There are many business owners who wish that they lived in a community where municipal governments were more supportive. They have been working in collision repair in Windsor for decades, generating revenues and employing many people within the population. And yet, there is doubt that the heads of the city government even know of their existence, let alone the specific challenges faced by that particular business. Wouldn't it be great to have an arena where you could present your business and all its benefits to those in charge of a city?
Well, the city of Fresno has created just such a forum for the businesses that call the city home. The Prime Time for Business program was created late in 2009, making it a very new initiative and one which is unique in the state. The program was conceived by the mayor as well as the input of the committee for the revitalization of the downtown area of Fresno. It doesn't matter if a business sells used woodworking equipment or develops microchips, is a stalwart of the community or a start up, many owners have the chance to let council know what they are doing in the city during some much sought after one on one time with the local governing bodies.
Prime Time for Business is very aptly named. The head of the selected business is given exclusive rights to the floor during a city council meeting at this time. For ten minutes, you as a business owner can highlight what they do, talk about why they choose to do business in Fresno, and mention a few pressing things which directly affect business success in the city.
The trick to making the Prime Time for Business plan work for you (after getting selected for a presentation of course, which we will talk about below) is giving an effective presentation. That means not focusing too much on the details of your day to day business. Although offering process calibrator strategies to others in the area might be your bread and butter, keep in mind that the people viewing your presentation are more interested, and can more easily follow, economic numbers and results. So focus on who you do business with, what kind of numbers you bring in, and future plans more than details.
There are several criteria which must be met in order for a business to qualify. A tube cutting business which operates strictly in city limits, for example, may not be selected. Council is interested in hearing the stories of larger businesses, who bring in money from outside of the city.
Likewise, some business owners will have an advantage over others. If you are a woman operating a business which manufactures automated packaging systems, you are likely to be selected over a male owned business with a similar focus.
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