Grandpa Doesn't Know Everything!

by Jim Wright

It’s great being a grandpa!  There are many reasons I say this, some I have covered in previous articles, but one that makes a grandparent feel particularly good is often times grandkids think we know everything.  They ask why so often, and more times than not, a good grandparent will have an answer for them.  To our grandkids we are the best resource for knowledge in their lives to date.

The other day I was having a talk with Dave Burlis, the Chamber’s Chairman of the education committee.  Dave, along with his wife Marianne, own Express Employment Professionals.  As we discussed future speakers for the Chambers luncheons and Marketing Mondays’, we looked back at the speakers we have heard from through April of this year.  Do you know we have had nationally/internationally known speakers and authorities on a variety of issues, and the cost for members to hear those speakers was nada? 

After taking a look at seminars throughout the country, I found prices to hear the quality of speakers the Chamber heard from this year could have cost between $350 to over $500.  And this does not include the time spent during our six week boot camp on legal issues which would have cost each attendee over $150 per hour in attorney’s fees.

Throughout the first 5 months of Marketing Monday this year we have heard from Bill Ellis, Branding for Results, Brian Walsh and Jackie Duty, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, Lindsey Matush, Trinity Wealth Advisors, Chris Westmeyer, TrafficFlow SEO, and Aprille Trupiano, Consultant.  They taught us how to improve our branding, standard and guerilla marketing techniques, how to improve our search engine optimization, and ways to thrive in today’s economy.  Each topic had been brought up by members to Dave and I during informal conversations as subjects they would like to know more about. 

During our luncheons Iris Salsman, I. Salsman P.R. taught members how to differentiate themselves from the competition; Ameren U.E. showed us ways to save money by becoming more sustainable; Jack Smalley, Express Employment Professionals (and an international speaker) told members how to take on the five most dangerous threats companies face post recession; and this month Susan Solovic with SBTV will speak teach us how businesses must adapt to the challenges of the new economy.  Solovic is a sought-after keynote speaker having spoken to approximately half a million small business owners worldwide. As a small business contributor for ABC News, her segment “Minding Your Business with Susan Solovic” airs weekly on the network’s “Money Matters” show. Her popular radio show, “It’s Your Biz with Susan Solovic” airs in multiple markets around the country.

Additionally, the Chamber has taken on educational responsibility by providing Business Boot Camps which included six attorney’s, six financial experts, and a has just begun providing six experts on technology as teachers.  Most of these speakers are Chamber members who find pleasure in sharing their area of expertise with those wanting to learn. 

Other educational opportunities include the Chamber’s commitment to Small Business Week.  Each educational opportunity is sponsored by a Chamber member so members do not have to pay.  Express Employment Professionals sponsor Small Business Week; Des Peres Hospital sponsors Marketing Monday; American Eagle Credit Union, Stream Benefits Group and Wal-Mart sponsor Business Boot Camp; Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help sponsors our Green initiative; Eagle Bank and Trust sponsors Eggs and Issues and each month individual members sponsor our luncheons to bring you quality speaker educators.

The Kirkwood - Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is committed to answer member questions regarding how to become better businesspersons.  Member opportunities to learn are – as far as I know – unequalled in any chamber throughout the area. 

I must admit when answering the grandkids questions I sometimes call upon my imagination to answer them because I simply do not know the correct answer, only the theory behind it. The Chamber solicits only quality speakers to present to our members.  If you are not taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the Kirkwood - Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce, you’re missing out.  That is why the Chamber staff, board of directors, and sponsors look forward to seeing you at more educational events. We are here as a resource to enhance your business knowledge