The Brentwood Clarion
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The Brentwood Voice of Business March 2009
Vol. 45, No 3
YOUR CHAMBER IS MOVING TO A NEW LOCATION To better serve the Chamber Membership, the Chamber will be moving to 8440 C Brentwood Blvd. located at the corner of Chestnut Street and Brentwood Blvd. The new space is configured to serve the membership, and the community. The space will have an office space to be used as a Small Business Resource Center. There will also be a long-needed conference/meeting room. This location will put us in a very visible, convenient downtown corner. The new office site will meet the needs of the Brentwood community, the Brentwood Chamber membership, the Chamber Board, and the Chamber staff. The new location is conveniently located in the old downtown area on a very busy corner. We will have street parking, our own building parking, parking adjacent in a city parking lot, and a large city parking lot located across the street on Chestnut. This location will make it easy to direct people to our office and allow visitors who come to the Brentwood area to find us with ease. The inside of the building is where the significant difference between the current office space and the new space happens. The current space has no individual office spaces, and the new one does. The current space has no space to serve our members, the latest one does. The current space has no meeting space and the new space has a large meeting room. For a number of years the Chamber has talked to the city about locating a Business Resource Center in the Chamber office. The new space will have an office space dedicated as a Business Resource Center. The center will house the SCORE counselors, a Business Resource Library and a computer with an internet link that will be used for business research. Currently no staff member can meet with a member, a visitor, a customer, or even have a staff meeting in a private quiet place. The new office space will provide that opportunity. The biggest change will be the large conference/meeting room. This will allow the Chamber to host its own meetings, hold its own seminars, hold its board meetings in its own space, and provide space to other membership type organizations for their meetings. The Chamber owes a big thanks to Paul Kelly with Home One Mortgage for the flexibility in moving his office in the building and to our landlord, John Continente, for the good deal and the excellent work put into the tenant improvements of the building. The new office space for the Chamber will become the business heart of the East County business community. As soon as we are settled in, we will hold an open house/ribbon-cutting and invite all Chamber members to visit their new business home. Harry L. York, CEO
The Brentwood Clarion
Page 2 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE BY
GREG BENNER, LES SCHWAB TIRES The Value of Customer Service We are all aware of the importance of customer service in the business place, but what does that really mean? Does it show up only after a problem has arisen, or only after the customer finally finds someone to help them? It seems all too common that service is being handled in this manner. What type of impression is being given, if customer service is only being given when the customer demands it? All too often this seems to be the case. True customer service starts long before any transaction takes place. It starts with first impressions. Greet the customer with a clean and inviting place of business inside and out, then with polite, friendly and helpful employee’s that truly want to help. Customers are the lifeblood of every business and must be treated that way, and not as an imposition to your routine. Listen to their needs and help them make the decision that is right for them. That is why they are coming to you, you are the professional. Above all be HONEST! You can always sell something to someone once, but will they choose to come to you again, and most important, who will they tell about their experience. Then do what you promised. Deliver your service or product when promised and the way the customer asked for it. Finally, let them know that you really do appreciate their choice in letting you take care of them and invite them to come back if you can ever help again, and mean it! Customer service should always start the moment a person decides to call or visit your business. If you wait to provide that extra service only after a problem has happened, it’s too late. Even if you fixed their problem, odds are they may not be back. Give them exceptional service without them having to ask for it and they will not easily forget you. In closing I would like to share with you Les Schwab’s Ten Commandments of Customer Service he shared with his employee’s years ago.
1. Bring’em back alive. -Ask Customer’s what they want and give it to them, again and again. 2. Systems, not smiles. -Saying please and thank you doesn’t ensure you’ll do the job right the first time, every time. Only systems guarantee that. 3. Under promise, over deliver. -Customers expect you to keep your word. Exceed it. 4. When the customer asks, the answer is always yes. -Period 5. Fire your inspectors and consumer relations department. -Every employee who deals with customers must have the authority to handle complaints. 6. No complaints? Something’s wrong. -Encourage your customer’s to tell you what you are doing wrong. 7. Measure everything. -Baseball teams do it, Hockey teams do it, you should too. 8. Salaries are unfair. -Pay people like partners. Recognition is important. 9. Your mother was right. -Show people respect. Be polite, it works. 10. Japanese them. -Learn how the best really do it, make their systems your own. Then improve them. Take care of your customers, take care of your employees and profits will take care of themselves. Greg Benner
Mission Statement: The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization dedicated to the promotion of the civic and commercial progress of the community. We will continuously strive to maintain and foster a healthy business climate for Chamber members and the entire community.
