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January 2015 Newsletter
February Networking Event
Join us for our annual
Legislative Networking Event
This will be your opportunity to talk with your legislators about issues that are important to your business.
Tuesday, February 10
4:30-6:30 pm
Hosted by:
Flat Earth Brewing Company
688 Minnehaha Avenue East
St. Paul 55106
Guests welcome / No RSVP required
Networking Events are held the first Tuesday of the month at member businesses. Please check our website for upcoming times and locations.
Letter from the President
I Am Local Hear Me Roar –
With apologies to Ray Burton and Helen Reddy, I’m usurping language from their 1975 hit to emphasis that 2015 is looking like a year in which local independent business voices will be heard more and more in communities across the country. One of the fundamental reasons for this is we have “numbers too big to ignore”. Sorry.
Campy analogies aside, I want to take this opportunity to briefly talk about the many ways in 2015 that MetroIBA will be getting the message out about the benefits of supporting local independent businesses.
Advocacy – I talked last month about the great work that our public policy committee has done in advocating for our members and local independent business in general. Already this year we’ve had meetings with elected representatives on issues such as small business funding, net neutrality, healthcare, and tax fairness. In February MetroIBA will be hosting two important events that I encourage all of you to attend.
On Tuesday, February 10th from 4:30-6:30 at Flat Earth Brewing in St. Paul we will be hosting our annual legislative networking event. This is an opportunity for members to meet and talk to elected representatives from around the metro area about issues important to local independent business. We here all the time that elected officials want to hear from their constituents so this is a chance to do that.
Then on Thursday, February 19th at 11:30am at Magnet 360, MetroIBA will be cohosting, along with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, a forum on Net Neutrality with Senator Al Franken. Maintaining net neutrality is an important issue for both the small business and nonprofit sectors. The FCC is scheduled to take up this issue the following week so this event is both important and timely.
Education – Our wonderful education committee has put together a full slate of education opportunities for 2015 starting with a webinar on Tuesday, February 17 from 9-10am called Top 50 Sales Tips presented by Scott Plum, Founder and President of the Minnesota Sales Institute. As someone who has spent a lot of money sending sales people to trainings, being able to hear from someone as knowledgeable as Scott on this topic for free is a tremendous member benefit.
Details on future webinars are being finalized but confirmed events include: Michael Fraser on Hiring & Firing issues in April, Pat Gebes on Tools for Managed Growth in June, and Andy Gesell on Cash Flow Management in August. Also look for an announcement soon on the new Business Owners Group facilitated by MetroIBA Board member Pat Gebes.
Promotion – I’m thrilled to announce our new partnership with Tiger Oak Media that will result in the fall publication of the MetroIBA Local Buying Guide. This exciting new publication will promote MetroIBA members across the metro area and help educate consumers about the many benefits of buying from local businesses. Every MetroIBA members will be listed in the guide for free as part of their membership. Member businesses will also have the opportunity to buy additional advertising space in the guide for very reasonable rates. The guide will be distributed throughout the Twin Cities and to metro area subscribers of Minnesota Business magazine.
10 Year Celebration – As I’ve mentioned before, 2015 marks the 10th year of MetroIBA’s existence. To celebrate we’re having a 10th Year Party at our annual member meeting on Wednesday, March 11th, 6:30pm at the University Club in St. Paul. This event will be an opportunity to join together and celebrate the great things that MetroIBA and local independent businesses have done in our community over the last decade. There will be good food and drink, fun door prizes, and a special recognition of the founders of MetroIBA. This is one event you will not want to miss. Look for details and registration info coming to your inbox soon.
Finally, I want to take this moment to thank all of you for the honor to be your president over the last year. The energy, passion and wisdom that you have shared with me has been remarkable. Being a small business owner is hard work and can often be a lonely enterprise. Having a strong support community like MetroIBA helps me every day to keep going by affirming that local independent businesses are making a difference by creating economic and social value in our community.
Ever Onward,
Chris Hanson
Co-founder & CEO, thedatabank, inc.
President, MetroIBA
Save the Date!
For our Annual Meeting
Wednesday, March 11
at the University Club of St. Paul
More information to come.
Webinar
Top 50 Sales Tips
Presented by Scott Plum
Founder and President
Minnesota Sales Institute
Tuesday, Februrary 17
9:30-10:30 am
Change is inevitable; Growth is optional. Growth is not automatic; It has to be done every day with intention. Are you updating your selling skills, business development strategy, and sales approach?
Top 50 Sales Tips in 60 Minutes is a rapid-fire, fast-paced seminar. Many tips you will hear for the first time, some will be a reminders of past skills not recently used, while others will serve as a confirmation that you are a member of the salespersons ‘Best Practices’ club. Whether you’ve been selling for 35 years or just starting, this seminar will give you the tips to make the next step in your selling career. Click here to read more.
Scott Plum is the Founder and President of the Minnesota Sales Institute providing leadership development to sales directors, managers and C-level members. He currently serves as the President of the Sales and Marketing Executives (smemn.org) and is the past President of the Professional Sales Association (psamn.org). Scott is also a member of the National Speakers Association and sits on the board of the local chapter. His webinars, weekly sales classes, workshops and seminars focus on teaching salespeople how to overcoming the barriers that hold them back in an evolving marketplace. Scott Plum started his sales career at age 21 and now shares the skills and techniques he has learned with others.
Registration is free but required.
