Time to Start Thinking about Christmas (Yes, Really!)

In The Know

The Weekly Newsletter of The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce

June 23, 2017

Today's Featured Video

Is Being Busy Actually a Waste of Time?

It's a tale as old as time. We overload our schedules with "stuff" and "things" to do, and before we know it, we don't know where our days begin and when they end. In this week's video, author and speaker Isaiah Hankel explains why busyness can actually be counterproductive to achieving our personal and professional goals.

It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown?

This weekend marks six months out from Christmas.

Yes, yes, we know. Christmas is still six months away, but for many of our member businesses, the holiday season is the major event on their fiscal calendar. It never fails, though. The holidays always manage to sneak up on the average small business owner and often plans of organized and exciting marketing programs or special events aimed at boosting sales go by the wayside. Many will scramble simply to get their place of business decorated and shelves stocked and employee schedules in order.

This year, the Chamber is geared up to help jumpstart your yuletide planning and keep you on track by providing tips, information and easy-to-implement strategies to help maximize sales and improve customer satisfaction. Print them, post them at your business and/or distribute them to employees. By starting now, we can encourage local spending, promote our products and services and put local businesses in the best light possible this holiday season. Start here by downloading and printing this helpful checklist. A great place to start.

Need to change your business or organization's information in the Chamber database or on the website? Do you need to add an employee to our email list? Click here to submit a change of information form:

Member Information Update Form

Brad Hurtig Inspires at This Month's Safety Council

On Wednesday, June 21, motivational speaker and athlete Brad Hurtig spoke at the monthly luncheon of the Jefferson County Safety Council. Hurtig was a typical student-athlete in a small town in Northwest Ohio when, only days after finishing his sophomore year of high school, a devastating workplace accident resulted in the amputation of both of his hands.

Through hard work and determination, Brad soon rejoined his high school football team going on to lead the team's defense with a record 111 tackles and earn all-state honors his senior year - all while playing with no hands. Brad's inspirational story of triumph quickly captured national headlines.

On Wednesday, Brad used his incredible story to challenge and motivate luncheon attendees to find a way to not only achieve their personal goals, but to also protect their employees and colleagues by creating safe working environments in which accidents like he experienced rarely happen. To learn story, more about Brad's story, visit www.bradhurtig.com .

The next Safety Council Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 featuring speaker, Don Ogden, who will speak on how to foster a drug-free workplace. The Jefferson County Safety Council is co-sponsored by the Ohio Bureau of Workers Comp and helps members earn discounts and rebates on their premiums. For information on becoming a member, click here or contact the Chamber offices. The d eadline to join for the next "safety year" is July 31st.

Member Morsels

Remember to visit individual member websites by clicking on the business name or logo.

On Saturday, June 24, the Fort Steuben Summer Concert Series continues with a special performance by The United States Army Field Band: Jazz Ambassadors at 7 p.m. at the Berkman Amphitheater. The concert is free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the nation’s premier big band!

"Businesses Out For Blood" is back again this year. The Chamber will once again partner with the local chapter of the American Red Cross to host a blood drive on Friday, August 18th at the YWCA in downtown Steubenville. Challenge your employees or other local businesses to come out and give blood and help critically low levels that are common during the summer months. To get involved, volunteer or become a sponsor, contact the Chamber offices.

Get your fresh produce each week through the summer at one of Steubenville’s great farmers markets:

* The Farmers’ Gateway Market runs Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the EGCC Parking Area off John Scott Highway. For more information, contact the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District at 740-264-9742 or visit their website.

* The downtown Steubenville Market will be held on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at South & S. 4th Street. Contact the Steubenville & Jefferson County Visitors Center at 740-283-4935 or visit their website.

Market Street "Milers" Exceed 200 Miles!

Congratulations to this month's "Market Street Mile" winners from Capital Recovery Systems in Steubenville. Sean Ragusa, Frank Secosky and John Boich all received a Riesbeck's gift card for logging the most miles. Our walkers have now logged over 200 total miles since the program began in April. And there's still time to participate. Just stop by the Chamber offices during business hours, sign in and log your walk after. There are snacks and bottled water on hand and you'll get a "Market Street Mile" t-shirt compliments of Capital Recovery Systems. And kudos to the ladies from the Jefferson County Board of Elections for their participation and for helping kick off this great program.

