Monthly Archives: December 2009

Former Asst. US Attorney to Speak in Sioux City

The Siouxland Professional Women’s Network is hosting guest speaker Kathleen Deal at the Hilton Garden Inn on Tuesday, February 2, 2009 from Noon to 4 p.m.

Kathleen has quite the resume and the Women’s Network is excited to be able to have her in Sioux City speaking to the women of Siouxland.

She has served as an Assistant United States Attorney, Division Chief and Instructor for the U.S. Department of Justice, committee member at the U.S. Department of Justice (Janet Reno’s Administration).  Also, she has received the award for the Executive Office of the U.S. Attorneys for enhancing the mission of the Dept. of Justice.  Lastly, she is a certified DISC instructor with experience medical, legal and sales field as is also an Independent Mary Kay Senior Sales Director.

Are you impressed? If not, you’re not the one who had to write all those credentials, Whew!

The event will be a noon luncheon, followed by a DISC workshop and the cost is only $45 and that includes lunch. The event is open to the public (men and women).

What is DISC you may be thinking? Basically DISC is the universal language of observable human behavior, or “how we act”.  It doesn’t measure education, experience, values or intelligence.  Very simply it measures an individual’s behaviors, or how he or she communicates.

The event will focus on developing stronger, more effective communication skills by evaluating some key components: discovering behavioral styles, exploring strengths, recognizing the style of others, & learning to adapt to others. To register for this event please contact Connie at 605-232-3290 or fill out the registration below. Hope to see you there!

A Sweet Surprise

When you hold a Ribbon Cutting for a new or existing business, there is always room for a surprise. Whether it is an old friend showing up or a sudden rain storm, we have been witness to many unexpected things throughout the years. Today we held a Ribbon Cutting celebrating the new owner of Sarah’s Candies in Sioux City. Shortly after the owner cut the ribbon, a local real estate agent showed up with an unexpected surprise.  Dody, the new owner, couldn’t have said it better. ”What a sweet gift”, she said as she held up a sign that read ’Candy Shop’. We think so too!  

 

Dick Salem presents a sign to Dody Jonas at the Ribbon Cutting for Sarah's Candies

Bubblegum Buddies from Sarah's Candies make great holiday presents and fun decorations

 

The Last Word…

Today is my final day at the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

I started this internship on July 23, 2009, and have learned so much about the staff, the community, and this great business environment we maintain in Siouxland.

Some of the most interesting knowledge that I acquired was not only in the blogs that I wrote, but in the  positive environment at the Chamber.  Learning about regulatory tax structures, the unique tri-state business economy, how to promote Siouxland, and how politics & business work hand in hand.

From doing guest blogs and writing about the events we have had in Siouxland, I was able to get an intrinsic look at the whole picture.  The panoramic view was similar to Aristotle’s definition of virtue, in the sense that as  an individual you have to have an equal portion of kindness, knowledge, courage etc. and sustain that for a whole life time.  In doing that, one may look back and see a life of fulfillment.

You’re probably wondering, okay, how does that relate to Aristotle and Siouxland?

Well, it’s the same in the sense that I have noticed that’s what the Chamber does.  The Chamber promotes quality of life, beautification of the community, non-profits, for-profits and their goal is not to overwhelm or flood one area.  If it were to do that it wouldn’t create an environment that new entrepreneurs would want to locate to.  Quality of life, big and small business, and good schools all have to be promoted equally so that we may be able to take a panaramic view of our community and consider it well-rounded.

The decisions made by our legislators shape our communities and not always for the better.  The Chamber speaks loud and clear for the community’s citizens, its members, and local business both small and large so that they will always speak on behalf of us.

With those thoughts released into the cyber world I leave you with a better knowledge of our great community and of a Chamber of Commerce striving towards continually enhancing the lives of its citizens.  I thank all of you for checking out my blog from time to time and I wish you good day!

-Ian Banks, Social Media Intern