Chamber Blog
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…
Supercharge Your Small Business Growth with Smart Acquisitions In the quest for growth, small business owners and entrepreneurs often focus on organic strategies like marketing, sales, and product development. But there’s another powerful strategy that can catapult your business to the next level-acquisitions. This article will walk you through the ins and outs of business…
Innovative Hiring Strategies for Small Businesses Securing the right talent is crucial for growth, especially for small businesses facing unique recruitment challenges. The hiring landscape is constantly changing, requiring small business owners to be flexible and adopt innovative recruitment strategies to stay competitive. Leveraging social media and advanced technologies in recruitment can significantly enhance a…
Important Updates on the City of Flagstaff’s 2024 Water & Sewer Fee Hikes In the May 2024 issue of the Chamber’s @7000 feet magazine we shared our concerns about the city’s water, sewer and reclaimed water rate hikes being proposed to Flagstaff’s Mayor & Council. We also shared our ongoing advocacy work on this issue…
Update on the City’s New Water and Wastewater Fee Hikes The City of Flagstaff Mayor & Council will formalize the city’s water, wastewater, and reclaimed water utility rate hikes with two public hearings on Tuesday, June 17, and Tuesday, July 2, 2024. City staff and the city’s rate consultant had proposed a 15% per year…
Flagstaff Airport to Offer Nonstop Service to LAX Beginning This Fall American Airlines will add nonstop seasonal service between Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this fall. Starting on October 12, the service will operate on Saturdays using a CRJ700 aircraft. “The addition of the LAX route offers more choices for…
The Story Behind the City of Flagstaff’s Massive 2024 Water & Sewer Fee Hikes If you have not yet heard, every water and sewer bill in Flagstaff is set to double in five years. That’s right. Get ready to pay twice as much as you do today for turning on your faucet and flushing your…
Understanding the Complex Role of HR in Today’s Workplace In today’s workplace, human resource officers play a crucial but complex role. They are the guardians of corporate values, the go-betweens for employees and employers, and the bringers of both discipline and development. Bearing this responsibility is challenging and often misunderstood, given the many boundaries HR…
How to Verify the Accuracy of an Applicant’s Resume 75% of hiring managers have encountered lies on resumes, posing a challenge to the trustworthiness of applicant qualifications. Pruning outdated or irrelevant job experiences from resumes can help applicants highlight their most recent and pertinent skills. Checking for employment gaps can uncover important character traits or…
Ensuring Growth of Middle Managers is Crucial for a Flourishing Workplace Small business owners have a lot on their plates – managing budgets, meeting targets, and overseeing employees. But amidst all these responsibilities, one thing that often gets overlooked is the development of middle management. In this article, we’ll explore five benefits that come with…
Best of Flagstaff 2023 Each year the Arizona Daily Sun recognizes local business through the “Best of Flagstaff” awards. Winner’s are selected by the community through voting process and at the end of the process. With categories spanning from food & beverage, services, shopping and more, the awards highlight the hard working entrepreneurs that make…