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Mercer Island
Chamber of Commerce

Building a stronger Mercer Island through business advocacy, support and development.

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MERCER ISLAND
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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Promote the economic vitality of Mercer Island through advocacy, leadership and community building events ♦ Provide referral and networking opportunities which facilitate development of strategic partnerships between businesses ♦ Publish a newsletter of Chamber and community news ♦ Produce community events that bring people and businesses to the island ♦ Serve as information center, offering maps and demographic information ♦ Recognize achievements of the business community ♦ Provide advertising and sponsorship opportunities ♦ Introduce new businesses to the community

Front Door to Mercer Island

Founded in 1946, the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce has a long history of providing member advocacy and promotion, education resources and networking opportunities.


For Mercer Island Businesses

Representing a diverse collection of businesses, we work in partnership with our community and local government to help our members advance, grow and thrive. Through business education, networking, community events, advocacy and representation, the Mercer Island Chamber is committed to helping each member grow and prosper.

"Working with us opens an enormouse opportunity of growth"

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Latest Business Blog Post

The Missing Key That Could Help With Employee Retention

26 Aug, 2024
Does your business seem to be a revolving door of employees? If so, there are several reasons why that could be true that have nothing to do with your business itself. It could be the nature of your industry. Some industries are seasonal or attract a more nomadic employee base that tends to wander. It could also be a problem with one of your managers or supervisors. Perhaps, it’s a lack of growth opportunities. If you’re shaking your head thinking, “No, that’s not it,” and you’re wondering what it could be for your business, The 2024 Intuit QuickBooks Allstate Health Solutions Benefits Survey may provide some answers. The survey of 1,000 employees from both small and large companies reveals just how important employee benefits packages are in today's competitive job market. Here’s a summary of the key findings: Benefits Have a Large Impact on Employee Retention and Hiring With the costs of medical care these days, it’s not shocking to learn that 78% of the employees polled would consider finding a new job if their current benefits package was inadequate. Healthcare benefits rank as the second most important factor, after salary, when considering job offers. It suffices to say, if your business doesn’t provide healthcare benefits, you could be losing employees. It’s also difficult to become an employer of choice without offering healthcare. But there’s more to employee benefits than just offering them. What they cost is also now a deciding factor in selecting an employer. Employee Cost of Benefits Even with a benefits program in place, 23% of employees struggle to afford their employer-provided benefits. A majority of workers polled (62% at smaller companies and 66% at larger companies) believe their monthly contributions are too high, especially given rising inflation and interest rates. Sadly, 71% of workers at small companies and 63% at larger companies have difficulty saving for long-term goals due to medical costs. This issue disproportionately affects women, with over a quarter reporting significant financial setbacks (due to medical costs) compared to 18% of men. What Benefits Employees Want Okay, so benefits are important but what exactly do employees want? Nearly 60% of employees want options, including HMOs, PPOs, and FSAs. But healthcare isn’t the only thing that makes a benefits package attractive. 50% of employees at small companies and 61% at larger companies desire supplemental benefits such as dental, vision, mental health, and pet insurance. If pet insurance surprises you, you should know that since 2018, the number of insured pets in the U.S. has increased by nearly 23% annually, with approximately 5.4 million policies active as of 2022, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. The Link of Benefits to Job Satisfaction and Productivity As you might expect after reading this far, benefits are a large consideration in taking a job but benefits also tie into job satisfaction. The survey found that over 90% of employees at both small and large companies connect their job satisfaction to their benefits package. A substantial majority indicate that inadequate medical coverage could negatively affect their work productivity. Laurent Sellier of Intuit QuickBooks emphasized that maintaining competitive and affordable benefits packages is vital for employee retention in the current economic climate. She said, “Our research shows that employees are placing higher value on health benefits when it comes to their job satisfaction, but many are finding it difficult to manage benefits costs in today’s economic climate. For that reason, maintaining competitive benefits packages at an affordable price is vital to employee retention.” While benefits are an added cost for businesses, not providing them could impact employee productivity, satisfaction, and retention. It’s not an easy call as you’re considering your offerings but this survey underlines how important benefits are to employees regardless of the size of your business.

