Information vs. Insights

There is a big difference between information and insights. They are certainly related, but in today’s world, information is a commodity while insights are much harder to find. Information is available at your fingertips at any time or place. Insights however require nuanced understanding and expertise. Having the right information is important when making decisions about your business but having meaningful insights into that information is invaluable. As a business leader, you can likely find good information anywhere you want to look, but if you are looking for insights, the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce is where you should start.

Chambers of Commerce are not gatekeepers and we don’t aim to be information peddlers. Instead, our work is intended to create an organization where insights are both gathered and shared with our members every day. With the largest network of business leaders in Tallahassee, our Chamber has access to an incredible collection of thoughtful individuals who understand how to convert information into insights. Mining our community for those insights is a major part of our value proposition.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for business intelligence and other valuable insights has never been more pressing. With so many unknowns in the world today, businesses need trusted conveners who can bring them the best insights available – the role of a Chamber of Commerce couldn’t be more important.

This week, our Chamber team once again convened a virtual gathering to help our local business leaders gain a better understanding of how to navigate these difficult times. As part of our Summer Business Series (Presented by ElectroNet powered by Hargray Fiber), we hosted a webinar featuring Joseph Keating, Chief Investment Officer, Executive Vice President, and Head of Wealth Management for CenterState Bank. Keating is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Associated Press and local newspapers across the nation. He has been interviewed on CNBC’s Closing Bell, Bloomberg News, FOX Business News After The Bell and local TV and radio outlets. Since 1987, he has published commentary assessing economic and financial market trends in a monthly Investment Strategy Statement. His insights on the state of our national economy were quite revelatory.

During his discussion with attendees, Keating did a deep dive into the steep economic fall off that occurred during nationwide safer-at-home orders which began this Spring. He also spoke to how the re-opening of our economy is already providing a much-needed boost to the morale of our country and the economic well-being of both companies and citizens. With data-backed insights into various industries and larger macro-economic trends, Keating spoke to how “faith in the future will be rewarded” for American business interests.

Make no mistake, as Keating pointed out we are most certainly in a recession, but all signs are pointing to it being one of the shortest in history. In fact, the economy is already growing again. Keating went on to highlight which industries investors should be wary of while also acknowledging certain areas in the economy which are ripe for growth opportunities. Companies across America and here in Tallahassee are opening their doors again and bringing employees back to work. Keating believes there is much to be hopeful about despite the many challenges now present in the economy.  Those are the sort of insights we strive to bring our members every week.

Much of our recent virtual programming and a vast collection of over 100 videos which are packed with compelling stories and valuable insights about our business community are available on our TalChamber Youtube channel. If you have yet to explore that resource, we encourage to you subscribe to the channel so you can review those videos when you can.
We also encourage you to explore all of our upcoming virtual events including the remaining installments of our Summer Business Series. Our team has an unwavering commitment to driving value to our members and through programs like these, we continue to do that by sharing the best business insights available in our community.

Your membership in the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce is an investment in the curation of valuable insights.  Through our work, we help our members do their work better. That’s how we grow both our businesses and the entire Tallahassee community. The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce offers so much more than just information – the insights we share are how we help others succeed. Thanks to your support, we can deliver upon that promise every day.

Jay Revell
Vice President, Advocacy & Public Policy