“Collaboration” could be our favorite word at the Bossier Chamber. We even remade our vision statement a few years back to include the term: Our vision is to be the collaboration hub of Northwest Louisiana.
It could be said that the success Bossier has built through the years is likely a product of the ability of our Bossier City and Bossier Parish governments to work together. That goes for our other municipalities as well.
Other cities and parishes have even asked us how we get these entities to work together so well. We don’t take credit for the synergy but we are proud of it.
We could even say that collaboration is our “secret sauce. ”
We are coming to a turning point in this moment of synergy Bossier has been enjoying to present. We have had some changes in leadership and elected officials and we face some retirements on the horizon. This kind of turnover is inevitable but it is a part of the equation we need of which we need to be to be cognizant. With growth and change, many times we forget what got us to this point.
If we don’t want where we are to be a plateau, we will have to keep moving forward with this focus of collaboration.
But, we think we need to take that one step further. The Bossier Chamber likes to champion collaboration but we also work to be conveners.
We have never shied away from convening groups of people who need to work together to get things done.
As another election season comes upon us, government meetings continue on each month and Legislative subcommittees begin their work, we will continue to work to collaborate with all of these entities. And, if the occasion arises, we will be conveners to make sure everyone who has a stake in this city, parish and region will know we are only as good as the work we do together.
It’s time to get to the next level – to grow our region in jobs, people and, perhaps most importantly, pride. Growing the city and parish are not the work of one person, or one group of people. It will take all of us working together to go that one step further.
Are you ready to go on this journey of PROGRESS with us?
Lisa Johnson | President & CEO of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.
