BUSINESS CHAMBER
JUNE 2022 | VOL. 7, ISSUE 3
CONNECTION
4 Weeks of Yummm comes to an end...who are the winners?
Foundation Scholarships Announced
10th Annual We:Lead Business Forum
Upcoming Events: Chamber Open 2022
Chamber News Letter from the Director Member Spotlight Member Anniversaries
Member News, Grand Openings, and more...
HR Essentials: Employee Retention in the Age of Turnover
GROVE CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GCCHAMBER.ORG
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#GC
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@ GroveCityOhio
IN THIS ISSUE: Chamber News
10
Women’s Business Forum
16
Member News
11
Travel
18
A Taste of Grove City
12
HR Essentials
20
Chamber Open
14
Business Tips
21
Non Profit Spotlight
15
Scholarship Recipients
22
CHAMBER DESK
CITY DEMOGRAPHICS Population: 42,400 Median Age: 39.7 Population Over 18: 79% Population Over 65: 17% Number of Households: 16,197 Average Home Price: $189,268 Median Income Per Household: $74,451
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Letter from the Director
Encouraging note from Director, Shawn Conrad.
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Member Recognition
Welcome new and celebrate current members.
Want to learn more about the demographics of Grove City? Visit: GroveCityOhio.Gov/about-us-and-tourism/community-information
Cover image: 2022 GC Foundation Spring Award Recipients
CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION JUNE 2022 | 3
IMPROVING THE PROSPERITY OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND PERSONAL GROWTH. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO CONTINUE PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. Buy tickets to our Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Show Dinner * Dancing * Silent & Live Auctions * Raffles
Save the Date: October 21, 2022 | 6:30-10:30
Buy apparel, blankets & more through our online store.
tinyurl.com/gccfshop
Support us with your everyday online shopping with Amazon. Add us as your Amazon Smile Charity
tinyurl.com/gccfsmile Participate in our
New Annual Let's Wreath Fundraiser.
Donate a Wreath & Buy one for your home or business
gcchamberfoundation.org/wreath-it
YOUR CHAMBER Chamber Business Connections is published bi-monthly by the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce with revenue from member dues, advertising, and sponsorship. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the content in this publication, by any method or purpose whatsoever, without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Only chamber members can advertise in Chamber Business Connection. To plan advertising contact the chamber.
Your Board Lisa Zeigler President
Kay Anderson
Chris Moscato 2023 President Elect
Wayne Coakley
Nick Connaughton VP Finance
Lisa Graves
Ed Fleming Immediate Past President
Lynn Weita
Rachel Kutay VP at large
Letter from the Director The Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to support business and industry in our area. We are committed to promoting business growth and development and to making Grove City a better place to live, work, worship, learn and conduct business. I would urge you to support the companies that call Grove City Ohio pages as they too are supporting our goals to make this area a better place. Growth, change, research, technology, and many other factors challenge us daily to adjust our lifestyle, confront new opportunities, and meet higher demands. The Chamber is committed to track and impact economic growth, keep pace with the changes of marketing and consumer habits, and assist its members with their needs, providing programs and benefits to enhance their business and strengthen our community.
Katie Antry Greg Dawkins
The strengths and successes of this organization come from individuals within our membership who volunteer their talents and expertise to rally the forces to meet these challenges. The work and rewards of the Chamber are not limited to the Board of Directors and Staff. Business representatives and employees can share the goodwill and excitement of the regular and special events sponsored by the Chamber. Networking and showcasing your business to fellow members and the public are advantages of membership and your participation in events like our Golf Outing, the Taste of Grove City, WE:LEAD Women’s’ Business Forum, seminars and workshops, POWER HOUR’S, Boo Off Broadway and Chamber After Hours.
Heather Miller Trent Soles Dylon Sparks
Thank you for being the foundation of The Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce - strong, viable, and proud to be your voice in the community since 1978.
