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Author: Melissa Brown

Boost Your Productivity: 15 Essential Tech Tools for Efficiency, Organization, Collaboration, and Ease

Posted on by Melissa Brown

When you’re running your own business, it’s tempting to believe you’re the only one capable of handling all the tasks required to keep operations going. But let’s face it, that approach is neither effective nor sustainable. This is where time management and prioritization come into play. By allocating your time and resources wisely, you can optimize your workflow and focus on the tasks that truly drive your business forward.

Productive Workflows
The first step towards effective time management and prioritization is creating a clear schedule. Tools like Trello, Asana, and Slack can be your secret weapons here. Trello helps you organize projects and tasks effortlessly, while Asana provides a centralized hub for team collaboration. And when it comes to real-time messaging and file sharing among teams, Slack has got your back.

Stay Organized & Efficient
Once you’ve got your schedule in place, it’s crucial to stay focused on the task at hand. Tools like Doist’s and Evernote can be your trusty companions, helping you prioritize and categorize your tasks efficiently. And to save time and boost productivity, LastPass securely stores your passwords and sensitive data in one convenient location.

Marketing Shortcuts
We all know that social media management can eat up a significant chunk of your time. Thankfully, tools like Hootsuite and Buffer allow you to schedule your posts in advance, freeing up valuable time for other important tasks. Plus, Flodesk and HubSpot can lend a helping hand with email marketing, while Google Analytics offers invaluable insights into website traffic and user behavior.

Optimize Your Processes
Effective communication and file sharing are also key to managing your time effectively. Dropbox makes it a breeze to store, share, and access files from anywhere. And if you want to take your communication skills up a notch, Grammarly is here to help with suggestions for writing style, tone, and grammar. Lastly, automatic time tracking software like Toggl and IFTTT can work wonders by keeping track of billable hours and automating repetitive tasks, saving you valuable time to focus on other essential endeavors.

Run Your Business like a Boss
Mastering time management and prioritization is the secret ingredient to running a successful small business or being a thriving entrepreneur. By embracing time-saving and productivity boosting tech tools, you can supercharge your workflow, stay productive, and tackle tasks that truly propel your business forward. With these tools in your arsenal, you’ll be equipped to navigate the daily challenges of small business ownership or entrepreneurship with much more ease, allowing you to focus more of your time and energy on vision, innovation, and growth.

The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

Kissinger Bigatel & Brower REALTORS turns 90!!

Posted on by Melissa Brown

State College-based and locally-owned real estate firm Kissinger Bigatel & Brower REALTORS is proud to celebrate their 90th year of serving the real estate needs of central Pennsylvania.

Kissinger Bigatel & Brower REALTORS opened for business as The Gordon Kissinger Agency in a one-room office on the second floor above The Corner Room in 1933 – the same year in which the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers were founded.

In 1983, the firm merged with Ralph F. Brower and Associates, and then in 1993 with Associated Realty (Mark Bigatel), taking on its current name, Kissinger Bigatel & Brower REALTORS — often referred to simply as KBB. The company currently resides at 2300 South Atherton Street in State College and can be found online at 1kbb.com.

Over the years, the ownership of the firm has had a great impact on the local landscape. Some of the developments that the company has had a hand in developing include Park Hills, Dalevue, Centre Hills, West Park Hills and The Gates, to name a few. The firm is comprised of over 50 full-time brokers and over 50 support staff.

KBB services the residential, commercial, industrial, farm and land needs of the community. While real estate is becoming more regional in nature, most of the company’s activity is in Centre County. Year in and year out, KBB agents represent approximately 50 percent of the local market activity (Source: Bright MLS).

KBB agents are members of the Centre County, Pennsylvania and National Association of Realtors. The firm now has a broad-based ownership and is led by Managing Broker and Partner Liz Piazza. KBB has been recognized as the Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.

The KBB agents take great pride in impacting their community. All agents donate into a pool that supports local charities through monthly contributions. Just some of the organizations the effort, referred to as KBB Cares, has supported are The United Way, Youth Service Bureau, Housing Transitions, Out of the Cold, THON, Salvation Army and Toys for Tots.

