Forward Customer Service in a World Affected by Coronavirus
Blog and Webinar by Drew McLellan Click here to read the blog and view the Webinar regarding the number of times consumers need to hear your message in today's environment. This informative blog was mentioned by Meg Schneider from the Greater Des Moines Partnership during the June 17 Virtual Coffee with the Chamber Zoom.
Drew McLellan is a nationally-recognized marketer who resides in Des Moines.
Are You Ready to Live Your Life on Purpose?
We are so excited to announce that we will be hosting a second round of Life on Purpose coaching!
As a result of completing the Life on Purpose program, you will gain confidence in your unique design and the value you add. You will also understand where your blind spots are and have strategies for overcoming strongholds unique to you. The ultimate goal is to become fully alive in your life, and ready to make a lasting impact.
The 8-week program starts the week of June 22nd. Dates and times will be determined by participants.
Interested in learning more? Check out this video!
Local Events Canceled or Postponed
After thoughtful consideration, organizers have made the decision to cancel or postpone each of the listed events.
- Des Moines Metro Opera is canceling live performances and will provide virtual viewing opportunities for the 2020 season
- National Balloon Classic will return in 2021
- Warren County Fair will hold livestock judging and the full fair will return in 2021
- Indianola Bike Night will return in 2021
- Indianola Chamber Friday Night Concerts will return in 2021
Check the Community Calendar on indianolachamber.com for additional information on events. For information on other businesses and events, check the specific Facebook page.
PPE Supplies from Indoff Office, Furniture and Promotion
PPE Available at Bob's Custom Trophies
Vote for Living in Indianola Reader's Choice Awards
Please go to this link by July 1 vote for your favorite Indianola businesses! Also, share it on your Facebook page and encourage your customers to vote for you! The winners will be announced in the August Indianola Living magazine.
Help Our Community by taking the 2020 US Census Now!
Apply to be a 2020 Census Taker
Helping Hand of Warren County Re-opens Clothing and Shopping Store
Announces dditional updates
Where: 109 E. Clinton Ave.
Indianola, IA 50125
Shop Food, Clothing, and Household Goods
Restrictions apply and new policies are in place for the safety of volunteers and shoppers.
Tuesday 12:30-2:30pm
Wednesday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. -11 a.m.
Donations Accepted in Person Only
Tuesday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Do Not Drop Donations at the Building
Food Pantry Needs:
Canned Chicken
Cereal
Ketchup
Deodorant
Shampoo
Laundry Soap
Financial Donations are appreciated. Mail to The Helping Hand of Warren County, P.O. Box 45, Indianola, IA 50125
Planning a family or small business event?
Reserve Your Space at Salem Connection
Where: Salem Connection, 222 W Salem, Indianola
Call Terry Pauling: 515/ 249-9192
Free classifieds on indianolachamber.com
This is Part of Your Chamber Benefits!
You can reach consumers with news about job openings, services, products, events, announcements ...any news or income-generating promotions you have to share ... for Free on www.indianolachamber.com. Call the chamber office at 515/961-6269 if you have questions.
read more...
Submit your business news and events in the Chamber Newsletter
Newsletter Released 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
Submit news and images (.jpg format) by the Friday prior to publication to newsletter@indianolachamber.com. The publication of information is not guaranteed for late submissions.
Submission Publication
June 24 July 1
June 10 July 15
Chamber of Commerce Mobile App
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Thank You To Our Investor Circle Sponsors
Your Support Makes Things Happen!
Tee-Times Going Fast for Indianola Golf Open July 15
Congratulations to the Award Recipients
Small Business Recovery Grant Program We are pleased to recognize local businesses who are award recipients of the Small Business Recovery Grants made possible by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, City of Indianola, Warren County Economic Development, Peoples Bank, TruBank, and the Indianola Chamber of Commerce. There were 27 applications submitted and reviewed by the Iowa Center for Economic Success. The Greater Des Moines Partnership paid the fee to the Iowa Center for Economic Success to administer the program.
The grants are appreciated as they are critical to the recovery of these businesses as they continue to welcome customers back, deliver excellent customer service, incorporate the health guidelines and ensure comfort and safety as they meet each customer where they are in the new business environment.