-Shawn Staff Executive Director Shawn Conrad Events Manager Marilyn Reiner Administrative and Events Coordinator Heather Brokaw Kaziah Conrad Member Service Specialist
CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION JUNE 2022 | 5
DAV I D T O D D 61 4 -3 0 9 - 9 6 0 0
www.Tod d Travel.com | David Tod d @CruisePlanners.com
FLST# 39068, CST# 2034468-50, HST# TAR-7058, WAST# 603-399-504
PACKAGE #1 MAXIMUM IMPRESSIONS 4 full page ads. You'll receive 1 full page ad in 4 issues of the GCACC Business Connection. 4 newsletter ad placements AND a one 3-part social promotion series with link back to your business FB or website
$1099 (value of $2600)
PACKAGE #2 POPULAR PACKAGE
2 full-page ads. You'll receive 1 full-page ad in 2 issues of the GCACC Business Connection. 2 newsletter ad placements AND 4 featured social posts (throughout the year) with link back to your business
$779 (value of $1100) TARGET PACKAGE
1 full page ad 1 half page ad 1 newsletter ad
$359 AS
KU
MINI PACKAGE Additional Packages
2 half page ads in our bi-monthly e-magazine and 1 newsletter ad
$199 S
Ask us about our GCACC event sponsorship opportunities
C o n t a c t u s a t M a r k e t i n g @ g c c h a mCHAMBER b e r . o r g BUSINESS t o d a y ! CONNECTION JUNE 2022 | 7
Celebrating Anniversaries
RECOGNIZING MEMBERS
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ONE YEAR: Blu Willy’s
Grand Slam Nutrition Tattoo 62 Creator’s Studio Grove City Barber Shop Siam Hibachi Grove City Strength & Fitness Guardia Perfusion Services LLC Vineyard Christian Fellowship of SW Franklin County Catalyst: For Columbus Lehner Law, LLC Midnight Oil Designs- 614 Danbury Senior Living LifeStance Health Liskany Insurance Agency Hops on Broadway Card Collector 2
FIVE YEARS: Car-Go Self Storage Anytime Fitness Gary’s Electric Service Service King Collision Centers Horton Emergency Vehicles Orangetheory Fitness Warrior Spirit Karate Adecco
TEN YEARS: Tropical Nut & Fruit
ABC Restrooms Plum Run Winery & Grove City Brewing Company Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram
FIFTEEN YEARS: Wright Graphic Design
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Town Center Dentistry-John J Dubos, DDS Bill’s on Broadway Meyers Jewelers Grove City Mary Kay Cosmetics, Margaret Allison-Reiser
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
GROVE CITY SMILES
THE FITNESS MOVEMENT
DANBURY SENIOR LIVING
A new dental practice, Grove City Smiles opened their door this spring and eager to see new patients. Their services range from exams and cleanings to crowns and implants. Grove City Smiles has multiple dentists on staff, and all have a goal of providing a calm and comfortable environment, in addition to educating patients on oral health.
The Fitness Movements hopes that you’ll fall in love with movement and the many options for movement they offer! There is something for everyone and their fitness and movement goals, from a variety of group sessions to personal training and private work out space. They even have an app launching soon to guide in your membership and goals.
Danbury Senior Living just had its ribbon cutting and is located at Beulah Park, so they are close to other Beulah Park living communities. They offer senior living options ranging from independent living, assisted living, and memory care options. Danbury strives to feel like and become home for new residents with comfortable and caring facilities and features.
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5775 Hoover Rd, Suite A (614) 333-9902 smilegrovecity.com
3044 Southwest Blvd. (614) 957-5101 fitness-movement.com
3615 Glacial Lane, Grove City 1-888-432-6279 danburyseniorliving.com
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Millcraft Paper Co Ekaterina Barausova McCarty & Heffernan, LLP Grove City Smiles The Grove Pediatric Dentistry The Fitness Movement Rimkus Fairy Tails Pet Salon
PROformance Signings LLC PNC Bank Sujood Baker Charise McIver James Mingesbruney Khalil Scott Bijay Gurung Marley Nelson
CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION JUNE 2022 | 9
CHAMBER NEWS Spring has returned with fresh produce, handcrafted items and more... Have you visited us at our Saturday Farmers’ market? Market vendors are setup every Saturday from 8 am - noon. There is plenty of variety from flowers to handmade soaps, fresh produce to candles, and fresh baked goodies just to name a few. Check out some our findings from last week... If you want to plan your shopping a list of vendors can found on our Farmers’ Market website: https://www.gcchamber.org/farmers-market/ Once again the Market will be set up in the ample parking lot just off of Park Street in between Broadway Station and the Library and also line Park Street and on the West side of Broadway!. While this is our third year set up in this area, we hope you’ll help us spread the word to any friends who haven’t joined us in a while. See you on Saturday! We want to thank our sponsors for this season’s Farmers’Market
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MEMBER NEWS Spring Open Houses and Ribbon Cuttings We had a wonderfully busy spring with ribbon cuttings, grand openings, and open houses! Congratulations to the following businesses celebrating: Planet Fitness… On April 5, Planet Fitness celebrated the opening of its Stringtown Road location with Chamber members and community members on hand for the celebration, including a ribbon cutting. Creative Mobile Interiors… On April 19, they hosted an after-hours open house and tour to show their unique vehicle work to Chamber members and members from the community. Georgesville Square Nutrition… On April 29, Georgesville Square celebrated their grand opening and ribbon cutting, complete with a great photo booth display and a lot of delicious samples! Danbury Senior Living… On May 17, Danbury Senior Living invited various Chamber and community members to join in their ribbon cutting ceremony. Zangmeister Cancer Center… On May 24, Zangmeister Cancer Center celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of their Grove City center on North Meadows Drive.
