Tom Chapman, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, talks about what Cornstalks is and how the demonstration night went.

 

One of the presenters was Nick Bowden, CEO of MindMixer.com.

For information on the Cornstalks demonstration night:

Silicon Prairie News – Cornstalks Demo Night photos & takeaways

The Greater Omaha Young Professionals, the Greater Omaha Chamber’s entrepreneurship team and the Lincoln Young Professionals Group are co-sponsoring a welcome reception for the 2011 Summit for Entrepreneurship.
Join us at the Bistro in the Courtyard Marriott Hotel (next door to the conference center) for drinks and networking.

The reception will be followed by the highly popular monthly Cornstalks event to which all are invited.  Cornstalks is an entrepreneurship program organized by the Greater Omaha Chamber. Entrepreneurs Mark Vipond of Lodo
Software and Dwight Hanson of Treetop Ventures will be presenting.

Location:
Bistro at the Courtyard Omaha La Vista Hotel
12560 Westport Parkway
La Vista, NE 68128

Time:
Thursday, February 24th
5:30 p.m. – Social in bistro at the Courtyard Omaha LaVista
7:30 p.m. – Cornstalks

To register or more information see
http://www.omahayoungprofessionals.org/EventsDetail.aspx?ID=15400 .
Additional inquiries can be directed to Jason Ball at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce – 402.436.2350 / jball@LCOC.com

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, for example, is one avenue for area businesses searching for ways to increase success in the Omaha metro.  The chamber has an entire department devoted to entrepreneurs and works with the businesses to increase development by focusing on economic growth and on membership function.  Over 80 percent of the members are small businesses.

Tom Chapman, director of entrepreneurship and innovation for the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber serves three main functions when it comes to small business owners.  The first is connectivity.  The Chamber helps companies find the right customer or helps point the company toward finding customers.

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce provides area entrepreneurs with a launching platform to get businesses moving in the Omaha metro.

“Instead of making hundreds of calls, we help businesses make the right one call,” Chapman said.  “This saves time and stress and gives time to focus on the business rather than wasting time on finding a customer.”

The second step is strategic positioning.  The Chamber helps these companies form a product and establish their base.  The goal is to find something new and innovative that is unique for the small business. This creates a platform for the company to build off of and grow. Businesses are also given guidance on changes that need to be made in order for success to occur.

The third step is finding peers within the business community to help mentor the new entrepreneur.  Establishing a network of business connections provides not only useful information to those starting out but it also provides education in improving success.  Chapman said the Chamber often works with the University of Nebraska in helping businesses find peers and mentors.

“If somebody walked in off the street and wanted to start a business, we help them find the next person,” Chapman said.  “It might be really important for them to meet with somebody with a business plan or a banker or whoever they need to help them move forward.”

Those interested in joining the Omaha Chamber of Commerce can apply online.  Once a member, the Chamber publishes the particular business’ information in a directory. The directory typically sees over 70,000 views each month. Also, members receive attention through special initiatives such as the Buy the Big O! Show and other events.

“Generally, most of our members are successful before they join and we help augment and accelerate that success,” Chapman said.

Those who seek the guidance of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce typically have stronger tools to grow a business but also maintain a business against other businesses by promoting competition.

“People who join the chamber are more likely to succeed than those who don’t,” Chapman said.  “The Chamber will help you make more money, save time and reduce costs.”

Thank you to Silicon Prairie News for hosting this video.