FEBRUARY 2013 Vol. XXVII No. 2

Hot Business Trends for 2013I n many ways, business trends

mimic the world around us.Which is why smart businesses will plan accord-ing to not only what’s impacting the business world, but to what’s impacting their customers’ lives. Because while our economy may still be lackluster, if you pay attention, small businesses and entrepreneurs can still prosper.With that being said, here are what we see as some of the top trends for 2013:

Going Green. This business trend should come as no surprise to anyone, what with so much attention turned to global warm-ing and environmental concerns lately. Many people think of this as a relatively new business trend, but in reality, it’s been building momentum since the 70s with the “Clean Up America” campaign to get trash off the highways. Today, “green” products by the hundreds – thousands – are turning up on local supermarket shelves. New forms of energy like solar and wind power – once thought of as “New Age” – are now considered mainstream. And with gas prices through the roof, we’re scrambling to develop alternate fuel sources. Along with the going green, Americans are also going organic. As we learn more about how pesticides, hormones, and chemicals affect our bodies, more and more people are opt-

ing to buy organic. Backyard gardens have become hip to have as consumers are chucking supermarket produce in favor of their own. (Viva vegetables!)Takeaway: Everyone from automakers to consumer product and clothing man-ufacturers are rushing to capitalize on this business trend and fulfill consumer desires for green and organic. Also on the rise is business-to-business greening – companies helping other companies become environmentally conscious by reducing their overall energy consump-tion and carbon footprints. From indi-vidual households to large corporations, millions of people are trying to reduce not only their reliance on oil and gas, but their environmental impact as well.

Consider how your business fits into the overall scheme of green. Is there some slant you can put on your prod-uct or service that will not only fulfill customer needs, but increase your profits and visibility? At the very least, consider how your company can lessen its carbon footprint and reduce energy consumption.

Virtual Business. As technology has grown and gas has gotten more expensive per gallon, this business trend has exploded. With so many outsourcing options to choose from – everything from virtual assistants to shipping – even a small, one-person company can look large. Owning a virtual company means be-ing able to do business from your home, or from a much smaller scaled office - without all the expensive overhead associated with a bricks and mortar company. And less overhead means more profit. For a virtual business to survive and thrive, however, it must be able to deliver on its promises. If this trend continues (and all signs point in that direction), performance not size, will become the measure by which a company is judged.Takeaway: Now is a great time for small businesses that want to become “small-er.” There are so many opportunities now for downsizing, which in turn can upsize your profits.

Please see Trends~Page 3

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS CHAMBER CONNECTIONSPAGE 2FEBRUARY 2013 PAGE 3 FEBRUARY 2013

Chairman of the BoardKerry O’Connor - Regions Bank

Chairman eLeCtDeanna Auner - Homestead Village-Fairhope

Past ChairmanPhil Cusa - PLC & Associates

treasurerGreg Strachan - Bryant Bank

Vice Chairman, economic development

Bradley Byrne - Jones Walker, LLPVice Chairman, tourism Council

Heiko Einfeld - Holiday Inn Express-FairhopeVice Chairman, membership Value

Contina Woods - Regions BankVice Chairman, foundation

Jennie Campbell - Stewart Lodges at Steelwood

President/CeoDarrelyn Bender - Staff Executive

Mayor Mike McMillan City of Spanish FortMayor Bailey Yelding

City of DaphneMayor Tim Kant City of Fairhope

Commissioner Bob JamesBaldwin County

Donna Givens - Baldwin EMCDavid Clark - Individual

Nathan Cox - Bellator Real Estate & Development

William (Bill) McLaughlin - Thomas HospitalChris Ortstadt - Walmart-Fairhope

Andrew Ray - Timbercreek Golf ClubLad Drago - State Farm Insurance

Don Mecke - Brown, Mecke and O’Neal, LLCRichard Johnson - Phelps Dunbar

LaBarron McClendon - Mobile InfirmaryDavid Horton - Riviera UtilitiesJoe Bullock - Preble-Rish, LLC

Joe Hocklander - Mobile Gas Service Corp.John Erdlitz - Wells Fargo Bank

STAFF MEMBERSAlodia Arnold - Accounts Manager

Kathie Barton - Communications CoordinatorAmy Dial - Membership Coordinator

Lori Edson - Tourism Information Asst.Jessica Fleming - Tourism information Asst.

Rose Hall - Information SpecialistPat Hawthorne - Development Director

Christina Hellmich - Director of Workforce Development

Sue Hammac - Administrative Asst.Kay Overstreet, Administrative Asst.Liz Roberts - Director of Tourism &

Special Events

Board of DirectorsAmbassador of the Month

February 7, 5:00 - 7:00 pmBusiness After Hours Fairfield Inn & Suites

12000 Cypress Way, Spanish FortFree networking opportunity for all Chamber members

February 19, 8:30 amEggs N’ Issues

“ALDOT Priorities for 2013 & I-10 Bridge” With: Vince Calametti, Alabama Dept. of Transportation

Daphne United Methodist Church, 2401 Main St., DaphneFee: $10, includes breakfast. RSVP: 928-6387

February 21, 8:00 amMorning Marketing Meeting

Scenic Overlook Office29750 Larry Dee Cawyer Dr., Daphne

February 21, 5:30 - 7:30 pmYoung Professionals Social

Rosie’s Record Bar, 1203 Highway 98, Daphne

Call: 621-8222 or 928-6387 for more information.

C. Shea DeanHartmann, Blackmon & Kilgore

C. Shea Dean, supervisor of Hartmann, Blackmon & Kilgore, PC, was selected as Ambassador of the Month for December. She earned the honor for having participated in a wide range of chamber events and activities, such as attending ribbon cuttings, delivering new member plaques, Business After Hours, and much more.

A native of Elberta, she and her husband Sonny and their three-and-a-half year old son Brian, reside in Fairhope. Shea earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and Masters in business from the University of South Alabama.

When not volunteering for the Chamber or working she enjoys kayaking on Fish River with her girlfriends. The family also enjoys fishing.

AmbassadorSponsor

One of the challenges for companies trying to sell to virtual businesses is recognizing VBs have unique needs, and they will need to structure their sales message accordingly. VBs also tend to network more and look for companies to partner with that will give them good purchasing advice. An opportu-nity here is to learn what your VB customer needs and provide wise counsel and resources for them.

Baby Boomers. Oh, there are so many opportunities here! We’ve known about this business trend for quite awhile, but it continues to impact business and economy, so it is definitely worth noting again. Without a doubt, the 78 million Baby Boomers born be-tween 1946 and 1964 in our country are the a red hot demo-graphic.Not only do they have tremendous purchasing power, but thanks to the wonders of modern medicine, information, and technology, they’re living much longer. So if a company wins a Boomer’s loyalty, the potential for a lengthy buying relationship is great. Besides living longer, Boomers are living healthier – eat-ing right and exercising more. They have more disposable income, and travel quite extensively. They are hip and they are powerful. Hear them roar.Takeaway: In order to tap into this business trend, you need to take some time to figure out how your product or service fits with this demographic. How is it going to make their lives better or more meaningful? What’s your message to the Boomers? You may want to consider advertising in publica-tions that cater to the Boomer crowd.

Health and Wellness.This business trend really started back with the 80s fitness movement and the advent of workout tapes by the likes of Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons. Then gyms started popping up all across the country like rabbits. Youth creams, vitamins, energy drinks, followed close behind. As the population has aged, the desire to stay young and vigorous has grown expo-nentially. Today, the industry is huge and just keeps getting bigger every day.Takeaway: This is a growing business trend, so if you have a product or service that lives in this category, expect the market to remain strong.

