With 2020 in the rearview mirror, it's time to reflect on the events and lessons the year has had for all of us. Of course, it's likely that you have some desire to forget rather than reflect. Tempting as that may be, the end of 2020 won't bring the end of COVID or economic instability. You never know when another event like this might occur in the future. Learning from past events is one of the keys to future success.

Lessons of the COVID Crisis
Just as COVID has shaken every aspect of day-to-day life, it has had a thorough impact on business operations. Public health and workplace accommodations were the most immediately need. Next, businesses needed to rapidly adjust to completely different structures to continue operations in the modern world. Lastly, it became apparent that businesses need to have more flexibility and alternatives in their supply chains.

Change the Outlook on Supply Chains
At the onset of the COVID crisis, manufacturers faced sudden spikes in demand for various goods and shutdowns among suppliers. One of the more memorable results of this was the nationwide toilet paper shortage. While that example might seem funny in retrospect, it speaks to a situation that created countless crises among distributors. In the past, a business might simply discard a supplier that shuts down and seek out alternatives. However, the expansive impact of the pandemic meant there were no alternatives.

This speaks to two lessons that businesses must learn from 2020. On the one hand, they need to have protocols and preparation for dealing with sudden spikes in demand. Such protocols are versatile and will help in virtually any disaster situation. On the other, businesses must forge closer ties with their suppliers and work to manage risk together. Better understanding between suppliers and distributors will give businesses much-needed dynamism in the face of the unexpected.

Digitizing is the Future, and the Future is Now
Since the turn of the century, businesses have gradually been digitizing their operations. The pandemic forced these changes to move at a much faster tempo, with businesses revamping their online presence and creating all-digital workflows. Not only have these changes empowered businesses to operate during the pandemic, but they also made workflows more efficient and flexible.

If your business hasn't already digitized its operations as much as possible, this should be a top priority moving forward. Even with the vaccine rollout, the benefits of online operations aren't going away. Digitizing will help your business cope with the continuing pandemic and boost efficiency into the future.

Maintain Contingency Plans
It's impossible to expect when forces beyond our control will dramatically change the business situation. Economic crashes, pandemics, natural disasters; COVID has underlined the need to be ready for catastrophe.

Dwight Eisenhower once effectively said that plans are worthless, and planning is priceless. While it's impossible to plan for every possible crisis, the very act of planning for a crisis will provide guidance during the critical early days of any such event.

At the Chamber's virtual Annual Meeting hosted on January 21, 2021, members heard from outgoing Chair Celina Zacarias of California State University Channel Islands; celebrated the six recipients of our Chair's Awards of Excellence; and met incoming Chair Tracy Perez of Manpower, who shared her plans for 2021.

​Watch the recording below.

As is tradition for the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, the outgoing Chair of the Board is given the opportunity to bestow some discretionary awards each year at the organization's Annual Meeting, which being presented virtually on Thursday, January 21, 2021.

We have been through a year like none other and these awards are honoring some very deserving people and organizations.

Here is the list of awardees selected by 2020 Chamber Chair Celina Zacarias, Senior Director of Community and Government Relations for California State University Channel Islands:

• St. John’s Regional Medical Center (pictured above) – For the dedication of our healthcare workers at our local hospital who continue to work tirelessly through the global pandemic;
• Economic Development Collaborative – For its invaluable guidance in helping our local businesses navigate and interpret the ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines and funding opportunities;
• Del Monte Fresh Produce – It’s not just about doing business in our community; it’s about being part of our community, especially in time of need. This is the core value of Del Monte’s commitment to our community. In 2020, they donated an excess of 6 million pounds of food to local food drives.
• Kristin Decas, CEO and Director of The Port of Hueneme – For exemplary leadership in the midst of a worldwide healthcare emergency; Kristen has been at the helm ensuring that businesses at The Port of Hueneme are following all COVID guidelines to ensure employee safety while keeping cargo moving.
• Food Share of Ventura County – For its incredible work in ensuring no one goes hungry during this pandemic. The staff has done an amazing job of partnering with numerous organizations throughout the county to increase the number of local food distribution centers.
• Patricia Serrato, Community Volunteer – Patricia is a great example of what community is all about. She is a tireless volunteer at various food distribution sites in Oxnard and, as a 30+ year employee of Boskovich Farms, she has helped secure vegetables from her employer for distribution to our community.

Please join us in honoring these outstanding organizations and individuals at the Chamber's 2021 Annual Meeting this Thursday, January 21 at 1:00 pm. Click here to register for the virtual event. 

​Chair: Tracy Perez, ManpowerGroup
Tracy Perez is a lifelong resident of Ventura County, born and raised in Oxnard. She brings more than 15 years of business development and staffing industry experience to ManpowerGroup, a world leader in innovative workforce solutions. In her role as Market Manager serving Ventura County, she has demonstrated success in retaining valuable business relationships across various industry sectors and has a vast knowledge of the county job market.

Tracy is passionate about workforce development and the economic vitality of Ventura County, and works tirelessly to remain actively involved in the community. In addition to her role as 2021 Chair of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, she is 2021 Chair of the Ventura County Economic Development Association, Chair of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, and an active Board Member and Immediate Past Chair of the Ventura County Civic Alliance.

Tracy is committed to community leadership and civic engagement and also enjoys volunteering with various nonprofit community-based organizations in Ventura County. When she is not working or volunteering, Tracy enjoys spending time with friends and family, and resides in Ventura with her husband, Henry.

Immediate Past Chair: Celina Zacarias, CSUCI
Celina Zacarias is the Senior Director of Community and Government Relations for California State University Channel Islands, the 23rd campus in the California State University System, where she is responsible for advancing California State University Channel Islands’ positive presence and goodwill at all levels throughout the culturally diverse service region, the state, the nation and internationally by planning, directing, and implementing a comprehensive proactive program of community and government relations. Celina serves on numerous boards in the community and she was 2020 Chair of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce. ​

Oxnard restaurant The Raven Tavern is following California health orders to shut down all dining except takeout, but they want restaurant employees throughout the area to know how much they are appreciated and to thank them for keeping the restaurant industry going during the past nine months.

Beginning Monday, January 11, The Raven Tavern will offer a free “Thank You” meal to any restaurant employee. Restaurant workers can stop by between 2:00-4:00 pm on Mondays and receive their “Thank You” meal.

Owners Andy Lowe and Ronan Corbett had to shut down outdoor dining at The Raven Tavern just five months after opening and lay off most employees, but they knew their employees were not the only ones affected. 

Lowe says, “We want to thank all restaurant workers for the hard work they do and for putting themselves on the front lines in order to keep local restaurants open.”

They plan to keep offering the “Thank You” meals until outdoor dining is restored in Ventura County. 

Restaurant workers need only show proof of recent employment at a Ventura County restaurant in order to receive a meal.

“This past year has taken a toll on independent, locally owned restaurants. Restaurants help create a vibrant community. We need to ensure that restaurant workers are not forgotten during this unprecedented time,” says Corbett.

Lowe and Corbett opened the Raven Tavern on July 1, 2020.  The restaurant remains open for takeout. 

Restaurant workers can contact The Raven Tavern at 805-686-7683 or email info@theraventavern.org for more information about the “Thank You” meals. 

The Raven Tavern is located at 1651 Victoria Avenue in Oxnard, and open Sunday-Thursday from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm, and Friday-Saturday from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm.