Port O Call - January 2012

Photograph by: Arturo Vera, Arturo Vera Photography

Preparing for SuccessUOP’s Dean Lewis Gale Serves Up

Advice for Local Businesses

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2012 Golf Tournament

The Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out is Coming

GREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.stocktonchamber.org JANUARY2012

Vol. 57 No. 9

PORT CALL

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PortOCall_8.75x11.25.indd 1 2/11/10 12:43:57 PM

CONTENTS

PORT CALL

Preparing for Success 13

Don’t Miss!Networking Mixer

University of the Pacific, Alex G. Spanos Center, South Concourse

January 5, 5:00-6:30 p.m.Come for the mixer stay for the game.

Free tickets to that nights 7:00pm men’s basketball game against UC Irvine will be given out at check in.

8The Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out is Coming

Photograph by Arturo Vera, Arturo Vera Photography

6 2012 Golf TournamentFrom Your President 4

From Your CEO 5

Events 6

Leadership Stockton 7

Convention & Visitors Bureau 8

Programs and Public 10 Policy Department

New Members 11

Ribbon Cuttings 12

Cover Story 13

News Briefs 15

Calendar 17

PORT CALL

GREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE445 W. Weber Avenue, Suite 220, Stockton, CA 95203

209.547.2770 fax [email protected]

Official publication of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Serving the Greater Stockton area business community since 1901.

CHAMBER OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Debbie Armstrong, Old Republic Title Company

SR. VICE PRESIDENT Gary J. Long, Gary J. Long Jewelers

FINANCIAL VICE PRESIDENTSteven Crabtree, Herum Crabtree

VICE PRESIDENT Blain Bibb, ServiceMaster Building Maintenance

VICE PRESIDENT Judith Buethe, Judith Buethe Communications

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Rick Goucher, C B Richard Ellis Commercial Real Estate

CHAMBER DIRECTORSStephen Barney, F&M BankMichael Cera, SMG/Stockton Arena/Bob Hope TheatreDonna DeMartino, San Joaquin Regional Transit DistrictDan Durst, Durst Contract InteriorsPat Filippone, Stockton Ports Baseball ClubLewis Gale, Eberhardt School of BusinessClint Harless, Stockton Auto Glass/Quick’s Glass ServiceDan Keyser, Grupe Commercial CompanyKenneth Levy, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLCSonya Morgan, External Resources, Inc.Darryle Oakman, San Joaquin County Rental Property AssociationBakul Patel, Dorfman PacificTina Williams, Pacific Gas & Electric CompanyDiane Vigil, Dameron Hospital FoundationBob Young, Stockton Golf & Country Club

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERDouglass W. Wilhoit, Jr. 209.547.2766

PROGRAM & PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR/ BEAFrank Ferral 209.547.2763

SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTORHeidi Altamirano 209.547.2764

OPERATIONS/FINANCE DIRECTORSandy Dwyer 209.547.2770

MEMBERSHIP SALESMatt Anderson 209.337.2723

SPECIAL EVENTS/ LEADERSHIP STOCKTON COORD.Timm Quinn 209.547.2960

SCAP COORDINATOR/ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTMikki Gilbert 209.337.2730

SCAP-SE COORDINATORMichael Morales 209.337.2716

BEA/ SCAP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTKarla Gonzalez 209.547.2770

RECEPTIONIST/ CUSTOMER SERVICEAlyssa McConnell 209.547.2770

PUBLISHER Stockton Chamber of Commerce 209.547.2770

GRAPHIC DESIGNNever Boring Design Associates 209.526.9136

ADVERTISING Richelle Alexander 209.988.5800

PRINTINGSnyder Parks 209.466.9026

MAILINGSnyder Parks 209.466.9026

Greater

From Your President...by: Debbie Armstrong

It is my great honor as your Chamber

President to wish you all a very blessed

Holiday Season. I hope you all had a wonderful

Christmas. Mine was so much fun as I had my

family and grandchildren all around me. I enjoy

being your Chamber President so much. As

you know, we have been working hard in 2011

on many issues. My great passion, of course, is

Shopping Local. Living in and Loving Stockton

by remembering to keep our Money here. We

are very blessed to have some of the greatest

businesses and schools right here in Stockton;

