| April 2, 2008 | News for association and chamber leaders |
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| Business Leadership |  |  |
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- Training simulation helps managers see bigger picture
Many businesses are turning to simulations as a training method to help managers think strategically. Santa Clara, Calif., technology company NetApp, for example, put 100 top managers through a competitive simulation last year in which they ran imaginary companies and then analyzed the end results of their sales, profits and investments. The Wall Street Journal
(3/31)
- Niche specialty is good way to start Web business
Starting an Internet business during an economic downturn can be profitable because so little investment is needed. Entrepreneur.com e-business columnist Derek Gehl recommends developing a niche product, finding an affiliate that matches the niche, blogging, joining a social network and using your expertise to write articles. Entrepreneur.com
(3/26)
- Entrepreneurs can adapt practices from Eastern arts
The mental and physical exercises of Tai Chi and Qigong offer inspiration for entrepreneurs, says marketing consultant Paige Arnof-Fenn. Among the basic tenets are warming up before you start something new, enriching your experience through diversity and getting outside your comfort zone. Entrepreneur.com
(3/21)
- Service business management has four primary elements
Service-oriented companies need to master different skill sets than product-focused retailers because they deal in the management of customers' preferences. The Harvard Business Review suggests a service model built on four primary functions: the offering, the funding mechanism, the employee-management system and the customer-management system. Harvard Business Review
(4/2008)
| Quick Poll | | |
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Poll: How beneficial do you think manager simulations would be?
Look for the results from today's poll in the Editor's Note section of next week's U.S. Chamber SmartBrief.
 | Very -- any training can only benefit the manager. |
| It depends on the program and the manager. |
| Not very -- managers learn best with on-the-job training. |
| CEO Update | | |
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CEO Update and U.S. Chamber SmartBrief partner to bring you exclusive association and other nonprofit reports and career listings.
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| Chamber Spotlight | | |
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- Deere wins top chamber award for Iowa plant
John Deere's Waterloo, Iowa, operations have been named Business of the Year by the Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce. The chamber noted that Deere added 500 jobs last year, raised $1 million for the local United Way, announced a $90 million plant renovation and donated $17 million in cash and property to help create Cedar Valley TechWorks, a bio-based industrial product development and distribution center. Waterloo Courier (Iowa)
(3/30)
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Take Advantage of Your Online Shipping Department
Operating a small business in a competitive marketplace often requires access to a full suite of shipping services and resources while working with limited staff. Luckily, there's fedex.com, your online shipping department. Everything you need to move products and supplies is a click away.
- Process your shipments and create shipping labels with FedEx Ship Manager® at fedex.com.
- Monitor your shipping activity and get shipment-status updates with FedEx InSight®.
- Choose from more than 50,000 convenient FedEx shipping locations, from staffed FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Centers® to self-service FedEx Express® Drop Boxes.
For more information, click here.
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| Association Watch | | |
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- Study: Patients 65 and older want health IT
A study from AARP and the American Association of Home and Services for the Aging shows that 95% of respondents -- all 65 or older -- want their doctors to use health IT, and many of them would use health IT themselves. Their main concern was the expense of such technologies. Health Data Management
(3/28)
- Simple maintenance can improve gas efficiency, save cash
 U.S. drivers will use their cars less frequently and maintain them better if gasoline prices reach an expected $4 a gallon, according to a recent opinion poll. Some simple maintenance tasks can improve a car's fuel efficiency, and therefore reduce the amount spent on gasoline, according to the Car Care Council, which offers several gas-savings tips. USA TODAY
(3/28)
| U.S. Chamber News | | |
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Send your staff to Institute this summer and save with group pricing
Where will you and your staff get the skills and resources you need to effectively run your chamber or association? The U.S. Chamber's Institute for Organization Management is the nonprofit industry's premier professional development program designed to instruct, inspire and invigorate. With new group pricing, an organization sending multiple students to any 2008 summer Institute site pays the regular fee for the first student and only $995 for each additional student. Additional students use the promo code "wings2008" when enrolling. Get In at any of the one-week intensive sessions offered at four sites across the country. Visit www.uschamber.com/institute for more information.
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Join national leaders to improve quality, cost and coverage of health care
Health insurance costs are rising faster than wages or inflation, and medical bills are overwhelmingly the most common reason for personal bankruptcy in the United States. Learn more about emerging health care issues and industry trends at the 5th Annual World Health Care Congress to be held April 21-23, 2008, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Don't miss out on this limited-registration event.
| U.S. Chamber Member Benefits | | |
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Think Yellow: Save 65% on trade show shipments
Your trade show presence is key to the promotion of your business and demands fast, reliable and damage-free delivery of your exhibit materials. With Yellow Exhibit Services, you have a proven and experienced resource for peace-of-mind transportation of your exhibit shipments. U.S. Chamber members can save by calling 800-293-0414 or visiting here.
| Editor's Note | | |
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Poll results: Do rude managers ruin productivity?
 Last week's poll asked readers whether rude managers hurt their productivity. - 93% said yes -- their rudeness distracts from whatever point they were trying to make.
- 7% said they definitely don't help productivity but they don't ruin it either.
- 0% said no -- sometimes a little rudeness is exactly what the situation calls for.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Content makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor."
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| | Recent U.S. Chamber SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, March 26, 2008
- Wednesday, March 19, 2008
- Wednesday, March 12, 2008
- Wednesday, March 05, 2008
- Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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Gov. Deval Patrick told Berkshire Chamber of Commerce members that Massachusetts is prepared to deal with the nation's economy -- the right message for a time "when hysteria can trigger a self-fulfilling prophesy," says this Berkshire Eagle editorial. 
