Visit us at :

www.southtarrantchamber.com

Join us at our next luncheon

to meet and greet all of our

board members and staff per-

sonally. Miller will also convey

his vision for the chamber in

2009. This is a lunch that you

do not want to miss. Get ready,

get set, let’s go into the new

year on fire!

Happy New Year! The new

year is here and we are excited

to help take your business to

the next level. STC has experi-

enced a shift in leadership and

with this shift comes new ideas,

new programs, and a new di-

rection. David Miller, City Man-

ager of the City of Forest Hill, is

our new Chairman.

Miller has expressed a

strong passion for our busi-

nesses. He desires to bring an

enthusiastic common sense

approach to the table. His goal

is to see an effective chamber

truly building better businesses

in South Tarrant County. He

started the new year running

and has assigned new duties to

our board members to ensure

our Chamber operates at it’s

highest capacity.

In addition to our new Chair-

man, Sam Shafeeq who served

as Chairman with honor from

2006-2008 is now our new

Vice-Chair. Nicole Spencer will

serve in the position of Execu-

tive Director; Gwen Barbee will

Chair our Membership Commit-

tee and Venus Wehle will Chair

our Events Committee. Shirley

Fowkes will lead our Ambassa-

dors Committee and lastly,

Ozell Birks will lead our Fiscal

Management Committee.

This year we would like to

encourage your participation in

all of our programs and events

to maximize the benefits of the

chamber. Please bring business

cards and marketing items to

every event. Our website has

been created to keep you in-

formed of upcoming events.

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V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

C H A M B E R N E W S Y O U C A N U S E

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

B U S I N E S S / E C O N O M I C

D O W N T U R N

2

2 0 0 8 M E M B E R S 3

U P C O M I N G

E V E N T S 3

V O L U N T E E R

C A M P A I G N

3

A B O U T U S 4

Business Quotes

“There is one thing

stronger than all the

armies in the world,

and that is an idea

whose time has

come.”

-Victor Hugo

•

David Miller, Chairman

Luncheon Explosion

New in ‘09

2/12/09 2/12/09 2/12/09 2/12/09

11:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.–––– 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m.

Glen Garden Country ClubGlen Garden Country ClubGlen Garden Country ClubGlen Garden Country Club

2916 Glen Garden Drive2916 Glen Garden Drive2916 Glen Garden Drive2916 Glen Garden Drive

Fort Worth, Texas 76119Fort Worth, Texas 76119Fort Worth, Texas 76119Fort Worth, Texas 76119

RSVP Today! (817) 568RSVP Today! (817) 568RSVP Today! (817) 568RSVP Today! (817) 568----2685268526852685

• New Leadership

• New Programs

• New Members

Page 2 C H A M B E R N E W S Y O U C A N U S E

Caption describing picture or graphic.

How to Successfully Navigate Your Business through an Economic Downturn by: Terry H. Hill

An economic downturn is a phase of the business cycle in which the economy as a whole is in decline. This phase basically marks the end of the period of growth in the business cycle. Eco-nomic downturns are character-ized by decreased levels of con-sumer purchases (especially of durable goods) and, subse-quently, reduced levels of produc-tion by businesses. While economic downturns are admittedly difficult, and are formi-dable obstacles to small busi-nesses that are trying to survive and grow, an economic downturn

can open up opportunities. A well-managed company can realize the opportunity to gain market share by taking customers away from their competitors. Resource-ful entrepreneurs capture the available opportunities, from an economic downturn, by develop-ing alternate methods of doing business that were never imple-mented during a prior growth period. The challenge of successfully navigating your business through an economic downturn lies in the realignment of your business with current economic realities. Spe-

cifically, you, as the business owner, need to renew a focus on your core clients/customers, re-duce your operating expenses, conserve cash, and manage more proactively, rather than reactively, is paramount. Here are best practices that will help you to successfully navi-gate your business through an economic downturn: Goals: The primary goal of any business owner is to survive the current economic downturn and to develop a leaner, more cost-effective and more efficient op-

eration. The secondary goal is to grow the business even during this current economic downturn. Objectives: • Conserve cash. • Protect assets. • Reduce costs. • Improve efficiencies.

• Grow customer base.

Required Action: • Do not panic… History shows that economic downturns do not last forever. Remain calm and act in a rational manner as you refo-cus your attention on resizing your company to the current eco-nomic conditions. • Focus on what YOU can con-trol… Don’t let the media's rheto-ric concerning recessions and economic slowdown deter you from achieving business success. It’s a trap! Why? Because the condition of the economy is be-yond your control. Surviving eco-nomic downturns requires a focus on what you can control, i.e. your

relevant business activities. • Communicate, communicate, and communicate! Beware of the pitfall of trying to do too much on your own. It is a difficult task in-deed to survive and to grow your business solely with your own efforts. Solicit ideas and seek the help of other people (your employ-ees, suppliers, lenders, custom-ers, and advisors). Communicate honestly and consistently. Effec-tive two-way communication is the key. • Negotiate, negotiate, and nego-tiate! The value of a strong nego-tiation skill set cannot be over-stated. Negotiating better deals

and contracts is an absolute must for realigning and resizing your company to the current economic conditions. The key to success is not only knowing how to develop a win-win approach in negotia-tions with all parties, but also keeping in mind the fact that you want a favorable outcome for

yourself too.

To read the remainder of this article please visit Terry H. Hill ‘s

website.

