The holiday shopping season is in fullswing and most merchants are crossingtheir fingers that this season will be betterthan the last. Given that most consumersare still cautiously spending, businessowners might be forgiven for thinkingcompetitively. It’s easy to feel like youhave to fight other businesses tooth andnail for every customer and every dollar,but in truth, that Scrooge-like attitude hasnever been more misplaced. Today’smarketing buzzword isn’t competition-it’s‘co-opetition!
What is co-opetition? The urbandictionary defines it as “a business strategybased on a combination of cooperationand competition, derived from anunderstanding that business competitorscan benefit when they work together.” Inlaymen’s terms it means teaming up withcomplementary businesses to market yourcompanies together. Done right, it canboost business for both of you.
Since this concept may be new to you,let me give you a few examples of what Imean and some ways to put it to practicaluse.
From the Chamber President
Competition + Cooperation = Co-opetitionThrow an event. Many small businessesimplement co-opetition by hosting specialevents. There are so many ways to jointogether to enhance your marketingstrategy. For instance, restaurants couldhost a monthly ‘Stroll and Savor’ nightwhere each eatery sells samples of theircuisine outdoors for a dollar or two. Inanother part of town, local businessescould host a ‘First Friday’ event. On thefirst Friday evening of every month, localmusicians can provide streetentertainment. At other locations, localartists could display their wares. A groupevent like this is a great way to attractnew customers who might not otherwisetry your business.
Start small. Co-opetition can start assmall as you want. For instance, if youown a pet products store, ask a local doggroomer to leave their brochures at yourcheckout counter. In return, ask them togive their customers coupons good for adiscount at your store. The tactic can workfor service businesses, too; for example,an attorney whose clients include smallbusinesses could have brochures from atax preparation firm in their office. Byexposing your brand to new customers,co-opetition multiplies your marketingreach.
Get creative. Think creatively aboutwhat businesses might be good co-opetition partners for you-and whatstrategies you could use.
• If you send out an e-mail newsletter,give your partner company somespace in it and vice versa.
• Pitch yourself and your partnercompany/s to local radio shows.
• Trade e-mail lists or customer lists.(Set ground rules beforehand forhow you will use these lists)
• Host contests with your partnercompanies.
• Join with your partner companiesin sponsoring or volunteering atlocal charities.
A good place to get started with co-opetition is at your Chamber ofCommerce. Bring up the concept to othermembers and see what they think.Whether your co-opetition campaignstarts small or big, it’s sure to help yourbusiness grow.
Leah Bolin
Cullman Area
Chamber
of Commerce
PO Box 1104Cullman, AL 35056-1104
[email protected]: 256-734-0454
Fax 256-737-7443www.cullmanchamber.org
www.visitcullman.org
VOLUME 44 | OCTOBER 2013 | ISSUE 10
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Be sure to patronize these “Construction Equipment& Contractors” Chamber members for your needs
ArchitectureBirchfield, Penuel & Associates, LLC
2805 Crescent Avenue, Suite 200Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 870-1876http://www.bpa.net
Building MaterialsAlabama Brick Delivery, Inc.
101 Training Center Drive, Cullman(256) 739-7004
http://www.alabamabrick.com
Buettner Brothers Lumber Company, Inc.700 7th Avenue SW, Cullman
(256) 734-4221http://www.buettnerbros.com
Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc.1717 Cherokee Avenue SW, Cullman
(256) 775-0075http://www.lowes.com
Walker Brothers, LTDPO Box 10, Baileyton
(256) 796-2211
Walker’s Discount Building Supply, Inc.8263 US Highway 31, Hanceville
(256) 352-9815
ConstructionBates Roadbuilders, Inc.
4494 County Road 747, Cullman(256) 734-8064
Brasfield & Gorri, LLC3021 7th Ave. S
Birmingham, AL 35233(256) 328-4000
DCA Ready Mix81 Walnut Street NE, Cullman
(256) 734-4414
H2 Real Estate(205) 486-3178
http://www.h2realestate.com
Hudson Construction1604 Catoma Drive, Cullman
(256) 339-0101http://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) 775-1776http://www.tntsidingandwindows.com
Top Dog Framing469 Co Rd 68, Bremen
(256) 531-3558
Willoughby Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.111 2nd Avenue NE, Cullman
(256) 734-1387
ContractorAlabama Air Solutions, Inc.