Pacific is truly a treasure and so is the Eberhardt

School of Business. It is fully accredited by the

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of

Business, the highest standard of achievement

for business schools and it is right here in

Stockton. Dean Lewis Gale Ph.D. is a California

native and grew up in the Central Valley and

Sierra Nevada foothill region. Dr. Gale has been

actively involved in economic development

projects, corporate recruiting projects and

strategic planning initiatives in Arizona,

Louisiana and Utah and now in California,

and not just California but right here in our

hometown. How fortunate for Stockton. He

was recently named as Pacific’s representative

on the next Economy Steering Committee in

Sacramento, and a new member of the Greater

Stockton Chamber of Commerce Board of

Director’s. We are truly blessed. Have a safe and

Happy New year and remember to Shop Local

and San Joaquin County First!

FOR OVER 35 YEARScompetitive pricing

personalized service

mailing and fulfillment service

custom promotional items

cross media marketing

p a r k s p r i n t i n g . c o mMODESTO209.576.2568 phone209.526.6872 fax

STOCKTON209.466.9026 phone209.943.1974 fax

MODESTO209.576.2568 phone209.526.6872 fax

STOCKTON209.466.9026 phone209.943.1974 fax

printing • cross media marketing • promotions • fulf l

lment • mailing services

attention to de•tails [di'tals; 'detals]

JANUARY2012 4www.stocktonchamber.org

From Your CEO...by: Doug Wilhoit

On behalf of all of us here at your Greater Stockton Chamber of

Commerce it gives me great pleasure to wish all of you and yours

a Very Happy New Year and may 2012 be a turnaround year for

all businesses and our entire community!

As my alter ego (the man in the red suit) made his rounds this

past month, he was so happy to see spirits high and positive! It

was a joy to see so many families, friends and businesses come

together in the true spirit of Christmas with love, understanding,

friendship and hope! Wherever he went: Haggin Museum,

Stockton Symphony, Annunciation School, students from the

Transitional Learning Center (here at the Chamber), charitable

organizations, business gatherings, family celebrations, Chamber

Lunch at the Landfill and the Building and Trades gathering, to

name a few, he saw people showing love to one another and also

bringing joy to so many who may not have had the opportunity

due to individual circumstances.

It is also heartwarming to see the community as a whole come

together to help those most in need and it is our hope that feeling

will continue throughout the year.

On Thursday, December 1 the annual Diversity Mixer was

held at the magnificently decorated Haggin Museum, one of

the true treasures of Stockton. A great time was had by all and

it truly brought the community together which is an example

to all that working as one we can accomplish anything we want

to make this a better community for all. Thanks to your great

Chamber staffers, Heidi and Timm, for all their hard work

in coordinating with the staffs and members of the African-

American Chamber, the Asian-American Chamber and San

Joaquin Hispanic Chamber to make sure all in attendance not

only had a wonderful time but also had an opportunity to make

new friends and business contacts. Also a big thank you to the

Stockton Chamber Ambassadors who worked hard at the check

in desk and serving adult beverages to the attendees! Also those

who provided a wide and diverse selection of delicious food and to

Matt for his bright sweater as he greeted folks and took photos to

memorialize the evening. This has been an annual event started in

2000, the start of the 21st Century, and it is a tradition that will get

even bigger and better with everyone setting the tone of working

as one. Again, thanks to all who were part of the success of this

fun annual event.

2012 brings us a new year full of all sorts of possibilities and

as the Diversity Mixer demonstrates working as one will get all

of us: families, businesses and community to a better quality of

life for all. At times, looking to the future is a daunting task and

as Charles Franklin Kettering (1876-1958) said: “We should ALL

be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the

rest of our lives there.” It cannot be “it is someone else’s job” but

it takes all of us to make a difference and that cannot be done by

sitting back in front of the TV or computer but by getting out in

the community, supporting local businesses and paying attention

to what is really happening in YOUR community not with just

sound bites but by asking the leaders on all sides of an issue the

hard questions to make it clear you want their actions to benefit

the greatest number of hard working, taxpaying and law abiding

citizens and not just a chosen few!

