Mary Rutan Health is always working to improve access to and quality of healthcare in our community. A great example is how they recently partnered with C&A Benefits, Hickory Medical Direct Primary Care, and Prescription Bliss to help launch the innovative Logan County Health Plan in January of 2024. This plan provides a local medical insurance option for small and mid-size organizations that may not previously have been able to afford the highest quality coverage for their employees. The plan enables access to top tier medical care by leveraging the strength of local healthcare options and bypassing some of the traditional major insurance companies.

Mary Rutan Health is excited about the future, particularly in the area of provider recruitment. 2024 has been a successful year in bringing on board experienced and skilled professionals, including specialists in pain management, primary care, pediatrics, podiatry, orthopedics, cardiology, addiction treatment, and more. In the coming months, the organization looks forward to welcoming additional specialists, further enhancing their comprehensive healthcare services. Mary Rutan Health is always on the lookout for top-notch individuals to join their team. With more than 1,000 team members and endless opportunities for growth and support, they offer the area’s most competitive wages and benefits. Interested candidates can find a complete list of open positions and industry-leading benefits online at www.maryrutan.org/careers.

Mary Rutan Health’s century-long journey is a testament to its unwavering commitment to providing exceptional healthcare. As they continue to evolve and expand, their dedication to the community remains at the forefront of everything they do. With a focus on personalized care, innovative techniques, and community engagement, Mary Rutan Health is poised to continue serving Logan County and beyond for many years to come.
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Please join us in congratulating Mary Rutan Health as the Logan County Chamber of Commerce September 2024 Business of the Month!

Since its official dedication in July 1974, TRC has evolved into a comprehensive testing facility with a diverse range of capabilities and professional expertise. They are proud to be an independent partner of the world’s leading automotive and technology companies, helping them test and perfect their products, while making their operations more cost effective. Thousands of clients and decision makers from every sector (government, industry, research, education) have partnered with the researchers, engineers and drivers at TRC to test and refine their newest innovations. Today, they also continue to help their clients evolve with the new technologies of automated driving systems and connected vehicles.

Today, TRC employs nearly 500 professionals, including engineers, test drivers, research scientists, and other specialists. The facility operates 24/7 across its 4,500-acre campus, which boasts closed-road courses, rural lanes, a 7.5-mile high-speed oval test track, and over 70 acres dedicated to vehicle dynamics. Over the past 50 years, automotive innovations like airbags, anti-lock brakes, lane assist, and adaptive cruise control were all tested at TRC before they appeared on American roadways.

The unique marketing strategy of Transportation Research Center revolves around their proven track record of helping clients advance their automotive technologies through comprehensive testing and research services. Their state-of-the-art facilities, extensive expertise and collaborative approach is leveraged to deliver tailored solutions to each and every client. This client-centric approach, combined with dedication to quality and continuous improvement, has cemented TRC’s reputation as a leader in automotive research and development. This solid reputation has not gone unnoticed, as TRC was recently named Large Business of the Year by the Union County Chamber. CEO Brett Roubinek was also named by Smart Business Magazine an Ohio Smart 50 Awards honoree.

TRC recently ranked as one of Central Ohio’s Top Workplaces by Columbus CEO Magazine and USA Today. On top of this recognition, they were also awarded the Cultural Excellence Award by Columbus CEO Magazine where employees ranked TRC as exceeding expectations in Work-Life Balance, Compensation & Benefit, and Leadership & Innovation. If you know someone interested in helping shape the future of transportation, the Transportation Research Center offers a number of exciting career opportunities. Positions available include Autonomous Test Engineers, Test Conductors, Engineering Technicians, Self-Driving Vehicle Operators, Autonomous Specialists, and Research Engineers. With competitive wages and excellent benefits, TRC is an ideal “ground zero” workplace for those passionate about innovation. Interested candidates can find more information and apply on the TRC website: www.trcpg.com

​A significant part of customer service is engaging with your customers. Interacting with your customers shows that you have an adequate understanding of what good customer service is. Good customer service will make your customers feel less like they are just around to give away their money, and more like they are a priority, reminding them that they add value to your business. Knowing how to treat your customers will be very beneficial in the long run!
 
Why engage with customers?
 
Relationships:
By engaging with your customers, you will build new relationships with people. This could simply be with customers that you see on a regular basis, or even business professionals within the community! Forming new connections will eventually lead to building relationships. New connections can provide you with new ideas, resources, and perspectives. Having a relationship with your customers is what will make them want to come back. Customers will be more inclined to visit your establishment and spend their time and money there if they have a relationship with you. To build relationships, you must engage with customers.
 
