A monthly online digital publication, The Business Review targets business leaders from the Rogue Valley and beyond. This means that your published articles and advertising message are being seen, read and remembered by those who are seeking your products or services in and around Jackson County and within more than 55 Oregon communities.
THE CHAMBER OF MEDFORD & JACKSON COUNTY
New Year, New Strategies
HELPING BUSINESS SUCCEED IN MEDFORD & JACKSON COUNTY
DECEMBER 2024
CONTENTS LEADERSHIP MATTERS 4 A Letter from the President CHAMBER UPDATES 8 December Highlights PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY 12 Best Things to do Over Winter Break in the Rogue Valley PROVIDING NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES
DECEMBER 2024 VOLUME 24 ISSUE 11
12
18 Breaking Down the Barriers CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY 24 Helping Business Succeed in Medford & Jackson County OREGON UPDATES 28 Governor Kotek Releases 2025-2027 Budget, Urges Building on Progress REPRESENTING BUSINESS ISSUES 32 Give These Marketing Strategies a Try in 2025
24
28
32
A monthly online digital publication, The Business Review targets business leaders from the Rogue Valley and beyond. This means that your published articles and advertising message are being seen, read and remembered by those who are seeking your products or services in and around Jackson County and within more than 55 Oregon communities.
2
The Business Review | December 2024
Promote. Promoting the community. Create. Creating a strong local economy. Connect. Providing networking opportunities. Represent. Representing business issues. Our Strategic Objectives
Meet the Staff
Eli Matthews President & CEO eli@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8526
Kira Zavala VP of Communications & Programs kira@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8522
Shon Moses Membership Director shon@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8534
Cathy Watt Office Administrator cathy@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8515
Shelly Wager Executive Assistant to the President & CEO shelly@medfordchamber.com 541- 608-8526
The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County 101 E 8th St, Medford, OR 97501 (541) 779-4847 • medfordchamber.com
medfordchamber.com
3
December 2024 | The Business Review
LEADERSHIP MATTERS A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Members and Community Partners, As we approach the end of another year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared and to cast our gaze forward to the horizon of 2025. This past year has been a testament to the resilience and adaptability of our business community, and as your CEO, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. Despite the challenges that have come our way, we have seen remarkable examples of innovation and collaboration. Our members have demonstrated extraordinary agility, pivoting their operations to meet changing market demands and leveraging new technologies to enhance their services. This spirit of entrepreneurship is a core strength of our Chamber and underscores the vibrancy of our business ecosystem. Looking ahead, I am optimistic about the business climate in 2025. We are entering a period of potential growth and opportunity. Economic forecasts suggest a favorable environment for expansion and innovation, and we are well-positioned to capitalize on these trends. Our Chamber will continue to be a catalyst for business development, offering robust support and resources to help you thrive. In the new year, we will introduce new programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing our members’ competitive edge and increasing our community’s economic resilience. We are committed to fostering a business climate where creativity and hard work are rewarded, and where every company, regardless of size, has the tools needed to succeed. This month has been bustling with significant activities aimed at fostering strong relationships within our business community. We hosted a Chamber appreciation party for our board, volunteers, and sponsors, celebrating the invaluable support they provide. In partnership with Travel Medford, a department of the Chamber, we have engaged in multiple discussions aimed at advancing the development of a new conference center. Additionally, we were pleased to host the new Medford City Manager, Rob Fields. The Chamber Board and staff had the opportunity to get to know Rob and discuss ways to collaborate for the betterment of our business community. Furthermore, the Chamber has actively participated in several meetings addressing the needs of local businesses. Recently, our Board voted to support the potential Economic Improvement District (EID) for the Downtown Medford Association. Let us step into 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear vision for success. We are more than just a Chamber; we are a community, a network of leaders and innovators who are shaping the future of our region. Together, we will continue to build a strong, sustainable business climate that benefits everyone. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Here’s to a prosperous New Year filled with growth and adventure!
Warm regards,
Eli Matthews, IOM President & CEO The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County
4
The Business Review | December 2024
Join us to enjoy these exclusive member benefits:
Promote: Leverage Chamber communications to promote your business, and enjoy referrals from fellow members.