KBB feels so fortunate to be in the business of making dreams come true in one of the most wonderful communities in the world to live, work and play. They look forward to the next 90!!

Ignite and Empower Your Team with Verbal Feedback

Posted on by Melissa Brown

Verbal feedback is a great way for bosses and team leaders to demonstrate their appreciation and encourage their employees. When used correctly, this kind of feedback not only boosts morale but also creates an atmosphere where employees feel valued, respected, and encouraged. If using words to affirm your employees does not come naturally to you, you are not alone. The good news is that giving verbal feedback is a skill you can develop over time that will benefit you as a leader and everyone around you. Read on to learn more about when to give positive feedback and what to say to open hearts and minds.

Praise Achievements
Everyone appreciates recognition for a job well done, and your employees are no different. If someone has done an outstanding job on a project, acknowledge their effort and outcome. Praise is especially meaningful when workers have encountered unforeseen obstacles, difficult clients, or delays. When it comes to what to say, be specific. Inc. contributor and founder of Leadership from the Core, Marcel Schwantes provides these inspirational examples:

“I understand that analyzing the vast amount of data for our presentation was a difficult and time-consuming task. You did a remarkable job interpreting the results in a way everyone could comprehend.”

“I cannot express how much your extra mentoring efforts for the new employees have impacted the entire team. They were able to hit the ground running quickly due to your help during their crucial first three months with the company. The whole team has exceeded its productivity as a result.”

Commend the Person, not Just the Performance
An exciting aspect of positive feedback is that it motivates individuals differently.

According to Harvard Business Review, recognition should go beyond performance and extend into appreciation, which acknowledges a person not just for what they have done but for who they are. When giving verbal appreciation, focus on comments that encompass an employee’s special traits and talents, such as dedication, collaboration, and leadership. Schwantes provides these examples when it comes to providing praise based on leadership qualities:

“Your positive and optimistic attitude on Monday mornings has significantly impacted the team. They eagerly anticipate Mondays and feed off your positive energy throughout the week. This has spread to other teams as well.”

“How you handled last week’s crisis with your calm, composed, and self-assured demeanor was a game changer. Instead of people panicking and blaming each other, your attitude helped the team focus on finding solutions for the client and fixing the process to prevent similar issues in the future. You were instrumental in saving the company from losing one of its best clients.”

Schwantes also recommends that leaders use their words of encouragement to help workers feel secure. Job security is always a top concern for employees. When leaders affirm an individual’s place and future in the company, they offer more than compliments but peace of mind.

The Takeaway: Notice & Take Action
Giving praise that encompasses performance, personality, and someone’s place in the company are all great ways to practice words of affirmation. Take inspiration from Schwantes and customize his ideas to fit your observations and employees. And remember: a thoughtful email or note from a boss will go a long way in making someone feel seen, recognized, and appreciated.

The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

5 Content Marketing Strategies for Small Business Owners

Posted on by Melissa Brown

As a small business owner, you already know the importance of marketing for business growth. Content marketing is an excellent strategy to connect with your target audience and expand your reach. However, creating all the necessary content can be overwhelming. In this article, we’ll share five valuable content marketing tips to enhance your online presence, attract new customers, and achieve your business goals. 

Define your audience

To develop a successful content marketing strategy, start by clearly identifying your target audience. Understanding the needs, challenges, and aspirations of your ideal customers will enable you to create content that resonates with them. StoryBrand, renowned for their marketing education for small businesses, offers a comprehensive 7-part framework that small businesses can leverage to enhance their content marketing efforts. Take advantage of their complimentary tool available here.

After considering your customers’ problems and how your products solve them, categorize your ideas into pillar content. For instance, if you have a destination business selling handmade ice cream, your content can revolve around family, natural ingredients, and original flavors. Similarly, for financial consulting, your pillar content can include retirement, college savings, and debt freedom.

