Business Matters May 2017 | Page 21

businesses, through collaboration, partner- ships and the leveraging of resources to pro- vide an inventory of services, and to facilitate access to capital, exporting and programming opportunities. Co-chaired by UCCCC Board Members, Bill Stockley, owner of Fast Signs and Eloy Salazar, owner of Salazar Investments, and assisted by Dr. Gilda E. Ramirez, Vice President for Small Business and Education for the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the committee is charged with surveying small business own- ers, and will produce a small business needs assessment, develop & maintain an invento- ry of resources, services and promote small business purchasing events in the community. #SHOPSMALL, #DINESMALL Goals for the Council, through its collabora- tion with small business agencies and cham- ber member banks and micro-lenders, are to (1) develop a pipeline between financial resourc- es and small businesses, (2) facilitate financial education opportunities for small businesses, (3) address cultural issues that form barriers to business growth, (4) help small businesses to scale up business activity through mentor- ing, networking, social media, online and small business resources, and (5) to encourage small business owners to fully utilize chamber ser- vices to promote sales and marketing. As chamber members, small business owners and their employees are encouraged to max- imize the return on their membership invest- ment by being active participants and utilizing the chamber’s online services and networking events. Making time to attend Chamber 101, the orientation session that is scheduled monthly for both new and current members is strongly encouraged. More than ever, it’s important for businesses to show up in the critical moments when potential customers search for answers, products, and services they need online. Chamber 101 will guide members on how to ac- cess and navigate the Chamber’s website, log- in and use member-only tools, including how to post jobs, events and hot deals, how to update company listings in the directory and much more. The basics of connecting with custom- ers online, including reaching local customers and member-to-member opportunities, search engine optimization tips to help get your web- site to be found, an introduction to online ad- vertising on the chamber’s site and linking your website and social media pages will maximize members’ business online presence. Addition- ally, attendees of Chamber 101 will get an intro- duction to events that will help grow business, learn about marketing opportunities, receive information about how to get involved with committees that give businesses a seat at the table and many other "chamber solutions" that business members should be exploring. Every employee of Chamber businesses are wel- come to attend! Chamber members interested in participat- ing in the Small, Diverse & Emerging Business Council should contact Dr. Gilda E. Ramirez, by email at gilda@unitedcorpuschristichamber. com or by phone at 361-881-1800. BUSINESS MATTERS MAY 2017 20