U.S. Chamber SmartBrief

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December 12, 2007

News for association and chamber leaders

Business Leadership

Businesses offer Spanish classes to employees
As U.S. demographics give way to an increase in Hispanic residents, an increasing number of businesses are offering basic Spanish lessons to help employees communicate better. Critics say the trend slows down assimilation of immigrants, but Arizona real estate broker Bonnie Wheeler-Nelson says: "It's wise to know what's going on." USA TODAY/The Arizona Republic (12/8)

Companies turn green by reducing energy use, waste
Thousands of small businesses nationwide are launching environmental efforts -- by reducing energy use, depending less on oil products, and recycling. This USA TODAY report says what some small businesses can do to join the trend and also shows how owners responded to a survey on additional emission standards and willingness to pay a higher cost for green products. The Indianapolis Star/USA Today (12/10)

Diesel costs heighten economic worries as holidays approach
At the pump, the cost of diesel fuel in the U.S. is up 18% since September, adding another layer of concern onto manufacturers and sellers who are hesitant to pass the cost of higher shipping prices onto already reluctant holiday shoppers. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/4)

Five tips for reducing energy costs
A few low-cost changes can help small-business owners save money as energy costs continue to rise. Paul J. Belair, president of Roth Bros., offers these five money-saving tips. BusinessWeek.com/Today's Tip blog (12/10)

Secret to sales success: Be self-confident, build relationships
All aspects of selling revolved around relationships under the set of old-school rules. Relationship-building still matters, but salespeople also need to have a strong sense of self-confidence and enthusiasm to become successful. CEO Strategist (12/3)

Quick Poll

Poll: Does your organization offer Spanish training?
Look for the results from today's poll in the Editor's Note section of next week's U.S. Chamber SmartBrief.

	Yes, today's world dictates that knowledge of Spanish is necessary.
	No, currently my organization does not offer Spanish training.
	Not yet, but I'm not ruling such training out in the future.

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 Society of Home Inspectors, Hispanic National Bar Association, Partners for Democratic Change. More information at CEO Update.

Recruiting Fact: What kinds of nonprofits offer the most opportunities to nonprofit execs? Answer.
New at the Top: American Association of University Women, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Coast Guard Foundation. Find out who they are and where they came from at CEO Update.

Chamber Spotlight

Chambers scramble to brace businesses for Ariz. work-status law
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has joined other industry groups in preparing companies to comply with the Legal Arizona Workers Act, which will require that all employees' work status be verified by a federal electronic database. A recent federal court ruling against an Arizona Chamber of Commerce-sponsored lawsuit was considered a major defeat for the measure's opponents. American City Business Journals/Phoenix (12/10)

Minot Chamber bakes up holiday cheer for troops
North Dakota's Minot Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with several groups on the Minot Air Force Base to provide much-needed holiday cheer to the troops. The groups have been busy baking cookies, which they will later deliver to military members on the base. "This goes over just really huge. And the other place the cookies get used as well, you have got folks out at the front gate, you have got folks doing security watches and doing different things so the holiday cheer gets spread to a lot of other people at the base," says John MacMartin of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce. KFYR-TV (Bismarck, N.D.) (12/10)

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Association Watch

AMA says doctors like idea of tax credit for IT investments
The AMA House of Delegates said 79% of the nearly 5,000 physicians who responded to its survey backed the idea of a full, refundable tax credit to help them buy and use health IT. It would include electronic medical record and prescribing systems. American Medical News (subscription required) (12/3)

GMA/FPA CEO speaks at Senate hearing
GMA/FPA President and CEO Cal Dooley testified Thursday before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about the food and beverage industry's proposal for a stronger, modernized and improved food-production system for the country. "Americans enjoy the safest food supply in the world, but food and beverage companies recognize that steps must be taken to make our food supply even safer," Dooley said. Progressive Grocer (12/5), The Wall Street Journal (free content) (12/5)

U.S. Chamber News

U.S. Chamber gets down to business
Make your voice heard in support of an agenda that fosters economic growth, business stability, shareholder security and consumer protection. Become a part of the U.S. Chamber's Grassroots Team and be there -- online, on the ground, on the Hill -- on the issues that matter most. Go to www.FriendsoftheUSChamber.com for more information.

U.S. Chamber Member Benefits

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Editor's Note

Poll results: Are you trying to avoid business travel due to poor airline and airport service?
Last week's poll question asked readers if they were altering their travel plans due to poor airline or airport service.
- 36% said yes, I am traveling less because of poor airline service.
- 16% said they were traveling the same amount but using rail or car more than a year ago.
- 48% said no, I am traveling about the same amount.

SmartQuote

To succeed in life in today's world, you must have the will and tenacity to finish the job."

--Chin-Ning Chu,
Chinese-American business consultant and author

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Editorial Team

Contributing Editor: Ashley McMaster


	Recent U.S. Chamber SmartBrief Issues: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Wednesday, November 21, 2007 Wednesday, November 14, 2007 Wednesday, November 07, 2007			Distributed by: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005