Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber Offers Money-Saving Tips to Members
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Doug Peters says chamber members don’t really pay dues. Rather, they invest in the bottom lines of their respective companies through chamber membership.
“We bring value to our members, including looking for any ways to save our companies money that they can redirect into additional jobs and equipment,” says Peters, president and CEO of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. “The chamber’s primary mission is to create jobs and wealth in the community, and we take that role very seriously. We are always seeking avenues by which we can provide value back to our investors.”
One of ways the chamber helps member businesses is through a health insurance savings program called ChamberCare, which is administered by WellPath and Doctor’s Direct Health Care. Small business members who sign up for ChamberCare can provide a good benefit package to their employees – all at affordable premiums.
“Members who utilize ChamberCare can choose from a network of physicians and providers in the Cumberland County area,” Peters says. “Another plus with ChamberCare is that the program helps employers and their employees develop a healthy lifestyle, thus reducing overall premium increases and maintaining affordability.”
The Fayetteville-Cumberland County chamber also offers a program called Eye on Our Business. Members who sign up become privy to information compiled by Corporate Research International, which provides “mystery shoppers” that stop in companies unannounced to provide helpful feedback to business owners.
“Mystery shopping provides valuable insight on business operations from the eyes of the customer, thanks to the data compiled by Corporate Research International,” Peters says. “This chamber service helps small employers improve in areas such as customer service, efficiency and many other important facets of business transactions with customers.”
The Fayetteville-Cumberland County chamber has also become involved with a local SCORE program. The program uses seasoned, retired executives from the local community who contribute their time to assist small businesses – whether startup or existing – with management assistance.
“Shortly after my arrival here as chamber CEO, I recognized that the chamber had a service-delivery gap in the area of assistance to the largest segment of our membership – small businesses,” Peters says. “However, what does exist in the area are a variety of strong, well-orchestrated, small business-assistance programs that aren’t generally accessible through a one-stop shop or single source. Now there is that single source with SCORE.”
Peters says SCORE counseling assistance is free and confidential to small business owners.
“The chamber does whatever it can to help its members – it’s what we do,” he says. “And the additional cost-saving programs we are currently getting behind are especially important for our membership in these current economic times.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
