Urban Enterprise Center salutes outgoing Advisory Board Chair Jack Faris
After 10-plus years of dedicated stewardship, Jack Faris is stepping down as the volunteer chair of the Urban Enterprise Center's (UEC) Advisory Board.
Faris, who runs the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, lent his extraordinary expertise in community outreach and relationship building to furthering the UEC's mission of economic empowerment, business development and improved race relations in the metro area. Most recently, he guided the UEC's development of a new business plan built around five volunteer-driven initiatives. These programs aim to increase the participation and growth opportunities for minority-owned and small businesses, and ultimately enhance the competitiveness of our region through a more holistic and multicultural business model.
"Jack is a passionate and visionary leader," said Chamber President & CEO Steve Leahy. "So many times, he was the person who put into words—and action—what we all knew needed to happen. We are so fortunate to have him on the UEC and the Chamber's team, and owe him our sincerest thanks for all of his service."
The new chair of the UEC Advisory Board is longtime Chamber member and prominent attorney Jose Gaitan of The Gaitan Group. Gaitan will lead the board of business leaders, community activists, elected officials and educators for the next two years, with Faris serving as chair emeritus.
With the 2008 Legislative Session set to end on March 13, the Chamber is wrapping up lobbying efforts on its major initiatives:
Improving regional mobility: Transportation was a top issue again this year, due in part to voters' rejection in November of Proposition 1, the regional roads and transit measure. Design and funding of the SR520 bridge replacement took center stage and the Chamber, in partnership with Westside and Eastside communities, worked to facilitate a compromise on Westside design alternatives that moves the project forward while planning for the bridge's future capacity. The Chamber also successfully lobbied for smart tolling as a way to pay for 520 and other major transportation projects, and we advanced constructive discussions on transportation governance reform.
Promoting economic competitiveness: The Chamber lobbied for prudent fiscal policy this session as we enter a period of economic uncertainty. Last year, voters approved a constitutional rainy-day fund, fulfilling a longtime priority of the Chamber. But that won't be enough to offset the impact of rapid growth in state expenditures during an economic downturn. The Chamber also supported a bill that would provide business and occupation tax incentives to encourage investment in emerging businesses, especially minority and women-owned businesses, businesses in economically distressed areas and rural businesses. Unfortunately, that bill did not pass this year.
Strengthening electoral accountability: This session, the Chamber worked to pass two bills that would increase accountability in the initiative process. Although unable to move forward this year, we hope these bills will be reconsidered in 2009. We also worked with the Port of Seattle to pass effective reform measures, while successfully protecting the Port's ability to be a constructive economic engine in our region.
Special thanks to the delegation of Chamber board members led by Chamber Chair Jim Warjone, Chamber Chair-Elect Tayloe Washburn and Chamber Legislative Committee Chair Gary Strannigan, that recently traveled to Olympia to discuss these priorities with Governor Chris Gregoire, Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and other key legislators.
For more information on the 2008 legislative session, contact Chamber Lobbyist Brad Boswell at 206.300.6270 or Chamber Vice President of Public Affairs Charles Knutson at 206.389.7295.
Seattle business leaders, city council meet on economic priorities
Chamber President & CEO Steve Leahy and other representatives of the Seattle Business Coalition met with City Council members for a roundtable discussion on economic priorities at City Hall on Tuesday, February 26.
Chaired by Council President Richard Conlin, the meeting was attended by Council members Sally Clark, Jean Godden, Bruce Harrell, Nick Licata, Richard McIver and Tom Rasmussen. Along with Leahy, SBC's participants included Joe Quintana, SBC Chair; Jerry Dinndorf, Associated General Contractors of Washington; Kate Joncas, Downtown Seattle Association; Rod Kauffman, Building Owners & Managers Association; Louise Chernin, Greater Seattle Business Association; and Teresa Lord Hugel, Neighborhood Business Associations Alliance.
Leahy said that the purpose of the event was to promote a "job-growing economy" with family-wage jobs—a goal that he believed all Seattleites shared. Discussion focused on developing performance measures for tracking the city's economic well-being and strategies for increased collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Conlin concluded that business and government had separate but compatible roles for enhancing the city's economic vitality. He added that leaders should take a comprehensive, prioritized approach that incorporated such issues as public safety, transportation and housing.
SBC members will soon meet with McIver, who chairs the Housing and Economic Development Committee, and other city of Seattle department heads to develop agreed-upon performance measures. For questions about the Seattle Business Coalition, contact Chamber Director of Government Affairs Vitoria Lin at 206.389.7268.
