There Are No Walls Between W.Va. Cities
Written by Brian Alcorn on July 31, 2007
When I started a business in West Virginia several years ago, my venture began in Charleston. As I developed relationships with local business owners, a few took me under their wings and gave advice on the do’s and don’ts of conducting business in West Virginia. One don’t I occasionally heard was: “People in Charleston don’t do business with people in Huntington.” I asked why, but never got a good answer. To them it was a statement of fact like, “The sky is blue.” Something you don’t question, but just is.
As I started doing more business across the state, I occasionally heard the same don’t except the city names would change. For example: “People in Fairmont don’t do business with people in Morgantown.”
Building business is all about building professional relationships, and in some cases the best such opportunities lie in nearby cities. In fact I have seen a lot of business happen between people in the cities mentioned above. I myself have never run into a wall between any two West Virginia cities, but I have heard talk about such a thing.
Professionals that believe in this don’t are creating a false reality. It limits their potential to expand business relationships and profitability. Have you ever allowed such thinking to affect your business practices? More importantly, how have you gotten around such perceived walls?
~ Alcorn is an executive director with BNI (Business Network International) in West Virginia and Southwestern Virginia.
Posted in Business, Culture, Economy, West Virginia
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August 1st, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Not to take away from West Virginia, but we hear the same prevailing attitude in Southwest Virginia. Roanoke/Salem is one particular example that comes to mind.
My question: How much is this costing business, both as the customer and vendor?
The last time I looked the currency was the same and there was no border crossing. It is the short-sighted perception of this “barrier” that fuels this mentality.
Business should make a commitment to overcome these perceived barriers. Go after good business in any town. Do your homework, make your objective clear, let them know why they should be doing business with you, ask for the sale and overcome any objections.
August 1st, 2007 at 5:41 pm
As long as it doesn’t break any laws or ethics and is profitable, I would do business with anybody in any part of the state.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:54 pm
I agree with both Brian and Neal. As a professional that grew up in West Virginia and one that has worked in Virginia for the past twenty years, I have seen this attitude in both states.
I have been fortunate to be involved with several business professionals both in West Virginia and Virginia that DO NOT believe the do’s and don’ts that Brian highlighted. They have taught me how to do business by relationship, NOT by geographic location.
A dollar is a dollar and it does not have boundaries in our own states or regions.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Groups Working for Business Unity
I would like to mention two wonderful organizations trying to unite people of our region. As a member of Leadership Tri-State, class of 2005, I would encourage area organizations to send a representative annually to participate in this mind expanding experience. By the end of eight monthly sessions, graduates will have developed a network of relationships with leaders throughout the region. They will have deeper insights and a broader knowledge of the issues facing the tri-state. Contact Executive Dir. Sharon Walker at (606) 324-1787 for more information. Another group trying to improve the region is the Advantage Valley, representing twelve counties in three states that have joined together to promote economic growth.
These groups are NOT comprised of people who say, “We do not do business with….”. We need more like them!
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
[...] “There Are No Walls Between West Virginia Cities” | July 31, 2007 Filed under: Media, West Virginia by Jason Keeling on June 3, 2008| [...]
June 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
You are all missing the “positive” here! you don’t do business with a competing city because that is business lost in Your Own City! It’s something that was lost many years before most of you were born. sure sometimes it’s cheaper to buy from a supplier somewhere else but it’s called the high cost of low price! Discontinue buying from your local supplier and your entire economic infrastructure collapses! Simple!
Just ask Wal-mart how effectively it works! All of the post that I read inadvertently focused on the negative of this comment. Spin it to a positive and remember that when you spend locally, you receive locally. Sure sometimes it’s next to impossible to buy from a local supplier (especially when it’s a Good ole’ boys supplier) but if you chase the cheap price don’t stop at state,City or County boundaries, You might as well start shopping your wares in places like Mexico, India, and even Sri Lanka! I’m sure the Sri Lankan manufacturer of your product will donate to your local Strawberry or Pumpkin festival the way the local manufacturer does! There’s allot to be said for local loyalty…..
That’s my View, I may be wrong……
Since I’ve tried for years to return to my roots and move my factory back to WV, I challenge a response. If it’s just gas, please pass that in private…. I’ve even met with the Gov. to take him up on the offer of “open for Business” but that only seems to exist on the recently removed signs! “BTW, Those signs were made in Kentucky!” The root of the WV stigma is not with the people. My heart is there. My business has to be elsewhere or I would be a statistical report of failure. Sorry I did try…
Best regards to all. Now In agreement with the statement, Local suppliers now have to answer to a global market and must stay sharp! We owe it to our most valuable asset which is our customers. So,hold them accountable for “earning your business” This will eliminate allot of the “good ole’ boys” and place them where they belong. In a grave which geologically would be referred to as “evolve or dissolve”