Loyalty:
Consistently interacting with your customers allows you to build trust. This also plays a part in building relationships with your customers. If your customers can trust that you will provide what they need, have prices that they can afford, and can help answer any questions they might have then they will continue to go back to you. Their loyalty to you means that you always have customers you can count on, even when times get tough!
 
Satisfaction:
The satisfaction of your customers is your highest priority. Satisfied customers mean repeating customers! Part of customer satisfaction is engaging with customers. Figure out what the want/need, why they are stopping in, etc. Engaging with them will show that you want them to have a good experience, and that all their questions are being answered without them even having to ask! High customer satisfaction also boosts customer retention!
 
How do you engage with customers?
 
1.Social Media
Many people use social media on a daily basis. Social media is a great tool to engage with new and returning customers. Making frequent posts on social media and staying active lets your customers know what’s going on with your business without you having to directly tell them. Though not everyone is active on social media, many of the younger generations are, and as social media is used more and more by future generations it will become even more of a useful tool.
 
For example, One-Eyed Cookie Lab stays active on Facebook. Posting multiple times a week, listing all products that will be sold, along with pictures of their sweet treats to provide a visual. Posting regularly and utilizing social media makes engaging with customers quick and easy.
 
2.Reward System
Creating some type of rewards system shows that you are engaging with customers. Making customers feel special and important to your business will make them want to come back… which also means you will have customers loyal to you!
 
Six Hundred is an example of a business implementing a rewards system in the community. At Six Hundred, returning customers can receive $10 off after spending a certain amount. This type of engagement is a great way to give back to your customers.
 
3.Personalized Shopping
A meaningful way to engage with customers is by personally addressing customers. Introduce yourself and use their name while interacting with them. Personalized shopping will let customers know their needs are being met, while catering to the needs of individuals rather than customers as a whole. This could include custom orders, making specific product recommendations, etc. This creates a unique experience with the customer.
 
At High-Point Graphics you will always have a personalized experience. With custom orders, banners, embroidery, and much more you are guaranteed to be taken care of as an individual.
 
 
4.Feedback
Encourage feedback! Always ask for honesty from your customers as it can help your business. This could be through emailed surveys, “Tell us how we’re doing” QR codes on receipts, asking in person, social media comments/posts, website reviews, etc. Your customers’ opinions are so important, and by asking for their feedback shows them that what they think matters. Figuring out how you can enhance your customers’ experience can only be done if you know what they need from you!
 
An example of receiving feedback is after making a purchase at Gathering Grounds, you can select a smiley face or a frowny face to express how your experience was. Actively asking for feedback allows you to engage with customers as you are allowing them to communicate how they feel you have done.
 
5.Mail/Email
Sending out flyers, letters, or even new products that your business may have directly to your customers is an effective way to engage with them. Another great way to engage with customers is sending thank you letters or emails directly to them after making a purchase or even randomly. Showing your appreciation to your customers will show that you care about them and make them feel valuable!
 
Four Acre Clothing sends out emails that inform customers when there are new products being released and any events they will be a vendor at. Sending out mail or setting up an email that customers can subscribe to is a great way to engage with you customers.
 
6.Events
By hosting or participating in events, you can engage with many customers at once. Depending on your establishment, you can host many different types of events that cater to your business. These events could be holiday based events, deals your business may be having, or even events associated with First Fridays or any of the events Logan County has going on downtown!
 
The Syndicate consistently hosts events. Nearly every weekend, there is live music open to all. By welcoming in the community and offering things that others can experience with you, you will more than likely have returning customers! Engaging with the community while giving them something to look forward to will be valuable to you and your business.
 
There are many events that go on all throughout Logan County. To stay in the loop, check out: https://www.experiencelogancounty.com/events.html
 
 
Engaging with your customers and taking the time to practice good customer service will benefit not only your customers but also your business. The experience that your customers have in your establishment is meaningful to them and will leave an impact! 

​Customer service plays a huge role in starting your business and keeping it running. Customer service is how you engage with and support your customers. Being able to provide exceptional customer service to your customers will significantly help you and your business grow. When a business lacks good customer service, it will become difficult to have a consistent customer base. To have repeating customers, and customers in general, you must know how to provide good customer service.
 
