Search Results for: FLEX

Planning Underway for 2022 Bike ‘n Brew—July 16th

June 27, 2022 in category Chamber Blog tags 4 season cycle, bike, bike 'n brew, Bike Trails, biking, biking poker run, craft beer, OHF, oil city, Oil Heritage Festival and 0 comments.

The Oil Heritage Festival Bike ’n Brew Committee is excited about a day of biking activities and local, craft beer for the event in July. Similar to 2021, this year’s Bike ’n Brew will include a curbside package full of beer and other swag, as well as a VIP tasting for a limited number of attendees.

NEW this year—Jim with 4 Season Cycle in Franklin is helping plan a biking poker run, where riders will visit multiple businesses and spots in Oil City and get entered to win some awesome prizes. Tickets for the beer portion of the event are available for purchase now. Find more details & updates at ohfbikenbrew.org.

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) June 2022 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.

Foundations for Effective Communication

June 24, 2022 in category Chamber Blog tags Change, communication, connection, consultancy, Effective Communication, FLEX, FLEX Speaker Series, Hind T. Karns, local business, speaker series, WEMANIGIT, young professional and 0 comments.

“We communicate to understand each other, form meaningful connections, and inspire change.”

Hind T. Karns, Managing Director of Wemanigit, a new local business consultancy, spoke to young professionals at the FLEX Speaker Series in May on the importance of communication and how to do it effectively.

One important takeaway from the evening was how to inspire change, through elements such as authenticity, visibility, and trust.

How to be a better listener was also discussed and some ways Hind shared for teaching yourself to improve included being curious, asking open-ended questions, monitoring body language, and clarifying.

Another important part of the conversation included finding common ground. Personalities and styles play a big role and Hind had attendees take a Communication Style quiz, which talked about four types of styles—connector, planner, thinker, and mover. If you’d like to take the quiz, you can find it at personalitylingo.com/freecommunication-style-quiz.

“Communication is a gift. If every individual takes responsibility for their own actions, communicates with love, authenticity, and purpose—our world will be a much better place,” Hind told the group.

A lot about communication was covered in just a short amount of time and we appreciate all the knowledge Hind shared with young professionals! To learn more about her business, visit wemanigit.com.

Have a topic you’d like us to focus on at an upcoming speaker series? Let us know!

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) June 2022 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.

Addressing the Shift in Workplace Dynamics

June 22, 2022 in category Chamber Blog tags benefit, business owner, employees, employers, Matthew Bricker, My Benefit Advisor, shift, venango chamber, work culture, workforce, workplace, workplace dynamics and 0 comments.

From My Benefit Advisor

The past few years have seen drastic shifts in the workplace environment. Today’s workforce has taken on a look different from that of the past, with employee demographics more diverse than ever before, including an ever-widening range of ages, racial groups, and ethnic backgrounds.

Many of these groups, notably including women, are commanding a greater sphere of influence and power. Furthermore, the employees of today are demanding new approaches to work culture, looking for employers to recognize their personal needs and value, both in the workplace and in their home life.

Business owners, aware of these shifts and the dynamic changes between employer/employee relationships, have taken notice and are reshaping their workplace practices and benefit portfolios to avoid any potential turnover in their workforce.

As a result, employers are offering more competitive pay, enhanced health benefits, and flexible work-from-home arrangements. But more than just competitive pay, employees have demanded racial, gender and pay equity. Employers have recognized that creating an inclusive culture is not only the right thing to do, but important to the success of their company and its long-term growth and profitability, since today’s employees are quick to begin searching for new employment if they feel needs are not being met.

The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at vacc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Matthew Bricker at (800) 377-3539.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s June 2022 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.

Save the Date! 2022 Bike ‘n Brew

May 30, 2022 in category Chamber Blog tags Beer, Beer tasting, bike 'n brew, FLEX, meeting, OHF, Oil Heritage Festival and 0 comments.

We’re excited to announce that this year’s Oil Heritage Festival Bike ‘n Brew will be on Saturday, July 16th!

The 2022 event will be hybrid, similar to last year. It will include a cooler tote bag full of local craft beer and other fun items, and a limited number of tickets will be available for an in-person beer tasting.

The Bike ‘n Brew Committee is meeting Wednesday, May 4, at 6 p.m. at Scierka’s Tavern and invites anyone interested in helping plan the event to attend.

If you plan to come to the meeting or would like to learn more about getting involved, contact us at flex@venangochamber.org.

Find updates for Bike ‘n Brew at ohfbikenbrew.org.

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) May 2022 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.