3-7-13 Collaboration: A discussion with Clinton Chamber members

I facilitated a meeting with the Clinton Chamber of Commerce on March 7^th where we talked about how collaboration was working in their business communities and how it could benefit the businesses.

The participants at the meeting agreed that Clinton is a different kind of business community.  There are a lot of businesses, but many are “off the beaten path” and the retail businesses are clustered in three different locations.  Those at the meeting commented that the concept of collaboration – where one business supports another – seems to be a bit of a hard sell.  One person commented, “People who have small businesses are too tired and lack the time or energy to think about working with another business.”

Yet, when we began making a list of where collaboration was happening, the list expanded rapidly.  (To see the specific businesses that were mentioned, go to my business Facebook page: Carolyn Browne Tamler).  In addition to the ones we listed, people came up with ideas for how businesses could market each other.  By the time we were done with the list, it was obvious that many of the most successful Clinton businesses are cooperating with other businesses in the community, and as someone added, “Collaboration creates a special kind of positive energy.”

I ended with my own view (someone said I am evangelical about this, and I would agree): No one makes it alone, in your business or your personal life.  We all benefit when we work cooperatively with others.

The Clinton Chamber has decided to promote the businesses that are collaborating in their newsletter and to encourage members to expand their horizons and look for other businesses with whom they can promote their products or services for mutual benefit.