By Karen Delmonico

The Greater Watertown- North Country Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Development Committee has recently began to review the One Step Forward Initiative –Adult Education for Work, a program that is geared to helping low-skilled workers acquire the basic skills they need in the 21st century workplace and to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. firms. This initiative was based on research conducted in part by the Workforce Development Strategies Group (WDSG) at the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE).

The Employer Guide to on Adult Education for Work—Transforming Adult Education to Grow a Skilled Workforce is one of the publications produced by the One Step Forward Initiative. It identifies the critical workforce issues faced by many employers nationally, and provides a strategy for addressing those issues. This initiative reflects many of the ideas put forth in the 2005 Workforce 2020 Report, the local analysis of the local workforce and employer needs in the North Country, and may provide new ideas for the next step in the local initiative.

The following are excerpts from this Employer Guide.

“The problem, as identified in this report, is that the United States faces an alarming challenge that seriously threatens our competitiveness in the globaleconomy. A large and growing portion of the American workforce lacks critical basic skills and work readiness competencies, posing an acute threat to our nation’s economic well-being. This is a critical issue for employers. Millions of adults do not have the foundation skills needed to get, retain or advance in a job.”

“Over one million young adults drop out of high school each year. More than 12 million adults without a high school credential are in the labor force today. And over 59 million adults in our country currently have nothing more than a high school diploma. These people—your current and/or future employees—need training.”

“At the same time, almost twice as many jobs over the next decade will require a postsecondary credential or college degree, up from 25 percent today to about 45 percent over the next decade… Yet far too many (93 million) score at the lower levels of national assessments of functional literacy skills and are unprepared to enroll in the postsecondary education or job training programs that can prepare them for current and future jobs.”

“…and U.S. employers are facing the retirement of the largest and most skilled workforce we have ever had in this country— the baby boom generation. The talent pool employers need to drive competitive advantage for their businesses is shrinking.”

“These dynamic forces are colliding, spurring a growing consensus about the need to reform our nation’s education and workforce systems to better enable lowskilled adults, including those without high school credentials, to pursue further education and ultimately family sustaining employment.”

“The National Commission on Adult Literacy recently concluded that America’s current Adult Education system is ‘ill-equipped to meet 21st Century needs’ and recommended that the Adult Education and literacy system in this country be transformed into an Adult Education and workforce skills system, with the new mission of attainment of postsecondary and workforce readiness…Currently, the goal of most adult education programs in the United States is to teach adults with low levels of education and/or limited English proficiency the ‘basic skills.’ The skills are basic in the sense that adult educators consider them to be the minimum literacy and language skills required to function effectively in American social and economic life…By refocusing current adult education programs to meet the skill needs of American employers and of regional economies, business and industry will be one step closer to attaining the critical workforce they need to remain competitive in a global economy. This ‘Adult Education for Work’ system would also provide America’s workers with the skills they need to succeed economically. Those who design and operate these programs will only be successful if they engage employers as full partners, with the goal of ensuring that their programs are relevant to business and industry skill needs. Conversely, a pipeline of work-ready employees will only become a reality if employers understand how to engage, partner, assess, transform and effectively use public education and training resources to their advantage.”

The Employer Guide to Adult Education for Work” (available on the Chamber’s website: www.watertownny.com) provides information on this initiative to employers. It describes how employers can access and, where necessary, transform our current adult education system into a system that meets employer needs for more highly skilled workers. The Guide also provides tools to help employers take stock of their employees’ training needs, find education and training resources in our community, assess the quality of our local programs, advocate for change if programs do not meet their needs.

Overall, this initiative identifies a set of quality elements for ‘Adult Education for Work’ programs, intended to provide practitioners, policymakers and employers with the tools they need to begin this transformation of the adult education system. Constructing such a system will require substantial changes. To be successful, ‘Adult Education for Work’ and Career Pathways learning systems will require community- wide partnerships between adult education, postsecondary, workforce, and social service providers, as well as employers, unions, and economic development agencies to ensure that the skills taught at all levels meet the workforce needs of both workers and of regional employers. The development of this system will be worth the effort. It will provide greater education and economic opportunities for America’s workers, and the skills that the nation’s employers and regional economies require to be competitive into the future.

The Chamber’s Workforce Development Committee is currently reviewing the One Step Forward Initiative. We would be interested in hearing your thoughts and will be accepting comments from regional businesses. If you would like to comment, please send your input to chamber@watertownny.com.

