Special Reports
North Idaho Alliance: Women of Impact Roundtable Series explores local commerce drivers
Let us examine the concept of "commerce." While it may initially seem unremarkable, consider the term "money." This is undoubtedly a more engaging topic. Money encompasses the ways we generate, spend, save, and invest, as well as how it circulates within our communities and on a global scale. It serves as the vital mechanism propelling our world forward.
POST FALLS CHAMBER: Working together as a chamber
As we step into 2025, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible work we have accomplished together as a chamber. The dedication and engagement drove meaningful change in our community, and I’m thrilled to share some highlights and upcoming initiatives that showcase the power of collective action.
SANDPOINT CHAMBER: The GIFT of feedback: Getting some
When we were in school, we were on the receiving end of tons of feedback. We were constantly being measured, tested, and observed. A lot has been written and researched about the benefits, and damages, of the methods that are used to teach, test, and measure students, but knowing how we are performing is a lot better than being left in the dark to make our own blind assumptions.
Extend and pretend
With the elections now over, that element of uncertainty is resolved, but it remains to be seen how the policies of the incoming administration will affect the economy, and real estate in particular. This apprehension is why Treasury bond pricing is high at 5%, and why the term premium mortgage holders expect is still at a wide spread by historical standards.
North Idaho Alliance Women of Impact: The importance of art
The National Endowment for the Arts serves as a valuable resource for my research regarding our December Women of IMPACT Roundtable discussion on the Arts in our region and our role as creative placemakers. A creative placemaker is an individual who actively employs arts, culture and design strategies to enhance the quality of life within a community by transforming public spaces, fostering a sense of place, and promoting community engagement through creative initiatives. These often involve collaborations with local artists, residents and organizations.
POST FALLS CHAMBER: Developments that matter: Updates from the business community
The holiday season is here, and with it comes the magic of togetherness, giving, and reflection. While we celebrate our community's achievements, we’re also keeping an eye on national developments that impact local businesses.
SANDPOINT CHAMBER: The GIFT of feedback — giving some
The holiday season has come to a close, but there is still something you might want to consider giving. This gift is something unique and very valuable: the gift of feedback. Chances are, you are in a position at work, or in your personal life, where you have some form of responsibility for others. You may be a supervisor, manager, owner, parent, volunteer, or a member of a hobby group or sports team. Whatever the role, at some point, you will have the responsibility of providing someone else with feedback.
Waves of change
“My comrades, hardly strangers to pain before now, we all have weathered worse. Some god will grant us an end to this as well. You've threaded the rocks resounding with Scylla's howling rabid dogs, and taken the brunt of the Cyclops' boulders too. Call up your courage again. Dismiss your grief and fear. Maybe someday you will rejoice to recall even this. Through so many hard straits, so many twists and turns our course holds firm for Latium. There Fate holds out a homeland, calm, at peace. There the gods decree the kingdom of Troy will rise again. Bear up. Save your strength for better times to come.” Virgil, the first book of the Aeneid.
Metal America launches Post Falls facility
Shawn and Justin Sternberg, have launched their own metal coiling and forming facility and trim shop in Post Falls, Metal America.
Hayden Chamber: Christkindlemarket returns Dec. 6
November! I can’t believe it is already here and almost gone but what an odd month it seems to be.
North Idaho Alliance Women of Impact: Serving on a nonprofit board makes a huge impact
Nonprofits provide a way for people to work together for the common good, transforming shared beliefs and hopes into action. They give shape to our boldest dreams, highest ideals and noblest causes. America’s 1.3 million charitable nonprofits feed, heal, shelter, educate, inspire, enlighten and nurture people of every age, gender, race and socioeconomic status, from coast to coast, border to border, and beyond. They foster civic engagement and leadership, drive economic growth and strengthen the fabric of our communities. (In Idaho alone, there are more than 9,000 registered nonprofits.)
Sandpoint Chamber: Are you growing or dying?
Entering into the final few weeks of the calendar year, it is a good time to reflect on how you are doing in your journey of personal and professional development. It is important to be a life-long learner. When you develop a feeling that you are an expert, it can cause you to stop the learning process. Or if you rely too heavily on your experience and base your decision making on a “been there, done that” attitude, you are missing out on new and innovative ideas.
'Have you been pwned?'
Data breaches and cybersecurity attacks are a daily occurrence. The threat landscape is very wide, deep, and growing. This is big business for all kinds of criminal groups, who have the resources to go up against the best cyber security protections. This is true for all business sectors and for all individuals. Real estate practitioners are especially targeted because property transactions involve significant amounts of money. There are many variations of hacking and scam attempts.
Does your business have a future in world commerce?
Congratulations! Your Idaho-based business is thriving. You’ve created a product or service that fills a real need for loyal domestic consumers, developed a way to market and deliver your product, and created an advertising presence that works. Sales are increasing, and the future looks bright.
The lean canvas: A tool for business clarity
The North Idaho Small Business Development Center coaches hundreds of existing and aspiring business owners every year. Oftentimes, an entrepreneur client has only an idea on the back of a napkin or an established business owner needs to get “unstuck” and redefine their entire business. In either case, there is a tool, without fail, that helps Business leaders we coach move forward with confidence.
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