As we approach the election cycle, let us remember the words

spoken on January 8, 1940 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

(1882-1945): “But the future lies with those wise political leaders

who realize the great public is interested more in Government

than in politics.”

Now, more so than in any time in the history continued on page 11

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce5

Eventsby: Heidi Altamarino

JANUARY2012 6www.stocktonchamber.org@ Heidi Altamirano: [email protected]

Sign up Now for Taking Care of Business!!

There is still time to get in on the Taking Care of Business

Sponsorship program for our remaining 2012 events like the Golf

Tournament, State of the City, Business Awards Luncheon and

Installation Dinner.

The Taking Care of Business Program offers our member

businesses a wealth of marketing and sponsorship opportunities

for the upcoming year. This popular program was created to

give Chamber members an excellent way to receive exposure

throughout the year at a dramatic discount off normal pricing.

Sponsoring companies typically select several options from

the events line up. The Chamber allows its members to wisely

choose a yearlong program that meets their marketing, consumer

exposure and community involvement goals. Package prices

enable sponsors to select from several marketing and promotional

opportunities at a significant savings.

For more information on stretching your marketing dollars

through Taking Care of Business, contact Heidi Altamirano,

Events Director, at 209.547.2764, or e-mail

[email protected].

The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce proudly

recognizes the following companies for their year round support

of the Chamber through our Taking Care of Business

Sponsorship Program

2012 Golf Tournament

Reserve Monday, April 2 on your calendar and prepare yourself

for a day of good times and good friends at Stockton Golf &

Country Club. Now in its 31st year, the Golf Tournament always

fills up fast. Don’t miss your chance to play! Call the Chamber to

reserve your space today!

You can also join us as a tee sponsor, a green sponsor or a

business sponsor. Business sponsorship includes signage on a

tee or green and registration for a foursome of players. Single

registration is also available.

Donating a prize to our post-tournament raffle is a great way

to highlight your business. Many high profile business people

participate in our tournament and donating a prize gets

their attention!

For more information about the Chamber’s 31st Annual Golf

Tournament or to volunteer, call Timm Quinn at 209.547.2960 or

email him at [email protected].

Taking Care of Business 2011-2012

A.G. Spanos CompaniesBank of Agriculture & CommerceBuilders Exchange of StocktonCalifornia Water Service Co.Financial Center Credit UnionGrupe Commercial CompanyKaiser PermanenteLincoln CenterNeumiller & BeardsleeOak Valley Community Bank

Pacific Records ManagementR & S Erection of Stockton, Inc. San Joaquin Delta CollegeSt. Joseph’s Medical CenterStockton East Water DistrictSutter Gould Medical FoundationThe Record/San Joaquin Media

GroupUnited Way of San Joaquin CountyUniversity of the Pacific

2012 Golf Tournament Sponsors

Ricky Barnes SponsorGrupe Commercial Company

Fred Couples Sponsors:Oak Valley Community BankSutter Gould Medical Foundation

Tee Sponsors:Bank of Agriculture & CommerceBuilders Exchange of Stockton

Business Package Sponsor:Pacific Records Management

Green Your Bottom Line with Product Stewardship!

Economic benefits abound: reduced operating costs, energy savings, reduced disposal costs, the creation of green jobs.

www.CalPSC.org

Design it Green | Make it Clean | Conserve Resources | Reduce | Reuse | Eliminate Toxics | Take it Back!

