The Chamber Lady

Looking for a place to eat or someone to clean your carpets locally?  No worries!  The Economic Development office recently completed the finishing touches on their new online goods and services directory.  This search function can be accessed through the city’s website afcity.org and the economic development page.   The link is http://afcity.org/ForBusiness/BusinessDirectorySearch/tabid/654/Default.aspx.  This directory lists all of the current business licenses and has been sorted by category of business and then type.   For example,  under the food category you’d find different types of restaurants ie. Mexican, Chinese, American.  The listing includes name, address, and phone. 

The city wrote a marketing grant from the Economic Development Corporation of Utah and was awarded $2,500 in matching funds to design and produce this directory and campaign.  A printed buck slip “Shop Local” was inserted in the November utility’s bills

Its important that citizens shop local were possible. According to Steve Densley, Utah Valley Chamber Executive, “Shopping at locally owned businesses puts three times the dollars into our economy. A landmark study found that of $100 dollars spent at a local business, $45 dollars stays in the community. Shop elsewhere, and those dollars go to support someone else’s community. It supports their schools, parks, roads, public safety, and their local job creation. If you want to help your community and your friends and neighbors keep their jobs, then you should think twice about shopping outside the area.

You can save time, transportation and shipping costs, and customer service is the number one competitive strategy for local retailers. They tailor their inventory to meet the needs of local customers. They are often willing to order items not in stock. Local business owners know their customers and often by their first names.

Some great reasons to shop locally are that significantly more money recirculates within our valley especially since local companies usually buy from other local companies. Nonprofits receive greater support. Unique businesses create character and prosperity. More jobs are created for residents if you shop locally. Generally, customer service is better locally with people who know what you want and understand your needs better. Local business owners invest in our community.

If you buy a new car locally, the dealer then pays taxes, salaries to the salesman, money to the advertising agency, dealership staff and leasing company for the building and on and on. The car salesman and others then take the money earned and buy a house, groceries, bikes and other goods. As that money circulates within the community, people are employed, more goods are purchased and just maybe your neighbor’s company can hang on until the economy improves.” 

So, Shop Local–try our new searchable directory –its easy and its important! 

I’ve been thinking about what makes a great company.  Yes, good products and promotion.  But, I mean the intangibles—their work environment, their attitude toward employees, really, their corporate philosphy. 

I recently toured TwinLab/Ideasphere manufacturing in American Fork.  They produce hundreds of vitamins, health supplements, and nutra-ceuticals.  Yes, I was fascinated by their automated machinery, their processes, their laboratory, and their overall facility.  But, I was noticing the employees.  Did they look happy?  Did they smile? Did they look bored?  Did they cooperating? Was their team work?  I commented to Mark Fox, COO and President, “I like your atmosphere in the facility–this is a great work environment.”    I was later told by their human resource department that employees are free to make suggestions, they have flexibility in their jobs, and are cross-trained.      

When Proctor and Gamble came to Box Elder County, Susan Thackery, Economic Development Director, asked the officals,  “Are you family friendly?”  The officials from P&G told her of their many programs and opportunities for families.  She was interviewing them and where they were a good fit for Northern Utah.

Wavetronix is a LIndon based company that my husband works at.  They have impressed me over and over with their community spirit donating money to “Shop with a Cop”, Rotary, and matching gifts to University.  David Arnold, their president, is a firm believer in education and the arts.  So, each employees can have 50% of books, theater tickets, national park passes, reimbursed up to $425 per calendar year.  This is phenomenal. 

I love great companies!  Companies that care about employees, care about their communities, and care about being a great company.  Profits usually follow sound business practices and sound “corporate philosphies.”

According to the article “The Privilege of Giving,” from the Marriott Alumni Magazine, “Charitable people are usually happier, have less stress, and their return on their charitable giving is 3.75 times.”

In 2000, Harvard and other universities and community foundations in 41 United States communities sponsored a study of 30,000 American families. Named the social Capital Community Benchmark survey, it asked families what they do with their time, where they donate, if they volunteer, how much money they make, and what their jobs area. The study showed from this study that when people get ten percent richer in income, they give away seven percent more money to charity, and that when people give charitably they also get richer. The return on investment for every dollar given to charity is $3.75.

