Category Archives: Uncategorized

Say hello to this weeks “Meet the Staff” Chris McGowan the NEW President of the Chamber (Congratulations Chris!!).  Chris  started at the Chamber in 2003 shortly after he graduated from law school.

Chris said the most interesting part of working at the Chamber is not only the diverse issues and projects that they work on but also the unique businesses we interface with on a daily basis.

When asked “what is the funniest thing that has happened to you here at the Chamber?” Chris took no time to answer.   He remembers when he first started working here his boss insisted that he apologize to a local business executive he had allegedly treated rudely.  When he went to apologize and introduce himself to the executive, the executive apologized to HIM, saying it was a case of mistaken identity!

Chris would like you all to know that this organization is absolutely committed to doing all that we can to help the broader Siouxland region grow, prosper, and thrive.

Facebook is a good way to stay connected and promote your business.   There are hundreds of ways to use Facebook to help you as well as hundreds of ways using Facebook can hurt you.  We did the research and found the t0p 15 Facebook no-nos for Personal and Professional Facebook pages.

These are in no order
1. Having two profiles: Personal and Professional
2. Creating a profile for your business instead of a page
3. Turning off wall posts for your business
4. Not updating your page
5. Uploading compromising pictures of you and your friends
6. Status updates (every 5 minutes, song lyrics, play by play, life story, private information)
7. Don’t “like” everything
8. Grammar and spelling errors
9. Don’t Facebook when breaking an appointment or “ill”
10. Stay logged on public computers
11. Limit the use of emoticons
12. Send or accept friend requests to people you don’t know
13. TYPE IN ALL CAPS or Every Word You Write Capitalized
14. Don’t complain about your job, boss, or coworkers
15. Don’t add every application

Living Vicariously, TechRadar, and HubSpot are just a few of the sites online that have helpful lists of what not to do on Facebook.

Katie Brannen
Social Media Intern

Barbara Sloniker  is the Vice President of Government Relations and Transportation here at the Chamber and is this weeks “Meet the Staff” staff member.  Barbara has been at the Chamber for almost 14 years!

Barbara said the most interesting part of working at the Chamber is the variety of issues and initiatives that she gets involved in.  It is not the same thing everyday.

Like Nicole , Barbara’s funny memory involves Debi.  On a trip to Pierre, South Dakota Debi was on a mission to find a scone.  She asked everyone where she could find one, but the only thing that turned up was doughnut!

If you have any creative ideas for air service development or your business is having legislative issues feel free to contact Barbara at the Chamber!

Katie Brannnen
Social Media Intern

Teresa Rosenboom is the Director of Government Relations, Marketing and Research here at the Chamber and is this weeks “Meet the Staff” staff member.  Teresa has been at the Chamber for 15 years!

When asked about the most interesting part of working at the Chamber Teresa said it was the people she gets to work with on various Chamber committees and the Dakota Valley Business Council.

Teresa provides specific demographic research for Chamber members and  community economic development specialists to promote business in the Siouxland community. Teresa enjoys creating Chamber and TSI marketing campaigns and handling the web presence.

Katie Brannen
Social Media Intern

Do you find yourself searching the internet for Facebook help?  Do you get outdated help?   Facebook is is constantly changing, making searching for help difficult sometimes because you might end up with posts from five months ago.  One of the easiest ways to get the most recent information when searching online is to add the month and year at the end of your search.

For example if you are trying to find out more about a Personal Page vs a Business Page try searching “Facebook personal page vs business page April 2011″  you will get the most recent articles.  If you search with out ‘April 2011′ the most recent article you will get is from February 2011.

Another way to search for Facebook help is on Facebo0k.  You can search questions that other users have asked or you can search a set list of common help topics.  On your homepage click “Account” in the upper right hand corner.  On the drop down menu select “Help Center”.  Once on the Help Center page you can select almost anything you need help with, or if you don’t see what you need help with you can type in what you need help with.

If you still need help or can’t seem to find what you are looking for you can call or email Beth and her interns at the Chamber, they are more then willing to help you!

Katie Brannen
Social Media Intern

Joseph Wright Vice President of Technology Transfer (TSI) here at the Chamber of Commerce is the “Meet the Staff” staff member this week.  Joseph has been at the Chamber for almost four years!

Joseph said that the most interesting part of working at the Chamber is how the Chamber identifies problems and issues for local businesses and how we go about addressing and solving those problems.  He thinks its fun to work for an organization that is so dedicated to its members.

For Joseph the coolest thing about working at the Chamber that is since he is in charge of business retention he has been given the opportunity to tour almost all of the food processing plants in the region.  Its pretty cool getting to see how it is all done.

Joseph wants the members and community to know that he is in charge of business retention and entrepreneurship and that if there is anything he can do for start up or small businesses they should let him know so he can do his best to help!

Katie Brannen
Social Media Intern

The Ronald McDonald House of Siouxland has paired up with Buffalo Wild Wings for “Eat Wings and Raise Funds”.  On April 13th (tomorrow) from 5-1opm 10% of all pre-taxed food sales goes towards the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland.  You just have to present the coupon below.

What a great idea, eating good food and giving back to the community at the same time. The mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charities  of Siouxland, Inc. is to help kids and families heal and keep kids healthy. They accomplish this by offering 3 core RMHC programs: the Ronald McDonald House, the RMHC Matching Grant Program and the RMHC Scholarship Program.  For more information visit the website for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland.

Coupon:RMHC New

Katie Brannen
Social Media Intern

Beth Trejo the Director of Investor Relations here at the Chamber of Commerce is the “Meet the Staff” staff member this week.  Beth has been at the Chamber for two and a half years!

When asked about the most interesting part of working at the Chamber Beth said it is all of the different businesses and business owners that she gets to work with on a daily basis.

Beth is trying to help the small businesses in Siouxland with marketing and promotion.  She also wants to increase benefits to all of the Chamber Members.  Her goal is to increase the diversity of the leadership at the Chamber, she admits that it is not a quick process.

Katie Brannen
Social Media Intern

Mark your calendars for April 15th and 16th.  Isagenix is hosting Tony Escobar an inspirational speaker.  Isagenix is the world leader in Nutritional Cleansing and Replenishing.

Tony has earned commendation for his work as a professional Trainer, Coach, and Nutritional Consultant.    For the past six years Tony has been working in jails and prisons using his 12 step program that he will share with you on Saturday April 16th!

Friday April 15th there will be a short meeting going over everything that will be going on Saturday.  Saturday the 16th will be an all day event with Tony and Randi Escobar.

For more information contact Bev Lessman  at 712-253-7434.

Katie Brannen
Social Media Intern