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FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO | May 2022

5/2/2022

Heather Kasten President/CEO, Sarasota Chamber

Hello May!

This is going to be a great month for our members. We start off the month celebrating all the working women out there with our Women At Work luncheon this Friday, May 6th. The chamber team has created an amazing lineup for this luncheon, and we’re looking forward to seeing you there. We also want to promote and acknowledge all of our local small businesses for National Small Business Week from May 1-7th. Small businesses are the heart and soul of our country and our Sarasota community. When you have the opportunity to shop locally, you are helping your neighbors keep our local economy strong.

Can you imagine a community with no small businesses? And speaking of small businesses, you will not want to miss our Annual Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business Awards luncheon scheduled for Friday, June 17th, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. We will be honoring 27 small business finalists at this luncheon and sharing the great work they do.

The Giving Challenge wrapped up last week with a record 46,000 donors and 669 local charities supported- WOW, what a generous community we live in. Wishing you and your family a wonderful month of May, and thank you for being a treasured member of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

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Want to be a better leader? Rumble with vulnerability

4/28/2022

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by: Mark Gordon Managing Editor, Business Observer
Article Originally Appeared in Business Observer

If leadership consultant Natalie Johnson starts taking meetings on her phone, in an airport, between flights, then her colleagues know it’s quickly time to tell her: park it.

The co-founder and chief visionary officer of Sarasota-based ViDL Solutions, when Johnson gets in meeting mode at the airport, she’s at a point in the work cycle, she admits, where she’s taken on too much. And then the work begins to suffer, as do relationships with her team. That’s why Johnson is OK, even welcomes it, when her team calls her out.

Not only does that kind of candor make Johnson a better leader, but it’s also an example of what she considers a must-have mindset for any leader building strong teams: being OK with being vulnerable. Quoting best-selling leadership author and research professor Brené Brown from her 2013 book, “Daring Greatly,” Johnson says vulnerability is the “feeling of uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure.”

Sounds heavy. Yet, Johnson says, when you become OK with being vulnerable, you open up, or enhance, your leadership skills while also providing a path to a workplace that prioritizes transparent and open communication. That, in turn, crates a company culture where employees feel valued and listened to.

Embracing (or, as Johnson says, rumbling with) vulnerability is also a path to doing something many leaders struggle with: having frank conversations with employees. “People are tapping out from having tough conversations,” Johnson says,” and the number one reason is an inability to lean into being vulnerable.”

In a presentation at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s annual breakfast in late March and later in a phone conversation, Johnson focused on vulnerability and its cousin, courage. “The most powerful way to lean into vulnerability is through psychological safety,” she says. “If you’re comfortable showing your true self, if you’re completely comfortable saying ‘oh I didn’t know,’ or ‘I made a mistake,’” you are rumbling with vulnerability.

Mark Gordon, 2021 Celebrating Outstanding Leadership Awards Honoree, Leadership Sarasota Dedication Award

No control
With 30 years teaching, training, coaching and consulting on a variety of leadership performance programs, Johnson is personally certified by Brown to facilitate the renowned leadership consultant’s customizable Dare to Lead program. Clients Johnson and ViDL Solutions have worked with include Johnson & Johnson, Deloitte and NASA. Brown’s program, based on years-long studies, takes the approach that courage, and the courage to be vulnerable, is the collection of four skill sets that can be learned and measured. Those skill sets include:

• Rumble with vulnerability: “We must be able to step into the arena and rumble with being vulnerable,” Johnson says. One way to get there? Ask your team and colleagues the tough questions about each other, the kinds of queries that lead Johnson’s ViDL Solutions colleagues to recognize when she’s overwhelmed. Rumbling with vulnerability, adds Johnson, isn’t weakness. It’s showing up even when the outcome of a given situation is in doubt and/or “you have no control over what other people say or think about you.”

Natalie Johnson, co-founder and chief visionary officer of Sarasota-based ViDL Solutions, says leaders need to be OK with being vulnerable and having tough conversations.

• Living your values: What sounds simple, living your values is actually a thoughtful, conscious effort, Johnson says, to turn “your top non-negotiable values into your behaviors.” One suggestion to get started or get better with living your values is to write them down, and when doing that, to do it with a sense of clarity for each value.

