Our companies have been giving back to their community for generations – and today, it’s not only considered cool but expected – 86 percent of U.S. consumers expect companies to do good (specifically to take action on social, environmental or other community issues). Our members continue to lead in this arena, recognizing that their corporate giving and community service strategies are key to attracting the very best workers. (In fact, 79 percent of Millennials consider a company’s social responsibility track record when deciding where they will work. And once they’re on a team, that connection keeps them engaged – reducing employee turnover by up to 50 percent.)
This commitment is why our Chamber was a founding member of B:CIVIC and a big part why we married the work of B:CIVIC with our Leadership Foundation last fall. B:CIVIC helps companies of all sizes develop their strategy for how they want to engage their team, give back to our community and have a meaningful impact. And, we are always looking for ways to shine a spotlight on the incredible work our companies are engaging in – it’s why we are helping launch The Civic 50 in Colorado.
What is the Civic 50? It’s like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval (OK, you have to be over 50 to even know what that is, so ask someone in the office to explain it to you) for corporate responsibility. It’s a consistent way to measure on a national level for corporate citizenship. And, when companies achieve this level of standard – it is really stellar. Colorado has been chosen as the second community in the country to offer a regional version of The Civic 50. Our local version will be launched in partnership with B:CIVIC and CSR Solutions, allowing us to recognize the best of the best in Colorado.
There’s lots of ways you can get involved. No matter the size of your company, we want to hear about what you’re doing in the community. Join B:CIVIC on April 24 for its networking happy hour, Sparks ‘n Sips, to learn more about The Civic 50 and how you can apply. Colorado honorees will be recognized at the B:CIVIC Summit in September.
Get ready to hear some amazing stories. We are already seeing a number of our members achieve this level of recognition as national Civic 50 honorees – Aetna, American Express, AT&T, Bank of America, Charles Schwab, Comcast, Deloitte, FedEx Corporation, GE, Hogan Lovells, IBM Corporation, KeyBank, KPMG, PwC, S&P Global, Southwest Airlines, UnitedHealth Group, Verizon, Wells Fargo and Western Union. Get inspired by their work by learning more about their approach to giving back here.
We hope you’ll join us at the Civic 50 kickoff and join the work of B:CIVIC. Chamber members can use the promo code Chamber1 to attend at no charge.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.
Telecommuting, also known as teleworking or remote working, is a global professional trend on the rise across businesses large and small. In fact, studies show that 70 percent of people globally work from home at least once per week. Factors like the cost of child care, chronic health problems, lengthy commute times and distracting environments are driving more employees to pursue flexible work options.
And, with the number of U.S. workers who work at least 50 percent from home or another remote location growing by 115 percent from 2005 to 2015, this trend is one to watch in 2019 and in the years to come.
Here’s what it means for your business:
1. Increased productivity: Allowing employees to work remotely helps them to avoid hectic commutes and distracting work environments.
Without the interruptions that come with a traditional office setting, telecommuting increases employee efficiency and provides workers with the opportunity to use time more efficiently to get work done while balancing their everyday lives. Cloud storage, video conferencing and other smart office solutions are keeping teams connected and well-resourced from afar, allowing for seamless collaboration.
2. Talent recruitment: You are no longer limited in your employee recruiting to the surrounding area. With teleworking as an option, you can attract top talent regardless of location.
3. Talent retention: Employees who feel they have a flexible work environment and the ability to eliminate distractions are generally more inclined to stay with a company long term. Several studies link telecommuting options not only to increased productivity, but also to improved employee satisfaction and loyalty.
4. Overhead savings: Working remotely allows employers to save on office space costs, supplies and janitorial services. And, services like Comcast Business’ Cloud Solutions help teams share information, sync schedules, process important documents and back-up everything in realtime without needing to be onsite, streamlining processes to help cut costs.
While there are many benefits for employers and employees when it comes to telecommuting, there are a few considerations to make before offering this perk to your workforce.
1. Isolation: To avoid excessive distance or feelings of isolation with remote workers, virtual meetings and webinars can provide opportunities for team interaction from different locations. Versatile phone services, such as Comcast Business’ VoiceEdge, keep employees in touch with ease. Features like online voicemail and digital portals make sure messages are never missed, and one-click conferencing capabilities provide instant access to host or join meetings. Occasional in-person meetings for holiday parties or training sessions can help as well.
