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May 5, 2010

Learn How To Save On IT Costs!
The "Cloud" and Open-Source Software Can Slash Your Hardware and Software Costs

Look! Up in the cloud! It's a bird. It's a plane. NO. It's your future!

Right now, businesses and other organizations around the world are taking advantage of two new IT trends that are saving them millions of dollars in hardware, software, and other IT costs.

You have probably been reading about the "cloud", or web-based software solutions that allow your mission-critical software to be accessed online (in the 'cloud') as opposed to on your computers and servers. Companies everywhere are discovering the cost-cutting and time-saving benefis of what has become known as "Cloud Computing". In fact, you may already be using "the cloud" for some functions and you may not even be realizing it!

You may have also heard about office and graphic software and even operating systems that are availble at no cost to the user. The trend is called "open-source software". Usually available as free downloads and with optional paid support options, open-source software is affording many companies the opportunity to replace traditional licensed software with compatible alternatives.

You can learn more about both of these trends at our next Techno-Tuesday, May 11, from 9 am to 11 am at the Chamber. We'll have a panel of computer hardware and software experts who will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of computing in the cloud and utilizing open-source software. You will also meet representatives from local organizations who are already using the cloud and open-source solutions. To reserve your seat, please click here.

	Chamber Members ARE Better Credit Risks New Study Proves Chamber Members Possess Better Credit Scores Than Other Businesses
	ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) recently announced the publication of a new study detailing the credit scores and payment behavior of ten local chambers of commerce across the United States, comparing their member businesses with other regional, state and national business averages. Produced by Cortera™, a community-driven business credit bureau, on behalf of ACCE, the study concludes that chamber of commerce members possess an average credit score of 629, compared to a 557 average score for businesses at large. Such scores – the payment behavior from which they are derived -- play a significant role in attracting lines of credit and securing favorable terms from lenders and suppliers. A complete copy of the study, which includes both the aggregate findings, as well as the individual commercial credit scores for each of the ten local chambers, is available on the ACCE and Cortera sites. The study was contracted by ACCE and performed by Cortera, which reviewed payment behavior for chamber member businesses. "Chamber members have long been seen as responsible and reliable members of their community," said Mick Fleming, president and CEO of ACCE. "What this study indicates is that the perception is right. From a credit standpoint, chamber members on average are better businesses, and as a result they have significant advantages in obtaining the funds they need. In this economy and the tight credit environment we are experiencing, that's especially important." "The economic health of the entire supply chain is dependent on the payment behavior of each of its stakeholders," said Jim Swift, president and CEO of Cortera. "This study suggests that chamber members are among the most dependable participants in this ecosystem.
	AND.. Chamber Members ARE Perceived Better Another Study Proves Chamber Members Are Thought of More Favorably By Consumers Than Competing Companies Who are NOT Chamber Members
	A 2007 study revealed that membership in a local chamber of commerce can significantly boost a business’s image among consumers, as well as among other businesses. In a scientific survey of 2000 U.S. adults, The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, found positive perceptions of chamber members in a number of areas, including overall favorability, consumer awareness and reputation, and likelihood of future patronage. Click here to view the Chamber Study The study, commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), IBM, Administaff, Small Business Network, Inc., and Market Street Services, showed that when respondents were told that a particular small business was a member of its local chamber, they were 44 percent more likely to rate it favorably than study respondents who were not told of the chamber affiliation. Respondents were also 63 percent more likely to want to purchase goods or services from a small business that is a chamber member. “We discovered that informing someone about a company’s chamber membership opens the door to substantial increases positive perceptions of that business,” said Alex Trouteaud, Ph.D., senior strategist for The Schapiro Group. “There clearly is a feeling by our respondents that chamber membership is synonymous with quality and desirability.” To tap into this reservoir of goodwill, a small business should not only join the local chamber of commerce and participate, but also make sure consumers and other businesses are aware of that chamber affiliation. The positive impact of perceived chamber membership is felt by big businesses, too. For example, when consumers believed that a restaurant chain was a member of the local chamber of commerce, they were 40 percent more likely to eat at the franchise in the future. And if a consumer believed that one of the major automobile manufacturers was a member of its local chamber, that consumer was 9 percent more likely to consider purchasing his or her next car from that automaker. “This study reinforces research done in 2005 about the perceived capacity of chambers to lead businesses and lead communities,” said Mick Fleming, president of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). “These new national findings point to even more direct benefits for companies willing to be stakeholders in their local chamber.” The study results had good news for chambers themselves, where 82 percent of respondents indicated that a local chamber of commerce “creates jobs and promotes economic development.” “The message from this national study is as simple as it is ground-breaking,” said Jim Blasingame, small business expert and president of Small Business Network, Inc. “Join your local chamber, be an active participant in your chamber’s programs and be sure to let your customers and prospects know you’re a proud chamber supporter when they come in your business and when they see your marketing material.” J. Mac Holladay, CEO of Market Street Services, an economic development consulting firm based in Atlanta that helped create the study, said, “It is refreshing to learn what we have suspected for years -- that chamber membership and community involvement are good investments.”
	LITTLE LEAGUE... BIG IMPACT! Learn Why Little League Baseball is a Grand Slam For the Robins Region With a June 12 groundbreaking drawing closer, and the big summer games just around the corner, the Robins Region has all its batters on-deck for a new era. Last year's relocation of Little League International's Southeastern Headquarters will affect all of us many ways. How will Little League affect our community? What will be the impact on retail sales? How will tourism be affected? These and other questions will be answered by our expert panel at the next Robins Regional Business Forum on Friday, May 14 at noon. Speakers will include Jen Colvin, Southeastern Region Director for Little League International; Marsha Buzzell, Executive Director of the Warner Robins Convention & Visitors Bureau; Morgan Law, Executive Director of the Houston County Development Authority; and Jay Flesher, President of Hybrid Corporation. We anticipcate that this luncheon will be be a sold-out event, so make your reservations now by clicking here!

Warner Robins # 1 place in Georgia to live and raise a family. Complete Business Week Article here. Yahoo State-By-State Summary Here			Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce 1228 Watson Boulevard Warner Robins, GA 31093 478.922.8585 www.warner-robins.com

One of only 4% of America's Chambers to be fully accredited by the United States Chamber of Commerce. Named one of the Top 3 Chambers in the Nation for 2009 by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Recipient, 2009 Georgia Circle of Excellence Award presented by Georgia Chamber of Commerce Executives