantage of the crowd. For more information, contact the Chamber at 388-1616.
The 2017 Agriculture Appreciation Banquet
a Success!
The Gallatin Valley Agriculture Committee held their An-nual Ag Appreciation Banquet on March 17 at the GranTree Inn in Bozeman. It was a great evening!
The following awards were given that night:
Outstanding Senior Farmer/Rancher – Joe and Barb Axtell (Axtell Ranch)
Outstanding Junior Farmer/Rancher – Ty Kraft (Kraft Hay & Grain)
Service to Ag Award – Bill Jimmerson.
Thank you to all the sponsors and prize donors for their generous support. A big thank you to Jaime Jackson, Murdoch’s Ranch & Home, who has chaired the banquet for many years. She does a great job! Also thanks to her committee: Betty Dieter, Carrie Taylor, Jay Wil-liamson, and Brent Poppe. Next year’s banquet will be March 16.
The 2nd Annual “Business After Hours” Expo will be on Thursday, October 19, from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Belgrade.
The Expo was created for businesses that are un-able to hold a “Business After Hours” at their loca-tion. The cost for a table is $50 plus a door prize. You get to bring information about your business and hand out promotional items if you wish. The Chamber will take care of the food and drink.
If you have any questions or are interested in a table, please contact the Chamber at 388-1616. Space is limited!
April 2017 Page 9
Chamber Advertisers
Gallatin Gateway Community Center P.O. Box 329, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
For availability and rental rates, see our web-site: http://GallatinGatewayCommunityCenter.com or call 763-5156
Chamber Members
Are you looking for an easy and affordable way to advertise your business?
Contact the Chamber at 388-1616 if you’d like to see your ad here in every issue of the newsletter.
Chamber Members
Are you looking for an easy and affordable way to advertise your business?
Contact the Chamber at 388-1616 if you’d like to see your ad here in every issue of the newsletter.
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