CHAMBER MATTERS - McAlester Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER MATTERS
Vol. 2 No. 1
McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce
Health Insurance Premium
Assistance Program Expands
McAlester Education
Seminars Set for Jan. 31
2007 Annual Awards Banquet
McAlester In Review...
Featured Speaker: Former Governor George Nigh
Thursday, January 18, 2007
6:30 PM
Southeast Expo Center Banquet Hall
4500 Highway 270 West
RSVP By January 15, 2007
(918) 423-22550
Attire : Business Casual
New Year Brings New Board Members
The McAlester Chamber is
proud to welcome eight new
additions to its Boar of
Directors. Pam Bundy, Nick
Carris, Casey Davis, Melinda
Nix and Lyn Roberts will
replace outgoing board members while Ross Eaton, Dawn
Green and Gayla Major will
serve the remainder of a
three-year term filling several
vacated seats.
Pamela Bundy is the coowner of Bundo Rentals and
also Efficiency Air. In 2005,
Bundo Rentals was the recip-
ient of the Small Business of
the Year Award. Pam is a
native of Hugo, Oklahoma.
Bundy is the secretary for the
Old Town Association. She
also volunteers her time and
services to March of Dimes,
BACA, PAWS, and Make a
Difference Day. She is an
active member of the Main
and Oklahoma Church of
Christ. Bundy looks forward
to helping McAlester improve
the business atmosphere of
it's local businesses.
Nick Carris is an Eagle Scout
from Troop 4 in McAlester,
and has served as a volunteer
for the Boy Scouts for a number of years. He has worked
with all areas of scouting to
include: Tiger Cubs, Cub
Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorer
Scouts, Venture Scouts and
The Order of The Arrow, in
which he is a Vigil Member.
Carris and his family, wife Joy,
daughter Julia, and son
Nicholas, live in McAlester.
Carris is a McAlester native
and has been involved in
numerous civic activities
SEE BOARD
January 2007
I
PAGE 5
The McAlester Chamber is hosting two
seminars to introduce
a premium health
insurance assistance
program for small
business owners on
Wednesday morning,
January 31.
The seminars will be held at
8 and 9 a.m. at Eastern Oklahoma
State
CollegeMcAlester campus Conference Center, 1802 E. College
Ave. in McAlester.
The chamber has nearly 500
members and is growing,
Wheeler said. Approximately 90 percent of McAlesterarea businesses fall under
the umbrella of having 50 or
fewer employees.
"Our goal is to educate
small business owners about
the benefits of this program," said Helen Wheeler,
Executive Director of the
McAlester Chamber. "The
cost of health care is rising
and we want to offer our
members the benefit of
helping keep insurance costs
under control by becoming
a part of the chamber."
Through November 2006,
OHCA reported that more
than 700 employer groups
were enrolled in the program, with more than 1,420
insured employees. Approximately 70 percent of OEPIC groups and 73 percent
of insured employees are
insured by Blue Cross and
Blue Shield of Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Health Care
Authority (OHCA) has
reported an increase in the
number of applications to
the program, called the
Oklahoma
Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage (O-EPIC). The state
legislature last fall approved
extending eligibility to
employer groups with up to
50 employees.
The O-EPIC program seeks
to cover 50,000 Oklahomans who have incomes
at or below 185 percent of
the federal poverty level. OEPIC is funded by state
funds generated by a tobacco tax, along with federal
matching funds under Title
XIX and employer and
employee contributions. For
more information go to
www.oepic.ok.gov.
SEE BLUE
I
PAGE 5
2 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
2007 Chamber
Leadership
Executive Committee
Dr. Steve Smith President
Eastern Oklahoma State
College
Ann Owens - Vice
President
MRHC Foundation
Mike Kern - Treasurer
Kern Shores & Co.
Dear Chamber Members:
In order for you to know
your president better, I would
like to provide information
about my background. I am
native of this area growing up
in the town of Quinton. Professionally, I began my career
at Stigler Public Schools as a
teacher, coach, and administrator. From Stigler, I moved
to Stillwater where I was
employed as an assistant principal at Stillwater High
School. After four years in
the Stillwater system, I was
hired at Meridian Technology
Center to become their
director of full time instructional programs. Upon leaving Meridian, I accepted my
current position as dean of
the McAlester campus of
Eastern Oklahoma State College. Regarding my education, I have bachelor and master degrees in education from
Northeastern State Universi-
Kevin Priddle - The
Bank N.A.
What new things will 2007
bring to our Chamber? Of
course, no one is able to provide specific answers to that
question, but we think our
members will be pleased with
the efforts made by our staff
and Board leadership. We
assure you that we will continue to work hard for our
Chamber members and businesses.
Mary Shannon McAlester Public Schools
Executive Director’s Corner
Evans McBride Immediate Past President
First National Bank &
Trust Co.
Board of Directors
Edward Gray - Old Town
Antique Mall
JoeAnn Vermillion Kiamichi Technology
Center
Kenny Edwards AmericInn Lodge &
Suites
Dawn Green - BancFirst
Ross Eaton - State Farm
Insurance
Gayla Major - Arvest
Bank
Nick Carris - Boy Scouts
of America
Lyn Roberts - Defense
Ammunition Center
Melinda Nix - Nix Auto
Center
With every new year, there
comes new challenges. This
year is no different. The challenges we face and overcome
are challenges that will make
us a stronger and more effective organization. Like our
new President Dr. Steve
Smith, I would like to introduce myself and give you an
idea of where I come from so
you might better understand
my passion for this job.
