How to Stay Ahead of the Competition

With over 7,000 local, regional and state chambers of commerce in this country, you need to look no farther than the next community for your competition.

That’s right!

The next town, county, region, are all fighting (marketing) for the same small businesses to become members of their organization!

Now that we can agree that competition is all around us.  What are you doing to stand out amongst the crowded field?

I’m reminded of the Hedgehog theory put forth in Jim Collin’s book, Good to Great.  The three items I took from the Hedgehog theory are:

• What do you have passion for?
• What are you the best at or can you be the best at?
• Where do you make money?

This is just another way of focusing on your brand.  What do you want to be known for?

• Advocacy
• Education
• Economic Development
• Networking
• Ribbon Cutting
• Other

Remember, you can’t be all things to all people.

Focus on the important stuff identified by your board – and then execute that program of work.