Not only do givers get richer, there are also two reasons for the success of people who donate: 1. Giving changes givers and makes them more effective. 2. Giving changes the perception other people have of givers, and that also makes them successful. Psychologists have figured out that people who give some amount of money every year are 43 percent more likely than non-givers to say they’re very happy people. Volunteering one more time per week will raise your likelihood of saying you’re very happy by 50 percent. Even blood donors are 50 percent more likely to say they’re very happy than people who don’t donate blood.

Psychologists have also found that stress hormones are reduce or depressed by charitable giving acts. People who are less stressed-out are more focused on their tasks. So, if you consistently have less stress, you’re going to be more successful.

Case in point, Doug Smith Autoplex has been a major sponsor of the American Fork marching band through the years. In their first few years, they didn’t have the money, but decided to donate anyway to help the marching band. Doug tells me that many students have come back to buy cars from him just because he was loyal to the band. Recently, a former band member and her husband drove from California to purchase a car from Doug Smith.

In tough economic times–Don’t say you can’t afford to give. If you want to get rich quicker and live a less stressful you can’t afford not to give!

(Information gleaned from Marriott Alumni Magazine, Winter 2008, article Privilege of Giving, pg 16 -20.)

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Provo College has opened a campus here in American Fork in addition, to their Provo campus. Provo College is a leader in Career Education in Utah with over 250 employer partners that guide their program development. According to Scott Sainsbury, campus director, “The secret to happiness is fulfillment in faith, family and work. In today’s world most people are lacking education in the right areas.” The American Fork campus currently offers programs in accounting, business management, criminal justice, graphic design, personal fitness training, and web design/animation.

Why Choose a Career College or a formal university setting?

1. Programs are accelerated so you finish faster.
2. Flexible classroom and online schedules
3. It’s less expensive than a typical four-year option
4. Hands – on learning.
5. Small classrooms, lifelong learning, and a campus that is focused on your values.
6. Financial aid, scholarships are available for qualified students.
7. Teachers are passionate, caring, and working professionals.

During difficult economic times is important to consider that an education is an investment in you. A college education never depreciates and no can take it away from you. Secondly, you need an education to be competitive. The U.S. Department of Education quotes that the kinds of jobs growing at the fastest rate are those demanding career skills gained form one to two years of postsecondary education. Lastly, an education will increase your standard of living. The gap between those with a high school education and those with college training continues to widen. Graduates with postsecondary education earn approximately $4.50 in additional wages per hour. That’s over $280,000 over a 30 year career. “Now that you know, you should go!” exclaims Carli Orsini, Director of Admissions. Contact her at 801-692-4611 for more information.

(Information provided for this article by Provo College)

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In the latest quarterly magazine Business Q, they honored four local American Fork businesses in their Utah Valley Top 25 Fastest-Growing Companies section. The American Fork businesses included: Netstep, Matrix Communications, Best Vinyl, and Jandaco/Riser Media.

Netsteps topped the magazine’s list as the fastest growing company with 1021% growth in their 3 year existence. The company provides technology solutions that accelerate the growth of direct sales companies. Derek Maxfield, their founder, gave this advice, “Don’t scrimp on hiring. Spend enough to get quality people who will take your ideas and expand them.” With the ever expanding direct sales market, this company should continue their rapid growth.

Matrix Communications placed 2^nd on the list with a phenomenal growth of 405%. Their niche is in the telecommunications market. They integrate phone, audio, network systems along with phone and data wiring and surveillance systems. Founder Richard Miller offers his advice, “Pick a good product and become and expert.”

Best Vinyl experienced 110% growth over three-years and listed on the chart at number 15. The company fabricates and installs vinyl fence, decks, pergolas and gazebos. With strong management and capital to fuel growth, Best Vinyl is the largest of its kind in the United States. The company has taken great care through its expansion to Hawaii, California, and Colorado and through its phenomenal growth to a $35 million company in just eight short years. The company also landed on the Top 15 Revenue Companies in 8^th place.

Jandaco/Riser Media is a full-service graphic design agency who round out the list in 23^rd position. Thanks to an “unceasing dedication to personal improvement, and undying love for client and an unending obsession to details,” the company’s high-profile client base includes the likes of Disney and Warner bros. They recently won a Gold Addy and Judges Choice Awards for their “Official Lego Batman Video Game Website.”

