Official Business Publication of the Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce

15 Depot Park • Kalispell, MT 59901 • Phone: (406) 758-2800• Fax (406) 758-2805 Email - info@kalispellchamber.com • Home Page http://www.kalispellchamber.com

Many of our events this year have sold out; if you are planning on attending a Chamber event, please make your reservation as early as possible. Tickets or seats may not be available at the time of the event without reservations.

LUNCHEON/NOONTuesday, January 15, 2008Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell20 North Main“Business Trends…Driving Your Growth & Success in 2008”

UNWINDWednesday, January 16, 2008Hosted by: Distinctive Countertops105 Rocky Cliff Lane, Kalispell5:00-6:30 pm

Chamber Snapshot

Visitor’s Center Information Requests:

November ‘07 YTDPhone calls 524 7177Walk-ins 100 4303VACATION Packets 2 90 Inquiries 40 857RELOCATION Packets 1 38 Basic Relo 11 358 Phone Book 1 16

Chamber Website Activity:Unique Visits 168,438Total Visitors & Info Requests 181,277

January 2008

Call Bridgette to find out how you can benefit from all this

activity on the chamber of commerce web site?

continued on page 5

Business Trends, Priorities, and Driving Your Growth and Success in 2008

The Chamber’s January 15 luncheon program will feature a fast-paced look at the results of the Chamber’s Priority Issues Survey, and findings from discussions with the 220 CEOs in Flathead County. The session will also look at how the Chamber is reacting to business priorities and needs through their 2008 initiatives and how you can participate. The luncheon cost is $15 each or $110 for a reserved table of eight. Your reservation is requested by Friday, January 11, and can be made by contacting 758-2800 or info@kalispellchamber.com.

Business Day at the Capital:

January 17-18You are invited to join a delegation of businesspeople from the Flathead Valley in attending the Montana Chamber’s

Coeur d’Alene Community Visit

February 17-18

You are invited to join us on the Chamber’s 2008 Community Visit to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The purpose of our Coeur d’Alene community visit is to meet with our counterparts in a peer community on common challenges facing business, our city, and our county including:• Business attraction and expansion

continued on page 3

Kalispell Area Chamber of CommerceMission Statement

The central mission of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is the cultivation and development of entrepreneurs and communities through the spirit of enterprise.

OffICErsMark Lalum, Chairman of the Board

Cenex Harvest State

Bob Schneider, Vice Chairman of the BoardFirst Interstate Bank

Clay Binford, Secretary/TreasurerNomad Technologies

Jeff Wilson, Immediate Past ChairmanProperties Northwest Real Estate

DIrECtOrsDick Buchanan

Byte SavvySusie Burch

Flathead Valley Community CollegeKris Carlson

A+ Plus HealthcareSteve Clawson

Wells Fargo BankNancy Davis

Prudential FinancialJohn Dudis

Crowley Law FirmTerry Kramer

Kramer Enterprises, Inc.Tom Kurdy

The Daily Inter LakeJim Lehner

Plum Creek Timber CompanyTom Lund

Rocky Mountain BankTom McElwain

Stewart Title of KalispellDave Mitchell

CTA Architects & EngineersDenise NaltyNalty Realty

Cheri NelsonExpress Personnel

Jim OliversonKalispell Regional Medical Center

Ken SugdenFlathead Electric Cooperative

Steve ThompsonSemitool

Ex-OffICIO DIrECtOrsJim Patrick

Kalispell City Manager

Mike PenceFlathead County Administrator

PrOfEssIONaL staffJoe Unterreiner, President ............................ 758-2800Bridgette Evans, Director of Member Services ..................................... 758-2801Cary Aubrey, Executive Assistant .................. 758-2803Grace Holm, Receptionist ........................... 758-2800Lad Barney, Small Business Development ........................................... 758-2802Doug Bolender, Government Contracting Services ................................................... 755-4221Jill Seigmund, Leadership Flathead Program Manager ................................... 758-2810

