Small Town News

When business succeeds, we all win

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GUEST COLUMN

Tough times demand even more leadership and vision, and a drive toward excellence. That's why the board of the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce has developed a comprehensive three-year strategic vision for our business community.

But wait. Before we get into this vision for the chamber and how it will support you, let us introduce the 2011 Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber is as unique as Issaquah. Our activities vary and encompass a broad range of efforts to support business and community.

Early morning, we might be meeting with a city councilmember to discuss partnership opportunities. Next, we might be working with the city's economic development manager on business support strategies. At noon, we may hold a program regarding the latest marketing tips to help local merchants succeed, or perhaps lending support to a local nonprofit organization. That night, we might feature a structured networking program to help keep commerce local.

The next day, we might be in Olympia advocating for local business needs, or perhaps we are preparing to welcome 180,000 people to town through the community's signature tourism and Issaquah marketing program, Salmon Days. And the entire time, our website is working around-the-clock, showcasing our members to consumers looking for reputable local businesses.

We are a coalition of 460 businesses, individuals and nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting our community and economy. Through our members, we represent more than 40,000 employees. While we count among our members some of the largest local/regional employers Costco, Puget Sound Energy and Microsoft a majority of our members are Issaquah's smallest businesses. Nearly 80 percent of our members have fewer than five employees.

And if recent economic challenges have told us anything, it is that business success equals jobs, economic vitality and resources for crucial city-centric services, nonprofits, education, arts and the environment.

Hence, our strategic plan focuses on three goals, each with eight to 10 measurable tactics:

1. A focus on partnerships, education and advocacy to support local economic vitality and community prosperity.

2. A focus on chamber excellence and a goal to be recognized as a leading chamber in the state and the West.

3. A focus on delivering innovative competitive advantages in the greater Issaquah marketplace for each of our members.

If you are a local business, the plan means we will ask and listen more, and develop and deliver more. For some businesses, a competitive advantage means more opportunities to network and gain visibility. For others, it means business incubation support. And for others, it means a voice at City Hall to help curb unnecessary regulation/taxation.

If you are an Issaquah citizen, the plan means we will work to support our local economy to help ensure we have a strong tax base to fund the services we need most for our families public safety, good schools, open space/parks maintenance, support for the arts and human services, etc.

Above all, if you love living or working in Issaquah, the plan means your chamber is working to keep our community vibrant, connected and livable for years to come.

Read more about our strategic vision and plan at www.issaquahchamber.com. We welcome your input and involvement!

Kristi Tripple is the 2011 chair for the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. Matthew Bott is the chamber's chief executive officer. Comment at www.issaquahpress. com.



Copyright 2011 The Issaquah Press, Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Issaquah Press Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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