VOLUME 44
| OCTOBER 2013 |
ISSUE 10
From the Chamber President
Competition + Cooperation = Co-opetition Ref: SBA
The holiday shopping season is in full swing and most merchants are crossing their fingers that this season will be better than the last. Given that most consumers are still cautiously spending, business owners might be forgiven for thinking competitively. It’s easy to feel like you have to fight other businesses tooth and nail for every customer and every dollar, but in truth, that Scrooge-like attitude has never been more misplaced. Today’s marketing buzzword isn’t competition-it’s ‘co-opetition! What is co-opetition? The urban dictionary defines it as “a business strategy based on a combination of cooperation and competition, derived from an understanding that business competitors can benefit when they work together.” In laymen’s terms it means teaming up with complementary businesses to market your companies together. Done right, it can boost business for both of you. Since this concept may be new to you, let me give you a few examples of what I mean and some ways to put it to practical use.
Throw an event. Many small businesses implement co-opetition by hosting special events. There are so many ways to join together to enhance your marketing strategy. For instance, restaurants could host a monthly ‘Stroll and Savor’ night where each eatery sells samples of their cuisine outdoors for a dollar or two. In another part of town, local businesses could host a ‘First Friday’ event. On the first Friday evening of every month, local musicians can provide street entertainment. At other locations, local artists could display their wares. A group event like this is a great way to attract new customers who might not otherwise try your business.
Get creative. Think creatively about what businesses might be good coopetition partners for you-and what strategies you could use.
Start small. Co-opetition can start as small as you want. For instance, if you own a pet products store, ask a local dog groomer to leave their brochures at your checkout counter. In return, ask them to give their customers coupons good for a discount at your store. The tactic can work for service businesses, too; for example, an attorney whose clients include small businesses could have brochures from a tax preparation firm in their office. By exposing your brand to new customers, co-opetition multiplies your marketing reach.
• Join with your partner companies in sponsoring or volunteering at local charities.
• If you send out an e-mail newsletter, give your partner company some space in it and vice versa. • Pitch yourself and your partner company/s to local radio shows. • Trade e-mail lists or customer lists. (Set ground rules beforehand for how you will use these lists) • Host contests with your partner companies.
Leah Bolin
Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce PO Box 1104 Cullman, AL 35056-1104
[email protected] Tel: 256-734-0454 Fax 256-737-7443 www.cullmanchamber.org www.visitcullman.org
A good place to get started with coopetition is at your Chamber of Commerce. Bring up the concept to other members and see what they think. Whether your co-opetition campaign starts small or big, it’s sure to help your business grow. The CoC
Mystery Shopper
is on the prowl!
Chamber helped to celebrate growth in the area
Please bring your new, unwrapped items to the Chamber by December 12. ALL DONATIONS GO TO CULLMAN AREA FAMILIES IN NEED
Toys for Children - Clothing General Needs
Courtesy of The Cullman Times
Magnet Paints, Inc. - 310 Co Rd 1246, Cullman
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Architecture Birchfield, Penuel & Associates, LLC 2805 Crescent Avenue, Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 870-1876 http://www.bpa.net Building Materials Alabama Brick Delivery, Inc. 101 Training Center Drive, Cullman (256) 739-7004 http://www.alabamabrick.com
