The CWCC Question of the Week is a question that we will ask every week to members and non-member about topics and issues affecting women, business, government and more in the State of Colorado.
Question of the Week September 21-25, 2009
How do you inspire yourself and others? Click here to give your answer.
Question of the Week September 14-18, 2009
Have you found it is more difficult to receive payments from clients and customers? Does it take longer to receive payments from customers today than it did several years ago?
All of the responses were 100% Yes for both answers
Question of the Week August 31-September 11, 2009
The Question of the Week this week is our annual membership survey. If you are a member or non-member of the Chamber, we want your feedback!
Question of the Week August 24-28, 2009
Do you use YouTube?
If yes, do you use YouTube for more than just entertainment?
Question of the Week August 17-21, 2009
Have you received funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? If yes, for what did you receive funds?
Question of the Week August 10-14, 2009
We did not have a Question this week due to the Golf Tournament.
Question of the Week August 3-7, 2009
Do you work better in a team or independently?
Question of the Week July 27-31, 2009
Employers, do you have programs in place to engage and encourage employees? Do you think employee engagement is necessary to motivate employees? How to you engage your employees?
How to you engage your employees?
- My employer is a member of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts which provides its members with special showings of plays, art shows, and concerts. Employees appreciate this benefit in getting the opportunity to attend events free at the Denver Art Museum, Curious Theater, and more.
Question of the Week July 20-24, 2009
What do you do to encourage customer feedback?
- We conduct surveys and give prizes to customers who fill them out.
- We know our customers and encourage discussions. Whenever there is an issue we asked for feedback. Whenever there is a success, we do the same.
Question of the Week July 13-17, 2009
Do you use e-mail to market your business?
Do you believe that e-mail marketing is an effective way to promote your business and/or events?
Due to the 4th of July holiday weekend, we did not have a Question of the Week during the week of July 6.
Question of the Week June 29-July 3, 2009
Has technology significantly changed the way that you work?
How much of your work is done in a traditional office?
If you do not spend most of your time in a traditional office, how do you think this has impacted your work?
Question of the Week June 22-26, 2009
Has your business benefited from the stimulus money?
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What are your future expectations?
- I don’t have any
- We work with the Workforce Centers, who receive stimulus money. It is slowly being dispersed from the government to the Centers, and therefore to us.
- I have no idea if we qualify for any monies
- Unknown
Question of the Week June 15-19, 2009
Are you good at networking in a business setting?
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Networking at a business event is a two-way street, meaning that both parties have to communicate equally in order to make the networking opportunity work. What techniques have you found the most useful to encourage others to talk about themselves and their businesses?
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Other:
- You get them to talk about themselves…you listen, remember their name, find a connection first before you go off and talk about what you do.
Question of the Week June 8-12, 2009
Have you ever partipated in Speed Networking before?
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Would you ever consider participating in a free Speed Networking session?
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If yes or maybe, what would you like included in the session?
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Other:
- Not sure of what else, since I am not familiar with the term Speed Networking
- A few simple steps to follow
- Four minutes (two minutes each) to get an idea of what each person has to offer. A follow up spreadsheet that highlights each person and the industry they work in.
- To show product
Question of the Week June 1-5, 2009
What are you doing to promote your business in today’s economy?
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Question of the Week May 25-29, 2009
Does your company currently employ green business practices?
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Other:
- recycle program that allows us to seperate paper from trash
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Question of the Week May 18-22, 2009
Do you see a difference between the generations when it comes to professionalism?
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Why or why not?
- I do not necessarily see a difference in generations when it comes to professionalism as I do not think that the majority of each generation knows what it really is.
- Yes, I see a difference. However, as a young professional, I am so sick of the older generation generalizing me as not professional. My parents taught me excellent manners, and I started my first office job at the age of 19, so I believe that my professional skills are excellent. I dress professionally, act maturely and work hard. All young employees get lumped into this category of unprofessional slackers who wear flip flops to work and text message all day. That is not me. I wish the older generation would back off because I believe that I am just as professional if not more that older workers.
- Younger employees tend to work a 40 hour week, haven’t developed common sense and courtesy and are unaware of politics and hierarchy. This is both good and bad. Thinking outside the box and managing personal life is good. Impetuousness can be harmful, cause dissension and uneasiness.
Question of the Week May 11-15, 2009
Have you ever served on a board or commission?