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A TASTE OF GROVE CITY A Taste of Grove City’s “four weeks of yum” has come to a delicious conclusion
With it came a sweet victory for several restaurants. Below are the winners of this year’s winners:
Burger and Sandwich Week First Place: The Academy Grill at SWCA Second Place: Zamarelli’s Pizza Palace Third Place: Blu-Willy’s Pizza Week First Place: Zamarelli’s Pizza Palace Second Place: Grandstand Pizza Third Place: Tammy’s Pizza Sweet Treat Week First Place: Smoothie King Second Place: Capital City Cakes Third Place: Mona’s Eats & Treats Best of Grove City Week First Place: Tammy’s Second Place: Bibi Bop Third Place: Siam Hibachi With specials, discounts, and new menu items over four weeks and located all across the community, diners were treated to old favorites and found new favorites, as well. As board Chris Moscato said, the four-week-long event made for great chances to talk to people and even catch up with co-workers as he and Mid-Ohio Food Collective colleagues dined at two-timer Burger Week winner Academy Grill. “It’s a great format for busy professionals,” he said. Besides Chris, many other board members, Chamber staff members, sponsors, and a huge showing from the community all made the rounds of the many locations over the course of four weeks. Many took photos and created fun videos which can be found across social media. You can learn more on Facebook, look for @grovecitychamber or @atasteofgrovecity Connecting restaurants with sponsor businesses made for additional, and unique, networking opportunities. Many restaurants and sponsor representatives made efforts to meet up and share a meal during their week or weeks. Chris said he made an effort to dine with his personal favorites (including Grove City Nutrition and Grandstand Pizza), but also find new places. He said he made a point to dine at The Academy Grill because of their previous Burger Week win, and because after Burger Week they would close for the summer break since it’s operated at the South-Western Career Academy. The GCACC is excited about our new Taste format and we look forward to growing next years ‘Four Weeks of Yummm! 12 | CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION JUNE 2022
A TASTE OF GROVE CITY
Taste of Grove City Supports MOFC This year A Taste of Grove City supported the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and the Senior Project Manager of MOFC, Chris Moscato made the rounds to many of the participating restaurant. While visiting and sampling some of the specials, he had the opportunity to chat about MOFC’s role in the community and how those from the restaurant industry can get involved. “We’re always looking for Mid-Ohio Kitchen volunteers,” he said of the MOFC topics covered on his dining trips. He also met with Career Academy students working at The Academy Grill and showed them MOFC’s career opportunities page so they can consider MOFC for their future career endeavors. But you do not need to be a seasoned chef and experienced in a professional kitchen to help MOFC. Chris said they’re always in the market for volunteers and the need is continuously growing. Specifically, with school being out for the Summer, they’ll see a volume increase across Franklin County as they operate Summer Food Programs for Kids. These programs serve lunches for school-aged children who would typically rely on school for their daily lunch. Another summer-exclusive volunteer opportunity is working in the gardens at the Grove City location. Chris said they have over 40 garden beds and work is underway to expand upon the program and the space. Those with green thumbs, or those looking to learn more about community gardening, would be most welcomed to help this summer. Mid-Ohio Food Collective continues to expand and reimagine their services as they continue to serve more individuals and more families. As food prices rise, more families and individuals need some form of assistance in meeting their family’s nutritional needs. A new marketstyle location has opened to provide a traditional shopping experience for those needing food assistance. The market also offers additional volunteer opportunities. To learn more about the many opportunities—volunteer, assistance, or other, visit Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s website: https://mofc.org/
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CHAMBER OPEN
A Day on the Green Chamber Open is coming July 11th! It’s time to grab your golf bags and get your swing back in shape, because registration is now open for this summer’s Chamber Open golf outing scheduled for July 11 at Hickory Hills Golf Club. Golfers are encouraged to form teams but can register individually for this full day of golf, food, and networking. It’s a Monday, so why not call it a three-day weekend for the sake of golf? This is a fantastic way to get out of the office for a day and network, celebrate your work team’s accomplishments, or invite clients or other colleagues to join you on the links. Non-Chamber members are also welcomed to join the fun. The day will tee off at 10 am and will conclude by 4 pm, with plenty of food along the way. There will also be a silent auction and goodie bags for golfers. This year’s event will support the Grove City Buddy Ball program. Those interested in participating as a golfer, or supporting by way of sponsorship or auction donation, can call the Chamber office: 614-8759762, or visit the Chamber Open’s website: https://www.gcchamber.org/chamber-golf-outing/ Here’s a look back at our 2021 winners—can your team take home the trophy this year? 2021 winners: • First Place Team: Mojo on Broadway • Second Place Team: Franklin County Banking Center • Skills contest winners: Michelle Fulks (Stark & Associates), Chris Roach (Roach Enterprises), Brad Pence (Local Waste), Ike Stage (Mayor, Grove City)