• Braving trust: Johnson asked the Sarasota Chamber audience during the March 25 event if they thought they were, individually, trustworthy. Many nodded in unison. But when Johnson asked the attendees if they had a large circle of people they trusted, the nods turned to shrugs. The point is that many times, we think of ourselves as having the utmost trustworthiness. But not so much others. The way to balance that out, Johnson says, is to dig deep into what it means to be trustworthy. That includes doing what you say you will do, being accountable and recognizing and correcting your mistakes.

• Rising skills: This skillset, Johnson says, is “resiliency for individuals,” how being courageous and showing up, also comes with a dose of being knocked down. Like Brown, Johnson loves the famous Theodore Roosevelt quote about putting yourself out there, that “it is not the critic who counts (but) the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…who best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”

‘The most powerful way to lean into vulnerability is through psychological safety.’
- Natalie Johnson, ViDL Solutions

I think Brown, in a 2017 LinkedIn post talking about the Roosevelt quote’s impact on her, hits it at as good, if not better, than the original. “If you’re not in the arena and also getting your ass kicked on occasion,” Brown says, “I’m not interested in your feedback about my work — period.”

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400 Attendees Honor Robert Lane with Spirit of Sarasota Award; Leaders also LEARNED CRUCIAL TOOLS TO HELP RETAIN TALENT in the workplace

3/26/2022

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On March 25, 400 plus community leaders honored Robert Lane of Kerkering Barberio with the Spirit of Sarasota Award, sponsored by HH Staffing Services. “The award embodies someone who has given their time, talents, and treasures to make this great city what it is. They do it because they want to do it, not because they have to or not because they are paid to do it,” said Darrin Rohr, President/CEO of HH Staffing Services.

The chamber community recognized Robert Lane for working to make the Sarasota community provide opportunities and quality of life to many. His for his 30+ year career involvement in numerous leadership is woven througout the entire Sarasota region. Many non-profits and local organizations have benefitted from his expertise and business acumen by serving on their board of directors.

Attendees also learned from a 7-year leadership study about the impact of avoiding tough conversations on retaining employees. Keynote speaker, Natalie Johnson of ViDL Solutions, shared that the higher the team’s psychological safety (a shared belief of being vulnerable without being humiliated) is amongst employees, the higher the retention rate. Natalie left attendees with BRAVING tools that break down trust into seven elements: Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Nonjudgment, and Generosity.

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Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Catherine Roper as Vice President

2/18/2022

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SARASOTA, Fla. (February 16, 2022) - The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce welcomes Catherine as Vice President, following a decade with the Ballston Business Improvement District as Chief Marketing Officer located in Arlington, VA. She will be responsible for membership experience to Connect, Promote and Support 1,200 member businesses thriving in the Sarasota Chamber community.

"Our team is thrilled to welcome Catherine to the Chamber team. Her experience in the Chamber and economic development realms will be a true asset as we continue to grow and expand our services and programs to the Sarasota region," stated Heather Kasten, President/CEO

Catherine brings over 25 years of experience serving the business community and commercial real estate industry in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. In addition, she offers an extensive background in non-profit management, marketing, communications, event management, and operations.

During her tenure, the Ballston Business Improvement District was recognized for excellence in marketing and strategic public relations, winning several Communicator and MarCom awards. In 2017 she was honored with a SmartCEO Brava award. In her role, Catherine facilitated two re-branding initiatives. She also planned Taste of Arlington, an award-winning festival attracting 50,000 attendees to Ballston.

Prior to the Ballston BID, Catherine served as Vice President of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. While at the Chamber, she was instrumental in growing membership and establishing the Alexandria Professional Women's Network.

“A premier quality of life is directly related to the success of the business community,” says Catherine Roper, Vice President. “I’m excited to deliver bold opportunities and connections through Chamber programs that support our members’ growth and shine a spotlight on their success in the community.”

Catherine is a graduate of George Mason University earning a B.S. in business management. She is a graduate of the Leadership Arlington, VA class of 2018. She served on the Board of her homeowner's association, continues to volunteer as a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion, and loves coaching and swimming as a three-time finisher of the Great Chesapeake Bay 4.4-mile swim. She is a proud mother of two adult sons who look forward to visiting Sarasota!

