Whether your business is in Halifax, Dartmouth, Amherst, Truro or elsewhere, the business community in Nova Scotia, and elsewhere, have seen its ups and downs. Depending where you operate your business, you may have seen harder times than others. But regional success can be achieved through business partnerships.
I think of areas like Amherst, Cape Breton, Yarmouth and Shelburne that have struggled in the changing economic times. For a region to be successful in its efforts to market to the world, small business must rise up to the new challenges in marketing. We cannot take a wait and see approach to business these days.
Instead of looking at the negative situations that we may find ourselves in, the people and businesses of Nova Scotia need to (1) focus on positive actions for moving forward and (2) actively look for a path that will lead us all to greater economic success. (Note: if your business is located outside Nova Scotia, please insert your area. We all face similar challenges.)
I see areas within regions proactively uniting and promoting themselves to the bigger global markets. I have been hearing the same message: “We need to promote our area to the world”. And yet many areas stall because they cannot generate the unity required to achieve success. Unity of purpose is key to success in marketing your area to the world.
As a business, I have been thinking about regions and how I can help them do better economically. Previously, I had an opportunity to help seed an idea for an “E-Smart Community” in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Currently, I am looking to help another area do something amazing with business and marketing.
I see a trend emerging whereby regions will have to look after their own destiny. Small business needs to be the heartbeat of the region, not government. Small businesses can weather the storms of the economy better. They create a stable foundation for a healthy economy.
My grandfather, McCusker Brown, used to tell me “Talk is cheap, it takes money to buy rum“. I now see the wisdom in his words. Anyone can point out a problem, but it takes a real effort to point out and provide a solution to a problem. It takes a “Get ‘er Done Attitude” to aggressively pursue smart risks to achieve success.
I believe this can be Nova Scotia’s finest hour if we stop looking at the problems and start providing and implementing real solutions.
I believe that Nova Scotians are brilliant people and that they are very resourceful. It is time for both (1) business leaders to rise up with solutions that will work and (2) government to actively listen and work with business. We have a window to work in and once it is gone, we will lose this opportunity to take our place in the business world as a region to be reckoned with.
It is time for Nova Scotians to put their heads together to come up with real solutions and position this area for success. It’s time for regions in Nova Scotia to actively promote what they have to the world. And it’s time for local areas to stop their single-mindedness and co-operate with other areas for the greater good.
As my part of the solution, I will be extolling the values of our area to outside businesses. I will be trying to create as much buzz as possible to get the world’s attention focused here. The only question remaining is this: “What will you do to be part of the solution?”
So here’s to a great day of business for you.