The Brentwood Clarion
Page 3 The Brentwood Chamber office is now able to provide you with all your Human Resource materials. We have copies of the 2009 California and Federal Posters, 2009 California Labor Law Digest, California Labor Law Administration, and the 2009c Employee Handbook software.
Now on sale in the Chamber office is a pictorial history of Brentwood by author Carol A. Jensen
Phone: 925-625-0278 P.O. Box 406 Oakley, CA 94561 www.linmarkltd.logomall.com Email: linmarkltd@att.net
All Sports Trophies Advertising Specialties Custom & Corporate Awards
(925) 516-8880 • Fax (925) 625-5316 Email: starawards@sbcglobal.net
Bob & Sharon Sherriff, Owners
Cell 925.813.1319
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The Brentwood Clarion
February 20, 2009 We know many of you are concerned about the budget solution approved by the Legislature this week and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger today. I am just as concerned as you about our economic situation, our state’s future and the ability of California businesses to remain viable and to create new jobs. The budget that was just signed was a true compromise. The state was virtually bankrupt and without a plan in place, we would not have been able to pay bills, give tax refunds, provide essential services or support infrastructure projects intended to improve our communities and which create jobs. While it is not a perfect solution, this budget plan does help California make progress toward eliminating our deficit, cuts government spending to 2006 levels and includes some important reforms. When the budget negotiations began, the Governor and the majority party were pursuing targeted tax increases some of which were permanent - to help solve the state’s fiscal crisis. Through a series of compromises that CalChamber encouraged, the final deal ended up including sizable reductions in government spending—to 2005 levels—and increase in taxes that are the least damaging to our economy because they are temporary and do not target particular industries or individuals. For example, originally there was a proposal to tax a variety of services which would have resulted in an immediate 10 percent surcharge for many of California’s small businesses. Had this approach been allowed to move forward, companies here would have faced an immediate and permanent competitive disadvantage to those located in other states. Ultimately, the deal that was approved incorporated important concessions that will work to improve our economy, including tax breaks for new hiring by both large and small businesses and expediting infrastructure projects. An additional win in this budget is the opportunity that voters will have in two upcoming elections to enact important, lasting reforms. During a May 2009 special election, voters can approve budgetary and governance measures strongly supported by Governor Schwarzenegger that will smooth future budget volatility, regulate growth of government and set money aside to fund essential programs when the inevitable economic downturns occur. This is an important legacy that will protect California’s economic health for generations to come. Further, in June 2010, Californians can adopt the open primary system. The open primary could finally create a system of governance that will allow all voters in a district to select their representative through non-partisan primaries and general elections. The California budget crisis needed resolution. The immediate consequences of a bankrupt California would have been the inability to fund education, provide public safety services to local communities or continue work on transportation projects throughout the state. The long-term effects would have been far worse. I understand that few are happy with this budget and we will all sacrifice. However, it is important to remember that this was an incredibly difficult situation that would only have been made worse by inaction. The courage of many will allow our state to move forward as we begin work to restore economic vitality and quality of life to the Golden State. Sincerely, Allan Zaremberg President and Chief Executive Officer
The Brentwood Clarion
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FEBRUARY MIXER Hosted by
ECOWATER/SERVISOFT 380 Carol Court 925-513-2373 Chamber members descended on Ecowater/Servisoft for the February 19th mixer. The hosts took those who were interested in the process of making water drinkable on tours of their new facility. It is truly a marvelous facility. As Rob told us in his introductions it is family run operation, even the employees become part of the family. The hosts donated a beautiful floral arrangement for the drawing won by Tony Martinez of Edible Arrangements.
Claude Johnson and Rob Winslow with the array of food they hope will be eaten at their February mixer.
Rob Winslow presenting the business card drawing winner, Leonard Roudman from the Brentwood Library with a reverse osmosis system.
The Chamber would like to thank the following businesses for their generous donations for the drawing. Bella Luna Chocolates Brentwood Press East County Woodworks Edible Arrangements Kendal Automotive Monthly Grapevine
Premier Designs Jewelry Red Barn Hotrods Rich McDaniel, Mutual of Omaha Sutter Delta Medical Center The Commons at Oak Grove WineShop at Home
Onezime Blagas of It’s a Grind was the winner of Sal Cutino’s ravioli roller. Sal is the owner of East County Woodworks
Joe Trebino of Delta Pure Water, Etc. won the share-the-pot drawing of $115.
