Having a clear, simple and flexible business strategy will be the key to success in 2022.

Just like all the businesses in our region, we worked hard to stay on track with achieving our goals in 2021. In some cases, that meant deferring or delaying plans while adapting quickly to changing conditions. For other initiatives, we knuckled down and pushed them to completion – despite the challenges.

Here’s a quick snap shot of what we achieved in 2021 across the Chamber programs:

In 2022, we expect that we’ll need to be nimble while remaining determined to achieve our goals for providing relevant and valuable services and support to businesses. Our priorities will be:

Across the Chamber events and MyCommunity activities this month, we’re encouraging business leaders to take the time to create intentional business plans and strategies that will serve them in another year of uncertainty.

You can use our member directory to find the help you need to do this in your business. You can’t abdicate your ownership of your business plan, but you can delegate the execution of your strategy to experts, when you have confidence in your understanding of these fundamentals.

To be successful this year, you’ll also need to develop your skills and confidence in all areas of the business: financial, sales, branding and marketing, risk, operations, IT, people management and customer service.

It’s time to prepare your business and your teams for the year ahead and consider how you can use the Chamber and its benefits effectively to support your plans.

You can find all of our programs and member benefits on our website.

Here’s quick list of some of the ways you can connect with potential referral businesses and customers and become more visible this year:

• Update your information (completely) on our Business Directory.
• Attend our events regularly (there 30+ events this year) and be intentional about meeting new people. (Use the Connector List)
• Join a MyCommunity
• Participate in our LinkedIn group
• Contribute content to the Chamber blog.
• List your workshops and education on the Education Marketplace.
• Be the Member In Focus at an event.
• Use the Social Media Package to promote your business.
• Advertise in our Enews.

If you need help accessing your benefits, contact [email protected]

Introducing our 2022 Board Team

Thanks to everyone who attended our AGM and Christmas Party in December, where we also elected our 2022 board. Your board leadership team for 2022 is:

Board of Directors

Chairman:                                                           Kerrie Sheaves (Foundational Business)

Deputy Chairman:                                             David Ferris (Davelcorp Insurance Brokers)

Treasurer (Acting):                                           Joanne Brooker (Pengwen Bookkeeping Solutions)

Secretary (Acting):                                           David Kashan (Wealth Of Advice)

Partnerships:                                                    Sarah Eltakchi (Findex)

MyCommunity:                                                 John Drury (John Drury)

Systems:                                                           Phil Patelis (Aibl)

Education:                                                        Rebecca Swanson (Rebecca Swanson)

Member Experience – Marketing:                  George Hawwa (Attention Experts)

Project Officers:

Partnership Services:                                        Nathan Williams (Customer Return)

MyBoard:                                                            Richard Nassif (RN Printing)

Membership Manager:                                    Richard Holland

I’d also like to thank and acknowledge our outgoing 2021 board members:

Lielette Calleja (All That Counts), Farid Zaki (ATP Accounting) and Anna Ford (Coleman Greig) whose service to our Chamber over the last few years has been an important contribution to our growth and success, especially as we’ve navigated COVID.

We encourage you to connect with the Chamber Board team, get to know them, their businesses and their roles at the Chamber this year.

You can find more information about the team on our website.

Succession planning and leadership development is an important part of our strategic plan in 2022. We will be embarking on a program of identifying the current and future leaders of the Chamber, and implementing a leadership development program to support that process. If you’d like to be part of the Chambers leadership now or in the future, let us know.

We’ll be sharing the strategic plan and information about 2022 Chamber initiatives you can leverage to connect and grow your business at the February 9 Business Breakfast.