Unless you've been living under a rock it's difficult to avoid all the posts about school starting back up again and summer being over. Why do those events matter? It means we're quickly approaching Q4 and that is the perfect time to review what has gone well for you this year and what has been a mounting challenge. While you may be laser-focused on holiday sales, year-end reports, and hitting those final quarterly goals, the savviest leaders know Q4 is also the time to zoom out. The decisions you make now don’t just impact your December and year end. They shape your success well into 2026. Business cycles move quickly. The economy, workforce, and technology will continue to shift in ways that reward businesses that plan ahead. Ready, Set, Go! Here’s how to get future-ready while everyone else is just trying to cross the 2025 finish line. Set Your Goals If you haven’t already done so, start by revisiting or creating a three-year strategy for your business. Businesses that thrive don’t just chase sales. They pursue a bigger vision. Use Q4 to review your long-term goals. Where do you want your company to be in 2026? Expanding into new markets? Adding product lines? Increasing automation? Achieving greater efficiency and cost savings? Write it down, get buy-in from the leadership team, and align next year’s goals with that north star. Break your vision into yearly milestones so it feels achievable, not overwhelming. When Strategy Stalls: 4 Moves to Regain Momentum ------------------- Invest in Movement Next, consider technology investments. AI, automation, and digital tools are having huge impacts on efficiency and cost-savings. If you wait until 2026 to get around to auditioning these “game changers,” you’ll be behind. Look at how technology can support your growth, through things like customer relationship management, e-commerce, or workflow automation. Starting small with a chatbot, productivity app, or scheduling tool today could free up enough resources to tackle bigger tech upgrades in 2026. 5 Genius Ways AI Can Stretch Your Existing Content AI for Small Businesses: Practical Steps to boost utility How Small Businesses Can Lead Innovation ---------------- Invest in People Your workforce also deserves attention. The talent pipeline is shifting, with Gen Z stepping into more roles and hybrid work remaining a hot topic. Businesses that build flexibility, invest in upskilling, and cultivate a strong culture now will have a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining the right people. Additionally, add professional development to your 2026 budget. It’s one of the most powerful investments for long-term growth and employee satisfaction. If you can't afford professional development for your team, consider affordable solutions like what the chamber of commerce offers. Chamber member benefits cover all employees, which means they can attend the chamber events of their choosing and may be able to meet professional development goals through chamber trainings, webinars, and events. By bringing these opportunities to your employees’ attention you look like the rock star who's assisting them in their career pathing and knowledge attainment. The chamber may also have a mentor program that your employees can participate in. This can be a huge benefit for younger employees looking for guidance. Perks & Benefits Idea List – Available to Chamber Members The New Employee Benefit Everyone Is Talking About Recognition is Free—But It Might Be the Most Valuable Investment You Make The 2025-2026 Leadership Class is now accepting applications. Access here and return to: Office@LLChamber.com by September 15. --------- Check the Finances Financial resilience is another key to success. Interest rates, inflation, and shifting consumer habits make financial agility essential. Look at your cash flow, debt, and pricing strategies. What can you adjust now to weather uncertainty in the next two years? Diversifying revenue streams ensures your 2026 success isn’t dependent on one source of income. Money Management Tips for People Who Hate Money Management Get Ready! For Small Business Week Small Business Resource Round-up Mid Year reset ------------- Build Relationships Anticipating market shifts can also give you a competitive edge. Consumer values are evolving, especially around sustainability, health, and community. Businesses that align with these trends will have a competitive advantage. Pay attention to what your customers are asking for now. It’s often a preview of what will be standard in 2026. 5 Customer-Focused Strategies to Build Loyalty and Drive Growth Hospitality is the Hidden Edge: Why Emotional Connection Drives Customer Loyalty How to Build Loyalty Without Spending a Dime on Ads ------------------- Check-in with the Chamber Finally, strengthen your community and partnerships. No business succeeds in a vacuum. Your local chamber of commerce offers resources, advocacy, and connections that can give you a leg up in uncertain times.  Don’t just look to network—collaborate. Joint promotions, shared talent pipelines, or advocacy efforts can open doors you couldn’t access alone. Q4 is the perfect time to step back, not just step up. By thinking beyond the immediate hustle and honing your business strategy, you’ll finish this year strong and ensure sustainable, future-ready growth in 2026 and beyond. 10 Ways to Get the Most from Your Chamber Membership How to Build Business Connections (Even If You Hate Networking) Local Business Partnerships Strengthen Communities, Drive Growth Your Chamber Listing Matters More Than Ever! -------------------- Looking for information on making your landing page better? Need technical assistance? Visit here! Looking for sponsorship/event hosting information? Complete this form to let us know what you’re interested in. ---------------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Local sourcing brings speed, quality, and deeper connections. Being nearby means more control and faster problem-solving. Investing locally builds community goodwill and brand trust. Start small today—test one item with a local partner. 579 words ~ 3 min. read Sometimes the best way to grow your business isn’t about going bigger—it’s about going closer. More companies are finding that partnerships with local suppliers aren’t just about where products come from—they shape how quickly a business can move, how closely it can control quality, and how much value it can create for customers and community. Speed You Can See When your suppliers are nearby, orders arrive while the ink on your sales order is still drying. Questions get answered before lunch. Product tweaks happen in days, not months. That kind of responsiveness means you can serve customers better and seize opportunities while they’re still fresh. A Front-Row Seat to Quality Working locally lets you see the process up close. You can step onto the production floor, smell the freshly cut materials, and shake hands with the people bringing your products to life. This connection makes it easier to uphold high standards, solve issues before they snowball, and create offerings you’re proud to stand behind. Partnerships That Feel Personal Local sourcing often turns into more than a transaction—it becomes a relationship. When your vendor is a short drive away, you’re not just an invoice; you’re a partner. That trust leads to creative solutions, extra care during busy seasons, and a shared investment in each other’s success. An Investment in Your Community Dollars spent locally ripple outward—supporting jobs, other small businesses, and local services. Customers notice when you make that choice, and it often strengthens loyalty. People like to buy from businesses that invest where they live, and they remember it. A Story Worth Sharing More customers want to know where their purchases come from. Being able to say, “We work with suppliers right here in our region,” isn’t just a point of pride—it’s a story people tell each other, and it builds trust faster than any marketing campaign. Your First Step Making the shift doesn’t have to mean rewriting your whole supply chain. This week, pull up your purchase list and choose one product or service to source locally. Make a call, ask a few questions, and see how quickly a handshake can turn into a partnership. Once you’ve tested the waters, you can decide where else local sourcing fits. The Bottom Line Local sourcing is about more than cutting costs—it’s about speed, quality, trust, and connection. It helps you deliver faster, control outcomes better, and strengthen your brand’s story. Global trade can move mountains, but local sourcing moves at the speed of trust—and that’s the kind of supply chain that lasts.  Read More: 5 Advantages to Localizing Your Supply Chain Local Business Partnerships Strengthen Communities and Drive Growth --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.