Income Tax Preparation Financial and Tax Planning Business Management Bookkeeping
8440 Brentwood Blvd., Suite H 925-240-1242 “Best of Brentwood” 2002-2007 Business of the Year, 15th Assembly District
The Brentwood Clarion
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CITIZEN OF THE YEAR DINNER GENE CLARE WHERE:
NINES RESTAURANT AT BRENTWOOD GOLF CLUB 100 SUMMERSET DRIVE, BRENTWOOD
WHEN:
MARCH 28, 2009
TIME:
NO HOST COCKTAILS DINNER PROGRAM
COST:
$55.00 PER PERSON must make reservations by March 18, 2009
6:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M.
Mail your R.S.V.P. card along with your payment and meal choice to Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, 240 Oak Street, Brentwood, CA 94513 or stop by the office.
ASK THE EXPERT LUNCHEON EMPLOYMENT LAW The Chamber’s first “Ask the Expert Luncheon” will be held on March 12, 2009, at Cap’s Oak Street Bar and Grill starting at 11:30 a.m. The speaker will be Rhonda Shelton, attorney and employment law specialist. Ms. Shelton will discuss a variety of employment law issues important to small business owners, including the benefits of employee manuals, which employers are subject to various state and federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the California Family Rights Act, the general requirements of the various laws to which employers are subject, the penalties for failing to comply with those laws, discipline, terminations, and privacy rights of employees. Anyone who has even one employee will want to attend this luncheon to learn the right and wrong way to handle employee issues. MEAL CHOICE:
SMOKED SALMON___________
PRICE:
$15.00 PER PERSON
POT ROAST__________
You can mail your reservation and payment to the Chamber office at 240 Oak Street, Brentwood, CA 94513 or stop by the office.
The Brentwood Clarion
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BRENTWOOD CHAMBER 2009 CORNFEST If you are interested in securing a place in Info Alley for the Brentwood CornFest, you can obtain an application at the Chamber office. Don’t delay in returning the application because it does fill rapidly. The commercial and food vendor applications for space on the streets are now available. At-Home Tastings •Premier Wine Gifts Custom-Labeled Corporate Gifts
Kathi Reed Independent Wine Consultant
925-240-8382 www.winealongwithme.com wine@kathireed.com
The Chamber is also looking for volunteers to help with the CornFest. If you are interested in joining the work force, either call the Chamber office or email us at info@brentwoodchamber.com with your contact information.
The Brentwood Clarion
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SMART & FINAL, Brentwood’s newest grocery store, helped Mayor Taylor cut the ribbon at 5491 Lone Tree Way. The store was over flowing with people for their Grand Opening event. Larry Bennett and store management presented Bill Putman, President of Delta Community Services with a check for $5,000. Delta Community Services provides help for those in need in East County.
J & R SUPPLY owner, Jeffrey Varrella cuts the ribbon on his new facility at 580 Valdry Court, Suite D-3. J & R Supply is a distributor of heating and air conditioners, supplies, equipment and repairs. They can be reached by calling 925-240-8500.
Rod Herman, manager, of FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO STORE at 6836 Lone Tree Way cuts the ribbon on February 13th. Rod is surrounded by employees, friends and Chamber members. Firestone’s phone number is 634-8404 On January 29th, family, friends and Chamber members joined Robert Fabricante at TASTE TEA GELATO to cut the ribbon on their new shop at 6560 Lone Tree Way, Ste. B. In addition to many varieties of tea and gelato, you can get delicious sandwiches and soups. Next time you are looking for a good lunch or just a snack drop by and say hello. Their phone number is 684-4692
The Brentwood Clarion
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2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MARCH CHAMBER MIXER Hosted by
CORTONA PARK 150 CORTONA WAY BRING A NON-MEMBER FOR ENTRY INTO SPECIAL RAFFLE IF YOUR GUEST JOINS THE CHAMBER YOU RECEIVE A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAIGN
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009 5:30 TO 7:30 P.M. RAFFLE PRIZES SHARE THE POT
AMBASSADOR OF THE
YEAR PAT TROMBINO Pat works at First Bank, 6590 Lone Tree Way in Brentwood. Unfortunately, in our February issue of the Clarion we did not have a picture of Pat. However, we did want to let her know how important her contributions have been as not only an Ambassador, but also as a volunteer in the Chamber office.
