P.O. Box 1117 | Foley, Alabama 36536 | tel: 251.943.3291 | fax: 251.943.6810 | www.southbaldwinchamber.com

The Newsletter BBQ & Blues Cook Off

BBQ & Blues

Cook Off

The annual BBQ & Blues Cook-off started in 2009

as one of the South Baldwin Chamber

Foundation’s (SBCF) biggest fundraiser. It is an

outdoor food and music event held in Downtown Foley’s Heritage Park the

second Saturday of March. An Alabama

Barbecue Association Trail and Kansas City

Barbeque Society sanctioned event, the

barbecue cook-off attracts both corporate

and individual teams competing for bragging rights in several award

categories. Festival goers enjoy great food, popular

blues bands, children’s activities, and a raffle.

Thanks to the generosity of event sponsors and

volunteers, the impact on our community and

schools increases each year. All proceeds support the SBCF.

“Students in our schools today are the workforce

of tomorrow and the future leaders of our

community. By support-ing the efforts of the

South Baldwin Chamber Foundation, you help lay

the foundation for our future.”

The SBCF is proud to host the annual Foley BBQ and

Blues Cook Off in partnership with the City

of Foley and presenting sponsor, RiverView Turf.

FOR LOCAL COMMUNITES Cover Story . . .

DIPLOMAT OF THE MONTH February 2020

HOW ALL EVENTS CAN BE ‘BENEFIT’ EVENTS

Bringing communities together Involvement and engagement are key to the success of any event and an organized event, whether high profile or low key, can certainly bring the local community together, if only by the fact of offering a venue and central focus for activities, but usually much more. Whatever the type of event or purpose in running it, an event can help to facilitate local awareness, act as a vehicle or starting point for involvement or change or, just as a corporate event aims to build a team, a community event can literally help to build community spirit. An event which has a specific ‘community’ addition, such as

sending out free invitations to locals or having a ‘locals only’ session can also really help to get the community together and engaged in the wider purposes of the event. Raising the profile of the area It only takes one or two large events (which don’t have to be sports based either) taking place consistently in a community events calendar, to put a town, city or region firmly on the map. Once this happens, with or without long-term investment into the event itself, wider economic benefits ripple through the area: from retailers, hoteliers, pubs and restaurants to local cultural venues which enjoy an uptake in visitors and can even result in additional local jobs, especially if the event is large and well-known enough. Even if the event is relatively small, if it’s regularly held, it can still have an impact on the profile of the area. Through giving back A big event can of course present a bit of a headache to local communities, from traffic congestion and parking nightmares to possible additional noise – for every positive impact, there’s bound to be something which affects local life in something of a negative way. This is something which event holders, particularly those major ones, are aware of and keen to redress, by giving back to the local communities with (continued on pg.2)

Although events which aim to raise

funds are usually known as ‘benefit’

events, the fact is that any type of

event could offer benefits to the

communities around the area. So,

how does that work – and why?

EVENT ACADEMY.COM | 2017

Highlight YOUR Business! AD SPACE AVAILABLE • Full / Half / Business Card Size • All the latest issues online!

For more information contact Lori @ 251.943.5510 or lori@mylocalchamber.net

(continued from pg.1) charitable donations and works. Small event, big impact Even small group events like corporate away-days and team-building activities can benefit communities in ways which are often surprising to participants. Small events held at independent venues often support small, independent businesses in the process, for example the venue itself, pubs, local cafés involved in catering and refreshments, as well as local campsites, B&Bs or hotels, if the event involves an overnighter! Team events such as a group volunteering day can also support charities. This is particularly beneficial to conservation charities which depend on many hands to make lighter work of conservation projects. Clearing, coppicing and building challenges can add a real sense of wider purpose, friendly competition, fun and often mud, to a team-building day! Not only does this type of event benefit the charity or nature trust by supplying the team, it can also save them valuable resources by offering a cohort of ‘volunteers’ together at the same time to complete a whole project in a day, rather than the trust having to wait for it to be completed over weeks by just a handful of irregular help. Finally, whether an event is large or small, it can have a real purpose in raising community-wide awareness about local issues. Take those smaller team-building days which involve charitable or conservation volunteering, for example. Such events help to raise participant awareness of the existence of local charities and the struggles some charitable and conservation trusts endure, as well as the aims they have. This strand of event education offers the additional benefit of encouraging participants not to just involve themselves in the event, but also in their community, a real long-term benefit.

