The Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce

10/27/2026

I keep thinking about something.

We talk about workforce shortages. Skills gaps. Employee productivity. The rising cost of doing business.

Then AI comes along with the potential to change how we address all four.

And what dominates the conversation?

Fear of job loss.

I'm not suggesting that fear is misplaced. Some jobs will disappear, and the disruption will be real.

But I wonder if we're overlooking an opportunity to make people more capable, not simply businesses more efficient.

Imagine if every employee had the opportunity to learn how AI could improve their work.

Not just executives. Not just technology professionals. Everyone.

What would that mean for small businesses? For experienced workers? For people who have never had access to specialized training?

We should be asking those questions now.

What if the next competitive advantage for a community isn't simply the businesses it attracts, but how capable its existing workforce becomes?

That's the conversation I want to see more of.

My full article:

By Lori Williams | President & CEO, Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce

10/26/2026

I'm out of my bubble!!!

New Orleans this week for the International Economic Development Council conference, where I'll be joining a conversation that I believe is long overdue.

How do we move beyond talking about AI and actually use it to help businesses succeed?

At the Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce, we've been working on that question for several years.

We've taken business intelligence, combined it with AI, and started turning information into practical growth strategies for businesses. Not another report that sits on a shelf, but insights that help owners understand their market, identify opportunities, and decide what to do next.

I'll be sharing some of that work during Beyond the Hype: How Economic Developers Are Using AI to Deliver Results.

What interests me most isn't what AI can do for our organizations internally. It's what AI makes possible for the businesses and communities we're here to serve.

Because access to information was never the finish line.

What businesses do with that information is what matters.

Looking forward to the conversations in New Orleans.

10/26/2026

10/25/2026

Burn the Boats.

In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill tells the story of a warrior who sailed with his army to confront a powerful enemy. Once his soldiers reached shore, he ordered their boats burned.

There would be no retreat. No escape. No turning back.

Victory was the only option.

I've always found something powerful in that story. Most of us say we're committed to what we want, but we keep an escape route open. A backup plan that makes quitting a little easier.

The question isn't whether you want to succeed. It's what you're still unwilling to let go of to make it happen.

Sometimes the greatest obstacle isn't what's ahead of us. It's the option we've left behind us.

10/25/2026

The AI divide is growing. And I'm not convinced most small business owners realize how quickly it's happening.

We're beginning to see a marketplace where being very large or very small may offer advantages, while businesses caught in the middle face increasing pressure.

AI is accelerating that shift.

But here's what concerns me most: **The real divide isn't between businesses that use AI and those that don't. It's between businesses that know how to turn technology into a competitive advantage and those that are simply trying to keep up.**

Small businesses don't need more technology thrown at them. They need better information, practical tools, and a clear path to stronger results.

That's where I believe chambers of commerce have an important responsibility. Not just helping businesses connect, but helping them compete.

I explore what this changing landscape means for business owners and why waiting may be the biggest risk of all.

**Which side of the divide is your business moving toward?**

Read my latest article:
https://mansfieldchamber.org/the-success-blog/f/the-ai-divide-is-growing-which-side-will-your-business-be-on

What leading AI experts are saying about the future of work—and why small businesses cannot afford to keep operating on autopilot.

10/24/2026

Most organizations don’t realize how much growth they’re leaving on the table. Not because of bad strategy, but because decisions and ex*****on move too slowly.

See how slow decisions erode revenue, create friction, and delay ex*****on-and what faster organizations do differently.

10/23/2026

You don’t have to know what to say to join us. 💚

At Holding Hope Through the Holidays, you can talk or just listen. We’ll share ways to care for yourself during the holidays and leave time for refreshments and getting to know one another.

These free gatherings are open to all ages. Come as you are.

10/23/2026

Looking for a free Sunday outing the whole family can enjoy?🧸

Join us for The Journey of Care: A Family Adventure on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. Families can explore five hands-on healthcare stations, complete an adventure passport and build an adventure bear to take home. Complete all five stations for entry into the iPad drawing.

The event will take place on the hospital’s POB Lawn at 2300 Lone Star Road in Mansfield. Registration is required, and space is limited.

Please reserve a ticket for every adult and child attending so each participating child can receive a bear.

Reserve your family’s free tickets: https://bit.ly/4k2Tk3O

10/22/2026

Companies expect leaders to implement AI, restructure operations and support employees while many are already stretched thin.

17% of leaders feel confident responding to change, while 19% frequently feel “used up” at the end of the workday

New research reveals only 17% of leaders feel ready for the accelerating changes driven by AI and restructuring, posing significant challenges for productivity and engagement.

10/21/2026