Phòng Thương mại Mercer Island

Xây dựng một Mercer Island vững mạnh hơn thông qua hoạt động ủng hộ, hỗ trợ và phát triển doanh nghiệp.

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DANH BẠ THÀNH VIÊN

LỊCH SỰ KIỆN CỦA PHÒNG THƯƠNG MẠI

LỊCH SỰ KIỆN CỘNG ĐỒNG

ĐĂNG NHẬP THÀNH VIÊN

ĐẢO MERCER
PHÒNG THƯƠNG MẠI

Sự kiện nổi bật



Hãy xem các sự kiện sắp tới của chúng tôi và tìm hiểu thêm về các hoạt động và kế hoạch của Phòng Thương mại.

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Thúc đẩy sức sống kinh tế của Đảo Mercer thông qua các sự kiện vận động, lãnh đạo và xây dựng cộng đồng ♦ Cung cấp các cơ hội giới thiệu và kết nối tạo điều kiện phát triển quan hệ đối tác chiến lược giữa các doanh nghiệp ♦ Xuất bản bản tin về Phòng Thương mại và tin tức cộng đồng ♦ Tổ chức các sự kiện cộng đồng thu hút mọi người và doanh nghiệp đến với hòn đảo ♦ Hoạt động như một trung tâm thông tin, cung cấp bản đồ và thông tin nhân khẩu học ♦ Ghi nhận những thành tựu của cộng đồng doanh nghiệp ♦ Cung cấp các cơ hội quảng cáo và tài trợ ♦ Giới thiệu các doanh nghiệp mới đến với cộng đồng


Cửa trước của Đảo Mercer

Được thành lập vào năm 1946, Phòng Thương mại Mercer Island có lịch sử lâu đời trong việc cung cấp dịch vụ hỗ trợ và quảng bá cho thành viên, nguồn lực giáo dục và cơ hội kết nối.


Dành cho các doanh nghiệp Mercer Island

Đại diện cho một nhóm doanh nghiệp đa dạng, chúng tôi hợp tác với cộng đồng và chính quyền địa phương để giúp các thành viên của mình tiến bộ, phát triển và thịnh vượng. Thông qua giáo dục kinh doanh, kết nối, sự kiện cộng đồng, vận động và đại diện, Phòng Thương mại Đảo Mercer cam kết giúp mỗi thành viên phát triển và thịnh vượng.

"Làm việc với chúng tôi mở ra một cơ hội phát triển to lớn"

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27 tháng 1, 2026
Small business owners are usually not short on ideas. You have them in the shower, in the car, halfway through a client call, and even in the middle of the night. Ideas for a new service. A better way to onboard customers. A partnership you should pursue. A social post series that would actually sound like you. No, the problem is not creativity. The problem is action. Most good ideas don’t die because they were bad. They die because they never get translated into a next step while they’re still exciting. That’s why you need the 48-Hour Rule. The rule is simple: If an idea doesn’t have a next action plotted and scheduled within 48 hours, it’s not a plan. It’s entertainment. This is not a judgment on your executing abilities. It’s your business. The urgent pulls harder than the important. And once an idea slips behind payroll, customer emails, and the Tuesday fire drill, it rarely climbs back out. So, let’s talk about how to make the 48-Hour Rule work in real life with time limits. Why 48 Hours Works (And “Someday” Doesn’t) A new idea creates a burst of clarity. You can see the path. You can picture the result. You feel a little lighter because you’ve imagined a better version of your business. But clarity fades fast. In 48 hours, two things happen: Reality returns. Your current workload reasserts itself or you start doubting your abilities, your team’s abilities, your customer’s interests, or any other number of things that begin to cause… The idea starts to feel bigger than it is. You forget the simple version and only remember the “perfect” version. This becomes next to impossible to put into action. The 48-Hour Rule protects your idea from both. It forces you to do one thing before the moment passes: choose the next action . Not the whole plan. Not the branding. Not the full rollout. Just the next action. The Difference Between an Idea and a Next Action An idea is fun, creative, exciting, while a next action is specific, physical, and schedulable. It’s something you can do without needing another meeting with yourself. Shy away from your action being “research.” It’s easy to get lost in it with little to show. Here are examples: Idea: “We should improve customer follow-up.” Next action: “Draft a two-email follow-up template and save it in the CRM.” Idea: “We should partner with another business.” Next action: “Write one partnership pitch email and send it to two businesses by Friday.” Idea: “We should raise prices.” Next action: “List top 10 services, current prices, and margins in a spreadsheet by Thursday at 10 a.m.” If you can’t schedule it, it’s not a next action. How to Implement the 48-Hour Rule Without Blowing up Your Week If you’re excited about your new idea, get something scheduled, even during a busy week. Try this: Step 1: Capture the idea in one sentence. Not five paragraphs. One sentence. Put it in a running note on your phone or a single “Idea Parking Lot” document. Step 2: Write the smallest next action. Ask: “What’s the first move that would make this 5% more real?” Step 3: Schedule it inside the next 48 hours. Not “this week.” Not “soon.” Put a 15–30-minute block on your calendar. Treat it like a client meeting. Because it is. Your future revenue is sitting in the lobby. Step 4: Give it a finish line. The goal of that block is not perfection. It’s progress you can point to. A draft. A message sent. A decision made. A file created. The “Two-Track” Trick for Busy Seasons If you’re in a truly slammed stretch, use this adjustment: you only have to schedule one of two things within 48 hours : The next action or A decision to deliberately defer it (with a date) That second option matters. Because “not now” can be a smart business decision. If you can’t do the action, schedule a 10-minute decision block: “Do we pursue this in Q1 or not?” That keeps you moving. What This Looks Like Over Time The magic of the 48-Hour Rule isn’t that every idea becomes a big initiative. Instead, your business becomes a place where ideas get handled, not hoarded. You’ll start to notice: Fewer loose ends rattling around in your brain Faster follow-through (which customers feel immediately) More momentum inside your team Better instincts about what’s worth doing, because you’re testing ideas in small bites Action compounds in the way that matters reducing chaos and increasing innovation. A Simple Challenge for This Week Pick one idea you’ve been sitting on. Just one. Write the next action. Schedule 20 minutes for it in the next 48 hours. Then do it. That’s how businesses grow—small, consistent moments of follow-through. Ask the Chamber If you’re thinking, “I have ideas, but I need the right people, resources, or a push,” you’re not alone. That’s exactly what a chamber of commerce is built for: turning good intentions into traction. Use your chamber for the kind of next actions that matter: Ask them to make an introduction that leads to a partnership or something specific you need Attend one event and meet your next vendor or client Join one committee and get closer to decision-makers Ask one question and get practical insight from business owners who’ve been there Your idea may be game changing, but you won’t know until you execute. You may not have time to get it completely worked out and implemented, but you do have time to start with a 20-minute next step. Try the 48-Hour Rule this week. Then let your chamber help you turn that first step into a path.
19 tháng 1, 2026
It’s a simple question. Slightly uncomfortable. Surprisingly revealing. If you stepped away from your business for two weeks starting tomorrow, no email, no Slack, no “just checking in,” what would fall apart? Most business owners don’t love this thought experiment. Not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because many small businesses are built on proximity. You are the system. You are the memory. You are the fixer of last resort. That works. Until it doesn’t. We’re not suggesting this asking this question only when you’re about to plan a sabbatical or if you’re fantasizing about a beach with no Wi-Fi. This should be a quarterly question you ask yourself to test the resilience of your business. What Usually Breaks First When owners walk through this question honestly, a few pressure points show up again and again. Decision bottlenecks are common. If every approval, answer, or green light runs through you, progress slows the moment you step away. Not because your team isn’t capable, but because the rules live in your head. You’ve painted yourself into a corner, which at first feels good because the business needs you. But then the very thing that felt good starts wearing on you and you can’t get a moment’s peace even when you need one. Customer communication is another. Clients know to “just call you” because you’ve always been responsive and why start at the bottom of the ladder if you can head straight to the top? That’s a compliment. It’s also a vulnerability. Then there’s institutional knowledge . Passwords. Vendor contacts. Renewal dates. The little things that keep operations moving quietly in the background. When they aren’t documented, they’re fragile. None of this means your business is poorly run. It means it’s human. The Myth of “I’ll Get to it Later” Many owners tell themselves they’ll systemize “when things slow down.” The problem is that things rarely slow down on their own. Growth adds complexity. Success adds volume. Even good seasons create strain. Waiting for the perfect time to document processes or delegate authority often means never doing it at all. And the cost shows up in subtle ways: missed opportunities, delayed responses, and burnout disguised as dedication. Don’t remove yourself from the business. Just remove yourself as the single point of failure. Start Smaller Than You Think You don’t need a 50-page operations