Chamber hears about pillars of success

A program on the “Four Pillars of Success” for businesses highlighted the final meeting of the year for the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce.

Presented by business coach, Earl O’Kuly of Brownstown, last Wednesday’s program focused on the four elements of a successful business:
• The bottom line. “It’s all about making money. Have a marketing plan, and then think outside the box. Your job is to look for opportunities.”
• Customers. “You must take care of your customers – wowing and wooing them.”
• Employees. “They need to feel good about where they work. Your customers want to deal with positive employees; negative people hurt your business.”
• Internal structure. “Study how you interact with your customers. Find ways to give them the best service. Do things differently than you always have done them. Don’t make excuses – get results.”
“What you focus on is what will make a difference,” O’Kuly said. “Make 2014 your best year!”
In addition to the program, the following action was taken:
Chamber President Greg Starnes announced that the Chamber Bucks program will be reintroduced in 2014.
He also announced that ProFab Metals of Bluff City is a new member of the chamber. The company does welding, fabrication and repairs.
Shannon Craycroft, executive director of the chamber, told members that membership renewal packets were sent out in late November. Three new levels of membership were introduced: silver, gold and platinum.
She also noted that the chamber’s annual banquet is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23. Abe Awards will be announced at the banquet, and next year’s officers will be installed.
And finally, Craycroft announced that a Business After Hours reception will be held Thursday, Dec. 19, from 5-7 p.m. at the WPMB/WKRV radio station.
Secretary June Mahon reported that 25 visitors representing five states stopped at the Tourist Information Center during November.
 

Earl O’Kuly was the speaker at last week’s monthly meeting of the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce. He spoke about the ‘Four Pillars of Success’ for businesses. In that presentation, he urged businesses to pay attention to the bottom line, their customers, their employees and their business’s structure.