Connect: Connect with the business community through a variety of networking events hosted by The Chamber, as well as through our weekly newsletter, website, and social media.
Represent: Be a part of the active business voice of The Chamber & be represented by a full time lobbyist.
Create: Raise your profile in the business community through your membership with The Chamber by participating in an Action Team or committee.
Let’s connect
Give us a call, send us an email or drop by our office. 541-779-4847 business@medfordchamber.com The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County 101 E. 8th St. Medford, OR 97501 medfordchamber.com
5
December 2024 | The Business Review
GREETERS HOST LOCATIONS BOOKING NOW FOR 2024! Welcome 50-65 business professionals to your location on a Thursday at 8am! Showcase your business to community leaders, and get a 5-minute speaking opportunity. Space is limited!
Contact Us shelly@medfordchamber.com More Information www.medfordchamber.com
6
The Business Review | December 2024
Looking for an easy way to offer a welcome perk, or amenity, for your employees, tenants or customers? Consider on-site electric vehicle charging stations. Pacific Power is offering significant rebates of up to $1,000 per port for installing EV charging stations at your business or multifamily property, as well as free on-site technical assistance to help you understand charging options and costs.
Get big rebates on EV charging stations
For more details and to apply, visit PacificPower.net/EV .
7
December 2024 | The Business Review
CHAMBER UPDATES
December Highlights
8
The Business Review | December 2024
9
December 2024 | The Business Review
10
The Business Review | December 2024
11
December 2024 | The Business Review
PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY
Best Things to do Over Winter Break in the Rogue Valley
Medford, OR | December 18, 2024 | Travel Medford Best Things to do Over Winter Break in the Rogue Valley W inter break is the perfect time to explore the Rogue Valley and enjoy all that Southern Oregon has to
offer. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cozy indoor activities, or great local food and wine, Medford is the ideal home base for your winter getaway. From snow-filled sno-parks to local events and dining, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plan your winter break in the Rogue Valley and make the most of the season!
12
The Business Review | December 2024
HOLIDAY TRAIN DISPLAY - ROGUE
VALLEY MALL MEDFORD, OR
All aboard the Polar Express! Come on down and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday train display at the Rogue Valley Mall, presented by the Medford Garden Railroaders. This is the perfect activity for kiddos fascinated by trains or just a wholesome holiday experience for the entire family. The display will be open during mall operating hours between Friday, November 29th and Tuesday, December 31st.
13
December 2024 | The Business Review
WINTER MARKET AT THE VILLAGE MEDFORD, OR Let the holiday shopping begin! Make a visit to The Village Medford Center this December for their Winter Market in partnership with Rogue Valley Growers & Crafter Market. Every Sunday in December until Christmas you’ll have the opportunity to shop and dine through The Village at this special Rogue Valley Growers Winter Market. Find handmade gifts, local produce and art for everyone on your list.
SNOWMOBILING AT SISKIYOU SUMMIT KLAMATH COUNTY, OR The Lake of the Woods / Siskiyou Summit holds several different sno-parks just waiting for you to explore them. Each park offers different sets of activities for their specific landscape, such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and especially snowmobiling. One of the most notable places to snowmobile is Great Meadow Sno-Park, just 35 miles west of Klamath Falls. Shop local this holiday season at the Winter Market! The market will be open from 2-6 p.m. but be sure to check out the other amazing offerings at The Village including Tinseltown Cinemark Theater, Violets & Cream Handmade Ice Cream, and more. Whether you’re looking for a girls’ group shopping day or a family outing with a variety of fun, The Village is the place to be this holiday season.
In the winter, you’ll find over 165 miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Snowmobilers can cruise from Great Meadows to Diamond Lake and connect with a network of trails that crisscross Southern Oregon. The snowmobile trails around Great Meadows are well- maintained. In a typical winter, 150-250 miles of trails are groomed every week. Douglas, Red Shasta, White firs and lodgepole pines shadow the trails around the meadow, with a sprinkling of aspen trees on the west end. This park is perfect for advanced and beginner riders alike, with large open spaces for learning and trails for the more experienced. After a busy day of adventuring around the park, food and lodging are available at Lake of the Woods and Fish Lake resorts. Fill your hearts desire full of winter fun, and explore the endless possibilities of trails at Great Meadow Sno-Park!