2. Accountability: It’s important to put certain measurements in place to monitor performance and accountability for remote workers. Through daily contact or activity reports, you can ensure employees are completing their work in a timely manner.
As the future of the workforce evolves, look out for trends like this that benefit not only your business, but also your employees’ wellbeing. Keep up with the latest trends and resources from Comcast Business at cbcommunity.comcast.com.
This article was written by Comcast Business.
Major Projects Underway Benefit 1.4 Million People in the Denver Metro Area
Two big things are happening in suburban metro Denver that will have major impacts on the future of water quality for Denver Water customers.
Denver Water recently launched a $12 million upgrade to its Foothills Treatment Plant near Roxborough, and construction is underway on a $600 million North System Renewal Project, which includes a state-of-the-art treatment facility and a new water pipeline.
“These are critical projects for the 1.4 million people we serve,” said Nicole Poncelet-Johnson, director of water quality and treatment at Denver Water. “We’re investing in Foothills, our largest water treatment plant, and looking to the future by building the new Northwater plant.”
$12 million Foothills upgrade
Foothills opened in 1983 and is Denver Water’s largest water treatment plant. Foothills takes water gathered from mountain streams and treats it to meet drinking water standards. The plant can produce up to 280 million gallons of water per day.
“Treatment plants are like cars; they need tuneups to keep them running smoothly,” said David Swedensky, Foothills Treatment Plant manager at Denver Water.
The work at Foothills includes upgrading the plant’s electrical distribution systems, replacing 48 large valves used to control the flow of water and overhauling the hydropower generator installed in the mid-1980s.
The new electrical systems will improve efficiency, feature modern technology, increase reliability and provide important safety features for workers.
North System Renewal’s new plant
Nearly 40 miles north of Foothills, crews are busy installing a new 8.5-mile water pipeline that will connect to the new Northwater Treatment Plant. The plant, expected to be complete in 2024, is being built next to Ralston Reservoir near Highway 93, and is a major part of Denver Water’s five-year, $1.3 billion capital improvement plan.
Crews started work at the site of the new treatment plant in September.
When finished, the new plant will be able to produce up to 75 million gallons of water per day. It also can be expanded in the future if needed to treat up to 150 million gallons per day.
“This state-of-the-art facility will have modern filtration and disinfection technology,” Poncelet- Johnson said.
The new plant’s technology will include ultraviolet light for primary disinfection to kill or inactivate bacteria, viruses and other potentially harmful organisms.
Facing future water challenges of tomorrow
All of Denver Water’s drinking water treatment plants produce water that meets current state and federal regulations. Upgrades, however, will be needed to meet anticipated future regulations.
Poncelet-Johnson said more robust treatment processes will also be needed to handle expected changes to water quality in mountain streams.
“Our water comes from high elevations, so as more people move into mountain communities, we’re expecting to see more human impacts on the watershed,” she said.
Warmer weather could also lead to more catastrophic wildfires, which can affect water quality.
The loss of vegetation from large fires increases the risk of flash flooding, resulting in more sediment flowing into mountain streams and eventually into Denver Water’s treatment plants. Large, intense fires also can change soil chemistry, making it more difficult to remove the sediment from treatment facilities.
“As the water provider of a major metropolitan area, we have to prepare for these scenarios,” Poncelet-Johnson said. “The new plant will set us up to handle the water treatment challenges of tomorrow.”
Stay informed about this and other water infrastructure projects on denverwaterTAP.org.
This article was written by Jay Adams from Denver Water.
If you show up to the Colfax viaduct on Friday morning, you’ll see volunteers lined up at tables packing food for children to take home on the weekends.
“If it’s snowing wear your boots, and if it’s hot out wear your shorts,” said Bob Bell, co-founder of Food For Thought Denver.
Food For Thought Denver’s mission is simple: make sure that no child in Denver Public Schools (DPS) goes without food over the weekend.
“This just helps them with some stability not only in their house, but in their pantry,” Bell said.
