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January 9, 2008

News for association and chamber leaders

Business Leadership

Creating internal "think tank" triggers success
Conducting brainstorming sessions is one way to energize employees, says USA TODAY columnist Gladys Edmunds. A business "can increase profit, visibility, and develop new business and marketing strategies" by organizing professional meetings regularly, she says. USA TODAY (1/2)

Canadian telecom giant honored for employee training
Canadian-based telecommunications firm Telus Corp. is heralding a BEST award, which it received from the American Society for Training and Development for its internal employee training initiatives. "It provides external validation. And it's particularly important to us because we believe it's our people who provide a competitive advantage," Telus executive Andrew Turner said. Financial Post (Canada)/CanWest News Service (1/2)

Column: Let honesty, candor rule in employee dismissals
Employers need to be cautious and honest when firing employees to avoid costly lawsuits and legal rulings, says Canadian employment lawyer and author Howard Levitt. Employees should be informed as soon as possible of termination decisions, and severance negotiations must be reasonable and shouldn't take advantage of an employee's vulnerability, he writes. Financial Post (Canada) (1/2)

Exercise caution when hiring for the first time
Entrepreneurs need to be careful once the decision has been made to hire an employee. Decide what qualifications an employee needs to have, interview multiple applicants and check references. CNNMoney.com/Fortune Small Business (1/7)

Consider reasons why merging would make sense
An investment banker can help a small-business owner decide whether it is a good idea to merge with a larger one. However, it is not necessarily "easier" to run a larger enterprise than a smaller one, even though it does have more resources to get a job done. azcentral.com (1/6)

Quick Poll

Poll: How much does your organization invest in internal training:
Look for the results from today's poll in the Editor's Note section of next week's U.S. Chamber SmartBrief.

	We have an extensive internal employee training program.
	We provide some training to employees, but depend heavily on their existing knowledge.
	We provide little to no training to our employees.

CEO Update

CEO Update and U.S. Chamber SmartBrief partner to bring you exclusive association and other nonprofit reports and career listings.

CEO search

CEO searches under way at these organizations: American Lung Association of New York, The Garrison Institute, National Sleep Foundation. More information at CEO Update.
Nonprofit Recruiting Fact: What are your chances as a senior staffer to become a CEO? Find out here.
New at the Top: Eisner Foundation, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and National Petrochemical and Refiners Association. Find out who they are and where they came from at CEO Update.

Chamber Spotlight

U.S. Chamber shows concern regarding presidential race
Concerned with the overall tone of the ongoing presidential campaign, U.S. Chamber of Commerce leaders are working to build a new coalition aimed at advocating business interests. "I'm concerned about anti-corporate and populist rhetoric from candidates for the presidency, members of Congress and the media," chamber President Tom Donohue said. "It suggests to us that we have to demonstrate who it is in this society that creates jobs, wealth and benefits -- and who it is that eats them." Los Angeles Times (1/8)

Arizona lobbyists push for final end to equalization tax
When Arizona's lawmakers resume their work next week, small-business lobbyists will push for a permanent end to the state-levied county equalization tax. The tax has been suspended for three years as businesses cope with new economic problems. "We know we're up for a tough year. We went from having a billion-dollar surplus to having a billion-dollar deficit pretty quickly," said Ann Seiden, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (1/6)

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Association Watch

Airlines raise fares amid soaring oil costs
Several airlines boosted fares late last week to offset the surging cost of oil. Oil prices are expected to hurt airline profits in 2008, according to the Air Transport Association. "Rising oil prices have a disproportionately negative impact on U.S. carriers, since oil is traded in dollars," ATA Chief Economist John Heimlich said. "Foreign carriers generally have more robust hedge positions than U.S. carriers, leaving them less exposed to the soaring oil prices." The Washington Post/Associated Press (1/4) , The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Ill.) (1/7) , Financial Times (free content) (1/7)

Meredith exec named B&C's Broadcaster of the Year
Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith Broadcasting Group and chairman of the TVB board, has been named Broadcasting & Cable's Broadcaster of the Year, on the strength of his leadership in spearheading the electronic ad-buying system ePort. Karpowicz serves on the Television Board of the National Association of Broadcasters. Broadcasting & Cable (1/5)

U.S. Chamber News

Teleconference examines prospects for U.S. environmental firms in Vietnam
Vietnam is Asia's second fastest-growing economy and is being called the next frontier for U.S. business in Asia. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Commerce Department's Foreign Commercial Service in Vietnam invite you to participate in a briefing on the "Top Prospects for U.S. Environmental Firms" from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 17. This live teleconference/Web seminar will focus on export opportunities in Vietnam in the environmental sector. Get more information here.

U.S. Chamber addresses the transportation challenge: Moving the U.S. Economy
The U.S. economy is fighting to stay atop the global marketplace, but businesses require a key component to stay competitive: a modern and well-maintained transportation system that moves people and goods quickly, reliably and cost effectively. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition, will rise to meet this "Transportation Challenge" on Jan. 30 with key industry leaders to discuss the most critical areas in the U.S. transportation system and the improvements that must be made to support the U.S. economy. Register here.

U.S. Chamber Member Benefits

New 65% discount for U.S. Chamber members
Members can now receive a 65% discount with Yellow Transportation on all qualifying less-than-truckload shipments! If you are currently enrolled in the USCC|Yellow partner program, your Yellow account was automatically updated to the new discount effective Jan. 1. If you would like to enroll in the partner program or receive more information, please call 800-293-0414 or visit here.

Editor's Note

Poll results: What New Year's resolutions did you make concerning your organization?
Last week's poll asked readers if they had any New Year's resolutions regarding their organizations.
- 59% said I want to expand my organization in 2008.
- 19% said I am looking to ramp up marketing and advertising in the new year.
- 22% said I want to bring my organization's technology up to date this year.

SmartQuote

Sportsmanship and easygoing methods are all right, but it is the prospect of a hot fight that brings out the crowds."

--John McGraw,
baseball player and manager

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Editorial Team

Contributing Editor: Ashley McMaster


	Recent U.S. Chamber SmartBrief Issues: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 Wednesday, December 26, 2007 Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Wednesday, December 05, 2007			Distributed by: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005