I know today’s economic outlook – as well as very real uncertainties – are swirling as you make decisions for your business. While I am an eternal optimist, now is also a time to
practice pragmatism.
Inflation is high. The tech sector that has achieved so much is tapping the brakes. Talent acquisition has gone from hard to downright impossible. How, and where, we work is still
evolving. The economic engine for our region, downtown Seattle, looks and feels different.
It’s our job at the Chamber to elevate your issues. And when I’m out advocating on your behalf, here is what I tell elected officials and leaders:
We must keep attracting and growing the kind of jobs that create prosperity for individuals and drive the economy across the region. We also need the kind of jobs that generate
the tax base that government relies on. Businesses generate over 60% of the general fund tax base in the City of Seattle, for example, a point our leaders would do well to center in
their decisions about policy.
We – especially many of our government colleagues – need to make choices that encourage businesses to both come here and stay here, supporting our workforce, the region,
and the neighborhoods where we live.
We need to be thoughtful and intentional, and work together in earnest. In fact, the most important time for business, government, and community to work in partnership is in the
face of uncertainty. That’s when we should anchor in our values, show our cards, bring our ideas, be ready to listen and to compromise, and show up as our most collaborative
selves.
To that point, there are those who believe our region’s prosperous companies will always be prosperous, no matter what happens. Or that our region would be better without certain
sectors or companies. Or that there are so many jobs here already that the region’s economy will be fine and that it doesn’t really matter that much.
They’re wrong.
If you haven’t had the experience of navigating challenging economic times – and I mean really challenging – not just having to tighten up a budget but laying off employees, cutting
entire divisions, closing offices, trust me you don’t want to. Many of our members have endured that. And we know that only by being intentional with our decisions today can we set
ourselves up to avoid or take advantage of challenges in the future, as well as set ourselves up for a growing, inclusive economy.
In the coming months, the economy may be taking your business for a bumpy ride and your Chamber will be here with information and programming to support you and help you
leverage economic uncertainty into economic resilience.
We will continue to advocate on your behalf and convene partners around tables to make decisions to make things better for everyone here. We hope you will join us at these tables.
We must remain optimistic, and incredibly realistic at the same time. We have to do the hard work and get it right. There’s no doubt in my mind, that in a region with so much promise
and potential, that work will be well worth it.
With equanimity and endurance,
Original source can be found here.
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