Become a Certified Green Business! Save money & gain customers by:

Reducing waste Conserving water and energy

Protecting public health Using recycled-content in your products

www.GreenTeamSanJoaquin.com

SMALL BUSINESS HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL*

Affordable Hazardous Waste Management for Your Business A Program of San Joaquin County Public Works

www.SJCrecycle.org (209) 468-3066

i Low cost way to safely dispose of hazardous materials. (Costs depend on your waste types.)

i Documentation that you properly manage hazardous waste.

i Assurance that the material will be disposed of properly. *Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG)

We also accept universal and electronic waste.

Leadership Stocktonby: Timm Quinn

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce7 @ Timm Quinn: [email protected]

Stockton: History, Arts and Culture

Leadership Level Sponsor: Financial Center Credit Union

Session Sponsor: Haggin Museum

Whether you are new to Stockton or have lived here a lifetime,

you are sure to learn something during the Leadership Stockton,

“Stockton: History, Arts and Culture” session. Held each year at

the Haggin Museum, the day is full of fascinating information

spanning from the founding of our great city to the present day,

and including a look at our arts and cultural resources.

Tod Ruhstaller, Director of the Haggin Museum (and Stockton

history guru) was the guide for the first part of the day, taking the

class through a PowerPoint history lesson from the time before

settlers arrived to the present day. After our history overview, Tod

guided the class through the entire museum explaining the history

of the museum and its contents.

After the history lesson and tour, the class enjoyed lunch in the

museum and those who brought a jacket enjoyed the beautiful

scenery of Victory Park, a true Stockton gem.

After lunch, the class returned to the museum and heard from

Wendi Maxwell (LS Class of 1984), who spoke on the importance

of the arts and what the Stockton Arts Commission and Stockton

Arts Foundation do to help. She was followed by Janet Bonner

who spoke about the Stockton Opera and their upcoming

performance in January. Then the class heard from Shane

Williamson about the upcoming San Joaquin International Film

Festival (SJIFF) and all the need for more film knowledge and

instruction in Stockton.

The day finished with Maestro Peter Jaffe from the Stockton

Symphony. Peter spoke of the long history of the Stockton

Symphony (third oldest continuously operating symphony in

California), and previewed the upcoming season. The class was

jazzed to hear Peter play a few pieces from the upcoming year.

A big THANK YOU to the following: Bret Smith (LS Class

of 2010) for all your help throughout the day; to Tod Ruhstaller

and the hard working staff of the Haggin Museum for the use of

the Museum and the all access tour; Peter Jaffe and the Stockton

Symphony; Wendi Maxwell and the Stockton Arts Foundation,

Janet Bonner and the Stockton Opera, and Shane Williamson

and the SJIFF.

ATHENA award recipients in attendance for the 25th Anniversary Awards Luncheon

Convention & Visitors Bureauby: Wes Rhea

JANUARY2012 8www.visitstockton.org@ Wes Rhea: [email protected]

Be sure to become a fan on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Stockton.CVB

The Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to announce the release of the 2012 Official Stockton Activities Guide in mid-January

The guide is a colorful magazine chock-full of new photos

and great information for visitors and residents alike. The guide

features an annual events calendar, arts and entertainment, family

attractions, sports, farm and agriculture attractions and

much more.

Residents interested in obtaining a copy of the new guide may

call the Stockton Convention & Visitors Bureau at 209.938.1555.

The guide may also be requested and viewed online at

www.VisitStockton.org

The Great Stockton Asparagus Dine Out is coming this April 1 -15.

Local restaurants will feature dishes that showcase locally grown

asparagus in April. The goal is to have diners enjoy a true “farm

to fork” experience and to taste the most famous of our areas local

crops prepared in a variety of ways by local chefs.

This is the third year for the dine-out which is a spin-off of

Stockton Restaurant Week, held in September.

Restaurants interested in participating should contact the

Stockton CVB at 209.938.1555. More information can also be

found at www.DineOutStockton.com.

Date Set for Tourism Luncheon

April 4 will be the date for the Stockton Convention & Visitors

Bureau’s Tourism Luncheon to be held at the Hilton Stockton.

