By Olivia McKay, Operations Coordinator, Arlington Chamber of Commerce It’s hard to believe that my time at the Chamber has now exceeded a full year. Over the course of my first year, I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with our members, and have developed a vast understanding of the Arlington business community fabric. Whether that be attending an Arlington County Board meeting to pass out stickers to support the Amazon incentive package or holding a forum for our nonprofit members to learn from industry experts – I’ve seen the impact that the Chamber has on the community.
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By Tony Hill, Alphagraphics Prior to the advent of the internet and online advertising as we know it, businesses and organizations relied heavily upon direct mail as their main marketing channel. It was a time-tested and reliable way of driving new leads and foot traffic through the front door. Over the past few years, the costs of paid online advertising have gotten so competitive and cost-prohibitive that many companies are now once again turning to direct mail. Unlike paid ads, of which someone can instantly delete with the click of a mouse button, direct mail is a physical, tangible connection to your business. Designed and executed properly, it can create an emotional connection and generate new leads and business. By Anna Dievendorf, User1st There is increased demand for people of all abilities to experience and use web content equally. While web accessibility and the ramifications for noncompliance can seem daunting, don’t let that apprehension scare you into inaction. The rise in lawsuits is just as much cautionary note as it is a signal for opportunity. Unlocking purchasing power and website utility for more consumers – right when they want and need it – not only mitigates risk, it also opens the door to millions of users and buyers. And those millions need a way to use your site for their shopping, lifestyle, finance needs and more. By Christina Schlegel, Bluetail Travel We all need to take a break every once in a while. However, planning a vacation and taking off multiple, consecutive workdays can seem daunting. Research shows that American workers are among the worst when it comes to utilizing paid time off, but summer is a perfect time to use those stacked-up vacation days for an extended vacation or a short staycation. Living in or around the DMV provides so many options for staycations - no need to book a flight or drive more than four hours to reach an exciting destination. Here are four easy tips on booking a mini staycation in the DMV if you're looking to plan a low-stress getaway this summer. By Dr. Ujjwal Shakya, MMA & Sports Rehab Is your busy schedule getting in the way of taking care of your physical health? Are you too slammed at work and with outside activities to go to the gym? Incorporating exercises into your workday can help boost brain power, improve your memory, and ultimately result in being a more efficient worker. Here are six simple ways you can include exercise into your busy schedule, and even burn calories at work. By Andrew Nicholson, Bonds Escape Room I’ve always found escape rooms to be a microcosm of the workplace in that you have a team working together to complete a common goal within a set amount of time. I’ve worked at Bond’s Escape Room for three years, and during my time I’ve written hundreds of puzzles and watched countless groups try to solve them. I’ve observed many players and corporate teams hash out various strategies for success; however, few have actually worked. In order to “escape,” groups must communicate effectively, think critically, and make-up for each other’s weaknesses. In many cases, a leader naturally emerges to delegate and take charge of the group. I believe these workplace like games can be invaluable for understanding the inner workings of a team. By Tony Hill, AlphaGraphics Any smart business owner knows that it takes more than just a great product or model to operate a successful company. The true driver of success is sales, and sales stem from good advertising and branding. Focusing on these core competencies is a fundamental way to drive business that grows your bottom line, which in turn results in success. The cornerstone of every successful brick and mortar brand is a great piece of store signage. Business signage is important for so many reasons—namely because it sets the tone for your storefront, creates brand association, attracts attention, and serves as an informative tool. There’s an immense amount of importance placed on your business’ signage. By Marian Marquez, Arlington Economic Development During the month of May, Arlington Economic Development (AED) celebrated Business Appreciation Month in Arlington with a series of high-profile business events. However, this work is not confined to just one month per year; we do it year-round at AED! This activity, otherwise known as AED’s Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) program, doesn’t usually make headlines but is an important pillar of our economic development strategy. By Chris Smith, ChangeSmith Anybody who tells you they know everything they need to know about leadership is mistaken. Leader learning never stops. Even as I am called upon by our clients to coach and advise leaders as the managing principal of ChangeSmith, I too continue to learn, and that might be my favorite part of my work. I have been a management consultant in the professional services industry for over 22 years. I have supported leaders in the Federal, commercial, and trade association spaces, and represented some of the best firms in the Washington, DC metro area. While my work has always been an effective way to support my family, I haven’t always loved it. In fact, about five years ago, I was ready to quit and walk away when my wife encouraged me to pursue a dream of running my own firm. By Tara Palacios, Arlington Economic Development's BizLaunch Summer is nearly here! You’ve spent the last several months growing your business, managing your business, attending industry events, networking, and so much more. With the remainder of your time, you’ve been having “fun,” attending birthday parties, graduations, weddings, and catching up with the family. Now what? Take a break. Yes, take a break. I give you permission. As an entrepreneur, you deserve it. Give yourself time this summer to smell the roses, take care of yourself and recharge the batteries. The following is my list of must-do’s, so you are ready for the fall to further grow and manage your business, and attend more industry events! |
The mission of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen businesses and the economic environment for those who work, live and do business in Arlington.
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April 2023
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