The Indianola Grants were awarded to:
adorn
Affinity Bridals
BnB Family Boutique
Bob's Custom Trophies
Casual Rags Embroidery and Apparel
CrossFit 65/69
DLH GraFX
Embark Ink
Fusion Fitness
Gib's Indianola A & W
Slugger's Batting Cages
Studio Fusco
The Groggy Dog
The Local Vine
Tiny Tots to Teens
Uppercuts
Top Five For Small Business: Website Psychology
5 Ways to Skyrocket Your Conversions
You only get one chance to make a first impression. Is your website effectively engaging your audience and representing your brand?
After this session, you’ll walk away with 5 key tactics using website psychology to maximize your digital presence and create clarity for your customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When: June 24 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Register here
You only get one chance to make a first impression. Learn how to make it count!
Take the Pledge and Spread the Word
7-Day DSM Area Shop Local Challenge
Take the Pledge to Shop Local Now through the 4th of July weekend to give local restaurants and businesses the support they need!
Take the Pledge Here
Then post the following on your social media and challenge 3 of your friends to do the same.
“I signed up to take the 7 Day DSM Local Challenge from June 25 – July 1. I challenge (3 names) to sign the pledge.” dsmpartnership.com/dsmlocalchallenge
Post How You are Serving Customers on indianolachamber.com
The public wants to know. We'll spread the news!
We want to make it easy for customers to know if you are open and what if anything has changed about how they can do business with you?
Are you open for dine-in or carry-out? Are you taking appointments for hair care? Can people shop and pay online and then pick it up, or have it shipped or delivered? Have your hours changed? Are you available by appointment? Are you following physical distancing guidelines? Requiring masks? Are you doing additional cleaning to protect your employees and customers?
Communicate your "Open News" on indianolachamber.com. Then join us in sharing this valuable information by directing your peeps to indianolachamber.com.
This is an important time for us to work together to rebuild our local economy.
Virtual Coffee with the Chamber Zoom Conversation
Sponsors: Peoples Bank, TruBank, Downing Const and HyVee
Join Indianola Chamber President and CEO Brenda Easter and your local business peers each week for an hour of local updates and strategies to fuel your business recovery. Your invitation to the Zoom meeting will arrive in your email box. Please join us. We want to hear from you.
How are you bringing your customers back?
Tips from the Virtual Coffee with the Chamber 
The latest business recovery discussion during Virtual Coffee with the Chamber focused on bringing customers back.
Meg Schneider, Senior Vice President of Business Resources and Community Development, the Greater Des Moines Partnership said, "Customers range from 'I'm never leaving my home again' to 'I am ready to get out!' It is critical to meet them where they are and get them comfortable with doing business with you", said Meg.
Now is the time to further define the customer experience: in person, in-store, on your Website, on Social Media, through email or on the phone. Detail each situation and communicate what makes sense for your customers your employees and your business.
Once decisions are made, communicate, communicate, communicate. "The message is always about the various ways they can do business with you, based on their level of comfort and safety, and how it works", emphasized Meg.
CentralIowa.ShopWhereILive.com
Are You Set up to Sell Online?
Marketing and selling online have never been more crucial to the health of our local restaurants, retailers, service providers, and non-profits.
And now it is easy to promote your products, sell to customers, and get paid online.
1. Go to CentralIowa.ShopWhereILive.com
2. Fill out the Vendor Application
3. Follow the instructions in the email you receive to set up your account and upload your selected products
4. Determine the options for customers to pick up or have products shipped to them
If you need immediate assistance, contact Barb at the Chamber by sending an email to Barb@indianolachamber.com
Watch for CentralIowa.ShopWhereILive.com during programming on IMU Cable stations. The promotions are designed to inform Central Iowa Consumers about the new shop local option and drive traffic to the site.
This on-line shopping option is another way to help people #ThinkIndianolaFirst, brought to you by the Indianola Chamber of Commerce.
CentralIowaShopWhereILive
Simpson College Faculty Speaker Series
Open to the Public on Zoom
Faculty members from a variety of academic disciplines analyze COVID-19 from their unique disciplinary perspective during the summer speaker series. The Zoom meetings are open to the public and will occur on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. between June 24 – July 29.
- June 24: Dr. Adrienne Gathman:
- July 1: Dr. Pat Singer:
- July 8: Dr. John Pauley:
10,000 Small Businesses in Iowa is Going Virtual!
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses helps entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them with greater access to education, financial capital, and business support services.
Click here to learn more on how to build your business success with
PRACTICAL BUSINESS EDUCATION
ACCESS TO CAPITAL
A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK OF ADVISORS AND PEERS |