14
The Business Review | December 2024
A CHRISTMAS CAROL AT THE COLLABORATIVE THEATER PROJECT MEDFORD, OR It wouldn’t be Christmas without A Christmas Carol. In this new stage version, Patrick Barlow takes Charles Dickens’ classic story of greed, grief, ghoulish ghosts and eleventh-hour redemption, and makes it feel brand new again. Our holiday gift to you and your family! Located inside The Village Medford Center, the Collaborative Theater Project will be showing, “A Christmas Carol” from Thursday, November 21st to Sunday, December 29th. Food and drink are available for purchase for a delightful evening of holiday magic, tucked right inside of Medford.
HOLIDAY TROLLEY LIGHTS TOUR JACKSONVILLE, OR Experience the full magic of Victorian Christmas this December as lights shine bright at up to 35 stops along the Jacksonville Holiday Trolley Lights
Tour. For 45 illuminating minutes, the classic trolleys will whisk you through town along charming streets that feature boutique inns, beloved businesses, churches,
wineries, historic residences and grand City landmarks decorated especially for the season. While on board, sip on hot cocoa and coffee, enjoy the festive music and marvel at the twinkling lights. Everyone is welcome, adults and kids alike, to enjoy this truly special experience and the old-fashioned goodness that makes Jacksonville the perfect place to celebrate the holidays. The tours will run every evening in December except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
15
December 2024 | The Business Review
SNOWSHOE AT CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK
UNION CREEK SNOWMOBILING PROSPECT, OR
Whether you ride a Polaris, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, or Ski-Doo, Union Creek Resort is your one-stop for outdoor winter snowmobile adventure. The resort is your headquarters for 150 miles of well-groomed, uncluttered snowmobile trails packed with snow-laden trees, open meadows, deep snow and pristine vistas. The magnificent scenery of this winter wonderland provides for a truly awesome experience. With plenty of room to get out and ride, this remote snowy region creates a perfect winter getaway for visitors and locals alike.
You haven’t experienced a winter wonderland until you have seen Crater Lake. With an average of 42 feet of snow per year, the lake becomes a prime location for cross- country skiing and snowshoeing. The infamous Rim Drive that features a scenic look around the lake closes in the wintertime, and becomes a designated ski and snowshoe trail. Completing the entire circumnavigation of Crater Lake (31 miles) is an adventure for experienced winter adventurers and skiers, but does require more advanced knowledge and a backcountry permit.
If you are looking for a less intense adventure, there are several beautiful trails to explore. One of the easiest and shortest ski trails in the park is the Mazama Loop, a 1.7-mile loop trail. The trail passes through the Mazama Campground and features
views of the adjacent Annie Creek Canyon . Whether you take the
whole family out for some sledding, discover one of the trails, or trek Rim Drive, Crater Lake is the ultimate snow-filled paradise for winter family fun!
16
The Business Review | December 2024
ALPINE LAKE ICE FISHING AT FISH LAKE JACKSON COUNTY, OR
The latter species was planted strictly to reduce the numbers of nuisance fish found here, and they must be released while the other species are available for harvest. Start your visit near the resort, which is typically open Friday through Sunday during the winter season, and rent an ice auger to drill your hole. When you are finished with a successful trip of fishing, the resort also serves hot food and drinks to warm you up before your trip back home.
Located east of Medford and Grants Pass on Highway 140 (the route to Klamath Falls), this popular trout reservoir is an excellent place for ice fishing. January is often the best month to ice fish, when the lake is at 4,600 feet and has ice around 6-24 inches thick. Besides book trout, Fish Lake also has rainbow fish, land-locked Chinook salmon and a hybrid species known as a tiger trout.
Explore everything winter in the Rogue Valley has to offer. From light festivals to candy cane hunts to tubing near alpine lakes, plan your visit to Medford this winter.