Though I am a Houston
transplant, my Oklahoma ties
run deep. I graduated in May
of 2002 from Oklahoma State
University with a Bachelor of
Science in Advertising and a
minor in Marketing. While at
OSU, I was very involved with
the School of Journalism
Advertising Team and Orange
Peel. In 2001, I had to privilege of leading over 150 student volunteers as the Executive Director of Orange Peel.
Upon graduation I took a job
as a Marketing Coordinator
for ADV Films, the largest
manufacturer in the world of
Japanese Animation. I worked
there for two and a half years
until I moved back to Stillwater with my husband Vic. I
accepted a position with the
Stillwater Chamber of Commerce where I really got my
first taste of how fulfilling
chamber work can be.
BISHOP FUNERAL SERVICE; 2c; 2"; Black Only; 04559524;
CHAMBER
Casey Davis - Choctaw
Gaming Center
Staff
Helen Wheeler
Executive Director
Tiffanie Berg
Information Specialist
ty in Tahlequah and a specialist in education degree and
doctorate in educational
leadership from Oklahoma
State University.
Locally, in addition to working
with the Chamber, I'm a
member of the McAlester
Economic Development Service Board of Directors, the
McAlester Chapter of Rotary,
and the McAlester First Baptist Church. On the state
level, I serve on the executive
committee of the State
Regents Economic Development Council and the Council of Oklahoma Extended
Campus Administrators. My
priority in life is my family,
which consists of my wife Jennifer and our seven-year-old
son Garrett.
your president is continued
leadership. We want our
Chamber to be one of the
best in the state and we have
a staff and board that are
making efforts to ensure we
accomplish this goal. The
McAlester Chamber is the
voice and leader on behalf of
our members and businesses.
Once again, thank you for
being a Chamber member.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steve Smith
McAlester Chamber of
Commerce President
What I feel I can bring to the
Chamber in this new role as
In 2005, my husband and I
arrived in McAlester where I
again was thankful to find a
job where I could put my
marketing skills to work. I
served McAlester as the
Director of Marketing and
Community Relations for a
year and a half.
Chamber work has become a
passion for me. I care deeply
about making a difference in
the business community and
bringing businesses together.
Do I believe that we will face
some challenges this year?
Absolutely. But I also know
we will overcome them and
continue the momentum that
has been building over the
last several years. I am excited and ready to begin!
McAlester is on the brink of
great things. Everyone needs
to do his or her part. This
will be an exciting year. GET
READY!
If you are a Chamber member thank you. If you are not
I would love to opportunity
to speak with you about
becoming one. I have an open
door policy and look forward
to getting acquainted with
more of you in the next year.
Helen Wheeler
Executive Director
EASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE COLLEGE; 2c; 2"; Black Only;
04559500; CHAMBER WILBURTON
McAlester
110 S. 3rd
426-4244
www.eosc.edu
Wilburton Campus
1301 N. Main, Wilburton, OK 74578
Hartshorne
801 Penn
297-2346
3 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
4 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
McAlester Ambassadors Club
Tom Lucas
First National Bank
Lee Anderson
McAlester Radio
Cheri’ Hopkins
Connie J. Davis
Insurance
David Lerblance
Edward Jones
Peg Bunda
Narconon
Arrowhead
Bill McMahan
McMahan Appraisal
Connie Davis
Connie J. Davis
Insurance
Gerald Monte
First National Bank
Teresa Durant
ARVEST Bank
Bill Nicholson
New York Life
Insurance
Viola Elrod
Bank of Oklahoma
Joe Patel
Days Inn
Chris Foris
BancFirst
Kari Painter
McAlester Radio
Ruth Harkins
Chaney-Harkins
Funeral Home
Tami Luevano
McAlester Premier
Hotels
The McAlester Ambassadors Club is very excited
about the coming year, as
we've new leadership: Bill
Nicholson will step up from
Vice President last year to
President; Cheri Hopkins,
having done a stellar job as
secretary this past year, will
replace Bill as First Vice
Pres this year; Tom Lucas,
will assume the position of
immediate Past President,
acting as the Ambassadors'
"Elder Statesman". Finally,
Tami Luevano will serve the
Ambassadors as Secretary.
At the time of this press
release, our 2007 Kickoff
Meeting has not been conducted, but some of our
goals will include: new,
more active members, a
OKLAHOMA HEALTHCARE; 5c; 5.5"; Black Only; 04559498; CHAMBER
Left to right: Phyllis Duvall, RN; Ann Benge, CHHA; Hoetta Smith, CHHA; Ruth McKaughan,
CHHA; Cathy Compton, CQI; Angela Watkins, Medicare Biller. Bottom left: Tonya Moore,
Office Manager; Kristin Woelders, CQI/LPN; Elizabeth Caldwell, CHHA; Jennifer Draper,
LPN; Rozella Tadlock, CHHA; Treva Hall, HR Clerk.
more visible presence in
the business community,
continuing to act as a liaison between businesses
and the Chamber; in sum,
becoming the entity that
supports our local businesses, by supporting the
Chamber of Commerce,
and most important, have
some fun.
FUN! Give us a call; visit a
meeting; tell us what we
can do to help your business.
Best of all, BECOME A
MCALESTER
AMBASSADOR!
We're
waiting for you- come see
us!
Bill Nicholson
If you are truly interested in Ambassador President
business, enjoy visiting with New York Life Insurance
other businessmen (or
women), appreciate networking with other successful businesses, and
would like to have a small
part in making McAlester
more 'business friendly',
YOU are an excellent
Ambassador
prospect.
