LOLA WOLOCH 2020-12-31 22:21:49
The Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce supports small business resilience and recovery Looking toward 2021 and the future, we know the road ahead will have many challenges. We see hope on the horizon with the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, and we know we must continue to keep driving forward. As community leaders, we know the power of collaboration during challenging times, and many have come together with a “believe anything is possible” attitude. I was moved by the late Don Brown, founder of Frontier IT and SCWCC board member, for supporting laidoff members so they could continue to utilize the women’s chamber and seek new opportunities. I am also inspired by our women leaders in the community such as Aikta Marcoulier of SBDC and Traci Marques of the Pikes Peak Workforce who worked to provide endless support to our community. The Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (SCWCC) is committed to providing resources and support to all womenowned, minority-owned and all small businesses to ensure they not only survive but will thrive in 2021 and beyond. We are proud that our chamber operations are run by entrepreneurs who naturally possess resiliency and grit and can see opportunities and solutions rather than obstacles. We work directly with businesses to look through that same lens. We are providing one-on-one support for our businesses to guide them through resources, help them complete grant and funding applications, and create innovative ways to drive revenue with a strategic recovery road map. It is with a reassurance to our community that SCWCC is uniquely positioned to serve our businesses in a rebound plan. We may not know what lies ahead, but we are prepared to embrace these challenges by adapting, innovating, assessing and adjusting as needed. As part of ongoing efforts to support women-owned business and business professionals in our community, the SCWCC Foundation is actively working to roll out programing in 2021 to help with two main pillars: career advancement workshops and secondary education scholarships. SCWCC and the SCWCC Foundation recognize the economic impact that our women-owned businesses bring to our community and the need to have them succeed. Together, we will be providing supportive programming for women-owned businesses in addition to our current scholarships. With innovative and concise planning, the SCWCC Foundation will have a far greater reach in 2021 than ever before. As business leaders, we plant seeds, cultivate win-win relationships and seek innovative solutions to solve problems. We will continue to work closely with our leadership teams from the city, county, state and local partners to help assist in the economic recovery for our region. Find this article in the January 2021 issue of the Colorado Springs Business Journal The Keys to Robust Membership Strategy HOW THE SOLUTION CAN HELP GROW AND MAINTAIN YOUR ORGANIZATION Membership is the force that drives any association or chamber of commerce, but it is not uncommon for organizations to struggle with retention and engagement. A robust membership strategy is all about effective recruitment, streamlined onboarding and consistent engagement. The first step is to establish the value of your membership. This begins with understanding your current and prospective members. Foster two-way communication so you can understand what members want and how you can best serve them. Then, define the difference between membership “features” versus “benefits.” For example, the feature may be “networking,” but the value statement could be “connect with professionals committed to the highest professional standards for support and advice.” These messages need to be incorporated throughout your marketing and communications. Need more guidance? With more than 35 years of combined experience in association management, The Solution knows how to elevate your organization’s membership program, handling everything from strategic planning to billing and database management. www.TheSolutionWebsite.com Dot@TheSolutionWebsite.com (303) 885-2501
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