Business Acceleration Series Part 1

Business Acceleration Series Part 2

"Staffing For The Future"

I. Marketing and Communications

A good story becomes a great story when it is shared!  Marketing and Communications need to be a priority to strengthen the opportunity to attract people and connect with small businesses to thrive in 2021.  Surveys have shown businesses know about 10% of what is available to them, therefore great programs will never be utilized unless the efforts to communicate are intentional.  A great marketing and communication strategy should encompass:

• A strong web platform connecting all parties.  The Montcross Chamber web platform needs to be home based and all other communication flows out, connecting and communicating back to the Chamber.
• Social media platforms need to tell the story of each town, supporting and complementing their efforts.
• Programming and forecasting of all media outreach 30 days in advance.  Key events or activities can be boosted with proper planning and coordination.
• Target activities to specific groups.  Remote workers, small businesses, etc. need to be intentional and targeted.
• Better understand and communicate area assets/offerings. Ex. Access to the airport, new housing developments, affordability, etc.
• Use outreach campaigns to build stronger support, buy in from internal supporters/members.  Educate stakeholders ongoing with metrics, success stories, and ask for their endorsement to become a part of the message.
• Monetize marketing/communication opportunities to expand reach of messaging and organizational opportunities.

II. Small Business Recovery and Growth

2020 has been challenging and enlightening for many small businesses.  2021 is seen as an opportunity for growth, recapture of market opportunities, and new beginnings.  Communities must position themselves to assist, support, and champion opportunities to help small businesses. Small Businesses in 2020 faced many of the following:

• Reduction or loss of revenue opportunities.
• Downsizing or reduction of direct/indirect labor.
• Expanded debt to maintain fixed costs during downturns/shutdowns.
• Reduction in customer spending/subscriptions.
• Changing market dynamics and customer expectations.
• Increased capital expenditures to accommodate market opportunities.
• Short and medium term reevaluation of growing concerns.
• Increase costs for compliance and accommodation.

III. Wealth Creation / Remote Workers Overview

The recent pandemic has illustrated a new economic opportunity, to attract remote workers.   Remote workers tend to be based in higher paying industries, therefore remote workers are more than likely to own homes, and 3 times less likely to lose their jobs in economic downturns.  The following projections illustrate the potential regarding remote works:

• 80% of company leaders plan to allow employees to work remotely at least part of the time after the pandemic.  47% will allow employees to work from home full-time (Gartner).  669 CEO’s were surveyed, 78% agree that remote collaboration is here to stay for the long term. 
• Up to 34% of US Jobs can be performed at home (University of Chicago)
• More than half of home buyers who work remotely say remote work influenced a major home change, whether moving to a different house (28%) or to a different location (24%).
• Remote workers are realizing they have more real estate choices than ever. According to Zillow, 4.5% of renters in the US (nearly 2 million renter households) who would otherwise be priced out of their current market can now purchase a starter home somewhere else in the US, thanks to remote work.

According to Upwork, 41.8% of the American workforce continues to work remotely. Although an estimated 26.7% will still be working from home through 2021, 36.2 million Americans (22% of the workforce) will be working remotely by 2025. This is a staggering 87% increase from the number of remote workers prior to the pandemic!   

IV. Promote and Support Health and Social Impact

Montcross Emerge will assist the area’s public health agencies, hospitals, and medical community in connecting businesses and the public to assure every eligible person is given the opportunity to receive proper health care, health screenings, and vaccinations. 

• Create a “Healthy People - Healthy Business” web page linked to the Montcross Area Chamber and Montcross Emerge. This page would showcase locations to receive vaccinations, health screenings, and other targeted medical treatments.
• Educate and promote a healthy balanced lifestyle
• Offer events such as Family Fun Day which is partnered with local non-profit organizations, athletic facilities, businesses and towns to promote hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, work-out challenges, utilizing the Carolina Thread Trail, and more. These events are catered to the entire family - not just business professionals.
• Connect business success to social determinants and offer options to offset needs in the communities we serve.
• Provide continued education regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, recovery and relief