Service Marketing. Labeled ad “Brand Butlers” by TrendWatching.com, ser-vice marketing is where brands strive to make life more con-venient for the consumer, and in turn, receive name and brand recognition for their trouble. For instance, if a diaper brand installed a diaper-changing station in an airport it would pro-vide a tremendous convenience to the parental traveler, and the brand would receive the traveler’s gratitude and hopefully their diaper-buying bucks at some point. Or perhaps a toilet paper brand sponsors restrooms, which of course, would only

serve that particular brand of toilet paper. Get the picture? But it doesn’t just work for consumer product brands. According to a special report by trendwatching.com, “Brand Butlers” can apply to any brand. For example, Austrian Airlines is partnering with many cultural institutions in Vienna where passengers can present their boarding passes and a photo ID and get free entry. What great guys!Takeaway: Does your product or service lend itself to this type of marketing? Can you think of a strategic partnership that would make sense? Do a little brainstorming and see if anything sticks. This approach is fresh and unexpected…something we all strive to achieve with our marketing dollars.

E-Commerce. The e-commerce business trend has been around since the mid-90s, and every year it just keeps growing and growing. Now, it’s reached stratospheric proportions. For the last few years, the Monday after Thanksgiving has been known as “Cyber Monday,” and marks the first signifi-cant online holiday shopping day. It is estimated that online sales represent around 25% of all retail sales. E-commerce continues to increase year after year.Takeaway: If you don’t have an online presence, consider developing one, especially if you have any retail sales at all. If you are in a service business you can still take advantage of the internet by adding a weekly or monthly email newsletter (called an “ezine”) to your marketing mix. The service we recommend is Site Build It! They’re not about just “throwing up a website.” Instead, they walk you through all the information you need to build a profitable web business.

Teens. With more cash in hand than ever, the youth market is a strong and growing force. Today’s teen is smart and savvy, and looking to buy the next big thing. Teens are buying everything from cars to computers to iPhones. Always preoccupied with their appearance, teens are buying clothes, makeup, jewelry, shoes…you name it. Nearly anything an adult can buy, teens can and will. Realize, though, you can’t market to a teen the same way as you would to an adult. They have a different set of wants, desires and life experiences.Takeaway: The youth market will continue to grow in strength and buying power. If you want to tap into this busi-ness trend, you might spend some time getting to know how to reach them. A place to start is to buy some teen-oriented magazines and take a look at what they have in them. Look at the advertising. Note the differences. Watch a few teen-target-ed TV shows and see how much different the commercials are than those geared to an older demographic. There are agen-cies that specialize in the teen market – go online and Google “teen market” and see what you find.

Story Provided By: Businesss Burrito.com

Trends~Cont’d from Page 1

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS CHAMBER CONNECTIONSPAGE 5FEBRUARY 2013 PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 2013

The Eastern Shore Chamber recently welcomed new member The Fairhope Brewing Company with a ribbon cutting at the 914 Nichols Avenue location in Fairhope. Attending the event were Wyndy Lad-nier, C. Shea Dean and Sherry Sullivan, chamber ambassadors; Phil Cusa, past chairman of the ESCoC; Darrelyn Bender, president/CEO of the ESCoC; Jim Foley, Michele Kane, Brian Kane, of The Fairhope Brewing Co.; Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant; Dan Murphy, The Fairhope Brewing Co.; Mark Stejskal and Jeff Ramsland, cham-ber ambassadors. The Fairhope Brewing Company is the only craft brewery in operation in south Alabama and is the first craft brewery to open in Baldwin County. FBC offers a large tap room where a customer can order any one of the brewery’s four beers that are each made on site. In addition to having daily tap room hours and being available for event hosting, the Fairhope Brewing Company will also be distributing its beers to bars and restaurants all along the Eastern Shore. For more information call 610-8663.

The Eastern Shore Chamber recently welcomed new member Weight Watchers with a ribbon cutting at the 1410 US. Highway 98, Ste. 1 location in Daphne. On hand for the event were (from left) Shea Dean, Sally Wagner, Mark Stejskal, chamber ambassa-dors; Darrelyn Bender, president/CEO ESCoC; Helen Loftin, Leigh Marcus, Ellen Cooper and Jullie Hunley of Weight Watchers; Keith Lott, ESCoC; Millie Sue Hawk, Linda Scott and Brenda Carpenter, chamber ambassadors. An award-winning weight loss program, 50 years in the making, Weight Watchers provides hands-on help for weight loss needs. They were recently voted the “Best Diet for Weight Loss” for the third year in a row, as well as “Easiest to Fol-low Diet” and “Best Commercial Diet” by U.S. News and World Report. Try a meeting for free. Call (800) 289-8446.