4596 Highway 55 E, Suite E, Eva(256) 796-6332
Alabama ElectricalContractors of Cullman, Inc.1003 2nd Avenue NW, Cullman
(256) 734-1069
Bama Steel Structures, Inc.26911 County Road 222, Bremen
(256) 287-9558
Bark-ley Plumbing Contractors410 2nd Avenue SE, Cullman
(256) 739-2169
Bill Hendrix Construction Co., Inc.17871 US Highway 31 N, Cullman
(256) 734-0003http://billhendrix.com
Biltmore Homes2611 AL Highway 157 NE, Cullman
(256) 737-9220http://www.biltmorehomes.org
Blocher Company, Inc.800 23rd Street SW, Cullman
(256) 734-8686
Chappell Distributing360 Chappell Road
Falkville, AL 35622(888) 437-9333
Civicon, LLC207 8th Avenue SE, Cullman
(205) 368-9650http://www.civiconllc.com
Colburn Construction, Inc.PO Box 1662, Cullman
(256) 737-5445
Dennis Guthrie Construction18293 US Highway 31 N, Cullman
(256) 775-0231
Dunn Building Company, LLC3901 Messer Airport Highway
Birmingham, AL 35222(205) 510-0243
http://www.dunnbuildingcompany.com
Eidson & Associates, Inc.135 Birmingham Street SW, Cullman
(256) 739-0176http://www.eidsoninc.com
Good Hope Contracting3280 County Road 437, Cullman
(256) 734-7735
Goss Electric, Inc.113 Woodall RoadDecatur, AL 35601
(256) 355-1101http://www.gosselectric.com
Gray Construction, Inc.2 20th St. N., Suite 100
Birmingham, AL 35203-4036(205) 380-1800
http://www.gray.com
Joiner Construction Company, Inc.80 County Road 1398, Vinemont
(256) 739-3322http://www.joinerconstruction.com
K & M Electrical Contractors37 County Road 1466, Cullman
(256) 775-6239
Morton Buildings, Inc.1524 1st Avenue N, Hanceville
(256) 352-0406http://www.mortonbuildings.com
Nearen Construction Company, Inc116 2nd St. SE, Cullman
(256) 734-3345http://www.nearen.com
Richard Electric Company401 Highway 157 NE, Cullman
(256) 734-1791http://www.richardelectric.net
Stuart C. Irby Company144 Woodall RoadDecatur, AL 35601
(256) 350-2491http://www.irby.com
Sue-Jac, Inc.1402 Southfield Drive
Decatur, AL 35603(256) 355-0977
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, LLC3220 Co. Rd. 1428, Vinemont
(256) 737-5051http://www.witchercontracting.com
Electrical ContractorS & W Electric Company, Inc.
3901 2nd Avenue SouthBirmingham, AL 35222
(205) 595-8103
EngineeringCDG Engineers & Associates, Inc.
417 Martling RoadAlbertville, AL 35951
(256) 891-3458http://www.cdge.com
Ref: SBA
CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc.2112 Eleventh Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35205(205) 326-8912
http://www.ch2m.com
St. John & Associates, Inc.508 1st Avenue SE, Cullman
(256) 734-2114http://www.sjaonline.com
Pugh Engineering Services LLC203 2nd Avenue SE, Cullman
(256) 482-2048http://www.pughengineering.com
Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc.7 Town Center Drive NW, Suite 201
Huntsville, AL 35806-2675(256) 533-1484
http://www.gmcnetwork.com
Sain Associates, Inc.1401 3rd St., NE, Cullman
(256) 841-3032http://www.sain.com
Environmental Contracting & TransportationAction Environmental, LLC
14830 AL Highway 91, Hanceville(256) 352-2350
http://www.action-resources.com
Action Resources40 Co Rd 517, Hanceville
(256) 352-2114http://www.action-resources.com
Home ImprovementsRestoration Construction Specialist
PO Box 210, Cullman(256) 841-5556
http://www.rcsofalabama.com
Taylor Custom Gutter, LLC878 County Road 282, Cullman
(256) 775-7649
Iron WorkWindsor Powder Coating & Sandblasting
10231 Hwy 31 S, Cullman(256) 737-9272
Painting ContractorFabre’ Painting LLC
410 5th Avenue SW, Cullman(256) 736-2810
RoofingMiller Roofing, Inc.
