Building a One-Page Benefit Piece Employees Will Actually Read
Employee benefits are only valuable if employees understand them. Yet many organizations rely on long, tedious guides, dense PDFs, or put the information on portals employees rarely open. A well-designed benefits one pager solves this problem by reducing what matters most into a clear, visual, and actionable summary.
The goal of a one-pager is not to explain everything…it’s to spark understanding and engagement. Business leaders can start by answering three questions employees care about most: What do I get? Why does it matter to me? How do I use it? If the one pager doesn’t clearly answer those questions, it’s not doing the job.
Effective one-pagers focus on prioritization, not completeness. Highlight 5-7 core benefits that drive the most value, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and key voluntary benefits. Use plain language, not insurance jargon. For example, “help paying medical bills” is more effective than “high-deductible health plan.”
Design matters just as much as content. Using icons, short headings, and white space helps to guide the eye. Break information into sections like Health, Well-Being, Financial, and Extras. Keep sentences short and scannable. If it takes more than 60 seconds to read, it’s too long.
Finally, include a clear call to action. Tell employees exactly where to go next…a benefits portal, HR contact, or enrollment deadline. A QR code or short link works well.
A strong benefits one-pager becomes a versatile tool: it can support onboarding, open enrollment, recruiting, and leadership communication. Most importantly, it respects employees’ time, and that alone increases the likelihood they’ll actually use the benefits being offered.
The Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at cmcc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Rob Higginbotham at (800) 377-3539.
Look Forward to Find the Value of Your Business
Business valuation is a forward-looking exercise; this is a basic premise of the valuation process for any ownership interest. The income approach to valuation fully embraces this belief because the income approach determines the value of an ownership interest by looking at the future benefits that flow to ownership and discounting those benefits to present value. The discount rate used to determine the present value should recognize the risks associated with their receipt.
The Value of Ownership Interest
The value of an ownership interest in a company should be thought of as an investment, that is, a commitment of dollars today in exchange for future payments which compensate the investor for the time the funds are invested and provide a return on the investment. Not only do the benefits to be received need to be based on future expectations, the investor’s required rate of return (or cost of capital) should also reflect future expectations. Investors will not pay for past performance. One needs to look no further than the public companies that operate in high-growth markets, such as artificial intelligence or software, that trade at triple-digit trailing price/earnings multiples. Pricing in this market reflects forward-looking expectations, not historical pricing.
Pierce v. Commissioner
Pierce v. Commissioner T.C. Memo. 2025-29 (Pierce) is a case which includes the rise of a business making knock off products, marital infidelity, and blackmail, but is generally known for the Tax Court affirming tax-effecting pass-through entities. The case also focuses on the forward-looking nature of the benefits of ownership and addresses the determination of the discount rate used in the valuation of the company. The case involves gifts of stock made by the owners to trusts. The gift tax returns were selected for audit, and a 30-day letter was issued by the IRS noting a deficiency and proposed adjustments to tax. The case went to court to determine the value of the interests for federal gift tax purposes. The tax court stated:
In valuing stock of a closely held corporation, we first consider actual sales of the stock at arm’s length in the normal course of business at or around the time of valuation. In the absence of actual sales of the company’s stock, courts typically consider one or more of three approaches to determine the stock’s fair market value: (1) the market approach, (2) the income approach, and (3) the asset-based approach… The income approach capitalizes income and discounts cashflow to determine the value of stock. This method is premised on the assumption that the value of the company should be determined based on the basis of the present value of the future distributed earnings.
The court reaffirmed the forward-looking premise and use of the income approach, referencing the Estate of True v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2001-167 in support of its opinion. In Pierce the court went on to further state:
Thus, to determine the value of the business, we must determine (1) the projected future cashflows for a discrete period, (2) the discount rate that will be applied to these future distributions to determine the present value, (3) the terminal value of the company, and (4) the non-operating assets.
Case Findings
The court’s opinion discussed factors to consider in the projected future cash flows of the company (including tax affecting pass-through entity earnings) and the inclusion of factors only known and knowable at the date of valuation. The court’s opinion also discussed the development of the discount rate used in the discounted cash flow analysis. There were two primary experts involved in this case which arrived at different discount rates. Looking more closely at the discount rates, the experts were close on how the equity risk premium (ERP) should be determined. The ERP is a component of the discount rate and is the premium that investors must receive to entice them to invest in the public market instead of risk-free long-term government securities. The court stated that the ERP includes a market risk premium and a size premium.
