September
2007 Newsletter
1.
From the Chair: Your feedback is important to the Alliance
Public
Policy
2. Alliance supports recycling growth
3. Input sought on Airport Futures
Membership
4. Study shows consumers trust chamber members
more
5. Be a part of Business Images 2008
Alliance
Events
6. September Forum: Boomer and Workforce Bust!
7. Business Leadership Evening, Nov. 7
Our
Members' Events
8. Forum focuses on sustainable industries
Member
News
9. New Leadership Oregon to celebrate women
leaders
10. POVA looks for volunteers
11. Ride Connection awarded grant from Spirit
Mountain Community Fund
12. Looking for continuing education credits?
Real estate brokers, CPAs... check out this series being offered
by the MBA
13. September Fitness Tip: Make time to
feel good
14. Upcoming Meetings
1. From
the Chair: Your feedback is important to the Alliance
By
Sam Brooks, Chair, Alliance Board of Directors
As a business
owner, I know that the listening to people is one of my most
important duties. Listening to my customers, employees and
peers makes me a better businessperson and helps my business
grow. We at the Alliance also understand the value of listening
to you, our members, and using your feedback to not only improve
the area's business climate but also assist you with the specific
issues you are most concerned about.
In the
next several months, we will be reaching out to you and seeking
your thoughts on what impacts your business. One of the ways
we will hope to hear from you is through a series of meetings
I will host with other business organizations and community
groups throughout the Portland area. If you or your organization
would like to participate and share your thoughts with me,
please contact the Alliance.
The second
way we will collect feedback is through the annual membership
survey, which you will receive later this month via e-mail.
We rely greatly on the honest suggestions and direction given
by you. Responses from the membership survey will help guide
our programming and communication tools to better serve your
needs.
This member
survey also supports one of the most important services that
we provide - advocating for policies that enhance the local
business climate and provide opportunities for your company's
growth. The survey will help identify those issues that impact
your business and will shape this year's legislative priorities
at the federal, state and local levels.
We are
here and ready to listen to you so take a few minutes to fill
out the membership survey and look for me at an upcoming meeting
in your neighborhood.
Back
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PUBLIC
POLICY
2. Alliance
supports recycling growth
Portland
is becoming known nationally and internationally for the number
of companies that are adopting sustainable business practices
such as recycling. Long a leader in the field, Portland has
one of the highest recycling rates in the country at 63 percent.
Many businesses in the region are finding that sustainable
practices such as recycling aren't just feel good measures,
but a characteristic that differentiates them from the competition
and attracts customers.
The City
of Portland is in the process of developing a new recycling
plan that would increase the required level of recycling,
currently 50 percent, to 75 percent by 2015. The Alliance
supports the goal of increasing recycling for both residential
and commercial customers and is encouraging the city to take
an approach that builds on the success a growing number of
Portland area businesses have had in increasing their recycling
rates. The city's Blue Works program, Portland Recycles! and
Portland Composts! programs managed by the Office of Sustainable
Development offer education, marketing and technical assistance
to help businesses achieve higher recycling levels.
One of
the issues considered in the plan was whether to franchise
commercial garbage service in the city. Currently, commercial
customers in Portland have a choice of which waste hauler
they want to use. This customer choice is critical to keeping
service quality high and prices reasonable. The Alliance supports
continuing this market-based, customer friendly approach to
commercial waste hauling in Portland as the best way to ensure
efficient and cost-effective service. Franchising remains
an option that council will consider in the coming weeks.
The city's
plan identifies three areas where recycling can be significantly
improved: paper, food scraps and construction waste. The Alliance
has urged the city to set recycling targets for these three
areas that are achievable and recognize that each business
faces unique challenges in terms of space, product or service
and cost. A number of businesses have had success in dramatically
increasing their recycling of these three items and believe
the city can achieve even greater success through more technical
assistance, education and marketing.
Finally,
Commissioner Sam Adams has asked city staff to explore how
business incentives could be used to increase the level of
recycling in the city. The Alliance fully supports an incentive-based
approach and are encouraging staff to fully explore this avenue
for achieving our collective goal of increasing recycling
rates and increasing the sustainability of our community.
Those
who are interested in learning more about the Portland Recycles!
plan can call RJ Cervantes at 503.552.6772.
