As you bounce all over town this holiday season, shopping for this and that, keep an eye open for the new Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce window sticker. Last week, we mailed them out to brick-and-mortar businesses that are current chamber members. We recommend placing the sticker in a highly visible location to let consumers know that your business has integrity and supports the community.

A national survey of 2,000 adults revealed that being in a local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy because two-thirds of consumers believe that such companies use good business practices, are reputable, care about their customers and are involved in the community. Consumers believe this because, in our experience, it’s true! It takes a certain kind of person to continually support an organization that supports the community and that person typically has good values across the board.

Allow me to paraphrase the results of the study conducted in 2012 by the Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm. They found consumer perceptions of chamber members to be positive in many ways:

When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber, they are 49% more likely to think favorably of it and 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber, consumers are 10% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition.

When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of the chamber, they are 36% more likely to think favorably of the company. When consumers know a restaurant franchise is a chamber member, they are 68% more likely to eat there in the next few months.

If consumers know that any small business is a member, the business enjoys a 49% increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 73% increase in consumer awareness, a 68% increase in its local reputation and an 80% increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.

According to the Schapiro Group, “the positive outcomes only occur when consumers know that a business is a chamber member.”

So let the world know you’re a member of the CV Chamber! Put the sticker in your window or on your truck. Put our logo on your website and in advertising. Put your logo on the various sponsorship opportunities we offer and in our online directory. If you’re not a member yet, join and take advantage of all these methods to promote your business. For help with any of this, please call us at (818) 248-4957.

And no matter what kind of business you patronize this season – be it home improvement, entertainment, dining, retail, health & beauty and beyond – consider patronizing chamber members. Access our handy online guide for a list. Or just look for the sticker. You’ll be glad you did!

Upcoming Event
Ribbon Cutting and Family Fun Day at Wells Fargo Bank, Foothill & La Crescenta on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  Lisa DUPUY