The Guide for Employers was developed by Phyllis Eisen, National Center for Business Champions: Advancing Educational Opportunities and Skills; Stacey Wagner, Jarrett Wagner Group; Dr. Audrey Theis, Key Links Inc; and Lisa Bauer Arrowhead Consulting. The Guide was edited by Jackie Kraemer, Mary Clagett and Ray Uhalde of the Workforce Development Strategies Group (WDSG) at the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE). The content is based on research conducted by NCEE and a research paper developed for NCEE by Forrest Chisman of the Council for the Advancement of Adult Literacy as part of the One Step Forward Initiative supported by the Walmart Foundation.

The following letter was sent to our New York Delegation in Washington and to our representatives in Albany expressing some of our concerns regarding healthcare reform. Although questions about the final form of any healthcare law are still under discussion, the Chamber Board felt that it was important to express our concerns on behalf of our members and local businesses before a final bill is voted on. We have also included the US Chamber and the Business Council of NY’s positions on healthcare reform in this month’s issue of the newsletter. We are interested in hearing your opinion on this debate and encourage you to send your comments to karen@watertownny. com . If you are interested in signing on in support of the Chamber’s letter, you can also do so by emailing Karen at the Chamber .

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the nearly 1,000 members of the Greater Watertown-North County Chamber of Commerce, I am writing you to express our concerns regarding healthcare reform and its current path. This is a very complicated issue and although health care accessibility and affordability are a top priority for the business community, it is critical that we are not negatively affected by reform.

ANALYSIS TAKES TIME
The United States has the largest healthcare system in the world. The multilayered system we have in this country has evolved over many decades and not only involves doctors, patients, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, it is different in each state. This system cannot be fixed in a few months time. Instead, time must be taken to thoroughly analyze the entire healthcare system layer by layer and program by program, before recommendations for reform are determined. Change should be based not on emotion and political gain, but on a thorough understanding of the systems, the problems, and the impact that any proposed solutions will have on jobs, taxes, and the overall economy.

ALTERNATIVES TO PRIVATE INSURANCE
As the Congress is looking at alternatives to the private health insurance system, it is essential that options other than a government-run plan be considered. A public plan would be an unfair competitor to the private insurance system since it would not reimburse doctors and hospitals at the same rate in order to provide cheaper premiums. And, just like Medicare, this will increase the cost to employers. Versions of member-owned co-op programs or a system that provides a trigger that would kick in if private plans don’t reduce/ control costs within a certain time frame may well have merit, and need to be thoroughly reviewed before a final decision is made.

HOW WILL WE PAY FOR REFORM?
The financing of health reform is of great concern to the business community. Although policy makers predict that changes to the current system will off-set costs, there are also proposals being considered that will add new taxes or eliminate certain tax breaks. Cost estimates run as high as $1.4 trillion. Before any reform laws are passed, a true cost analysis must be performed. The ramifications of ill conceived policy changes and/or tax increases on the businesses and citizens of this country will only hurt the economy further.

NY WILL BE HURT DISPROPORTIONATELY
New York is one of a few states that require local cost-sharing for Medicaid, funded primarily through local property taxes. Shifts in Medicaid spending as a result of any federal changes would have greater consequences in NY’s health care delivery system than they would in most states. New York already has the broadest safety net of subsidized health coverage options of any state in the nation through its Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Healthy New York programs – one of the reasons that we have some of the highest taxes in the nation. Will financing national health care reform mean that these taxes will be in addition to, or in place of, substantial mandated health-insurance taxes already borne by New York businesses and its citizens? The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce shares the goals of Congress and the Administration to reduce healthcare costs, improve the quality and expand access to health services. But the devil is in the details. We ask that you consider the impact of the changes you are proposing to our healthcare system on the businesses and citizens.

With the challenging economic times that we are facing, it is especially important for businesses to be smart about how they operate. Spending decisions that are easy to make when times are good come into question during a recession. Should I continue to advertise? What do I do if my bank won’t give me the financing I need? How can I keep my customers coming back? Is there anything for my business in the Stimulus Package?

These and other questions will be addressed at the 2009 Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce’s Business Fair, to be held on June 10 at Jefferson Community College in Watertown.  This signature event has been scheduled earlier than usual this year in order to provide a series of workshops designed to specifically address issues that the business community is facing during this recession - in time to impact the bottom line for many businesses in 2009.

