Blogs
Reach Your Career Goals with A Strong Professional Development Plan
Reach Your Career Goals with A Strong Professional Development Plan The business world is ever-evolving, and staying ahead of the curve means continuously investing in yourself. Creating a professional development plan can help you identify the skills needed to reach your career goals and keep you aligned with the latest developments in your field. Here…
Read MoreThe Importance of Buying Local
The Importance of Buying Local When you shop local, you do far more than get the items that you want quickly and conveniently. Buying local stimulates the economy in our community, helps benefit local schools and charities, and it even helps the environment. The Greater Vancouver Chamber’s Grow the (360) program makes it simple for…
Read MoreYour Customers are Marketing Assets
Your Customers are Marketing Assets At the Greater Vancouver Chamber, our members often ask for marketing advice. We’ve found that the best people to go out and advertise to small local businesses like our members, are their customers. Companies in our region have a solid connection to the community and using their successful prior business…
Read MoreDeciding Between Outsource or Hire
Deciding Between Outsource or Hire Deciding between hiring in-house talent or outsourcing the job can be a tough call to make, and both options have their benefits and drawbacks. Here are some things to consider when choosing between two recruitment options. Why Independent Contractors Make Sense It’s easy to understand the draw that outsourcing certain…
Read MoreStart the New Year with a Marketing Plan
Start the New Year with a Marketing Plan As the new year draws near, small businesses are celebrating with employees and families alike. Holiday preparations go beyond planning parties and gatherings though as the new year lurks just around the corner and brings new opportunities that can be capitalized upon. Working within our Greater Vancouver…
Read MoreUtilize the Library for Business Resources
Utilize the Library for Business Resources You might be surprised at the business resources that can be found at our local library branches in Southwest Washington. Small business owners and entrepreneurs have access to an often-untapped resource that can provide a wealth of information. You will probably want to find that library card or apply…
Read MoreEnhance Your Website Traffic
Enhance Your Website Traffic Your company website is the first impression nearly all of your customers have of your business. However, if it’s not optimized for search engines, potential customers may never see you. Search engines have artificial intelligence “bots” that scour the internet for websites that match a user’s search query, and the more…
Read MoreHow Entrepreneurs Use Networking
How Entrepreneurs Use Networking An essential skill for any entrepreneur is the ability to create meaningful connections via networking, also called network development. Creating connections with customers both old and new is important, but creating a network of other entrepreneurs and business owners provides value customers alone can’t provide. Typically this comes in the form of…
Read MoreFactors That Influence Client Retention
Factors That Influence Client Retention Marketing and advertising are only part of the equation when attracting new clients. Service is perhaps the single most important aspect of any business. If your business provides good service, but you are seeing a decline in retention, it is important to identify the reasons. We have identified some of…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Volunteering
The Benefits of Volunteering Aristotle once equated the essence of life to serving others and doing good. While the philosophy seems like a fulfilling endeavor, it’s not quite practical given that we lead super busy lives. With our consistently jam-packed schedules, it’s impossible to think of giving away more of your time and energy for…
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