Mega Marketing Mondays April 7: Maximize tradeshow ROI
Whether you're one of those seasoned tradeshow warriors or a novice just beginning your career, get prepared, because the business of exhibiting is changing fast.
At the Chamber's annual Mega Marketing Mondays, you and your team can learn the latest tips for tradeshow success from John Backstrom of Skyline Pacific Northwest. Topics include:
Measuring performance
Selecting shows and spaces that work
Designing exhibits that support your mission
Promoting your participation
Staffing the show and more!
Event sponsor Staples will be providing in-store discounts for Chamber members only!
Mega Marketing Mondays: Maximize tradeshow ROI
Monday, April 7
Noon to 1:30 p.m. (lunch provided)
Staples, 1541 15th Avenue W, Seattle 98119
FREE, advance registration required Register online or contact Jessica Estrada at 206.389.7271.
"Participating in the Greater Seattle Chamber Annual Tradeshow as an exhibitor for the last two years, and as an attendee for two more years, it is my opinion that this is the best tradeshow in the region. The energy is incredible from all the exhibitors, attendees, and chamber staff. The contacts that I have made each year at the show have developed into business relationships that have proved to be prosperous. The return on your investment is invaluable."- Elijah Baker, President, Interstate Protective Security Services
The Chamber's Annual Tradeshow is Wednesday, May 14 at Qwest Field. Premium spaces are nearly sold-out!Reserve your booth online now.
Small business feature: Ask the certified business advisor
Do you have a tactical or strategic question about growing your business—and not enough time to research it?
The Chamber's eNewsletter is starting a new "Ask the certified business advisor" column by Michael Franz of the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
About Michael Franz
Many Chamber members know Michael as the longtime facilitator of the Entrepreneur and CEO Business Development Roundtables. These free monthly sessions are run in partnership with the SBDC and provide forums for entrepreneurs to seek advice and mentoring directly from their peers.
Michael has 30-plus years of career experience in the fields of engineering and business management. He holds an MBA in operations research and a BSE degree in engineering from the University of Michigan, and since 1998 he has been a certified business advisor with the SBDC. In 2007 he was honored as the Washington SBDC Star Performer, and was also recognized as the Association of SBDC's State Star in 2001 and 2007.
Ask the certified business advisor
Here's a frequently asked question from the Entrepreneurs' Business Roundtable: Question: I'd like to hire an employee. What do I need to consider, especially in light of the uncertainty about the economy?
Answer: Hiring decisions need careful and thoughtful analysis, no matter what the economic conditions.
You can get started by considering key items such as training time and cost, expected contribution to sales and profit, fit with existing employees and company culture, special or unique skills, and ability to grow and develop with the future needs of the company.
Feasibility questions will be different for each situation. How long will it take for the employee to reach the point of producing value in excess of the cost? Can you grow quickly through that break-even point? Within your industry segment, what employee metrics (sales/employee, work force size thresholds) and trends are evident in other similar businesses? Do they support your decision to hire?
These are all important for giving you a deeper understanding of your business, as well as helping you determine whether you can hire a new employee.
State of Technology Luncheon: Connect to the Future with Internet Pioneer Vint Cerf
Technology Alliance Annual Luncheon, Friday May 9 at the Westin Seattle
It was 38 years before radio reached 50 million users. Television took 13. The Internet? Four.
Today, the number of people online has reached 1.3 billion and counting. As the Internet continues to revolutionize the exchange of ideas and information, how will it reshape the way we do business? Connect with customers? Relate to family, friends, even total strangers halfway around the globe? Vint Cerf, vice president and chief Internet evangelist at Google, is working on the answers.
On May 9, he will take the stage along with Ed Lazowska of University of Washington to explore the rapidly changing online landscape at the Technology Alliance's 2008 State of Technology Luncheon. The Technology Alliance also will share highlights of its latest report on the economic impact of Washington's technology-based industries, the most recent in a series that has provided business and policy leaders with information about the growing importance of the technology sector to our economic vitality.
Gain national recognition for your flexible workplace
Is your business using flexible work practices like compressed work weeks, job-sharing and telecommuting as strategic tools to recruit and retain employees? If so, you can gain national recognition by applying for the Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility.
Seattle is one of 30 cities nationwide to participate in the third annual Sloan Awards as part of the When Work Works initiative. Locally, this program is spearheaded by the Greater Seattle Chamber and the Workforce Development Council. Local businesses such as Macy*s Northwest, NRG::Seattle, Blue Gecko, MarketFitz and others have been recognized as Sloan Award recipients in the past.
You can self-nominate by filling out the online application, which only takes about 20 minutes to complete. A survey of employees will follow the application, and employee feedback on how they view or use flexible work options will determine this year's Sloan Award recipients.
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