17
December 2024 | The Business Review
PROVIDING NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES
Breaking Down the Barriers Sponsored By: US Bank Written by Kira Zavala On December 16th, The Chamber hosted Chamber Forum, generously sponsored by US Bank. The event was moderated by De Anne Everson from United Way and featured an engaging open discussion with prominent community organizations, including The Salvation Army, Rogue Retreat, and Youth 71Five. During the forum, representatives from each organization provided insights into their significant impacts within the community. They discussed what strategies are working, addressed common myths, and explored potential improvements in their operations. As guests arrived, each organization hosted an informational booth, answering questions and providing details on their services. The dialogue was rich with success stories from various program participants, emphasizing the crucial need for continued support in our communities. The event was well-attended, drawing over 200 business professionals who left with a deeper understanding of the vital work being done and the challenges that lie ahead for these community pillars. The Chamber extends its gratitude to US Bank for their monthly sponsorship and to CowCreek for their dedicated season-long support, both of which were instrumental in the success of this enriching community event. n
18
The Business Review | December 2024
CHAMBER FORUM
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
JANUARY 13TH 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
SECURING OUR FUTURE: THE BUSINESS CASE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
SEASON SPONSOR
REGISTER HERE
19
December 2024 | The Business Review
Voice Simplified Fiber-Powered VoIP Services from Hunter Communications
$ 25
Hosted Extension with Phone
per month per line plus Hosted Feature Package
Hosted Feature Package includes • Auto Attendant • Incoming Call Manager • Concurrent Call Sessions • POE Switch Hardware • Unlimited Long Distance Calling $65 Value
Pricing
Hosted Feature Packages
1-5 Phones 6-10 Phones 11-15 Phones 16-20 Phones 21+ Phones
$ 15/mo. $ 25/mo. $ 40/mo. $ 50/mo. Custom
Ask about discounts when you bundle voice with fiber-optic internet. 541-414-0008 HunterFiber.com
20
The Business Review | December 2024
For more than 130 years, our motto has been to do the right thing. In these uncertain times, the right thing to do is to make your life easier. Whether you need help managing your accounts, planning your business’ next big move, or you just want to chat, we’re here for you. Uncertain times call for a financial partner that has your back. Banner Bank is here to help.
To find a branch or banker near you, visit bannerbank.com
Let’s create tomorrow, together.
@bannerbank
(800) 272-9933
bannerbank.com
@bannerbank
Member FDIC
21
December 2024 | The Business Review
Empowering Small Businesses with Reliable IT Solutions
What We Provide:
What Makes Us Different:
Business IT Services Phone Systems Cybersecurity
We are locally owned, operated, and community-focused We have our customers’ best interest in mind at all times We learn your specific and changing needs We know your business and staff
Data Backups Peace of Mind
We’re here to Keep IT Simple Contact Us: 541-299-2100 | hello@roguetechpros.com
22
The Business Review | December 2024
everything in one place learn. shop. explore.
New to the world of sustainable driving? GreenCars is the place to start. Learn about the tech, the lingo, and how a sustainable vehicle can t into your lifestyle.
Lithia & Driveway and GreenCars support and thank the Medford Chamber of Commerce.
23
December 2024 | The Business Review
CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY
Helping Business Succeed in Medford & Jackson County Medford, OR | December, 2024 | By Kira Zavala
T his past year has been one of growth, connection, and resilience for The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County. Focused on the mission of Helping Business Succeed , The Chamber has strived to be a catalyst for the local economy and champion of the region. Four strategic objectives assigned by our Board of Directors guide The Chamber’s work: Promote, Create, Connect, and Represent . Significant progress has been made across all four objectives over the last 12 months. When it comes to the Promote objective, The Chamber’s travel and tourism department, Travel Medford, has ramped up efforts to encourage and welcome visitors to explore all that the Heart of the Rogue™ has to offer. The official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) of Medford established an alignment of initiatives between the organization, tourism stakeholders and the community to form a three-year strategic plan to advance Medford as a premier destination. Opening their third visitors center in the new Rogue X complex will kick off the new year, securing their sports tourism pillar and sharing their Know Your Role™ brand with thousands of locals and visitors of the complex. The Chamber has focused on continuing to build and expand cooperative processes between government and business to foster economic growth under the Create objective. New partnerships and initiatives have blossomed under the direction of six diverse action teams, all focused on creating a business-friendly climate at all levels of government.