manual to make meaningful progress. In fact, starting that big is usually why people never start at all. Instead, focus on a two-week lens. Ask yourself three questions: · What decisions would stall without me? · What questions would my team or customers ask first? · What information only exists in my inbox or my head? Then document just those things. If this seems overwhelming, dictate them to AI and instruct it to create an operations manual around that topic or create a shared document with clear “if this, then that” guidance. Include a short list of who handles what when you’re unavailable and a basic contact list for vendors and partners. Go for clarity. Delegation as Leadership, not Abdication One of the fears that holds people back from doing this is loss of control. They worry if they hand over the reins that it will be done incorrectly. Maybe. Sometimes. But leadership isn’t preventing mistakes at all costs. It’s building capacity so the business doesn’t depend on one person’s constant presence. Delegation done well includes context, not just tasks. It explains the why, not just the what. When people understand how decisions should be made, they don’t need to wait for permission. That’s how trust compounds. Another fear is the fear of being replaced. “If I give up my knowledge, they won’t need me.” You may also be afraid that if “I share my knowledge employees will leave me.” The latter can happen anyway and if you give them opportunity for growth, they’ll be less likely to do so. Why This Planning Matters Beyond Vacations Even if you never plan to take two weeks away, this exercise still matters. Life happens. Illness. Family needs. Unexpected opportunities. A business that can’t be flexible creates stress when flexibility is needed most. On the flip side, a business that can run without constant oversight is more valuable, more attractive to partners and high-performing employees, and more resilient in changing conditions. That’s not just good for you. It’s good for your employees, your customers, and your community. Where Your Chamber Fits In This is where chambers quietly shine. You don’t have to solve this alone. Chambers of commerce connect you to peers who’ve already tackled these challenges. They host workshops on operations, leadership, and succession planning. They introduce you to service providers who help businesses document processes, strengthen teams, and plan for growth. They may also offer AI training that can show you easy, efficient ways to put together the manual that will make all of this possible. Just as importantly, chambers give you space to think strategically instead of reactively. Roundtables. Mentorship. Conversations that pull you out of the weeds and back into the role of leader. If this article made you pause, that’s a signal. Start the conversation. Ask your chamber what resources are available. Check out its calendar to see what low-cost (or even free) resources are available. Reach out to another member and compare notes. You built a business to feed yourself and your family, but you’re past that stage now. You’re helping to feed others too. It’s time you ensure they can feed themselves as well.
20 tháng 11, 2025
As we enter this beautiful holiday season, I want to share something close to my heart: the power of genuine connection and community building for our small businesses.  After more than a decade of networking and bringing business owners together, I've seen firsthand how the relationships we build during the holidays can transform our businesses and our lives. This isn't just about exchanging business cards, it's about creating a supportive community where we all thrive together. Why Holiday Networking Matters for Our Community The holidays offer something special: people are more open, more generous, and more willing to connect authentically. When we come together during this season, we're not just building business relationships, we're strengthening the fabric of our entire business community. We Lift Each Other Up Small business ownership comes with unique challenges. When we network, we create a circle of fellow entrepreneurs who truly understand the journey. These connections become our cheerleaders, our advisors, and our friends. Together, we're stronger. We Expand Our Reach Every conversation is an opportunity to share your story and discover new possibilities. When you authentically connect with others, they become ambassadors for your business, naturally sharing about you with their own networks. This organic growth is powerful and sustainable. We Learn From Each Other Our community is full of wisdom and experience. Through networking, we share insights, strategies, and lessons learned. This collective knowledge helps all of us become better business owners and community leaders. We Create Collaborative Opportunities Some of the most exciting business growth happens when small businesses collaborate. Through meaningful networking, you'll discover partners whose strengths complement yours, opening doors to joint ventures, cross-promotions, and shared success. Simple Ways to Network This Holiday Season You don't need a complicated strategy or perfect pitch. Here's how to connect authentically this season: Join Community Events Look for holiday gatherings, Chamber events, local fundraisers, or business mixers. Come as yourself, with an open heart and genuine curiosity about others. The best connections happen when we're authentic. Reach Out With Gratitude Send personalized holiday messages to your business connections. Share your appreciation for their support and friendship this year. These thoughtful gestures strengthen bonds and keep relationships warm. Create Connection Spaces Consider hosting a casual gathering, a coffee meet-up, a virtual celebration, or a holiday open house. When you create spaces for others to connect, you become a community builder, and that's invaluable. Give Back Together Partner with fellow business owners to volunteer during the holidays. Serving your community together builds deep, meaningful connections while making a positive impact. Always Follow Through After meeting someone new, reach out within a few days. Share that resource you mentioned, make that introduction you promised, or simply say how much you enjoyed meeting them. Reliability builds trust. Lead With Generosity Here's what I've learned at The Networking Bee Group: the strongest networks are built on generosity, not transactions. When you focus on how you can support others, help them succeed, and contribute to the community, everything changes. People remember your kindness. They trust you. They want to collaborate with you and refer others to you. This community-first approach isn't just good for business, it's good for the soul. Your Holiday Networking Action Plan I invite you to commit to three simple actions this season: 1. Attend at least one Chamber or community networking event. 2. Send personalized thank-you messages to five business connections expressing genuine appreciation. 3. Connect two people in your network who could benefit from knowing each other. These small, intentional steps create ripples of connection throughout our entire business community. Let's Grow Together At Seattle Agenda and The Networking Bee Group, our mission is simple: to help small businesses build authentic connections that lead to real growth. This holiday season, I encourage you to embrace networking not as a business task, but as an opportunity to build the collaborative, supportive community we all deserve. When small businesses work together and lift each other up, our entire community flourishes. Let's make this holiday season the beginning of meaningful connections that carry us into a prosperous new year. Here's to community, collaboration, and connection. Lynette VGarcia Blanks
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