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NON PROFIT SPOTLIGHT Accessability for Everyone Buddy Ball is another unique non-profit in Grove City, with their focus on baseball and baseball for all. Buddy Ball makes the sport accessible for all and engages community members of all abilities in the sport dubbed as America’s Pastime. Buddy Ball athletes play on the Mirolo Dream Field, which is a tiled, rubberized surface that accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices. In their own words, “The Grove City Buddy Ball program is more than just baseball. It is about making new friends, building self-esteem and treating everyone equally. Buddy Ball removes barriers that keep children and adults with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field.” Buddy Ball’s mission statement is: “Grove City Buddy Ball will provide opportunities for all persons to play baseball regardless of ability and promote community support through volunteerism and sponsorship of these activities.” With the spirit of volunteerism in mind, Buddy Ball is in need of volunteers this summer in a variety of capacities. There are opportunities to work with the athletes, support game day operations, and even promote Buddy Ball within the community. Opportunities can be found on their website: https://www.grovecitybuddyball.com/ This year, the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the Chamber Open golf outing will be in support of Grove City Buddy Ball. Be sure to read the Chamber Open article in this issue to learn how you can support Buddy Ball by enjoying a day on the golf course!
Virtual Lunch & Learn Special: June 22 at 12 pm Sheila Davis, SWACO Recycle Right at Work - Basics of Office Recycling Interested in starting or enhancing an office recycling program? Attend this 30-minute virtual “lunch and learn” which will cover the importance of recycling signage, bin types and placement options for office settings, and how to provide recycling education for employees and maintenance/custodial partners to ensure everyone’s aligned and working together towards a sustainable program. Sheila Davis joined SWACO’s Innovation and Programs Team in July of 2021 with the task to help SWACO meet its 75% diversion goal by 2032. She helps businesses implement recycling programs, reach zero waste and zero landfill initiatives, and supports businesses on their quest to build sustainable recycling programs. She has a degree in Sport Management from BGSU, a long history of working in manufacturing, printing, and IT as a business development manager, and gained a solid understanding of the waste industry when she spent 5 years at Kimble Companies. This background allows her to bring a variety of knowledge and expertise to SWACO and to relate with business leaders who want to implement recycling programs that work. Sheila relocated to Columbus from NE Ohio in 2020 and has 3 rescue dogs. She has a daughter who lives in the Netherlands and a daughter who is an ER nurse at Grant Medical Center. She is a volunteer Girl Scout, an avid upcycler, a savvy thrift shopper, and an amazing paper crafter. If you have questions about travel and how to do it efficiently, she can help there too having visited 40 places in 3 years for one of her employment positions. CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION JUNE 2022 | 15
WOMEN’S BUSINESS FORUM
Celebrating 10 Years of Networking and Successful Women Sharing Their Expertise This year’s WE:LEAD Women’s Business Forum was a huge success as women across Central Ohio recharged and networked at the tenth annual event held at the Aladdin Shrine Center. Attendees heard from six unique speakers who spoke on varying themes relating to confidence, self-awareness, and how we can reframe challenges and emerge from setbacks or failures. Keynote speaker Misty Johnson (Renewed, Repurposed, and Restored) dove deep into her personal past and personal story to share that there is always redemption and replenishment following our setbacks. Dr. Ellie Scott (Stringtown Vet) engaged her audience with a Lego building activity to drive home her points regarding communication. While hopefully the room was full of communication masters, the room wasn’t exactly full of Lego masters! Rachel Finney (Columbus Humane) shared how we can take a different approach to our “baggage” in life. “Instead of thinking of your “baggage” as what holds you down, baggage can be exactly what we need to show up prepared for our journey.” Jen Kelley (My Business Resource) brought a reframing message in the sense of reframing shame and failures so that we can focus on what is within our control and then move on. Christie Engler (Consolidated Employer Services) shared some do’s and don’ts of employee management with the goal of a work environment that protects the business, but also doesn’t violate the rights of employees. Deanna Stewart (Mount Carmel Foundation) presented a message rooted in confidence and care for one’s self—from listening to your body and mood for health cues, to seeking out mentors as you strive for new goals.