Member participation has swelled to new heights across established programs like the Young Professionals Network, weekly Greeters events, and the monthly Forum Luncheon. Each program has undergone intentional reinvention featuring new offerings, solidified themes and a focus on the overall member experience. The Chamber’s team of Ambassadors represents member businesses across various events, including 42 ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and open houses this year. Chamber staff spearheaded 146 programs, and supported 252 partner events this year. Networking and visibility opportunities for members is central to the Connect objective - a core value of our members and our mission of Helping Business Succeed.
24
The Business Review | December 2024
When it comes to Representing business interests in the policy arena, The Chamber has been highly engaged, with all our elected representatives. Our lobbyist works with our action teams and elected delegations to ensure legislation supports our business community. Major accomplishments this past year include record attendance at The Chamber’s annual Excellence in Business Awards, which also featured a new “Dream Big” component to support one year of free Chamber membership for local businesses in need. After weathering wildfires and the trials of the pandemic, Medford’s resilience shines through in the sheer number of events and member-focused initiatives powered by The Chamber and its partners this year. The excitement for major projects like Rogue X demonstrate the region’s drive to thrive, proudly stating that Medford is a key destination of the West and demonstrating
economic growth with the connection and impact between tourism and consumer spending. As Medford & Jackson County business continues its determined
comeback, The Chamber is proud to highlight the accomplishments of this past year while gearing up for even greater collective success in the new year. n
NEW LOCATION! Million Air Medford JANUARY 16TH 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
V I V A L A CHAMBER
Sponsored By:
NIGHT
Register
DRESS CODE: VEGAS GLAM
25
December 2024 | The Business Review
26
The Business Review | December 2024
27
December 2024 | The Business Review
OREGON UPDATES
Governor Kotek Releases 2025-2027 Budget, Urges Building on Progress Recommended budget highlights investments in housing and homelessness, behavioral health, and education Salem, OR | December 18, 2024 | Press Release T oday, Governor Tina Kotek unveiled her 2025-2027 recommended budget entitled Building on Progress. “My approach to being your Governor will always be grounded in truth, pragmatism, and a relentless pursuit
and take stock of where we have been and where we are going, I fundamentally believe the Legislature needs to pass budgets for the next two years that build on the progress we have achieved together.” Governor Kotek is recommending investments that would deliver on issues of shared concern across Oregon. Highlights include: Homelessness: Infrastructure to stabilize, partnerships to forge ahead The Governor is unrelenting in the fight for every Oregonian to have a safe, affordable place to call home. Her 2025-2027 budget shows resolve toward continuing our progress on addressing homelessness by committing more than $700 million, including: • $217.9 million to maintain Oregon’s statewide system of shelters. The Oregonians who are still spending the night on our streets are relying on statewide support and we cannot afford to allow our progress to stall.
of equitable outcomes for all Oregonians,” Governor Kotek said. “The December revenue forecast projects stability for Oregon, and I am pleased to share that my budget does not lay off people or cut services, and instead strategically deepens our commitment to building progress on Oregonians’ top priorities while remaining disciplined when it comes to new programs. “Over the last two years I have had the opportunity to travel to all 36 counties, visit Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribal nations, and continue consulting with the Governor’s Racial Justice Council. These conversations have helped inform my approach to decision making and have strengthened my ability to be a Governor for the whole state. “As I approach the halfway mark of my first administration
28
The Business Review | December 2024
• $188.2 million to maintain current efforts to transition Oregonians out of homelessness and into housing. The Oregon Rehousing Initiative gets Oregon families into safe, stable housing, and keeps them there. • $173.2 million to maintain services to prevent Oregonians from becoming homeless in the first place. The most cost effective strategy to combat our homelessness crisis is to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place. Housing Supply: Building the Oregon that’s possible Oregon has a housing supply problem. Progress takes persistence, and her 2025-2027 recommended budget continues to focus on increasing Oregon’s housing supply in every part of the state by committing more than $1.04 billion including: • $880 million new bond authority to build more affordable housing and homeownership pathways. The recommended budget reflects a dogged commitment to meet the state’s housing production goals and includes $780 million to build affordable rental homes and $100.9 million for new homeownership units. • $100 million to establish a new housing infrastructure program. These new funds will establish a new housing infrastructure program to fund water, sewer, stormwater, and transportation infrastructure linked to new housing development to unlock thousands of new affordable and market rate rental and homeownership units. • $57.6 million to continue efforts for supporting first- time home buyers and Oregonians looking to buy an affordable home. Homeownership is out of reach for many working families, keeping Oregonians from building wealth over the long term. This investment supports homeownership development and homebuyer assistance. Behavioral Health: Aligning treatment capacity with workforce capacity to close gaps in services Since day one, Governor Kotek has been working to make her vision for Oregon’s behavioral health system possible: access to care no matter where you live or what you can afford. The 2025-2027 Governor’s Recommended Budget focuses on building treatment capacity and supporting a strong behavioral health workforce by committing more than $330 million, including: • $90 million in General Fund backfill of ARPA investments for capacity building. The Governor’s budget includes a $90 million investment towards capacity building for adult mental health services, substance use disorder residential treatment, and withdrawal management.
