The Kauai Chamber of Commerce deserves a shoutout for a job well done, so we’re going to give it one.
Under the leadership of Mark Perriello, this chamber has done an outstanding job of leading the business community and expanding its influence around the island. It has been, at the same time, creative and structured, adhering to the basics of what any business must do to succeed, but also branching out and trying new ways to help the business community. It is committed to excellence.
The chamber’s third quarter general membership meeting Tuesday at the Smith Family Garden Luau was one of its best. Aloha was everywhere. Smiles, laughter, talking story were infectious. While there are meetings you attend that you are hoping they will end sooner rather than later, this was not one of them. It helped that this was at Smith’s and the always-joyful Kamika Smith was there, greeting guests, driving them in, making sure everyone was taken care of and even serving coffee.
There were a few highlights we must note.
First, the presentation of the Mea Ho‘omana‘o awards.
A dream of late Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste was to remind residents of the importance of respect, civility and aloha in their interactions. It’s all too easy to criticize and snub. The Mea Ho‘omana‘o program, which Baptiste started, refers to “something that causes you to remember.”
Those honored with this award were Lesther Calipjo, Laura Richards and Frank and Abbie Santos. All are more than deserving. Each goes above and beyond to make their community the best it can be. All are volunteers in many ways and help where they are needed. All hold leadership positions on the island. All are top-notch professionals. We are fortunate to have them and their dedication to this island, the place they call home.
The chamber is not resting on its current success. It is continuing to plan ahead, and it demonstrated how by distributing copies of its Strategic Plan and Tactical Implementation Guide. We can’t outline the entire plan right here, but we can give you some highlights that that explain why Perriello and the chamber are thriving, why membership is growing, why meetings are active and engaging and why people are turning to the chamber.
One key, the chamber is looking to increase net membership. A business that is not looking to expand, to grow, to bring in new customers, is a business that is going the wrong way. You can’t just maintain the status quo. So, how will it achieve this growth? Nothing too complicated here: “By focusing on effective recruitment, new member onboarding/orientation, and providing valuable experiences and resources that fuel retention.”
The chamber recognizes that a business must provide quality products and services, and it must continually be reaching out to current and potential customers, not waiting for them to walk through the door.
Another key, the chamber looks to increase its influence and advocacy. In this day of political correctness, it can be better to try and come across as neutral and quietly promote your stance or not even mention it. But the chamber is taking a stronger stand. The plan says its wants to: identify appropriate issues; define its position on the issues; create member activism and ignite member participation. In other words, the chamber, as it should, is taking a leadership role for the very business community it represents. Not everyone will agree with the chamber on certain positions, but there will be no doubt where the chamber stands and why and, for that, it should be praised.
One more key is effective marketing. It looks to “develop, fund and implement an effective marketing plan to enhance the chamber’s position and value with members and in the community.” The chamber recognizes any business must constantly gets its message, its services, its products, out to the community.
And finally, the chamber promises “efficient, transparent financial reporting.” Its major program and initiatives include hiring a bookkeeper, revising and updating reports and establishing an annual report. The chamber wants to leave no doubt it is trustworthy, and your membership money will be well-spent.
The chamber’s role is to unite, lead and help businesses to grow. It is doing exactly that through several values, including aloha spirit, integrity, excellence, partnership and collaboration. Mind you, all of that sounds easy. It’s not. To do it well takes hard work, planning and commitment.
Mark Perriello has the chamber on the right track and should be given his due. Such efforts benefit not just the business community but this island as a whole.
Mahalo to the Kauai Chamber of Commerce.