Kenny Kline

inc.com

Super-fast growth requires business owners to be extra careful, or they can bankrupt their startup by mismanaging cash flow; by being inefficient; and by not keeping up with ever-increasing costs and overhead. Some entrepreneurs sacrifice profitability, deliver subpar products and services, cut back on 24/7 customer support, or can't build an infrastructure fast enough to keep up with demand. There are other risks. Inability to collect receivables or losing a big client reflect the many risks of scaling. Unlike global companies, a startup's revenue stream is concentrated. Other operational risks reside in a few failure points, especially those that significantly affect cash flow. Half of small businesses fail after 5 years, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. Family and friends of an entrepreneur often think that only slow sales threatens a startup's existence. But so too does scaling operations too quickly. A founder often won't have enough cash to buy larger inventory levels, or may not have the skills to forecast cash requirements for the next few months. Debt might also run amok. Yet, creditors and bill collectors are always demanding to get paid. Here are 4 things entrepreneurs must do to manage unexpectedly fast growth. . .

1. Scale Talent and Build Infrastructure

Extreme growth makes hiring talent

a critical success factor. A founder gets overwhelmed at day-to-day tasks, and he/she must quickly hire new managers and employees who cover his weaknesses and bring skills needed to run a larger organization. An expanding venture must also remain operationally efficient to prevent bloated costs and keep cash flow ahead of the curve. It can feel like constantly swimming to keep your head above water while a turbulent tide rises fast. Major issues in inventory management, customer support or working capital (like collecting receivables) could bankrupt a firm. A growth business needs more cash flow to keep up with ever-increasing expenses. Thus, a finance manager or CPA must forecast cash flow, and also keep an eye on profitability. A scaling venture that sacrifices profitability can risk going under without financing from the founder, investor or a bank (through a line of credit).

2. Delegate Relentlessly

"I invested a lot of time and resources to hiring and training talent," says Kevin Zhang, an entrepreneur who grew a successful ecommerce business in just one year. He says scaling at a fast pace requires extreme delegation, which is only possible if your employees know their job. Zhang says, "I automate nearly everything I have to do so that I actually don't spend much time in the day-to-day operations. This has allowed me to concentrate my time on growth and new opportunities." […] Time is fixed: There's only 24 hours in a day. Entrepreneurs must

obsessively free up their time and pursue activities only they can accomplish or which adds the most value. Employees must do their jobs and not assign tasks to their bosses. Non-critical activities cannot monopolize a CEO's attention.

3. Focus on Big Opportunities

A founder who delegates effectively can focus on big, mass-market opportunities that can significantly move the needle. For that to happen, the right talent must be hired and retained for the right roles. New employees must be trained on systems and processes. That enables the business to continue to offer high quality merchandise and service that grew the company in the first place. Proper training prevents employee burnout, and avoids unnecessary mistakes that damage customer relationships. […]

4. Concentrate on the Customer

Experience While unexpected and rapid growth might be what entrepreneur's dreams are made of, the customer experience should not be sacrificed in the process. The customer experience must remain central to a company's mission and should not be taken for granted. This is especially true if your customers are used to a high level of customer care. If you get so busy that call wait times soar and the individualized attention plummets, you run the risk of turning away even your most loyal customers. […] Implementing social media polls or distributing feedback surveys are great ways to take the temperature of your customer base's level of satisfaction. These can also help highlight ways in which the customer experience might be suffering as a result of your growth so you can adapt accordingly.

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YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP SIGNING DAY APRIL 17, 2020 — Location: Perdido Beach Resort

To sign up, check us out online at southbaldwinchamber.com/

The Gateway Training Academy has kicked off 2020 with

healthy attendance, useful topics, and positive feedback.

Through partnership with local business professionals and

regional training experts the Gateway Initiative team has

offered the following:

The following classes are scheduled and enrollment is open for Gateway Initiative investor

businesses (for free and reduced rates):

3/20: Auburn University | Emotional Intelligence

4/6: Gateway to Great Customer Service

4/10: Auburn University | Conflict & Difficult Conversations

4/14: Gateway to Great Customer Service

4/21: AIDT Leadership Development II

4/27: Gateway to Great Customer Service

5/7: AIDT Leadership Development II

To Enroll Visit http://bit.ly/GatewayT411

AIDT Leadership Skills I : 12 attendees

Auburn University | DISC Assessment : 6 attendees

Auburn University | Servant Leadership : 20 attendees

Gateway to Great Customer Service : 57 attendees &

21 scheduled enrollees

BENSON’S APPLIANCE CENTER located in Foley, Alabama, has been serving

residents and businesses in the Baldwin County area since 1973. As the

largest appliance store in Baldwin County, Benson’s Appliance Center car-

ries the latest appliances and offers a huge selection to choose from; in-

cluding refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers and dryers, and more,

in their spacious showroom. Specializing in service, sales, and repair of all

major brands of appliances, their technicians are highly trained profes-

sionals that get the job done. Benson's Appliance Center is family-owned

and operated with a reputation based on quality, speedy service, and

affordability. "We appreciate your business! Come by and see us or give us

a call at 251-943-5096 .”