Besides all that, we have
We know how difficult it is to devote the proper care to
your loved ones who may need special care following an
accident or illness. Home is the most desirable and effective
place for recuperation. Let Oklahoma Healthcare Solutions
bring its quality care right to your door, where and when you
need it most. Oklahoma Healthcare Solutions values quality of
service above all else. Our commitment to you is visible through
the quality of training and care provided by our Registered
Nurses, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists, Medical
Social Workers, Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Home
Health Aides. Each staff member is eager to provide the best
possible home health services. We now offer Anodyne Therapy
to assist our clients, who have been referred by their physician
for this service. Let Oklahoma Healthcare Solutions be your
solution for home health care, by calling 1-877-469-1000 for
the location nearest you.
OKLAHOMA HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS
1-800-285-8091
315 E. WYANDOTTE • McALESTER
5 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
BOARD
BLUE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Oklahoma
Chamber
Blue
McAlester Area Chamber of
Commerce members can
also benefit from Oklahoma
Chamber Blue, a Blue Cross
and Blue Shield of Oklahoma partnership with
chambers of commerce.
Oklahoma Chamber Blue
works
by
combining
employees of small businesses who are members of
either The State Chamber
or the McAlester Area
Chamber of Commerce into
one larger insured group.
Oklahoma Chamber Blue is
a
competitively-priced
health
insurance
plan
designed to make health
coverage more affordable
and accessible for Oklahoma businesses.
Oklahoma Chamber Blue
also is compatible with the
state's O-EPIC premium
assistance program.
No medical underwriting is
required for Oklahoma
Chamber Blue - coverage is
guaranteed for eligible busi-
homa Chamber Blue also
features prescription drug
benefits, nationwide coverage and optional dental coverage.
Plan requirements
To be eligible for Oklahoma
Chamber Blue, business
must have fewer than 100
employees and be located in
one of 62 counties outside
the Oklahoma City and Tulsa
metro areas. Businesses also
must be a member of either
The State Chamber or one
of more than 200 local
chambers of commerce
across the state, including
the McAlester Chamber. For
more information go to
www.bcbsok.com
Sources: McAlester Chamber;
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Oklahoma; Oklahoma Health
Care Authority.
STATE FARM INSURANCE; 2c; 2"; Black Only; 04559187;
CHAMBER
nesses. Oklahoma Chamber
Blue offers choices of four
separate health
plan
options
The
Campus
for Working Adults
to employers,1802
including
PPO
E. College
Avenue • McAlester Campus
918-426-5272
and HMO coverage.
Okla- • www.eosc.edu
CONNIE J DAVIS INSURANCE; 2c; 2"; Black Only; 04558581;
CHAMBER
including past president of
McAlester Lions Club, past
President of the McAlester
Chamber, and a board member of the McAlester Boy and
Girls Club, and several committees and civic projects in
and around the McAlester
area.
Casey Davis has lived in the
McAlester area her entire life.
She grew up in Hartshorne,
Oklahoma where she currently resides with her two children. She earned her BA in
Accounting from SOSU. Casey
is now the Site Manager at
Choctaw Nation Casino and
has worked there for almost 7
years. She loves to work with
people and help make a difference in their daily lives. She
plans to bring new ideas to
The Chamber as a Board
Member and help make
McAlester a destination for
businesses and families to
relocate.
Ross Eaton has been in the
Insurance business for over 14
years. Eaton attended Northeastern State University
where he earned his Bachelor
of Science in Business Administration. He later attended
University of Oklahoma College of Law where he was
admitted to the bar in 1992.
As a State Farm Agent, Ross
has earned many awards to
include: Top 100 New Agents,
Top 10 Life Agents, National
Sales Achievement Award,
Community Service Award,
and also is a part of Legion of
Honor. Ross is an active member of the Lion's Club and
serves on the Boys and Girls
Club board. He dedicates his
time as a volunteer coach to
the Boys and Girls Club.
Dawn Green has recently
been named the Regional
Retail Coordinator for South
Central Oklahoma at BancFirst. Green has proven herself to be a highly dedicated
and motivated member. She is
the immediate past president
of the Lion's Club, a member
of the McAlester Optimist
Club, and now is a board
member of the McAlester
Chamber.
Gayla Major began her career
in banking over 30 years ago.
She continues this career as
the Mortgage Loan Officer at
Arvest Bank. Her many attributes are to include: Director
for Southeastern Oklahoma
Bankers Association, Inc.,
member of the McAlester
Noon BPW, and a member of
the
McAlester
Housing
Authority board. Being married to her high school sweetheart, Keith, of 30 years has
given her the pleasure of being
a mother to two boys and a
grandmother to 3 children.
Gayla
believes
in
the
McAlester Chamber and has
seen first hand what benefits
being a member of The Chamber offers.
Melinda Nix relocated to
McAlester to continue her
career in automobile dealerships. She has had experience
in everything from a receptionist to her current position
as the Office Manager at Nix
Auto Center. Melinda oversees the daily operations at
Speedline
Entertainment,
Speedline Used Cars, JMTT
Holding Co., Nix Ford-Mercury, and Nix Auto Center.
Melinda is a new member of
the Lion's Club and is a member of the Frink-Chamber
School Board. She enjoys
cooking and spending time
with her two children whom
keep her very busy. Melinda
looks forward to gaining
knowledge of our economy's
strengths and weaknesses so
she can better serve the
demands of the community,
thus allowing our local businesses to expand. She anticipates bringing a new outlook
of the economic impact of
new businesses to the community, while helping existing
businesses continue to thrive.
Lynette K. Roberts is not a
new face among the Chamber
for she served as the Executive Director of The Chamber
from 1998-2001. Lynette
started her career in
McAlester from Texas to
coordinate the Main Street
Project. Lynette has served as
the Director of Planning and
Projects for the Pittsburg Co.
