‘Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the town, All the people were scurrying up streets and down; The meetings all set in their planners with care, In hopes that the customers too would be there! Workers were snacking all snug in break rooms, With visions of PTO coming up soon. VPs in their … Read more

The simple act of thanking your customers can go a long way toward building loyalty to your business and your brand. Research from Zendesk found that two-thirds of consumers who believe a business cares about their emotional state will likely become repeat customers. Customer appreciation is fundamental to building customer loyalty. Here are some simple, … Read more

The end-of-year holidays can be a tricky time for small businesses. On one hand, November through January is the peak shopping season and the window when restaurants and retail merchants can capitalize on sales. On the other hand, you and your team are ready for a break. Many employees save their paid time off for … Read more

Around the holidays, do you find yourself wondering how your business can stand out against large stores with huge marketing budgets and flashy loss leaders? How can the “little guy” capture local shoppers’ attention? The questions below can help you put your small business on track for big returns this holiday. Business owners, ask yourself … Read more

The holiday season (and Small Business Season!) is upon us! It’s the perfect time to capitalize on the festive spirit to attract customers and boost sales. As a small business you also want to invite people to linger, especially if you’re in retail. According to the Wall Street Journal, sales could increase as much as … Read more

Creating and developing a veteran-owned small business is a unique process. As the founding city of Veterans Day, all of us here at the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce are committed to helping our local veterans succeed. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, military veterans own almost two million businesses and employ over five million … Read more

Love it or hate it–AI is here to stay. Artificial intelligence might not seem like a natural fit for recruiting and hiring new employees. However, those processes involve many repetitive, time-consuming tasks that AI can easily automate. Artificial intelligence can help in three specific areas: Sourcing: Allowing recruiters find and connect with talent faster. Screening: … Read more

We all know people who possess seemingly innate leadership skills. They communicate well, are respected by their peers, and navigate challenges with ease. However, many people in leadership positions worked tirelessly to sharpen their talents. In “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” author and leadership expert John C. Maxwell wrote, “If you want to be … Read more

We all know that Halloween falls on October 31st every year. So why do we see decorations and other holiday-related merchandise in stores long before then? According to a professor of economics at Virginia Tech, this strategy allows retailers to attract the early-bird shoppers and capture a larger share of the holiday spending. Since a … Read more