Save the date for these upcoming Chamber events!

April Evening Mixer

Thursday, April 18

5:30-7:30pm

In this week's Castro Valley Forum was an article ("MAC Delays Bail-Out Funding For Chamber") that contained some allegations regarding the Chamber. The Board of Directors of the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce would like to clarify a few points.  

There are a number of errors that were printed in the article:

Soroptomist International of the East Bay

is taking applications for its

Women's Opportunity Awards (WOA) Program

• Are you trying to improve life for yourself and your family?
• Are you going back to school?
• Do you need financial assistance to complete your education?

Since 1972, Soroptomist has been helping women the world over reclaim their dreams through the Women's Opportunity Program. This program provides cash grants to women who are working to better their lives through additional training and education.

You are eligible to apply if you are:

Please join us in welcoming our new Chamber members!

Big Tech Connect, LLC

Hayward, CA 94541

Get Better Sales Performance Through Balance

By Free Enterprise

If you have ever managed employees, or more specifically sales professionals, you know how delicate the balance between pushing and pulling for better performance can be. I remember when I was just starting out as a business owner. I thought that everyone I hired should be able to perform at my level. This, of course, was catastrophic when it came to my demeanor when managing my sales team; as a manager I was certainly much more of a stick man than a carrot. So how do you find that balance and what seems to work the best? Click here to learn more.

4 Tips for Raising Your Prices Without Losing Business

By the Small Business Administartion (SBA)

Every business has to raise its prices at some point. And if you provide genuine value, and the hikes aren't too steep, then your customers may not notice, or care too much.

Special Agent Diana Cin from the Federal Bureau of Investigation visited our Chamber a few weeks ago. The FBI is reaching out to Chambers to discuss issues that face small to medium businesses and how the FBI may be able to assist members. One of the methods that we discussed was a link to the FBI Cyber Security website at http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams. This site alerts you to new e-scams and warnings, as well as a link to report potential e-scams. Additionally, she mentioned a spcific topic entitled "Cyber Criminals Take Over Corporate Accounts." Here is an excerpt from the fraud advisory:

"Cyber criminals are targeting the financial accounts of owners and employees of small and medium sized businesses, resulting in significant business disruption and substatial monetary losses due to fraudulent transfers from these accounts. Often these funds may not be recovered."

Hedging Against Business Debt

From freeenterprise.com

There is one problem that threatens all businesses: debt. In 2010, businesses nationwide placed $150 billion worth of debt with collection agencies. To keep financially fit and withstand economic storms, a proactive approach to business debt management can hedge against accumulation of high debt that can often hamper growth and potentially lead to bankruptcy.

Influencing Your Customers' Pre-Purchase Research

From sba.gov

Forty-four percent of online shoppers begin their branded product research by using a search engine. How can small business owners reach these buyers and influence their purchasing decision earlier in this new, elongated sale cycle? Here are some strategies that can get you in front of the buyer during the pre-purchase homework stage.

Learn How Your Business Can Save Electricity Now

So you're ready for time-of-use rates, starting in fall 2012

Beginning November 2012, many Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) small and medium business customers will move to time-of-use electric rates. PG&E's large agricultural and large commercial and industrial customers already underwent a similar transition. This is part of a statewide plan, including other California utilities, to ensure a better energy future and healthier environment.

On time-of-use, rates will be higher during summer weekday afternoons when electric demand is higher, typically noon to 6 p.m., May through October. In return you'll pay lower rates at all other times. This means that when you use energy, is just as important as how much you use.