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Sarasota Chamber of Commerce focused on smart growth, healthy business climate

1/25/2022

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Article also available at HeraldTribune.com
Leadership matters and it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a critically important concept, and a focus for your Greater of Sarasota Chamber of Commerce team in 2022.

Leadership starts at the top and is usually the difference between a company that excels and one that struggles. At the Chamber, we are diligently working to build, support and grow leaders in the business community and the community as a whole. We understand that supporting and strengthening leaders creates the opportunity to unlock new economic opportunities and is a building block for private sector job growth.

So, when it comes to leadership from the business community, where does the rubber meet the road in 2022?

The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce for over 100 years has served and will continue to serve as a platform for connection, referrals and collaboration for our businesses. Building a network of relationships with our members is key to having a strong, united business community.
The Chamber will be collaborating with many notable community groups to improve access to affordable housing, smart development and other programs focused on building Sarasota’s bright future. Affordable housing is a legitimate business issue that affects our economy and the workforce of this community.
A key resource that we provide at the Chamber is being a source of reliable, relevant, and impactful information for the business community. Here at the Chamber, we not only see knowledge as power, but also as intel that serves to arm businesses with the information, they need to power their businesses.
We need to continue to develop the prosperous business climate in Florida and Sarasota. Not having a state income tax, for instance, attracts businesses from other highly taxed states to Florida. Many times, these calls come to the Chamber from businesses looking to relocate to our area. We work with our partners at the EDC to steer them to the resources they need to make a transition happen. The momentum of growth in Florida is stronger than ever, with close to 1,000 people a day moving here. If Florida were a country, it would be the 15th largest economy in the world based on GDP.

We need to prepare our infrastructure for smart growth and development. Our transportation systems need to be constructed to better meet the needs of the working middle class. According to a study from the Tampa Bay Partnership, we have some catching up to do relative to metropolitan areas of similar sizes and with similar demographics – specifically increasing the availability of transportation options.
We must continue the full-court press around workforce development, creating a solid talent pipeline for our employers. Through the Chamber’s CareerEdge programming, we partner with companies to upskill workers and create fast-track programs in the region. Our internship programs are a win-win for companies, as well as the individuals who participate in them. It’s a great “try before you buy” for both parties. Right now, Florida is creating 1 out of every 4 jobs in the country, per the Florida Chamber Foundation.
Our Opportunities for All program will continue to build upon the success of its inaugural year of placing minority interns with local companies and supporting small minority-owned companies through our business grant program. Building and supporting a diverse business ecosystem helps all of our local businesses to thrive.
The Chamber will continue to build and strengthen local leaders through our Leadership Sarasota programs. This year we had a record number of applicants for this prestigious program, which is an immersive acclimation to the Sarasota community and its needs. In addition, the Young Professionals Group is an active group designed to engage professionals 40 and under with a platform of events geared towards career growth and connection.

We’ll be sharing more insight on all of these topics at our upcoming 2022 annual Chamber Breakfast on Friday, March 25, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Our featured speaker is Natalie Johnson, who will be speaking on the topic of leadership. Natalie is also the founder and co-owner of ViDL Solutions.

On Feb. 10, we will be hosting our annual “Party By The Bay" event at the bayfront lawn of the Van Wezel. This event brings community leaders together to enjoy an evening of delicious foods, cocktails, and conversations with the backdrop of a Sarasota sunset. Bringing leaders together in a world-class setting for a very special evening is an event that you won’t want to miss. For more information on this event and all Chamber programs, please contact [email protected].

We have a full docket of opportunities and challenges before us in Sarasota, all of which are things that need our collective attention, engagement and leadership in order to continue to have a strong and robust economy for us to live and work in.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce works to cultivate Sarasota's prosperity and quality of life through our member businesses.

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Small Business Saturday? NO, It’s Small Business SEASON!

11/10/2021

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Small Business Saturday is a good thing. But this year–and all subsequent ones, if you ask us–let’s celebrate a season of small, a season of local. Why settle for just one day?

If you ask a child about something they like, most of them will tell you two is better than one and three is even better than that. When it comes to shopping small, we have to concur. A whole season celebrating the efforts and offerings of small business is better than just one day.
Here’s why and how to create an entire shopping small/shopping local season either instead of or in addition to Small Business Saturday. We believe this is one of the best ways you can use your marketing efforts as 2021 winds down.