The one-hour workshops will be held throughout the day, some more than once, to make it as convenient as possible for business owners, managers and employees. The workshops, and a brief description of the content,  include:

Effective Marketing in a Recession, Presented by Greg Gardner, Associate Professor of Business, SUNY Potsdam

In a recession, consumers become value oriented, distributors are concerned about cash, and employees worry about their jobs. But a downturn is no time to stop spending on marketing. The key is to understand how the needs of your customers and partners change, and to adapt your strategies to the new reality. Businesses  that increase advertising during a downturn can improve market share and return on investment. Early-buy allowances, extended financing, and generous return policies motivate distributors to stock your full product line. These, plus other strategies, will be discussed to help you reorient your marketing to be more effective.

Is your Website Working for You? Presented by Bryan Garrant, Owner and Senior Web Developer, Garrant Consulting LLC.

Is your website achieving its goals? Is it driving sales to your company? Learn about the importance of having an internet presence, current website trends, how to keep your content current and a variety of other techniques to make your website work for your business.

These are difficult times for businesses all over the world. The recession has left many corporations - large and small - with lower revenues and shrinking budgets. During these challenging times, it is absolutely essential that marketing campaigns reach their desired targets with frequency and efficiency. And that is why, with marketing dollars so precious, that there has never been a better time to turn to the web as a means of reaching new customers.

It all starts with a great website. Your online presence should be an extension of your brand - offering visitors product information, answers to commonly asked question and an overall compelling experience that makes them want to come back time and time again. Think of your website as a storefront with little overhead and a 24/7 cycle of operation that customers can visit any time of day or night.

Tweet this: Connect TO current and potential customers through new, budget friendly ONLINE resources, Presented by Jonathan Bouman, Media Director-Internet Strategist, AdWorkshop and Inphorm �
Web 2.0: How to use social networking (facebook, twitter, linkedIn, etc) to promote your business and build your customer base.  “Web 2.0″ refers to the second generation of web development and design that facilitates communication, secure information sharing, interoperability, and collaboration on the World Wide Web.  These concepts have led to the development and evolution of web-based communities, hosted services, and applications; such as social-networking sites, video-sharing sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies.  Although the term suggests a new version of the Web, it does not refer to an update to any technical specifications, but rather to changes in the ways software developers and end-users utilize the Web. Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the Internet as a platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform.

As people’s media habits have changed, their receptivity to marketing messages has as well.  While consumers are continuously bombarded with ad intrusions, advertisers can no longer practice “telling and selling” - especially on the internet. With an emphasis on social networking, we’ll discuss how marketing transparency is vital and how to pull the consumer into our conversation, not just push static messages out to them.

SHARE THE PAIN - REALIZE THE GAIN: EmployeeS ARE FEELING IT TOO, Presented by Mary Lu Moriarty, SPHR, Assistant Professor of Business, Jefferson Community College

During these difficult economic times companies are forced to make very tough decisions. But how do you carry out your strategic plans that may include reductions in force without negatively impacting your employment brand? First we’ll look at mistakes employers commonly make when downsizing. Then we’ll explore alternatives to layoffs, looking at some strategies innovative companies are using to avoid pink slips. Finally, when downsizing becomes inevitable, we’ll discuss strategies for doing it humanely, including “do’s and don’ts” of layoffs. Learn how to keep your organization’s brand positive even while you’re carrying out painful strategies.

Small Business Check-Up, Presented by Peter Whitmore, Director of Corporate Relations, Jreck Subs Inc.

Businesses are facing challenges on many fronts during this economic recession, including lower consumer spending, rising unemployment, tightening credit, and inflation pressures that hit both businesses and customers. Business owners can consider a number of ways to take stock of their current situation, make changes to reduce costs and increase their profitability.  By assessing business conditions and focusing on what you can control about your business, you can plan to preserve cash and map a plan for sales success. This workshop provides a general discussion on evaluating current business practices including; marketing, customer service, money management and vendor/customer relationships. It is the goal to take a closer look and see if good operations are in place and being executed professionally.