Food For Thought Denver targets schools where 90 percent or more of the students are eligible for free and reduced lunch programs (income of a family of four is less than $29,000 a year). That’s close to 35,000 DPS children.
How are they reaching kids? A PowerSack. It’s 15 items of nonperishable food – from snacks to items that comprise a meal for the family – to last through the weekend. All the food is donated through a partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies. To date, Food For Thought has delivered nearly 240,000 PowerSacks.
“We put a bag for every kid. So, when we go to a school, it’s not picking and choosing amongst what kids need it and what kids don’t,” Bell said. “What we’re not about is stigmatizing a child.”
Food For Thought Denver leaders pride themselves on being volunteer-run.
“We don’t have a single paid staff,” Bell said.
Since its founding in 2012, Food For Thought Denver has grown from 500 kids to 8,200 kids. Bell’s mantra is if they take on a school, they’re never backing out of it.
“Everyone at food for thought just gives enough of their time – many hands make the load light,” Bell said. “And this is just the truest example of that.”
Food for Thought was named the 2018 Small Nonprofit of the Year at the Chamber's Business Awards, and the silent auction at Net90 Holiday on Dec. 20 will benefit Food for Thought.
Laura James is the senior marketing and communications specialist for the Denver Metro Chamber.
This October we celebrated LGBT History Month because inclusivity strengthens our business community, our teams and our 3,000 plus Chamber members – having all voices represented and at the table.
We’d like to highlight some of our members who celebrate LGBT History Month and make our community stronger: Bespoke Events and Contract Furnishing Inc.
Bespoke Events is a one-of-a-kind corporate event company based in Denver that manages all sizes of events and incentive programs.
“LGBT History Month is unique as is celebrates not just a cause, but leaders. Leaders who have been willing to serve from where they are, across all backgrounds and disciplines. From politics to media and education to the arts, individual leaders and icons move the needle in visibility, civil rights and equality for LGBTQ people around the world,” Justin Ball, president of Bespoke Events said.
Ball first engaged with the Chamber when he was the site selector for a major technology consulting company. Working closely with the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, he was able to articulate to his leadership team all that Denver had to offer in terms of real estate, workforce, economy and more. Justin later started his own small business, Bespoke Event Group.
“The Chamber was my go to place to build a solid foundation for my business,” Ball said. “From Denver Metro SBDC trainings and workshops to Chamber leadership seminars to networking with civic-minded professionals at the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, the Chamber and its affiliates provided the access to all the tools I needed to start and grow my business.”
Small business owners know it takes the hard work, rolling up your sleeves and plenty of enthusiasm to keep your business growing. As we help small businesses grow we like to help provide connections, resources and support.
Christopher Leach at Contract Furnishings shared his introduction to the Chamber and Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
“Kelly Brough came to speak at the LGBT Community Center of Colorado’s Annual Board Retreat years ago. Her passion, enthusiasm and support of the LGBT Community inspired me to check out the Chamber since I was just starting my company at the time,” Leach said. “Five years ago, Abram Sloss and I connected about the SBDC and I was hooked into the Chamber even further. And, I’ve served on the SBDC Advisory Board for the last four years. The relationships we’ve made at the Chamber have been very meaningful to Contract Furnishings.”
Leach started his company in 2002 after working in engineering for nuclear facilities and the Department of Defense. After a friend approached him about expanding the company from Kansas City into Denver, Leach took the leap and quit his job that following Monday. Contract Furnishings works locally and nationally to design commercial environments.
Here he is today with an exceptional business model, great team and projects all over the country. Plus, he gets to take his dog to work - doesn’t get better than that!
We are proud to have been a part of each businesses journey to success. No matter who you are, we’re excited to work with you.
Leah Parsons is the human resources director for the Denver Metro Chamber.
Denver’s newest hangout has a lot happening – a food truck park, craft drinks, local music, coworking, a climbing gym next door and more. This new collective, dubbed Improper City opened in the River North Art District (RiNo) in July.
Hank Grant, the co-founder of Improper City and Rayback Collective, wanted to bring this concept – one that he started in Boulder – to Denver after seeing similar collective spaces: “There was a need for some sort of outdoor and indoor, family-friendly, dog-friendly place that had all of these different components.”
