Workshop: "Competition vs. Collaboration"

Competition is often viewed negatively by businesses. In addition, collaboration may be viewed as "helping the enemy." However, both competition and collaboration can be good things and should be viewed as competitive collaboration rather than distinct and negative practices. For example, in athletics we often view competition as a good thing - something that helps each competitor become stronger. A similar view can be taken for local businesses who feel they are competing with each other for every dollar of disposable income. The goal of this Chamber of Commerce discussion led by Professor Gavin Fox is to help reframe your notions of competition and collaboration with particular emphasis given to the relatively small populations within areas of Rockbridge County. Topics that will be covered in the discussion include the value of variety, customer experiences, customer orientation, sustainability, maintaining a strong individual brand, promoting a strong overall local brand, differentiation, cost-focused collaboration, and revenue-focused collaboration.