How the Stimulus Package can Help Your Business, Presented by Joan Gleason, New York Business Development Corp; Andy Gray, Key Bank; Michelle Pfaff, Community Bank, NA; Christine Powers, Watertown Savings Bank; Deb McAtee, M&T Bank

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has identified approximately $800 billion to stimulate the economy, with $730 million provided for small businesses through new and existing SBA programs. The funding includes:

• $375 million for temporary fee reductions or eliminations on SBA loans, and increased SBA loan guarantees from current levels to up to 90% for certain loans
• $255 million for a new deferred-payment loan program to help small businesses meet existing debt payments
• $30 million for expanding SBA’s microloan program, enough to finance up to $50 million in new lending and $24 million in technical assistance grants to micro-lenders
• $20 or technology systems to streamline SBA’s lending and oversight processes
• $15 million for expanding SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee program
• $25 million for staffing up to meet demands for new programs
• $10 million for the Office of Inspector General

The bill also authorizes refinancing for certain SBA loans so borrowers can expand their business on favorable terms, and expands leverage capability for small business investment companies. It also authorizes the SBA to establish a secondary market with federal guarantees for pools of “first lien” loans under the 504 program

If you are interested in how your business might benefit from loan fee reductions, higher loan guarantees, new programs, secondary market incentives and enhancements to current SBA programs, this workshop will help you understand what it all means.

Great Personal Credit is Good for Business, Presented by Jennifer Huttemann-Kall, Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer for Community Bank, N.A. and Sarah O’Connell, Certified Business Advisor, NYS Small Business Development Center

Personal credit isn’t just a good idea at home, it can also affect your ability as a business to get commercial loans and establish relationships with vendors.  All businesses, no matter what size, will need to develop credit and likely need to access capital at some time. For small businesses, the owner may be able to dip into his or her personal savings, or friends may be able to lend the needed money. Usually, however, the owner will have to look to outside sources for financing and lines of credit. Obtaining money when you need it is as necessary to the operation of your business as a good location or an adequate labor force. But before a bank or a vendor will lend you money or extend credit, they must feel that you and your firm are credit worthy. Learn what your personal credit report really means and how you can improve it.

Customer Service PAYS! Presented by Pope Vickers, Assistant Professor of Hospitality & Tourism, Jefferson Community College

In the business world, good customer service often isn’t good enough anymore. Customers and clients are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the merely adequate. For them, extraordinary service is the rule, not the exception. Anything less and they’re happy to vote with their feet and their wallets. That makes extraordinary service necessary, not just desirable. And that, in turn, mandates a strategy to help ensure that your business matches that standout service standard on a daily basis. Learn valuable customer service techniques that bring long-term dividends to your business and keep customers coming back for more.

GREENING YOUR BUSINESS, Presented by James Juczak, Author and Lecturer

Bring environmental sensitivity into your business strategy with ideas that will save energy, save materials, save money-and reduce your impact on the Earth. Learn that by spending a little time and money on things for your business, you can reap a greater profit.  Energy conservation, critical pathways, recycling, and having a healthy workplace are all factors that must be considered in this goal. In this workshop, you’ll discuss the nuts and bolts of these practical and mostly easy changes.

Incentives Programs to Help You Grow Your Business, Presented by Cheryl Mayforth, The Workplace; Jill Bettinger, Jefferson Community College; , Lyle Eaton, Jefferson County Job Development Corporation; Don Rutherford, Watertown Local Development Corporation; Claire Seiferth Procurement Technical Assistance Program

From workforce development services (including customized employee testing and assessment, on-the-job training wage reimbursement, training grants, job seeker services, funding and grant opportunities) to business development assistance (including capital financing, low-cost facility options, assistance selling to the government, and economic development incentives) the county’s leading economic and workforce development agencies will provide information on services that can help your company grow through these challenging times.

How to Keep your Young Workforce Engaged, Presented by: Michelle Capone, Greater watertown JayCees; Jill Bettinger, Emerge; Alicia Dewey, Thousand Islands Young Leaders Organization; Jason Brown, North Country Artists Guild

The region’s leading young professionals’ organizations will be providing information on how to get the young professionals in your business involved and engaged in the community.

The Greater Watertown Jaycees is the local chapter of a national leadership development organization, which builds tomorrow’s leaders with the focus on self-growth for our members. This is accomplished through a hands-on approach to running projects that enhance the local members’ communities.  Chartered in July of 2003, the members include media professionals, teachers, outreach professionals, military population, consultants, and retail managers. They offer many programs and ideas that are directed at the needs of the community

Emerge NNY, an off-shoot of the Jaycees, was conceived by a core group of young professionals that recognized that the region was experiencing a “brain drain,” or loss of educated, ambitious young people who left the North Country to live and work elsewhere. Their goals are to ENCOURAGE creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation in the North Country; EMPOWER those who wish to impact the direction which the area advances; EMBOLDEN those who don’t believe that they have a voice; EXCITE young professionals who live and work in the region, and ENACT a new way of thinking about what young professionals can accomplish in our community.