This was the first time since 2019 that the WE:LEAD Forum was held both in-person and a full day. That in mind, this was the first ‘true’ WE:LEAD Forum experience for those new to the group, but given the eagerness for 2023, it certainly won’t be the last. We want to thank those behind the scenes who helped make the 2022 WE:LEAD Forum possible, and are already brainstorming for 2023! We also want to thank the following sponsors: Wright Patt Credit Union, Danbury Senior Living, Franklin County Banking Center, My Business Resource, Mount Carmel Foundation, Shepherd Insurance Partners, Air Quality Solutions, Carriage Court, and a special thanks to Jeffrey Tadlock Photography for capturing the event by photo and video. All WE:LEAD photos in this article are courtesy of Jeffrey Tadlock, and additional photos can be viewed online on the Chamber Facebook page (@gcchamber). View a full gallery here
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TRAVEL
Recharge Your Batteries with Travel By Sarah Hann “Travel brings power and love back into your life.” -Rumi For too long, or two long years at the least, many of us have settled for quick-fix battery recharges. We take five minutes here and ten minutes there to ‘recharge’ but manage to feel just as depleted later. We fall short on creative ideas and have to watch ourselves from being short with colleagues, friends and loved ones. Like an iPad that’s overheated and undercharged, there’s a need for a good, long recharge. Translation from gadgets to people: A good, hopefully long, vacation. Americans have long been known to leave vacation and paid time off days on the table. Somewhere along the way, overworking ourselves became the new badge of honor over beach shop t-shirts and mouse ears. But, it’s not paying off as overworking only results in burn out and stressed out workers. David Todd, local franchise operator of Cruise Planners, shared with us that ‘work martyrs’ are 79-84 percent less likely to receive a raise or bonus than their colleagues who took all or most of their time off.
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“It’s the stress-free and well-rested employees that do the kind of work higher-ups notice and reward,” David said. If ‘all work, no play’ is embedded in the culture of a workplace, it can take a little effort to change. But like with many things, the influence comes from the top as David discussed managers setting an example. “To encourage the kind of work-life balance managers want to see in their employees, managers first have to exhibit them in their own actions,” he said. Value of Time Off and Travel “I don’t know of anyone who at the end of their life wishes they would have worked longer or harder or not taken a vacation,” David said. Time is a limited commodity. We can always make a case for overtime pay we didn’t receive or come back to projects we put on hold. But vacation time, and the time with friends and family who might come along on those adventures, could be here today and gone tomorrow. The last two years have made it loud and clear that time is limited as we faced uncertainties. We longed to make new memories with friends and family, and perhaps now feel that there is lost time to be made up. “One thing the pandemic has taught us is ‘now is the time to do something’. You never know what can change that opportunity,” David said. “It clearly taught us that getting out and interacting with others is vital to our well-being.” We bring home the memories from our travels, but we also carry the experiences with us and perspectives gained by traveling somewhere very different from home. David pointed out that visiting places in Europe that were part of history or in movies can bring it to life. “It gives you a totally different perspective on life. How people interact socially, their culture their customs their daily habits,”
David said. “Visiting a fishing community like Cork Ireland is a totally different experience than living in Central Ohio.”
days and something to look forward to, but David pointed out a financial advantage. At least with Cruise Planners, it’s possible to lock in a certain price with a refundable deposit for a trip.
What David and Cruise Planners Can Do Looking to jump outside of your Central Ohio comfort zone, or just want someone else to do the travel research? David and his team at Cruise Planners are ready to assist travelers itching to get back out into the world.
“We believe vacations feeds the soul, nourishes the spirit, and enriches the mind, and that is why we provide expert travel agent services to assist travelers in experiencing dream vacations.”
With a name like ‘Cruise Planners’, they absolutely plan cruises, which David told us is rebounding quickly after the long and complete shutdowns from the pandemic. Many cruises are also making longer stops in port, allowing for more exploring. But it’s not just the travelers eager to head out to sea. “In our most recent cruise travels we have noticed how excited and appreciative the crew are,” David said. “Many of the crew members and tour guides have been without tourism income for two years and it shows in their service and enthusiasm that travel is back.”
