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Chamber Interns are the Workforce of the Future Share:
Chamber Interns are the Workforce of the Future Share: Preparing the Workforce of the Future At our June Wake Up West Coast Breakfast, the hot topic was talent development. It’s no secret that employers across industries are finding it more and more difficult to fill employment vacancies, and educational institutions are actively developing programs to…
Read MoreTalent Development is More than an Educational Issue. It’s a Community Issue.
Talent Development is More than an Educational Issue. It’s a Community Issue. At our last Wake Up West Coast Breakfast event, a panel of higher education administrators took the stage to answer questions about the complex subject of talent development, and how they are preparing students for jobs available now and those projected for the…
Read MoreSustainability in Business: Doing Well by Doing Good
Sustainability in Business: Doing Well by Doing Good What does “sustainability” mean for businesses? The goal of a sustainable business strategy is to make a positive impact on the environment and on society. A growing number of organizations are integrating sustainability into their business strategy—realizing they can do well by doing good. The mission of the West…
Read MoreCreating Something from Nothing Takes a Village
Creating Something from Nothing Takes a Village Ask anyone who has ever built a business from the ground up, it’s probably the hardest thing they have ever done. It demands more of their time, energy, resources, creativity, patience, families and fortitude than they could have ever anticipated. Yet each year thousands of ambitious entrepreneurs take…
Read MoreWhat is “Affordable Housing”? (Part 2)
What is “Affordable Housing”? (Part 2) We understand how the issue of housing affects our members and their businesses, and are committed to keeping you informed as we work towards tackling the issue. At last week’s Public Policy meeting, we were joined by Housing Next Executive Director, Ryan Kilpatrick. He gave us an update on the…
Read MoreBest City to Start a Business: Why Our Four-peat is No Surprise
Best City to Start a Business: Why Our Four-peat is No Surprise WalletHub announced that Holland, Michigan is once again the best small city in America to start a business. They’ve tracked data and rated cities on various influences and put us back on top for the fourth year in a row. While we’re all…
Read MoreAdvocacy in Action in Washington DC: Part 2
Advocacy in Action in Washington DC: Part 2 A major focus of discussions at Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition’s DC Fly-In in March revolved around Talent. Workforce development is a topic that crosses most of the industries in our country, although different areas of the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition feel it in different ways. Common…
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
What You Need to Know About Mandatory Paid Sick Leave This article and FAQ was prepared by The Michigan Chamber of Commerce to help our members comply with Michigan’s Paid Medical Leave Act, which went into effect on March 29, 2019. It is intended to convey general information only and should not be relied on as legal advice…
Read MoreAdvocacy in Action in Washington DC: Part 1
Advocacy in Action in Washington DC: Part 1 I’m not a lobbyist by trade, but I do know about the significant issues our local businesses face and have many opportunities to talk about them. There’s not a week that goes by at the Chamber where we’re not sitting down with an elected official, be they…
Read MoreAre you a Voter? Taxpayer? Business Owner? Here’s your deep dive on issues that matter to all of us.
Are you a Voter? Taxpayer? Business Owner? Here’s your deep dive on issues that matter to all of us. Friday morning Public Policy meetings are never the same thing twice. Members gather at the standard West Michigan crack of dawn hour to look at real issues that have direct influences on how we operate our…
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