Based in Clayton, the Thousand Islands Young Leaders Organization’s mission is to help young leaders

• connect to other young professionals and to the area’s top business and community leaders;
• develop professionally through networking, skills development and through giving back to the community;
• explore career opportunities, local issues & challenges and their potential;
• understand the issues going on in their community;
• contribute service and leadership to their community;
• empower young leaders by strengthening their influence in the community;
• attract & retain young leaders in this region;
• enhance the quality of life in the Thousand Islands

The North Country Artists’ Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and promoting the arts in northern New York. They represent all areas of the arts - music, theatre, dance, literary arts, visual arts, and crafts and are committed to promoting and providing opportunities for growth in and through the arts. Their belief is that a vibrant arts community is good for individuals of all ages, families and businesses.

A complete workshop schedule can be found on the Chamber’s website, www.watertownny.com. Registration is appreciated but not required. Workshops are free to all businesses exhibiting at the Business Fair, and for those not participating; a $10 fee provides unlimited access to any or all of the workshops plus “A Taste of Success” featuring samples of local restaurant specialties. There is no cost to visit the exhibits and displays that will run from 9AM to 5:30PM

This year’s Business Fair should be one of the most exciting ever. Along with the great local products and services that will be featured, we are hosting “A Taste of Success”,  an auto show highlighting the newest in technology and hybrid cars, and valuable educational programs to help businesses succeed during tough economic times.  The 2009 Business Fair is all about “Smart Business in the New Economy” and will help you plan for success today and into the economy of the future that will emerge when the recession is over.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocates approximately $800 billion to stimulate the US economy by helping to prevent continued job loss through investment and tax cuts. The bill is estimated to create or save 3.5 million jobs nationally and 215,000 jobs in New York State. Read more

There are many well-documented benefits to our communities and to each of us when we buy from local businesses. It is not always possible to buy what you need locally, but if we all “Think Local First” before heading out of town to shop, we will be supporting our neighbors during challenging economic times. Read more

The future of the North Country is directly linked to the quality of its leadership. Dedicated, trained and inspired community leaders will shape and determine the future of our region for years to come. This belief was the motivation behind the creation of the Jefferson Leadership Institute (JLI), a program of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce. Established in 1991, an average class size of 20 each year has led to over 330 graduates who are now part of the leadership core of Jefferson County. Read more

The Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce (GWNCCC) recently presented the 2008 Business of the Year Award to Timeless Frames - Timeless Décor at a special breakfast ceremony held during Watertown’s annual business fair. Timeless Frames - Timeless Décor, a company that has grown from seven to nearly 300 employees in just a few years, and whose custom framing division has become the largest single site customer framing facility in the US, is certainly deserving of this honor. It is also apparent that each one of the nominees would have made a great recipient of this prestigious designation. Read more

In December 2005, the Chamber’s first Career Fair was held at Jefferson Community College. Workforce 2020…Investing in Our Future, is a program focusing on two important workforce issues in the North Country: the loss of our college educated young adults to larger metropolitan areas, and; the disconnect between educators in charge of preparing young people entering the workforce and the employers struggling to find qualified workers.
Through this event, the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce and our partners began an initiative to address these issues, and hopefully start a process that will positively impact North Country business. Read more

Have You Been to Gouverneur Lately?

The community of Gouverneur, New York, serenely located in the foothills of the Adirondack region along US Route 11 in St. Lawrence County, is proud of their uniqueness. Theirs is the only town in the entire United States with this name. Unique, yes, but beautiful as well - boasting the picturesque Oswegatchie River, beautiful, bountiful farmland and crystal clear lakes. In 2005, the Village of Gouverneur marked its bicentennial, and, this season, business and community members are observing another milestone; 100 years of service from the Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce. Read more

The high cost of doing business and ever rising taxes in New York State continue to be the impetus for the Greater Watertown - North Country Chamber of Commerce’s support of municipal consolidation, shared services, and other government efficiencies initiatives. Although consolidation may not necessarily save the tax payer any money, there are often savings when towns, villages, counties, and schools districts partner on joint initiatives that create more cost-effective ways of operating. There are many good examples of partnerships that have benefited local communities throughout northern New York. Read more