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Building Bridges Not Walls |
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Written by John Plucenik
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The primary focus of GVIBA is educating the public on the value of buying from local
independent merchants and supporting our local infrastructure and economies.
The second part of its three-fold mission is networking with other business associations, including local chambers of commerce, to advocate for local independent businesses. The third is to work with government and community leaders to embrace policies that are friendly toward local merchants- policies such as Smart Growth.
What is the common theme through all of these mission goals?
Building bridges.
Easier said than done.
First, there are turf issues to deal with.
Personal agendas, politics, big-money developers, and strong influences from big-chain corporations- who are also part of business associations and chambers- who resist building bridges with Independent Business Organizations (IBOs). Or they may give lip service about how they are friends and partners, but work behind the scenes to push their own agendas. In other words, they’ll talk the talk, but not walk the walk.
According to Jennifer Rockne, co-director of the American Independent Business Association (AMIBA), with local Independent Business Association (IBA) chapters throughout the country, only about half of the local IBAs have good working relationships with their local chambers of commerce.
While independent business owners make up a majority of most chambers, many times their voices get lost. Many chambers focus much of their time and energy recruiting big out-of-town corporations and chain retail stores that threaten the very livelihood of many of their own members.
One chamber even rejected an affiliation
with a local IBA because a Wal-Mart manager on its board cried discrimination. The members didn’t even have the decency to allow the local IBA to make a presentation to their board!
Fortunately, the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce is not so closed-minded.
Beth Ann Delaney, who heads the Back Mountain Business Association (BMBA)and is also on the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber board, echoes the importance of building partnerships.
“The Chamber supports GVIBA and all of its member associations as well as the BMBA. We are rebuilding relationships to close the gap in an effort to link each business community together,” said Delaney. “We are sharing ideas, blending boards, and developing joint projects and events to promote the independent business owners.”
Luzerne Bank President Bob Snyder, who is also on the Wilkes-Barre Chamber Board and various other local business associations on the West Side and in the Back Mountain, knows the value of getting out and talking to people.
He recently worked on a door-to-door meet-and-greet campaign for new local Chamber members, taking the time to listen to the business owners’ issues and concerns. He admitted more can be done.
“There is no doubt we can all do a better job in all our endeavors,” said Snyder. “Communication is the key to a successful partnership. Independent business owners are the backbone of any chamber and they need to feel their voices are heard and count.”
Delaney agrees that communication is the key. She will never be accused of being a
“potted plant.”
“I voice my opinion as often as possible to friends, neighbors, and family, to increase awareness and support of our business community,” she said.
That type of communication must be ongoing. Many independent business owners, especially retailers, will complain about the effectiveness of local business groups and
chambers. Snyder feels it is important to hear these concerns and reconnect.
“Again, communication is of paramount importance in creating and retaining positive partnerships among business owners and chambers or local business groups,” she said.
“A feeling of disconnection can occur because
of a lack of communication. Business owners can begin to feel unimportant and refuse participation, which causes a downward spiral in the ability to make positive change.”
In terms of connecting independent businesses with broader economic issues
such as Smart Growth plans, Delaney feels volunteer member organizations provide an
ideal platform.
“We can always do better together with a community agenda, not a personal or political agenda,” she added.
Snyder also embraces the concept of conservation-friendly issues such as Smart Growth and believes other community leaders are starting to “get it.”
“I believe officials in government and business alike are becoming more aware of the problems associated with uncoordinated and unplanned growth,” said Snyder. “Organizations like ‘The North Branch Land Trust’ have become more visible in getting the message to those in positions to make a difference and are becoming a source for advice in planning as well as for conservation issues.”The Greater Valley Independent Business Alliance will continue to work with local merchants and build bridges in the community. |