Fairgrounds, later the SE OK
Expo Authority. She has been
an Assistant Director for Eastern Oklahoma State College
Foundation and is now the
Assistant to the Director of
the US Army Defense Ammunition Center. Lynette is married to Don Roberts and is
called "gramma" by her twoteenage step-grandchildren.
Just Passing Through...
I just wanted to let you know that my husband and I were traveling through McAlester,
December 9 coming back from Bartlesville and going to southwest Arkansas. It was about 6:00
at night and we were very impressed with the lights you had put up all along with highway. It
was very pleasant driving through town and looking at all the pretty lights down the middle of
the median, on buildings and even on the bridge. It is the prettiest decorations for a town that
I have seen and we've been doing a lot of traveling this holiday season with my son playing college basketball all around. Just thought I'd let you know that you made the LONG trip more
enjoyable!
Terri Williams
Wickes, Arkansas
6 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
RIBBON CUTTINGS
The McAlester Ambassadors Club has been very busy this month! Welcome new
Chamber members! If you are a Chamber member and would like to schedule your
ribbon cutting call the Chamber Headquarters at 423-2550! If you are not a Chamber
member but would like more information about joining McAlester’s leading business
association call The Chamber today!
Parkway Village
700 W. Carl
Albert Pkwy.
Now renting
Apartments.
Call the leasing
office at
(918) 429-0775
John’s Flowers
& Gifts
427 E.Wyandotte
John Kornegay and his staff have been using
flowers and gifts to help grow and improve
the McAlester community for the last three
years. Quality and service are two attributes that this business prides itself on
everyday. If you are looking for a special
flower arrangement, plant or gift item
John’s Flowers & Gifts has something for
everyone. Kornegay continually strives to
better Wyndotte while progressivly looking
towards building the future. Call John’s
Flowers for any type of special event or
occasion. 429-1500 or go by and see them
at 427 E.Wyandotte.
7 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
The Harrison
Law Firm
212 E. Choctaw
The McAlester Ambassadors club were on
hand to welcome The Harrison Law Firm
to the Chamber family. Newly relocated
Terry Harrison, Amy Harrison, and Allan
Mitchell. The Harrison Law Firm specializes
in social security disability, divorce, child
custody, family law, accidents, criminal,
worker’s compensation, oil & gas, property
and probate/estate planning. Give them a
call today at 423-4200!
Land Arkoma
Company
2206 N. Main
Land Arkoma Company, Inc. is a full-line petroleum land brokerage firm, having succeeded to
the interest of Wager & Associates in 1991.
Land Arkoma provides services such as
detailed record checks and mineral ownership
reports, lease and mineral acquisition, title curative, surface damage settlement, Oklahoma
Corporation Commission research and testimony, and due diligence. Land Arkoma is a
family owned business with the principals
being Kenneth R. Carlock, President, and Dee
Ann Allen,Vice-President.
Excel Therapy
1609 N. Strong
Exercise, motivation and education creates excellent care and excellent outcomes. McAlester’s
newest physical therapy location has just opened!
EXCEL Therapy Specialists clinicians treats
patients with superior care through physical
therapy, sports medicine and rehabilitation. Excel
Therapy offers a number of services to provide
the best possible care: Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine Therapy, Pre & Post Surgery
Rehabilitation, Hand Therapy, Spinal Rehabilitation, and Fitness Conditioning Program. The new
Excel Therapy-McAlester location is at 1609 N.
Strong. Call Mike Baker (ATC), Stephen Miller,
(Physical Therapist) and Cindy Oley (Front Office
Manager) at 426-1322 today!
8 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
“Identity Theft” seminar will be held on January 30, 2007
at 2:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. at the McAlester Kiamichi Career
Tech Center in the Seminar Room.
The speaker will be Sharon Lewis-Williams.Topics will include:
Identity Theft
Fake Check Scams
Financial Exploitation
Sharon Lewis - Williams has worked for nearly 20 years worked for the Central Oklahoma Clearing House Association (COCHA). Lewis - Williams has developed and
facilitated a comprehensive alert system for Oklahoma member financial institutions
and law enforcement agencies. Since 2005 worked as the Operational Security
Officer for BancFirst in Oklahoma.
Also featured speaker will be Jim Miller, Pittsburg County District Attorney.
Premier Hospitality
Management, Inc.
cordially invites you to join us in
celebrating the openening of
our newest addition
Comfort Suites
650 S. George Night Expressway
McAlester, Oklahoma 74501
Please join us for our
Grand Opening Celebration
January 25, 2007
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
5:30p.m.
RSVP (918) 302-0
0001 ext 7400
BEMAC; 2c; 2"; Black Only; 04558583; CHAMBER
B EMAC S UPPLY
PLUMBING FIXTURE SHOWROOM
836 E. Carl Albert Pkwy
423-4194
Let Us Be Your First Stop When You
Build Or Remodel Your Home
American Standard • Coral
Delta • Mansfield • Danze • Toto
Tips For Growing
Your Business
Take advantage of the first 90 days after getting a
new customer. Studies show this is the period when you’ll
most likely get strong referrals. Are you currently asking for
referrals or sending pass-along offers that clients can give to
friends? This is also a period when a client is most likely to
buy from you again. Have you offered them an incentive to
come back? Do you let them know about new products or
service? Of course, before trying to benefit from the 90-day
window, don’t forget to thank your clients and make sure
they’re happy with the initial purchase.
