Marketing vs. Branding Ten's of millions of dollars are spent annually on premature marketing endeavors on the part of small to mid-size businesses that feel the sense of urgency to get to market quickly and start to gain traction with prospective customers.  Speak, author and brand consultant Suzanne Tulien encourages business owners to examine their brand more closely - inside and out - before embarking on expensive marketing campaigns that may miss the mark. Not because the creative wasn't good or that particular medium doesn't work. Although that too may be a factor due to a lack of insight or awareness about how your brand is being experienced or perceived by audiences.  Great branding takes in to account a great many things including customer experience, internal culture, training of employees on your brand's unique position, messaging and experience, and so much more. Listen in to gain a few pearls of wisdom from this talented business coach on how to ready your business for marketing success by first examining your brand from head to toe - inside and out.  For more information or to pick up one of Suzanne's books, go to: https://brandascension.com/

Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn will not be seeking re-election in November to a seat he's held since winning his first bid in 2006 (January 3, 2007) - Colorado's 5th Congressional District. The seat represents the Colorado Springs area.  The announcement of Lamborn's departure from Washington, D.C. gave inspiration to Republican candidate, Jeff Crank who ran against Lamborn in 2006 primary race. Crank now has Lamborn's formal endorsement for the seat.  Jeff discusses his desire and strategy to take on several key points impacting southern Coloradans, including the porous southern border, the U.S. Department of Education, and his support for the economic drivers that have made Colorado Springs the headquarters for Space Comm, Space Force and a number of strong-sectors such as cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and aerospace and defense.   To learn more about Jeff's campaign, and how you can get involved, go to: https://jeffcrankforcongress.com/

City of Fountain Economic Development Commission specialist, Nathaniel (Nate) Schull joins EDC Board chair, Dan Osinski on this week's Business Digest Weekly to explain how the City of Fountain is in the early stages of a renaissance and a great location for manufacturing, distribution and cyber.  Learn about the City's Wayfinding sign plan, and other offerings by the EDC.   The City of Fountain serves as the Commercial Spine as a source of goods and lifestyle services to the greater Fountain Valley market.  Serving a broader population (109,639 pop.) than just the city limits and the ability to offer a bountiful array of sites for market-based business placement potential within the city and greater Valley community.

Sue Smith, originally from Pueblo, Colorado, and current Executive Director of the Christian P. Anschutz Foundation has enjoyed an illustrious career in the public service and volunteer world nearly her entire professional life. She is a champion for veterans and for the American values she sees as universal regardless of political affiliation: Honor, Integrity, and Patriotism She also serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Center for American Values located in Pueblo. The Center for American Values’ organizational mission is based on the need for a national initiative to identify, document, and disseminate information about individuals, groups, and organizations whose character attributes relate directly to the values this great country was founded on. The Center for American Values purpose is to connect with individuals and organizations at all socio-economic levels through our programs including HIP Online Civics Based Education, Portraits of Valor Exhibit, On Values Speaker Series, and American Values Narratives Project.

Dani Bolling, Sr. Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Sales for the COS Chamber & EDC, Paul Myers-Bennett, Vice President of Marketing for the BBB of So. Colorado, and Brandon Eldridge, Executive Director for the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center are collaborating on the most exciting and edifying week for small businesses throughout the region at this year's Pikes Peak Region Small Business Week! April 29-May 3 - Register: https://pikespeaksdbc.org  ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS WEEK Small Business Week kicks off with the Small Business BASH and Awards Celebration on Monday, April 29 followed by three days of impactful workshops designed to educate, celebrate, and champion local small businesses. The week concludes with a networking event on Friday, May 3. Small Business Week of the Pikes Peak Region began more than 16 years ago as a partnership between the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The event took place as a one-day award banquet “Small Business Day” highlighting small businesses within the Pikes Peak Region. In 2012, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado and the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center took on full operations of the event and created a weeklong event called “Small Business Week.” Small Business Week in the Pikes Peak Region is the largest Small Business celebration in the State of Colorado (and the US in 2020). Last year the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC rejoined as host and helped create an impactful with a memorable week of events.

Mr. Lonnie Cramer, President & CEO of UCHealth-Southern Colorado Region. Mr. Cramer gives us a glimpse into how region's largest civilian employer, UCHealth is navigating through the labyrinth of declining reimbursement, rising costs and in keeping with the mission of delivering world-class healthcare for southern Coloradans. Cramer also shares insights about UCHealth's new Mobile Stroke Unit now serving southern Colorado, strategic partnerships with the region's military, the role of A.I. and virtual visits, and the systems considerable contribution for those who are un/underinsured.   Highly respected among healthcare executives, physicians, and allied healthcare professionals alike, Lonnie Cramer leads the southern Colorado team with great compassion serving and being served, extraordinary skill, and an eye on delivering world-class care for all Coloradans.  #UCHealth #LonnieCramer #Healthcare #Colorado