Why Shop Small?

Many small businesses were hit exceptionally hard because of their lack of e-commerce options. While big box stores gobbled up the lion’s share of online orders (Walmart’s online orders increased by 79% in the 3rd quarter of 2020 alone), many small businesses struggled to launch an online component, much less market that one was available. It was a hard learned lesson and one many simply weren’t prepared for.
When we talk about shopping small or shopping local, we always mention how the money stays in town. But let’s break that down a bit so that you can share these statistics in your Small Business Saturday or Season marketing.

According to Fundera, “small businesses generate $68 of local economic return for every $100 spent with them.” On the other hand, it’s estimated that for every $100 spent at a large business, only $43 stays in the community, according to the Civic Economics Study in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Get the entire infographic created by Score.org and sponsored by Nav here.

A local business that is thriving and growing is also much more likely to:

Hire more employees
Support a local sports team or PTA
Sponsor an event
Give to a local nonprofit or charity. According to the Seattle Good Business Network, small businesses donate 250% more than larger businesses to non-profits and community causes.
Give bonuses to employees
Expand into a new product or service line
Pay employees more or be able to afford offering benefits or better benefits or employee perks
Move into a larger location, which may help a landlord who hasn’t been able to rent the space
Pay additional tax dollars that help fund local needs like police, fire, and infrastructure

Some chambers worry that when they instruct shoppers to “buy small” they are alienating larger businesses. That is likely not true. After all, there are 28.8 million small businesses in the country and they account for 99.7% of all business in the US.

Plus, there is a difference between shopping small and shopping local.

Shop local suggests people should support local businesses that started and operate within your city or area. These are mom and pop businesses.

Shop small, on the other hand, has a much more encompassing reach with a small business defined by the SBA as any business employing less than 500 people with revenue under $7.5 million. Small Business Saturday as launched by American Express is likely using this definition (Small Business Saturday is a registered trademark of American Express).

Chambers that don’t want to alienate some members may advance the shop small cause, instead of shop local, although the marketing campaigns are often considered the same.

$10 is Enough For Small Business Saturday or Season

As we run shop local campaigns, we often pitch the idea that any amount helps. Customers may wonder if that is true. Can ten dollars spent at a local store really have that large of an impact on the community? What’s the difference buying something on Amazon or a big box store, rather than a local one?

But the impact is sizable.

It’s estimated that over $9.3 billion would be returned to our US economy if every family spent just $10 a month at a local business. That’s not even one one meal of spending a month! It’s really only a few cups of coffee or a glass of wine a month. What a tremendous impact we could have if everyone could commit to that.

And we’re not suggesting additional spending. We’re simply advising willing supporters to switch the $10 a month they’re currently spending elsewhere to $10 with local businesses.

$10 dollars!

That’s it and that small spend can have a huge impact.

The Season of Small Business Saturday Expands

American Express, Amazon, and others large companies have done a commendable job at bringing attention to the vulnerability of small business these days. Those who were operating with minimal profits and savings were hit extremely hard by the COVID closures.

Many big businesses stepped up to help and starting running funds, offering grants, contests, marketing, and sales opportunities for small businesses on their well-known e-commerce sites.

Amazon and Walmart both allow independent sellers or small businesses on their sites, for instance. Lenovo offered small business and minority-owned business grants as did Fed Ex.

But while these programs are wonderful, YOUR Chamber is better suited to be able to ensure that individual small businesses in your community get the assistance they need.

Small businesses need all of us through the holiday season and beyond.

EAT. SIP. SHOP. PLAY LOCAL

Visit your Sarasota Chamber Business Directory

(c) Christina Metcalf, Frank J. Kenny

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FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO | May 2022

Want to be a better leader? Rumble with vulnerability

400 Attendees Honor Robert Lane with Spirit of Sarasota Award; Leaders also LEARNED CRUCIAL TOOLS TO HELP RETAIN TALENT in the workplace

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Catherine Roper as Vice President

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce focused on smart growth, healthy business climate

Small Business Saturday? NO, It’s Small Business SEASON!

EAT. SIP. SHOP. PLAY LOCAL

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