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What was your overall impression of the experience? Here are a few of the responses:
- I was one of 13 women on the Board of a women’s networking organization. I had an amazing mentor that ushered me into the organization, onto the Board and, ultimately, I chaired the Board. It was challenging, exciting, a huge responsibility, and an invaluable piece to my own personal development.
- I have served on the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Council, Commission on Families & Their Children, Colorado Children’s Trust Fund, Drug Control & System Improvement Advisory Board (presently the Justice Assistance Grant Board and was reappointed to this Board), Community Corrections Advisory Council and Colorado Regional Community Policing Institute. These appointments have been very rewarding to me personally and professionally because of the commitment and dedication of the staff and of the other participants. I am blessed to serve the community and state all these years.
- I was an elected official for a 4 year term to a PUD. The experience was very good and insightful.
Question of the Week May 4-8, 2009
Is your business MBE or WBE Certified?
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If yes or no, how do you think this affects your business?
- don’t know
- I need to get this done.
- I think I’m missing out on a lot of opportunities.
Question of the Week April 13-17, 2009
Are you “Spring Cleaning” your office?
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If yes, what are you throwing away or eliminating?
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Other:
- Old phone books
- I am thrilled to be now using non-toxic cleaning products which improves teh indoor air quality that I am exposed to!
- Note, paper is being recycled as well as software manuals.
Question of the Week April 6-10, 2009
What does your business do to retain customers? What percentage of your customers are repeat customers?
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Other:
- Develop good relationships
- Send out resources and information they’ll find useful and informative, and meet them regularly for coffee.
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Question of the Week March 30-April 3, 2009
Do you volunteer your time? If so, where do you volunteer? How often do you volunteer your time?
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- Other: Public Schools
- Other: Church
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Question of the Week March 23-27, 2009
Do you have a creative outlet outside of work? If yes, how do you express your creativity?
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Other, please specify:
- Water aerobics, low impact for the 50+ & lots of laughs!!
- Salsa dancing!
- YOGA – relaxing in tough times.
- Baking
- Beauty consulting
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Question of the Week March 16-20, 2009
Entrepreneurs: What do you wish you had known when you first started your business? Here are a few of the responses:
- How to keep and maintain a database and mine it for opportunities.
- Marketing never stops. We started with quite a bit of work and assumed it would take us where we wanted to go. It did not.
Question of the Week March 9-13, 2009
Who do you think is the most influential woman, past or present? Why does her story inspire you?
- Sojourner Truth – Recollections of her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech still give me goosebumps. I read it to gain self-confidence to fight for what is right!
Question of the Week March 2-6, 2009
Does your business do any kind of social networking?
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What social networking sites do you use?
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Question of the Week February 23-27, 2009
What new programs or services would you like the Chamber to offer?
Question of the Week February 16-20, 2009
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If yes, what advice would you give on mentoring?
- Make sure the person that you are mentoring is as excited about what you are teaching them as you are… otherwise it’s not the greatest experience for either.
- Be consistent and available. You must be committed.
- It does require structure and support if it is to be successful.
- Make it measurable. Have specific objectives prepared ahead of time and track progression of those objectives. This ensures that you are having the greatest impact while staying on point at all times!
- Establish one or two measurable goals with the “mentee” so you two stay focused and celebrate success in achieving these goals!
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If yes, how much did it impact your career?
- I still have mentors…I always find people that are successful in the ways I think are important and try my hardest to learn from them…it’s great because many times they don’t realize they are mentoring me, they think we are just having lunch; I have to tell them!
- It impacted me a great deal. It meant I had someone to go to when I needed support or help.
- Everyone should always have and keep a mentor, no matter what level of success the individual has achieved. We can attribute our success to many mentors over the years. “If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know it had help getting there” -Zig Ziglar.
- I was able to learn the business more quickly and serve my clients with greater confidence.
Question of the Week February 9-13, 2009
Are you still working in the same career field you set out in years ago?
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- I’ve been able to advance and grow in this field, and it continues to be fulfilling.
- New opportunities arose.
- I work for a good organization. They actually paid for all of my college. Also, they have supported my efforts to branch in different areas of banking. I have a strong background in Management and Operations. Currently, I am working in Sales and I really like the change!
- Had a great time in the Fortune 100 world but opted out to my own business. A challenge but very rewarding, I can see my results–good or bad immediately, I feel alive again.
Question of the Week February 2-6, 2009
Would you start a business in today’s economy? Why or why not?
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Here are some of the reasons people would start a business in today’s economy:
- Even in the economy we have today, there are certain things that everyone needs on a daily basis. If you can tap into that needed resource, do your research and make it attractive/affordable to the consumer, would it be worth the risk you take? I think so!