“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” -Rumi
Wait… with a name like ‘Cruise Planners’, is there anything for the land lovers? Fear not, David told us that Cruise Planner’s tagline is “Your Land and Cruise Experts”, so they have options for all interests. They are a full-service agency where their services include planning ocean and river cruises, All Inclusive Resorts, Individual and Group Travel, Land Tours, Shore Excursions and providing travel insurance options.
David and his team rely on each other’s experiences to best serve their clients whether in providing inspiration for the next trip or practical tips and advice for a client’s upcoming trip. They share experiences at all-inclusive resorts, and guide clients to finding their own favorites by treating a cruise like an appetizer or sampler platter with the many stops as different options. “One of the most important things we do as professional travel advisors is help find the experiences that are best for you and what you are looking for,” he said. “So the experience or memory you are wanting to have maybe different from one vacation to the next.”
But no matter the destination—a two-hour drive or two, very long flights, there is refreshment in getting away for a while. After the trials and tribulations of two-and-counting years, we owe ourselves a full battery recharge. Want to work with Cruise Planners to put together your bucket list trip or recharging getaway? David Todd operates his Cruise Planners franchise in Grove City and can be reached at 614-3099600 or DavidTodd@CruisePlanners.com Bonus Travel Information from David David shared so much good information with us that we couldn’t leave it out of the issue! Here are a few additional pieces of information he shared in regards to services Cruise Planners can provide, and a little more about cruising itself: They’re experienced in planning group trips: “We specialize in group travel for groups of friends and families. Our team has extensive knowledge contemporary, premium and luxury travel. We have drawn upon our own and each other’s extensive personal travel experiences throughout the world and in depth personal experiences in every major city in Europe and throughout the world.” They have access to unique perks: “As an American Express Travel Representative, we offer a variety of unique perks, benefits and amenities for cruises, hotels, and resorts around the world. Our team is experienced, knowledgeable, and ready to help you customize the perfect vacation for you.” They can put you in touch with one-of-a-kind opportunities when cruising: “There are many opportunities to share a meal with a local family or learn a new recipe in a cooking class. Adventure travel is no longer requires a compromise in comfort and amenities. Cruise lines such as Atlas Ocean Voyages, Viking Ocean Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Ponant Cruises offer new ships with a special focus on adventure and have multiple layers of luxury. The opportunities are boundless to see Polar Bears, Emperor & Galapagos penguins, Leopard seals, Artic foxes, and whales of all kinds.”
Your Next Great Adventure It’s not unheard of for some to already plan and book their 2023 travel. Even during the pandemic ‘low contact’ destinations such as rental homes or condos were booked early as travelers committed to at least a week of living in another home. As more places continue to open their arms to welcome back travelers, dream destinations during peak times won’t be easy last-minute grabs. Not only is booking early one way to commit to using vacation CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION JUNE 2022 | 19
HR ESSENTIALS
Employee Retention in the Age of Turnover by Rachel Kutay from My Business Resource Are you making a difference where you work? Do you feel valued in your organization? Are you treated fairly? If you answered ‘no’, or ‘maybe,’ or ‘I don’t know’ then you might be one of the millions of people just waiting for (or actively pursuing) your next job. For business owners, the Great Resignation has presented a difficult challenge – how do we retain our workforce? It hurts to lose a great employee and can leave you scrambling to cover their workload and find a replacement. To understand the solution to how we retain employees, we need to first understand why they leave in the first place. One of the most common reasons? The job and environment makes it too stressful to stay. Compensation and benefits are one of the most common drivers of turnover. Many employees are looking for more than a job – if you can’t provide mentoring and professional development, the best employees will go where they can find it. Why is this so important? Retention directly affects the company’s bottom line. It can take anywhere from two to six months for a new employee to become productive. Even after that time period, as employees gain more tenure they typically become more and more productive. So how to we start to turn the Great Resignation into the Great Retention? Retention starts with attention to people. Employees disengage for four main reasons: (1) the job, (2) their manager, (3) the organization and (4) the team. Let’s address these challenges one by one. First, we can start by designing jobs with growth opportunities. Begin with a clear job description and include the learning and development that can be expected as part of the position. It is critically important to understand the market rate for each of your positions. Salaries have escalated extremely quickly over the past several months, and if you don’t know what your competition is paying you can’t attract the best talent. Next, develop great leaders in your management team. In a recent study, confidence was listed as the most valued trait in a manager, followed by effective communication skills. Leading by example goes a long way to improve morale. Scheduling regular one-on-one conversations is important to ensure that employees have regular check ins with their manager and a voice in the organization. Employees have more choice than ever, so it’s important to communicate not just what your company does, but what your company believes in. It helps if employees understand how their jobs play into a larger goal or mission. Provide clear and early communication about your culture and values. Regularly take the “temperature” of your team by conducting engagement surveys to know how satisfied your team is. Do they need more flexibility in their schedules? Is remote or hybrid work an option? Finally, employees who are connected to their teammate are more likely to stay with their company. Your onboarding can include formal and informal ways to meet coworkers and become embedded in the organization. Team retreats and events help your employees bond. When employees leave, ask them why in an exit interview. Then create strategies to address any issues raised. People drive your business, and unhappy people can grind it to a halt. These practical and impactful retention strategies will help you take action.