Source: www.directmag.com
Is your prospect hiding something from you? If you
feel that a potential client has a reason for not using your
product or service that he hasn’t stated, simply ask him what
it is, After he tells you, ask if that is the only reason he isn’t
buying. If it isn’t, continue to get all objections out in the
open. If he says that the objection you’ve uncovered is the
only reason, ask if you were to eliminate the objection would
he buy. If he says “yes,” you have a buying commitment,
assuming you can eliminate the objection.
Source: Pam Lontos, www.yoursuccesscompany.com
Annual performance reviews don’t have to be painful.
Unfortunately, managers often make the same classic mistakes, making appraisals unpleasant for both parties. Start by
making sure you don’t save up feedback—make it a habit to
give regular feedback so that you avoid surprises during the
review. Don’t overemphasize recent performance—provide a
balance assessment by reaching back into the past for examples of employee’s performance. Avoid being too positive or
too negative—with poor performers, try to find at least one
thing you can honestly praise, and for high performers, offer
at least one area where you’d like to see improvement. Avoid
criticizing without being constructive—explain how they can
improve and set measurable goals. And, finally, avoid talking
too much and not listening—ask why they thing they have
performed well or not and listen carefully to the response.
Source: www.businessknowhow.com
It’s now easier to get your website indexed by the
major search engines. Google,Yahoo, and Microsoft have
all agreed to adopt Google’s Sitemaps protocol, which
enables website owners to
manually feed their pages to
RED HORSE TIRE; 2c; 2"; Black Only; 04559185; CHAMBER
Google and to check whether
their sites have been crawled.
Until now, website owners
have had to follow similar
processes at each of the other
major search engines separately. For more information,
go to www.sitemaps.org.
Source: www.news.com
RED HORSE TIRE
426-0526
110 S. 6TH • McAlester
TOLL FREE 1-888-567-TIRE (8473)
9 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
Simple Gestures Count The Most
One of the best-kept secrets
in management today is the
power of recognizing employees. Study after study has
demonstrated that what
employees most want is to be
acknowledged for the job they
do day in and day out. This
recognition does not have to
be anything fancy, in fact, the
simpler and more direct, the
better. One of the most motivating forms of recognition as
reported by employees is very
simple indeed: taking the time
to personally thank an employee for something they did well.
This seems very obvious yet
when was the last time you did
it? If you are typical, it has been
some time. If this is the case,
start thinking about who you
will thank for his or her efforts
today.
To be the most effective, the
thank you should come as
soon as possible after the
achievement or desired activi-
Business
Watch
In order to protect the
integrity of our chamber
members we partner with
the most professional
companies to produce the
best product. When we
begin special projects we
will send you an official
endorsement letter.
Several businesses have
inquired about a company
called Geo Graphics
that is producing an area
map.
The Chamber is not
endorsing this map
nor distributing the
map for them.
If you have any further
questions please do not
hesitate to give us a call 918-423-2550.
ty has occurred. If you wait
too long to thank a person,
over time the gesture will lose
its significance. Implicitly, the
employee will figure that other
things were more important
to you than taking a few minutes with him or her.
You need to also be very specific about what you are praising the person for and why.
Praisings that are too broad
tend to seem insincere. But
saying, "Thanks for staying late
to finish those calculations I
needed. It was critical for my
meeting this morning," specifically says what and why an
employee's effort was of value.
If you need a reminder, a form
can be used. At Tektronix, Inc.,
the company instituted a simple way for managers and
employees alike to focus on
recognizing others for doing
something right. Dubbed the
"You Done Good Award," this
simple certificate was printed
in pads and could be given to
anybody in the company from
anybody else in the company.
On it, individuals stated what
was done, who did it and
when, and then gave the certificate to the person.
The idea has caught on and is
now part of life at Tektronix.
Says one employee: "Even
though people say nice things
to you, it means something
more when people take the
time to write their name on a
piece of paper and say it."
January
Director of Employment and
Training for Cobb Electric
Membership Corporation in
Marietta, GA, says "People love
to collect others' business
cards. Simply carry a supply of
your cards with you and as
you "catch people doing something right," immediately write
"Thanks," "Good job," "Keep it
up" and what they specifically
did in two to three words. Put
the person's name on the card
and sign it.
Although less personal, messages left on telephone voicemail or computer e-mail can
be also be effective. All these
simple gestures indicate that
you are not too busy to miss
the fact that an employee has
done something special.
As Ron Zemke, senior editor
of Training magazine once
observed: "Recognition is
something a manager should
be doing all the time -- it's a
running dialogue with people."
The act of delivering simple,
direct praise for a job well
done is so easy to do, yet so
many managers do not do it.
As a result they are robbing
themselves and their employees of one of the most powerful forms by which to shape
and reinforce desired performance -- and feel better in
the process.Try it, you'll like it-and so will those with whom
you work.
Source:
Bob
Nelson
www.bizjournals.com
Another simple yet effective
approach is to put notes on
business cards. Hohn Plunkett,
Tuesday, January 2
Executive Cmte. Meeting
3:30p @ The Chamber
Thursday, January 18
Women’s Biz Connection
11:30 - 1:00p @ KTC
ANNUAL BANQUET
6:30p @ SE Expo Center
Thursday, January 4
Harrison Law Firm Ribbon
Cutting 11:30a @ 23 E.
Choctaw
Thursday, January 25
Comfort Suites Grand
Opening 5:00 - 8:00p @
650 S. George Nigh Expwy
Tuesday, January 9
Land Arkoma Company
Ribbon Cutting 4p@ 2206
N. Main
Wed., January 31
Chamber Blue Seminar
8:00 am and 9:00am
EOSC - McAlester
Campus Conference
Center
Wed., January 10
Board Meeting 3p@ The
Chamber
Thursday, January 11
Business Services Cmte.
