June 2014

JUNE
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PRESI DE NT’S REPORT
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Referrals: A Powerful Sales Tool
This article is the second in a series focused on the benefits of shopping local.
By Maria Nieves, President & CEO
Referrals, referrals, referrals…as the world gets both larger (i.e. think global connected by
social media), and smaller (i.e. as in shopping local), referrals remain a very powerful sales tool.
Think about it. When you’re looking for an expert to help remodel your home, a health
professional, or you’re in the market for a new car, wouldn’t you rather go to someone that is
referred by a trusted source?
Here at the Chamber, we believe that potential customers prefer to take their business to
someone they know—or know of—than to complete strangers. When you're introduced to
a prospect through a personal recommendation, that prospect is going to have a higher
comfort level.
That’s why in our efforts to help our members boost their business, we have actively been
making many more referrals and introductions for our members. In fact since the beginning
of 2014, we’ve made more than 20 referrals Continue Reading
FROM THE HALLS OF TRENTON
By Hoboken Strategy Group
From the Halls of Trenton is a new, regular feature of the President’s Report. Thank you to Hoboken Strategy Group for
partnering with us to keep you up to date on the action while focusing on legislation of interest to our members. Their June
column provides insight into the current negotiations as the State’s budget deadline approaches.
June is traditionally a hot month in Trenton with the administration and legislators working through
their priorities to achieve a budget compromise. While temperatures begin to heat up, tensions on
West State Street are already hot as the administration and legislative leadership negotiate a budget
deal. The Governor and the Legislature have until June 30 at 11:59 p.m. to develop a compromise
to fund the State for the next fiscal year. While the road from now to that point will include
countless hearings, press releases and partisan rhetoric from each side, it will make for interesting
theatre for political observers watching it all unfold.
The New Jersey State Budget process is always a complicated one. On the afternoon of Monday, April 28, this year’s budget
cycle became further complicated than previously predicted. State Treasurer Andrew Sidamom-Eristoff announced that State
tax revenues were approximately $807 million less than anticipated. Continue Reading
WELCOME ABOARD
32 New Members have joined the Chamber since January 1 and the following 16 members have
joined us since our last newsletter update in April! We thank all of them for their support! Each of
these businesses and organizations has made a commitment to raise their profile and support our
regional business community.
Learn more about their products and services:
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American Cancer Society
Treehouse Sound
US Coffee & Office Supplies - Individual Representative Bob Stimell
TruPlan
Cloud One Software LLC
Titan Outdoor - Sales Representative Megan Gawlak
Blobal Academy of America
Interlock Commercial Finance
South Jersey Energy Company
Sarsi, LLC
Seacoast Sailing
Derrick Watkins Enterprises
The Hair Design School
Barter Pays, Inc.
Courtney Sloan Design
Masterpiece Painting, LLC
EVENTS
WEBINAR: Marketing Your Business: Create
an Impression with Your Member Profile
Friday, June 13
2:00 - 2:45 pm
The Chamber introduces a series of quick webinars to help
our Members take advantage of their online Chamber
benefits, which include a new & improved company profile,
posting of events to the Member Calendar, offering
Member-to-Member discounts, and more. On June 13, we’ll
take a deep dive on creating a fantastic online member profile.
This webinar is open and free to members only.
PLAY GOWF at Bayonne Golf Club
Monday, June 23
8:00am: Registration
10:15am: Shot-gun start
4:00pm: Cocktail Reception & Dinner
Get into the "swing" of summer with us. Who will win this
year’s best team costume? Best individual costume? The
Liberty Cup and bragging rights? Join us for a very un-stuffy,
un-forgettable day of golf at the most “audacious” course!
Foursome, individual golfing, dinner tickets and sponsorships
available. Click HERE for event details.
June 24: Build Your Marketing Toolkit
A free seminar with Constant Contact at the Culinary
Conference Center.
June 26: Hoboken Happy Hour at Biggies Clam Bar
Breakfast for Business: Procurement Workshop
Wednesday, June 25
8:30 - 10:00am
Have you ever considered how to grow your business by
successfully winning procurement contracts? Join us for a
workshop on how to develop your company's access to
public and private-sector procurement opportunities
throughout the region. Featured speakers include
procurement experts from Genova Burns Giantomassi
Webster and Choose New Jersey.
Hudson ELC Meeting
Wednesday, June 25
11:30am - 1:00pm
Rita & Joe’s
Featured Speaker: Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise
See the Chamber’s Calendar of Events for
all of our upcoming opportunities to connect!
Check out upcoming Member events. See a full
list of Community & Member Events
on our website!
July 1: Hudson County Schools of Technology
at Preakness Valley Golf Course.
VISIBILITY
This issue of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce President’s Report sponsored by:
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