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BUSINESS TIPS
Five Considerations for a Working-Vacation By Sarah Hann Lots of us have seen the posts, even before the pandemic, where a friend escapes the Ohio winter and works remotely from somewhere warmer. They crunch numbers to the sounds of the ocean, check emails in the palm tree courtyard, and somehow make us believe we, too, could pull off working elsewhere to beat the winter blues. With the rise of remote work, more workers than ever either are seriously considering packing their bags for a ‘work from anywhere’ lifestyle or a ‘working vacation’. Travel brands are even marketing toward this type of travel as hotels become more remote work-friendly than ever and destinations advertise a work-play trip. For us in Ohio, heading south in January or February to work remotely might seem like the first choice, but what about weaving other sightseeing and travels into your remote work life? There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer here, but we’ve pulled together some items to consider as you or your colleagues kick around the idea of trading fake tropical (or mountain) Zoom backgrounds for the real things. Balance & Boundaries When asked about this ‘work from anywhere’ concept, David Todd from Cruise Planners emphasized the need for balance if looking to combine work and travel. He noted this can also be achieved through boundaries, such as setting aside specific time for emails or contacting colleagues back in the office. Work time vs Fun time Here’s a question to ponder—is it a waste of money or a loss of memories if you try to work while vacationing? If you’re traveling with family or friends and every day looks to be action-packed from sunrise to after sunset, you may want to craft that ‘out of office’ email and try ‘working from anywhere’ another time. When it’s Not Five O’clock Somewhere What time zone am I on, indeed. Some remote workers are already used to taking different time zones into consideration, but if you’re about to shake things up by going from Eastern time to the West coast for a few weeks, make sure you’ve planned accordingly. Let your team members know they can rearrange Zoom calls or just be prepared to hear from you three hours later than usual. Tech Considerations Wandering where the Wi-Fi is weak? Heading to a different country with different electric outlets? Make sure you’ve taken all possible technology challenges into consideration—pack the appropriate adapter for the foreign country, and make plans to work from a town café instead of your cabin’s Wi-Fi that can’t handle Disney+. Logistics/Where are you working? You’re working on your Broadway Bucket List by night… but by day you’re left to find a place to do work in the City that Never Sleeps. Do some scouting and research in advance to make sure there’s a work space that fits your needs, including privacy, quiet, and tech as previously mentioned. Renting an AirBnB (or similar) all week all to yourself? Great! In a hotel that’s also hosting a National Dog Barking competition? Pet the pups… and then go find a quiet coffee shop. With a little planning and consideration, working from anywhere might just be what you need to shake things up in your remote work life and even inspire new ideas. Where first, I’m not sure but personally I’m intrigued and even eager to give this style of work a whirl, so wave if you see me at the airport!
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CHAMBER FOUNDATION
Foundation Scholarship Recipients The Grove City Chamber Foundation awarded another round of spring scholarships to the graduating high school class of 2022. The reception was held in May and hosted at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective in their Grove City facility. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Chamber Foundation. Established in 2012, the aim of the Foundation is to serve as the ‘charitable arm’ of the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce. Foundation leaders in 2012, and today in 2022, have a mission of positively impacting educational opportunities in our community. Once again, a strong pool of applicants were up for a variety of scholarships. Applying students must be a high school senior in the class of 2022 and reside in the South-Western City School District attendance areas. Students will go on to pursue a variety of educations including technical training, two year, and four college degrees.
Winners of 2022 High School Scholarships are: • • • • • • • • • •
Credit Union of Ohio Scholarship: Kelly Ann Dreyer Franklin County Banking Center Scholarship: Trent Ruffing WE:LEAD Scholarship: Olivia Bartley WesBanco Scholarship: Helene Renninger Fred Jahn Reiner Memorial Scholarship: Loren Goff Heart of the Foundation in the name of Gary Shyu: Laurel Klei Don & Betty Hickman Scholarship: Alissa Schiff Wes & Sherri Love Scholarship: Taylor Sobieck Foundation Scholarship: Madison Estep, Andrew Householder, Rebecca Jackson, Sydney Shuler, and Sadie Storts. Chamber Affiliate Scholarship: Stephanie Fair and Amanda Linley
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The Chamber Foundation would like to thank all businesses, families, and individuals who have established a named scholarship for their business or a loved one. Inquiries about future named scholarships are always welcomed. Up next on July 1 is the deadline for two additional scholarships. First, another round of Chamber Affiliate scholarships. Those eligible for Chamber Affiliate scholarships include member-business employees, individual members, or immediate family members of member-business employees or individual members. Second, also due are Renewing scholarships which are somewhat as they sound. To qualify for a Renewing Scholarship, an applicant must be a previous recipient of a Chamber Foundation High School Scholarship, or graduated from the SWCSD attendance area (or reside in Grove City) and have completed one year of post-secondary education and are still enrolled in said education. Renewing scholarships are for post-secondary education in the form of technical training or other undergraduate education. Currently, the Chamber Foundation is set up weekly at the Chamber Farmers’ Market in the Town Center on Saturday mornings. Stop by to enjoy some Silver Bridge coffee at the Chamber Foundation’s booth. Your purchase will be used in support of future scholarship efforts. Foundation supporters will be on hand to chat about the Foundation’s work and how you can get involved. Learn more about the Foundation at their website: https://gcchamberfoundation.org/
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We’re expanding in Central Ohio!
A NEW Wright-Patt Credit Union (WPCU) Member Center will be opening soon in Grove City. With multiple locations conveniently located throughout Central Ohio to serve you, WPCU has been helping members for the past 90 years on their journey to living financially flexible and free.
To find a location nearest you or to schedule an appointment, visit WPCU.coop/Columbus
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Federally Insured by NCUA
Equal Housing Opportunity
EXCLUSIVE offer for members of the Grove City Chamber of Commerce Get noticed with an ad in both print and digital advertising, in the new Grove City Chamber Community Guide!
Dear Chamber Member: The Grove City Chamber of Commerce and chamber member, NovoPrint USA, Inc., will be collaborating on a new community guide publication for 2022-2023. The 2022-2023 community guide will reflect our growth and showcase our beautiful, progressive community! We are on the leading edge of business, education, health care, transportation and economic development. This guide is a great tool to communicate information about your business to residents, other businesses and visitors to our community. As an advertiser, your business will reach thousands through a low-cost-per-view advertising and will be positioned as a community leader and a community supporter. In addition to printed distribution, this guide will also be available in digital form, hosted online by NovoPrint. It will also be showcased on the Chamber’s website. This digital copy will give your business added views, more exposure and further extending your advertising message. View the previous publication here: http://www.novoprint.com/grovecityohezbook.html Lori DeLaus will begin sales in person in March 2022, however if you want to reserve space now please call Lori at 585-7373655 or email her at lori@novoprint.com. Save the date and get your business noticed and keep it successful! Thank you for your continued Chamber support. Warm Regards,
Shawn Conrad
Executive Director • Grove City Chamber of Commerce
Lori DeLaus,Vice President of Business Development (585) 737-3655 : lori@novoprint.com
Right time, right loan, right bank. Find the ideal financing option that best fits you.
At WesBanco, you have an entire range of lending products available to you at competitive rates and flexible terms. Whether you need a home equity line of credit for home improvement costs or a business term loan for large purchases, we’re ready to lend a hand.
PERSONAL • • • •
BUSINESS HELOC Auto Loans Personal Loans Credit Cards
Let’s have a conversation. Charlene McFarland Vice President Banking Center Manager Grove City Banking Center
• • • • •
Business Term Loans Equipment & Vehicle Loans Business Line of Credit Commercial Real Estate Loan Business Credit Cards
Call: 614.904.7021 Visit your local branch: 5901 Hoover Rd Grove City, OH 43123
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WesBanco Bank, Inc. is a Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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WHY ADVERTISE WITH GCACC? As a member of GCACC you are offered discounted advertising within the chamber produced
publications;
our
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Connection
E-Magazine,
Business
Weekly
Connection e-newsletter, AND our social media channels. We are already reaching your target audience in the Grove City and Central Ohio area. Partner with your chamber by purchasing an annual ad package and save.
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