2024 Main Avenue SE , Suite C, Cullman256-734-9762 or 205-384-9768
L E A H B O L I N L O V E S C O N T R A C T O R S . . . E S P E C I A L L Y P A I N T E R S !
Chamber helped to celebrate growth in the area
Jade Nail II - 1404 2nd Avenue NW, Cullman
Please bring your new,unwrapped items to the
Chamber by December 12.ALL DONATIONS GO TO CULLMAN
AREA FAMILIES IN NEED
Toys for Children - ClothingGeneral Needs Magnet Paints, Inc. - 310 Co Rd 1246, Cullman
Courtesy of The Cullman Times
The CoC
Mystery Shopperis on the prowl!
The Chamber will host the "FourthFriday" Luncheon on Friday, October25, in the All Steak RestaurantBanquet Room (323 3rd Ave. S.E.).Our featured speaker will be DennisWightman, General Manager ofAcrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM)of Nevada featured on the hit newshow “Tanked” on Animal Planet.
Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce - Eyes of Progress - October 2013
Chamber to host monthly “Fourth Friday”The event is sponsored by TheCullman Regional Medical Center.Doors open at 11:30 am to allownetworking opportunities before theprogram begins at 11:50 am. Lunchis $15 per person for Chambermembers and $20 for "Future"members. Reservations in advanceare required*. Please register onlineat www.cullmanchamber.org orRSVP by contacting the Chamber viae-mail at [email protected] by calling 256-734-0454.
36,000-gallon bass aquarium planned forHall
BASS FISHING HALL OF FAMETEAMS UP WITH ACRYLIC TANKMANUFACTURING AND VISITS WITHCAST OF ANIMAL PLANET'S"TANKED"
September 2013 - The Bass Fishing Hallof Fame (BFHOF) board of directors hasselected Acrylic Tank Manufacturing(ATM) of Las Vegas, Nevada(AcrylicAquariums.com) as the officialand exclusive aquarium manufacturer forthe Hall's permanent site in Cullman, Ala.ATM is recognized as the worldwideleader in custom aquariummanufacturing and is known throughoutthe world as the subject of the hit AnimalPlanet television show "Tanked."Under the partnership, ATM has agreedin principle to design and install a
Join us as we welcome Dennis Wightman, ATM of the hit show “Tanked”
ATM partnering with BHOFcustom freshwater bass-themedaquarium of approximately 36,000 gallonsinside the Hall of Fame’s EducationCenter, the construction and installationof which will be featured on a futureepisode of "Tanked." The massivecaptive-water attraction, complementedby the series of outdoor natural pondsand streams planned for the Hall ofFame, will create a one-of-a-kind fishing-education and entertainment experiencethat will draw avid anglers and those newto the sport from around the world.To help move the partnership into thenext phase, Hall of Fame board membersrecently traveled to ATM headquartersin Las Vegas to meet the ATM staffpersonally and fact-find about theaquarium design, construction andinstallation process.The group met with ATM generalmanager Dennis Wightman for severalhours, as well as "Tanked" personalities
* 48 hours cancellation notice or subject to billingNo payments will be taken at the door but can be in-voiced or paid online.