CONsULtaNtsCarl Schweitzer - Helena Lobbyist

Janet Schwalk – BookkeepingJCCS – Audits & Tax

Carol Edgar – Media & Public Relations2

WhISTLER FLOORS DESIgN CENTERShannon Galloway, Mgr., 1441 Hwy 2 East, Kalispell, MT 59901, Phone: 257-9098, Email: shannon@whistlertileandstone.com, Website: www.whistlertileandstone.com

Here at Whistler Design Center we are a full service center. Specializing in all flooring, custom rugs, tile, and our new addition, Granite and slab yard. Come see our Design Center and have coffee on us. We are fully trained staff here to serve you. Located next to Conlin’s Furniture 1441 HWY 35 Suite 2 Kalispell. Contact us at 257-9098.

Thank you to the following businesses for re-investing in your Chamber. Your continuous support and community leadership is greatly appreciated

10 Plus YearsARCHITECTS DESIGN GROUP PC

CBK SERVICESCENTURYTEL

CHS INC - KALISPELLCOLIN ANDREWS AGENCY INC

DTG MAPSFAMILY HEALTH CAREFIDELITY MORTGAGE

FLATHEAD LAKE LODGEGLACIER PARK INC

GLACIER PARK INT’L AIRPORTIMMANUEL LUTHERAN CORP

KAJ TV 8/18KALISPELL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

KCFW-TVLASALLE EQUINE CLINIC

MONTANA BROKERS INC REALTORSMONTANA GOLD BULLET INC

PROPERTIES NORTHWEST REAL ESTATEROBERT W ROSS BUILDING CONTRACTOR INC

ROSAUERS SIMPSON MOTORS

SPORTSMAN & SKI HAUSUNITED WAY

WESTERN STATES INSURANCE

5 to 9 YearsFIDELITY MORTGAGE

LA QUINTA INN & SUITESMACKENZIE RIVER PIZZA CO

PREMIERE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATES

SWANK ENTERPRISESWHEAT MONTANA BAKERY & DELI

WILD WAVE WATERCRAFT RENTALS / WINTER WONDERLAND SPORTS

1 to 4 YearsCHRISTIAN CENTERCOLLISION CRAFT

GLACIER SYMPHANY AND CHORALEGLAZIER LAS FIRM INC

GREAT BEAR BUILDERS INCJANE LOPP & ASSOCIATES LLC

MONTANA BUILD INCPHILIP HARRIS & ASSOCIATES INC

SLEEP CITY USA

3

At the 33rd Economic Outlook Seminar, Sheila Stearns, the Montana Commissioner of Higher Education will address workforce issues in Montana and how the Montana University System will respond to Montana’s dynamic workforce situation. Montanans can find jobs, but employers often cannot find and keep the workers they need for good jobs. To sharpen our competitive edge in the world marketplace, Montana must connect the dots with a bright line between its educational system, the private sector, and public policy. Bureau researchers and other experts will examine recent trends and the outlook for Montana’s important industries – nonresident travel, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and forest products. Our luncheon program will feature Steve Holland, director of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center and he will expand on Montana’s workforce issues based on his field work with Montana’s industries.

33rd Annual Economic Outlook Seminar

helping Montana’s Workforce Through Investment, Competition, and Education

The program is presented by the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. The cost is $80 and includes the seminar, a proceedings book, and a one-year subscription to Montana Business Quarterly. Continuing education credit from a variety of professional organizations is available for a $20 fee.

The seminar runs from 8 am to 1pm and will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel on February 12. Register online at www.bber.umt.edu or call 406-243-5113 for more information.

Join us in welcoming three new directors to the Kalispell Chamber Board. Cheri Nelson, owner of Express Personnel Services, Denise Nalty, owner of Nalty Real Estate and Jim Lehner,

Director of Community Affairs at Plum Creek Timber Company.

