The Million Dollar Question Wow them like the Chinese!

I am big on the “WOW” factor in event planning and

production. But I learned a thing or two from the

nation that brought us the stunning opening ceremony

for the Olympics 2008: these guys know how to wow

you!

I spent 10 days with 40 other chamber presidents

from around the US and Canada touring and

participating in China’s economy. From the top of the

China Wall to the Forbidden City and everything in

between, the Chinese bent over backwards to impress

and please us. We didn't just meet with mayors of

Shanghai and Beijing, we were greeted from the

moment we stepped off the bus with dancers, dragon

actors, and greeters dressed in traditional Chinese

garb, then guided to indoor plazas where we ate like

royalty and listened to eloquent speeches to the

background of traditional, live Chinese music and

storytelling. I would suggest the next time we want to

land another Nestle-like manufacturer in our county,

we come together and wow site selectors in like

fashion. In fact, I will be so bold as to coin the

following phrase: wow them like the Chinese!

See more China Trip photos at

www.facebook.com/madisoncountychamberceo

November 1, 2010

Ever have a question

that keeps you up at

night? Mine is this:

how can MCC better

impact the bottom line

of our regional

economy?

I recently read a

religious text suggesting that good things

can rob us of better or best things (e.g.,

family relations, God, serving others,

personal development). In my

professional life, I interpreted this to

mean that we don’t have enough time in

the day to be involved with everything

that is good if we hope to achieve that

which is better or best. I find that I must

forego some good things in order to

focus my time and attention on what’s

better or best for the business

community.

That begs an answer to the next million

dollar question: what is better or best for what is better or best for what is better or best for what is better or best for

our business community? our business community? our business community? our business community?

I think the answer falls in with the

following four activities:

We can relocate what’s better or best

into our market area. We can incubate

it from within. We can better educate

what we already have (current and

future workforce) and/or we can

congregate locally, regionally, and

globally. In many ways, we are already

accomplishing this. We have multiple

economic development entities

including the Corporation for

Economic Development (Madison

County), the Chambers of Commerce

for Elwood and Alexandria, the City of

Anderson, Town of Pendleton, and

others who work to relocate companies and jobs into their

respective areas. The Flagship

Enterprise Center serves to

incubate new jobs and companies. Ivy Tech, Harrison College,

Purdue Technology Center, and

Anderson University and many others

labor to educate the current and future workforces of America.

Where does MCC fit in? We

congregate businesses, professionals, employers and

employees to produce commerce. It’s

called networking. It’s called

connecting. We can congregate

locally, regionally and globally. We

congregate online, in print, and in

person. Some ideas of programming

might include exclusive networking

groups by geography. Others reach out

regionally in an effort to bring new

dollars into our market. Example? The

Get Linked Expo—a potential of

$500,000 of new commerce for our

market.

This is an area I feel that qualifies for

a better or best effort on our behalf. If

MCC can introduce new commerce,

new dollars, new jobs, and new

opportunities into Madison County,

then perhaps we just might live up to

our mission statement and I just might

Connecting Business. Creating Commerce.

Put your business in the hands

of 800 plus decision

makers for only $199. You print it and fold it, we’ll mail it.

Save on cost of mailing through

this unique, shared medium.

Contact Rita Puckett

rita@getlinkedmadison.com

GETLINKEDMADISON

Madison County Chamber | 2701 Enterprise Dr. #109 | Anderson, IN 46013 | 765.642.0264 | www.getlinkedmadison.com

Search <Get Linked Madison> group on LinkedIntm and join the conversation.

Kyle Morey, CEO

WELCOME NEW AND RENEWING CLIENTS

Irma Hampton Stewart, Attorney at Law | 12 Stars Media Productions | Jerry Porter | Coeus Technology, Inc.

RELOCATERELOCATERELOCATERELOCATE

CONGREGATECONGREGATECONGREGATECONGREGATE

EDUCATEEDUCATEEDUCATEEDUCATE INCUBATEINCUBATEINCUBATEINCUBATE

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Kyle Morey greeted in Suzhou by Chineese Actor

Nov 4 | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

GET LINKED EXPOGET LINKED EXPOGET LINKED EXPOGET LINKED EXPO

Connect to over 1,000 business executives from 6 major business clusters in Central Indiana.

Cost: $10 at door (free with advanced registration) Where: Hoosier Park Racing ● Casino, Exit 26/I-69

Nov 9 | 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

2011 BUSINESS OUTLOO2011 BUSINESS OUTLOO2011 BUSINESS OUTLOO2011 BUSINESS OUTLOOK LUNCHEON & FORECASTK LUNCHEON & FORECASTK LUNCHEON & FORECASTK LUNCHEON & FORECAST

Are you ready for 2011? Want to get a head start by knowing the business forecast? Join our expert panelists from Indiana University and Ball State as we discuss what’s in store for 2011 and beyond. Sponsored by the Anderson Rotary Club and MCC.

Cost: $15 (includes lunch and networking) Where: Anderson County Club, 602 North Shore Blvd.

Nov 11 | 8:30 am to 11:30 am

BRUNCH & LEARN: THE BATTLE FOR YOUR INBOXBRUNCH & LEARN: THE BATTLE FOR YOUR INBOXBRUNCH & LEARN: THE BATTLE FOR YOUR INBOXBRUNCH & LEARN: THE BATTLE FOR YOUR INBOX

This seminar provides a comprehensive plan to help you regain control—not through tricks, but by adopting a new perspective on email.

Cost: $45 (includes breakfast buffet and materials)Where: FEC, 2701 Enterprise Dr., Anderson

Dec 3 | Noon MCC/AU ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD LUNCHEON MCC/AU ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD LUNCHEON MCC/AU ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD LUNCHEON MCC/AU ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD LUNCHEON

Join Anderson University and the Madison County Chamber in honoring the Entrepreneur of the Year.

Cost: $15 (includes lunch and networking) Where: Anderson Country Club, 602 N. Shore Blvd.

Upcoming Events For more information or to register

>> www.getlinkedmadison.com

Get “flipped” at MCC events!

Have you been “flipped” at a networking event recently? The Madison County Chamber now offers an additional way to

connect online with video pitches and more.

How does it work? Simply attend an upcoming networking event (Wake Up Breakfast, Women in Business, Get Linked Expo, etc.) and ask to be flipped. A member of the MCC Team will gladly whip out an official MCC Flip Video Camera, press the record button, and give you up to 30 seconds to tell the

online world why they should do business with you.

“This is a great way to provide more content to search engines for business topics in Madison County,” says Angela Barbosa, Marketing and Communications for MCC. “It also

provides another way for members to connect.”

The MCC Flip Camera will also record events, programs, and meetings that will then be posted online via YouTube,

LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Madison County Chamber | 2701 Enterprise Dr. #109 | Anderson, IN 46013 | 765.642.0264 | www.getlinkedmadison.com

COMPLIMENTARY SCORE WORKSHOPS

At the Flagship Enterprise Center from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Nov 11: Keys to Starting a Business

Nov 18: Customer Focused Biz Plan

Dec 2: Marketing, Customer Focus

Dec 9 : Start-up Funding

Dec 16: Bank Loan Panel