​by Ann Rosser, CEO, Finding Resolution 
Problems with time management can often be traced to tendencies of human nature.  
Egos, desire to please, fear of offending, ambition, perfectionism and inability to say “no” affect arriving at meetings on time, meeting project deadlines and adhering to schedules. 
When we are asked a question or answer the phone with only minutes remaining before we should be leaving for another appointment, why do we take the time to respond? Is it because we want to “please” the person or are afraid they won’t like us? If an employee comes into our office immediately prior to your departure to a meeting, do we take the time to talk because we want people to know we are “in charge”, or no one else can discuss as thoroughly as we can?
Contemplate situations when this happens to you. Think about your motivation for taking time to answer a question or problem that could have waited or could have been referred to someone else.   Is it really something that can’t “wait” or be referred to another knowledgeable staff member? Or do you like getting to meetings late because you think it makes you look important or are not respectful of the time of others?
Good time management is a choice and is in your control.  Situations don’t have to control you. You have a choice in how you respond. 
Patterns of how we use time are engrained.  Unlearning old habits and learning new ones is difficult. Developing a new way of thinking takes time and effort. When you see results and benefits and begin to “like it”, you are on your way.

​by Nana Gongadze, 2015 Arlington Chamber of Commerce PRIME Intern

If you've swung by the Chamber offices in the last week of June or first few weeks of July, chances are, you may have seen me around - the fabled summer intern. I have been able to spend a few informative weeks learning the ins and outs of the Arlington business community and serving it through this opportunity, which I got via the Arlington Public Schools PRIME internship program. PRIME interns are APS rising juniors and seniors who are paired with a local workplace that lines up with their career and college interests. Explaining that I have an interest in studying communications and some nonprofit experience, I was sent here by PRIME-to a business organization that I didn’t know existed prior to this summer. But it was quite a summer! Allow me to tell you about some of the things I learned, and why it’s a good idea for YOU to consider taking on an intern one day.


The first thing I learned is what a Chamber actually does, and why a business would elect to join one. I have to say, I am impressed. I am impressed at the Chamber’s personal dedication to their members and promoting a healthy business climate in the county. The feeling I got from attending the July Breakfast Connection, where I met a lot of great members, and my time here in general, is that with the Chamber, you really have a team behind you - and many great opportunities to meet other enthusiastic members. 


I also learned about doing business in Arlington. As an Arlington native, I have loosely kept up with the various government initiatives and issues that have caused clashes over the years, but this job allowed me to get a unique perspective on them. I am definitely leaving with a renewed understanding of the nuances of running a business in our county. Arlington may be small, but it packs a mean punch.  


Another thing I picked up a lot on at the Breakfast Connection is that networking is truly the bread and butter of making business and career connections. That morning, I plunged headfirst into shaking hands and harvesting a bumper crop of business cards, a fairly new experience for me, but a rewarding one. I definitely felt more comfortable by my internship’s end with introducing myself and explaining my role here, which I think is incredibly valuable. 


You, and Your Intern?
Reading this, you might be thinking, wow, I should to get myself one of these strapping young people to help me, especially if they’re as witty as the Chamber’s one this summer. And I’m here to tell you that getting an intern, whether through a program like PRIME or your own personal listings or outreach, is a great idea. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship, so long as both parties treat each other with respect and learn from one another. 


Interns can be young (high school - college, generally), but we have a lot of great insight. Hiring a motivated, hardworking young person allows them to learn about your company, how a workplace works, and gives them perspective on their future career prospects, as well as some great experience for their resume. And you, in turn, get some free labor, a fresh set of eyes, and someone who most likely has lots of skill with things like social media and computer proficiency (invaluable in this day and age). It’s always good to make a connection with a younger person who still has a whole career ahead of them. I certainly know I’ll be taking a lot of the experiences, skills, and connections I learned here with me in the future! 

​by Dave Notari, CEO, Innovation Health

With summer in full swing it’s easy to get distracted by all the barbecues, beach trips and family vacations. As someone who runs a business, I know that while the summer is a time for fun, it’s also a time for planning. When it comes to health plans, businesses should use the summer to start thinking about their options in order to be prepared for the fall open-enrollment period. Below are three key considerations for saving money on health costs while ensuring your people have access to great care.