“What are the Priorities of the Alabama DOT for 2013 & the I-10 Bridge Proposal”

Eggs N’ IssuesTuesday, February 19, 8:30 am

With: Vince Calametti, Alabama Department of TransportationDaphne United Methodist Church Community Life Center

2401 Main Street, Daphne

Fee: $10, includes hot breakfastRSVP a MUST: 928-6387 or 621-8222

The Eastern Shore Chamber recently welcomed new member The Family Center-Baldwin County with a ribbon cutting at 27365 Pollard Rd., Daphne. Attending the event were (from left): Jeff Ramsland, chamber ambassador; Amy de Haart, Judy Simpson, Lana Ray, Jenny Hill, Beth Mead, Lydia Pettijohn, Christie Brannon, Family Center; Phil Cuse, past chairman, ESCoC; Diane Siefert and Millie Sue Hawk, chamber ambassador. The Family Center-Baldwin County has opened to expand the National Fatherhood Initiative locally which was launched in Mobile County last year funded through the Alabama Dept. of Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention. The Family Center offers free classes & case man-agement for fathers who want to improve their parenting & relationship skills led by Jerry Haase (not pictured). The center provides supervised visitation for court-ordered parents & their children in our Daphne & Mobile offices as well as parenting classes. Call 626-1610 for more info.

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce is offering our members an abundance of affordable options to help promote your business. We now offer an option for you to add an additional category to our data base so clients and customers can find your business easier. We find many businesses, such as restaurants, floor tiling, graphic designers, etc. would like to be listed in additional categories. The cost is only $50 per category for an entire year. Did you know that that the Eastern Shore Chamber’s website gets 1.5 million hits each year and most of them click in our chamber directory. With your login name and password you can personally enhance your listing, and with our new value added enhancement package

you can push your business to the top of the category list with additional keywords, expanded description of your business, photos, a color logo and even a video. The price is only $125 annually and the package is valued at $870. Got questions? Please do not hesitate to call Amy Dial at 928-6387. In the mean time you can call Kathie Barton at the same phone number to get your login name and password so you can enhance your basic current listing on our data base. With this listing you get a 200 character description of your business, listing of hours of operation, driving directions and eight key words.

Eastern Shore Chamber Offers New Options to Promote Your Business

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS CHAMBER CONNECTIONS FEBRUARY 2013PAGE 6FEBRUARY 2013 PAGE 7

Renewed MembersAs of January 16, 2013

New Members

New Membersas of January 16, 2013

Renewed

MembersCH2M HillDavid Stejskal25 W. Cedar St.Pensacola, FL(850) 438-2740

Sears Hometown StoreGeorge Misleh6845 US Highway 90, Ste. 101Daphne626-0664

The Family Center-Baldwin CountyJudy Simpson27365 Pollard Rd.Daphne626-1610

CH RobinsonLeslie Beard110 Beauregard St., Ste. 107Mobile338-3812

Sweet Water DentistryPhillip Greer5915 Sweet Water CircleFairhope550-7770

The Mermaids TreasuresLibby Remrey456-A North Section St.Fairhope454-2026

Dazzle Me Kids Spa & More, LLCLaKisha Murphy Yarbough30500 State Highway 181, Ste. 405Spanish Fort621-3884

Mybpsettlement.comNigel Bogaert20705 Northwood St.Fairhope298-7521

Roberts Brothers, Inc. Eastern ShoreJeanna Phillips559 North Section St.Fairhope928-2109

C Roberds General Contractors, LLCCain Roberds19849 Quail Creek Dr.Fairhope279-0018

Skeeter SolutionsDanny Nicholas9522 Sanibel LoopDaphne279-0345

The Fresh MarketTammy Clolinger6900 US Highway 90, Ste. 2Dahpne626-1422

Alabama Department of Revenue2013 Sales Tax Holiday for

Severe Weather Preparedness ItemsSet Feb. 22 through Feb. 24

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. (CST) on Friday February 22, 2013, and ending at twelve midnight on Sunday February 24, 2013, Alabama will hold its second annual sales tax holiday giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain severe-weather preparedness supplies free of state sales or use tax.