The luncheon will be a celebration of local travel and tourism,

including a report by the Visitors Bureau’s Executive Director and

President. The luncheon will also include local tourism awards

presented to recipients who have excelled in making Stockton a

better destination. Nominations for the awards will be sought

in early February. Look for additional information soon on the

luncheon or call 209.938.1555.

The Stockton Convention & Visitors Bureau is available to speak at your civic club or organizations meeting.

We love to talk about Stockton travel industry and how the

public can get engaged in helping to promote our fine city.

To request a speaker call Wes at 209.938.1551 or email

[email protected]

Professional & Continuing eduCationFor more information call 209.946.2424

or go to www.pacific.edu/cpce

Topics include: ● Entrepreneurship ● Social Media ● eMarketing ● Leadership ● Online Teaching ● Project Management● Business Research● Paralegal Studies● LEAN And more….

Don’t Let Another Year Go By...

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CALL US TODAY: 526.9136

Programs and Public Policy Departmentby: Frank Ferral

JANUARY2012 10www.stocktonchamber.orgFor more info, contact Frank Ferral at [email protected]@

A Unique Community Banking Experience

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VP, Commercial Banking OfficerEddie Lira

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VP, Commercial Banking Officer

The Stockton Chamber Apprenticeship Program - Subsidized

Employment (SCAP-SE) would like to take the time to thank each

and every business in San Joaquin County that has helped

our community.

In September 2011, the Chamber engaged in a new chapter in

its award winning program, Stockton Chamber Apprenticeship

Program (SCAP). The new name to the program is the Stockton

Chamber Apprenticeship Program - Subsidized Employment

(SCAP-SE). Companies who use SCAP-SE qualify for a

reimbursement of up to 50% of wages paid for up to 6 months.

We have placed over 50 individuals into full or part time jobs thus

far in San Joaquin County.

Participating businesses have saved approximately $30,798.56 in

wages paid to employees, directly contributing to their

bottom line.

We would like to thank these businesses for utilizing SCAP-SE

and helping the community by utilizing this program for their

hiring needs. We would like to thank:

Automotive Risk Managers (Office)•

Cost Plus World Market (Distribution / Warehouse)•

Green Horizon Manufacturing (Production / Warehouse)•

Hampton Inn and Suites (Hospitality)•

ServiceMaster Building Maintenance (Janitorial)•

The industries these businesses represent show the diversity of

our clientele and the job positions we can assist with. If you would

like more information about this program and how it can benefit

your company, please call Mike Morales, 209.337.2716 or

Mikki Gilbert, 209.337.2730. You can also email

[email protected] or [email protected]

New Members For more information on becoming a new member, please call Matt Anderson

at 209.547.2770. Please allow up to 90 days for your listing to show.

of these United States of America we need all elected government

officials to represent all CITIZENS, as stated by President

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) -“THAT GOVERNMENT OF

THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE

SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH” to put aside politics

and personal self aggrandizement, which we see coming out of

Sacramento and Washington D.C. 24-7 and 365 days out of the year.

It is our duty and responsibility to research the issues and

candidates and VOTE with common sense and not just party line

or self-serving philosophy so that the greater good can be done for all.

May 2012 is the start of an even better Stockton, California and

United States of America.