1. Look for Plans That Reward Coordinated Care at a Better Price
In the past two years I have seen the health care system turned on its head. One of the biggest emerging trends coming out during this time, and one that can save businesses major dollars, is the shift toward plan options that focus on creating a better health care experience at a better price using coordinated approaches to care. With these plan offerings hospitals, physicians and insurance providers work together to eliminate waste and lower costs, while improving health outcomes for patients. To save your company money, keep an eye out for plans that offer coordination amongst these three key players and that provide comprehensive, efficient, preventative - and never redundant patient care. Since these plans align incentives and combine the lowest possible cost with high quality care, your CFO and employees will thank you.
2. Employ Technology to Enable Employee Choice
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) went into effect in 2010, health insurance has been undergoing a major transition from an employer-driven model to consumer-driven model. Folks are shopping for health insurance like they shop for electronics on Amazon. With your employees now in the driver’s seat, more and more companies are offering benefits through private health insurance exchanges that empower consumers to choose the best plan for their family’s specific needs. Private exchanges offer the flexibility your employees demand, and predictable costs for your business’s bottom line. 
Another great option for lowering your health costs is to look into the potential benefits of high deductible health plans. These plans offer a great amount of flexibility for employers and are often supported with anemployee-owned health savings account (HSA) or an employer-owned health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). This option could help you predict your yearly health costs by clearly outlining for employees what is covered and how many dollars will go towards their accounts each month.

3. Build a Corporate Wellness Program
The ultimate goal is to prevent health issues before they start, which brings us to wellness programs. By incentivizing healthy behaviors year-round, corporate wellness programs can save businesses countless amounts of money while improving productivity and morale. From providing healthy snacks to company-sponsored exercise activities, these programs are designed to reduce trips to the doctor, limit sick leave, and take a more proactive approach to keeping personnel happy and healthy. Evidence-based lifestyle management programs can help focus programs on employees with existing conditions and deliver educational materials to promote better choices.
Building healthier workforces across Northern Virginia is something I am deeply passionate about. By taking into account these key considerations you could be taking an important step toward better health outcomes and increased costs saving for you and your employees. 

​By Monique Dean, Client Marketing Advocate, PalmPons, LLC
When it comes to business, having a strategy for growth can mean the difference between an enduring brand and a passing fad. Even when not all the details are clear, however, it’s still key to have basic principles to apply to your company.
Let’s look at some of the most important tips for continuously growing your business:
1) Have Enough Cash and Use It Wisely
Funding is the quintessential small business conundrum, and it’s not just a priority in getting your business off the ground - but it’s just as important throughout all phases of your company’s life. Be creative and proactive in looking for ways to keep your enterprise flush with cash -- and once you have it, don’t be afraid to use it on the kinds of investments that will keep you competitive in the future.

2) Market When Times Are Good, Not Just When You Need to
Studies have shown that businesses that market aggressively during economic downturns are more likely to remain profitable and competitive than those that don’t. Likewise, you shouldn’t disengage with your marketing efforts just because there’s enough business “today.” Marketing can serve as the engine that drives growth and cues you on expansion opportunities.

3) You Need to Understand Your Value First
No matter what your product or service may be, it’s important to understand and communicate its value clearly. Today’s customers have thousands of options in virtually every industry. They don’t appreciate a mystery when it comes to the specifics of your offer. Never be afraid to quote a price to set clear expectations upfront and drive toward a closed sale...and make sure your price reflects your value.

4) Get Involved in the Community
These days, businesses large and small are expected to serve as good stewards in the community. When local prospects see that you are involved in community affairs, they are more likely to trust you and see your business as a force for good. Being active in your local Chamber, donating to local charities and getting involved in fundraising events for worthwhile causes can all be excellent uses of your time.

5) Always Keep Improving
Your business may be looking great today, but if you want to be competitive tomorrow, you need to keep sharpening the saw. That means investing in the tools and equipment you need, keeping yourself current on the state of your industry and even knowing when to take a break and recharge so that you can continue to innovate your products and services.  If your organization isn’t improving to keep up with the latest trends and demands, customers will find one that is.
There has never been a better time for entrepreneurs to take decisive action on their goals. Keep these five tips in mind and you’ll always have a “North Star” to guide you when your path to business growth seems uncertain.