- Even though our economy seems really bad right now there are still goods and services that are needed and are being purchased. Most people have money they just will not part with it as willingly as before. If it is something they feel they need they will purchase.
- Yes, of course it would depend upon the type of business andthe capital required, as well as the marketplace demand.
- The opportunity to move quicker and leaner than larger companies puts small business owners at an advantage.
- As long as you are committed to GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE ~ being there for people 100% of the time will give you success.
- If it met the needs of potential customers and this economy, e.g. shoe repair, any type of company that would/could make things last, anything that would make people more secure in this environment and self-help.
Question of the Week January 26-30, 2009
In business, what mistakes have you made and what have you learned from them?
- I went into the wrong career field, so I changed careers.
Question of the Week January 19-23, 2009
What could your employer do to encourage productivity in your office?
- Communicate more, let the employees know what is going on with planning, projections, etc.
- Explain how to do projects more. Don’t expect that we can read minds.
- Thank us when we do something good. A simple thank you goes a long way.
- It’s a tough time for all businesses right now…
- Help do the work
- See things from my perspective.
Question of the Week January 12-16, 2009
How much of an impact does the state legislature have on your business?
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If so, which ones do you follow?
- Anything that pertains to small business and education
- Tax proposals, minimum wage hikes.
Question of the Week, January 5-9, 2009
Have you ever contracted with the government (local or federal)? 
What kind of contracting have you done?
- Video production services We are a woman-owned, SDB, 8(a)
- Financial Services
Question of the Week, December 22-26 and December 29-January 2
There will not be a question of the week during the last two weeks of December due to the winter holidays. Question of the Week will return January 5! Do you have a question that you would like us to ask our members and non-members? E-mail us with your Question of the Week suggestions.
Question of the Week, December 15-19, 2008
Have you set your business goals for 2009, and if so, how do you plan to accomplish your goals? Here are the responses:
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- I have two businesses: one is my glass artists, which I have been trying to setup a meeting with designers so I can get into the architectural world of glass. I have one interested but the weather has been so bad on my days off we have not met yet. My second business is selling spa and products. I would like to get a list of new salons to contact to see if they would like to carry my products. This is where I would like to know how to find a new business list for free? My goal here is to make enough extra income to pay off my credit card debt from being laid off this past year. Thank you.
- We have reorganized our project lists and 1st and 2nd quarter calendars in preparation for the upcoming year. We wanted to make sure that we had prioritized all of our most important projects and tasks correctly, while still leaving room for any new projects coming. We also wanted to make sure we had a little wiggle room for those last minute emergencies or delays in projects. We are looking to have a banner year this year (and keeping our fingers crossed & the momentum going strong) and want to be sure we can handle things as well as possible.
- Work hard.
Question of the Week December 8-12, 2008
Are you interested in volunteering? Here are the responses:
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Question of the Week December 1-5, 2008
CWCC is starting a Young Professionals Network in January. Let us know if you’d like to participate and topics that you’d like to see covered. Here are the responses:
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What kind of Educational Seminars?
- Public speaking
- How to market myself better
- Sales, Business Growth
What else would you like to learn from a young professionals group?
- What if I am not young? Maybe an accountability to a few people. Have small groups of maybe 3 or 4 and encourage them to get together once a month to check in, encourage, and hold them accountable to growing.
- Career development, education necessary to benefit career success…
- Negotiation skills and the opportunity to network
- Opportunity to network, not just, how to…
Question of the Week November 24-28, 2008
What are you thankful for in your career and/or business? Here are a few of the responses:
- I am able to do what I love everyday! I am blessed that my career changes others lives and enlightens them. It feeds my soul!
- I am thankful to work and direct some of the most beautiful and talented artists…young and older in the CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE production of GRANNY Dances to a Holiday Drum now for 17 years. To be able to be a part of a village of amazing and loving people of all ages beginning with 4 year olds is an absolute BLESSING. To my/our beautiful community…I give thanks for your support for almost 40 years…peace love respect for everyone..grateful for our universal family.
Question of the Week November 17-21, 2008
What do you think about the President Elect’s staffing choices? Here are a few of the responses:
- Concerning! Why is he bringing back all the old Clinton staff after campaigning on change?
- Rahn Emmanuel is more than just a member of the Clinton “Old Guard”. He is terrible choice for both sides. Self indulgent, difficult and certainly not ‘CHANGE’. Obama must owe a debt to him.
