Make Your Town Business Friendly
By Mike Corthell
Most small towns are very happy to see a new business open. The chamber of commerce or local business association hosts a grand opening that is promoted in the media, and everyone holds their collective breath hoping that this new business will succeed. But there are some extra things that can be done to help that dream of success come true.
One of the first things a town and a business association can do is to provide any new business with much needed and appreciated information.
Be sure to give that new business an easy-to-understand guide to the benefits. Include the contact information for the people who can help them.
Be sure that you provide information about all established businesses and their owners surrounding the new business. This is often overlooked. The new business owner might have been so busy getting remodeled and moved in, he or she hasn't met the neighbors.
Be sure to provide information about small business economic development services, and give them a brochure that outlines those services. Another good welcoming idea is to gather signed business cards or notes from each of these neighbor businesses, and even small gifts to include in your new business information packet.
Be sure to provide up-to-date information about town ordinances that will impact new businesses. Does your town allow outside sales tables and signs or not? What are smoking regulations? Are there any historic district regulations they need to know about?
Be sure to include information about service club meetings as well as your association's meeting schedule.
Be sure to give them a list of B2B's, such as your local office supply, Internet providers, cleaning services, bookkeepers and other services their particular type of business might need.
In addition to information, be sure to provide perks and direct assistance
Give the new business a free six-month (or a year) membership in your business association or chamber of commerce.
Provide a member of your association to act as a liaison to the new business. Introduce this person at your first welcome meeting. Be sure to encourage the business owner to call their liaison with any business-related questions or questions about your small town. Ask their assigned liaison to check in with the business at least once a month, and to bring the owner to association meetings as their guest for the first few months.
Welcome the new business in your association's newsletter (including social media) with an encouragement that other members stop by to say hello and shop or use their service.
In many small towns and rural communities, the business association or chamber of commerce is small enough to be able to take a direct and active interest in the success of every member of the business community, especially new businesses and often takes on the role of the economic development department if the town is very small.
By Mike Corthell
Most small towns are very happy to see a new business open. The chamber of commerce or local business association hosts a grand opening that is promoted in the media, and everyone holds their collective breath hoping that this new business will succeed. But there are some extra things that can be done to help that dream of success come true.
One of the first things a town and a business association can do is to provide any new business with much needed and appreciated information.
Be sure to give that new business an easy-to-understand guide to the benefits. Include the contact information for the people who can help them.
Be sure that you provide information about all established businesses and their owners surrounding the new business. This is often overlooked. The new business owner might have been so busy getting remodeled and moved in, he or she hasn't met the neighbors.
Be sure to provide information about small business economic development services, and give them a brochure that outlines those services. Another good welcoming idea is to gather signed business cards or notes from each of these neighbor businesses, and even small gifts to include in your new business information packet.
Be sure to provide up-to-date information about town ordinances that will impact new businesses. Does your town allow outside sales tables and signs or not? What are smoking regulations? Are there any historic district regulations they need to know about?
Be sure to include information about service club meetings as well as your association's meeting schedule.
Be sure to give them a list of B2B's, such as your local office supply, Internet providers, cleaning services, bookkeepers and other services their particular type of business might need.
In addition to information, be sure to provide perks and direct assistance
Give the new business a free six-month (or a year) membership in your business association or chamber of commerce.
Provide a member of your association to act as a liaison to the new business. Introduce this person at your first welcome meeting. Be sure to encourage the business owner to call their liaison with any business-related questions or questions about your small town. Ask their assigned liaison to check in with the business at least once a month, and to bring the owner to association meetings as their guest for the first few months.
Welcome the new business in your association's newsletter (including social media) with an encouragement that other members stop by to say hello and shop or use their service.
In many small towns and rural communities, the business association or chamber of commerce is small enough to be able to take a direct and active interest in the success of every member of the business community, especially new businesses and often takes on the role of the economic development department if the town is very small.
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