Welcome New Directors

• Chamber facilities expansion• College – residential campus, higher ed center, workforce development• Community center• Developing convention capabilities at fairgrounds• Downtown revitalization• Infrastructure and affordable housing• Library modernization

WhO: Business and civic leaders from the Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.

COST: $275 per person. Includes transportation, lunches, reception, dinner, breakfasts, and conference materials. Not included: hotel costs and incidentals.

hOTEL: The Coeur d’Alene Resort Hotel, rated by Conde Nast Traveler as America’s Top Mainline Resort. The Resort has generously offered us its Premier rooms, normally $239 per night for only $139. Phone 800-688-5253 or www.cdaresort.com by January 31 to reserve, and mention you’re with the Kalispell Chamber.

Plan to join us for this important networking and learning session. See the enclosed flyer for full details.

Coeur d’Alene Visitcontinued from cover

Ask your local expert

This article continues a monthly series dedicated to the entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners in our community. Topics will include: risk management and commercial insurance, banking, public relations, marketing, commercial real estate,

technology and more.

Payne Financial’s Tom McGree provides the Northwest SBDC with valuable advice on how the small business owner can manage

risk. By Lad R. Barney, SBDC Director

RISK. To be an entrepreneur, you must be comfortable with everything that weighty term means. But does that mean that you can’t have options to intelligently manage your personal and business liability exposure? First and foremost, safely offer a high quality product or service; secondly, legally structure your business so you are protecting your personal assets from the liability of your business – its employees and its customers; and lastly, forensically assess your business liability exposure with a local commercial insurance agent. This month, the Kalispell SBDC sat down with Tom McGree, with Payne Financial, to discuss some of the more important aspects of commercial insurance and risk management that a business owner should consider.

4

SBDC: What are the most common things that affect a business owner’s policy or rate?

TM: Your rates are generally determined by what you do, your safety record, your claim’s history, the efforts you put toward protecting your business, the quality of your operations and how well you communicate all of these items to the insurance marketplace. Your businesses’ specific rates are often determined by supply and demand. The more of your quality you can show carriers the more they will work to earn your business through lower rates and better coverage.

SBDC: Have you ever seen a policy rate go down?

TM: Nice one, Lad. Two things will generally make rates drop. 1) More competition among insurance carriers. This is what we are

seeing now as more insurance companies are trying to grow their book of business. They are willing to charge less and throw in additional benefits to earn customers. 2) If a business can decrease the risks their business faces the rates will also drop. You can avoid risks, find other ways (than insurance) to protect yourself or you can find ways to make the insurance company more

Tom’s advice to the Small Business Owner

1) Find a core group of advisors to help you identify and address your risks. At a minimum, you need a CPA, Attorney, Banker, And Insurance Agent. You need their advice - talk to them often

2) Stay ahead of change. Think about what will happen in one year or three years and prepare for it. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

3) Think about what you and your business do well and where you could improve. It will give you a starting point and show you the best areas to focus your time and attention.

comfortable with your operations. Anything you do to make things less risky for the insurance company will save you cash. SBDC: What are some common or biggest mistakes business owners make regarding commercial insurance?

TM: Don’t just look at the premium and accept the lowest cost. There is a lot to the saying “you get what you pay for.” Make sure the policy and program meet your specific needs - not the needs of someone in your industry or someone similar to you but your specific needs. We’ve run into a lot of businesses who have coverage that is essentially is worthless because it just won’t do what the business needs.

And don’t think you can‘t influence the process. Insurance and risk management are somewhat standardized in their options but it is amazing the differences you can make if you and your agent are proactive in

your approach (terms and dollars).

SBDC: How often should a business owner assess their risk profile? Discuss with their agent?

TM: That’s a tough one. It really depends on the business. The reason you visit with your

agent is to stay ahead of any changes and to gain information that will help in making decisions. The tendency is to visit with an agent once a year at renewal and that may be fine. If you have a growing business or if you are preparing for significant changes you may need to touch base more often. This is an important conversation to have with your

continued on page 5

5

agent to make sure you both are on the same page and that you are taking advantage of the resources available to you.

