Deconstructing construction ...
Heather Cairns - Framed!
July 2003
Managing a small business in turbulent times is kind of like learning to sail. It's really easy to remain within your comfort zone, but at times, you've just got to get out there, let go and see where your energy will take you.
The balance between exhilaration and tension is sometimes difficult to achieve. Like many businesses in Old Ottawa South experiencing road construction, I wake up each day to a new challenge.
Like a shifting wind while sailing, small business is subject to influences beyond our control, and the process of moving along with a clear sense of direction is difficult in challenging circumstances. For me, and for some of my retail peers this potentially devastating event has been as equally rewarding as difficult. Surprised? Here's some positive benefits I would like to share with you.
Developing Navigation Skills
News about infrastructure renewal programs, traffic issues and the like are commonplace and as citizens of Ottawa, we are used to hearing about the effects on small business and residents in an urban neighborhood. Fact is, all of us have chosen to be here, and we are the vital elements that create the substance we call neighborhood. Rather than paying slightly less and driving out to the big box stores, an urban ethic makes us feel good about buying from the guy whose kids play soccer with yours. This strong sense of community supports small businesses, and allows them to give in return to schools, charities and local events. Old Ottawa South is physically unique, a neighborhood surrounded by water and navigated by bridges. We are in many ways, the boat.
The process here in Old Ottawa South has driven home how important it is to have flow and communication to understand and to thrive. The immediate neighborhood including all of the K1S postal code represents approximately 25% of the business being done in most of the stores. As I walk down the street and talk to my friends, I find that overwhelming local support is helping us all to keep up our spirits buoyed and fuel our experience. At the end of this season, I anticipate a stronger and more vital sense of ownership for all of us in our little part of the world. We will float a greater boat.
Know your Vessel
Before you get too far from shore, its wise to check the soundness of your business. Several of us emailed around a checklist of things we could do to help watch costs and manage what we could. Included were such things as contract review, mailing list examination, looking for opportunity with your products, repricing, getting rid of unprofitable products and the like. For Framed! we wrote to all of our suppliers and let them know what could occur as a result of construction. The response was overwhelming support. Most businesses made financial arrangements with their banks. Paying attention to detail is vital to keeping your head above the water.
Sail trim and racing tactics
When the potential loss of business due to road construction kept us awake at night at Framed! we spent lots of time talking to friends, fellow business owners and good money manager-types about strategy. At the end of the day, despite advice to cut back controllable expenses (for the record, that always comes down to employees), our decision was this. Come September 30th, and the end of construction (GO GRAYDEX), our personal goal is to keep our staff intact and still own our house. Seem simpleminded? Maybe.
Why? Good staff is the key element to our business success. Our product is only as good as they are. Besides...I like them all. My friend and mentor Jay Goltz, who operates an enormously successful framing business in Chicago, has a favorite saying.... "We don't want you excited, we want you thrilled!" Now how the heck am I supposed to do that if I cut back on staff? To stay the course, save the crew. But TELL them what you are doing!
Positive focus and skillful maneuvering.
Relentless self-promotion, positive attitude and powerful networking with like-minded businesses provide retailers with the opportunity to creatively cross-market and support each other. I could give you examples but, hey! I don't want to give all of the secrets away! Connections made while growing a business association ferreted out the most tenacious of volunteers. Strong like-minded entrepreneurs working together are like no other force.
One of the unique attributes of our neighborhood is the odd mix of interesting businesses most of whom have the owner in the store. I thrive on my bi-weekly conversations with Tatiana, Janine Adamyk, Arthur McGregor of the Folklore Center, Uncle Bob Cabana, and Boomerang Lyne to name just a few.
Together we write local news articles, communicate with Councilor Clive and the city staff dedicated to this construction project, talk to other businesses with words of encouragement, and come up with marketing ideas to promote each other's businesses.
When the bulldozers and backhoes showed up in front of my store, I retreated in shock down the street to the China Connection and Pierre Paradis to find my sense of humor and regain my compass bearings.
Who Wins the Race?
It's now 10 weeks into construction, or constriction if you happen to be stuck in your car on Sunnyside reading the newspaper. We are entering the middle of the season. I won't say it's the most simple of our 20 years at Bank and Sunnyside but I will say it may be the most educational. What I have learned about business and what may be achieved through a cooperative spirit of community purpose will be worth the effort.
Old Ottawa South will emerge much improved with a festive welcome back. The Ottawa Folklore Center has put tremendous effort into establishing our little stretch of Bank Street as the national Folk Walk of Fame. Cast by Canada's oldest foundry, 30 bronze maple leafs will be set through the neighborhood commemorating such greats as Stan Rogers, Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot. Together the businesses and residents will celebrate crossing the finish line a boat length behind the final paving machine.
According to Pat Draper, this is the largest undertaking ever in city history with rebuilding a main artery while keeping business access viable. Some said it could not be done. We are the test case and our successes will affect future projects. It is our hope that the city will document the processes gone through and try to create a template supported by city staff for successful integration of business and community needs during construction of this scale. This way we all win.
In the meantime, Be Constructive! Shop local! and join us for drinks at the club!
Framed!
Having done my bit here,
I return to face the excavator digging in front of my
window.
I check my rattling wares and hope that someone will soon
come to take them to a safer home. It's dusty out there. But
I have a clear vision.
