Guest Blog Contributed by Chamber Member
Kyle Bunch of American Family Insurance

If you want to build lasting, meaningful relationships with your customers, it’s important to pay attention to their needs. Improve your business by focusing on your client’s story — exploring their frustrations and their joy — and that can help you understand what drives them. You’re also able to build empathy for your clients by interacting with them regularly, and that feedback can help you create a strategy for retention.

To win repeat buyers and build brand loyalty, as a business owner, you’ve got to be able to anticipate customers’ practical and emotional desires and respond to them. That means seeking out as many points of contact as possible to really appreciate your customer’s buying behavior.… Read the rest

Guest Blog Contributed by Chamber Member
Oregon Eye Specialists and the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Every year, about 10,000 people are rushed to the emergency department for fireworks injuries. Ophthalmologists – physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care – treat thousands of patients who suffer a range of fireworks-related injuries, from cuts and bruises to damaged corneas, retinas, and ruptured eyeballs. Many people believe that consumer fireworks are safe. But here’s the explosive truth: Most injuries are caused by legal fireworks parents buy for their children, such as sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles. To help reduce the number of potentially blinding fireworks accidents this holiday, Oregon Eye Specialists and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are sharing these tips:

•Wear protective eyewear when igniting fireworks: Ophthalmologists recommend that every household have at least one pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear.… Read the rest

Guest Blog Contributed by Chamber Member:
Daniel Lacy, Executive Director Bob’s Auto Cafe

    Hard to believe but self-driving cars are right around the corner. Meanwhile, siblings, parents, and grandparents will continue to chauffeur kids in their vehicles. All the while, guess who is watching you drive?

    A couple of weeks ago I was behind a vehicle turning right from a four-way stop… but they never stopped, rolled through the intersection at over 5mph. They then proceeded to make an unsafe lane change and go way below the speed limit. Their head was bobbing around distracted by something else. Next turn was into a Kinder Care where they were about to drop off a child. And guess who was watching and learning from the backseat?… Read the rest

Guest Blog Contributed by Chamber Member:
Safe & Hound Doggy Daycare

Summer is right around the corner and all of us here at Safe & Hound are excited for the warm weather ahead! Summer is a great time for outdoor adventures or get together with your friends and family members. Being able to take your canine companion with you on your summer adventures is always a blast! Here are some tips to keep things safe for your four-legged family members so the adventures are safe and memorable!

Plenty of Water

Dogs need access to fresh water throughout the day. Having unlimited access to water is especially important on hot days. Just like humans, dogs can get dehydrated too. Always take water with you on your outdoor adventures, whether you’re on a hike or hanging out in the backyard.… Read the rest

Guest Blog Contributed by Chamber Member Classic Choice Payroll Solutions

EEO-1 Reporting Requirements Finalized

The hotly contested issue of what exactly needs to be filed for EEO-1 reporting this year has been resolved—at least for now. Pay data for both 2017 and 2018 must be reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) by September 30, 2019. The data that has been required in years past is still due by May 31, 2019. An appeal of the latest decision has been filed, so it’s possible that there could be yet another change to the requirements, but employers should plan to comply with these deadlines, as described below.

Does my business even need to file the EEO-1 report?

If you have fewer than 100 employees and no federal contracts, you are not subject to EEO-1 reporting requirements.… Read the rest