The Power of Collaboration

The main street was often empty. 

The retailers of Ashburton had been lobbying the local council for a year to fix major parking woes in the CBD.

Elderly customers were walking into stores exhausted and in tears about the difficulty of the parking machines, and the fear of the $40 fine for not getting it right. 

The council had seemed peachy-keen to help in every meeting.

But declined to make any progress.

Despite the close competition between them, the retailers decided it was time to band together to create change. So they did and hired me to execute a public engagement campaign.

I chomped at the bit. 

And it re-ignited my passion for retail and small business.

Because I saw first-hand that they were forgotten about.

And if they were forgotten about, so too were their customers – the public.

So we ran a petition, a digital campaign, and the newspapers loved it.

The engagement was so high that at the next council meeting – council had to take action. They finally agreed to a trial of free parking on the main street.

Within three months the entire main street was fitted with Smart Parking digital technology that allowed for free parking for one hour, making it simple and easy for everyone.

The parking fine revenue for council has remained consistent. Parking wardens can do their jobs more efficiently. And the main street is full, but with fast turnover of vehicles.

It's a win-win-win-win.

If you're ready to influence, make connections, push boundaries and get the support you should be getting, let's talk!

http://go.janicemckay.co.nz/scheduling

With Heart,
 
Janice