TD Bank recently surveyed small business owners asking what one gift they would like to receive this Holiday Season.  Here are the top responses:

Increased sales – 61%

Eliminating debt – 13%

Raises or bonuses for current employees – 11%

New equipment or software – 6%

More employees – 5%

New or larger facility – 4%

As Director of a medium sized Chamber of Commerce, I

would agree that increased sales (memberships, sponsorships, attendance, etc . . .) would be my number one gift request as we close out 2011.  As with most small businesses, the list of things we could or should be doing always seems to exceed the resources available.

So if you could have one business related gift this year, what would it be?

2011

At the Red Lion Hotel

Wonderland

All Children Kindergarten- 5^th Grade

Decorate a tree or a wreath

Groups

Kindergarten & 1st

2^nd & 3^rd Grade

 4^th & 5^th Grade

 Prizes

awarded in two categories per

group

Categories:
Creativity and Peoples’ Choice

Drop off at the Red Lion Hotel Wenatchee
509-663-0711 between:

November 27^th-December 2^nd
8:00am-5:00pm

Local Viewing:  December 3^rd- December 10^th

Judging:  December 11^th 9am-11am

Restrictions: Small tree no larger than 3’ tall and Wreath no larger than 3’ in diameter

 Note to Parents: Please be cost effective and encourage creativity

 Be Creative and have fun!!!

Cityside Café is open at 6am for
breakfast and dinner Wednesday – Saturday 5pm

Your Local

drop-off location

As sledding mania takes over the Valley and Christmas break looming, I was reminded of a column I wrote a few years ago.   My two kids featured below have graduated to season passes at Mission Ridge but still look forward to sledding with friends.  Enjoy the Holiday!

It seemed like a great Christmas gift.  Snow was on the ground and our 9 year old daughter liked to sled.  We bought the new sled for her so she had one like her 11 year old brother.  It was one of her favorite gifts this Christmas.  But I have since learned that my wife and I have did not foresee all the consequences of this gift.

I step in the door after a long day at work, looking forward to some quality time with the television remote, my chair and favorite television show.  My daughter comes running to greet me, trailed by her best friend.  It is great when she is happy I’m home.  I don’t get that response from the older three anymore.  But I soon discover that a more sinister plot has Read More »