Springfield Chamber: Best small firms see solutions where others see problems

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It's easy to see why our community and our nation set aside a week each year to recognize the contributions of small businesses. Everywhere you go you see them. They employ most of us. As they grow and prosper they create the majority of new jobs in our communities, states and nation. Some will go on to become the large businesses of tomorrow. |ret||ret||tab|

They constitute nearly all of new business relocation growth and are responsible for most of the growth in our economy. But perhaps more important to the average Joe is the small businesses which supply our daily wants and needs.|ret||ret||tab|

This year the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce will again join others in our community to celebrate Small Business Week, May 6-10. |ret||ret||tab|

"Building The Future" is the theme for the week, and it's certainly fitting. Our future prosperity will undoubtedly continue to depend largely upon the health and vitality of the small business community. Locally, Small Business Week activities include a kickoff breakfast, networking opportunities, seminars and workshops, and announcement of the chamber's 2002 Small Business of the Year. Brochures detailing the week's offerings are available at most banks or at the chamber of commerce.|ret||ret||tab|

My involvement in the selection process for the 2002 W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year Award provides access to a lot of interesting information about some of the best, most innovative companies in Springfield. This year we received 39 nominations and 18 applications. |ret||ret||tab|

The Business Journal is profiling the five companies that were chosen as finalists for the award. Their stories are truly interesting and inspiring. But there's much to be learned from the remaining "semifinalists," who have each faced particular challenges and yet have managed to succeed where many fail. |ret||ret||tab|

One applicant is a limousine company that grappled with the need for clean-cut, service-oriented, dedicated and reliable drivers within an environment where the ability to offer full-time employment and superior pay and benefits is limited. |ret||ret||tab|

Its solution has been to recruit retirees who have worked in fields that prepared them for work in the passenger-transportation business. The result is a superior work force that fits with the culture of this type of business.|ret||ret||tab|

A construction company that is smaller than many of its competitors has included in its strategy a way to keep the best employees. Because the construction industry regularly experiences significant ups and downs, it can be hard for a company to keep its employees working year-round, which in turn makes it hard to hold on to the best people. |ret||ret||tab|

This company keeps the work coming by taking on difficult and unusual projects that others will not attempt. The owner believes his approach has paid off because a worker who does not have to worry about running out of work always works harder to get the job done.|ret||ret||tab|

A floor-covering contractor that's been in business for 22 years has embraced technology to help it offer the best possible products and service and maintain that competitive edge. Selling and laying carpet may seem like a low-tech proposition, but this small business now utilizes 18 computers to place orders via the Internet and to communicate using e-mail. They also use technology for computerized drawings and layouts.|ret||ret||tab|

A copy machine company needed badly to differentiate itself from other companies with very similar products. A huge investment in advertising provided the solution. Its unique ads combined just the right blend of humor and information to support its core marketing and branding strategies. |ret||ret||tab|

It now enjoys the best name recognition in Springfield and sales have doubled in the last three years.|ret||ret||tab|

An engineering design service realized 14 years ago that they would have to enter the age of computerized drafting. But the new computer aided drafting and design programs did not fit their needs. |ret||ret||tab|

So it was decided that they would design their own program. One of the owners worked from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day for an entire year to develop all the software that would eventually become the cornerstone of the company.|ret||ret||tab|

The wise entrepreneur will take time to study what strategies the best of the best have used to realize success. Building The Future is what it's all about.|ret||ret||tab|

(Sonja Chasteen is the business assistance manager for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.)[[In-content Ad]]