10:30a @ The Chamber
Excel Therapy Specialists
Ribbon Cutting 11:30a @
1609 N. Strong
McAlester Ambassadors
5:30p @ Holiday Inn
Express & Suites
February
Tuesday, February 6
Executive Cmte. Meeting
3:30p @ The Chamber
Thursday, February 8
Business Services Cmte.
10:30a @ The Chamber
McAlester Ambassadors
Noon @ TBD
Wed., February 14
Board Meeting 3p@ The
Chamber
KIAMICHI
TECH; 2c;Serious
5"; Black Only;
04559506;
When You’re
About
YourCHAMBER
Career…
Kiamichi Technology Center Means Business.
Instructors with business and industry
experience teach the knowledge, skills and
attitudes necessary for successful careers.
Students enter the workforce ready to compete
for high skill wage jobs. If you are ready for your
first career, or a career change – contact
Kiamichi Technology Center.
-
Kiamichi Technology Center:
• Serving High School and Adult Students • All-Day, Half-
We can find
the BEST companies…
with the
BEST
rates…
EASTERN
OKLAHOMA
STATE COLLEGE;
2c; 2";
Black
Only;
™
04559502; CHAMBER MCALESTER
Call us for your BEST quote!
Day, or Evening Classes
• Fourteen Day-Time Programs • Financial Aide Available
• On-Site Child Development Center • Business & Industry
Training and Assistance
Protect Your Home… Your Business… Yourself and Your Family
Commercial • Trucking • Farm • Ranch • Home • Auto • Life • Health
Motorcycles • Mobile Homes • Boats • Recreational Vehicles
Connie J. Davis
Insurance
500 East Wyandotte • McAlester
Connie J. Davis-Counts
& Cheri Hopkins
PROFESSIONAL
INSURANCE
AGENT
Open Mon.-Fri
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(Corner of 5th & Wyandotte – Parking on 5th Street)
918-423-3200
Locally Owned & Operated • Independent Agency
“Give Us a Call … We Insure It All…”
301 Kiamichi Drive • McAlester, OK 74501
918 426-0940 • 888 567-6630 (toll free)
www.kiamichi-mcalester.tec.ok.us/
10 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
Join the Rest of theseBusinesses in the
Leading Business Association in McAlester
2007 Chamber Members * Denotes 2007 New members
1st Choice Realty in
Oklahoma
5 Star Painting
A-1 Ministorage
AAA Plumbing & Heating
Aaron's Sales & Lease
AB Medical of Oklahoma, Inc.
Adam True Value & Ag Supply
Kimberly Adams, P.C. Attorney
at Law
Advanced Dermatology
Advantage Truck Equipment
AEP/PSO
AIP
AirEvac LifeTeam
Alamo Liquor
All Pawn
Allegiance Communications
Allen Locke Collision Repair
Center
Allen's Sheet Metal Heating &
Air
Allford, Ivester, & Green
Allied Appraisal Group, Inc.
American Red Cross
AmericInn Lodge & Suites
AMSCO Supply Co.
Angel's Diner
Aramark
Art's Custom Picture Framing
Arvest Bank
At Home in Oklahoma Home
Health
AT&T
AT&T Yellow Pages
Atlantic Meeco Inc.
Atwoods
Dr. Doug Auld, DDS
Auto Tech
Balkman Insurance Agency
Ball's Bar-B-Q
BancFirst
Bank of Oklahoma
Bargain Journal
Barnett Siding
Beale Tire Company
INDIAN TERRITORY HOME HEALTH; 2c; 6"; Black Only;
04559496;
CHAMBER Caring for Families…
amilies
F
Indian Territory
Home Health & Hospice
Family Owned & Operated Since 1996
Helen Turman, Administrator
SERVING ALL OF SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA!
210 E. Wyandotte, McAlester
918-426-4647
BeMac Supply
Best Temps
Best Value & Suites of Savanna
Best Western
Beta Iota of E.S.A.
Bishop's Funeral Service
BizTel
Blockbuster Video
Boy Scouts of America
Boynton Williams &
Associates
Boy's & Girl's Club
Brangus Feed Lot
Braums Corp.
Brenair, Inc
Briggs Printing
Brumley-Mills Funeral Home
Buck Wilson Frame &
Body Shop
Bundo Rentals
Burgundy Place
Camco Promotional Products
Candle Light Inn
Carpet and Tile Outlet
CASA of Southeast OK
Cathey & Assoc. LLC
Cellular One
CenterPoint Energy
Century 21
Chameleon
Chaney-Harkins Funeral
Home
Chaney-Ward Ranch
Charles Komar & Sons, Inc Outlet Center
Charlie's Chicken & BBQ
Chef Billy's
Chester E. McBee Inc
Choctaw Gaming Center
Choctaw Gas Company
Choctaw Nation McAlester
Clinc
Cinema 69
City of McAlester
Coldwell Banker
Colonial Lodge
Colortyme
Comfort Suites
Connie J. Davis Insurance
Corral West Ranchwear
Country Mart
Crowded Closet
Crowder Point Family
Campground
Curves McAlester
D & S Construction
Dancing Rabbit Antiques
Deborah Martin Realty, LLC
Defense Ammunition Center
DeFrange Autocrafts
Diamond Homes
Diamond Trophy & Engraving
Digital Technology Solutions
Discount Wheel & Tire
Dolese Bros. Company
Don's Auto Color Inc.
