Businesses thrive with new technology and ideas to improve customer service, marketing and sometimes the products or services they provide.

However, if a business owner’s professional education is outpaced by these developments, the business can become stagnant and potentially obsolete if they are not able to effectively communicate with their consumers. Promoting continuing education of business professionals is one of the goals of the chamber of commerce, and this is our method of trying to encourage continuing education and thus the improvement of our local business community.

In 2012, we at the chamber offered classes on effective face-to-face networking for business professionals, social-media platforms and proper use of them. We also provided workshops on marketing basics and the new cottage-food laws for home-based bakers.

Currently, we are looking to expand our educational program for business professionals and share the knowledge in 2013. This is your opportunity as a local business owner or professional to let us know what types of classes you would be interested in attending. We’re ready to take your suggestions and comments on specific business-related topics and class format. Our typical class costs $5 per person; we do not anticipate any price increases in the coming year.

Please contact the chamber with your ideas by calling 368-4445 or emailing assistant@libertycounty.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Chamber membership director Brandy Simon contributed to this article.