Posts by tacrayton

President’s Message: Little Scissors and Small Tables by Chris Berleth, President I’ve been a part of some pretty cool ribbon cuttings in my nine years in the Chamber industry – a pizza cutter was used for the dedication of a new pizza oven, a chainsaw cut a large log for the grand opening of a…

Now Accepting Applications: 2025–2026 Leadership Central Penn Are you ready to grow as a leader, build meaningful connections, and make a lasting impact in your community? Leadership Central Penn is now accepting applications for the 2025–2026 program year! This dynamic professional development initiative, facilitated by The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, brings…

When Strategy Stalls: 4 Moves to Regain Momentum Pause to Stabilize: Cut costs and renegotiate to create breathing room. Pivot, Don’t Panic: Explore new markets or customer segments while staying agile. Learn Fast or Fall Behind: Turn setbacks into insights through rapid experimentation. Guard the Downside: Hedge risks and protect what matters most. 600 words…

How often should I give my website a new look? If your website analytics have been stagnant for a while, you may be wondering what you can do to boost your traffic. Is it time to give your website a new look? We believe in supporting local businesses, so we’ve put some thought into the…

Reasons Why Small Businesses Fail and How to Avoid Them Source: CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Starting a small business takes patience, perseverance, and a lot of hard work. Launching a new venture is difficult: Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that nearly half of all startups fail within the first five years.…

President’s Message Captain’s Message: Argh, Me Hearties, the Treasure Map Be Ready Standing on the bow of me mighty office chair after weeks of navigatin’ through printers, proofs, and the dreaded ‘Whirlpool o’ Misspellings’, yer Chamber is shoutin’… “Hoist the sails!  We’ve done it!  Thar be a map to foller to treasure and glory!  Gather…

Congratulations to the Leadership Central Penn Class of 2025 On May 15th, we proudly celebrated the graduation of the latest Leadership Central Penn class—26 rising leaders representing a diverse range of businesses and organizations across our region. Over the past nine months, these individuals have dedicated themselves to personal and professional growth, gaining valuable insights…

Winning Back Lost Customers: Smart Strategies to Reignite Trust and Revenue Reacquiring a customer is up to 5x cheaper than landing a new one. Personalized communication and data-driven offers rebuild loyalty. Solving past issues signals integrity and earns second chances. Consistent follow-ups turn past silence into renewed revenue. A structured win-back strategy boosts long-term retention…