Terry H. Hill is the founder and managing partner of Legacy Asso-ciates, Inc, a business consulting and advisory services firm. A vet-eran chief executive, Terry works directly with business owners of privately held companies on the issues and challenges that they face in each stage of their busi-ness life cycle. To find out how he can help you take your business

to the next level, visit his site

at http://www.legacyai.com

Copyright © 2008 Terry H. Hill

Join TodayJoin TodayJoin TodayJoin Today

• Monthly Networking LuncheonsMonthly Networking LuncheonsMonthly Networking LuncheonsMonthly Networking Luncheons

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• Annual Business DirectoryAnnual Business DirectoryAnnual Business DirectoryAnnual Business Directory

• 1 Year Subscription to Inc. Magazine1 Year Subscription to Inc. Magazine1 Year Subscription to Inc. Magazine1 Year Subscription to Inc. Magazine

• Ribbon Cuttings Ribbon Cuttings Ribbon Cuttings Ribbon Cuttings

• And more!And more!And more!And more!

We celebrate our 2008

members and look forward to

many more in 2009. If you

have a new business or a new

business location please con-

tact us to conduct a ground

breaking or ribbon cutting

ceremony. (All requests must

be at least 2 weeks in ad-

vance.) We can also do an-

nouncements and press re-

leases in the next newsletter.

Some of our new members in

2008 are listed below. To get

more information on the busi-

nesses listed please visit our

online business directory.

www.southtarrantchamber.com

• Guardian First Credit

Union

• Brothers III Carpet

• Chesapeake Energy

• Jabez Enterprise Group

• Pathway Builders

• My Credit Union

• Sunrise Personnel

• Liberty Mutual

• South Tarrant Star

• Life Unlimited

• Jackson Hewitt

• Cement Colors

• Up and Away Travel

standing teachers and students

on a quarterly basis. Donations

of any kind to this scholarship

program is welcomed.

We also have plans to volun-

teer with non-profit organiza-

tions to help carry out their mis-

sions in the community. This

work will range from helping the

City of Forest Hill’s parks to do-

nating toys at Christmas to the

What better way to connect to

your community then through

volunteering? STC believes in

giving back to our schools and

community. In 2009 many volun-

teer opportunities will arise and

we would like to encourage your

participation.

In the past we have given nu-

merous scholarships to our local

schools. We recognize out-

Forest Hill Action Group.

Join us in making a differ-

ence.

STC’s committees al-

ways welcome new volun-

teers. We have several

committees on which you

can serve, to be a part of

the action contact Nicole

Spencer 817.568.2686.

N E W M E M B E R S I N 2 0 0 8

V O L U N T E E R S N E E D E D

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S - S A V E T H E D A T E

FebruaryFebruaryFebruaryFebruary

2/12/09 Monthly Luncheon2/12/09 Monthly Luncheon2/12/09 Monthly Luncheon2/12/09 Monthly Luncheon

MarchMarchMarchMarch

3/12/09 Monthly Luncheon3/12/09 Monthly Luncheon3/12/09 Monthly Luncheon3/12/09 Monthly Luncheon

3/30/09 Business Directory3/30/09 Business Directory3/30/09 Business Directory3/30/09 Business Directory

AprilAprilAprilApril

4/30/09 Awards Banquet4/30/09 Awards Banquet4/30/09 Awards Banquet4/30/09 Awards Banquet

4/30/09 Newsletter 4/30/09 Newsletter 4/30/09 Newsletter 4/30/09 Newsletter

YOUR COMPANY YOUR COMPANY YOUR COMPANY YOUR COMPANY

HEREHEREHEREHERE

How will they How will they How will they How will they

know unless you know unless you know unless you know unless you

tell them? tell them? tell them? tell them?

Advertise today!Advertise today!Advertise today!Advertise today!

817.568.2685817.568.2685817.568.2685817.568.2685

Page 3 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

No time to make it to

our monthly luncheons?

Business After Hours

Coming Soon!

Ribbon Cutting for Colbert Ball Tax Services

Donation from STC to Kennedale High School

6800 Forest Hill Drive6800 Forest Hill Drive6800 Forest Hill Drive6800 Forest Hill Drive

Forest Hill, Texas 76140Forest Hill, Texas 76140Forest Hill, Texas 76140Forest Hill, Texas 76140

Phone: 817Phone: 817Phone: 817Phone: 817----568568568568----2685268526852685

EEEE----mail: info@southtarrantchamber.commail: info@southtarrantchamber.commail: info@southtarrantchamber.commail: info@southtarrantchamber.com

Our Mission:Our Mission:Our Mission:Our Mission:

Build better businesses through

networking, education and exposure.

Our Slogan:Our Slogan:Our Slogan:Our Slogan:

“Building Better Businesses”

Our Service Area:Our Service Area:Our Service Area:Our Service Area:

• Forest Hill

• Everman

• Kennedale

• South Arlington

• South Fort Worth

We welcome your We welcome your We welcome your We welcome your

business or organization.business or organization.business or organization.business or organization.

Join Today!Join Today!Join Today!Join Today!

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y /M A R C H 2 0 0 9

We are on the web!

www.southtarrantchamber.com

STC Board/Staff plan for 2009

Wednesday

April 22, 2009

Fort Worth Convention Center

Expo offers:

* Educational opportunities for

small business owners

* Minority/Women Business

Enterprise (M/WBE)

certification education

* Procurement opportunities with

large prime contractors

and government agencies

* 300-plus vendors in Exhibit Hall

Register to attend or exhibit:

www.The Expo.org

Expo Hotline: 817-871-6021

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