Michael Stanzak was there to greet each member that arrived.
Edina Rotary 66th President, Sam Thompson, called the meeting to order at 12:30 LIVE from the Edina Country Club with everyone following strict Covid-19 protocols. He announced that the newly nominated for President of Rotary International is Jennifer Jones. In 2022-23, she will take the historic position of being the 1st woman president of RI. Sam also commented that our club has had 5 women presidents since 2001.
Member updates featured Steve Vekker and Gordy Lewis. Sam also featured Jen Garske and Jennifer Bennerotte with a blast from the past. were completed.
Hannelore Brucker gave invocation, the 4-ways test and pledge of allegiance. Guests were introduced.
The Annual Report from the Club was introduced by Josh Sprague. The report was on the tables and going out on email.
Fred Sylvester discussed the changes in the Duty roster based upon the hybrid meeting format.
Rick Carlson ask us to join the Walk to End Alzheimer's Rotary Team on Sept. 26th.
Announcements followed including: Rotary Car Show, Alzheimer’s Walk (walk around Centennial Lakes this year), Gala 2021, Leadership series on Race and Racism – August 18th 6-7pm on Zoom. Shelly Loberg, (future ER Club president 2023-24), introduced the speaker Susan Adams Loyd, (BBB and CEO) Minnesota and North Dakota.
Speaker Susan Adams Loyd (Edina native) and Don Hutchison (Not Edina Native)
SPEAKER NOTES: Susan Adams Loyd, (BBB and CEO) Minnesota and North Dakota also an Edina native.
Background on the BBB: founded in Minneapolis in 1912 during a pandemic (i.e. people were wearing masks, influenza seasons were severe and could be considered an early wave of the Spanish Flu of 1918-1919), hard economic times, civil unrest and occasional unethical standards in advertising. The BBB’s mission was and is to develop ethical standards and education for businesses and consumers as well as fraud prevention. The BBB is not a government agency, but a 501 C (6) organization as a non-profit organization, exempt from paying income tax. They support businesses and their customers with questions about fraud prevention, customer service, education and research on business trends.
Navigating the Next Normal – Ms. Loyd launched into her presentation on small businesses and the Covid-19 effects nationally and in Minnesota. She presented research from a recent Pulse Study that measured effects and trends in business in March and again in June. The data partner was McKinsey Global Institute and their partner Oxford Economics. The research infers that it will take 5 years to recover from Covid-19. However, this research also indicated that the economy is beginning to heal.
Data comparisons: In March 2020 data from their research indicated that 87% of businesses surveyed expected a negative impact from the pandemic; 11% thought they would see a positive impact. In June 2020, the numbers improved when the same businesses were asked the same question. Those choosing the negative impact response were 71% with positive impact responses now 24%. In addition to these questions, businesses in the survey were asked about their 60-day outlook. In June, business owners were feeling more optimistic with 31% stating that business was already getting better – they believed the crisis would provide positive impact.
Strategies presented for businesses during this Covid-19 disrupter situation? The data shows that small businesses, when they can, are pivot to this new reality. How?
- The common element for successful navigation was building trust within your community and customers.
- Recognizing that “Necessity is frequently the mother of invention”.
- Engagement with effective communications with customers becomes even more important. Customers may be more angry and impatient. They want to talk with a person in lieu of more technology. Or they want a website that works well.
- Appreciating that DISRUPTION in the market place causes change. Part of that change means better communication of your story and community engagement.
- Utilizing the knowledge that, “The virus is doing to your organization what your competition wanted to do for a long time.” (A quote from Pamela Rucker is a professor at Harvard University she teaches Leading through Disruption courses.)
- Businesses with established digital presence have clear advantages.
- Since trust is a foundational link to the customer, how do we get that? Trust needs to be earned. How ? Communicating that fundamental trust; showcasing safety precautions; telling your story online in many ways, public-facing strategies with proven experts are critical now. Now, more than ever, people want to talk to people.
What does the
new normal look like?
TAKE-AWAYS:
- How customers are treated is critical. These are game changers – establishing and maintaining trust.
- Advertise honestly and be responsible
- Be transparent, embody integrity – be honest
- Honor Promises
- Safeguard privacy
- Tell your story about community engagement.
- Create a calm, reassuring communication strategy.
President Thompson end the meeting with a quote from Walt Disney, "You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."
Members Jennifer Shinners, Sandra Krebsbach and Bill McReavy enjoyed salad and BBQ Chicken.
"Around the World" Foundation Gala Presenting Sponsor, Dr. Sita Dash
David Hatzung, Guest: Kendall Quall and member Hannelore Brucker