Be sure to patronize these “Construction Equipment & Contractors” Chamber members for your needs
Contractor Alabama Air Solutions, Inc. 4596 Highway 55 E, Suite E, Eva (256) 796-6332 Alabama Electrical Contractors of Cullman, Inc. 1003 2nd Avenue NW, Cullman (256) 734-1069
Bama Steel Structures, Inc. 26911 County Road 222, Bremen (256) 287-9558
Buettner Brothers Lumber Company, Inc. 700 7th Avenue SW, Cullman (256) 734-4221 http://www.buettnerbros.com
Bark-ley Plumbing Contractors 410 2nd Avenue SE, Cullman (256) 739-2169
Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc. 1717 Cherokee Avenue SW, Cullman (256) 775-0075 http://www.lowes.com
Bill Hendrix Construction Co., Inc. 17871 US Highway 31 N, Cullman (256) 734-0003 http://billhendrix.com
Walker Brothers, LTD PO Box 10, Baileyton (256) 796-2211
Biltmore Homes 2611 AL Highway 157 NE, Cullman (256) 737-9220 http://www.biltmorehomes.org
Walker’s Discount Building Supply, Inc. 8263 US Highway 31, Hanceville (256) 352-9815 Construction Bates Roadbuilders, Inc. 4494 County Road 747, Cullman (256) 734-8064 Brasfield & Gorri, LLC 3021 7th Ave. S Birmingham, AL 35233 (256) 328-4000 DCA Ready Mix 81 Walnut Street NE, Cullman (256) 734-4414 H2 Real Estate (205) 486-3178 http://www.h2realestate.com Hudson Construction 1604 Catoma Drive, Cullman (256) 339-0101 http://greghudsonconstruction.com Pearson, Dale Construction, Inc. 900 Logan Avenue SW, Cullman (256) 734-3337 T-N-T Siding Co. Inc. 470 County Road 1332, Vinemont (256) 775-1776 http://www.tntsidingandwindows.com Top Dog Framing 469 Co Rd 68, Bremen (256) 531-3558 Willoughby Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. 111 2nd Avenue NE, Cullman (256) 734-1387
LEAH
BOLIN
Blocher Company, Inc. 800 23rd Street SW, Cullman (256) 734-8686 Chappell Distributing 360 Chappell Road Falkville, AL 35622 (888) 437-9333 Civicon, LLC 207 8th Avenue SE, Cullman (205) 368-9650 http://www.civiconllc.com Colburn Construction, Inc. PO Box 1662, Cullman (256) 737-5445 Dennis Guthrie Construction 18293 US Highway 31 N, Cullman (256) 775-0231 Dunn Building Company, LLC 3901 Messer Airport Highway Birmingham, AL 35222 (205) 510-0243 http://www.dunnbuildingcompany.com Eidson & Associates, Inc. 135 Birmingham Street SW, Cullman (256) 739-0176 http://www.eidsoninc.com Good Hope Contracting 3280 County Road 437, Cullman (256) 734-7735 Goss Electric, Inc. 113 Woodall Road Decatur, AL 35601 (256) 355-1101 http://www.gosselectric.com
LOVES
Jade Nail II - 1404 2nd Avenue NW, Cullman
Gray Construction, Inc. 2 20th St. N., Suite 100 Birmingham, AL 35203-4036 (205) 380-1800 http://www.gray.com
CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc. 2112 Eleventh Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 326-8912 http://www.ch2m.com
Joiner Construction Company, Inc. 80 County Road 1398, Vinemont (256) 739-3322 http://www.joinerconstruction.com
St. John & Associates, Inc. 508 1st Avenue SE, Cullman (256) 734-2114 http://www.sjaonline.com
K & M Electrical Contractors 37 County Road 1466, Cullman (256) 775-6239
Pugh Engineering Services LLC 203 2nd Avenue SE, Cullman (256) 482-2048 http://www.pughengineering.com
Morton Buildings, Inc. 1524 1st Avenue N, Hanceville (256) 352-0406 http://www.mortonbuildings.com
Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc. 7 Town Center Drive NW, Suite 201 Huntsville, AL 35806-2675 (256) 533-1484 http://www.gmcnetwork.com
Nearen Construction Company, Inc 116 2nd St. SE, Cullman (256) 734-3345 http://www.nearen.com Richard Electric Company 401 Highway 157 NE, Cullman (256) 734-1791 http://www.richardelectric.net Stuart C. Irby Company 144 Woodall Road Decatur, AL 35601 (256) 350-2491 http://www.irby.com
