By Jeanette Fanning
March 23, 2009

Savannah Mayor Otis S. Johnson hosted the third annual Small Business Conference, which presented attendees with tools to succeed in economic turmoil in reference to the current economic times. “Because of the economic climate, this is about how to survive,” Johnson said. The 250 registrants all had the same goal: to keep their companies open. He emphasized the necessity of networking and information sharing between companies as key points of a successful company.

The annual conference has two main goals: networking opportunities and business/economic development information. Roundtable discussions, executive coaching and workshops gave attendees opportunities to understand these goals. When small businesses are given the tools to thrive, a city is able to flourish. The city’s vision statement – “Savannah will be a safe, environmentally healthy, and economically thriving community for all its citizens” – can only be met through a prospering small business network.

For the third year in a row, American Management Services CEO George A. Cloutier spoke on behalf of the MSBC Executive Coaching Program. Cloutier also serves as the co-chair of Partner America™, a public/private partnership between The U.S. Conference of Mayors and American Management Services. Partner America™ works with cities on behalf of small to medium sized businesses to increase sales and performance

Cloutier gave tips from his upcoming book, “Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing,” to be published this year by Harper Collins, on how to really boost profits. Cloutier focused on the importance of the PartnerAmerica™ Business Survey. The Survey provides 75-100 hours of on'site business analysis, an in depth review of financial performance, and an analysis of strengths and weaknesses offered at a nominal cost through PartnerAmerica™. In order for a small business to maximize profits, every part of the business needs to be thoroughly understood.

Chris Hanks of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business gave a workshop on business survival tips. Keynote speaker Suzanne Shank, CEO of investment banking firm Siebert, Brandford, Shank and Co., and a host of roundtable discussions concluded the event. Attendees at the conference learned about the many possibilities they have to be survivors through training, discipline, development, and finance from survivors themselves.

For more information on the Partner America Program and how to host an event in your city, contact Jeffrey Bean at 202-446-8140 or jbean@usmayors.org.