Posts by Doug Hessong

Defining thriving GRCC’s vision for the future is to “relentlessly grow, develop, and support a thriving business community.” In strategic planning terms, it’s a vision that’s aspirational, akin to the Lexus slogan touting “the relentless pursuit of perfection.” Both demonstrate a commitment to continuous progress toward the goals of perfection, or, in GRCC’s case, a…

Helping local companies mitigate tariff risk Tariff-day has arrived, sending waves of uncertainty across the C-suites of global companies. How long can my cash flow absorb the impact of my inventory carrying costs suddenly increasing 10-25%? It’s questions like this that are keeping CEOs and CFOs up at night. If your company is seeking to…

Northern Illinois Council of Governments The Rockford region is a wonderful place to live, grow a family, and start a business. But it can be tough for our area to stand out as a critical economy to state and federal governments when we live in the shadow of larger markets such as Chicago, Milwaukee and…

Made for Rockford Even the best workplace culture isn’t enough to keep a loyal employee if they don’t feel at home. What happens from 5-9 p.m. can be more impactful than their 9-5. That little dash in between? That’s where Made for Rockford comes in. If you’re new to the program, let me introduce myself……

Workforce demands and housing Last month I highlighted the need for the public sector and private sector to further align towards the goal of attracting private investment and capital to our region. There is no bigger nexus for this right now than growing and improving our housing stock. The number of dwelling units available over…

The evolving workforce ecosystem In today’s rapidly changing economic landscape, the traditional notion of workforce management is no longer sufficient. The workforce ecosystem now extends beyond full-time employees to include contractors, freelancers, gig workers, and external partners. This expanded view of the workforce requires new strategies for engagement, development, and alignment to ensure sustainable success.…

Connecting with the future workforce For Butch Rosecke, owner of Mr. Goodwater, engaging with high school and college students serves not only as a way to foster talent but to give back and mentor the next generation. As a former basketball coach and genuine people person, Butch offers a compelling perspective on the responsibility business…

The art of mentorship Recently, I found myself eavesdropping on a conversation that struck a chord. A group of young professionals, all around 30 and fresh in their careers, were sharing their struggles with getting guidance from more seasoned colleagues. Their stories echoed a challenge I’ve seen play out in many workplaces: the delicate dance…

GRCC Talent Committee update The Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) has always had a sharp vision to relentlessly grow, develop and support a healthy business community. A major component of a healthy business community is having a skilled workforce that will attract and retain businesses. And, as we attract and retain more businesses, the…

Access to a skilled workforce From day one as chamber CEO, I’ve struggled to understand the intricacies, complexities, and nuances of our region’s workforce development programs. I’ve met with the Chamber’s Talent Committee, talked to the leaders of training and development organizations, researched available grants and funding mechanisms, studied economic development reports, and combed through…