By Jim Mikula, President/CEO
This is the busy season for the Chamber. The Leadership Gillespie County class held their first session learning about city government and operations last week. Students for the iOpener Leadership Program at Fredericksburg High School are being selected, and sessions for them start next week. We have two Leaders Breakfasts and two Fun After Five Networking Receptions this fall. We also have three premier events coming up beginning with the Golf Tournament this month, the Food and Wine Festival in October, and the renowned Light the Night Christmas Parade.
All of these events are planned and ready for execution. My attention will begin shifting to 2025 and how we can add more value to our members both through existing programs and by adding new programs.
During my hotel career, I moved often, and in each new role it was important to learn the rhythm of the business. The rhythm of any business seems to include peak, shoulder and low seasons. Local and state government calendars, key decision dates or contract seasons. Layered in are national, state and local holidays/traditions. A great local tradition here is the Gillespie County Parade Day when the schools take a holiday as do local government offices. And, though a big part of our economy is tourism-based, the school year has a big impact on the rhythm of our local economy.
Ten months into my role here, I am feeling the rhythm of both the Chamber’s business and our entire business community. Understanding this rhythm can lead to effective planning as part of Strategic Leadership. With the fall being the Chamber’s busiest season, I realize that I am already behind on strategic planning for 2025…for us, planning should start in July. Looking back 60 days, we were focused on executing the Food and Wine Festival Preview and planning for the October even. So for this year, I’ll just take it as a “lesson” and make it a point to do better next year.
As we start planning for 2025, the Chamber would like to hear from all of you – our community. Please let us know what you want more of or less of from us in 2025. Your input is important to our planning and how we can provide more value to our business community. Please contact us: Jim@FBGTXChamber.org
Think for a moment: what is your rhythm? When is the best time to do your planning – whether it’s your business or your life? When do you look into the future? Is it now, like many who plan for each calendar year? Is it January with a new year resolution, or maybe it’s March as you can see the end of another school year? If you notice your planning isn’t yielding what you wish, perhaps you’re out of sync with your natural rhythm. Identify your rhythm and try planning in harmony with it.
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