Welcome to a new year at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year, I choose a word or phrase that helps frame our work and set the tone for the year ahead. For 2026, that phrase is Back to Basics.
This idea was sparked by our Fall General Membership Luncheon and our keynote speaker, Matt LaCosse. During his remarks, Matt talked about the importance of being “consistently average.” At first, the phrase caught me off guard. But as he explained it, the meaning became clear. Being consistently average does not mean lowering expectations or compromising quality. It means showing up, reliably delivering results, and doing the fundamentals well every single time.
I will admit, “average” is not a word I have ever gravitated toward. But there is nothing average about being consistently average. Consistency is hard. Doing the basics well, day in and day out, takes discipline and focus. And that level of consistency only happens when the basics are clearly defined and executed precisely, time and again.
Back to Basics is about focus, clarity, and consistency. It is about doing what we do best and doing it well, over and over again. Clear communication. Strong programs. Meaningful connections. When the basics are solid and consistent, trust builds and momentum follows.
For the Chamber, Back to Basics means staying centered on our role as a business advocate and resource. It means offering programs that are practical, events that deliver value, and experiences that are easy to navigate. It means keeping things clear, accessible, and consistent for our Members. How you do anything is how you do everything. As Aristotle said, “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
With so many tools, trends, and ideas competing for our attention, Back to Basics is not about slowing down or simplifying for the sake of simplicity. It is about being intentional with our time, energy, and attention, and staying focused on what matters most. It is about executing the fundamentals and creating consistent opportunities and success.
For each of us, Back to Basics may look a little different. It may mean narrowing priorities, refining how you communicate, or recommitting to the practices that built trust in the first place. Consistency shapes expectations, and expectations are what relationships and reputations are built on.
I was taught early in my journalism career a principle that still holds true: KISS. Keep it simple, stupid. Clear priorities. Clear expectations. Clear delivery.
As we move into 2026, Back to Basics reflects how we will continue to serve the business community and work to move Business Forward by being consistently average – executing the fundamentals that make our organization and community strong.
Business Forward,
Kaylin Risvold