CEO Cont’d from pg. 5

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce11

Diversity MixerDecember 1, Haggin Museum

Computer Consultants, Computer Hardware/Software Supplies &

Consultants

Crown Enterprises445 W. Weber Avenue #200

Stockton www.ce-technology.com

Security Service

Devcon Security3355 Myrtle Avenue #225

North Highlands www.devconsecurity.com

Computer Systems & Service

Doctor Data1711 Telegraph Avenue

Stockton www.mydoctordata.com

Environmental Conservation & Ecological Services

Ecology Action877 Cedar Street #240

Santa Cruz www.ecoact.org

Halls & Auditoriums

525 Channel St. Hall525 Channel Street

Stockton

Television Stations

KCRA 33 Television Circle

Sacramento www.kcra.com

Insurance - Agents & Brokers

Nationwide Insurance - Pat Schumacher2251 Harvard Street, # 200

Sacramento www.nationwide.com/patschumacher

Payroll Services

Paychex1803 Stanford Avenue

Stockton www.paychex.com

Construction, Energy Efficiency

Schneider Electric740 Parkwoods Drive

Stockton www.schneider-electric.com

Ribbon Cuttings For additional information go to www.stocktonchamber.org

Eco Chic Salon for Men & Women5490 Pacific Avenue Ste C Stockton

Ascend Financial2575 Grand Canal Boulevard; Suite 300

Stockton

Elkhorn Golf Club1050 Elkhorn Drive Stockton

525 Channel St Hall525 Channel Street Stockton

Sam WardXango

Nanette SpitulskiParks Printing

Blair HakeAmeriprise Financial Services INC

Patti GulickNew Image Signs

Loretta Lee CA DEPT of Rehabilitation

John PavalKansas City Life

Carol ClemensAngel’s Caring Helpers

Vince RosatoNew Image Signs

Gloria BlaineBasket Caravan & Gourmet Gifts

Ellen PowellDennis Cardoza Representative

Justin RedmanCentral Valley Community Bank

Cindy Ward Xango

Glenn JoseH.O.P.E

Diane Reyes St. Joseph’s Employee Assistance Program

Katharine Edens University of Pacific

Michelle SherlockOptimal Hospice Care

Marilyn MasonRHA

Tim AguirreImpact Promotions

Gregory Walther Press F1 Computer Services

Jennifer Lewis Hilton Stockton

Wes RheaConvention and Visitors Bureau

John Bertilacchi Bertilacchi Insurance Agency

Geri Blas US Post Office

Linda Stockton Entravision Communications Corp.

Ojesa Asejo-Clark Rabobank

Mike SmithComcast

Shannon DingBill Berryhill Representative

Monica Harbut Eco Chic Salon

Nick Harbut Eco Chic Salon

Attending Ambassadors

JANUARY2012 12www.stocktonchamber.org

COVER STORY

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce13

Preparing for SuccessUOP’s Dean Lewis Gale Serves Up Advice for Local BusinessesBy Justin Souza

The last couple of years have been a

difficult time for Stockton business owners,

but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

This according to findings in the California

& Metro Forecast report, published this

past November by the University of the

Pacific’s Eberhardt School of Business.

The annual economic report, which

shows improvement across a number of

economic factors for California through

2017, indicates that California and

Stockton are in the early stages of a slow

five-year recovery.

Port O Call Magazine spoke with Lewis

Gale, Ph.D., Dean of the Eberhardt School

of Business, who broke down the famed

business school’s annual report and relayed a

few tips that could help Stockton businesses

weather the storm and position themselves

for success in the coming recovery.

“The good news is there are some positive

indicators here,” said Gale on the Forecast,

“I think that businesses here in Stockton are

doing quite well, despite the challenges.” One

of these indicators, according to Gale, is the

steady pickup at Stockton’s port, which has

recently seen a reverse in a long time trend:

exports from the port are now greater than its

imports. Another positive indicator is purely

anecdotal, said Gale: full parking lots, packed

restaurants and busy retail stores all over

Stockton, especially during the holiday season.

Gale added that these positive indicators

may not mean we’re in for a quick recovery,

but things are definitely looking up across

a number of local industries. “We’re seeing

that this really won’t last forever,” he said,

stressing that it is important for local

businesses to start thinking about how they

can come out of the economic

storm in a better

market position.

Improve Your Market Position

Gale said that now is the time for Stockton

businesses to shake off the complacency that

can come with operating in survival mode

and move forward to put themselves in a

good position to capture market share when

growth occurs. A key component of this

is in establishing a detailed understanding

of where you want your business to be and

what steps you have to take to get it there.

“There are so many examples of firms

that had a large part of their market share

challenged in a short period of time because

they weren’t ready, or they felt like they

didn’t have a competitive worry,” said Gale.

“And because of that, others jumped in

and let them know they were wrong. Just

because you’ve been in business 20 years

doesn’t mean you’re going to be in business

the next five. And that’s the real challenge.

