Search Results for: FLEX

Meet Our Board: Greg Plowman

December 2, 2021 in category Chamber Blog tags Greg Plowman, meet our board, scierka's tavern, venango chamber, venango chamber board, Venango Chamber Board of Directors and 0 comments.

Greg Plowman, a Franklin native and owner of Scierka’s Tavern in Oil City, joined the Venango Chamber Board of Directors in 2020.

Greg lives in Oil City with his wife Andree, where they own Scierka’s Tavern, an establishment that has been a part of Oil City history since 1937. Sceirka’s specializes in Polish food and is known for their great selection of craft beers. In his work, Greg says his responsibilities include everything from bartending and cooking to landscaping, maintenance, and marketing. He says: “We really enjoy the relationships we’ve created with our customers.”

Understanding the importance of being involved in your community, Greg is a member of St. Joseph’s Church, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Be Here Ambassador, and part of the SAFE HOUSE program.

Greg and his family are great supporters of the Be Here program and have hosted and assisted with FLEX and Chamber events.

In his free time, Greg said he enjoys lifting weights, riding bikes on the beautiful Venango County Trails, and trying out new restaurants with his family.

When asked why he is excited about serving on the Chamber board, Greg said: “I think the Chamber is a huge positive economic and marketing force in our area. I’m glad I was chosen to help the other members and continue to grow all the great businesses in Venango County.”

Thank you for your service on the Chamber board, Greg!

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s November 2021 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.

Professional Development Tip: Being a Valuable Asset at Your Workplace

November 23, 2021 in category Chamber Blog tags Amariliz Sanchez, appearance, Being a Valuable Asset, first impressions, healthy work and personal life balance, nonverbal communication, personal life, positive attitude, professional development, professional development tip, valuable asset, Workplace tip and 0 comments.

By Amariliz Sanchez (Clerk Typist, Clarion University – Venango)

Being a valuable asset to any workplace involves many factors that affect us in the workplace as well as in our personal lives. Below are three tips to keep in mind that have personally helped me:

Have a Positive Attitude
Having a positive attitude attracts good energy and benefits ourselves, as well as the people around us. The truth is simple— no one wants to be around someone that complains all day. If we focus on the negative, chances are the problem may be with ourselves or the way we see the world. If this is the case, we should take a step back and analyze where we can start making small changes to have a positive attitude throughout the day.

For example, if you catch yourself about to complain, stop and ask yourself: “For what purpose am I stating the negative? Do I really want to make a difference or am I just complaining because I have nothing else to say?” We can also reflect on two positive aspects for each negative, so that we can put things into perspective. Having a negative attitude is a repellent to others and can lead to lost opportunities in life. Having a positive attitude will also decrease stress levels and lead to improving our overall health.

Appearances Matter
Even if we have the best attitude, the way we present ourselves is also important. Nonverbal communication goes beyond hand gestures and facial expressions—it entails the visual message we send by the clothes we wear. Think about the message we give when we wear comfortable loungewear compared to the clothes we choose for an interview. Without words, each outfit sends a different message.

Similar to our attitudes, first impressions leave a lasting effect on how others perceive us and, including how we dress in the workplace. The message we send to others by our appearance can also lead to new or lost opportunities in life. This doesn’t mean you must wear formal attire or expensive name brands. When we present ourselves in clean, wrinkle-free clothing that fits properly, we are sending the message we care about how we look, but also how we represent our workplace.

Maintain a Healthy Work and Personal Life Balance
Constantly working off hours? Checking emails at the dinner table? Signing up for one committee after another, without enough time for everything? This may seem familiar to many, including myself. In the past, I dedicated so much time to my work and didn’t realize I was missing out on quality family time. I found myself always thinking about my “work to-do list” and finding a reason to send “just one last email.”

This changed when I learned how to say “no.” When I made a clear separation in my schedule between work and personal life, I noticed things began to fall into place and I was able to find time for things that I truly enjoy.

When we take on too much because we are afraid of letting someone down, we end up overwhelming ourselves with too many projects and not enough time. Many mistakes are made because of this, and we miss out on important time with our loved ones. It’s important to find a healthy balance. We should take inventory of how our hours are spent and analyze where we should set clear distinction between work and personal life. Stick to this schedule one day at a time and before you know it you will see your productivity increase while still being able to enjoy your personal life.

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) November 2021 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.

Professional Development Tip: Share Your Leadership Daily

November 1, 2021 in category Chamber Blog tags Economic Development Manager, honesty, humility, Jennifer Feehan, kindness, Lead by Example, leadership, listen, Northwest Commission, NW PREP Coordinator, professional development, professional development tip, professional tips, selfawareness, Share Your Leadership Daily and 0 comments.

By Jennifer Feehan (Economic Development Manager & NW PREP Coordinator, Northwest Commission)

Just put yourself out there and get the ball rolling. Leadership is a word I had previously kept my distance with thinking it was a status you achieve when you have it all together. Knowing that was a stretch for me, I’ve always just plugged away trying my best wherever I was placed.

It wasn’t until recently—being part of the Leadership Venango Program Class of 2021—that I came to the realization that my efforts in striving to serve others was a recognized form of leadership. I remember the moment it clicked during one of our sessions and was cognizant in seeing myself as a leader for the first time.

We are all leaders in some capacity and all have unique offerings to contribute, so we need to tap into our selfawareness and bring our piece of the puzzle to the table. Leading by example is the best place to start and will encourage others to take their step forward to get more involved. Some ways to lead by example include:

Be Honest
Communicate your message upfront. Keep it simple. Keep it straightforward. Deliver your words with authenticity. Aim to be transparent and genuine. Honesty builds trust which will strengthen your mission.

Be Kind
Listen to others intently. Strive to be compassionate and make a commitment to offer empathy. Extend respect and conduct yourself ethically. Remain vigilant of surroundings and proactive to mitigate misunderstandings. Extend forgiveness and do not make mountains out of molehills. Focusing on the positives will advance your vision.

Be Humble
Cultivate gratefulness and demonstrate appreciation. When a mistake is made, own it and make it right. Make efforts to be consistent, approachable, and reliable. Accountability will direct you in accomplishing your goal.

While there are many steps you can take to be a leader, being honest, kind, and humble can impact those around you each day. Best of luck on your leadership journey, and don’t forget you ARE a leader and have something to contribute.

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) October 2021 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.