Published: December 23, 2008 10:38 pm            

Chamber column: An early Christmas present

A couple of Fridays ago, I received an early Christmas present. Melanie Suggs (executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority) and I attended a meeting in Chattanooga led by the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. Those attending (about 200) came to hear a presentation highlighting the lessons learned from those who traveled to northwest South Carolina to study the effects of BMW locating there.

The trip was conducted by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. The invitation was signed by the mayor of Chattanooga and the mayor of Hamilton County. Those invited to attend (Ms. Suggs represented us) were representative of area businesses, governments and non-profits from the tri-state region.

The group was divided into four study tracks: K-12 education; higher education and workforce development; industrial development and physical infrastructure; and relocation marketing, community assimilation and quality of life.

What was my Christmas present you ask? Regional collaboration. Beginning with the invitation for our community to participate on the fact-finding mission, and ending with a fantastic presentation of the lessons learned has been just the kind of present I have been wanting.

Now, in all reality, we may not be successful in recruiting any Volkswagen-related supplier. Although I think that is highly unlikely, it is possible. The real news from this first big step is that the leadership out of Chattanooga realizes exactly what I spoke about last week. We have to do things differently in today’s world. Collaboration at all levels is critical to the success of each individual stakeholder and to that of the larger entity as well.

I will discuss the lessons learned in more detail at a later date, but they include:

1. Regional cooperation is imperative.

2. Brace for changes in education and training

3. Be transparent in hiring and Vender contracting.

4. Pay attention to minority involvement.

5. Create effective communication channels.

6. Bridge the cultures.

7. Prepare for growth.

8. Calibrate expectations.

As you can see, the group went with an aggressive agenda. After reading the report and witnessing the presentation, they returned with an aggressive to-do list in preparing for the arrival of Volkswagen.

I am extremely proud of the leadership Chattanooga is showing in preparing for this game-changing event. The entire region will be affected. The question is, “Will we be reactively affected or proactively affected?” I am confident we will be proactively affected if all stakeholders look at our future through a new and improved paradigm. If we employ all of the assets at our disposal, plan well, work hard and work together, we can do anything! The Greater Dalton community has a proud manufacturing heritage. Less make it even stronger as we diversify and prosper.

From all of us at the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!



Brian Anderson is president and CEO of the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce

        

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