An additional company-specific risk (CSR) premium can be added to account for risks unique to the company and its cash flow. The two experts were within 1% of each other in their development of the ERP but differed in their treatment of the CSR premium; one added a 5% premium, and the other did not add a CSR premium. The court expected an analysis showing that the CSR premium accounted for risks specific to the company that were not accounted for in the ERP. The explanation at trial was not satisfactory to the court and it rejected the CSR premium.
Case Relevance for Business Valuation
In the ruling, the court confirmed two important points. First, business valuation, like any investment, is forward-looking in nature. Investors will not pay for past performance and are concerned with future performance. Using an income approach, the value of a business is derived from forward-looking cash flow. The second point is that the required rate of return of an investment and the discount rate used in the valuation of a company need to account for the specific risks associated with receiving the benefits (cash flows). Both points should be considered in a business valuation.
Should you have any questions concerning this article or the value of your business or of Business Valuation services in general, please contact T. Eric Blocher CPA, ASA, CVA.
S&K Corporate Benefits – New Member Highlight
S&K Corporate Benefits, featured at www.skcorpbenefits.com, is a company focused on helping organizations navigate the complex world of employee benefits and workplace insurance solutions. By working with businesses to evaluate benefit options and develop strategies that support both employers and employees, S&K Corporate Benefits aims to simplify benefits management while helping clients make informed decisions. In an environment where attracting and retaining talent is increasingly important, firms like S&K Corporate Benefits play a valuable role by providing guidance, personalized service, and expertise designed to align benefit programs with organizational goals and workforce needs.
Member News ~ June 25, 2026
Celebrate July 4th in Columbia Montour!
Tips to Celebrate Safely This Fourth of July from SERVEPRO
For Businesses - Before closing for the weekend
- Check alarm systems
- Turn off unnecessary electrical equipment
- Secure outdoor furniture and grills
- Verify emergency contacts are current
Firework Safety
✔ Attend a professional fireworks show whenever possible.
If you're lighting fireworks at home be sure to
- Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby.
- Never relight a "dud" firework.
- Keep children and pets a safe distance away.
- Dispose of fireworks only after they've completely cooled.
Sparkler Safety with Gesinger
Click here for a helpful guide from Geisinger, sharing sparkler safety education for children and families!
The Columbia Montour Visitor's Bureau 4th of July Guide
Not sure what your weekend plans are? Check out the CMVB events calendar for a full rundown of this weekend's special events. Celebrate the 4th of July and America250 in Columbia- Montour!
Sip' N' Stuff America 250 Painting & Live Music - July 2 - 5th
Join Sip' N' Stuff for a weekend of patriotic painting. Check out their website to register for classes.
First Friday in Downtown Bloomsburg- July 3
Knoebels 100th Anniversary Weekend- July 3 - 5th
Join Knoebels on Friday for a 4pm parade, followed by a founder's statue dedication. The weekend with continue with a 100th Anniversary Ceremony on July 4th at 10:00am, and conclude on July 5th with a Time Capsule, Ribbon Cutting, and Golf Tournament! Don't miss any details for their big weekend!
Light Up Bloomsburg- July 3
Stay downtown a little later and join DBI for the official lighting of the fountain with ITS NEW LIGHTS!!!! They are gathering around the fountain at dusk and the lighting will be at 9pm.
Celebrate the 4th at the Danville Growers’ Market - July 4
Berwick Borough July 4th Festivities- July 4
Nifty 250 Celebration at The Bloomsburg Fairgrounds - July 4
The Bloomsburg Fair is hosting Nifty 250 Celebration on July 4th. This event will be held 3pm-10pm at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. There will be live music, food vendors, craft vendors and more entertainment. The event is free admission and free parking. Click Here To View the Flyer
Knoebels 100th Anniversary Charity Golf Tournament - July 5
Grab your clubs and join Knoebels on Sunday, July 5 for their 100th Anniversary Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Knoebels Kares. Whether you're coming solo or bringing your crew, it's a great day of golf for a great cause. The deadline to sign up online is Friday, June 26. More Information.
Wellness Wednesdays continue in downtown Danville - July 15
Free programs designed to promote health, relaxation, and movement for community members of all ages and abilities. Hosted in Canal Park, Wellness Wednesdays are generously sponsored by Geisinger and funded through a grant partnership with the Community Giving Foundation. July 15 | 6:00 PM - Simple Strength Training with Resurrection Movement Studio.
Benton’s 41st Annual Frontier Days Rodeo - July 14 through 19
The Benton Rodeo is proud to be recognized as one of the very best among more than 65 rodeos east of the Mississippi River. Tickets are available online. Grounds open at 4pm, Vendors and food stands open between 4:30 and 5pm. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7:30pm Championship Rodeo | Sunday Bull-A-Rama 7:30 pm
Berwick World War II Weekend Reenactment - July 17 through 19
The 2026 Berwick World War II Weekend Reenactment will take place at Riverfront Park (aka "The Test Track") at the end of South Eaton Street in Berwick, PA Friday July 17th through Sunday July 19th. Click here for more information
Rabbittransit introducing rabbitPAY - July 21
Rabbittransit is excited to announce a major upgrade, the launch of rabbitPAY, going live July 21, 2026. rabbitPAY introduces a smart card and mobile based payment system, making boarding faster, more convenient and more flexible than ever before. Riders can simply tap and go when boarding the bus. rabbitPAY will offer multiple smart card reloading options thru the app, online, at a machine or in person. In preparation for the launch, rabbittransit will offer community events to help riders sign up and answer questions. For more information visit www.rabbittransit.org.
KMA Hope on the Fairway- July 31
The KMA Hope on the Fairway Golf Tournament is an annual fundraiser providing critical early momentum for the 2026 Walk goals. Open to golfers of all skill levels, it’s a great day on the greens for a meaningful cause. Click here to sign up your team!
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum announces July events
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum’s July event calendar is out now! The Children’s Museum is hosting a variety of summer camps in July that will focus on science, art, manufacturing and other topics. They will also be hosting youth programs that include cooking, painting and storytelling. These events will be open to a variety of ages. For more information, how to register and the full list of events visit the-childrens-museum.org.
The Central Columbia FFA Chapter of Bloomsburg, PA attended the 97th Pennsylvania FFA State Convention in State College
On June 11th, members participated in various career and leadership development events, workshops, and recognition activities alongside thousands of students statewide. The chapter was represented by several members and advisors Doug Brown and Kristie Good, with Katelyn Fedder earning First Place and becoming State Champion in the Horse Evaluation event, demonstrating strong skills in horse knowledge, judging, and oral reasoning. The convention provided valuable opportunities for students to build technical, leadership, and teamwork skills while engaging with peers, highlighting FFA’s mission to promote personal growth, leadership, and career readiness through agricultural education, with support from sponsors like the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation and Department of Agriculture.
Dwell- New Member Highlight
Meet Dwell, the Columbia Montour Chamber's newest member,
Dwell strengthens foster, adoptive, and kinship families by providing practical resources, trauma-informed support, and meaningful community connections so children can thrive in safe, loving homes. Through innovative programs, including the Hope Chest Foster Closet, the Made to Celebrate birthday program, Foster/Adoptive/Kinship Family Support Groups, and Trauma-informed education using the Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) model, Dwell equips caregivers while mobilizing churches, volunteers, businesses, and community partners to care for vulnerable children.
Dwell believes every child deserves safety, belonging, and hope. By investing in the families who open their hearts and homes to children from hard places, we help create stronger families, healthier communities, and brighter futures for children throughout our region.
Last Week in the Legislature – July 1, 2026
Source: The Sentinel PA Chamber of CommercePennsylvania Legislative Updates
With state budget negotiations reportedly in full swing, the House of Representatives and Senate were in session last week, advancing proposals related to sales taxes, data center and infrastructure regulations, AI, and other areas relevant to business.
Here’s a recap of last week’s legislative action most relevant to employers.
Conditioning Sales Tax Exemption (H.B. 2359; Ciresi)
The House Energy Committee voted 23-3 to advance HB 2359.
This bill would condition eligibility for the computer equipment sales tax exemption for data centers on a host of new requirements, including prohibiting state and local government agencies from entering into non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to the construction, development, or location of data centers. It would also impose additional certification, disclosure, reporting, and other compliance requirements on qualifying projects.
Developers frequently require confidentiality while evaluating potential sites, negotiating infrastructure needs, and assessing project feasibility, and the use of NDAs during these preliminary discussions is a common and widely accepted practice in economic development projects. Restricting the use of NDAs may discourage companies from engaging with local governments until late in the process and could lead to some projects being directed toward states that might better accommodate confidential business negotiations.
The PA Chamber opposed this legislation (CLICK HERE for their memo), which now awaits consideration on the House floor.
GRID Requirements (H.B. 2650; Webster)
The House floor voted 134-68 to pass HB 2650 last Wednesday.
The bill would establish the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) program and create a new framework governing the development of data center projects in Pennsylvania. The bill would require qualifying projects to satisfy new certification, reporting, energy, and compliance requirements to access expedited permitting and qualify for the existing sales and use tax exemption for computer equipment.
While the PA Chamber supports efforts to promote responsible data center development and streamline permitting, H.B. 2650 raises concerns by conditioning an existing tax incentive on a host of new requirements. Changing the rules after the exemption has already driven investment creates uncertainty and sends a troubling signal about the predictability of Pennsylvania’s business climate.
The PA Chamber opposed this legislation (CLICK HERE for their memo), which now advances to the Senate following its third consideration and final passage in the House.
EITC Overhaul (H.B. 2632; Rivera)
The House floor voted 105-97 to pass HB 2632 last Monday.
This bill would terminate the authority to issue tax credits under the existing Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs beginning in FY 2027-28 and would establish a new Education Options Tax Credit program with revised allocations and requirements.
The bill would upend two long-standing programs that have received bipartisan support and helped expand educational opportunities for thousands of Pennsylvania students. By replacing the existing EITC and OSTC programs with a new framework, the bill creates uncertainty and risks reducing access to scholarships and educational options for the students and families who currently benefit from these successful programs.
The PA Chamber opposed this legislation (CLICK HERE for their memo), which now advances to the Senate for consideration.
Utility Bill Tax Cut and Capping ROE (H.B. 2224; Fiedler)
The House floor voted 202-0 to unanimously pass HB 2224 last Monday.
House Bill 2224 started as legislation that would statutorily cap return on equity (ROE) for all Pennsylvania utility companies, which we warned would discourage energy infrastructure investment in Pennsylvania, reduce employment, and ultimately raise costs on residential, commercial, and industrial ratepayers.
The legislation was ultimately amended to eliminate the 6.5 percent gross receipts tax that consumers pay on their electric bills.
While The PA Chamber supports eliminating taxes on electric bills, the PA Chamber strongly oppose the underlying bill to cap ROE for utility companies and therefore opposed this legislation (CLICK HERE for their memo), which now moves to the Senate.
PA Common Cents Act (H.B. 2388; Davidson)
The House floor voted 187-15 to pass HB 2388 last Wednesday.
The “Pennsylvania Common Cents Act” is intended to address reduced coin availability and an ongoing penny shortage that is making it increasingly difficult for businesses and other entities to consistently provide exact change. The bill outlines cash rounding guidelines to the nearest nickel in situations where exact change is unavailable due to the national penny shortage.
The bill sets forth clear, balanced rounding guidelines that apply only to cash transactions when exact change cannot be provided. Totals ending in 1¢, 2¢, 6¢, or 7¢ are rounded down to the nearest nickel, while totals ending in 3¢, 4¢, 8¢, or 9¢ are rounded up, ensuring an even-handed, predictable approach over time for both consumers and merchants. These provisions are narrowly tailored, do not apply to electronic payments, and are not used when exact change is available. Importantly, the amendment maintains current tax treatment by requiring all taxes to be calculated prior to rounding and includes reasonable protection for when rounding occurs.
The PA Chamber supported this legislation (CLICK HERE for their memo), which now moves onto the Senate for consideration.
Flexible Use of County Bridge Funding (H.B. 2437; Davidson)
The House floor voted 202-0 to unanimously pass HB 2437 last Wednesday.
HB 2437 provides a commonsense update to existing bridge funding, allowing counties to reinvest unused dollars from completed Marcellus Legacy Fund bridge projects into other eligible bridge needs within the county. Under current law, these funds are restricted to a narrow category of at-risk deteriorated bridges, which can leave remaining balances unused once those specific projects are complete. This legislation enables counties to apply overage dollars more broadly across bridge maintenance and repair needs, consistent with federal and state requirements.
