Challenge, Change and Cooperation by Al DiMarzio, HB Graphics | Return to Tips & Tutorials | HB Graphics Home | (This article was one in a series we wrote for the local newspaper as part of my being President of the local Chamber of Commerce. While this is specific to our town, it has sustenance for other towns and Chambers of Commerce.) Let me see now... First there were the Westbrook outlet stores, now there are the Clinton outlet stores, and next there will be a Branford Wal-Mart and a New Haven super shopping plaza. Is there no end to encroachment upon the quiet little businesses in Guilford? Will Guilford be a beautiful Town Green surrounded by empty store fronts? Will the commercial properties become weedy parking lots? Will Town taxes escalate and drive people away? These, and other questions, are addressed through Challenge, Change and Cooperation. All this activity with shopping outlets in other towns must be viewed as a Challenge for us to be better business people. To ignore the challenge would be paramount to giving up and letting other businesses win by default. The challenge is for us to examine our strengths and weaknesses as a business, as a town and as a community. We build on our strengths by developing niche markets and minimize our weakness by recognizing we have them and offering alternative solutions. As business people in Guilford one strength is service and friendliness. A strength of the Town is the historic setting. Yes I know, many businesses are working hard and surviving--but, are we working smarter by accepting the challenge and discovering new ways to promote our businesses? Now this is where the plug for the Chamber of Commerce comes in. It’s easier to work smarter and meet the challenge when business people put the heads together and develop creative solutions. And that’s what the Chamber is all about. Many people ask "what do they get from the Chamber?" Primarily, business growth! The Chamber is the only gathering of like-minded business people in the town--business people dedicated to improving the economic environment in which they conduct business! Change accompanies the challenge. Change in the way we conduct business, change in the products and services we offer, and mostly, change in us as business people. There is the old saying, and at the risk of boring you I’ll repeat, "There are those who make things happen, there are those who watch things happen, and there are those who wonder what happened". Your Chamber members work hard at making things happen. As a recent example I point to the Taste All Of Guilord event on the Town green which showcased town businesses. We are also planning Trolley Days coming soon to Guilford. And much more in the months ahead. Cooperation is what binds the challenges and changes. Cooperation of fellow business people, town government and the community. Businesses look to local government to help create an environment conducive to business growth. Frequent use of the town green is an example of cooperation, but much more will be asked of the Town as competing towns try to sap Guilford’s vitality. The community cooperates by supporting local businesses, Chamber events and most of all, by letting the businesses know what they want in the way of products and services. Challenges, change and cooperation form the circle of life of our businesses, our town and residents. By being a part of the circle, our actions will not only enrich our personal lives, but also the life of our community. Call the Chamber today and let’s talk business. Return to top

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