Businesses and not-for-profit agencies alike can improve themselves by working together — not competing against each other, but competing with each other.

This was a key message of Tuesday afternoon’s Lunch and Learn session hosted by the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. This month’s session entitled “Crucial for Success: Collaboration” addressed how like-minded organizations can achieve more by joining forces with each other.

Among the panelists was Lori Raymie from the Coffee Connection, which joined with Knoxville Hospital and Clinics to open a second shop in the hospital’s main lobby. She tells KNIA/KRLS News its success demonstrates the need for more such businesses in town, and collaborations like this could serve to bring more business to Knoxville.

“We want to draw people in from other communities, we want to attract business from outside of our community; and I think it was mentioned here today we need more than just a shop or two — we need a lot of people working together, and I think also a lot of people, a lot more people willing to take the risk to start a business,” Raymie says.

Collaboration and other matters of interest to Knoxville Chamber members will be addressed at The Coffee Connection’s downtown store tomorrow morning; the first Let’s Meet for Koffee session will be held there, open to anyone with the Chamber with questions, concerns or just an interest in meeting other business owners in town.