President’s Message
The first week of May is National Small Business Week where the nation celebrates the contributions of small businesses to our communities. Here in Alameda, we are fortunate to have…
The Largest Unused Advantage Small Businesses Have Over Box Stores
Some days it feels hard to compete with the loss leaders that big box stores employ, the operating hours they’re able to keep, the programs, their ad budget, their marketing…the…
President’s Message
There are a lot of ideas being tossed around right now regarding the “Great Reshuffle,” where people are leaving the traditional workplace in droves. Some are starting their own business,…
10 Things to Do for Your Business Instead of Watching TV
We all have the same 24 hours in a day. While we may have different responsibilities, the most productive people learn to use their time in valuable ways no matter…
5 Business Wellness Ideas
Whether your team works from home or in an office, whether you are a business of one or one hundred and one, taking care and making time for wellness is…
Why You Need to Grow Your Personal Brand (and It’s Not to Land a New Job)
Business owners are as guilty as they come. Because they have their own businesses they rarely see a reason to build out things like their LinkedIn profiles. “I’m not looking…
Letter from the President
When I introduce myself to non-members of the chamber, I realize how many misconceptions there are about what Chambers do. Some people think we are a government agency. Others assume…
3 Creative Ways to Become Top of Mind
Do you want people to think about your business before all others? Of course, you do. The first step to patronizing your business is remembering it exists. Imagine you have…
Do You Need a Customer Loyalty or Referral Program?
In a survey of small businesses by Belly several years ago, 70% of the revenue of the small business respondents came from loyal customers, not new ones. Plus, loyal customers spend 67% more than…
Mastering the Emotional Draw for Your Business
People do business with those they know, like, and trust. Luckily, social media has opened up our ability to reach more people and build the types of relationships that will stay with potential…