What is “good” customer service?
Good customer service means that you take care of your customers. You listen to their needs, and you choose to meet their needs by providing your goods and services. “Good” customer service isn’t just the bare minimum. It involves going above and beyond to make sure that your customers aren’t just making a payment and leaving. So, what exactly does customer service entail and why does it matter?

• Listening to your customers
• Greeting customers
• Building relationships with your customers
• Engaging with customers
• Inviting them back

 
Listen to your customers: What do your customers want to purchase? What do they need from you? How much are they willing to spend? Listening to your customers is crucial in providing good customer service. Customers want to be heard, and they have a purpose for coming into your business. Customers will be much more satisfied if they feel as though they are being listened to. But if they believe that your business can’t meet their needs, they won’t come back. If they don’t agree with your prices, they won’t come back. Always listen to your customers! They will tell you their needs and wants!
 
Greet your customers: Walking into a new business, you want to feel welcomed. A simple smile and “hi” is nice, but introducing yourself and getting to know your customer is more meaningful. If a customer feels uncomfortable or like they aren’t welcomed, they might not give you business. If a customer experiences poor customer service they most likely won’t be returning customers.
 
Building relationships: Establishing relationships with your customers will be extremely beneficial to not only your customer, but to you as well. These relationships mean that you will have repeating customers, that will tell you how they feel. This also goes back to listening to your customers, as whenever you truly listen to your customers, they will tell you what they want to see. Feedback and suggestions from these formed relationships will help you and your business grow. Building relationships also means loyalty. These repeating customers will be loyal to you and your business, which will aid in the growth of your business.
 
Engaging with customers: Greeting your customers is huge, but so is engaging with your customers. You don’t want to just greet them once and never talk to them again. Initiating conversations with customers shows that you are happy to have them in your establishment. Engagement will ultimately lead to an improved perception of your business. People are more willing to come into a business if they feel seen and valued. By engaging with your customers, you are showing that you care about them and not just the business that they do with you.
 
Invite your customers back: Always invite your customers to come back! Give them a business card, remind them of the store hours, have them follow your socials, sign them up with emails, etc. Telling them to come back is important, but you also need to give them a reason to come back. By offering occasional deals or discounts, bringing in new merchandise or products, people will be more inclined to stop in again. By inviting your customers back, you will make them feel welcomed and give them the impression that they came to the right place.
 
Customer service will influence customer buying behavior. If you cannot offer good customer service, then you may struggle finding repeating, loyal customers. Enhancing your customer service skills will help your customers have the best experience and will assist in the growth of your business.  

For over 16 years, Elle A. Design has been a pillar of creativity and innovation in Logan County. What began as a one-woman operation has blossomed into a thriving design studio known for its unique blend of artistic flair and technical expertise.
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Lindsey McGlone, the Owner and Creative Director of Elle A. Design, discovered her love for art at five years old. This early passion for creativity laid the foundation for what would eventually become a successful design studio. Lindsey always knew she wanted to be an artist, and in 2008, she turned her lifelong dream into a reality by founding Elle A. Design. Initially, Lindsey managed everything on her own, dedicating countless hours to her craft and her clients. Eight years into her journey, she decided to take a leap of faith by hiring a teammate – Chelsea Bray, Lead Designer and Copywriter. This decision marked a turning point for Elle A. Design, as Chelsea’s talent and dedication brought a new dimension to the studio - Lindsey says that Chelsea has become her right-hand girl and that hiring her has been one of the best decisions she has made. The team continued to grow, adding Lane Yoder as a Designer, Photographer and Videographer and most recently, Kate Powell as a Designer. Together, they have transformed Elle A. Design into a full-fledged brick-and-mortar studio, serving hundreds of clients not only in Logan County but across the country.
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Why should I get involved? 
Involvement in your community shows dedication and commitment to your business and the people you serve. Whether you’re a newer business, or your business has been around for a while, it’s never too late to get involved! 

How can I get involved with the community?
There are so many ways to get involved with the community. Think about what you want out of your connections in the community. Do you want to meet new people? Give back to those in need? Offer your expertise to others? Or just have fun and relax? Consider your desired outcome to help guide your next steps. 

• A great way to start – especially if you’d like to volunteer your time – is to reach out to United Way of Logan County. Their volunteer guide has a wealth of information on volunteer opportunities.
• No time to volunteer? Consider donating or sponsoring an event or program in our community. You can also donate food and clothes to places like LCS if you prefer to donate items instead of money.
• Just want to have fun? Take a look at a local events calendar to find fun things to do in Logan County.
• If no events appeal to you, your community benefits when you spend local. Make an effort to buy anything you can from local retailers and service providers. You can even give the gift of shopping local in the form of Chamber Checks!