• $50 million General Fund backfill from ARPA to strengthen workforce investments. Governor Kotek is focused on increasing the supply and distribution of a diverse and culturally responsive behavioral health workforce by investing $25.7 million in behavioral health education and training programs, wrap-around supports for students, and tuition assistance and scholarships, and investing $24.3 million in graduate stipends, loan repayment, and peer and manager support for the community mental health workforce. • $40 million to continue deflection services through the Criminal Justice Commission. The funding supports deflection coordinators, peers and counselors who give individuals struggling with addiction the opportunity to avoid legal consequences and to seek treatment instead. Children and Youth: Investing for a stronger, healthier future Governor Kotek believes in the promise of every child. Building on her education initiative work, she is advancing a multipronged approach to supporting Oregon’s children and youth for a better future in Oregon by committing more than $835 million, including: • $600 million increase to strengthen the State School Fund Current Service Level (CSL) for a total of $11.36 billion. The Governor is recommending a three-pronged approach to adjusting funding for the State School Fund to move the needle on student outcomes and provide more accurate and predictable funding for K-12 public education across Oregon, along with adjusting the calculation to account for the recent PERS rate increase. • $205.5 million to provide additional targeted funding to help more students get on track for success. By recommending $127 million to maintain and strengthen previous early literacy investments and $78.5 million to expand and make ongoing investments in summer learning programs, Oregon’s students will get more help to overcome pandemic learning loss. • $25 million for youth behavioral health investments. Governor Kotek is recommending new investments in targeted residential and community-based behavioral health and substance use disorder capacity, expansion of mental health services, prevention services for school- based health centers, and funding to expand youth suicide prevention work. To learn more about the Governor’s investments and priorities, click here. To see the Governor’s full recommended budget, click here. n
29
December 2024 | The Business Review
Working Together in the Rogue Valley for a Stronger Community
30 The Business Review | December 2024 541.622.8577 • 40 S Central • Medford, Oregon 97501 • cowcreek.com
31
December 2024 | The Business Review
REPRESENTING BUSINESS ISSUES
Give These Marketing Strategies a Try in 2025
T he new year is the perfect time for beginnings and setting goals. It also makes for good marketing campaigns and changes to your business. There are so many things you can do to provide value for customers and potential customers. If you don’t use this time to try something new, you’re leaving money on the table. This article contains some excellent business tactics to try for the new year. However, they may not all fit your business. When reviewing this list, keep your target audience in mind and ask yourself, will this provide value for them? If you don’t have a target audience defined, that should be your first step. After all, if you don’t know who you’re talking to, how do you know if you’re providing value to them?
Marketing and Promotional Ideas The new year is a time for resolutions. Play off that and run campaigns that are either in support of people’s common New Years resolutions or having a little fun with them. For instance, a donut shop can play around with the common resolution of losing weight—”We’ll be here when you’re done with this New Year’s resolution thing” or “We’re hard at work creating a calorie-free donut. Sign up for our newsletter to find out when it’s coming out.” If you’re taking a jab at resolutions, make your campaigns
funny. People might just share them. Additional marketing ideas include:
• Run a sale on items or services that tie into popular New Year’s resolutions. • Design a New Year’s social media contests like “Share your ‘New You’ pics to win.” • Share your expertise in areas involving common New Year’s resolutions.