Sain Associates, Inc. 1401 3rd St., NE, Cullman (256) 841-3032 http://www.sain.com Environmental Contracting & Transportation Action Environmental, LLC 14830 AL Highway 91, Hanceville (256) 352-2350 http://www.action-resources.com Action Resources 40 Co Rd 517, Hanceville (256) 352-2114 http://www.action-resources.com
Sue-Jac, Inc. 1402 Southfield Drive Decatur, AL 35603 (256) 355-0977
Home Improvements Restoration Construction Specialist PO Box 210, Cullman (256) 841-5556 http://www.rcsofalabama.com
TCW Contracting, Inc. 1911 Commerce Ave NW, Cullman (256) 734-9471 Valley Group, Inc. 77 Tinkling Road Fishersville, VA 22939 (540) 943-9558 http://www.valleygroup.net Witcher Contracting, LLC 3220 Co. Rd. 1428, Vinemont (256) 737-5051 http://www.witchercontracting.com
Taylor Custom Gutter, LLC 878 County Road 282, Cullman (256) 775-7649 Iron Work Windsor Powder Coating & Sandblasting 10231 Hwy 31 S, Cullman (256) 737-9272
Electrical Contractor S & W Electric Company, Inc. 3901 2nd Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35222 (205) 595-8103 Engineering CDG Engineers & Associates, Inc. 417 Martling Road Albertville, AL 35951 (256) 891-3458 http://www.cdge.com
CONTRACTORS...ESPECIALLY
Painting Contractor Fabre’ Painting LLC 410 5th Avenue SW, Cullman (256) 736-2810 Roofing Miller Roofing, Inc. 2024 Main Avenue SE , Suite C, Cullman 256-734-9762 or 205-384-9768
PAINTERS!
Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce - Eyes of Progress - October 2013
Chamber to host monthly “Fourth Friday” Join us as we welcome Dennis Wightman, ATM of the hit show “Tanked” The Chamber will host the "Fourth Friday" Luncheon on Friday, October 25, in the All Steak Restaurant Banquet Room (323 3rd Ave. S.E.). Our featured speaker will be Dennis Wightman, General Manager of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) of Nevada featured on the hit new show “Tanked” on Animal Planet.
The event is sponsored by The Cullman Regional Medical Center. Doors open at 11:30 am to allow networking opportunities before the program begins at 11:50 am. Lunch is $15 per person for Chamber members and $20 for "Future" members. Reservations in advance are required*. Please register online at www.cullmanchamber.org or RSVP by contacting the Chamber via e-mail at
[email protected] or by calling 256-734-0454. * 48 hours cancellation notice or subject to billing No payments will be taken at the door but can be invoiced or paid online.
ATM partnering with BHOF 36,000-gallon bass aquarium planned for Hall BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME TEAMS UP WITH ACRYLIC TANK MANUFACTURING AND VISITS WITH CAST OF ANIMAL PLANET'S "TANKED" September 2013 - The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) board of directors has selected Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) of Las Vegas, Nevada (AcrylicAquariums.com) as the official and exclusive aquarium manufacturer for the Hall's permanent site in Cullman, Ala. ATM is recognized as the worldwide leader in custom aquarium manufacturing and is known throughout the world as the subject of the hit Animal Planet television show "Tanked." Under the partnership, ATM has agreed in principle to design and install a
Nominate your favorite small business today The Retail Committee of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to provide special recognition to our small business community by presenting one (1) monthly recognition award and one (1) yearly award. Monthly award winners will be considered the nominees for the yearly recognition award to be presented at the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting held each February. Visit CullmanChamber.org to show some love to your favorite business.
