Brentwood Chamber

Holiday Parade Winners

Saturday evening, in historic downtown Brentwood, the streets were lined with people to cheer on the entries in the Holiday Parade.  Some old timers said it was the biggest crowd there had ever seen for the parade.   Certainly it was the biggest and longest parade the Chamber has ever had, with more floats, cars, horses, cheering squads, singers and dancers.  Mayor Bob Taylor said , “It was the largest crowd he had ever seen and was extremely happy about the attendance.”

The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all 86 different participants in the parade for making it such a big success.  The Chamber offers its congratulations to the following category winners of our 26^th Holiday Parade.  

Best of Parade               Dainty Center/Willow Wood School

Best Auto                                Delta PT Cruisers

Best Band                      Liberty High School Marching Band

Best Equestrian                      Robin Swanson

Best Equestrian Group          Costenos de Brentwood

Best Float                               Knightsen 4-H Club

Best Military               USMC Delta Diablo Detachment 1155

Best Municipal       Brentwood Police Explorer Honor Guard

Best Novelty              East County Performing Arts Center

Best Pooper Scooper             Sergio Azila

For more information, you can contact the Chamber office at  925-634-3344 .

Surviving In These Difficult Business Times

Times are tough all over and businesses both large and small are struggling to keep alive. Small businesses are taking it on the chin as the trickledown effect of people holding on to their monies; along with the tightening of credit offerings is putting a serious squeeze on cash flow.
 
Stay focused on your goal, (to make money) as you trudge through these tough times and stay strong, as sometimes the biggest winners in a down economy are those that do nothing more than ensure they are the "last man standing".  Here are a few tips that might help you keep your doors open while we all try to survive crunch of a down economy: 

• You will have to work harder, work longer hours, and you will have to work smarter.
• Re-touch with your current and past clients.  Focus on re-establishing contacts and extending contracts.  It's easier to retain a customer than to find a new one.
• Be professional, dress professional, you and your business need to make great first impression.
• Keep marketing and advertising.  Those companies that retain visibility during down times tend to have an advantage over those who quit promoting their business to save a few pennies. 
• Network.  Be out there connecting with other businesses, potential opportunities for leads, and customers.  Maintain your Chamber membership. Chambers are the best place to make contacts.
• Stay positive.  People get tired of whining and complaining.  You will notice that customers will come back to businesses where they have enjoyed positive experiences.  The sky isn't falling, and the sun is still going to rise tomorrow. 
• Know your competition.
• Evaluate your staff, reduce or cut back positions to control your costs.  Salaries make up a large part of most budgets and you can sink the ship by retaining your whole staff because you don’t want to let someone go, or cut back their hours. 
• Utilize outsourcing to save money.  Bring in a temp for a project instead of keeping someone on staff year round.  Let your vendors help you do the support tasks so you can focus on the things you do best.
• Don't panic and do something stupid.  Rash decisions can be costly, these difficult business times may not change tomorrow, but this will pass.
• Focus on value; you shouldn't cut your prices as a way to generate more traffic.  A reduction in prices rarely increases business enough to offset the discount.  But be competitive and creative in how you price and present your product or service.
• Pay your invoices at the maximum time allowed instead of the order they are received.  Let your money earn you interest instead of your vendor.
• Renegotiate your debts, leases, and credit terms.  Credit is cash flow and cash flow is necessary for survival.  Lenders and vendors will almost always work with you if you take the time to ask.
• Stay on top of your receivables.  Encourage prompt payment with incentives if you must and don't be afraid to pick up a check on delivery whenever possible. 

Times are challenging, but if you manage your business and your workforce effectively you can maneuver from struggling business to market leader once the economy turns around.  Keep the faith and be strong and the rewards will come to you and your in the end.

Coauthored by: David Mengel,                                                               Harry York,
Owner/President Gemini Staffing, Brentwood                 Brentwood Chamber, CEO
 (925) 513-7069 
dmengel(at)geministaffing.com