Upcoming Events

Business Incubator Interest Survey
The City of Aztec is evaluating the potential for establishing a small business incubator to assist with business start ups in the city. To aid with this study the City, in partnership with the San Juan College Enterprise Center, has developed a brief survey that is available at the link below. We invite you to take part in the survey and provide the City of Aztec with your answers to a few questions that will help them evaluate the effectiveness of this effort. Thank you very much!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CSB2QT7

 

“CAN YOU KICK YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE UP A NOTCH AND IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE?”

As a writer, I look forward to my time on a plane when I can pull out my laptop or iPad to write.  In my research, I also look for great articles to help our business grow and to apply the valuable information it may offer. I found this great article by Rosanne D'Ausilio, Author and Master Consultant some time ago and I wanted to share it with you. I hope it also offers you an opportunity to apply valuable lessons to your business:

“I'm going off topic (but not really) to tell you about something that just happened to me. I was away this past week speaking at two conferences. Flying from Norfolk, VA to Baltimore, MD, I was seated beside two wonderful silver-haired senior ladies. Now usually I don't speak much on a plane, especially since I had just presented for 1 1/2 hours (without a microphone). However, I was looking through my newest book that just came out, Lay Your Cards On The Table: 52 Ways to Stack Your Personal Deck.

My granddaughter Lauren's picture is opposite the Smile poem in the book. The woman next to me noticed the page so I showed her, well bragged about, my granddaughter.  She took the book from me, read the poem, and asked if I wrote it. I told her I wrote the entire book and she shared this information with her seat-mate who I later found out was her sister, Anne.

They were opening at random and reading various humorous and/or inspirational readings. Why am I telling you this? For the first time I was privy to immediate, spontaneous feedback.  It could be interpreted as live monitoring.  I actually felt like I was eavesdropping--and it was wonderful.  Here's what I heard:

·         Oh, this is so funny … I'm going to love reading this book.

·         Listen to this (and she quoted to her sister)

·         Spontaneous laughter.

·         This is so moving.  I'm enjoying this already.

·         I hope I can have this attitude someday.

·         The world would be a better place if everyone read this one.

·         What great Christmas presents this would make!  Can we buy more from you?

So, what are the lessons here? Ask your customer!  Do you want to know how you are doing? Ask your customer! Give your customers value, and they'll ask to buy more. It's very simple, not complicated.  Ask your customer! Give your customers what they want. Check in with them to see how you're doing. Put in corrections, when and if necessary, and then be prepared to sell them more products and/or services.”

It really is that easy!!

 

AZTEC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "JAZZ IT UP" AWARDS BANQUET

Being a part of the Aztec Community excites me in that I have an opportunity to become involved by giving back to my community, enjoy purchasing my goods from local businesses, and getting to know individuals who pay it forward (do something good for someone in response to a good deed done on your behalf).  So this year, I am excited to be a part of Aztec Chamber of Commerce’s “Jazz It Up” Awards Banquet…

 

It’s that time of year to think about an outstanding business, individual, and educator within our community, to be the recipient of our Chamber’s prestigious awards presented at the Aztec Chamber of Commerce’s Jazz It Up Awards Banquet, Saturday, April 18, 2015:   

Jazz It Up!

Aztec Chamber of Commerce

Award Nomination Form

Deadline: March 19, 2015

Dear Aztec Community Member,

It is time to think about the outstanding businesses, individuals, and educators! On April 18, 2015, we will present these prestigious awards. This annual presentation goes to those who have attained and embody the highest level of professional excellence in his/her business or profession and who have devoted time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in our community. Nominations may be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , faxed to 505-334-7648 or mail/deliver them to the Aztec Chamber of Commerce at 110 N. Ash, Aztec, NM 87410.  DEADLINE: Thursday March 19, 2015.

The Awards

Citizen of the Year

Criteria: A nominee must have accomplished during the past year an act or acts of outstanding public service and betterment for the Aztec community, not associated with the nominee’s employment.

Business of the year

Eligibility:  Be located in the City of Aztec or have direct ties to an Aztec project, and be a current member of the Aztec Chamber.

Criteria:  The Award Winner will be selected based on their answers to the following questions:

1.       What are the company’s core values, goals and overall mission?

2.       Please give a brief history of the business.

3.       Please provide details that demonstrate the company’s profitability, growth and stability over the past three years.

4.       How has the company built and maintained its leadership role in the Aztec business community?

5.       How has the company contributed to the economic vitality of Aztec?

6.       What has the company done to create a corporate culture that is supportive of its employees and their quality of life?

7.       In what ways does the company give back to the Aztec community?

Educator of the Year

Eligibility: A professional recognized in the field of education who has made a significant contribution through education to improve the Aztec community.

Criteria: The Award Winner will be selected based on their answers to the following   questions:

1. Dedicated and committed to educational profession and the Aztec community
2. Competent and resourceful in providing ties between education and the business community
3. Generally recognized by colleagues as an outstanding contributor to the field of education
4. Respected by students and peers

Nomination Process

Businesses that meet the award requirements are encouraged to apply directly for the award. In addition, businesses, educators and citizens may be nominated by another individual.

If you would like to nominate a business for this award:

·         Download the Nomination Form Here and complete it

·         Attach a separate sheet which answers the questions listed in the appropriate criteria section above.

·         Collateral material may be included such as photos, brochures, newsletters and press releases.

·         Nominations must be returned to the Aztec Chamber of Commerce No Later Than March 19, 2015.

Call (505)334-7646 with any questions about Nominations.

 

If you enjoy special events and creativity comes easy to you, join our Events Taskforce (a taskforce has a beginning and an end) to help the Chamber with the banquet and upcoming events. Call us at (505) 334-7646 or contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

BUSINESS LUNCHEON – FEBRUARY

Thank you to our wonderful panel of speakers: J.R. Sikes with TALON, Sally Burbridge with Growth Potential and Roberta Rogers with San Juan Regional Medical Center for sharing some great information about Marketing Your Business at the Chamber’s February Business Luncheon. Many interested parties were excited to learn about the this topic and had lots of questions for our panelists.

 

EMV – Credit/Debit Card October 2015 Deadline 

If you are a merchant that accepts credit cards and debit cards to sell your programs, products, and/or services, changes for this payment process are right around the corner. Are you familiar with the liability that may occur in the switch that is expected to take place October 2015? 

You can read the latest informational articles on EMV changes here: 

• "U.S. rolling out chip card technology, ever so slowly"

• "EMV Implementation: Who is Ready?"

   

AZTEC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We are looking for two amazing individuals to join our Board of Directors. The Aztec Chamber of Commerce adds members to its Board of Directors annually. Board members will be chosen from individuals who have exhibited a desire to serve and should be highly motivated individuals committed to further the goals and objectives of the Chamber. Board meetings are generally held the first Wednesday of each month at 5:15 pm. Financial support of the Chamber comes from membership dues, fundraising projects, investments, special events and our annual banquet. The Chamber operates on a budget approved by the Board.

Characteristics of a valuable board member includes: 1) attend and participate in board meetings; 2) attend and support events and programs of the organization; 3) willingness to chair a committee; and 4) advocate membership among non-members.

Are you that special someone looking to make a difference in the community? If so, call us at (505) 334-7646 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

Written by Vangie Garza Neil

Vice-President/Secretary

Aztec Chamber of Commerce

 

The Aztec Chamber of Commerce is not part of the City of Aztec. The Chamber does not receive funding from the City of Aztec with the exception of their annual membership. The work we do and its support is based solely on your chamber membership dues and the Chamber’s fundraising events. We felt it was important for you to know that as our role is to be your voice in so many levels.