March 5
Traveling Lounge—Tailgaters
March 12
“Ask the Experts” Luncheon—Cap’s Employment Law by R. Shelton, Esq.
March 19
Mixer—Cortona Park
March 26
Brown Bag Lunch—Chamber Board Room—”Small Business Survival”
March 28
Citizen of the Year
April 16
Mixer—Eskaton
April 22
Employees’ Appreciation Luncheon
April 23
Good Morning Brentwood Breakfast
May 14
Mixer—Contra Costa Fair Ground With Antioch Chamber
June 18
Mixer—Brentwood Golf Club
July 10,11,12
CornFest
July 16 August 20 September 17 Mixer—First Bank September 18 Golf Tournament October 15
Mixer—John Muir Health
October 24
Hometown Halloween
November 7
A Taste of Brentwood
November 19
Mixer-Scary Larry's
November 21
Holiday Parade
December
Holiday Gala
Mixer Locations (or Ribbon Cuttings) can (and do) change at any time. Check the Calendar of Events on our website for updated information:
www.brentwoodchamber.com
The Brentwood Clarion
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511 CONTRA COSTA Matt Wood 2300 Contra Costa Blvd., Ste. 360 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Phone: 925-969-1083 Fax: 925-969-9135 Email: mwood@511contracosta.org
J & R SUPPLY, INC. Jeffrey Varrella 580 Valdry Court, Ste. D-3 Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-240-8500 Fax: 925-240-8329 Email: info@jandrsupply.net
A TRINITY EVENT Kristin Frost 1277 Prominent Drive Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-513-2672 Fax: 925-513-2672 Email: kristin@atrinityevent.com
SHIMMER JEWELS Amanda Emery 13 Susie Court Oakley, CA 94561 Phone: 925-628-3265 Email: amanda @shimmerjewels.com
BRENTWOOD YOGA CENTER Sandy Carmellini 8650-H Brentwood Blvd. Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-240-6864 Fax: 925-240-6864 Email: yogasandy@rocketmail.com
THE SHEPHERD’S KITCHEN Saed Awwad 50 Sand Creek Road Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-308-7000 Email: saed@echooofchrist.org
THE UPS STORE Leah Becker 2420 Sand Creek Road, Ste. C1 Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-634-9405
The Brentwood Clarion
Page 11 BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Karen Spann, President The Monthly Grapevine
Kathi Reed, Past President WineShop at Home
Shayn Cutino, President-Elect Anja Wellness
Ken Seamann, CFO Discovery Professional Services
Joe Trebino, Executive Committee Delta Pure Water, Etc.
Brent Aasen, Director EQUUS Group
Greg Benner, Director Les Schwab Tires
Bill Fee, Director Mazzy’s Fire Protection Specialists
De-De Hays, Director Prudential California Realty
Paul Kelly, Director Home One Mortgage
Sean McCauley, Director McCauley Olive Groves
Lyle Miller, Director Lyle Miller, Pastry Chef
The Chamber Ambassador Team Pat Trombino, First Bank 2008 Ambassador of the Year Paul Roman, Window Innovations Amy Alvis, Living Trusts by Amy David Mengel, Gemini Staffing Vicki Sexton, First Bank Olga Vidriales, Travis Credit Union Susanna Wahl, Edward Jones Donna Zickerman, Sarah Coventry Ed Gutierrez, Certa Pro Painters Melina Perdom, Certa Pro Painters Joe Randall, Randall Investment Group, Inc Michael Hernandez, New York Life Lori Knudsen, California Payroll Shirley Freeman, America’s Best Choice
Richard Perez-Pacheco, Director Black Sheep Design
Marlon Smith, Director Best Buy
Olga Vidriales Travis Credit Union t——————————————————
Harry York, CEO Bonnie Lucchese, Support Services Director Jilda Fairhurst, Event Coordinator Bill Putman, Volunteer CHAMBER HOURS Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Phone (925) 634-3344 Fax (925) 634-3731 email: info@brentwoodchamber.com
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The Brentwood Clarion Brentwood Chamber of Commerce 240 Oak Street Brentwood, CA 94513
The Brentwood Clarion
Phone: 925-634-3344 Fax: 925-634-3731 Email: info@brentwoodchamber.com www.brentwoodchamber.com