You don’t want to feel like you’re resting.”

Understand Your Participant Media

Gale made a distinction between social

media—the flurry of Twitter and Facebook

feeds and Foursquare check-ins—and

participant media, which are the instances

in which customers are participating in and

spreading the message about a business.

“If someone has a great experience

at a restaurant they’re going to post

and tell their friends about it. Bad

experiences, too, will be posted. That’s part

of the messaging that’s getting out,” said

Gale. “Businesses should keep in mind

that people will be getting their message

in different ways and they should be a part

of the process rather than just reacting to

something negative. People assume that

customers aren’t that smart and pick from

a random selection for their purchases, but

they’re actually very sharp and they do a lot

It is important for local businesses to start thinking about how they can come out of

the economic storm in a better market position.

JANUARY2012 14www.stocktonchamber.org

more research now, particularly since it’s

available in all kinds of formats.”

Early and active responses to participant

media could mean the difference between

viral success and a sharp drop-off in new

business as negative online reviews turn

prospective customers away.

Know Your Competitive Advantage

Gale indicated that a business’s

competitive advantage—the areas that set

one business apart from its competitors,

whether that’s a prime location, great

customer service or essential employees—

is essential in the current economy.

“Knowing your competitive advantage is

very important from a market position

standpoint and also a resource talent

standpoint. Because when growth does

occur, you want to be positioned to take

advantage of it.”

Gale advised local businesses to “spend

some time really understanding and

gathering data,” in order to accomplish this.

“For example, look at what has occurred

in Las Vegas. Some of the businesses there

have become a lot sharper when it comes

to data collection and analytical capability.

They know their customers, their habits,

how often they come in, these businesses

know that if they change certain items in

their area they will get more response or

weaker response, so they have good data

for decisions instead of just relying solely

on intuition, and they’ve had some good

success. There are many business people

who have good intuition, but I think at some

point you have to be able to nail down to the

actual data.”

“Everybody loves the story: ‘I maxed

out my credit card to $5,000 and now I’m

a multimillionaire.’ When that story is told

repeatedly, people behave in interesting

ways. They say, ‘well I can do that too!’ A

great story is a great story but you really

have to go into the data and understand

what led to that.”

Finding Help

Gale added that students at the Eberhardt

School of Business are ideally placed to help

Stockton and San Joaquin county businesses

position themselves for success. “Pacific is a

learning institution, we do have capabilities

that allow students to marry their learning

with needs in the community,” said Gale.

Some of the school’s best and

brightest

students are

in search of

comprehensive

internship

opportunities,

and have the

capabilities to

lend considerable

help to area companies who are looking to

improve their market positions, no matter

the industry or the business size. Those

interested in securing an intern can contact

Margaret Roberts at the Eberhardt School

of Business Career Management Center at

209.946.7350 or [email protected].

News BriefsSubmission Guidelines: News Briefs must be submitted before the first of each month to [email protected]. Please put “PORT O CALL” in the subject line. Submissions must be no longer than 50 words total and should include contact information. News Briefs will be included on a space available basis and may be edited for content.

Seeking Applications for Membership on the Board of Directors

of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

The volunteer leadership of the Chamber provides the energy

and direction for programs and services for our members. Board

members serve a vital role in establishing policy and providing

guidance to committees and staff. To ensure a quality Board, the

applicant, or the applicant’s employer must be a Chamber Member in

good standing and must remain in good standing throughout their

entire Board term, 2012-2015. Go to www.StocktonChamber.org to

download application or call 547-2770.

The San Joaquin Human Resource Association will host

their 13th Annual Employment Law Update-HR Conference &

Exhibition on January 18, 2012 at the Hilton Hotel in Stockton.

This year’s theme is Obtaining & Retaining Key Talent. Register at

www.sjhra.org or contact Linda Hatch 209.402.8008.