SBDC: Umbrella policies have become almost commonplace nowadays. What is covered under a typical umbrella policy and what is not?

TM: In the world of business insurance umbrellas almost always give you more of the exact same liability coverage you have under your other liability policies (General Liability, etc.). They don’t usually give you broader coverage, they just give you more dollars for the coverage you already have in place.

SBDC: Alright, what is the difference between bonding and insurance?

TM: When you buy a bond you are making a promise to someone and the surety (bonding company) is vouching for you. If you break your promise you’ll have to pay for the damages. You are paying the surety a fee for their reassurance. Insurance is designed so that if something bad happens you’ll be put back in the same position you were in prior to the loss. They’ll help you replace your “stuff” or give you the cash you lost.

SBDC: What are some recent changes in your industry?

TM: We’re seeing a lot of new insurance carriers in the market and, on the other side, there is a fair amount of consolidation among carriers as well. Rates are dropping and we’re seeing new products pop up to address issues we’ve never seen (such as internet liability). We’re also seeing the role of an agent change from someone who was paid to find an insurance policy to more of a trusted advisor and consultant. It is a fun time to be able to help businesses protect and expand their success and profits.

continued from page 4

SBDC: Last Question - what should a business owner look for in a commercial insurance agent/agency?

TM: Find someone who shares your values and who will be able to help you as your business grows and changes. You may start small but things can change quickly and you’ll want to have access the right resources for your situation. Look for a system you can work in and that will grow with you.

You also want to work with someone who understands your market and your world. A policy for a restaurant is completely different than a policy for a repair shop and you need to make sure you have the right “stuff.”

Most importantly, you want to find someone who will help you prevent bad things from happening, someone who will help you prepare in case bad things do happen and someone who will be able to help you recover if something bad does happen.

Contact your commercial insurance agent today! Or check out the Chamber website to find an agent near you.

Natural Resource Committee: The natural resource committee will meet on Jan. 16 at 7 am. They will evaluate the opportunity for bio-fuels energy and for combined heat and power

Transportation Committee: Transportation committee will meet at Jan. 17 at 4 pm to discuss the Draft Kalispell Transportation Plan.

Education and Communications Committee: This committee will meet on Jan. 2 at 8 am in the Chamber conference room. Their agenda will include: the Business Education Initiative, luncheon schedule, and a review of chamber publications.

Workforce Committee: This committee will meet Jan. 8 at 8 am set their agenda for 2008 in four workforce areas: housing, wages, transportation, and child care.

Agribusiness Committee: This committee will meet Jan. 9 at 7 am to plan the Ag Week program.

Chuck Olson and Jack Heller were on hand to present a bronze to board Chairman, Jeff Wilson on behalf of

the Chamber thanking him for their support in the Veterans memorial.

Business Day continued from cover

“Business Day at the Capital” on January 17-18. There will be a panel on “Legislature 101”, how to be effectively involved in the legislature. Other panels will be on health care and business development. The event will be held at the Best Western Great Northern in Helena, noon December 17th to 1:00 pm on the 18th. For hotel reservations call 406-457-5500. For conference reservations call 888-442-6668.

6

The Generational Struggle Inside Out; a Case Study

You hear it all the time. “They” don’t work hard… “They” expect it to be easy. “They” are so judgmental. More and more there is less and less harmony inside our companies. One of the key factors is the disconnect between Traditional & Boomer leaders, Gen X’er management, and Gen Y new employees. Generation conflict costs billions of dollars in lost productivity to organizations like yours worldwide – not to mention the incalculable effects on motivation and morale.• Generational context is not about age, but common experiences. • “Different” is neither right nor wrong, just different. • Generational understanding does not take the place of concern for the individual. • Different generations take different approaches to the same problem.