What are the benefits to getting involved?
By getting involved in the local economy, you are making an impact, whether it would be big or small. Volunteering and getting involved gives your business the chance to give back to the community, while giving you a feeling of gratification. When your business makes a positive impact, you also create a positive image for your brand. Volunteering in the community also opens opportunities to network and make connections with whomever you are volunteering with/for. 

Getting involved won’t harm your business - there are no downsides. Start getting involved to help you and your business expand and grow!

Networking helps contribute to professional development, builds and strengthens relationships, all while allowing you to connect with new resources. Regularly attending networking events and connecting with the community will be extremely beneficial to you as you work on growing your business. Here are some ways networking will help your business flourish:
 
1. New Connections
By networking and attending events within the community, you can build professional, long-lasting relationships and make connections that will add value to you and your business. These relationships can aid you when times are tough, or they can even just be familiar faces that you see on a regular basis. The Chamber hosts regular networking events, including our First Thursday Coffee each month at various coffee shops around Logan County.

2. New Resources
Your new connections that you make can help you gain new perspectives, while also providing you with new knowledge. By bouncing ideas off one another, businesses can help each other grow by sharing their expertise. Our quarterly Member Meet & Greets are a great way to get to know other business owners and leaders who can aid you in ways you might not have known about!

3. Be More Visible
Networking will ultimately lead to more visibility. Making it known that you are out in the community and representing your business will make more people knowledgeable of you and your business. When people are looking for a product or service, you want to be the first one to come to mind!

4. Positive Image
Regularly attending professional events will show that you are involved and willing to make an appearance in the community. This creates a positive image for not only you but also your business!

5. Increased Opportunities
Your involvement and connections will give you more opportunities. You may be offered certain job advice, and new doors may open up after networking. This is especially true for our Young Professionals events held throughout the year.
 
What are some ways you can network within the community?
There are endless ways that you can network within the community. This could be grabbing coffee with a neighboring business, popping into a new store to introduce yourself, or even simply connecting with a business via social media or email. Keeping up to date with events in Logan County is a great way to network. Getting involved – and staying involved – will allow you and your business grow.
 
Stay up to Date with all of the Chamber’s networking opportunities!
https://members.logancountyohio.com/events
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Key Points
Importance of Safety Training

• Regulatory Compliance: Meeting OSHA and other regulatory standards.
• Employee Safety: Reducing workplace injuries by ensuring employees understand safety protocols.

Training Evaluation and Content

• Continuous Evaluation: Conduct evaluations for each class to identify missing objectives and ensure content relevance.
• Defined Objectives: Each training session should have clear objectives and measurable outcomes.

Role of Effective Trainers

• Trainer Selection: Choose trainers with the right skill set; not everyone can train effectively.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure the quality of the class and learning objectives throughout the training process.

Levels of Training

• Awareness: Basic understanding of hazards.
• Competency: Ability to perform tasks safely.
• Qualified Level: Advanced understanding and skills.
• Certification: Formal recognition of skills and knowledge.

Planning and Resources

• Proper Budget: Allocate sufficient resources for effective training.
• Content and Schedule: Plan the training content and schedule according to business needs and regulatory requirements.
• Location and Frequency: Consider the best location and frequency of training sessions to maximize participation and effectiveness.

Regulatory Requirements and Industry Standards

• OSHA Requirements: Follow the minimum standards set by OSHA.
• Industry-Specific Risks and History: Tailor training programs based on industry-specific risks and historical injury trends.
• Consensus Standards: Use industry standards prudently to enhance safety protocols.

Continuous Improvement

• Real-time Feedback: Use class surveys to evaluate and improve training programs continuously.
• Attendance Tracking: Monitor attendance and adjust the number of classes to avoid underutilization.
• Training Matrix: Develop a matrix to track who needs what training, when, and the frequency of refreshers.

Transparency and Communication

• Employee Awareness: Ensure employees know their training schedules and content.
• Transparent System: Maintain a transparent system for tracking training and compliance.

Employing these strategies will lead to more effective safety training programs, ultimately enhancing workplace safety and compliance.

For over seven decades, Lakeside Pro Bass Shop and Mini Golf has been a cherished establishment in Logan County. Founded 76 years ago as Lakeside Landing by Gertrude and Jesse Pittard, this family-owned business has evolved into a beloved community hub for fishing enthusiasts and families alike.
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