A provision in the Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday law allows counties and municipalities to join the state by removing their own local sales and use taxes from the same items during the same weekend (Reference: Act 2012-256).

To allow retailers sufficient time to prepare for the upcoming sales tax holiday in February. The ADOR will use this information to compile a listing of all cities and counties participating in the 2013 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday. The city and county listing will be available at http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/sal-estax/WPSalesTaxHol.htm and provide guidance to both retailers and consumers.

The following list contains examples of items covered under the Severe Weather Preparedness holiday.

Items below that have a sales price of $60 or less per item: • Batteries: AAA-cell batteries, AA-cell batteries, C-cell batteries, D-cell bat-

teries, 6-volt batteries, 9-volt batteries. (NOTE: coin batteries, automobile batteries, and boat batteries are not exempt.)

• Cellular phone battery• Cellular phone charger• Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two-way radio, weather-band

radio or NOAA weather radio• Portable self-powered light source, including battery-powered flashlights,

lanterns, or emergency glow sticks• Tarpaulin, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible, waterproof

sheeting• Ground anchor system, such as bungee cords or rope, or tie-down kits• Duct tape• Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect

window coverings• Non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container• Non-electric can opener• Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs, reusable ice• Self-contained first aid kit• Fire extinguisher• Smoke detector• Carbon monoxide detector• Gas or diesel fuel tank or container

Items below that have a sales price of $1,000 or less:• Portable generators and power cords

For more information about Alabama’s annual Sales Tax Holiday for Severe Weath-er Preparedness, visit ADOR’s Website at www.revenue.alabama.gov.

Bay Breeze Guest HouseShort Term RentalMember 21 Years

Big LotsDepartment StoreMember 2 Years

Crooked Hook Fishing Charters, LLCFishing GuideMember 3 Years

Hughes Cremation Center & Funeral ServicesFuneral Home/Cem-eteryMember 8 Years

McKeel & AssociatesLogistics ConsultantMember 3 Years

Mercedes-Benz of MobileAutomobile Dealer/New & UsedMember 3 Years

Rosie’s GrillRestaurantMember 3 Years

Women’s Business Center, Inc.Business ConsultantMember 12 Years

Optera Creative/Idenity SignsWeb Publishing/DevelopmentMember 2 Years

Mobile Airport AuthorityAirport/Transportation FacilityMember 4 Years

BB&TBankMember 30 Years

American Family Care-DaphnePhysicians-Surgeons, FamilyMember 2 Years

BancorpSouthBankMember 8 Years

Southpoint Bank-Mortgage LendingMortgage BankMember 5 Years

WALA Fox 10 & WFNA The CWTelevision BroadcastMember 16 Years

Coldwell Banker, Reehl PropertiesRhonda HiceRealtorMember 18 Years

Eastern Shore AntiquesAntiques & GiftsMember 6 Years

Fish River TreesTree Farm-ChristmasMember 26 Years

Terminix InternationalPest/Termite ControlMember 31 Years

Courtyard by MarriottHotelMember 5 Years

Great KitchensAppliance SalesMember 16 Years

Jean McKeeArtistMember 2 Years

Local 15 TV & UTV 44Television BroadcastMember 3 Years

Smeraglia’s Puppy UniversityPet Grooming/BoardingMember 2 Years

Sun FlooringFloor CoveringMember 2 Years

United States Sports AcademyUniversityMember 27 Years

Driftwood RV ParkRV ResortMember 13 Years

Jones Walker, LLPBradley ByrneAttorneysMember 2 Years

Nonnenmacher & Clark, PCAccountants-Certified PublicMember 1 Years

South Alabama Region-al Planning CommissionGovernment AgencyMember 1 Year

The Arlington at Eastern Shore CentreApartmentsMember 4 Years

Bay Flooring & De-sign, Inc.Floor CoveringMember 4 Years

Care House Baldwin County Child Advocacy CenterCivic or Fraternal OrganizationMember 3 Years

