Spas are well-known for pampering their clients – and charging a premium for their services. Despite the high prices that come with massages, scrubs, and treatments, the world’s leading spas have been able to turn a tidy profit by focusing on delivering exceptional customer service. Here’s what your business can learn from these high-end service-orientatedRead more
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Amazon is the largest online store and hosts products from some of the biggest brands in the world. They are also known for large inventories and discounts, so competing based on price can be a tall order for local startups. Interestingly, about 50% of the products you encounter at Amazon in the United States areRead more
The RACI matrix is a simple method of assigning roles within a team. It’s adaptable even for the most complicated projects and can be used for a single team or multiple teams completing different phases of the project. What is the RACI Matrix? RACI is an acronym for the four roles that stakeholders hold inRead more
Every entrepreneur wants to grow their business. As a result, penetrating the target market remains a great measure of success. Additionally, this strategy can allow a boost in revenue, increased brand awareness or evidence of brand loyalty, and more. At the chamber, we believe that business owners require a focused strategy that aligns with theRead more
Local Government Budgets: To: Owatonna City Council, Steele County Commissioners From: Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce Re: 2025 Budgets Thank you for serving the community as an elected official and making difficult decisions to improve the area. Recognizing the challenges of making decisions that impact many facets of the businesses and residents, it’s the OwatonnaRead more
It’s a long-standing conflict, how do governments protect the environment while still allowing for economic growth? How do we strike a balance that keeps our waterways clean and allows for new houses to be built? The city of Owatonna is governed on the water side by a permit called the MS4 general permit, enforced throughRead more
Be wary of popular rankings. Our state is not reaching its economic potential, and policymakers deserve an honest assessment of our strengths and weaknesses. By Doug Loon Our state’s economy matters to each of us, from families grappling with increasing costs to businesses trying to attract workers and grow. While a robust, diverse economy likeRead more
Last week’s Downtown Thursday event was a treat – an evening featuring live music, delicious food, and a variety of engaging activities. Starting off the event was Atari the Band, whose energetic performance had the crowd dancing and singing along to classic hits from the 80’s. Following Atari, the local favorite Fender Bender took theRead more
OWATONNA, Minn., May 21, 2024 – At its May 21 meeting, the City Council approved an agreement with ICS consultants to develop a scope of work for two projects: 1) constructing a Community Center in Owatonna 2) updating public safety facilities. The agreement also includes supporting staff in providing community engagement opportunities that will helpRead more
As the Farmer’s Market season kicked off, Downtown Owatonna also celebrated its first Cinco de Mayo event on May 4th, offering a day of lively music, delicious food, and traditional piñatas that delighted attendees of all ages. The initial rainy weather gave way to sunshine, drawing a larger crowd and creating a festive atmosphere. LupeRead more