Create Value-Based Content

Once you have defined your audience, it is time to create valuable content that will engage, educate, even entertain. Your content should provide solutions to your customers’ problems and help them achieve their goals. Value-based content might be a blog, video, or infographic. Make sure your creativity matches your chosen pillar content and consider batching your work, rather than waiting for inspiration to strike. Hubspot offers a variety of free content creation tools. Find inspiration and get organized with one of their helpful guides. 

Integrate a Lead Magnet 

Your hard work deserves a reward. When it comes to content marketing, a next step is often more free content, or a lead magnet. A lead magnet is a complimentary piece of content or promotional offer that’s given in exchange for someone’s email address. When done right, your lead magnet kicks off your sales funnel. It’s common for a series of three to five automated emails to accompany your lead magnet and build toward a paid offer. Learn more about creating a clickable lead magnet with these five rules. 

Turn Up Your Email Marketing 

Expanding your email list through content marketing is a wise investment for small businesses. Unlike the unpredictability of social media algorithms, email provides a direct connection to your customers. Cultivate your list with valuable email content, especially if you regularly publish new material on your blog. When you have a new service or promotion to share, email becomes a vital tool in your sales strategy. To maximize the potential of email marketing, ensure that your emails are personalized, segment your list based on interests and behaviors, and include a clear call-to-action.

Adjust Your Content Marketing Based on Real Results 

Measuring the success of your content marketing efforts is crucial for understanding the impact and effectiveness of your strategies. By tracking key metrics such as website traffic, engagement rates, conversion rates, and customer feedback, you can gain valuable insights into the performance of your content. Take time to measure, analyze, and adapt your content marketing efforts to achieve greater success in reaching and engaging your audience. For a beginner’s guide to tracking key marketing metrics, check out this resource. 

The Takeaway 

Content marketing can be a powerful tool for small businesses to attract new customers and build brand awareness. By defining your audience, creating valuable content, building your email list, optimizing your email marketing, and measuring your success, you can develop a strategy that works for your business. Remember that content marketing is a long-term investment, and it takes time to see results. But with consistency and a solid plan, you can achieve your marketing goals and grow your business.

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The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC. 

Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County’s Economic Development Council Launches County-Wide Strategic Plan for Sustainable Growth

Posted on by Melissa Brown

The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County (CBICC) Economic Development Council met on November 29, 2023, to mark the initiation of a comprehensive county-wide strategic plan aimed at fostering sustainable economic development.

The meeting, hosted by Greg Scott, President and CEO of CBICC, saw the active participation including breakout sessions and feedback from over 35 key stakeholders including business leaders, elected officials, regional economic development partners, and township officials signaling a collaborative effort towards shaping the future of Centre County.

Greg, in his opening remarks, expressed enthusiasm about the commencement of the strategic planning process. “This meeting kicks off the development of a county-wide economic development strategic plan. The plan will be actionable and results-oriented so we can hold ourselves accountable.” Greg Scott said during the introductions.

Rick Siger, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED), presented an overview of the State’s Economic Development Strategy focusing on improving the state’s speed to respond to business, identifying regional opportunities, supporting innovation, and workforce development. 

Camoin and Associates, the economic development consulting firm who is partnering in the development of Centre County’s economic development plan, delivered a comprehensive presentation to the council outlining the structure of the upcoming project.  Camoin facilitated the breakout sessions allowing council members to actively contribute to defining goals, identifying regional economic needs and challenges. 

Lindsay Johnson of Camoin Associates expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Centre County, stating, ” We are thrilled to get started on the Economic Development Strategic Plan for Centre County. This will be a great opportunity to work across sectors and think innovatively about the county’s future as a great place to live and work. The council’s energy, engagement, and collaborative spirit will all be assets moving forward.”

CBICC and Camoin will be conducting stakeholder meetings, roundtables, and interviews early in 2024 with the final deliverable expected in August 2024.  The CBICC Economic Development Council’s commitment to fostering collaboration, transparency, and accountability in the strategic planning process positions Centre County for sustainable growth and prosperity. The collective efforts of the council and its partners underscore a shared vision for a vibrant and economically resilient future.