New Maryland Chamber of Commerce member Storyfarm New Media is partnering with us to create a monthly reality video series chronicling the company’s first year of membership.
The goal of the video series is to call attention to the many ways the Maryland Chamber helps member companies grow, while working to enhance the state’s economy and business climate. Follow along as Storyfarm Managing Partner John Sherman attends Maryland Chamber events, connects with other members, gets involved in Chamber committees and activities, and learns more about the organization’s legislative advocacy efforts in Annapolis.
We’re pretty excited about this new collaboration, and we hope you find it entertaining and informative. This new format is being pioneered by Storyfarm, and we think it’s a great fit to showcase our efforts and get real-time feedback about our events and activities.
In the first episode, Sherman begins the series by going to the joint Marketing and Membership committee meeting at McCormick & Company headquarters in Sparks. Watch as John makes new contacts, learns about the Chamber’s legislative agenda for 2011, and shares what it’s like to be be a part of it from a newcomer’s perspective.
If you are not at least paying attention to “going green” and the growing number of businesses marketing their sustainability efforts, you are behind the times. But don’t take it from me.
Ida Cheinman, Principal and Creative Director of strategic brand communication firm Substance151, said businesses that do not participate in or market their efforts to be environmentally sustainable and socially responsible (two concepts that have become increasingly intertwined and covered by the umbrella term, ‘sustainable’) are at a real disadvantage.
“Environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility are becoming strong motivators because people want to feel good about their personal choices,” she said. “The marketplace is becoming very crowded very quickly and simply being green or socially responsible and knowing that internally is not enough. You really need to be branding and marketing your business appropriately to take advantage of all the benefits there are to taking on those initiatives.”
Among the audiences you can reach through marketing of your sustainability efforts:
Your customers: According to Cheinman’s presentation, 67 percent of buyers believe it is important to buy sustainable products, and 71 percent avoid purchasing from companies with “bad” practices.
Employees: Marketing your sustainability can give you an edge in recruitment and employee retention. “Younger generations are becoming more conscious about who they work with. They want to work for an organization that is known for sustainability and good practices and, for small businesses that must compete with larger firms for top talent, this can be especially important,” Cheinman said.
Investors: Cheinman said investors are increasingly looking for performance in the triple bottom line, which encompasses an economic, environmental, and social impact.
David Utts, Founder and CEO of the Columbia Academy of Executive Leadership and Executive Skillworks, Inc. presents the last segment of our Call to Leadership Series with Part 4: The Power of Influence. Utts explains how one can building their influencing skills, and what is required to influence people effectively.
For more information about the topics presented, or The Leadership Breakthrough Experience starting October 1, visit www.executiveskillworks.com, or call David Utts at (410) 381-9155.
David Utts, Founder and CEO of the Columbia Academy of Executive Leadership and Executive Skillworks, Inc. continues our Call to Leadership Series with Part 3: The Science of Achievement. In this segment, Utts discusses practices that enhance achievement, as well as outdated practices that are commonly found in the workplace today and blockers to creativity that should be avoided.
For more information about the topics presented, or The Leadership Breakthrough Experience starting October 1, visit www.executiveskillworks.com, or call David Utts at (410) 381-9155.
With the Governor and every member of the Maryland General Assembly up for reelection this year, it’s important that we get out the business vote. Visit the Maryland Chamber’s new online Election Center to learn more about your candidates and the election year issues that impact your business. Visit the site Election Center to access [...]
In our last segment of the Call to Leadership Series, David Utts, Founder and CEO of the Columbia Academy of Executive Leadership and Executive Skillworks, Inc., spoke about the definition of leadership and why it is essential in difficult times. In this segment, Utts talks about your personal power as the foundation of leadership, and [...]
What is leadership? Why is it especially important in difficult times? What impacts does poor leadership have on an organization? David Utts, Founder and CEO of the Columbia Academy of Executive Leadership and Executive Skillworks, Inc., recently sat down with us to answer these questions and more in a four part video series. In this [...]
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Baltimore Business Journal, is seeking nominations of businesses that have provided outstanding support for local non-profits 501(c)(3)s and/or schools this past year for its annual Business Philanthropy Awards. Nominees must be a Maryland-based business, which has made a contribution through financial support, in-kind donations, or volunteer [...]
Hartman Business Technology will present Roadmap10: A C-Level Summit on October 7, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore. Terry Jones, Founder and Former CEO of Travelocity.com, Chairman of the Board of Kayak.com, and Former CIO of American Airlines, will give a keynote on innovation. Roadmap is a one-day conference focused on IT strategy for executive [...]
There is a fantastic story about Betty Buck in the July edition of Washington SmartCEO Magazine. From a 5-year-old running around her father’s warehouse to one of the most respected business women in Maryland and beyond, the story provides a fun and interesting look at Buck’s career. There are also great photos, including the cover [...]
