Networking Program Aims to Boost Small Businesses
Published Apr 07, 2006
Jeff Eaves, of Appalachia Business Communications Corp. in Johnson City, networks with Michelle Proctor, ECD coordinator of the Business Matchmaking Program.
New businesses in search of new customers are getting a helping hand through the state’s Business Matchmaking program, designed to boost small-business growth.
It’s a match for success, according to Genma Holmes, owner of Holmes Pest Control in Hermitage and a participant in a recent matchmaking event.
“The business matchmaking event gave us regional and national exposure and expanded our networking base,” says Holmes. “The relationships and contracts that have resulted from the matchmaking event have turned our long-term goals into short-term goals.”
Holmes used the event to network, meet with potential customers and form strategic alliances with other pest-control companies. She says the contacts made at the matchmaking conference have continued to pay off.
As an example, Holmes says, she met a small-restaurant owner at the conference who expressed a need for a pest control company.
“He was so pleased with our quality control that he recommended us to other small-restaurant owners, which has resulted in eight new restaurant customers,” Holmes says.
The matchmaking conference Holmes attended generated $2.5 million in new contracts for the 800 small businesses that participated. Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber says he hopes the department will hear more success stories like Holmes’ in the coming months.
“Tennessee Business Matchmaking events allow larger corporations, manufacturers and government agencies the opportunity to meet small, diversity and women-owned businesses that can compete in procurement processes,” Kisber says. “Due to the nature of the procurement process, contracts aren’t guaranteed at the events, but it does provide an opportunity for small businesses to get their foot in the door and build relationships.”
ECD’s Business Enterprise Resource Office organized the series of statewide business matchmaking conferences in 2006, visiting Johnson City, Nashville and Memphis. Co-sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the event matched the smaller businesses with other organizations and businesses for 15-minute appointments.
Tennessee is the first state to organize its own statewide matchmaking events.
“It’s like speed dating for businesses,” says ECD Assistant Commissioner of Business Services Rick Meredith. “You have 15 minutes to pitch your business and then you are on to another opportunity.”
For small businesses, Meredith says, the event means a chance to make connections with companies they’ve never done business with, to renew past connections and to network with other small businesses that may need their services.
“Business matchmaking creates opportunities for small businesses to hold personal, one-on-one meetings with potential clients that might have taken some weeks or even months to schedule on their own,” Meredith says. “The potential for business growth is huge just by the opportunity to sit down with a large corporation ready to hear about your product.”
The business matchmaking program will visit other regions of the state in 2007.
For More Information
Business Matchmaking
tnecd.gov/matchmaking
Story by Maury Rich
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