This legislation ensures that available resources can be fully utilized to address ongoing infrastructure needs without creating new funding obligations or shifting existing allocations. Providing counties with this flexibility supports more efficient project delivery and helps maintain critical transportation infrastructure across the Commonwealth. Well-maintained bridges are essential to economic activity, supply chain reliability, and access to jobs, markets, and services.
The PA Chamber supported this legislation (CLICK HERE for their memo), which now advances to the Senate.
AI Companions (H.B. 2006; Shusterman)
The House Communications and Technology Committee voted 14-12 along party lines to advance HB 2006 last Tuesday.
This legislation would establish a new regulatory framework for AI companions, imposing requirements related to disclosures, age verification, and content controls. The bill would authorize enforcement by the Attorney General and expose companies to significant civil penalties for violations.
Although businesses share the objective of ensuring age-appropriate, safe, and transparent interactions with AI systems, H.B. 2006 takes a more prescriptive approach than comparable laws adopted in other states. Its broad requirements, ambiguous standards, and punitive penalties would add to the growing patchwork of state AI regulations, creating compliance uncertainty and potentially discouraging adoption of AI technologies in Pennsylvania.
The PA Chamber opposed this legislation (CLICK HERE for their memo), which now advances to the full House.
Reducing Pricing Flexibility (H.B. 2626; Davidson)
The House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee voted 18-8 to advance HB 2626 last Tuesday.
H.B. 2626 would prohibit the use of dynamic pricing in brick-and-mortar retail stores under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The bill applies to electronically displayed prices that can be changed remotely in near real time.
Dynamic pricing technologies allow businesses to adjust prices in response to factors such as inventory levels, promotions, and consumer demand, helping retailers manage costs and offer discounts and other programs valued by consumers. The bill would expose retailers to increased litigation and liability risk under Pennsylvania’s consumer protection laws and could discourage the use of these tools, which would result in less pricing flexibility.
The PA Chamber opposed this legislation (CLICK HERE for their memo), which now moves onto the House floor for consideration.
Paraquat Ban (H.B. 1135; Mihalek)
The House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee voted 26-0 to unanimously advance HB 1135 last Tuesday.
H.B. 1135 would prohibit the sale and use of paraquat in Pennsylvania, removing it from use as a federally registered restricted-use herbicide in agricultural production.
Paraquat is a critical, federally regulated tool used by growers for fast, effective weed control that supports conservation tillage and resistance management. A statewide ban would eliminate a key input with limited alternatives, increasing production costs, reducing weed control flexibility, and undermining conservation practices in Pennsylvania agriculture.
The PA Chamber opposed this legislation, which now moves onto the full House.
Caffeine Disclosure Mandate (H.B. 2377; Dougherty)
The House Consumer Protection Technology and Utilities Committee voted 20-6 to advance HB 2377 last Tuesday.
H.B. 2377 would require beverages containing 80 mg or more of caffeine per serving to carry warning labels when sold in retail and food service establishments in Pennsylvania.
This bill would create inconsistent and burdensome labeling requirements for restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, and other food retailers, adding complexity without improving consumer understanding. It could also confuse consumers by applying warnings unevenly across similar products and impose additional operational costs on businesses that already provide caffeine disclosure and adhere to federal regulatory standards.
The PA Chamber opposed this legislation, which now advances to the full House.
Amending Public Utility Commission Standards (H.B. 2184; Otten)
The House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee voted 18-8 to advance HB 2184 last Tuesday.
This bill would require the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to explicitly consider “public interest” in its proceedings and decisions.
This legislation is both unnecessary, as PUC practice and approval processes already emphasize the concept of “public interest,” and detrimental, as it would complicate PUC proceedings by forcing the PUC to expand the factors it must consider beyond its intended scope.
The PA Chamber opposed this legislation, which now moves to the House floor.
Virtual Currency Kiosk Regulatory Structure (H.B. 2643; Ciresi)
The House Commerce Committee voted 16-10 to advance HB 2643 last Monday.
House Bill 2643 would create a regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosks (commonly known as cryptocurrency ATMs) in Pennsylvania. It establishes licensing requirements, oversight by the Department of Banking and Securities, and a dedicated fund to support public education on virtual currency use and risks.
Operators of virtual currency kiosks would be required to obtain licenses, meet financial and operational standards, and comply with ongoing reporting, disclosure, and consumer protection requirements.