American Fork is a mecca for high technology companies and a great place to do business locally and internationally. Currently, 78 high technology companies call us home. These companies bring great paying jobs–58% of the normal non-agricultural jobs, as well as an infusion of dollars from around the world. The city offers our congratulation to the above winners and to our high-tech industry.

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Trade agreements and increased exports are vital to U.S. businesses, workers, and farmers, as 96 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States.

Utah exported nearly $8 billion in manufactured goods to the world in 2007. .” Many of our local businesses export their goods abroad from Tahitian Noni drinks to dresses from Little Things Mean a Lot. Additionally, the internet enhances local companies like Move Networks and Orange Soda to market their services by streaming video and online advertising to a worldwide audience.

Did you know?

Trade benefits small businesses in Utah:

*85% of the nearly 2,300 Utah companies that exported goods in 2006 were small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 500 employees.

Trade supports jobs in Utah:

*In 2007, Utah-produced manufactured goods generated more than 127,600 jobs for workers in Utah.

*Utah businesses added $7 billion to the local economy in 2005 by purchasing local goods allowing them to export manufactured goods to customers worldwide.

*Export-support employment related to manufactured goods accounts for nearly 1 of every 16 private sector jobs in Utah.

Trade benefits Utah agriculture:

*In 2006 Utah’s agricultural exports were estimated at $304 million.

*Utah’s top agricultural exports in 2006 was wheat, followed by hides and skins, live animal and red meats, feeds, and dairy products. (Information provided by TradeRoots form the US Chamber of Commerce)

Our own Governor Jon Huntsman has said, “In China, we are there simply because of their prominence on the world stage and the way in which they are growing so rapidly. We need to understand and capture those emerging opportunities.” So whether you are a small or large business the world is your marketplace!!

Imagine paying only $1.35 per “seat hour “tuition, plus fees. This is not a typo. Mountainland Applied Technology College has an open enrollment policy and for adults the price is right. High school students can also work with the school districts for reduced tuition. Locally, MATC is located at 789 E Bamberger Dr. Ste A in American Fork., but there are 79 UCAT instructional locations throughout the state of Utah..

In 2001, Governor Michael Leavitt and the Utah State Legislature created “UCAT” as a statewide technology college. Mountainlands is one of eight technology colleges that is scattered throughout the state of Utah. The UCAT services 12,328 secondary students and 29,021 post-secondary/adult students. These numbers surpass SLCC, UVU, and WSU in the career and technical education institutions. With numbers growing, it is thought that “90% of jobs providing a wage to sustain a family of four typically require some combination of vocational training and on-the job experience or an associate’s degree.” (ACT Ready for College, May 2006).

In our region, MATC is located in American Fork, Utah Valley University, Spanish Fork, Heber and Wasatch. Their offerings are wide and diverse including:

Auto Technology; Barbering and Cosmetology; Business; Carpentry; Commercial Truck Driving; Commercial Truck Driving; Culinary Arts; Dental, Medical, and Veterinarian Assisting; Diesel Mechanics; Emergency Medical; Information Technology; Nail and Pharmacy Technician; Media Design; Medical Billing; Nurse Assistant and Practical Nurse; Physical Therapy Aide; Wild land Firefighting

Next to affordability, flexibility is their next banner. One can start a course or program at any time and will finish a course or program upon completing the required competencies establish for that course or program. Normally any Monday, classes begin. The only exceptions are Nursing Assistant or EMT which require a certain number of seat hours to qualify for the state licensure requirements.

The State of Utah has also purchased property in Lehi by Thanksgiving Point. A large and comprehensive building has been designed and is waiting for state funding. The flagship program at this new facility will be a comprehensive nursing program for licensed practical nurses which are in a short supply across the United States.

There is no reason not to upgrade your skills, the cost is affordable, the open-entry-open-exit program is flexible. The workers with certificates and degrees are in high demand. Every way you look at it–MATC is a perfect match!!

Ever morning, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning, a lion wakes up. It knows it must out run the slowest gazelle or it will start. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up you better be running! (quoted from the Utah Scholars presentation).