G. Donald Donathan III, DDS
Downey Publishing
Dun Right Fencing
Dutton Welding &
Construction
Easley Communication Services
Eastern Oklahoma State
College
Eastern Regional Department
of Corrections
EASTOK, Inc
Edward Jones
Edward Jones
Edward Jones
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
* Excel Thereapy Specialists
Express Personnel Services
Extreme Inflatables
EZ Tees
Farm Credit Services
Farmer's Insurance Cashmere
Agency
Farmers Insurance Group
Federal Managers Assn. 334
Fenton Motors
First Baptist Church
First Free Will Baptist Church
First National Bank & Trust, Co.
First Presbyterian Church
First Realty, Inc.
Foster's Flowers
G & M Contractors LLC
G.C. Rental Center
Dr. Stanley R. Gahring MD
Gateway Mortgage Group
Gene Stipe Oil & Gas
Giacomo's Restaurant
Barbara Gilbertson
Girl Scouts Tiak Council Inc
Tom Glenn, CPA
Gonzales Cement Contractor
Goodwill Store
Green Country Electric & Pool
Green Country Mortgage
Green Gate Café
Grumpy Old Man LLC
Hackler & Hackler Law Office
Happy Days Hotel
Harbor Mountain Coffee
House
Harris Auto Sales LLC
HCFS
Health Back of McAlester
Healthsouth Sports Medicine &
Rehabilitation Center
Heartland Hospice Services
Heritage Hills Nursing Center
Hiway Inn & Suites
Hiway Inn Express Hotel &
Suites
Holiday Inn Express Hotel &
Suites
Holiday Lodge
Home & Investment Properties
Home Xpressions Unlimited
Hometown Hospice
Honeywell
House Real Estate of Okla
House Warming by Carla
House
Humphrey Plumbing, Heat &
Air
Hunan's
Hutchison Insurance Co.
Hydrangea Bed & Breakfast
Ideal Home Care
Indian Territory Home Health
& Hospice
Interior Resources
Intrepid USA Healthcare
Sandra Isenhower, CPA
Isle of Capri
J.D.Thomas Construction
J.D.Young Company
J.M. Miller
Jackie Brannon CC
Janalynn's
Janell's House of Beauty
Javersak Chiropractic Clinic
Jeff Herrick Law Office
Jimmy J.Williams & Co., PC
Jim's Tire & Brake
Joel Morgan Insurance
Company
John Wayne's Auto Clinic, Inc.
John's Flowers & Gifts
Jordan Carris Insurance
Jubilee Massage
K & B General Construction
K & M Body Works
Dr. Hailey Kanard O.D.
KATCON, Inc.
Kay's Meat Processing
K-Bar Company
KCSC 90.1 FM-KBCW 91.9
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Kern Shores & Co. PC
Kern Shores Financial Services
KESC 103.7FM
Kiamichi Builders
Kiamichi Technology Center
11 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
Kibois C.A.F., Inc
Kiddin Around Academy
Kidz Choice
King Development
Klean-R-Us
KMCO-101FM & 1400AM
KNED - 1150AM
Krebs Housing Authority
KTMC - Rock 105
Lake Eufaula Association
Lakewood Christian School
Land Arkoma Company, Inc
Landmark Landscapes
Lawson Sheet Metal LLC
Lawton Publications
Senator Richard Lerblance
Lewis Landscaping & Sprinkler
Works
Liberty Abstract
Life Church, Inc
Linda's Country Cottage
Loan Plus
Love Bottling Co.
Lovera's Italian Grocery
Lowe's Home Center
Lucky's Club
Luke Shipley Construction
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant
Main & Oklahoma Church of
Christ
Mann's Flower Shop
March of Dimes
Marilynn's Boutique
Mark Emmons Photography
Marking Products
Mattress Warehouse &
Furniture Gallery
McAlester Anesthesia & Pain
Management
McAlester Army Ammunition
Plant
McAlester Arts & Humanities
McAlester Auto Parts
McAlester BPW (Evening)
McAlester Children's Dental
Clinic
McAlester Country Club
McAlester Country Club Golf
Shop
McAlester Diagnostic Imaging
McAlester Economic
Development Services
McAlester Insurance Agency
McAlester Monument Co. Inc
McAlester MotorSports
McAlester News Capital
McAlester Noon BPW
McAlester Nursing Center
McAlester Public Schools
McAlester Regional Health
Center
McAlester Regional Home
Health Care
McAlester Regional Home
Medical Equipment
McAlester Regional Wellness
Center
McAlester Roofing Company
McAlester Scottish Rite
Masonic Center
McAlester Signature Service
McAlester Super Liner Plus
McAlester Union Stockyards
McAlester Veterinary Clinic
McAlester Vision Center
McAlester Welding Supplies
Dr. Jon M. McCauley, MD PC
McClain Building Center
McDonald's
McElroy's Auto Repair
McMahan Appraisal Service
Mercer Law Firm
Merle Norman Cosmetics
Merrill Lynch - The FBD Group
- Carter Baumert
- Alan Ford
- Jay Dickenson
Michell Manor Convalescent
Home, Inc.
Mid- America Christian
University
Mike McWilliams Dozer
Service
Mike Miller Construction, LLC
Mike Ward's Hearing Center
Mike's Pest Control
Mill Creek Carpet & Tile
Miller & Associates
Miller Bros. Enterprises, Inc.
Miller Glass
Miller Office Equipment
Mills Chiropractic
Motor Inn
Mount Triumph Baptist Church
Barbara Monto
MSD Oil & Gas
Napa Auto Parts
Narconon of Oklahoma
National Oilwell Varco
New Haven Bible Baptist
Church
New York Life
Newfield Exploration
Mid-Continent, Inc.