The PA Chamber supported this legislation, which now advances to the full House.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the PA Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.
Understanding Rising Health Insurance Costs
Source: My Benefit Advisor
Guidance to Help Plan with Confidence
Health insurance costs continue to rise nationwide, and small businesses often feel the impact most. These trends are expected to continue, making clear information and dependable support more important than ever.
My Benefit Advisor (MBA) helps employers understand what’s driving premium changes and how they affect their benefit programs. We review your plan regularly, offer cost‑management strategies, and take a proactive approach to benefits management so you can make
informed decisions. Understanding the cause behind premium changes is a key part of that process.
Factors Influencing Overall Premiums
- More claims and higher medical bills as employees use care more frequently
- Rising prescription drug prices, including new and specialty medications such as weight‑loss, gene, and cell therapies
- Higher operating expenses for healthcare providers and insurance carriers
- Growing demand for behavioral health care, adding to total plan expenses
- Higher prices for medical supplies and equipment, including potential economic or policy‑related impacts such as tariffs
Supporting Health and Cost-Conscious Decisions
As prescription costs increase, it has become increasingly important for individuals to take a more active role in their health. Many treatments today are medication‑first, creating challenges as plans absorb the costs of high‑priced therapies.
Encouraging employees to have informed conversations with their providers about treatment options, lifestyle changes, and preventive care can support better long‑term outcomes. While medication is essential in many cases, a focus on overall wellbeing may help reduce prescription reliance over time.
How MBA Turns Insight into Action
- Plan design optimization: Aligns benefits with your budget without sacrificing value or quality
- Renewal support: Explains cost drivers and trends so decisions are faster and easier
- Targeted savings: Network, contribution, and funding strategies tailored to your needs
- Year-round guidance: Performs ongoing reviews to keep your program on track and aligned with business goals
6 Smart Strategies for Finding New Customers for Your Small Business
Regularly acquiring new customers is essential for any business to continue growing. But with customer acquisition costs rising 60% over the last five years, small businesses need a solution that’s effective and sustainable. Here are steps you can take to find new customers and determine what’s actually working in your business.
Do customer research
You don't just want to look for anyone who's willing to buy from you — you want to find the right customers. The right customers need what your business offers and will buy from you for years.
Customer research involves collecting data about your target market so that you understand them better. You can do this by doing customer interviews, sending out online surveys, or tracking conversations on social media. Once you’ve gathered enough data, you can analyze it to look for patterns and trends.
Analyze your competitors
A competitor analysis helps you understand what's working in your industry and where gaps exist. Periodically review your biggest competitors' products, pricing, and marketing to spot opportunities you might be missing.
Pay attention to how they're positioning themselves online and what their customers say about them. For example, if a significant number of customers complain about the same issue, that could be an opportunity for your business.
Create a customer acquisition plan by channel and budget
Before you spend any time or money, map out a customer acquisition plan that defines how many customers you need to acquire and how you’ll reach them. Most marketing channels fall into one of two categories: organic and paid.
Organic strategies might include search engine optimization, customer referrals, or content marketing, while ads or sponsored posts are paid strategies. Once you know which channels to pursue, you can assign a budget to each channel. Using a basic spreadsheet to track your spending by channel can help you make data-based decisions.
Low-cost ways to get your first 100 customers
If you’re new to business, focus on low-cost outreach first. Start by reaching out to your warm network, since personal referrals convert at a higher rate than cold outreach. Reach out to friends and former colleagues who might benefit from what you're offering.
Don't underestimate in-person networking opportunities either. Industry meetups, local business groups, and trade shows can put you in the same room as potential customers who may be interested in what you’re offering.
And look for online communities where your ideal customers already gather. Answering questions in forums and participating in industry groups helps you build credibility before ever asking for a sale.
Use reviews and referrals
Online reviews and word-of-mouth referrals are among the most effective customer acquisition tools available. Research shows that 93% of customers consult online reviews before making a purchase, and more than 90% trust recommendations from people they know over any form of advertising.
After every purchase, follow up with customers and ask them to leave your business a Google review. To incentivize current customers to refer your business to their friends and family, offer a small perk, like a discount.