Robert Thompson spent 25 years in and around Wall Street as a very successful investment banker.  A fateful humanitarian trip to Haiti for 18 months after the devastating earthquake of 2010 gave Bob a front-row seat in the importance of critical infrastructure and how the absence of it meant life and death in this case, for members of three refugee camps totaling 4,382 people.  This experience led Bob to give up a "perfectly good job" on Wall Street to create what is now, 5-years later, Underline Infrastructure - a technology company. Bob recalls, when critical infrastructure (power, water, etc), breaks down, so too do society norms and the "community" aspect of daily life starts to fray.  Learn what Bob means when he says, "Underline is a technology company committed to delivering the connectivity infrastructure that is necessary for American cities to flourish for the wellbeing and prosperity of this country." Challenges being addressed by Underline:  Communities must have better capacity to touch the information economy (within that: address the social inequity regarding the delivery of proper modern infrastructure to poorer neighborhoods)American cities need newer, more cyber-secure connections from our research facilities and universities Need to modernize other critical infrastructures away from the internet as they are too vulnerable to nefarious players because so much of their operations now rely on internet connectivity and security.Download and listen to this powerful entrepreneur and visionary and what research supports as our pathway forward to isolate and support critical infrastructure in a sustainable way.  UNDERLINE INFRASTRUCTURE WEBSITE

As a business owner, do you even know your banker?  Sure, you put money in and take money out regularly. You probably have a line of credit and the associated cards that go with it. You might have a business loan that you're working to pay down so you can own or expand your business. You might even have some special "products" that a front-line business banker was able to put in place to advance your business in some way.  All that is great, except you might be leaving a lot of the value of a great banking relationship on the table.  Market President for Alpine Bank here in Colorado, Matt Hanson explains how his most successful business clients work with him not just through him, and how together they build stronger business models by leveraging the vast wealth of knowledge, visibility, and resources that Alpine Bank possesses.  ALPINE BANK WEBSITE

Colorado Springs is once again on the international stage hosting more than 12,000 space industry experts and leaders from 40 nations around the world both in-person and via online access. The 39th Space Symposium will begin April 8-11 at the Broadmoor Resort and Cheyenne Mountain Resort with guests staying in 31 hotels within the city. SVP for Strategic and International Affairs, Mr. Steve Eisenhart joins us to unpack the significance and depth of the content and relationships to be experienced by military and government attendees.  Exhibits: 241 standalone exhibits across 153,000 sq. ft. using two exhibit halls. International Space Agencies: 15+ heads of agencies participating Track sessions: 4 concurrent sessions: 1) Space Law; 2) Space Science; 3) Space Investment; 4) Industry Game Changers For those in the community who love all-things space, registration is now open for a special evening: Yuri's Night - Friday, April 7 from 5:30p to 9:00p!  https://spacefoundation.org or https://www.spacesymposium.org/

The City of Colorado Springs experienced more "wins" in the economic development realm in 2023, than in the previous three years combined. Recent successes in recruitment of key industry participants such as Entegris, Invictus, Microchip Technology, Meyer Burger Solar, and more are part of a new, engaging spirit of collaboration in the region among key stakeholders who want to keep the opportunities coming for those who live, work and play in the region and those following these great employers.  Former Naval Commander, Jessica (Jessie) Kimber is one of those key stakeholders working in partnership with the elected officials and governing bodies, utilities, land developers, educators, private industry, and a very proactive Economic Development Corporation to continue to grow the region, "smartly" and an ecosystem of industry participants that has put COS on the short list of industry leaders around the nation - the world.  Listen in while Jessie unpacks the first year of her tenure as the City's Economic Development Officer and how things are shaping up for the months and year to come.  https://coloradosprings.gov/

Paul Myers-Bennett joins us on the Business Digest Weekly on AM1460/101.1FM to discuss Small Business Week (April 29-May 3, 2024), and the the BBB's renown accreditation programs available to businesses who want to convey their commitment to excellence in customer service, experience and support. One of the most active and forward-thinking BBBs in the nation, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado serves 25 counties and thousands of businesses in the region.  BBB of Southern Colorado serves 25 counties throughout Southern Colorado and sets standards for marketplace trust – to create a community of dependable businesses and charities – by encouraging and supporting best practices, educating consumers and businesses, celebrating business role models, and calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior.

Dr. William (Bill) Craighead reviews how the southern Colorado economic region has managed through the last several quarters, including the avoidance of a true recession.  Dr. Craighead addresses consumer confidence, affordable housing, inflation, infrastructure tax, employer performance and more in this quarterly update.  Click here to learn more about UCCS Economic Forum and how you can keep up with economic activity and performance and get the Economic Forum newsletter.

