Educational Opportunities

Educational Resource for Retailers

The Chamber has a full set of the WhizBang! Retail Mastery System to loan out to Chamber Members!

The Retail Mastery System spells out EXACTLY what you can do to put more profit and passion into your business - no matter what is happening in the economy. By improving performance of the eleven vital areas of your store, the Retail Mastery System can boost your store sales and transform your business from something that makes you work too hard - to an income-producing asset that works hard for you.

Check out these four free videos to increase the foot traffic into your store and see for yourself.

The eleven areas covered in the Retail Mastery System are: Marketing, Staff Development, Electronic Marketing, Personal Business Skills, Customer Service, Inventory Management, Store Operations, Selling, Visual Merchandising, Financial Management and Assortment Planning.

Each of the eleven topics, which together retail for $2497, is availble for Chamber Members to borrow, a month at a time, with a $250 deposit - refundable upon return. For more information contact: Susan Franck or call 517-782-8221

Jackson Retail Success Academy

“I would absolutely recommend it to everyone. I feel much more empowered as a small business in a bad economic time. I feel I have gained a wonderful support & a mentor system from this.” - Andrea Ramp of The Hodge Podge

Click here for the Application, Curriculum, List of Particpant Benefits, Letter of Understanding and Press Release

Contact: Susan or call: 517/782.8221

Leadership Academy & Alumni Association

Welcome to the 2011-2012 Leadership Academy Students!

To download the 2011-2012 Leadership Academy brochure click here.

To download the 2011-2012 Leadership Academy sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Thank you to our 2011-2012 Sponsors
CP Federal Credit Union
Consumers Energy
County National Bank
EECU - A Community Credit Union

Why Should YOU Register for the Leadership Academy?

Accelerate your leadership skills development
Expand your knowledge of the Jackson community
Identify personal passions and leverage skills to meet the emerging needs of the community
Have a positive impact on those around you both at work and in your community
Inspire you to become active in community efforts that will make Jackson a better place to live
Understand how to function in a changing workplace
Create personal goals which will allow you to reflect and assess leadership concepts and skills for your future development

Why Should You Send Your Staff Through The Leadership Academy?
Empower your employees to achieve all of the points listed above as well as preserve institutional knowledge, enhance diversity, and develop the skills that will allow your employee to go above and beyond for you and your customers. This will also allow you to provide challenging, growth orientated and rewarding opportunities for your employees. Your business will see an immediate return on investment from employees who are Leadership Academy graduates.
Are your employees worth this investment?

Expectations of Leadership Academy Participants
To get more out of your Leadership Academy experience, participants are required to complete the following activities during the program:

Attend all class sessions (two 2 hour sessions per month for 7 months)
Work with a mentor and write a one page report describing your mentorship experience.
Attend one Jackson City Council meeting
Attend one Jackson County Commissioners meeting
After graduation, spend time volunteering on a committee or on a board of directors at a non-profit of your choice.
Attend one of the Chamber of Commerce Board meetings. Must RSVP.
Attend one (1) Business After Hours or one (1) Ribbon Cutting

Commitment:
Leadership Academy takes place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month from September to April. The classes are from 8 - 10 am at Spring Arbor University downtown site 2nd floor, 113 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson. Light breakfast and coffee are provided during each session.

Call the Chamber at 517-782-8221 or email Angela at angela@jacksonchamber.org for more information.

The Leadership Academy committee is always looking for knowledgeable and creative speakers for the following sessions

Business and Professional Image
Understanding Yourself and Others
Ethical Decision Making/Diversity Experiences
Generational Variance and Leadership Styles
Team Building
Conflict Resolution
Public Speaking
Stress and Time Management
Marketing and Media
Mapping Your Future 1 and 2

If you are a knowledgeable and creative speaker or know someone who is please contact Angela at 517-782-8221 or angela@jacksonchamber.org.

Leadership Academy ALUMNI
The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce has a Leadership Academy Alumni Association.

Meeting schedule for 2011 is as follows:
March 3, June 2, September 1, December 1

All meetings are 7:30 am - 8:30 am at the Chamber offices.

If you are interested in being part of this association, please contact Angela Machnik at 517-782-8221 or angela@jacksonchamber.org.

You have one minute to say it…

You have one minute to explain yourself, your business, your goals and your passions. Your audience knows none of these. Are you prepared? Can you present your vision smoothly, enticing them to want to know more? Click here to find out how.

Why your company should have a Facebook Page (not a Profile)

The Chamber has been challenged by our social networking savvy members to convert our Facebook ‘Profile’ to a Facebook ‘Page’. We have since risen to the occasion and invite you to ‘like’ our new page so you don’t miss out.

Click here for more information on why your business needs a 'Page' and how to convert if you don't.

If you need assistance in setting up a page or going thru a conversion, you can call the Chamber office to make an appointment. One of our staff members will be happy to help walk you through it.

Six-Sentence Plan

Is your comprehensive marketing plan keeping you on track—or is it collecting dust?

Media Training

Tidbits of advice on how to handle the media.

Creating and sending a news release

There are times when every business has news worth sharing with the community. Learn how to get your news published.

Advice for Economic Club Luncheon Speakers

Going to be speaking at an Economic Club Luncheon? Try these tips to make your presentation one of the best.

tips for economic club lunches >>

Grammar Advice

Grammar advice - served with a side dish of humor.

grammar advice >>

Emergency Procedures Are An Essential Aspect of Business Planning

An emergency plan is essential to protecting you and your staff in the event that a fire or natural disaster arises. Learn more about what you should do in case of a disaster.

emergency plan advice >>