Public Policy Committee News
The MetroIBA Board of Directors approved a 2015 Agenda of Policy Issues on Dec. 11th, based on the Policy Committee’s recommendations. For updates, go to our Public Policy web page (soon to be updated).
In addition to our 2015 Agenda, our Rapid Response Team, is aiming to assist members with government and public policy issues that may be small in scope—perhaps affecting only a single member—but nevertheless pose a significant challenge to a member’s business.
To reach our Rapid Response Team, contact PPC members Mark Thieroff or Alex Bajwa.
Net Neutrality Forum
Keeping fair access to the internet is critical to our member businesses. New regulations set to be voted on by the Federal Communications Commission on February 26 could change that significantly. Contacting the FCC before that date can have a critical influence on that.
In this YouTube video, John Oliver provides a comical, yet cogent assessment that is worth a view, and look for more information that we will send out in the next few weeks.
For a more thorough discussion, we invite you to attend a forum that is being sponsored by MetroIBA and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, in coordination with Senator Al Franken. Guests are welcome.
Thursday, February 19
11:30 am
Magnet 360
5757 Wayzata Blvd
Minneapolis, 55416
Senator Franken is expected to attend as well a panelists representing small business and non-profits that could be affected by changes that have been under discussion by the FCC.
RSVP is not necessary but helpful. Please register at buylocaltwincities.org/events.
We also encourage everyone to submit comments asap at to support net neutrality. It is listed as proceeding number 14-28 – Protection and Promoting the Open Internet.
The EMV Rollout – What Your Business Needs to Know by Marnie Ochs-Raleigh
2014 has seen its share of credit card industry changes: Large corporations like Target and Home Depot being hit with data breaches, to the introduction of the EMV roll-out. So as we look ahead in the credit card industry in 2015, what can we expect?
As most of you have heard, EMV is the new hot topic. With an increasing need to protect merchants and their customers, the US is implementing a new standard of security. It’s our job as responsible merchants to provide the safest transaction process as possible for our clients.
Here’s some things to keep in mind as these changes take place:
A Major Shift in Liability
Liability Shift: In October 2015, there will be a shift in liability for card-related fraud. At the moment, Banks are held responsible for any kind of fraudulent card activity or breaches. With the shift taking place, businesses will now be held liable for any credit card fraud. Small businesses especially need to take note; you need to prepare yourself well in advance since a breach could mean a whole heap of financial problems in no time flat!
Merchants Need to Provide a Secure Transaction Environment
New Credit Cards: Unlike your standard magnetic strip, new credit cards will have a chip imbedded in the card. Each time a customer’s credit card is swiped, the chip creates a unique transaction code that cannot be used again, creating greater protection against fraud. Only a small percentage of credit cards have been updated to the new chip and pin system, less than 2 percent to be exact. By the end of 2015, about 50 percent of cards used by customers are estimated to be chip imbedded.
Terminal Upgrades: Here’s the topic we’ve all been dreading; time to upgrade that terminal! With the new chip and pin protected cards well under way, it only makes sense that merchants will need a new, compatible terminal to sync with the new EMV system. For small businesses this is an extremely important upgrade to make. With large companies like Target, Walmart and Home Depot already using EMV terminals, hackers will be looking less to those companies, and more towards the small businesses who are procrastinating on making the change. If you need more information on what terminals are right for you, contact your merchant service provider, and they are sure to fit you with the right machine. (Now is the time to plan for these upgrade expenses.)
Stay Educated as the Industry Changes in Response to Threats and Customer Needs
With all of these changes looming in the near future, it’s important to remember to continue to educate yourself. Staying current on new laws, practices and security standards are your best bet to avoid the threat of a breach. As we already know, no one is immune to this danger, but there is hope in securing your business and your loyal customers.
Marnie Ochs-Raleigh is the CEO of Evolve Systems.
You may reach her at marnie@evolve-systems.com.
Enjoy the benefits of membership in 2015
Membership benefits include:
- Discounts from other member businesses
- Member directory listing on buylocaltwincities.com
- Members only discussion group through list serv
- Expanded online presence through Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest
- Free webinars and monthly networking events
….and much more
Business memberships are only $18 per month or $180/year ($50 for each additional storefront). Choosing the monthly option helps MetroIBA lower our costs by maintaining a consistent cash flow. Monthly payments also reduce administrative costs, and allow us to focus on growing the independent businesses that we represent.
If you have recently received notice that your membership is about to lapse, simply go to buylocaltwincities.com/join and renew online. Or, you can mail your payment to:
MetroIBA
2190 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Member News
Congratulations!
Cardinal is a family owned 2nd generation business.
B Corporations Among Us!
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Congratulations to the MetroIBA member businesses named as four of the first official Benefit Corporations in the State Of Minnesota: thedatabank, Peace Coffee, Software For Good and Sunrise Banks.
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A Benefit Corporation is a new legal structure for a company. In MN, Benefit Corporations are for profit companies who elect to be held accountable for pursuing more than just shareholder profits. Benefit Corporations in MN will pursue social and environmental impacts in addition to shareholder profits.
Visit their website to learn more about the B Corp. movement.
MetroIBA in the News
Check out this StarTribune Business article titled: MetroIBA helps smaller retailers promote themselves featuring Julie Kearns, owner of member business Junket Tossed and Found, and our very own Mary Hamel.
Thank you Volunteers
Mary Jo Koplos~Postal Dispatch Business Center
Nicki Jones~Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul
Seth McCoy~Groundswell Coffee
Scott Richardson~Back Office Guru
