Small Business Solutions Hub Breaks Down How to Build Better Teams

On Friday, July 17, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce hosted Small Business Solutions Hub – Building Better Teams, focused on how managers can effectively hire qualified talent and retain employees. This program provided attendees with a balance of connection-building opportunities and topical discussions to inform their hiring and management practices.

The program began with a networking lunch sponsored by AIMS Mobile Nursing and transitioned into a conversation featuring two guest speakers: Kenny Weigandt, Deputy Director for Recreation and Community Services at Willamalane Park and Recreation District, and Christine Silver, Owner of Silver Business Solutions. The two shared insights on how to foster qualified, committed teams.

Hiring and Retaining Employees
Weigandt began with an overview of how Willamalane, the Springfield Chamber’s 2025 Employer of the Year, has taken an innovative approach to identifying and retaining qualified talent. To illustrate this innovation, he presented a case study of Willamalane’s recent hiring strategy to find qualified lifeguards for their swimming pools.

Providing context for Willamalane’s unique hiring strategy, Weigandt shared that hiring lifeguards was a key challenge for the organization. He explained that past marketing efforts, including emphasizing pay rate, did not resolve the hiring issue. Ultimately, Willamalane tested out a creative approach that proved to be highly successful – hosting aquatic hiring events.

“In April 2026, coming into our biggest hiring need that we have in the summer, we had a record 38 people show up [to the hiring event]. Of those 38, 33 of those made it all the way through. That’s 27 lifeguards and 6 swim instructors.”

– Kenny Weigandt, Deputy Director for Recreation and Community Services, Willamalane Park and Recreation District

Weigandt elaborated on how aquatic hiring events have helped Willamalane identify qualified talent. The events provide attendees with firsthand experience in lifeguard responsibilities, which promoted transparency and determined if candidates meet demands of the role. He explained that lifeguard certification requires candidates to complete specific physical tasks, such as swimming 300 yards. This event allows attendees to practice tasks to determine if they are qualified prior to applying.

In addition to attracting qualified talent, Weigandt explained that the aquatic hiring events help with employee retention by building community. Participants can connect with prospective coworkers at the events, fostering a collaborative work environment and developing positive relationships before candidates are even hired.

Weigandt reflected on how Willamalane’s lifeguard hiring strategy can be directly or indirectly applied to other industries. He noted that hiring events could be beneficial for certain employers to provide firsthand insights to attendees, while others could ask guided interview questions during the hiring process that reflect the responsibilities of the role.

Coaching Employees
Following this presentation, Christine Silver discussed how managers can coach employees to create an optimal working environment and keep team members committed. She prefaced that coaching is a positive, ongoing process that sets employees up to succeed.

To effectively coach employees, Silver noted, managers must take the time to support team members during the onboarding period and beyond. She explained that managers should establish expectations and goals early on, rather than when a problem arises. Silver also emphasized the importance of providing ongoing guidance and feedback so employees feel supported and confident.

“One of the best tools that a coaching manager can adopt and practice is listening. Now, what usually precedes good listening is a good question, and what drives a good question is genuine curiosity. Questions, answers, and listening take place in almost every coaching conversation.”

– Christine Silver, Owner, Silver Business Solutions

Another key element of coaching that Silver discussed was maintaining authenticity and strong communication with employees to foster job satisfaction. While it is beneficial to understand complex managerial tools, Silver noted that the foundation of work relationships is having a genuine presence and openness to working with others. She highlighted the value in listening and asking questions in coaching conversations to understand employee expectations and career goals.

Silver emphasized that managers should adapt their management strategy based on individual employee needs to best support team members. She maintained that one size does not fit all for ideal managerial practices, and managers should utilize coaching conversations to identify employee preferences. For example, Silver noted that some workers may prefer more frequent feedback on tasks than others, so managers should change their approach accordingly.

She shared that a key takeaway for attendees is the importance of adapting strategy, from how much time they spend managing employees to how they communicate, as each individual will have a different preference.

Conclusion
The program highlighted how managers can utilize innovative hiring strategies to identify qualified talent. To retain employees, the speakers recommended that managers foster a positive work environment, dedicate time to coaching and communicating with employees, and adapt management strategy.

Thank you to the event sponsors!
Small Business Solutions Hub is a free event series offered to members thanks to the generous support of Chamber sponsors and community partners. Thank you to the title sponsor, Kaiser Permanente, and to the lunch sponsor, AIMS Mobile Nursing. Additionally, thank you to the Small Business Solutions Hub partners: Chambers Construction, Eugene Area Radio Stations (EARS), Hershner Hunter LLP, Insights Research Lab, Isler CPA, OCCU, Springfield Utility Board, and WaFd Bank.

The full recording, “Small Business Solutions Hub – Building Better Teams,” is available below and in the Chamber’s Small Business Solutions Hub program archive.