Track your customer acquisition cost by channel
Your customer acquisition cost (CAC) is calculated by dividing your total sales and marketing spend by the number of new customers gained in the same period. Ask new customers how they found you and track this data consistently. From there, you can compare your CAC across different channels. You may find that your best long-term customers consistently come from one specific source.
A good customer lifetime value (LTV) to CAC ratio is at least 3-to-1, which means you earn $3 in revenue for every $1 spent to acquire a customer. If you're below that threshold on a given channel, it's a signal to either make changes or reallocate that budget elsewhere.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.
Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz: Impact on Prices
Source: Neil Bradley Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer, and Head of Strategic Advocacy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Oil prices may ease, but tight inventories, global demand, and lingering inflation could keep gas prices elevated.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is good news for the American economy and consumers. It raises the obvious question: when will the price at the pump return to normal, and what will happen to overall prices? While it is difficult to make precise predictions, here are three things we are watching:
1. Spot Prices vs Future Prices on Crude Oil
The price of a barrel of oil most often quoted in the news is for a futures contract. It is a prediction of where oil prices are going in the future. The spot price is the price paid for the physical delivery of a barrel of oil today.
We know that it will take some period of time for oil supplies to return to normal—the Strait has to be safely reopened to transit, the logjam of ships has to be cleared, oil has to be loaded, shipped, etc.
We also know that there has been growing concern about the level of inventories of crude and associated petroleum products heading into the peak of the summer.
With tight inventories and slowly returning supply, the price refiners pay for a barrel of crude will likely not fall as quickly as future prices. As a result, the price consumers pay for a gallon of gasoline may remain elevated or even increase in the short-term.
Also potentially impacting the near-term price is global demand. Notably, China reduced its oil imports by nearly 3 million barrels a day over recent months. This drop in demand helped keep prices from rising further. If global demand returns more quickly than global supply, that will put upward pressure on price.
2. Energy is Just One Source of Overall Upward Price Pressure
Inflation has remained stubbornly above the 2% target for over five years. While falling energy prices will relieve some pressure on overall prices, energy is one source of elevated inflation. In the most recent month, prices excluding food and energy were 2.9% year over year.
Key commodities flowing through the Strait of Hormuz have led to increases in global prices for aluminum, helium, and sulfur—key inputs for the construction, technology and agriculture sectors, putting upward pressure on finished products.
Businesses have been slowly passing through the cost of increased tariffs in their prices. For example, apparel prices were up 4.8% year on year in May, footwear up 5.2%. Both products are heavily imported and thus impacted by tariffs and increased shipping costs.
Beef prices are being impacted by a shortage of cattle. The identification of the screwworm in American cattle could mean that it will take longer to rebuild herds.
3. Watching for Long Tails
Businesses have had to make a variety of decisions in response to effects of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Some of these decisions could have long tails.
Recent reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicate that farmers have responded to high fertilizer prices by moving away from planting wheat and corn to soybeans, a less fertilizer-intensive crop. Wheat plantings point to a record low. It remains to be seen what this means for future supplies and prices.
Conclusion
We know prices will decline; it is just a question of how quickly. In the meantime, Americans are in a much better position than most other parts of the world. Because we are net energy producers, we have physical access to more supplies, which has helped energy prices not increase as much as other regions. But at the end of the day oil and fuel are global commodities and we can’t fully insulate ourselves from market volatility.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.
Member News ~ July 2, 2026
Celebrate July 4th in Columbia Montour!
Tips to Celebrate Safely This Fourth of July from SERVEPRO
For Businesses - Before closing for the weekend
- Check alarm systems
- Turn off unnecessary electrical equipment
- Secure outdoor furniture and grills
- Verify emergency contacts are current
Firework Safety
✔ Attend a professional fireworks show whenever possible.
If you're lighting fireworks at home be sure to
- Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby.
- Never relight a "dud" firework.
- Keep children and pets a safe distance away.
- Dispose of fireworks only after they've completely cooled.
Sparkler Safety with Geisinger
Click here for a helpful guide from Geisinger, sharing sparkler safety education for children and families!
The Columbia Montour Visitor's Bureau 4th of July Guide
Not sure what your weekend plans are? Check out the CMVB events calendar for a full rundown of this weekend's special events. Celebrate the 4th of July and America250 in Columbia- Montour!
Sip' N' Stuff America 250 Painting & Live Music - July 2 - 5th
Join Sip' N' Stuff for a weekend of patriotic painting. Check out their website to register for classes.