The “moral of the story” is that the U.S. may not be running as fast as it needs to. While we have enjoyed prosperity during the last few decades, there are countries who produce products better, cheaper, and faster than the U.S. Who hasn’t picked up a phone and heard a different Indian or Filipino dialect on a customer service hotline. Many jobs and manufacturing plants have been outsourced to the world. Everyone has products “made in China.”

While corporate merges and acquisitions take place at a fast pace and jobs are outsourced to other countries in cost cutting measures. Employers are always looking to hire high skilled workers with strong academic backgrounds. They love workers who can innovate and create the answers to our toughest problems. One of the keys is education. Education pays. A high school graduate in the U.S. can hope to earn approximately $27,000 a year, in Utah its worse around $22,000. Two year associates degrees or certificates increase pay approximately $12,000 more. Bachelor’s degree ratchet up again with the average bachelor’s degree in business starting at $39,448. Engineers start at $54,256 nationally. Post graduate degrees in medicine, law, and dentistry start in the six figures ranges. Education pays–1 to 4 million more over a lifetime of one’s working career.

It might be a good time to re-tool, re-think what you are doing. Recessionary times are perfect times to educate yourself. Locally, we have the MATC, a new Provo College campus, BYU and UVU are right down the street. Plus there are opportunity for online courses and adult education classes. Survival of the fittest, yes, the American worker can survive this global economy. Education is the key. Opportunities always follow the educated, engaged learner.

Recycle, renew, or reuse are all great buzz words in this new “green” environment, but do they make economic sense. Three local businesses prove not only do they make environmental sense; they make financial sense.

Tammi and Michael Garlick have been renewing old furniture for years. They own a great downtown’s business “Finders Keepers”. The Garlicks have worked for year restoring used furniture in their garage. Tammi has a creative and artistic side that shines through when she’s restoring a piece of furniture. Michael is always hunting at the Deseret Industries or garage sales for great pieces that his wife can restore. Their store is filled with one of kind items that were picked by Tammi or restored by her. Check out their store at 63 E Main Street or online at finderskeepers.com

A new downtown store is Lisa Ashby’s Mona Lisa. Lisa hails from the northwest and wanted to find a place where she could set up shop that was an old building that had been restored. She found the place in the old Jones Paint and Glass building on Main Street. The wood floors and used brick look add to her store’s ambience. Mona Lisa’s is a great place to bring nice old furniture, home décor, or antiques. All pieces are sold on consignment. She will be expanding her store to the other side of the building adding consignment clothing to her offerings. You’ll find Mona Lisa’s at 53 E Main or online at www.monalisaconsign.com

D’Le Borg has been buying high-end, designer clothing at Cozy Closet at her store at 194 N West State Rd for over a year now. She specializes in clothing for women and children. She pays top dollar for designer labels in excellent shape. D’Le worked for many years at Bank of American Fork and decided to venture into the small business owner world.

So if you are looking to make a few extra bucks to help the family’s bottom line, be sure to stop by one of American Fork’s environmentally friendly businesses—Finders Keepers, Mona Lisa’s or the Cozy Closet. Going green means extra green in your pocket!!

Everywhere you turn, there is bad economic news. People are being laid off, stores are closing, and homes are being fore-closed on. Some blame Wall Street, sub-prime mortgages, and greed, but I maintain one of the reasons we are having difficult times is that we don’t bowl together in leagues anymore.

In my Master degree studies at the Romney Institute at BYU, we discussed a case where a prominent economist discussed the value of bowling leagues. His premise was that when we bowl together we create relationships of trust. We spend time together, we learn about each other, and we create friendships. He predicted that because, we don’t bowl together in leagues any more our economy would eventually break down.

Relationships and trust are keys to economic prosperity. Without trust and honesty banks won’t lend money, people won’t invest in their new ideas, and transactions between people cease. When we care about people–we care about their business.

So, in this difficult economic time, my suggestion is to get to know your neighbors, the banker down the street, and the pharmacist at the local drug store. Spend time doing things with people and creating relationships. Join your local chamber, Rotary Club, or Neighbors in Action. Create relationships of trust and dust off your old bowling ball. Our economy depends on strikes, spares, and a few gutters.