32
The Business Review | December 2024
Content and Communication Strategies In 2025, every business needs an email list. It doesn’t matter how many followers you have on social; the platform could shut down tomorrow and you have no way of contacting your fans. If you have their emails, on the other hand, you can always reach them—even when they’re on a social media “break.” The new year is the perfect time to embrace digital marketing strategies and finally follow through on taking that next step. Also, embrace the technology that can make digital marketing easier like a good email scheduler, AI, a CRM, and design software to create visually appealing content. Some tools can do several of these things for you in one solution. Use them to: • Write a compelling New Year’s newsletter with valuable content • Draft a blog, video, or podcast series focused on helping customers achieve their goals • Leverage SMS marketing, which has a remarkable 98% open rate • Create a challenge that will help educate your customers or interest them in your products/services Business Development When was the last time you changed something up in your business? While you don’t want to change just for change’s sake, trying something you’ve been putting off can gain a lot of support this time of year. People expect to see “new” at the new year. Keep your audience abreast of the changes you’re making. These types of announcements can be exciting. They will enjoy watching your dreams come to fruition and seeing how many people want to start their own businesses, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at what you’re doing can help you amass a following. There’s a big business trend in teaching/coaching after becoming a success. Teaching as a service has become a lucrative offshoot for many businesses. Technology and Growth We touched upon this earlier but embracing emerging technology can help streamline your operations and daily tasks to give you more time to do the things that can’t be automated. Make the following a priority this year: • Integrate AI tools to enhance marketing strategies • Explore automation technologies • Utilize predictive analytics to anticipate market trends
Customer Engagement It’s time to also prioritize relationship building. People buy from those they know, like, and trust. If they can’t remember your name, they aren’t able to buy from you. Building relationships takes time and you must give (a lot) to get. Here are a few ideas to help you start the new year off right by building those connections: • Share your business’s (or your personal) New Year’s resolutions. These types of things can help people connect to you. • Thank loyal customers. Showing appreciation makes your current customers feel good and leaves an impression on future customers. • Listen on social media and respond to comments and questions. Insert yourself in conversations in a friendly, helpful way. Don’t barge in like a barker at a circus or auction, “yelling” about what you offer. No one responds to that type of behavior in a social setting. By implementing these strategies, you can start the year with momentum and create meaningful connections with your ideal audience. After all, “creating more meaningful connections” is probably one of the best business resolutions you can make. n
33
December 2024 | The Business Review
Take Charge Of Your Power
ERIC HANSEN Founder & Owner
You really have no control over the price of your power or where it comes from.
Does it bother you that... Your utility costs continue to rise each year?
Frustrating, right? It doesn’t have to be that way!
We have all the energy we need, right here in Southern Oregon. Let’s put it to good use. Harness the power of the sun right on your roof, and be ready when the next power outage comes.
Your power comes from hundreds of miles away ?
Take charge. Call us today to find out how to power your life.
We are your local energy experts. Find your direction. Find True South.
(541) 203-0525 truesouthsolar.net
Contact Us
Residential & Commercial | Solar Panels | Tesla Powerwall | Ridiculously Great Service | Financing
34
The Business Review | December 2024
Tom Skinner SVP, Commercial Team Lead | Dawn Hartley VP, Relationship Banking Officer
Running a business is challenging, which is why you need a bank that can help you and your business succeed. As a community bank specializing in business, Oregon Pacific Bank’s relationship-driven bankers specialize in cash management, commercial lending, trust services, nonprofit solutions and more. HERE FOR LOCAL BUSINESS
See how we’ve helped other businesses, and connect with a local banker at BankOnOPB.com.
EUGENE | FLORENCE | COOS BAY | ROSEBURG | MEDFORD 3250 Hillcrest Park Drive, Suite 100 Medford, OR 97504 | 541-858-0192
35
December 2024 | The Business Review
medfordchamber.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online