Building Business Resilience in. Often times, employees performing the daily functions and nitty-gritty tasks can spot inefficiencies and suggest solutions that higher-ups can’t see. When every team member is empowered with the ability and responsibility to make the business better, each person can contribute to the company’s success story. can include programs and assets such as educational workshops, directories and networking opportunities with fellow business owners, assistance with applying for and receiving grant money, and timely articles outlining local business trends and community solutions. • Get involved in your chamber of commerce . In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, chambers of commerce around the state have launched numerous efforts to assist in the preservation of local businesses and community economies. The Steamboat Springs Chamber developed 14 specialized industry work groups to convene monthly for TAP INTO COMMUNITY RESOURCES • Stay up to date on industry information. Many small businesses aren’t aware of the breadth of resources available through their local chamber of commerce, but offerings the development of solutions specific to each industry. In northern El Paso County, the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce assisted in the facilitation and distribution of CARES Act grant funds. Seven Colorado chambers of commerce joined forces to establish the Save Small Business Coalition—which has since aligned with more than 200 chambers and business associations nationwide—and lobbied Congress about state and local financial aid, business liability protections and funding for workforce development programming. Contact your local chamber of commerce to see what resources might be available for your business. RESILIENCY IN ACTION: Workshop Spotlight As the COVID-19 global pandemic unfolded, the Arvada Chamber of Commerce proactively developed an educational workshop to help local businesses create adaptive approaches for building resiliency. Through this program, these businesses and organizations not only gained valuable tools and strategies, but they also built a stronger community network for collaboration during these unforeseen challenges. This feature article was inspired by some of their key takeaways, and below are a few additional insights by participants. “Building business resilience is… “…the capacity to keep functioning through turbulence by transparent communication, great planning, new programs and fundraising by empowering others to lead in new ways.” – Kimberly Rouland, The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities 12 “…the ability to recover quickly, remain tough and grounded during crisis and intelligently using resources to use challenges to grow.” – Kathryn Seehusen, Colorado Home Realty “…attracting continual growth while focusing on retention and client support through communication, education and community outreach.” – Mollie Giligan, Payroll Vault “…our marketing plan! Develop a marketing plan sensitive to the current climate, anchored in our vision statement, transparent to our community, and built in conjunction with our Rocks.” – Angela Baber, Jeffco Schools Foundation Business in Colorado Magazine 2021
Business in Colorado May 2021: Page 12