First Friday in Downtown Bloomsburg- July 3
Knoebels 100th Anniversary Weekend- July 3 - 5th
Join Knoebels on Friday for a 4pm parade, followed by a founder's statue dedication. The weekend with continue with a 100th Anniversary Ceremony on July 4th at 10:00am, and conclude on July 5th with a Time Capsule, Ribbon Cutting, and Golf Tournament! Don't miss any details for their big weekend!
Light Up Bloomsburg- July 3
Stay downtown a little later and join DBI for the official lighting of the fountain with ITS NEW LIGHTS!!!! They are gathering around the fountain at dusk and the lighting will be at 9pm.
Celebrate the 4th at the Danville Growers’ Market - July 4
Berwick Borough July 4th Festivities- July 4
Nifty 250 Celebration at The Bloomsburg Fairgrounds - July 4
The Bloomsburg Fair is hosting Nifty 250 Celebration on July 4th. This event will be held 3pm-10pm at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. There will be live music, food vendors, craft vendors and more entertainment. The event is free admission and free parking. Click Here To View the Flyer
Did You Miss Last Week's Member News? Here's News That's Still Timely:
Knoebels 100th Anniversary Charity Golf Tournament - July 5
Grab your clubs and join Knoebels on Sunday, July 5 for their 100th Anniversary Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Knoebels Kares. Whether you're coming solo or bringing your crew, it's a great day of golf for a great cause. The deadline to sign up online is Friday, June 26. More Information.
Wellness Wednesdays continue in downtown Danville - July 15
Free programs designed to promote health, relaxation, and movement for community members of all ages and abilities. Hosted in Canal Park, Wellness Wednesdays are generously sponsored by Geisinger and funded through a grant partnership with the Community Giving Foundation. July 15 | 6:00 PM - Simple Strength Training with Resurrection Movement Studio.
Benton’s 41st Annual Frontier Days Rodeo - July 14 through 19
The Benton Rodeo is proud to be recognized as one of the very best among more than 65 rodeos east of the Mississippi River. Tickets are available online. Grounds open at 4pm, Vendors and food stands open between 4:30 and 5pm. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7:30pm Championship Rodeo | Sunday Bull-A-Rama 7:30 pm
Berwick World War II Weekend Reenactment - July 17 through 19
The 2026 Berwick World War II Weekend Reenactment will take place at Riverfront Park (aka "The Test Track") at the end of South Eaton Street in Berwick, PA Friday July 17th through Sunday July 19th. Click here for more information
Rabbittransit introducing rabbitPAY - July 21
Rabbittransit is excited to announce a major upgrade, the launch of rabbitPAY, going live July 21, 2026. rabbitPAY introduces a smart card and mobile based payment system, making boarding faster, more convenient and more flexible than ever before. Riders can simply tap and go when boarding the bus. rabbitPAY will offer multiple smart card reloading options thru the app, online, at a machine or in person. In preparation for the launch, rabbittransit will offer community events to help riders sign up and answer questions. For more information visit www.rabbittransit.org.
KMA Hope on the Fairway- July 31
The KMA Hope on the Fairway Golf Tournament is an annual fundraiser providing critical early momentum for the 2026 Walk goals. Open to golfers of all skill levels, it’s a great day on the greens for a meaningful cause. Click here to sign up your team!
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum announces July events
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum’s July event calendar is out now! The Children’s Museum is hosting a variety of summer camps in July that will focus on science, art, manufacturing and other topics. They will also be hosting youth programs that include cooking, painting and storytelling. These events will be open to a variety of ages. For more information, how to register and the full list of events visit the-childrens-museum.org.
The Central Columbia FFA Chapter of Bloomsburg, PA attended the 97th Pennsylvania FFA State Convention in State College
On June 11th, members participated in various career and leadership development events, workshops, and recognition activities alongside thousands of students statewide. The chapter was represented by several members and advisors Doug Brown and Kristie Good, with Katelyn Fedder earning First Place and becoming State Champion in the Horse Evaluation event, demonstrating strong skills in horse knowledge, judging, and oral reasoning. The convention provided valuable opportunities for students to build technical, leadership, and teamwork skills while engaging with peers, highlighting FFA’s mission to promote personal growth, leadership, and career readiness through agricultural education, with support from sponsors like the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation and Department of Agriculture.