On Wednesday, September 1st, the members of the Executive Forum met to trade business tips with one another. Read below to see what members had to say.

• Kris Rooney
  • Price increases
• Be honest and call it a “price increase”
• Clearly explain why
• Relate the value back to your client
• Increase your prices more than once a year – revisit those conversations with your clients

• Chad Clauser
  • Do videos and place them on your website
• Kevin McElwain
  • Keep your household in relationship to your business
    • Credit – review your credit ratings and how much credit you have
    • Debt – there are low interest rated currently see where you can take advantage
    • Auto payment system – set this up in your computer to make sure your bills are paid in a timely manner

• Dave Pike
  • Postage rates have just gone up to $.58 and post cards $.40 (4x6 and 6x9)
  • Consider refreshing and perhaps re-designing your logo

• Victor Scalicetti
  • Review the APP “Blinkest” – this is a professional book summary service that allows you to understand key insights from the world’s best non-fiction books in 15 minutes or less

• Donna Braden
  • An easy way to get good help for your office is SLIP (state and local internship programs)
  • Get liability insurance
  • Our company, Jack’s Glass is covered by many car insurers for replacing windshields

• Bryan Lobach
  • Fraud issues:
    • Regarding the Rental Assistance Program
    • ACH
    • Use of corporate credit cards
    • Make sure you have some system to keep an eye out for issues

• InterCounty – Guest
  • Make sure that you do pre-employment screenings; education, credit, criminal, etc.
  • Most importantly use an accredited service

• Todd Lindsey
  • Stop focusing results and look at the process
  • Respond to safety and avoid near misses
  • Focus on processes that generate sales

• Ken MacKenzie
  • Keep your eye on interest rates – investment rates are going up and bonds are going down
  • We will be starting to see inflation across all areas
  • Take a look at the length of maturity - short term government and cap bonds – look for potential impact

• John Gilboy
  • Read your owner’s manual for your vehicles– you could avoid problems
  • Be vigilant regarding the service and maintenance for your vehicles

• Gary Gower Jr.
  • Keep an eye on social media regarding what your competitors are doing in their business

• John Filipos
  • Review your financial information monthly

• Kathy Keich
  • Review your clients – if they do not pay on time review the cost of collections

• Sue McCann
  • Review lines of credit that you can apply for
  • Equipment line of credit can be approved and put together in 24-48 hours

• Dawn Davis
  • As a business owner are you prepared for any disasters?
  • Know where your sprinkler system turn offs are
  • Know a good and reliable plumber

• Dave Kopew
  • Review your website on your PC, tablet, and mobile devices to make sure that they are all in sync
  • Review all of your links, phone numbers, etc.

• Sandy Kuhns
  • For your clients provide 3 important offers to provide:
    • Best appearance
    • Best value
    • Best product

• Rob Baker
  • Keep an eye on your security

• Mike Sterner-Service Electric
  • Preparation is the key
  • Know who your customers are

• Amy Keats
  • Be prepared to adapt and pivot
  • Listen very carefully to your clients to hear their needs and concerns

• Samantha Falcone
  • Be a connector so that you can help people
  • Know what an architect does and could provide for your company

• John Eltringham
  • Buy flood insurance
  • Collaboration drives success – recommended reading the book “The Collaborative Way”

• Dan Schafer
  • Regarding hiring – hire smart and hire fast
  • Identify your employees’ skillset
  • Develop and train your employees

• Jenn Shimmel
  • Be “in the moment” with your client
  • When you are with your client block our other distractions
  • Pause and think
  • Recommended the book “Atomic Habits” –(an easy and proven way to Build good habits and break bad ones)

• Bob Mateff – Cetronia Ambulance
  • Read the book “First 90 Days” – critical success strategies for new leaders
  • Reflect on that as you go forward in your business
  • Adapt and change

• Jon Black
  • Respond to your messages and emails daily
  • Let people know that you will get back to them within 24-48 hours
  • Review your investment and insurance
  • Review to see that you are not over spending

• Denise Grothouse
  • Make sure that you have passwords and administrative passwords for all social networks
  • Trust your intuition and instincts regarding your website

• Scott Gingold

• • Many companies have been hacked and do not realize this – make sure that you have your systems reviewed for any and all security issues that you may not be aware of
  • There are many talents and resources in “this room” regarding the Executive Forum members

• Justin – Fire Media
  • Have your portrait updated on your social media sites – people want to “see” who they are meeting
• Lucille Arslanian
  • When creating a project make sure that part of the strategy includes any and all problems that could possibly happen from all departments, vendors, partners, etc.
  • Make sure you address these possible problems with real time solutions.
  • This way you will be ready way ahead of time if and when the problem occurs.
  • This is a critical element for having a project to be on time, be of the highest quality and creates “buy in” from everyone on the team.