Doing Business | The Paradox of Big Ideas and Paralyzing Caution; Julie Coons Op-Ed; Member News; Upcoming Events

February 13, 2024

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MEMBER BLOG POST

The Paradox of Big Ideas and Paralyzing Caution

By member Scott Collin, Founder & Executive Creative Director, The Creative Cartel

In today’s fiercely competitive and largely fragmented marketplace, you need more than entry-level, safe ideas. You need, shall we say, brass-like fortitude. Yet, when it comes to campaign ideas, many brands get caught at a crossroads. And not the one where you sell your soul to become a legend. (If you ask us, Johnny beat the Devil hands down.) This is the place where the call for innovative, "out-of-the-box" thinking is louder than ever. However, the journey from groundbreaking ideas to their ultimate execution is often fraught with great hesitation and fear.

The Paradox of Big Ideas and Paralyzing Caution

Every brand aspires to be a trailblazer. In offices and conference rooms around the world, ideas fly high – ambitious, brave… sometimes even revolutionary. Yet, when the time comes to light the fuse, many of the best ideas get doused. Why? Fear of the unknown. Brands tend to retreat to the safety of the familiar, often at the expense of innovation and attention. This caution, while understandable, can be a significant roadblock in a brand's journey toward standing out in a saturated market that, like it or not, is being taken over by people you’ll never know. People who don’t care what the data or creative brief says.

A quick aside: It’s not just brand managers, CEO’s and marketers who find comfort in the known. When confronted with breakthrough thinking in focus groups, most people (most people willing to give up an evening for $50 and some free cookies) will lean toward something similar to what they’ve seen or heard before. This is why focus groups should never be used to pick a ‘winning’ idea. They should be used for gut checks and a chance to hear how an idea makes a consumer think and feel...

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Chamber CEO, Julie Coons, Writes Op-Ed for Virginia Business

Why is Alexandria’s new entertainment district everyone’s business? That's the question the Chamber's President and CEO, Julie Coons, answered in her Virginia Business Op-Ed that ran this past weekend. In it, she presents how the proposed Potomac Yard entertainment district will benefit all within our Region through increased revenue, improved workforce, and overall economic well-being. Read her Op-Ed here.

Chamber Members Earn Wash100 Awards

Please join us in congratulating Chamber members who have been named to the 2024 Wash100 Award, an annual accolade conferred upon the 100 most influential and impactful leaders in the government contracting industry: Thomas Bell, CEO, Leidos; Mile Corrigan, President & CEO, Noblis; Vincent DiFronzo, Senior Vice President, Air Force, Combatant Command and DoD Agency Business Unit, SAIC; Gerry Fasano, President, Defense, Leidos; John Goodman, CEO, Accenture Federal; Maggie Hallbach, SVP, Public Sector, Verizon; Craig Halliday, CEO, Unanet; Josh Jackson, SVP Army Business Unit, SAIC; Sam Maness, Managing Director, Raymond James & Associates; Stephanie Mango, President, CGI Federal; Kevin Plexico, SVP, Deltek; Stu Shea, President & CEO, Board Chairman, Peraton; Jill Singer, VP, National Security, AT&T; Carey Smith, Chair, President & CEO, Parsons; Jean Stack, Managing Director, Baird; Matthew Tait, President, CEO, ManTech; Toni Townes-Whitley, CEO, SAIC; and Doug Wagoner, CEO, LMI.

IN PERSON

UPCOMING SIGNATURE EVENTS

members only event

C-Suite Roundtable

February 27th | 11:30AM-1PM | The Tower Club

What economic factors could significantly impact your business in 2024? Find out on February 27th during our C-Suite Roundtable featuring Tom Barkin, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and hosted by the Tower Club. During this important leadership discussion, he will analyze the challenges confronting the national economy and economic factors that could influence your business in 2024. In addition to senior-level networking, you will take away valuable insights into navigating these economic headwinds.

Our C-Suite Roundtables are for Chamber members and by invitation only. Please contact Carmen Sevilla, Chamber Director of Membership, if you'd like to attend this or other C-Suite Roundtable events.

members only event

Young Professionals Meet Up

February 29th | 4-6PM | Chamber Office

Join us on Leap Day for our next Young Professionals' Meet-Up.

This month, we have invited representatives from colleges and universities in the Region to provide some information about what they offer for Continuing Professional Education.

Invited guests:

George Mason University
Northeastern University
UVA Darden
University of Virginia Northern Virginia
University of Virginia School of Continuing & Professional Studies

We'll be meeting at the Chamber's office and will offer light refreshments.

VIRTUAL

UPCOMING MONTHLY EVENTS

NOVA Chamber 101

February 12th | 2-3PM

DEI Connects - members only event

February 20th | 2-3PM

Featured Speaker: Randi Majors, Director Organizational Development and Social Impact, Transurban

Speed Networking - members only event

February 20th | 2:30-4PM

Greater Washington Apprentice Network

March 5th | 2-3PM

Featured Speaker: Laura Giangiuli, SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, CALIBRE Systems, Inc.

MEMBER NEWS

PilieroMazza’s lineup of upcoming webinars of importance to members of our business community includes the firm’s "Annual Review: Key Insights from Recent Bid Protest Decisions Reshape Strategies for Future Government Contractor Success” and "Understanding the Corporate Transparency Act: Implications and Compliance Strategies." Learn more here.

Volunteer Fairfax is accepting nominations for the Volunteer Service Awards (VSA). VSA honors the commitment of volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and corporate partners who tirelessly contribute to the betterment of the Northern Virginia region. Nominate an individual or organization to recognize their unwavering dedication to our community. Learn more here.

Deltek has announced the launch of Replicon Time Tracking and Polaris PSA for Government Contracting. Purpose-built for the unique needs of government contractors, the new time-tracking and PSA solutions support regulatory compliance and seamless integration regardless of the ERP or financial system currently being used. Learn more here.

Would you like to include your member organization's news in our next Doing Business issue? Sharing news is free for all members! All you have to do it complete the form on our website found here. The deadline to submit news is Friday at 12PM prior to our Tuesday newsletter.

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Doing Business is the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce's weekly e-newsletter focused on member-relevant news and upcoming events. Subscription sign-up and past issues may be found on our website.

Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

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