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Email Marketers Make

19 Aug, 2024
In marketing, it’s important to stay curious and notice what attracts your attention and what misses the mark. There’s a ton to be learned from all that spam. The 5 Most Common Mistakes of Email Marketers We've compiled a list of the most common things seen across industries. How many of these common mistakes are you making in your business emails? 1. Your email is coming from a big box. Subject and sender are the two biggest reasons people open your emails. If you’re using a generic contact name, people won’t open it. Make the sender as human (sounding) as possible, unless your brand is the reason they would open it. 2. Not explaining who you are. Most people get a lot of webinar invites and spam. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell which is which. If your business has a generic name that is not industry specific, it can be difficult to understand who it’s coming from. For instance, I received an email invite to a “must-attend” webinar to help with my “dream path.” The business name had the term “mastermind” in it. Was it for me as a business owner, me as a fiction writer, me as a chamber member, or me in one of my self-improvement phases. I guessed it was the latter. It turns out—I realized once I missed the webinar, and the replay showed up in my inbox—that it was for my college-bound son. Missed that. If you want to be successful in building a relationship over email, assume they don’t know you, and give your recipient a clue as to which part of their life you’re involved in.  The trend these days is a casual tone but that makes people feel crazy when they can’t put a name with the business, especially when the business shares its name with a dozen out there. 3. Not using personalization. Come on. Mail merge technology has been around since DOS days. It’s okay to use a first name in a subject line. Believe it or not, it does make people pay attention. 4. Not cleaning your database. There are some email marketers that I get 2-3 emails from every time they have an offer. Why? Because I receive ads or emails from them asking me to sign up for a webinar or a freebie and I don’t realize which email they have so I accidently give them a second (or third) one. That’s on me. But they can run dupe checks on their database periodically, especially if they’ve collected something other than a name and email. Sometimes I even get duplicate emails when I’ve given them the same email because they’re treating each freebie or event as a new list of names. Some of us are return visitors. Don’t make that mistake. It messes with your open rates. Clean your database for dupes. 5. Not making the unsubscribe button visible. All mass emails need an easy way to unsubscribe. Otherwise, people will get frustrated and hit the spam button, affecting your send rating. If you make people hunt for it, they will choose the easiest route, which will also be the most unpleasant for you. So, do these mistakes sound familiar? Are you guilty? It’s easy to overlook these common mistakes when you’re trying to get your message out. Just remember, email is about connections. Anything you can do to improve that will help you become a better email marketer.

Fast-Track Trust: How to Win Customers Quickly

22 Jul, 2024
Trust is the cornerstone of customer relationships, driving sales and fostering loyalty. Yet, building that trust swiftly, especially in a competitive landscape filled with countless options for consumers, can be hard. Establishing credibility and rapport takes time and effort. (It’s the one thing you can’t buy at Costco.) But strategic actions can accelerate trust building. By focusing on transparency, communication, and consistently exceeding expectations, you can cultivate trust quickly and effectively. If you want to build trust with current and potential customers, check out these important values. Transparency Be upfront and honest about your products, services, and business practices. Clearly communicate your values, mission, and any potential limitations. If someone else is a better fit for what a potential customer is looking for, tell them that. When customers feel they have a clear understanding of your business and your commitment to helping them (sometimes above your own desire to land them as a customer), they're more likely to trust your intentions and buy from you again. Communication Engage in open and consistent communication with your audience. Respond promptly to all inquiries and feedback. Actively participate in conversations on social media and other platforms. Show your personality. By being accessible and responsive, you demonstrate a commitment to customer satisfaction (and seem like a real person, not just a finely crafted brand). Your Word (and Actions) Nothing erodes trust faster than broken promises or going back on your word. Ensure your products and services live up to the expectations you set. Consistently delivering quality and reliability reinforces your credibility and builds confidence in your brand. Your word also extends past what you say into what you do. Actions matter, as does past buying experience. Take Amazon, for instance. Is it always the least expensive option? Absolutely not. But many people buy from the mega-retailer over and over because they count on a quick delivery. Think about what you want to be known for and how you might prove that to your customers through your actions. Social Proof Share customer testimonials, reviews, comments, and case studies that highlight positive experiences with your business. Potential customers are more likely to trust the opinions of their peers than slick marketing. Encourage satisfied customers to share their feedback online and on social media platforms. Listen on social channels so you know when they’re sharing. Customer Service Go above and beyond to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of your customers. Train your staff to be knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. Address any concerns or issues promptly and professionally. Coach your staff on anticipating additional questions. For instance, if someone is looking at a small pink shirt and asks if it comes in another color, but you know the other color only comes in a medium, lead with that. Instead of just answering the question by saying, “yes, blue,” anticipate their next question too. Say, “We also have blue but only in a medium. However, we can order a small for you, and it would be here on Wednesday” or “We have it in blue in a medium. They tend to run a little small. Would you like me to show you where it is?” Give all the information you have so the guest doesn’t have to keep asking you question after question. Providing exceptional customer service creates a positive impression, fosters loyalty, and often entices people to talk about their positive buying experience with others. Personalization Get to know your customers and their preferences. Tailor your marketing communication and offerings to their specific needs. Personalization demonstrates you value their business and are committed to providing a unique and satisfying experience. It also makes them feel special, something they won’t get from just any business. Online Presence Your website and social media profiles are often the first points of contact for potential customers. Many people “visit” businesses online before they go in person. Ensure your online presence is professional, informative, engaging, and up-to-date. Share valuable content, interact with your audience, and showcase your expertise. Save your rants for your pets. At least they won’t hold them against you. Giving Back to the Community Engage in philanthropic activities and support local causes that matter to you. Partnering with charities or organizing community events demonstrates your commitment to social responsibility and can resonate with customers who share similar values. Authenticity Let your personality and passion shine through in your interactions with customers and potential customers. People are more likely to connect with and trust a business that feels genuine and relatable. Building trust takes time and effort, but the pay-off is great. Another company can always out price you, but it’s difficult to persuade a customer to do business with someone new when they have a trusted partner they enjoy buying from. By implementing these strategies, you can accelerate the trust-building process and establish lasting relationships with your customers. Remember, trust is an invaluable asset. It leads to increased sales, customer loyalty, and long-term success for your small business.
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