Irwin "The General" Raymer and AgnesWilczynski.BFHOF president Sammy Lee said: "OurHall of Fame board is very honored tobe working with the world's largestcustom-aquarium manufacturer – AcrylicTank Manufacturing of Las Vegas. Theiryears of experience in designing andmanufacturing custom, wow-factoraquariums will lead to the Hall of Famehaving a one-of-a-kind freshwateraquarium attraction. We were privilegedto have Dennis Wightman give us a tourof the facility, educate our group andprovide specifics on what it takes to buildan enclosed aquatic environment the sizeof ours."About The Hall of FameThe Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is anonprofit organization dedicated to allanglers, manufacturers, tackle dealers,media and other related companies whofurther the sport of bass fishing. In
February 2013 the board of directorsannounced the completion of a decade-long, exhaustive quest to secure apermanent home with the selection ofCullman, Alabama as the future site ofthe Hall, with work to commenceimmediately. The permanent Hall site willbe constructed as a joint project with theCity of Cullman, Cullman County and theCity of Good Hope – a project thatincludes an adjacent civic/conventioncenter, all of which will be housed on the110-acre parcel known as the Burrowproperty. The Hall will enjoy a dedicated30 acres of the property, which willinclude ponds, gardens and an aquatic-education center. The entire project isestimated to cost in excess $17 millionwith structures that will encompass101,000 square feet. Support the BFHOFby becoming a member. Call 888.690.2277for more information.
Nominate yourfavorite smallbusiness todayThe Retail Committee of theCullman Area Chamber ofCommerce is proud to providespecial recognition to our smallbusiness community by presentingone (1) monthly recognition awardand one (1) yearly award. Monthlyaward winners will be consideredthe nominees for the yearlyrecognition award to be presentedat the Cullman Area Chamber ofCommerce Annual Meeting heldeach February. VisitCullmanChamber.org to show somelove to your favorite business.
The Chamber’s Youth Leadershipclass visited Hulaco Youth and FamilyCamp in Baileyton. This trip gavethem an opportunity to work throughfears and help with team buildingskills. Thanks to Kuenn Drake ofHulaco Camp for helping to make thisa great day.
CoC Washington Fly-In | Oct. 9-10
Galin Enterprises
www.merchantsbankal.com
Thank you to our T-shirt sponsor:
Thank you to ourScholarship sponsors:Webb Wheel Products, IncCullman Regional Medical CenterCullman Internal MedicineAction Environmental, LLCCullman Rotary ClubCarmen Moss DMD
SMALL BUSINESS
OF THE MONTH
1830 Cherokee Avenue SW(256) 735-1650
chick-fil-a.com/cullman
Brought to you by:
facebook.com/MoesOriginalBBQCullman
October 5-12, 2013cullmanoktoberfest.com
Please be sure to get out with your familyand support these local events!
October 19, 2013facebook.com/
MudCreekArtsAndCrafts
November 9-10, 2013christmasincullman.com
The Chamber’s Annual WashingtonFly-In co-sponsored by Cullman-Jefferson Gas and the CullmanCounty Industrial DevelopmentBoard/City of Cullman IndustrialDevelopment Board is set forOctober 10. The purpose of theChamber’s annual Fly-In is to thankour delegation for their past supportand to encourage them to keep ourCullman area high on their priority listwith regard to development projectsand issues affecting businesses.
Attention Businesses:If your business will be offering a way for the community to “GIVE BACK” duringthe holidays, please be sure to send a link to the Chamber so that we can postit on our facebook page. Email your information to [email protected].
LEADERSHIPSESSION
OCTOBER 17, 2013“EDUCATION”
www.merchantsbankal.com
Sponsored by:
Thank you to our Breakfast Sponsor:RED DOOR CLOTHING
The program is designed to identify,prepare and build upon leadershipresources within Cullman County. Itbrings leaders together to discuss thepresent and future direction of ourcounty and prepares them forgreater involvement throughvolunteer roles in the community.The program consists of eightmonthly meetings focused onvarious topics such as education,criminal justice, local government,health care, state government,economic development, and qualityof life. For more information contactthe Chamber at 256-734-0454
Kids: Get yourpicture taken with“Buddy the Elf”
*While Supplies Last
NOVEMBER 9TH - 10AM to 3PMFREE Gift Wrapping*301 2nd Avenue SW, Cullman, AL
CoC Merchants: During Christmas in Cullman Chamber will be offering
Window Display
CONTEST
Cullman Area CoC Christmas
Details @ www.cullmanchamber.org
Cullman Shopping Center
Thank you to our T-shirt sponsor:
To sponsor a student [email protected]
