Bob Hendrickson

The GINCC has entered a Community Partnership Agreement with the Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to help facilitate services of the BBB to businesses in Western Marquette County.

This partnership will offer the credibility and resources affiliated with the Better Business Bureau to our membership and other businesses who choose to become an accredited business with the BBB. There is an annual fee paid to the BBB with obtaining and keeping accreditation.

Similar to a chamber of commerce, the Better Business Bureau is a private non-profit entity with bureaus serving different regions.

The vision of the BBB is to have an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other. They accomplish this by setting standards for marketplace trust, encourage and support best practices by engaging and educating consumers and businesses, celebrate marketplace role models, calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior along with creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities.

So, what are the benefits of becoming an accredited business? Listing on the BBB.org website to add greater exposure, enhanced credibility, customer service training, access to marketing tools and programs.

Although there has been some criticism regarding the rating system the BBB uses to accredit businesses, the GINCC feels the legitimacy of the BBB gives a fairer assessment of a business’s credibility compared to reviews on Google or Facebook which are not vetted or offer dispute resolution.

The BBB Serving Eastern Michigan and Upper Peninsula is hitting the road the first week of May with stops in Hancock, Iron Mountain, St. Ignace and Negaunee. This is an opportunity to get more information and talk to BBB staff directly about the organization.

They will be hosting a GINCC Business After Hours on Wednesday, May 4 from 5-7pm at the Upper Peninsula Brewing Company in Negaunee, 342 Rail Street. The BAH will follow the traditional format of social networking, a short presentation and door prizes. Food will be provided by Irontown Pasties, Tino’s Pizza and Midtown Bakery.

To learn more about the GINCC, visit our website at www.gincc.org, give us a call or stop in. Office hours are 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. We are at times out of office on Chamber business. Please call ahead to confirm a visit, 906-486-1111.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He currently resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.