Nichols Marine
Nick & Gray Remodeling
Nix Auto Center
NRS Consulting Engineers
O'Daniel Jewelry
OK Small Business
Development Center
Oklahoma Eyewear
Oklahoma Healthcare Solutions
Oklahoma Mailing Equipment
Oklahoma State Penitentiary
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Oklahomans for Independent
Living
Old Town Antique Mall
Old Town Association
O'Reilly Auto Parts
OSU Extension Office
Pace Heating & Air
Painter Scaped Landscaping
Para Med
Michael D. Parks, Attorney
Parkway Village Apartments
PAWS
Pat Layden Law Office
Patrick's PC's
Peaceable Valley Church
Pearl's Pool Supplies & Tanning
Pearson's Christian Daycare
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company
Perry Surveying, LLC
Pet Krazy
Peterson Construction
Company
Pete's Place
Pit Stop Automotive LLC
Pittsburg County Cattlemen's
Pittsburg County D.H.S.
Pizza Inn of McAlester
Pliant Corporation
Pony Express LLC.
Professional Credit Collections
Pro-Kill Pest Control
Puterbaugh Foundation
Q Nails
Q.F.I. Inc.
Qualified Workplace Solutions
Quilting By Vonnie
Ellen Quinton, Attorney at Law
RAM, Inc
RE/MAX Lake Country Real
Estate
Realty World Service
Professionals
Regional Chiropractic Health
Center
Reheard Law Office
Rene & Roy's Western Apparel
& Rustic Furnishings
Renegar Animal Hospital
Representative Brian Renegar
Ricks & James Agency
Riddel's Skin Care Center
Roberts Concrete Service
Roger's Medical Clinic
Roseanna's Italian Food
Roy Thomas Plumbing
Salvation Army
Lyn Salyers
Sanford & Sisters
Save Our Water, Inc.
Sears
Second Stop
Select Home Medical
Equipment
Select Properties Realty
Select Properties Realty Sharon Stanton
Sequoyah Hospice
Servpro of McAlester
Deborah Sewell
Sewell's Jewelry
Dr. Jack Sheets, DDS
Shermon Yard Materials
Side Saddle Catering
Signs by Jade
Silk's Floral Design
Simonton Windows
Slenke, LLC
Something Special
Sonic Drive-In Krebs
Sonic Drive-In McAlester
Sooner Coke
Southeast OK Box Company
Southeast Oklahoma
Cremation
Southeast Tile Company
Southeast Workforce
Investment Board
SE Child Care Resource &
Referral Agency
Southeastern Energy Corp.
Southeastern Oklahoma Realty
Southeastern Psychiatric
Service
Southern Electric of Oklahoma
Southern Financial Group
Southern Supply & Equipment
Southwest Chemical Services
Southwest EMS, Inc.
Southwest Real Estate
Company
Speed Trap
Speedline Entertainment
Spirit Aerosystems, Inc.
St. John's Catholic Church
Dr. Steven Stangl, DDS
Staples
State Farm Insurance Clem Santine
State Farm Insurance Mark Derichsweiler
State Farm Insurance Ross Eaton
Stone RV Park
Stubborn Mule Steakhouse
Studio 1
Super 8 Motel & RV Park
Superior Finance Company
Susan Snow Insurance Agency
T.H. Rogers Lumber Co.
T.S. Phillips Investments Inc.
Taco Bell
Taco Bob's Fiesta Grill
Taylor Development Corp.
Tenaska Kiamichi Generating
Station
Terry's Lube & Oil
Testa Auto
The Ardeneum of Oklahoma
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
Bank N.A.
Boardwalk, LLC
Harrison Law Firm
HUB
King's House
Medicine Shoppe
Meeting Place Mall
Oaks Rehabilitation
Center
The Simmering Pot
The Stachmus Agency, Inc.
The Yellow Gazebo, Inc,
Timber Rentals
Tippit Agency
Tommy's Tune Shop
Town & Country Flowers &
Gifts
Town & Country Veterinary
Clinic
Traditions Home Care, Inc.
Treats Solutions, Inc.
Tricat, Inc.
Trim Rite Moldings
Trinity Hospice, LLC
Trinity Lutheran Church
Twin Cities Ready Mix Inc
Two Gems Company
U.S. Cellular
United Country
United Way of SE Oklahoma
Utopia Antiques & Salon
Van Buren House
Vest Electric
Vicars Furniture
Visions Innovated Products Inc.
Wahsita Valley Enterprises Inc.
Wal-Mart
Walnut Grove Living Center
Ward Oil Company
Warren Clinic - McAlester
Waterstone Benefit
Administrators
Weddle Family Clinic
Weddle Signs
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Wesley United Methodist
Church
Western Interiors - Metal
Frame & Drywall Services
Western Sizzlin Steakhouse
Timothy A.Whipps, CPA
Whistle Stop Deli
White Electrical Supply
Wilson Transfer
Woods Pharmacy
Workforce Oklahoma
WorkMed Benefit Services
WW Enterprises
Wynn Associates
Xcel Office Solutions
Yates Pest Control
Your Chamber Connection
Zoe's Apparel
12 CHAMBER MATTERS | JANUARY 14, 2007
Why do you need
Allegiance?
• Local news & weather
• Local service
• Sports and movies
• Family programming
CALL TODAY!
$
24
95
PER
MONTH
FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS!
Order now and get FREE installation.
Call for details.
918.423.6661
www.allegiance.tv
New residential subscribers only. Some restrictions may apply. Offer expires 02/28/07