custom freshwater bass-themed aquarium of approximately 36,000 gallons inside the Hall of Fame’s Education Center, the construction and installation of which will be featured on a future episode of "Tanked." The massive captive-water attraction, complemented by the series of outdoor natural ponds and streams planned for the Hall of Fame, will create a one-of-a-kind fishingeducation and entertainment experience that will draw avid anglers and those new to the sport from around the world. To help move the partnership into the next phase, Hall of Fame board members recently traveled to ATM headquarters in Las Vegas to meet the ATM staff personally and fact-find about the aquarium design, construction and installation process. The group met with ATM general manager Dennis Wightman for several hours, as well as "Tanked" personalities
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
1830 Cherokee Avenue SW (256) 735-1650 chick-fil-a.com/cullman
Irwin "The General" Raymer and Agnes Wilczynski. BFHOF president Sammy Lee said: "Our Hall of Fame board is very honored to be working with the world's largest custom-aquarium manufacturer – Acrylic Tank Manufacturing of Las Vegas. Their years of experience in designing and manufacturing custom, wow-factor aquariums will lead to the Hall of Fame having a one-of-a-kind freshwater aquarium attraction. We were privileged to have Dennis Wightman give us a tour of the facility, educate our group and provide specifics on what it takes to build an enclosed aquatic environment the size of ours." About The Hall of Fame The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization dedicated to all anglers, manufacturers, tackle dealers, media and other related companies who further the sport of bass fishing. In
February 2013 the board of directors announced the completion of a decadelong, exhaustive quest to secure a permanent home with the selection of Cullman, Alabama as the future site of the Hall, with work to commence immediately. The permanent Hall site will be constructed as a joint project with the City of Cullman, Cullman County and the City of Good Hope – a project that includes an adjacent civic/convention center, all of which will be housed on the 110-acre parcel known as the Burrow property. The Hall will enjoy a dedicated 30 acres of the property, which will include ponds, gardens and an aquaticeducation center. The entire project is estimated to cost in excess $17 million with structures that will encompass 101,000 square feet. Support the BFHOF by becoming a member. Call 888.690.2277 for more information.
CoC Washington Fly-In | Oct. 9-10 The Chamber’s Annual Washington Fly-In co-sponsored by CullmanJefferson Gas and the Cullman County Industrial Development Board/City of Cullman Industrial Development Board is set for October 10. The purpose of the Chamber’s annual Fly-In is to thank our delegation for their past support and to encourage them to keep our Cullman area high on their priority list with regard to development projects and issues affecting businesses.
Brought to you by:
facebook.com/MoesOriginalBBQCullman
Please be sure to get out with your family and support these local events!
October 5-12, 2013 cullmanoktoberfest.com
October 19, 2013
November 9-10, 2013
facebook.com/ MudCreekArtsAndCrafts
christmasincullman.com
Attention Businesses:
If your business will be offering a way for the community to “GIVE BACK” during the holidays, please be sure to send a link to the Chamber so that we can post it on our facebook page. Email your information to
[email protected].
www.merchantsbankal.com
LEADERSHIP SESSION OCTOBER 17, 2013 “EDUCATION” Sponsored by:
www.merchantsbankal.com
The Chamber’s Youth Leadership class visited Hulaco Youth and Family Camp in Baileyton. This trip gave them an opportunity to work through fears and help with team building skills. Thanks to Kuenn Drake of Hulaco Camp for helping to make this a great day. Thank you to our T-shirt sponsor:
Galin Enterprises Thank you to our Scholarship sponsors: Webb Wheel Products, Inc Cullman Regional Medical Center Cullman Internal Medicine Action Environmental, LLC Cullman Rotary Club Carmen Moss DMD To sponsor a student contact
[email protected]
Thank you to our T-shirt sponsor:
Cullman Shopping Center Thank you to our Breakfast Sponsor:
RED DOOR CLOTHING
The program is designed to identify, prepare and build upon leadership resources within Cullman County. It brings leaders together to discuss the present and future direction of our county and prepares them for greater involvement through volunteer roles in the community. The program consists of eight monthly meetings focused on various topics such as education, criminal justice, local government, health care, state government, economic development, and quality of life. For more information contact the Chamber at 256-734-0454
CoC Merchants: During Christmas in Cullman Chamber will be offering
FREE Gift Wrapping*
NOVEMBER 9TH - 10AM to 3PM 301 2nd Avenue SW, Cullman, AL
*While Supplies Last
Kids: Get your picture taken with “Buddy the Elf”
Cullman Area CoC Christmas
Window Display CONTEST Details @ www.cullmanchamber.org