This month’s facilitator and panelists are:Kari S. Gabriel, APR, M.Ed. who joined Interact Communications in April 2006, providing public relations, government relations, and marketing expertise to two-year colleges. Kari works with community college clients in the western half of the United States. She began her career 20 years ago in South Dakota, and has continued in Alaska and Montana, as a marketing and public relations practitioner, including 8 years in higher education administration. Kari has the APR (Accredited in Public Relations) credential and holds an M.Ed. in Technology in Education from Leslie University, and a B.S. in Political Science from Northern State University. Kari is an elected city councilor, member of the city planning board, co-chairs an advisory team recommending curriculum adjustments to School District 5 and FVCC and volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator and educator.

Roberta Smith (Traditionalist) is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Supervisor for the State of Montana, DPHHS. She has been with the Department for 3.5 years, but in the Rehabilitation field for 23 years, since obtaining CRC. Her specialty is providing services for hearing impaired/deaf individuals.

Ron Pilsch (Traditionalist/Baby Boomer) is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of Montana and has provided his expertise for 20+ years. For the past 30 years he has owned and operated an excavation company and is also a Vietnam era veteran.

Chanda Hermanson (Generation Xer) is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of Montana and has worked in that capacity for the past 2 years. She recently completed her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Utah State University. She works with individuals in Flathead and Lake Counties who have disabilities and barriers in regards to employment.

Monthly Blueprint for Business Success brown bag sessions feature business professionals facilitating robust discussions. Attend to receive relevant information and opportunities to exchange peer-to-peer successes and challenges.

Who should attend? Employers interested in growing and evolving more effective organizations. Why?• Exchanging ideas, insights and real-world solutions directly impacts your bottom line. • Making better decisions quickly requires more and better information.• Utilizing all available resources to operate and grow is smart business.• Engaging and energizing your employees helps make your business successful.

Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2008Time: Noon – 1:00 pmLocation:The Summit 205 Sunnyview, Kalispell Cost: No cost!RSVP: Terri Haueter @ 758-6279 or thaueter@mt.gov

Career Fair Seeks Business Expertise

Jan. 10-11

In preparation for the FHS and GHS Freshmen students registering for classes their sophomore year and planning for the classes they will take throughout high school, School District #5 will hold a Career Fields Fair. The Career Field Fair will be in an arena setting at each high school. Community professionals representing the six Career Fields will present career and professional information and answer questions pertaining to the career field they represent. Please call and tell us you can volunteer for this new and valuable project. You will receive a packet of information and all the instructions for participating in this lively and innovative student event.Event: The Freshman Class Career Fields Fair

Need: 60 Community Volunteers – 10 for each of the Six Career Fields. See the information below. We need professionals in every occupational area.

Where & When: Flathead High School–Jan. 10, 11:00-3:30Glacier High School–Jan. 11, 8:00-12:30

What: An interactive discussion with freshman students in preparation for sophomore class registration and 10 year plan creation.

how: Please call 758-8634 or 751-3661 by Thursday, January 4 and let us know how and when you can help. WE NEED YOU!

Employment Extravaganza Coming

in April ‘08

The Employment Extravaganza the Biggest Employment Event in Our Valley is sponsored by Flathead County Workforce and Flathead Valley Community College with School District #5 as one of the organizing partners. The Six Career Fields is the bases for organizing and promoting this upscale employment showcase. The Employment Extravaganza is scheduled for mid-April and is primarily designed for high school and FVCC students. Call Roberta of Iva from the Flathead Job Service at 758-5453 for additional information.

7

Thank You members of the chamber for coming to the party. It was impossible to greet all of you with the number of folks in attendance but we felt your presence. The following were winners of the drawings: Dan Eigeman, Semitool, Split the Pot; Debbie Pierce, Alliance Title and Escrow Corp., Basket; Sue Marino, Trails West Eagle Bend Realty (Lakeside), Basket; Doug Rauthe, NW MT Human Resources, Basket; Holly Johnson, Sonju Industrial, Basket.The January UNWIND will be hosted by

Distinctive Countertops, 105 Rocky Cliff Lane on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. See you there.

