CHAMBER BULLETIN

Gift Certificate Program Helps Marketing
Businesses who participate in the Winthrop Gift Certificate program are exposing themselves to thousands of local consumers. As part of the Chamber’s plan to market Winthrop’s businesses, it’s another way for people to see what Winthrop has to offer. Even if someone does not use the gift certificate at your business, they still see it on the list of all participating establishments that is enclosed in every envelope, as well as in all advertising.
The results have been better than expected! Instead of customers buying a mall or department store gift certificate, they are buying one for their town. This cooperative effort is a way for us, as members of the Chamber of Commerce, to compete with the malls and the big-box stores.

Business Counseling Available
Want to improve your business? Winthrop Chamber members have found ways to: reduce collection days and credit risks; improve marketing, sales, and cash flows; increase inventory turns; get help with financing; writing a business plan; and much more. Enjoy round-table discussions and decide which ideas work for you.
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) offers free, confidential help. Get feedback or ask questions. Call for an appointment at 781-289-8009. SCORE is located at 310 Broadway in Revere, Tuesdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Members Referral Service
As Chamber of Commerce members, you will receive referrals from our office when people call asking for your particular type of business. It is our policy to refer ONLY Chamber members. The office receives hundreds of calls/e-mails each year, including those looking to relocate or visit.
Remember also, as a Chamber member you receive a free listing on the website directory at winthropchamber.com and ILoveWinthrop.com, with both sites together attracting over 2,000 visitors each month!

Higher Business Tax is Not the Solution
As we know, the tax rate is based on valuations of property; businesses pay on real estate and personal property, while homeowners pay on real estate. Market values are based upon property sales within a given time frame. We have seen a rapid rise in the selling prices of homes. This increases the overall home valuations, but the value of business properties (based upon recent sales) has been level at best. The issue then becomes not how to increase the tax dollars of our local businesses, but how to increase the value of our business property. To solve this, we need to look at the economy, business regulations and overall lack of support for local business.
Given that Winthrop is a largely residential community with small pockets of businesses that are mostly mom-and-pop operations (locally-owned by residents), it is doubtful that elevating the tax rate of businesses would solve the Town’s revenue problems for the long-term. Our town does not support a business-friendly climate.
Instead of a quick-fix such as a split tax rate, the Chamber of Commerce is advocating for its members to encourage the Town to develop projects that would have a positive economic outcome for our community.
Winthrop has the numbers to support business in our community. The people seem to want to support business; we need to find a way to send a message to developers and companies that Winthrop is a place to do business. We need new development to attract business because a lot of the development was done at the turn of the last century when merchants didn’t need the space they require now. The waterfront offers us this opportunity if we do it right.
The economic impact of a split tax rate may not close every Winthrop’s business, but rest assured that we will be sending a message to potential developers and entrepreneurs that this is NOT the place to invest.  Winthrop has lost most retail shopping stores and is now using the stores for service type establishments such as nail salons and offices. The Chamber is trying to attract a broad scope of business with a carefully executed economic development plan, but cannot succeed without the support of our town’s government. The old adage “time is money,” rings true to the taxpayers who ultimately will pay the price for the Town’s inability to move a project forward.

Free Standing Signs Now Legal
Now permitted are "A" frame or free standing signs, not larger than 2’ x 4’. This has been an issue the Chamber has long pursued. A permit must be filed and approved by the Winthrop Building Department each year. The Town fee is $30/year.

What if there was no Chamber?
There would be no office to respond to the many inquiries about the community and its opportunities.
There would be no forum wherein the business community can exchange views and positions, and no voice to express those to governmental and other agencies.
There would be no information gathering center with which to inform the business community and advise it of current events affecting them.
There would be no collective force to make known the physical needs of the community such as improved roads, parking, utilities, facilities, safety and the like.
There would be no focal point for social gathering of the business community wherein an exchange of ideas and services may take place.
If there were not a Chamber of Commerce, chances are you would be among the forerunners of a group to establish one.
Your Chamber is a rallying point and an instrument for the promotion of plans, ideas and projects.

Why Is It...?
A man wakes up under an advertised blanket on an advertised mattress, pulls off advertised pajamas, shaves with an advertised razor, brushes his teeth with an advertised brush and toothpaste, washes with advertised soap, and puts on advertised clothes. He then drinks advertised coffee and drives off to work in an advertised car. But he refuses to advertise, believing it doesn’t pay. Later, when business is poor because he didn’t advertise, he puts his business up for sale—and advertises it.

Canoe Race on the Charles River
A Japanese company and an American company decided to have a canoe race on the Charles River. Both the teams practiced hard and long to reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.
Afterward, the American team became very discouraged and morally depressed. The management of the American team decided the reason for the crushing defeat had to be found. A "Management Team" made up of senior management officials was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.
The Management Team concluded that the reason for the defeat was because the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 8 persons steering and one person rowing.
So the Management Team hired a consulting company and paid them an incredible amount of money. They advised that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.
To prevent losing to the Japanese again next year, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 person rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the "Rowing Team Quality First Program," with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rower.
American management proudly stated, "We must give the rower empowerment and enrichments through this quality program."
The next year the Japanese won by two miles. Humiliated, the management of the American team laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. Then they distributed the money saved as bonuses to the senior executives.
Thank goodness this is just a story and this sort of thing doesn't happen in real life, huh.