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The Chamber Weekly Blog
A collection of articles that we believe will add value to you and your business!Friday, February 21, 2025Ever planned a brilliant idea to death—or leapt into action without a roadmap? Many professionals wrestle with finding the sweet spot between over-planning and reckless action. In her article, Christina Metcalf offers a practical guide to turn ideas into results, blending purpose-driven planning with steady, adaptable execution for lasting success. Read moreThursday, February 13, 2025What do Han Solo (Star Wars et al), Walter White (Breaking Bad), and Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) have in common? They’re terribly flawed and we love them for it. Imperfection can also be a powerful asset for businesses when approached with the right mindset. So stop trying your best to be perfect and embrace imperfection as a way to connect with your customers. Here’s how: Read moreThursday, February 6, 2025First it was pet insurance and foosball tables. Then it was Friday kegs in the office and goat yoga. While those benefits seemed like frivolous ways to bring fun to the office, the current benefit trend that everyone is talking about actually improves productivity and employee well-being (at least as reported by the employees). And it’s likely something you never thought about offering. But before we tell you what it is, let’s talk about some of the results that employees who have used this benefit experienced. Read moreWednesday, January 29, 2025Why building a castle on the sand is not always a bad thing... Read moreMonday, January 13, 2025The new year often brings a renewed focus on fresh starts and improved efficiency. Many of us are wondering how we might earn more, be more productive, and enjoy a better work/life balance. But as you’re committing to goals for the new year, consider that what your business may need is some decluttering. It’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo and tackle not just physical spaces, but also digital files, outdated processes, and even stagnant strategies. Just like a cluttered home can lead to stress and lost productivity, a cluttered business environment can hinder growth and innovation. Here's how you can embrace decluttering for a more successful year: Read moreThursday, December 19, 2024Whether you are starting your own business or reporting to someone else, you can be the leader you want to be with just a few changes to your weekly routine. All it takes is a little awareness. Before we get into the routines you can incorporate into your week, it’s important to understand that it may feel difficult to implement these changes if you’re really struggling in your professional life. You may feel like you need to concentrate on the basics before you can take on the “fluffy” feel-good leadership tasks. But if you don’t make time for these (even a few minutes of focus will help), you will find yourself struggling between wanting to be a better leader and achieving it. Even if it means concentrating on some of these ideas while you’re in the shower or driving to work (instead of listening to music), make the time. You’ll notice a difference in what you see meaning in. Read moreFriday, December 13, 2024We know you're an incredibly busy business owner. It's easy to get caught up in the daily tasks and operation of your business. But if you're only doing what must be done, and never making time for innovation, you will fall behind. But how do you make time to innovate? Read moreThursday, December 5, 2024Public relations (PR) is just for big companies with tons of connections and celebrity endorsements, right? It can feel like a luxury for those of us with small businesses. Hiring a dedicated PR firm is often financially out of reach. But who has the time to learn the ropes of good PR while juggling everything else? It takes years or deep wallets to make those kinds of connections, doesn’t it? Not exactly. You don't need a fancy PR background or a hefty budget to generate buzz. With a little creativity and the internet, you can score big media wins. Read moreTuesday, November 26, 2024Black Friday is this week! Is panic setting in? If you haven't planned a single promotion, and the thought of missing out on the biggest shopping weekend of the year is making your stomach churn, don't worry, you're not alone! Plenty of small businesses find themselves in this situation. But this is no time to sit in a corner worrying. This article can help. Read moreFriday, November 22, 2024If you’re the typical small business owner, you began your business with an exciting idea, a passion. No one goes into business thinking, “I can’t wait to work on cash flow challenges.” And yet, cash flow is one of the top reasons businesses close their doors. It’s not that they aren’t making money. It’s that managing it is not everyone’s skill set. Money management challenges are one of the most critical areas you need to master to be successful. This article is here to provide general information. Consult a financial planner or tax professional for more long-term solutions. Read more