Planning, Growth & Taxation in the Flathead Valley was the topic of December’s Leadership Flathead session. Class members heard from city and county planners who are trying to keep up with the unprecedented growth now

occurring in the valley. According to City of Kalispell Planner Tom Jentz, sustainable growth is considered to be about 1 percent per year. However, Kalispell is currently growing by 5 percent a year. Later in the day, affordable housing advocates Myrna Terry from Terry Construction and Patti Gregerson from Habitat from Humanity presented some grim statistics to the group. More than half of the homeowners in the valley could not afford to purchase their home and/or property at today’s prices. What does that mean for families trying to purchase their first home here? What about for young people graduating high school who would like to remain in the valley and make their life here? The day ended with a tour of some affordable homes in Kalispell. One of these homes is on the market for $214,000.

At the end of the day, the class was asked to identify things everyone in our community can do to benefit our valley and its residents. Here’s what they had to say:• In case you haven’t heard it enough…

get involved in city and county planning efforts! Make your voice heard. If you can’t attend meetings, voice your comments through a letter or email.

• Serving on planning boards is time prohibitive for many people who are juggling the demands of family and career. Others feel they do not have the technical expertise to serve on these boards. These barriers need to be addressed in order to involve more people in the planning process.

• The City of Kalispell’s 50-year plan for growth is impressive. Check it out if you’re not already familiar with it.

• Younger generations need to have realistic expectations about their first house… it took time for their parents to acquire the homes they now have. Maybe we don’t need two bathrooms in our first house?

• A local option sales tax in Flathead County, such as the one in Whitefish, could help pay for services consumed by the thousands and thousands of people who visit our valley annually.

This session was generously sponsored by Plum Creek; Crowley, Haughey, Hanson, Toole, & Dietrich Law; & APEC, Inc. Thank you!

Flathead County Cost-of-Living Figures For Second Quarter 2007 Released

Information released by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce revealed that Flathead County cost-of-living is .8% above the national average.

The Flathead County cost-of-living index measures differences between areas in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures. It is based on 59 items, for which prices are collected quarterly by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce throughout Flathead County.

Local data is combined with information from 289 other communities to create the ACCRA Cost of Living Index. ACCRA is the national association of community and economic research professionals. Other Montana areas participating in the survey include Bozeman and Missoula. The ACCRA Cost-of-Living Index for the Kalispell area during the second quarter of 2007 is as follows (average of 290 urban areas = 100):Composite 100.8 Grocery 108.9

Housing 98.9Utilities 95.2Transportation 96.3Health Care 102.6Miscellaneous 102.1

Composite Index for Other CommunitiesBozeman, MT 104.1Missoula, MT 100.8Idaho Falls, ID 91.2Twin Falls, ID 95.2Spokane, WA 94.7Laramie, WY 104.3

15 Depot Park • Kalispell, MT 59901

PrsrtDU.s. Postage

PaIDKalispell, Mt

Permit #13

PRESENTER - KRISTIN DONAHUE

Kristin Donahue is passionate about employee retention! She is a business consultant and owner of Employment Dimensions Consulting Services, LLC. Kristin’s work background includes time as a Retention Specialist for a large (2800+) health care system. She has held various other Human Resource roles and has served as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) representative on the Northern Colorado Human Resource Association (NCHRA) Board. Kristin holds a Masters degree in Human Resource Development from Colorado State University. Kristin brings skills in the areas of management coaching, employee counseling and performance management. She has successfullydeveloped and implemented internal dispute resolution processes, satisfaction surveys, mentor programs and reward and recognition systems. She enjoys using her creativity and energy to positively impact both a company and its employees. Kristin is a certified Thomas Concept instructor and an adjunct faculty member at Flathead Valley Community College. She also holds certifications in five workshops offered by HumaNext Inc. Clients describe her as “flexible”, “fun to work with”, “creative” and “energetic”.