Daniell, Upton & Perry, PCAttorneysMember 1 Year

Eastern Shore Literacy CouncilCivic or Fraternal OrganizationMember 14 Years

Fairhope Public LibraryPublic LibraryMember 20 Years

Kopesky, Britt & Norton, LLCAttorneysMember 30 Years

Leroy Hill Coffee CompanyBeverage CompanyMember 3 Years

McDowell Knight Roedder & Sledge, LLCAttorneysMember 1 Year

Mobile Ballet Eastern ShoreDance Ballet ProductionMember 3 Years

The Park at Whispering PinesApartmentsMember 5 Years

Tyndall Federal Credit UnionCredit UnionMember 2 Years

United BankBankMember 6 Years

White-Spunner ConstructionConstruction-General ContractorMember 5 Years

Workshops, Etc!Consultant-TrainingMember 12 Years

Chill Yogurt CafeFrozen Custart/TreatsMember 1 Year

Weight WatchersWight Loss/FitnessMember 2 Years

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDDAPHNE, AL

PERMIT NO.155

P.o. drawer 310daphne, alabama 36526-0310(251) 621-8222faX (251) 621-8001www. eschamber.com

TourismTraffic Report

December 2012

December 2012 412 December 2011 594

International Visitors:

December 2012 31December 2011 29

Tourism information is available at www.eschamber.com

Demographics UpdateData for Baldwin Co.

December 2012

Total Homes/Townhomes Sold: 185Total Homes On Market: 1,618Average Days on Market: 169

Average Selling Price: $213,556Total Condos Sold: 94

Total Condos on Market 972Average Days on Market: 181

Average Selling Price: $270,830

Unemployment Data:Alabama 11/12-7.5% 11/11 - 8.3%Baldwin 11/12-6.3% 11/11-7.1%

United States 11/12-7.7% 11/11-8.2%

Resources: Baldwin County Association of Realtors

Alabama Bureau of Labor Statistics

feBruarY1 Apollo’s Mystics Parade, Daphne, 6:45 pm.2 The Haven’s Mystic Mutts of Revelry, 3:30, Fairhope.2 Knights of Ecor Rouge, Fairhope, 7 pm.6 Wine Tasting at the American Legion Post 199 Fairhope, 700 S. Mobile St., $15, wine, food, raffle. 928-9132.7 Business After Hours, 5 - 7pm, Fairfield Inn & Suites, 12000 Cypress Way, Spanish Fort. 621-8222. An ESCoC event.8 Mystic Order of Persephone Parade, Daphne, 6:45 pm. 8 Maids of Jubilee Parade, Fairhope, 6:30 pm.9 Krewe of Mullet Mates Parade, Point Clear, 2 pm.9 Shadow Barons Parade, Daphne, 6:45 pm, Daphne. 10 Loyal Order of Fire Truck, 2 pm, Daphne.11 Order of Mystic Magnolias Parade, Fairhope, 7 pm.18 Baldwin Pops Concert, 7 pm, Fairhope Civic Center, 232-1013.19 Eggs N’ Issues, “ALDOT Priorities for 2013 & I-10, Vince Calametti, ALDOT, 8:30 am. Daphne UMC, $10, includes breakfast. RSVP 928-6387 or 621-8222. An ESCoC event.12 Mardi Gras Day. (Chamber office closed)21 Morning Marketing Meeting, Scenic Overlook office, 8 am. 621-8222. An ESCoC event.21 Young Professionals Social, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Rosie’s Record Bar. An ESCoC event.23 Chili for Charity Cook-Off at Oak Hollow Farm from 11:30 am - 2 pm, Ecumenical Ministries, 928-3430.

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