By John Safin, President/CEO

Good relationships are built on good communication. The Chamber regularly distributes information by email, website, social media, and sometimes with a phone call. It could be a message sent to the entire membership, segmented portions, or a direct message to an individual.
 
Thanks to the generosity of West Valley View, Litchfield Independent, Goodyear Independent, and YourValley.net, we’re able to inform the community on Chamber activities. This is huge for you and the organization. The more who know the positive impact the Chamber makes the more you can tell others you, as a member, helped make a difference in the community.
 
Those are a few examples as to how the Chamber communicates. As I stated at the beginning, good relationships are built on good communication, but it has to flow both ways. You have to share, too. The Chamber reaches out for input using several methods.
 
Surveys are the most effective method to get a “snapshot” from a variety of industries and business types. Most questionnaires are so short you’ll complete a survey before finishing a cup of coffee. In-depth surveys will show an estimate as to how long it will take to complete. Short or long, the data collected provides necessary information.
 
Phone calls are another way to communicate. We regularly reach out to a sampling of the membership each month. It’s your chance to tell us what’s happening with you and your business. It also gives us an opportunity to ask you about current events and future planning. Sometimes you’ll hear from the Chamber staff or members who have volunteered to assist with calling. We’re aware you might not always have time at that moment to talk, but your insights are important. A returned phone call when you have time would help.
 
The Chamber also seeks information from outside the membership. Chamber members tend to have similar qualities and thoughts. Getting an “outside” point of view provides knowledge that might not have been acquired through normal channels.
 
The Chamber staff works to ensure you, other members, our partners, stakeholders, and even the community are informed. The Chamber also strives to provide resources and opportunities for you and the entire membership to reach your goals. If you aren’t receiving the weekly update or other emails, please let me or the Chamber staff know. Help us help you by keeping in regular contact.
 

By John Safin, President/CEO

We’re about to go into the fourth quarter of the year. That’s seven months since the Governor’s first executive order in reaction to the outbreak of Corona Virus/Covid-19. Remember: At the State and National levels, the orders to close businesses and stay 6-feet apart from each other were to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. That has changed over time to “slowing the spread” and other treading phrases. Sadly, the efforts to find the cause, prevention, and potential cure for the virus were invaded by politics and political views. Event reporting of virus statistics have been skewed. This has made too many of us question what is fact and fiction, and has made the “mask/no-mask” debate go from civil discussion to outright hostility in some areas of the country. Let me tell you things from recent weeks.

First, a little perspective: Since March, I have participated in 2-5 weekly updates from the Governor and his office, our US Congressional delegation, CDC, Small Business Administration, and with other experts. I have expressed the need to treat every business and every person fairly, to keep politics out of the virus response, and called out bad decisions when necessary. A specific example was he Governor’s July 27 executive order against bars with a specific liquor license, gyms, and water parks. There were other business association executives who agreed that was an unfair order and appeared to be driven by politics. 

Over recent weeks, my counterparts throughout the country have reported incidents of public shouting matches, fist fights, hostile social media posting and business reviews (it’s called “flaming”), and worse. One Chamber executive said people in her city are calling the police on each other and businesses that seem to violate the virus regulations. Another was flamed on social media for holding an in-person event and accused of “spreading the virus” even though they followed established guidelines. 

The choice to begin in-person activities requires meeting government guidelines, anticipated participation from Members, ensuring safety of attendees and staff, available liability coverage, and reduction of any potential risk. Members regularly give me their opinions about in-person events. It’s an even split between the “yes” and “no” responses. It’s the same percentage when asked about the necessity of wearing a mask. Many stated they wouldn’t attend any events until virus counts go down or a vaccine is available. There’s also the consideration of ensuring the location complies with government regulations. This includes the Chamber office and Visitor Information Center. So you’re aware, many of the State’s Visitors Information Centers remain closed because of the strict virus guidelines. 

I continue to monitor the virus situation and government regulations as it relates to Chamber of Commerce activities. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a formal meeting on October 7. Whether or not a review of the county’s mask mandate will be on the agenda has yet to be determined. Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) has the county designated as a high case count for the virus. Governor Ducey hasn’t held a virus briefing in several weeks nor has his staff shared any new information. Some or much of what transpired over the past seven month could have been avoided had the State Legislature resumed their session earlier in the year. 

The Chamber, along with many other associations and corporations, believes there will be significant change within the next three months. The Chamber is planning for a bold future whether the virus threat has been eliminated or if we have to adapt to get things moving again. Limping along as our economy has been doing isn’t helping enough people and certainly not the community. We need to get money circulating and need to bring in more dollars from outside the area. I also hope the future will have common sense replace political motives at the State and Federal levels. Members can rely on the Chamber to be their voice in government, provide resources, and offer opportunities to help you reach your business goals.

Until there’s a change with government guidelines, the Chamber will continue to serve virtually and by appointment. Expect another update when the government’s virus restrictions are adjusted. 

Danielle Brown, IOM, Vice President, Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce

​You’ve probably heard of it. You’ve probably feel that you’ve experienced it. But is it really a thing? It definitely is! Virtual meetings impair our inherent reliance on non-verbal communication forcing our brains to pay more attention to words and facial expressions. And the more people you add to a virtual meeting, the smaller each person’s picture becomes increasing our reliance on only words to truly understand a person. It’s mentally taxing making us physically tired.

We are hearing from Chambers of Commerce across the country that attendance is down at their Zoom meetings and events. We’ve noticed a drop, too. But as someone who has stuck with it, I’ve noticed something interesting.

Take Networking at Noon, for example. Before Covid, you’d enter our room at The Haymaker, find a seat, and sit and talk to the people at your table. Some people would stop by your table for a few words, but they’d move on fairly quickly to talk to everyone else. As creatures of habit, people usually sat in approximately the same location each week so you’d talk to basically the same people each week. Since the quarantine, Networking at Noon has been meeting every Wednesday on Zoom. Attendance has dropped a little since the beginning but we’ve maintained a solid core group for quite some time now. Friday Business Connections is experiencing the same thing.

What’s been really interesting is watching the group conversation develop. In the beginning, a couple people would carry the conversation but as people became more comfortable, the dynamic has shifted to a laugh-filled, large group conversation where everyone is really getting to know each other. People have been able to share their concerns and their triumphs with everyone. 

So my challenge to you is to give it a shot. Join Networking at Noon or Friday Business Connections be part of the conversation. I think you just might come away with a renewed energy.