Brown Bag Lunch Series

Thursday, June 29

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Come at 11:30 a.m. to eat and/or mingle.

Topic: "Using Your iPhone & iPad as an Efficient Business Tool"
Sponsored by AT&T on Sunset

Chamber Offices, 630 Market Street, Steubenville

$5 per person. No RSVP required.

More info can be found here .

Small Business Start-Up Class

Wednesday, August 9

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Jefferson County Chamber Offices

630 Market Street, Steubenville

$30 Chamber Members

$ 40 Non-Chamber Members

Please use rear entrance; RSVP by clicking here .

Jefferson County Safety Council

"Lunch 'N Learn"

Wednesday, July 19

Registration/Lunch: 11:30 a.m.

Presentation: 12 p.m.

Speaker: Don Ogden - "Drug-Free Work Place"

Hellenic Hall at
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
300 South 4th Street, Steubenville
$15 per person; RSVP by clicking here.

SAVE THE DATE!

American Red Cross Training Class

Wednesday, October 4, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Reservations can be made by clicking here .

To RSVP or get more information on any Chamber event, please visit the Chamber website and click on the event you wish to view on the scrolling event calendar.

Download the complete June 2017 Chamber Calendar by clicking below:

June 2017 Chamber Calendar

Around the State. Around the Country.

U p-to-Date Information from the Ohio and United States Chamber of Commerce

MYTHBUSTER: The Opioid Epidemic is Not Affecting My Population

We know employers and other health care purchasers have a lot on their minds. The cost of specialty pharmaceuticals seems ever increasing and the new political health care environment is distracting, along with other issues. But one of the most pressing issues that some employers may not yet have focused on is the opioid epidemic.

The epidemic can have a huge impact on an organization. According to a survey by NORC at the University of Chicago, the National Safety Council and Shatterproof, employees who misuse pain medication miss 3 times more work than their peers. This is significant given that the cost of missed work can range from $187 to $3,941 per employee annually. Furthermore, employees with untreated or active substance use disorders had a turnover rate of 36%, about 10% higher than the turnover rate of the general workforce.

Read the article in its entirety by clicking here.

Mid-Sized Companies Keep Loving this Economy

Mid-sized companies continue to like the Trump economy. The second quarter Middle Market Index (MMBI), a partnership of RSM US and the U.S. Chamber, hit a new high of 132.1, up 2.3 points since the first quarter . A score above 100 means the middle market is expanding.

Fifty-five percent of those surveyed saw an improvement in the economy, and 62% expect improvement over next six months, down slightly from 69% in the first quarter.

“It’s encouraging to see the MMBI hit another record-high because stronger, faster economic growth is good for every American business and every worker," said Tom Sullivan, U.S. Chamber vice president.

Read the article in its entirety by clicking here.

The Library Link
Great Books About Business With Just A Click

Your link to success begins at the library. Each week in "In The Know,"

The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County will directly connect

you to a business book or magazine that will inspire, teach, inform, or elevate you, professionally and personally. This week's book is:

The E-Myth Revisited:

Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

by Michael E. Gerber

Small business consultant and author Michael E. Gerber, with sharp insight gained from years of experience, points out how common assumptions, expectations, and even technical expertise can get in the way of running a successful business.

View or download the book by clicking here .

Today In History

- June 23, 1868 -

Christopher Latham Sholes successfully attained a patent for the typewriter. He and a friend had previously been granted a patent for a page-numbering machine in 1864, but a fellow inventor suggested that it also had potential as a letter-printing machine. Sholes sold his typewriter patent rights to the Remington Arms Company in 1873 for $12,000, and it was branded the Remington Typewriter. For more information on Sholes, check out this article.

- 10,000 -

The number of gyros made and sold at this year's Holy Trinity Greek Festival in downtown Steubenville. Thousands of people attended this annual event enjoying music, great food, dancing and street vendors.