>
The Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Power Partner’s Expo at Southern Crescent Technical College Tuesday, January 25.
An hour-long panel discussion included presentations from local business owners David Hammond (Hammond Heating and Air), Eddie Grogan (CareMaster Medical), Michelle Cannon (C&R Fleet Services), Kelly Palmatier (Griffin Web Design), and Chuck Swinson (Chick-fil-A).
Swinson’s presentation included advice for entrepreneurs to remember the acronym “SERVE.” Shape the future; Engage and develop others; Re-invent continuously; Value relationships over results; and Embody the values.
“Surround yourself with people smarter than yourself,” he said. He told the audience that on numerous occasions he has “fired the man in the mirror” in order to change his attitude and strategy because, he said, “In this downward economy, what worked yesterday is not working today.”
Once the floor opened, several audience members asked the panelists questions such as advice on closing sales, advertising and marketing, and how to handle failure.
Grogan gave the advice of “Do what you say you’re going to do – be there for [your clients]. People just want to be assured you’re going to follow through.”
Cannon mentioned that a good employee has an advantage in every economy, and even though unemployment rates are extremely high, she still has trouble finding well-qualified employees. “Being loyal, education and hard-working is an advantage in any economy,” she said.
All panelists said finding creative ways to advertise even when money is tight is important. Grogan referenced the Comcast commercial, quoting “Cutting your advertising to save money is like turning off your open sign to save electricity.”
Hammond mentioned tracking telephone numbers on all their different forms of advertising so that Hammond Services could gage the return on investment – ROI – of each form.
Gail Brown, president of Lead Builders LLC in Griffin, was an audience member and stood to explain her business helps small businesses grow by public relations. She said giving away information, talking to groups and hosting seminars and webinars is a free form of marketing for a small business.
All panelists also agreed that failure was a part of entrepreneurship. It’s the way the person handles the failure that determines the ultimate outcome and future of his or her business. Cannon advised to “take the negatives and make them positive.” “It’s your choice on how you internalize the experience,” she said.
The GRIP 
Leave a comment