Gretchen Bliss has an extensive background in cybersecurity, with over 25 years of experience. Before joining UCCS, Gretchen spent five years with PPCC leading Cybersecurity efforts. Her previous work experience includes 25 years as the NORAD Deputy Senior Analyst and Chief of Plans, supporting the government’s efforts in understanding the evolution of cyber since the early 1990s on cyber, information operations and warfare, and computer network defense/attack.  Terri Johnson, is an Instructor of Cyber Security Management in the College of Business at UCCS. Ms. Johnson's students learn the various ways cyber comes in contact with specific areas of business, and how to defend inbound attacks in real time. Learn more about all of the multidisciplinary aspects of UCCS's Cybersecurity program here: https://cybersecurity.uccs.edu/

Tourism is a tremendous contributor to the City of Colorado Springs economy: one-of-a-kind attractions and destinations, top-rated cuisine, entertainment and events, hotel stays and utilization of our community assets like Colorado Springs Airport and more. Doug Price, President & CEO of Visit Colorado Springs joins Business Digest Weekly today at 3PM MST on 1011 FM The Answer to break down the numbers and how a strong and thriving tourism industry helps to support residents and our infrastructure. Sponsored by: Notes Live, Inc. & Boot Barn Hall- Colorado Springs

This energetic and highly experienced museum executive walks us through the first six months of her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum located in beautiful downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Her story appears in the So. Colorado Business Digest where she explains how she and her team are working to place USOPM on the stage starting with community.  Marisa Wigglesworth  | Chief Executive Officer  Marisa Wigglesworth [pronounced Ma-ree-sa] is a distinguished leader in the museum and attraction industry, known for her extensive expertise in philanthropy, strategic planning, project management, and operations. As the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, she brings a profound commitment to promoting and advancing the Olympic and Paralympic values, while celebrating the exceptional achievements of Team USA athletes. Wigglesworth previously served as CEO of the Buffalo Museum of Science, where she provided strategic and operational leadership and oversaw the 264-acre Tifft Nature Preserve. Prior to that, she held key positions at prestigious institutions such as the National Aquarium in Baltimore and The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, showcasing her accomplishments and leadership in the museum field. Wigglesworth holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a master’s degree from New York University.

Many of you know Colorado Media Group's John Lerohl as an ultra friendly fella who leads our partnerships. What you may not know is the significance of John's former work life where he spent 30-years. Prior to joining NORTH by CMG and now the #BusinessDigest, John was a pioneer in the components scrap industry in Silicon Valley.   John's organization led the charge in helping giants like Apple, FedEx, Sun, Walmart and other tech companies to avoid significant financial penalties from the EPA and created the realm of "landfill avoidance". This work has protected our landfills and streams from countless tons of cadmium, lead, and arsenic, and precious metals from the components in our modern tech.   Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, we think so too. FRI, 3PM on 1011 FM The Answer

Dr. Tatiana Bailey (Ph.D.), joins host Dirk Hobbs to discuss her Economic and Workforce Progress Report for next 2022-23.  Dr. Bailey addresses a number of the key economic indicators and how we can best put those indicators into perspective to help us make more informed, educated decisions: Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP), Jobs:Population Growth balance (@4.0% unemployment), diversification of regional industries, S. Colorado's tight labor market, and why employers are struggling to find the right employees, and much more!  Dr. Bailey is the former Executive Director at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Economic Forum, now heads up her own independent firm Data-Driven Economic Strategies. You can visit her business page website at: https://ddestrategies.org.

In Autumn 2023, Dave & Busters Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLAY) began local recruitment for more than 100 positions for the grand opening of their Colorado Springs location.  The store has been open for a few months, and business is steadily increasing after a lucrative grand opening month (DEC '23). Just miles from the entertainment group's other facility "Main Event", Dave & Busters is set to expand operations overseas throughout 2024.  Hear more about local perspectives on opening up shop in Colorado Springs, and the forecast for the rest of 2024.   https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/colorado-springs

Northern El Paso County's business community is thriving!  TriLakes Chamber senior executive Terri Hayes walks us through some of the driving factors that are propelling this area's economic development. Proximity and easy on-and-off access to I-25, charming small town feel, historic tourist destination, one-of-a-kind eateries, and collaborative community leaders help hundred's of small businesses and employers sustain strong economic performance.  Not just bedroom communities, TriLakes has become home to UPS, Eagle Rock Distributors and a new 3,500 sq. ft. retail center, The Monument Mercantile, hosting a ranges of gifts, furnishings, old fashion candy shoppe, and other retail gems.  The TriLakes Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation & Visitor's Center is a varietal one-stop-shop for folks wanting to set up shop in the area, as well as take advantage of the business programs and networking programs available through the organization.  WEBSITE https://trilakeschamber.com

Finding top leadership in various key stakeholder positions within a given organization can be a very challenging process. Beyond core competencies and general affability, executive hires can impact an organization's financial, innovation, sales and overall productivity for better or worse for a long time.  Financial Talent Group can take the guess work out of key executive placement. Hear founder, Melissa Scruggs offer pearls of expertise for understanding the process of integrating key personnel into your business ecosystem.  Financial Talent Group - Top Executive talent you need when you need it. A relationship-based business strategy drives this COS-based team who specialize in recruiting and matching talent to your culture and business requirements. The Financial Talent Group primarily focus on Accounting, Finance, Administration and Executive recruiting serving businesses large and small from Denver to Southern Colorado. Financial Talent Group offices: 719-217-4062.