Chamber Blog
The Servant Leader’s Guide to Persuasion When many people think of persuasion, images of sleazy, unscrupulous salespeople often come to mind. While it is true that their methods can be quite persuasive, there are other ways to convert others to your way of thinking or doing things without them feeling as though they are getting…
5 Management Keys for Effective Virtual Leadership Managers and leaders have been forced to adapt to the rapid changes unraveling at the workplace. As the world recovers from a pandemic economy, many companies have been left to rely on remote workers and flexible positions that combine in-person days with work-from-home schedules. For managers, the challenge…
The World Would Be Better If More People with Leadership Talent Were Bosses Not all bosses have an innate talent for leadership, and not everyone who does have that talent realizes it, or is placed in a leadership position. While the title of manager or supervisor may imply that one is a team leader, the reality is…
Leadership Doesn’t Come Naturally To Everybody (But It’s Never Too Late to Learn) The phrase “natural leader” can be a little intimidating for people who question their ability to direct a team. As a business owner, you’ve probably thought about leadership often, including ways to help your team achieve more and how to mentor employees…
Are You Leading or Managing? Many managers make the mistake of thinking that a managerial position automatically means that they’re a leader. However, there’s a distinction between managing people and leading them. Understanding the difference can make a significant impact on your career growth. Managers Direct, Leaders Inspire Managers typically have a strategy to achieve…
5 Signs You’re a Community Leader Leadership comes in many forms, from those who inspire dedication and support to those who rule through fear and intimidation. A true leader is someone who can command those under them without having to resort to extreme tactics. Many great leaders share some common traits, so work to improve…
Toxic Workplaces and Bosses Have These in Common The Great Resignation is partly due to many people realizing that the demand for employees has created opportunities for them to try new things. A side effect of the work-from-home shift during the pandemic and an overall change in workplace culture shined a rather bright light on toxic…
How to Answer That First Interview Question: “Tell Me About Yourself” The common interview question, “Tell me about yourself” feels like it should be easy to answer. You’re the expert on yourself, after all. But all too often, this question, though intended to be a conversation starter, feels ultra stressful and can even paralyze job…
New Workplace Habits Learned by Working From Home As pandemic restrictions lift and people return to the office, which new habits are they bringing with them? While trends like working in your pajamas are probably not making the journey from the home office to the “real office,” other strategies make many workers much more productive.…
Employee Red Flag? Or Sign of Talent? Do you know what makes a great employee? Some traits are easy to spot: people who are punctual and reliable, perform well under pressure and can be trusted to complete their job tasks with few mistakes. However, some traditional “red flags” are actually a sign of underutilized talent.…
How Strong Businesses Stay Standing When Others Fall Every leader has faced a curveball in the last few years-supply chains, staffing, tech, or the economy. The companies that come out stronger aren’t lucky. They’ve built resilience into their DNA. Resilient organizations lean on three things: confident leadership, flexible operations, and teams that feel trusted. Chambers…
Cybersecurity Made Simple: 5 Steps Every Local Business Should Take Nearly half of cyberattacks target small businesses, not just large corporations The average breach costs $25,000, but prevention is affordable and accessible Begin with strong passwords, MFA, and consistent team training Back up data in two places and test regularly A clear response plan helps…
What AI Can’t Replace in Your Local Business AI excels at automating repetitive, time‑consuming tasks. It can streamline administrative routines (like scheduling, invoicing), but lacks human judgment. Client‑facing personalization benefits from human empathy and context-AI can assist, not replace. Internal operations: AI helps with analytics and forecasting, though strategic decision‑making stays human. Ultimately, local business…
Mid-Year Reset: 5 Smart Moves to Strengthen Your Small Business The year’s midpoint is your wake-up call-refocus now to finish strong. Scrutinize your numbers to find what’s working (and what’s not). Reboot your marketing before seasonal shifts hit. Remove workflow roadblocks to boost team output. Reconnect with your business’s core purpose. 597 Words ~ 3…
Flagstaff Green Business of the Year Award: Celebrating Sustainability in the Local Business Community Reflecting the Flagstaff business community’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the Chamber introduced the Flagstaff Green Business Award in 2022. This award recognizes the sustainable efforts of local businesses and non-profits, highlighting their commitment to creating a positive impact on the environment.…
Marley Discovery Center Opens at Lowell Observatory: A Boost for Flagstaff’s Economy Flagstaff celebrated a monumental addition to its cultural and scientific landscape with the grand opening of the Marley Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory. This state-of-the-art facility promises not only to enhance the city’s reputation as a hub for astronomical discovery but also to…
Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Our Indigenous Communities The Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce proudly joins the community in celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November. This month holds special significance for northern Arizona, where we have the privilege of living and working alongside vibrant Native American communities, including…
Transforming Employee Feedback into Actionable Insights: A Leader’s Guide To manage employee experience effectively, leaders must turn data into action. Gathering feedback is easy; interpreting it to meet employee needs is the challenge. Leaders should focus on synthesizing insights from feedback tools into a clear, strategic response. The Big Picture: Managing employee experience is crucial,…
Everything You Need to Know About Prop 138: The Tipped Workers Protection Act A group called One Fair Wage (OFW), an outside special interest group from New York and California, is pushing an initiative known as the One Fair Wage Act that would raise the minimum wage by $2 above the current Consumer Price Index…
Governor Katie Hobbs Announces Major Update in Deployment of Federal Broadband Dollars PHOENIX, AZ (August 5, 2024) – Today, Governor Katie Hobbs announced the approval of Volume II of Arizona’s application for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This officially unlocks the $993 million dollars in funding, which will be utilized to connect every…