3. Input
sought on Airport Futures
Airport
Futures is a collaborative effort between the City of Portland,
Port of Portland, and the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan
communities to create a long-range development plan for Portland
International Airport (PDX). The kick-off of the planning
process is October 9 with the first formal meeting of a Planning
Advisory Group, a group composed of a broad array of stakeholders.
Project
staff and the Planning Advisory Group want to reach key stakeholders
to ensure all perspectives are heard in the joint planning
process, which has six milestones. The City-Port project team
created a Web
site to provide information on the project and gather
input into the planning process at each of the key project
milestones. An online survey is available online. Please take
a few minutes to browse the Web site and complete the survey.
If you
are interested in having the project team come to your organization's
next meeting, please contact Jay Sugnet at 503.823.5869 or
Lise Glancy at 503.460.4018.
Back
to the top
MEMBERSHIP
4. Study
shows consumers trust chamber members more
One of
the toughest challenges a business - especially a small business
- can face is establishing credibility with new customers
or clients.
Alliance
membership is one of the best ways for businesses to communicate
its good business practices, community involvement, customer
service and sound reputation, according to a new study commissioned
by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).
According
to the study, consumers are 44 percent more likely to think
favorably of a small business and 63 percent more likely to
purchase goods or services from that company if they know
that it belongs to the local chamber of commerce.
If a company
shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber, consumers
are 12 percent more likely to think that its products stack
up better against the competition.
The report
stressed that consumers need to be aware that the small
business is involved with its local chamber in order for the
benefits to emerge.
The ACCE
report also found that chamber membership increased the public
perception of large and chain businesses as well.
For the
complete results of the study, go to www.acce.org.
5. Be
a part of Business Images 2008
 This
year's edition of the Alliance's new publication, Business
Images of the Portland Region, showcased the best
of the Portland area through its people, places and businesses.
The magazine has been widely distributed, and is being used
as a relocation and recruitment tool by many organizations.
The Portland
region is a rising star in the national media because of the
area's vibrant economy, innovative practices, commitment to
sustainability, and progressive culture. Your business is
part of what makes this region shine. Make sure you are represented
in next year's edition of Business Images by reserving
ad space this fall.
More than
12,500 copies of the magazine will be distributed through
the Alliance and key local businesses. Alliance members will
have the opportunity to reserve advertising space soon. Sales
Representative Andrea Joiner will be in touch with members
about opportunities to be included in this indispensable economic
development tool beginning in October.
Back
to the top
EVENTS
6. September
Forum: Boomer and Workforce Bust!
September
19, 7:30 a.m.
Governor Hotel, 614 SW 11th Avenue
As
the current workforce ages who will replace retiring workers?
Participate in a discussion of current workforce trends including
the aging of today's workers, immigration, and the increasing
need for education and technical training. How can businesses,
educational institutions and government collaborate and prepare
the region for these challenges?
Speakers:
Preston Pulliams, President, Portland Community College
Chandra Brown, Vice President, Oregon Iron Works
Andrew McGough, Executive Director, Worksystems, Inc.
Event
Sponsor: Worksystems,
Inc.
2007
Series Sponsors: Liberty
Northwest and Portland
Tribune
7.
Business Leadership Evening
November 7, 6 p.m.
Governor Hotel, 614 SW 11th Avenue
The
Portland Business Alliance Business Leadership Evening celebrates
leadership in the business community and provides a quality
networking opportunity. The evening keynote speaker will be
Ken Thrasher, Chairman and CEO of Compli. In the spirit
of the event, Ken will share his experiences in corporate
community investment and leading business and community initiatives.
The
evening also includes the presentation of the William S. Naito
Outstanding Service Award to Peggy Fowler, President
and CEO of PGE. The award recognizes exceptional leadership
and service to the business community and is named in honor
of the late Bill Naito, whose work over a lifetime exemplified
the values that the Alliance recognizes through this award.
The
event will also feature the next installment of Distinguishing
Portland, showcasing local companies' community involvement.
Back
to the top
OUR
MEMBERS' EVENTS
8. Forum
focuses on sustainable industries
September
25, 2007
Governor Hotel, 614 SW 11th Avenue
The Alliance
has teamed up with Sustainable Industries Journal to
host Portland's top business leaders for the third annual
Sustainable Industries Economic Forum, a breakfast panel discussion
and networking event. For more information, visit www.sustainableindustries.com/forums.
Back
to the top
MEMBER
NEWS
9. New
Leadership Oregon to celebrate women leaders
New Leadership™
Oregon (NLO) believes that learning can inspire the values
and strategies of effective leadership. In its fifth year,
NLO provides leadership training for Oregon college women
in the form of a weeklong intensive program on the campus
of Portland State University, as well as day courses held
on college campuses around the state.
Spawned
by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University,
NLO is part of a national network of women leaders, and has
been supported by the Hatfield School of Government and the
College of Urban and Public Affairs at PSU, as well as individual
contributors in its early years. Now, the nonpartisan NLO
Board of Advisors is hosting a special event celebrating women
leaders on October 23, 2007, the "Line Up for Leadership"
luncheon at the Portland Museum of Art.
Sponsorship
opportunities are available. Contact Carol Robinson 503.226.7870,
carpdx@gmail.com or
Trish Hamilton 503.725.5209, thamilton@pdx.edu
for more information. Proceeds from this event will help establish
a scholarship fund for New Leadership™ Oregon students.
10. POVA
looks for volunteers
If you
know and love Portland, the perfect volunteer opportunity
awaits you with the Visitor Information Center located in
Pioneer Courthouse Square. This is a chance for you to share
your knowledge and passion for Portland's sites, history and
culture, while also learning more through ongoing training
programs, newsletter updates and educational site tours covering
area attractions, hotels, restaurants and events. If you are
interested in volunteering, please complete a volunteer
interest form or call 503.275.9767
11. Ride
Connection awarded grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund
In August,
Alliance member Ride Connection was awarded a $50,000 grant
from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund and the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde to be applied to transportation and
mobility solutions in rural and Western Washington County.
For more information, visit www.rideconnection.org.
12. Looking
for continuing education credits? Real estate brokers, CPAs...
check out this series offered by the MBA
The Multnomah
Bar Association presents a nine-part series entitled "The
Fundamentals of Real Estate and Land Use Law." The series
runs weekly from September 18 through November 14, from 12
to 1 p.m. The complete nine-part series is discounted to $95
for Alliance members (or $20 per individual seminar).
For more information on the seminar topics and information
on how to register, click
here.
13. September
Fitness Tip: Back-to-school, Back to YOU!
by Sherri
McMillan, Northwest Personal Training & Fitness Education
Summer
is winding down, kids are back to school and you're probably
ready to get back into or start a routine. There's no better
time than now to commit to YOU and make your health
and fitness a priority. It will positively impact all areas
of your life - including your business success. It's hard
to be great when you don't feel great. Here are some simple
and effective ways to get started in a routine.
- Hire
a personal trainer if even for just a few sessions to help
design a program that fits your goals, interests and life
schedule and to provide you with the accountability that
most people need.
- Recruit
a buddy, family member or co-worker to workout with - it
will make it more enjoyable and you'll be less likely to
skip workouts because someone is counting on you.
- Treat
your fitness initiatives like a project manager would tackle
an important event. Figure out what the ideal outcome is
and then work backwards establishing goals, action steps
and time lines to ensure you achieve the results you desire.
- Register
and pay for a fitness event like a 5km fun run or biking
event. This will provide you the commitment and put purpose
behind each of your workouts making it easier to stick with
it.
- Go
and buy some new fitness gear or cross-trainers. For whatever
reason this often motivates people to move their bodies.
- If
working out after work, be sure to put your exercise gear
in the car so you don't have to go home first to get dressed.
That detour will often result in a failed attempt as the
couch and TV lures you to relax after a long day.
- If
you've got kids, rearrange your schedule so you can workout
during your lunch and therefore, not interfere with quality
family time.
- Schedule
all your workouts into your day-planner. You'll be more
likely to stick with it if it's written down.
Sherri
and Alex McMillan own Northwest Personal Training & Fitness
Education and have been in the fitness industry for more than
18 years. They were recently awarded the 2006 IDEA International
Fitness Directors of the Year. Visit their web site at
www.nwpersonaltraining.com.
Back
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14.
Upcoming Meetings
Sept.
14, President's Council, noon
Sept. 18, Cornerstones for Success Committee, 3:30
pm
Sept. 25, Public Safety Sub-Committee, 8 am
Sept. 26, Government Relations Committee, 7:30 am
Sept. 26, Small Business Council, 3 pm
Sept. 28, Sustainability Committee, 2 pm
Oct. 3, Central City Standing Committee, noon
Oct. 9, Transportation Committee, noon
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