#1 - Educate the public as to the merits of supporting local independent businesses.
(99 points)
# 2 - Lobby legislative bodies to enact legislation favorable to, and oppose legislation destructive of, independent businesses.
(90 points)
#3 - Organize METROiba members and the public to actively oppose commercial developments, legislation, etc. which would prove damaging to independent businesses.
(70 points)
#4 - Provide opportunities for METROiba members to periodically meet to discuss current problems or opportunities. Such meetings could incorporate guest speakers on pertinent topics.
(55 points)
#5 - Maintain and make available to the public a list of METROiba members and encourage their patronage.
(53 points)
#6 - Develop programs to offer savings to METROiba members through group purchasing programs (insurance, business supplies, etc).
(48 points)
Other ideas...
- All are important. (3 responses)
- Cooperative advertising and speakers on mainstream radio.
Partner with other organizations to conduct a LOCAL economic impact study of independent vs chains.
Market ourselves as a community asset and as a unique group of stores worth shopping at.
Educational sessions / member presentations and roundtable discussion on “good business practices” to learn from each other.
Question 2: Has your business been impacted directly by a chain store in the last two years? If so, how?
Hurt more by web retailers. (2 responses)
Outsourcing (2 responses)
WalMart, etal, has driven small “real” business out of business. These are my customers.
Soon to have a large chain store move in 1 mile down the road – city council didn't have to approve it but did.
FedEx / Kinkos is killing the competition and independent retailers.
Chain stores sell lots of cheap, poorly made bikes. We can't compete on price, but when they want their chain store bikes repaired, they end up in our shop.
Currently there are many chain stores selling books.
Indirectly by increased lease costs driven up by nearby national stores.
Our business is a response to the trend against the chain mentality.
No (4 responses)
Question 3: Are there any particular topics or areas of interest on which you would like to have additional information either from guest speakers, METROiba directed research or by exchange of experiences with other METROiba members?
- The health care crisis.
Finding available public funding or loans for small businesses / micro loans.
Keep us informed on the “boring” stuff like zoning battles. Maybe enlist the local newspapers, neighborhood newsletters.
Get a PR person involved.
Value stats / positions of independent small business.
How to change city rules.
Local and regional updates on what's impacting independents.
Local economic impact study comparing independents and nationals.
A “how to” session on raising capital.
Sessions on: How to Hire Employees, Negotiate leases, create effective advertising copy, develop a unique business identity, cost savings, etc.
Zoning to limit formula businesses on neighborhood retail corridors.