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The winds of economic change can be daunting, especially for small businesses. A new San Gabriel Valley collaboration could prove to be a powerful weapon for entrepreneurs. Seventeen Chambers of Commerce, from Pasadena to Alhambra, are joining forces to launch a free public webinar series titled “Renewal and Resilience: Navigating the Future of Business in 2024.”
The program promises actionable insights and battle-tested strategies to help smaller businesses weather the year’s economic tempest. The series kicks off at noon on Thursday, March 21st, and continues on the third Thursday of every month thereafter.
John Burt, a well-known local leadership coach and Pasadena Chamber member, will serve as the series’ opening navigator. His focus? Distilling the key economic trends and challenges that threaten entrepreneurial dreams in 2024.
“The outlook remains uncertain,” Burt concedes in a recent interview with Pasadena Now. “While a recession isn’t on the immediate horizon, consumer spending is poised to dip in Q3, and unemployment might see a slight rise later this year.”
Burt emphasizes that the webinar series is constructive. A key theme throughout will be the crucial role of digital transformation in building business resilience.
“Companies that have invested in digitization in recent years have a competitive advantage,” Burt highlights. “Companies must continue to invest in new technologies (AI, Automation, Productivity, Security) to compete and stay ahead. With the rapid advancement of digital tools and automation, technology is a significant but beneficial investment for small businesses.”
The spirit of collaboration extends beyond the Chambers themselves. Burt emphasizes the importance of fostering strong community ties and leveraging local networks to navigate business challenges.
“Companies that develop targeted outreach programs to their communities see success,” he shares. “People want to support organizations that share their values.”
This valuable resource is open to everyone. However, with seats filling, pre-registration via Zoom is mandatory.
To register, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/
For more information, call the San Gabriel Valley Area Chamber Executives (VACE) at (626) 795-3355.
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