- For someone who promoted “change”, it sure looks like more of the same political hacks that have patrolled the white house in the early years!
- In approval so far! Would really like to see Hilary as Sec of State!
- Is Rain’s going to be the Secretary of the Treasury and Ayres the Secretary of Defense??
Question of the Week November 10-14, 2008
Overall, are you satisfied with the election results? Here are the results:
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How do you think the election results will help or hurt the economy?
- Higher taxation will be devastating to small businesses and working families. “the government that is big enough to give you everything is big enough to take it all away” G Washington. We need far less government to be able to operate in free markets.
- Help
- HELP!!!
- Will help the economy. The President-Elect and the Dems have the energy, commitment and drive, to truly put “country first.”
- Help!
- Hoping it will give stability and clarity in our new direction.
- Help it hopefully
- I think the labor – right to work amendment will hurt- and I think the oil and gas tax- Amend. 52 will hurt our transportation system
- I couldn’t be happier!!! I think the energy, passion and inclusiveness of our new president will definitely breathe new life into the economy especially if we all agree that we are all responsible for our country and actively work towards common goals.
- Higher taxes on any group = higher prices paid by all consumers.
Question of the Week November 3-7, 2008
During this holiday season, do you plan on spending more, the same or less than last year? We had a lot of responses to this question, with 20 people answering the first part. Here are the responses:
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Tell us how your holiday shopping plans might change this year.
- We may only buy gifts for the kids in our family. The adults may receive a charitable donation in their names.
- More gift cards!
- POVERTY… always puts me in a bad mood. I think we are going to get *crafty* with our gifts this year and avoid the mall like the plague.
- Looking for sales and try to save money doing “wise Xmas shopping”
- We will be buying “needs” gifts rather than fun ones for the kids. My spouse and I will not be exchanging gifts.
- Plan to give more gift certificates for consumables.
- I am planning on crafts this year. Last year was very successful. I made piggy banks with everyone’s name on them. Started them all with 5 quarters. The gift was a success and the least expensive.
- Very simple – everyone gets jam.
- Cutting back on price per person.
- Plan on spending much less than in years past.
- Make gifts or send gifts on behalf of someone . . . purchase a goat for a family in Peru.
- Spending less due to the economy.
- It will be a homemade Christmas this year.
- Friends and family will certainly be getting more homemade gifts. My husband and I have decided not to exchange gifts.
Question of the Week October 27-31, 2008
Have you voted? If so, tell us what you think. This question had more responses for the yes, no section than any previous Question of the Week. Here are the responses:
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- It was so much easier voting early, and the ballot wasn’t as confusing as I thought it would be.
- I am glad I do not have to stand in line to vote.
- I think that there were a lot a confusing issues on the ballot. If I could not make sense of it, I voted no. Also, there were far too many initiatives.
- Great to be able to do it at home with all those ballot initiatives.
- I wish the ads would stop now.
Question of the Week (two week question) October 13-24, 2008
What is your business doing to survive during the economic downturn? Here are a few responses to the question:
- Getting in the right place at the right time… Saving families money and helping people make money with a proven, simple system.
- We are networking, networking, networking for the future when the economy begins to turn around. We are also finding time to create products such as organizing and relocation tips booklets for those who prefer to “do-it-themselves”
- Being very strategic with our decision making.
- Joining a leads group, looking for new customers, increasing visibility.
How much has this economic downturn affected your business?
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Question of the Week October 6-10, 2008
For those of you who are Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce members, why did you join the Chamber? Here are a few of the responses to the question:
- To become more aware of other Women Business Owners and increase my sphere of influence to improve profitability.
- The real meaning of a Great World is brought by the wonderful people we get to know during our lives. Being part of a great network is a first step to create a better community, a more prosperous business and a more meaningful life.
Question of the Week September 29-October 3, 2008
How do you use technology to grow your business? Here are a few of the responses to the question:
- I have an e-commerce website for my company products.
- My web site helps customers find my business.
- I want to use more technology, but I don’t know much about computers. Will a web site really help me?
Question of the Week September 22-26, 2008
What is your biggest business-related challenge? Here are a few of the responses to the question:
- Holding on to and sustaining clients in this turbulent economy. Everyone wants to grow their business and keep clients coming when business is down but, they just don’t want to spend the money to do it. It’s fear of the payoff, I think.
- Marketing and finding new business when I get busy.
- Managing stress and time.
- Staying profitable.
Question of the Week September 15-19, 2008
Will Amendment 46 help or hurt women and minorities? Results:
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Answer: They are all true.
