Wednesday, Jul. 07, 2010

Business Notes

On the board

Pandora Holloway, chief compliance officer for WakeMed Health & Hospitals, has joined the board of directors at the Garner Chamber of Commerce.

New business selling hot dogs

The Dog Hut, a hot-dog stand in the Cleveland community, is now open for lunch in front of Fast Lube Plus at 40 Technology Drive. The stand is open from 10:30 a.m. till 1:30 p.m. weekdays, weather permitting. The stand is also available for private events. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/thedoghut or call 919-747-1558.

Business academy

The Garner Chamber of Commerce will debut its business academy in July. Monthly teaching programs are scheduled for business professionals.

Meetings, to be held at the Garner Chamber of Commerce, are sheduled from 8:30 till 10 a.m. the third Thursday of the month starting July 15. The chamber's office is located at 401 Circle Drive.

July 15: North Carolina: A State Under Siege - A review of upcoming issues, including changes in the way unions organize companies, changes in the Department of Labor regulations regarding overtime and IRS rules.

Aug. 19: Doing More with Less - Have you reduced your workforce so much that your employees complain of being overburdened and stressed? This program is about engaging and retaining your valued employees. Learn cost-effective ways to have a better team.

Sept. 16: Health-Care Reform - Will health-care reform force employers to cancel their health benefits or will employers be forced to provide health benefits to all employees?

Employers who navigate health-care reform effectively will emerge with plans that they need in order to remain competitive and manage expenses in ways to retain their valued employees. This session will help you explore your options and make informed decisions.

Oct. 21: The Legal Side of Social Networking - How your employees use Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and blogs may cost your company millions. Did you know employees often spend excessive time at work social networking, badmouthing their employers and disclosing confidential information? This session will offer tips to help you develop your e-mail and Internet policies to guard against these practices.

Nov. 18: Life and Work Balance - It's not all about work. Healthy and well-balanced employees are much more productive. There are ways to encourage your employees to take responsibility for their wellness, and simple ways to help grow your bottom line.

To reserve a spot, send an e-mail to info@garnerchamber.com or call 919-772-6440. Each session costs $10 for chamber members and $20 for non-members. For the five-session series, the cost for chamber members is $40, and $80 for non-members.

For more information, 919-772-6440 or go to www.garnerchamber.com.

A retail star

Creighton Manor Interiors in Clayton has been named a Retail Star by Home Accents Today magazine. Nationwide, the magazine named 50 Retail Stars.

"Retail is a challenging profession, even in the best of times, but this year's Stars have met head-on the enormous challenge that our current economy represents," said Jenny Heinzen York, the magazine's editor.

"The 2010 Stars represent the very best of creative entrepreneurship, and we hope that this inspiring group of stores will serve as a reminder to everyone to support local innovative businesses."

Creighton Manor Interiors is at 50 Neuse River Parkway, Suite 7.