Posts by growthzone
Women in statewide leadership offer their perspective
Women in statewide leadership offer their perspective Just a few years ago, if you asked Sandy Crawford about her political ambitions, you might have gotten a quizzical look. “If you told me 10 or 15 years ago that I’d be here today, I’d have said you’re crazy,” said Crawford, a 30-year veteran of the banking…
Read MoreStrengthening our connection with Fort Leonard Wood
Strengthening our connection with Fort Leonard Wood Hospitality, partnership, and collaboration. This was the focus of the day and the key takeaways for attendees on the Chamber’s day-trip to Fort Leonard Wood. On July 9, Chamber members spent the day touring the vast army base strengthen the collaborative partnership between Ft. Wood and the Springfield…
Read MoreGetting the edge on understanding financial statements
Getting the edge on understanding financial statements Knowing how to interpret your organization’s financial data is key to long-term fiscal stability … but it can also be one of the most daunting and difficult parts of business operations. During the June 12 edition of Expert Edge – part of the Chamber’s yearlong 60 Minutes to…
Read MoreReaching more students about career options
Reaching more students about career options As the Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies (GO CAPS) program prepares to enter its fifth year, the program continues to grow. About 325 students will participate in the program this year from 22 school districts across the area. But one issue remains with the program: how to reach more…
Read MoreTackling the concept of international growth
Tackling the concept of international growth Organizations are always looking for ways to grow, but the idea of international growth can be daunting. For CEO and founder of Integrated Trade Finance LLC (ITC) Jeffrey Kamins, however, there is no choice but to get competitive by getting your business into the foreign market – and it…
Read MoreSGForum empowers YPs to improve themselves and their community
SGForum empowers YPs to improve themselves and their community The Network for Young Professionals prides itself on being one of the area’s premier organizations for YPs to advance their careers, fill leadership roles in the community and build relationships. So when the idea was put forward to hold a half-day forum to help members find…
Read MoreHealth care leaders talk access and employee impact
Health care leaders talk access and employee impact There’s no denying the important role health care plays in the Springfield region’s economy, and its role in recruiting and retaining employees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that nearly 36,000 people have jobs tied directly to health care in our 10-county region, working in more…
Read MorePositioning our region for tech growth
Positioning our region for tech growth Missouri in general, and southwest Missouri in particular, are in the midst of a technology industry boom that doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. That’s the news from the Technology 2030 Report, commissioned by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry and released at a recent conference in…
Read MoreFirst-year representatives offer perspectives from the Capitol
First-year representatives offer perspectives from the Capitol John Black and Craig Fishel each have decades of experience in the Springfield business community – Black as an attorney with both City Utilities and Missouri State University, Fishel as the owner of his own business for more than three decades. But when the Missouri Legislature began its…
Read MoreLegislative session brings major workforce, education success
Legislative session brings major workforce, education success The 2019 Missouri legislative session, which ended May 18, was ultimately successful for several important Chamber priorities. After long hours and hard work, numerous critical business issues crossed the finish line this year. Workforce and economic development The Chamber worked with lawmakers and partners from around the state…
Read More