The Stockton Council of the Central Valley Association of

REALTORS and the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

have announced Becky Mizener as the 2011 ‘Stocktonian of the

Year’. Becky will be honored at a dinner on Wednesday, February

8th at the Stockton Golf and Country Club. Space is limited. For

reservations, please call the Chamber at 547-2770.

Junior League Collecting for “Twice is Nice”

Good quality tax deductible donations are needed for the 56th

Junior League of San Joaquin County Rummage Sale on March 3,

2012 at the S.J. County Fairgrounds. To have your items picked up,

call Claudia at 209.727.5366. Proceeds benefit local charities and

non-profit organizations.

Stockton Women’s Network presents Italian Operatic Feast:

Preview of Pagliacci & Gianni Schicchi

Maestro Peter Jaffe previews both masterpieces, one comedy

and one tragedy, at the Stockton Women’s Network luncheon,

January 4th. Networking begins at 11:30a.m. at the Stockton Golf

& Country Club. Visit www.StocktonWomensNetwork.org or call

209.472.0359 to register.

Community Volunteer Honored by Stockton Opera Guild

Stocktonian Gerry Ascencio has been recognized by the

Stockton Opera Guild for outstanding service as a community

volunteer for the organization.

Mr. Ascencio sang for over 40 years in the Stockton Chorale and

participated in numerous opera productions. Gerry has been on

the board of directors for over 20 years. For more

[email protected], 209.951.7223,

www.StocktonOperaGuild.org.

2012 San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge

Aspiring entrepreneurs from San Joaquin, Stanislaus and

Merced counties can compete for cash and services worth

over $20,000 in the third annual San Joaquin Entrepreneur

Challenge (SJEC).

The SJEC is an “American Idol” style multi-round business

plan competition complete with expert and audience judging.

On-line applications to the Challenge are due by February 5, 2012.

Approximately twenty applicants will be selected for a two-minute

“elevator pitch” presentation to a public audience and a panel of

judges on February 29. Eight selected semi-finalists will then

make a five-minute business plan presentation to the audience

and judges on March 21. The final four contestants will participate

in a business simulation to select the two winning businesses who

will receive the cash and services awards. The February 29 and

March 21 events will be held at the Stockton Country Club, from

4:00-7:30 p.m.

Entrepreneurs can prepare for the Challenge by attending

workshops in Stockton, Modesto and Merced, where they will

receive advice on preparing business plans and presentations.

The competition is presented by the San Joaquin Angels investor

group in partnership with several regional educational and

economic development organizations.

For information, application and audience registration go to

www.sjchallenge.com.

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce15

We are the loading dock equipment specialists.

We keep you on the move.

CalendarJanuary 2012

Highlights1/5 - Networking Mixer – 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

@ University of the Pacific,

Alex G. Spanos Center, South Concourse

also don’t miss... 2/2 - Networking Mixer

San Joaquin Delta College

5151 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA 95207

5 Networking Mixer - 5:00-6:30 p.m. @ University of the Pacific, Alex G. Spanos

Center, on the South Concourse Come for the Mixer Stay for the Game Basketball Game 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Free tickets will be given out at check in. Tigers vs. UC Irvine Anteaters.

13 Leadership Stockton Justice Session - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. @ San Joaquin County Sheriff ’s Office

9 Liaison Committee - 12:00 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

11 Green Team San Joaquin meeting - 9:00 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

12 Manufacturers Industrial Distribution Roundtable - 7:30 a.m. @ TBA

6 Government Relations Council - 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

17 Effective Strategies Group - 8 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

26 Chamber Board Meeting – 4 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

27 Government Relations Council - 7:30 a.m. @ Conference Room

25 Business Education Alliance - 3:30 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

18 Chamber Executive Committee Meeting – 7 a.m. @ Stockton Golf and Country Club

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce17 Contact the Chamber at 209.547.2770 for more info*

1.31.12

Share YourSuccess Storywith Port O CallIf your long-standing business has found success despite the down economy, we want to hear from you.

Send your success story to us at [email protected] and youcould be featured in a future columnin Port O Call.

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