We Heard You...

   Bobby Spiegel

Message from the President

WE HEARD YOU...

Last month our Board of Directors focused on the results of our 2009 Corona Chamber Membership electronic survey, which we send out annually in September. We had a good response rate and we appreciate the involvement of those who contributed.

Here are some of the results and highlights:



• 62% of those who took the survey see Promoting the Community as extremely important.
• 57% was the next highest rank: Creating a Strong Local Economy.
• 53% of members would definitely recommend membership to a friend.

As for their investment, ROI (return on investment) is crucial, especially in these hard economic times. Members responded:

• 31% feel that membership value is double or more than paid.

• 47% feel that the membership fee paid is at fair market value. With respect to challenges that members will face, 39% identified profitability and growth as the biggest challenge in their business.

From the survey we also obtained areas where we must improve, and I especially appreciate those who were honest in their responses so we can adjust and make the corrections needed.

Though the top two responses in promoting the community and creating a strong local economy were highly regarded, we were less than half of those percentages.

We realize that members who have been with us for 10 years or longer will usually remain members; it is those who have been members for less than five years, especially in their first two years, who perceive their membership differently.

The strategic focus for 2010 will address leveraging the above strengths while addressing the areas of opportunity. Various Chamber committees will align with the goals and Key Initiatives. The focus will be on membership development and retention, providing communication and web-based marketing opportunities, and offering ways to expand and grow the local economy.

Though responses to surveys are often single digit and we did have a better than average response, it is our goal to increase our responses to the electronic survey. During November and December our professional staff are working towards reaching all members via telephone-not to sell them anything, merely to communicate with them to verify and update our data so that it is correct (for the printed directory that we are publishing), as well as obtain more feedback.

Throughout 2010 you will see our attention increase for our existing members, working towards a common goal. As we expand with new members, we will continue to assist our entire membership, as your strongest resource for prosperity.