Columbia businesses shoot… and score!

As I’m listening to radio coverage about the Mizzou Tigers’ exciting basketball win over Memphis, I hear one program host talk about concepts such as self-confidence, leadership and stepping up. I hear another broadcaster muse about overnight success, “Did these guys come out of nowhere or have all their games been so exciting?!”

Recent issues of the Columbia Business Times have featured several business groups and individuals who, like our over achieving Tigers, are sudden stars on our horizon: Leadership Columbia, Class of 2009; Junior Leadership Columbia; the 20 Under 40 Class of 2009 and this year’s Small Business of the Year Award Finalists. I suspect that, like a sports team that practices its skill sets repeatedly for months, the people and organizations receiving these recognitions have invested in a journey over time to reach their goals.

We usually don’t see individuals or businesses receive the recognition, loyalty and enthusiastic support we shower on our favorite teams. Often, professionals toil away in anonymity, doing their jobs, doing what’s right, and investing in their businesses, their community, and themselves. I fully support rallying behind our hometown teams, win or lose, but perhaps we should also do more to support the people and organizations that rally our hometowns.

If you look at the lists of those recognized, you see common themes of involvement and giving back. Even the juniors in high school who populate the Junior Leadership Class, whose applications I had the privilege of sorting through, have impressive, if not daunting, schedules of clubs, teams and causes to attend to. And while they are investing in themselves, they are investing in their community.

Like many successful businesses that understand the value of stepping up, individuals who shine as leaders and achievers are usually ones who understand the value of making connections and contributions beyond those made at school, work or home. In fact, there are many small or new businesses that would benefit greatly by mimicking that example. After all, you build the image and reputation of your business much the same way one builds his or her credentials on a resume.

I applaud our local chamber of commerce and business community for developing programs that not only recognize people and organizations for their accomplishments and contributions, but work to develop these stars even further. And this publication does an excellent job of providing some of the publicity these honorees deserve. We can contribute as well, by cheering on and supporting their growth, and by patronizing the businesses for which they work. We know success doesn’t come out of nowhere, but when we encounter those on the path, it is important that we nurture them along the journey so they continue to invest their efforts close to home.

Lili Vianello is President of Visionworks Marketing & Communications, a Columbia-based full service advertising, marketing and public relations firm. Contributions to this article were made by Visionworks staff members. Visit them online at www.visionworks.com.