Improper City’s goal is to be a universal place, from hosting work meetings to celebrating with friends, this space is open early and stays open late. Artists can book live music or choose to display their art work within. It’s not a climbing-gym-bar; it’s a place that everyone can find their own aspect to belong. It’s described as “choose your own adventure” by Grant, and they’re adding something a little different than other collaborative spaces.
“We do a great job at setting the tone for what the community wants and needs,” Grant said. “When we pride ourselves on being a gathering place, we pride ourselves on the ability to create ambiance, environment and space that can be versatile, and you can bring a lot of differences together.” Through it all, they hope to form an inclusive place where everyone is comfortable: “We want you here, in the space, having fun doing whatever it is that you want to do.”
Natalie Allen is the Customer Service Coordinator for the Denver Metro Chamber
When you think of your target audience for your business, does the Hispanic population play a role? If it doesn’t, you’re missing a big – and growing – opportunity, business and sales leaders say.
Consider the numbers: In the last year, 51 percent of the U.S.’s 2.2 million-person population growth was among Hispanics. Here in Denver, the Hispanic population is expected to grow nearly 10 percent over the next five years. And their purchasing power here is anticipated to grow to almost $30 billion by 2024, up from nearly $16 billion in 2014.
“This is a market that should definitely be considered in your marketing strategy,” Abel Corral, a local sales manager for Telemundo Denver, told Gold-level Denver Metro Chamber members at a recent Gold Program.
Telemundo Denver President and General Manager Andres Chaparro agreed.
“When more than 21 percent of the total population in Colorado, more than 32 percent in Denver County and at least 66 percent of students in Denver Public Schools are Hispanics, those figures should spark the interest of any company or organization to learn about our Hispanic community,” he said. “They have an annual buying power and consumer spending of at least $16 billion, and I ask everyone, are you getting your fair share?”
So, you’re ready to start segmenting your marketing audiences – but do you know where to start? Business and marketing experts offered their tips, based on their own experiences marketing to a Hispanic audience.
Do your homework
No matter the audience demographic, you need to “dig a little bit deeper … think about who you’re trying to target,” Laura Sonderup, managing director of Heinrich Hispanidad a multicultural communications firm that is a division of marketing agency Heinrich.
That also means deciding on what your measures of success are – which may help you further segment that audience and find the right places to spend your ad budget – and your time building relationships.
Meet people where they are
Strong relations build life-long customers and referrals.
“Go to the people … they want to connect to you,” advises Sawaya Law Firm Managing Senior Partner Michael Sawaya.
When the Denver Broncos focused on growing their Hispanic audience – their “fanaticos” – they began hosting more events at the stadium, and they went to neighborhoods where their fanaticos live, serving carne asada and introducing fans to Myles the mascot and Broncos cheerleaders.
“It’s about being authentic,” said Ted Santiago, the Broncos’ director of marketing.
They’ve grown those events by 50 to 60 percent, says Fan Development Manager Marisol Villagomez.
“We knew that we had to put in the time to develop trust,” she said.
Create loyalty – in good times and bad
For the Broncos, that means even during a losing season that people still feel connected to the team.
“We want our fans to feel a part of our success,” Santiago said. “When we lose, we want them to be mad; we want them to feel that pain … we want them to feel this is going to get better and I’m a part of this through good and bad.”
Language matters
Experts agreed that while younger generations of Hispanics speak more English and consumer more English-language media, but Telemundo National Sales Manager Drew Wilson emphasized that Spanish is a language of comfort for native speakers.
“More important,” he added, “it’s the language we make decisions in.”
Villagomez agreed: “I work in English; I think and I feel in Spanish.”
And, it means better conversation: Spanish-language ads were four times more effective in driving sales than their English-language counterparts.
So, while adding “se habla Español” to your business card is a good start at building trust and differentiating yourself from your competitors, Corral said, “imagine what the next level is.”
A note on our usage of the term Hispanic: Our panelists noted that there is a debate on whether Hispanic, Latino or Chicano best identifies this audience. We use the term Hispanic to mirror the usage from the data shared during this program.
Sara Crocker is the communications manager for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
