2010 Board of Directors, Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada. Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas Review Journal

From the Chairman of the Board

Kevin S. Taylor, MBA

Serving as Chairman of the Board in 2010 presents an equal share of both challenges and opportunities. I am fortunate to have this opportunity in such a strong community with a responsive and sound organization. This year, a variety of committees are working hard to strengthen the BBB’s local presence. As an organization, we are urging consumers to Start with Trust® by checking with the local BBB before doing business with a merchant or while considering new vendors. We are also asking Accredited Businesses to display their Accreditation mark proudly so consumers can shop with confidence.

In 2009, the BBB of Southern Nevada expeditiously handled 21,540 complaints about local businesses. Many of these businesses were not accredited by the BBB. With recent state budget cuts resulting in the closure of the State Department of Consumer Affairs, the BBB anticipates a much higher number in 2010.

I would encourage local business owners to give preference to BBB Accredited Businesses because these establishments agree to conduct business in an ethical manner. Accredited Businesses are much faster and amenable to resolving any disputes that may arise. As a consumer, checking with the BBB should always be the first step in conducting any business.

The Sales and Marketing Committee members are excited to launch some new ideas aimed at recruiting more qualified Accredited Businesses to become a part of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada. The BBB is excited to be marketing in an environment of Social Media and online collaboration. With over a decade in the online marketing industry, I am honored to be a part of this changing paradigm.

Over the next several months, the BBB will be increasing and improving its collaborative presence in the online scene. Other recruitment endeavors are also taking place. For instance, the BBB has extended the Accredited Business Drive through March and is encouraging all Accredited Businesses to refer at least one reputable non-member for consideration. Members can find more information on this program at www.memberdrive.org. In 2009, the BBB processed over 766 thousand inquiries which resulted in referrals to accredited businesses. These figures are quite impressive and should result in more local business owners seeing the value a BBB partnership can bring to their respective companies.

This year also presents a wealth of opportunity for suffering businesses to become profitable again. Experts are starting to predict a proverbial light at the end of the economic tunnel. This year, we are fortunate to have Jake Joyce with Applied Analysis delivering the keynote presentation at our Annual Luncheon, Wednesday, March 24. He will be discussing the “Southern Nevada Economy, Examining the Past and Thinking Forward.” Mark your calendars now and contact the BBB as there are only a few hundred seats available for this presentation.

I look forward to fulfilling my duties as the Chairman of the Board, working with the Accredited Businesses, and being the starting point for trust with the local consumer population during this exciting year.

Sincerely,

CEO, Expert Website Services
Chairman of the Board, Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada