Shift. Sustain. Succeed.

The Venango Chamber’s business development resource series.

This series took place from April 28, 2020 through November 12, 2020.

Shift. Sustain. Succeed. is a business development series brought to you by the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce. Each week we will answer your outstanding questions, to help:

  • SHIFT your business to navigate the circumstances
  • Identify what is most important to SUSTAIN your mission
  • Plan for SUCCESS in the future

We’ve invited local experts to address frequently asked questions in 30 minute Zoom sessions. In consideration of the quickly evolving environment we are in, each session topic is broad, but the specific content will be focused on the every-changing situation. 


Our Shift. Sustain. Succeed. series has ended, but we are often hosting other webinars. Visit our Events Page for upcoming events.


Previous Session Recordings and Resources:

November 12: Importance of Your Listings
View the session recording here.
Business Listing Updates Checklist
Venango Chamber Membership Directory
• Complete the Storytelling Interest Form

November 5: Utilizing the Chamber for Storytelling
View the session recording here.
VenangoWorks! Newsletter
FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter
• Be Here job board & events calendar
Virtual Town Hall: November 24
• Learn more about the Chamber’s Storytelling Initiative
• Complete the Storytelling Interest Form

October 29: Meet the Storyteller – Richard Sayer
View the session recording here.
• Learn more about Rich: richardsayerphotojournalism.weebly.com
• Simon Sinek TED Talk: How Great Leaders Inspire Action
• Story Brand: storybrand.com

October 22: Meet the Storyteller – Sydney Herdle
View the session recording here.
• Learn more about Sydney: sydneyherdlephotography.com
Social Media Tips for Small Businesses
• Tips for writing/sending press releases: Article 1 & Article 2
Useful Tips for Writing Compelling Website Copy

October 15: Meet the Storyteller – Valerie Perry
View the session recording here.
• Learn more about Valerie: valeriedperry.com
Sea More: Caribbean: Get the Most Out of Your Day in Port (Val’s book)
Why and How Visioning Works
• Tips for being comfortable on camera: Article 1 & Article 2

October 8: Intro to Storytelling
View the session recording here.
• Simon Sinek TEDTalk: How Great Leaders Inspire Action (Finding Your Why)
• Meet our storytellers: Valerie Perry | Sydney Herdle | Richard Sayer
• Fill out our Storytelling Interest Form

August 11 – Workforce Challenges
View the session recording here.
• Bev Rapp: berapp@pa.gov
• PA Dept of Labor and Industry Rapid Response Unit
• PA Dept of Labor and Industry website
• PA Unemployment website
• PA Unemployment FAQs
• NWIRC Supply Chain Webinars
• NWIRC COVID Recovery Program (CRP)

August 4 – Lessons from Leadership Venango
View the session recording here.
• Leadership Venango website
• Leadership Venango Class of 2021 Application of Interest

July 14 – Planning for Safe and Compliant Events
View the session recording here.
• CDC Event Guidelines
• Event Safety Alliance – Reopening Guide

July 7 – Understanding Supply Chain for Small Business
View the session recording here.
NWIRC Webinar with David Carroll – Uncovering the Flaws in Your Supply Chain
• SAP Systems mentioned by David:
• Netsuite
• SAP Business One
• Microsoft Dynamics AX
• Priority

June 30 – Connecting Resources to Needs (NWIRC)
View the session recording here.
Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC)
Steel Valley Authority
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Rapid Response
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – applications due TODAY 6/30
Small Business Administration (SBA)
• PA Business Grants – Apply through Bridgeway Capital or The Progress Fund

June 23 – PA 30 Day Fund, Pennsylvanians Helping Pennsylvanians
View the session recording here.
• PA 30 Day Fund Website
• Apply for the PA 30 Day Fund
• Donate to the PA 30 Day Fund

June 16  – Non-Profits: The Pulse of a Community
• View the session recording here.

June 11 – Opening Messages
• View the session recording here.
• How to write a press release
• Venango County Communication Directory

June 9 – Staying Healthy and Fit, A Doctor’s View
• View the session recording here.
• Seneca Medical Center website
• Dr. Atul Gawande – New Yorker articles

June 4 – Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association
• View the session recording here.
• CDC Guidelines for Restaurants and Bars
• CDC Considerations for Restaurants and Bars
• CDC Cleaning & Disinfecting Guidelines for Re-Opening
• LCB Extended Licences Premises
• PPP Guidance
• Restaurant & Hotel PA Promise Posters
• PRLA Website
• Melissa’s Weekly Webinars (Register and find archived episodes here)

June 2 – Diversify Your Revenue Stream
• View the session recording here.
• SCORE
• The LEAN Method
• Value Stream Mapping

May 28 – Stress Check, Maintaining Good Mental Wellness
• View the session recording here.
Hand in Hand Christian Counseling
• Regional Counseling Center
• Venango County Mental Health Services

May 26 – County Leadership, An Update With the Commissioners
• View the session recording here.
• Voter Registration and Election Information
• Information from the Governor about the Green Phase
• Contact information for the Venango County Commissioners

May 19 – PR/Marketing Through Change
• View the session recording here.
• Core Goods
• Gibbons Business Solutions
• Clarion University SBDC
Examples mentioned: Oil Region Library Association, Eckert Chiropractic, Trailasana Yoga, Show Us Your Local, Action Auto Service

May 21 – Insurance Concerns and Opportunities
• View the session recording here.
• Rossbacher Insurance Group Website

May 14 – Keeping Your Team Connected
• View session recording here.
• Create your own Zoom account
• Zoom video tutorials
• Microsoft Teams
• Cisco Webex
• TED Talks
• Coursera

May 12 – Disinfecting the Workplace/PPE
• View session recording here.
• Clorox: How to Make Your Own Disinfecting Solution
• Disinfectants for use against COVID-19
• Public Health Dept of Ontario – Bleach Dilution Calculator
• PPE Dos and Don’ts
• CDC: Mask Recommendations

May 7 – Returning to Work
• View session recording here.
• Information on phased re-opening
• FAQ’s on phased re-opening
• Senate Bill 1110 (Release of communicable disease information to first responders)
• House Bill 2408
• How to contact the Governor
• How to register to vote by mail

May 5 – Human Resources/Labor Law
View session recording here.
US Dept of Labor FFCRA Poster
US Dept of Labor FFCRA FAQs
Flow Charts for HR Professionals
UC 1921 Refusal for Suitable Work form
House Bill 68 – has information about Unemployment claims related to COVID-19
CDC: How to Wear a Mask
CDC: Cloth Face Coverings Q & A

April 30 – Tax Credits/Accounting
View session recording here.
SBA website for rules and guidance
Refusal for Work form

April 28 – PPP/EIDL
View session recording here (due to technical difficulties the first 15 minutes of this session were not recorded)
Resources mentioned: The SBA Customer Service number is 1-800-659-2955 and e-mail is disastercustomerservice@sba.gov to check on status of EIDL.