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

CENSUS 2020: MAKE SURE YOU ARE COUNTED It happens every 10 years, but state officials say this year’s census is the most important one in which Alabamians have participated. The results will determine if our state will lose billions in federal dollars for children, schools, health care, rural development programs and community programs important to rural areas, all of which are tied to census data. Alabamians may complete the form in one of three ways:

1. Online via computer or smart phone. 2. Calling a toll-free number and talking with a U.S. Census Bureau

employee. 3. Calling a toll-free number and requesting a traditional paper form.

All households across the country will receive information about how to respond in 12 non-English languages.

501 N. McKenzie Street, Foley AL

bensonsappliancecenter.com

CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES

www.HospitalCompare.gov

By Stephen Key Co-Founder of inventRight; Author of One Simple Idea Series

HOW DO YOU BUILD TRUST?

In business, much like life, your relationships are everything,

and the foundation of any good relationship is trust. I’ve

learned that while establishing a foundation of trust takes

time, it can be demolished in just a couple of minutes. Looking

back on my career as an entrepreneur, it’s obvious that the

success I’ve experienced was with people I trusted. You can

only get so far by yourself. To truly reach the heights you

dream of, you will need a team of other people supporting

you.

So, how do you build that trust? It’s simple: By telling the

truth. That’s going to be uncomfortable sometimes, but I know

from experience that when you lead with honesty, things tend

to work out in the end. Uncomfortable situations are actually

opportunities to build trust. Don’t shy away from them; use

them to shine instead.

Commit to these three actions, and watch your

relationships flourish.

1. Be honest about missed appointments This happened to me recently. I was looking forward to

interviewing someone I follow on LinkedIn. This person

canceled on me several times, including at the last minute,

which is honestly not a big deal. But later, I found out on the

internet why I got bumped. This person had a bigger and better

opportunity that would deliver them financial rewards quickly.

I can accept that; it’s just business. In fact, I respect that. It was

the way the situation was handled — that I was canceled on

again with no explanation — that caused distrust. I won’t

waste any more of my time trying to establish a relationship

with this person.

2. Own up to your mistakes Recently, an acquaintance sent out an email that they had

copied more than 250 people on. Whoa! This is a 21st century

faux pas. Some people were upset that their email address had

been so carelessly shared, and a few were very vocal about

their displeasure. This person’s response was, “My assistant

did it.” Big mistake. It is always a poor choice to throw

someone else under the bus. Accept responsibility for your

actions, and quickly. That’s how you establish trust.

Mistakes are universal and, to an extent, unavoidable. They

happen all the time. We all understand that. It’s how you

respond to them that matters in the eyes of others.

3. Be forthright about your motives Today, my invention-coaching company has more than 20

employees. I never expected that, but this is what I’ve learned:

Employees come and employees go. This is normal. Good

managers want their employees to grow as individuals. In my

opinion, that includes teaching them how to leave you and

move on. This way, you’re looking after their best interests. It

sounds a little crazy, but there isn’t a better way of

establishing a successful long-term relationship.

When you decide it’s time to leave and move on

from your current employment, be willing to

explain why. Your boss will appreciate it, and in

doing so, you maintain the possibility of working

together in the future.

Here’s another example that comes to

mind: Let’s say there are multiple companies

interested in licensing your product idea. This is an

ideal scenario for a product developer, but also a

tricky one. Everyone wants to get the best deal, but

there are benefits in taking the long view.

Please realize, these companies are spending their time

and money testing your product. They don’t want to discover,

later on, that you have accepted another offer. If you don’t

handle this scenario respectfully, you will erase any trust

you've begun to build. The best approach is to be honest and

tell each party that there is interest from other companies. In

doing so, you give them the opportunity to move forward

more quickly — or walk away. No one likes surprises. When

you give someone the opportunity to make a decision, that

establishes trust.

Last month, I published a new book to help inventors

commercialize their inventions. Interviewing nearly 30 experts

across 17 different industries helped me better understand

how inventors can become more successful licensing their

product ideas. Over and over again, these experts told me,

“We want to build a relationship — a relationship where we

can trust one another.”

IT’S SIMPLE: TELL THE TRUTH GROWTH STRATEGIES

ENTREPRENEUR.COM Uncomfortable situations are actually opportunities

MAR 20

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MAR 14

LOCATION: Homecare Companions & Others

TIME: 5:00p - 7:00p

LOCATION: Foley Heritage Park

TIME: 10:00a - Awards @ 4:30p

LOCATION: Craft Farms—Gulf Shores

TIME: Noon Shotgun Start

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

Visit SouthBaldwinChamber.com for t ickets and information.

Find Us Online:

MAR 16 LOCATION: Foley Civic Center

TIME: 11:30a - 1:00p

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SPEAKER: BRADLEY BYRNE

LEADERSHIP SERIES LUNCHEON

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