|
|
|
Are You Profiting From O.P.P.?
Are you profiting from O.P.P.? If not, why not?
We know many of you have the desire and dream of running your own home-based business. But, like so many people, you're not sure where or how to start.
You're not sure what type of business...
Learn All About Feng Shui Money Trees
A feng shui money tree is an indoor plant used in order to attract prosperity and wealth into any space. The feng shui money tree's botanical name is Pachira, and its care requires the average sun light and watering that any other indoor plant...
Learning from Voom
Voom was thought to be the company that would be able to compete with DirecTV and Dish Network in satellite service. However, after a $650 million loss it became clear that the company needed more than technology. By looking inside the Voom...
Now YOU Can Invest Like The Rich at a FRACTION of the cost!
Through the use of the little known and private world of Bank Debenture Trading Programs the average person has been given the opportunity to invest in the same arena as the "Big Boys!" These Bank Debenture Trading Programs used to be out of the...
What To Ask Before You Hire Security Services For Your Buisness
Most business owners never think about what they security need for, they just want to know how much it will cost them! This has a variety of adverse affects on your business right away! First the old cliché, “You get what you pay for” has never...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
How to Get Your Small Business to Succeed
When I’m in Omaha on business, I stay with an old friend, Richard. This is how our day begins. “I’m going for doughnuts,” he says. “What would you like?”
Much as I hate to begin my day with doughnuts, I also love to begin my day with doughnuts … and it can’t hurt once every six months or so.
“Where are you going I ask? Krispy Kreme? Dunkin’ Doughnuts?”
Richard tenses up. “Corporate doughnuts?” he glowers. “No way. I go to 5 AM Doughnuts.”
Richard is a small businessman and one of his principles is to patronize other small business owners when he possibly can.
Take Advantage of What You Know
Did you ever think about this? If you run a small business, you know many things:
·How hard to you work.
·The exceptional service and products you offer.
·How hard it is to compete with major chains, corporate “stores,” and discount franchises.
·That, therefore, you must be exceptional.
·That you offer a better product for a decent price, better service, and a greater value.
·That if people don’t patronize your business, you’re not going to make it, and your neighborhood will lose a great asset.
It happened in the town where I live overnight. For years we had been patronizing “locals.” There was a wonderful book store with a quaint name and unique appearance. The woman who ran it was the owner’s son and had taught elementary school for more years than I had been alive. When I went in there with my son, in elementary school at the time, she lavished attention upon him. She would go and get a book she recommended and place it in his hands. She would tell him why he would like it (or tell me why it would be “good for him”) with glowing eyes and enthusiasm in her voice.
She knew her stock, she loved books, she loved children, she knew parents … and when the store went under, when the big book stores moved in, our community lost a great asset. My son and I felt the loss personally.
There are ways in which small businesses can’t compete. It’s hard to get the price down to the rock-bottom that larger chains offer, but sometimes there are much greater benefits, and you will get more value for your dollar. That woman had a knack for picking books for a 10 year-old boy that helped feed a lifetime love of learning. Yes, I was teaching this at home, but you know how it is – confirmation from someone other than “Mother” works well.
Your Policy as a Small Business Owner
If you have a small business, consider making it your policy to patronize other small businesses. Look for the local book store, local hardware store, and yes, the “5 AM Donuts” store on the corner.
From your website, to photography, to clothing, to the corner pub or ethnic restaurant, you can often get a much better experience at the local level. Small business owners are free to meet the specific needs of the community, and sometimes a lot more interested in doing so.
In marketing and graphics, especially, you will often get a far better deal with an independent owner. Having worked both on my own, and for marketing companies, I saw what went on behind the scenes. A website designed by a talented individual who cares has a special feel to it – the personal touch that’s needed for selling on the Internet. When you contract with a large operation, your account may be signed over to the lowest person on the totem pole, and you’ll get a cookie-cutter product churned out by someone under time pressure, not free to reach for excellence. There are incredible deals on website design out there from individuals working alone, and this
is just one example.
The Stores
Small business owners often staff their store themselves, or with family. It is rare that the owner isn’t around a lot – either actually working, or just hanging out to make sure things go well, and to greet customers and get to know their patrons.
If you think about it, there are still some areas where you simply don’t see franchises. I could be mistaken, because I live in South Texas and haven’t been everywhere in the US yet, but I’ve never seen a franchised Greek restaurant. In my town, at least, the local Greek restaurants are absolutely superb, including the totally best French fries and salads in town, not just the “Greek food.”
They are all family-owned and either staffed by family, or the owner is always there, and his family is often sitting at one of the back tables, the children doing homework, the wife “pitching in.” With such attention to detail, you know things are going to work well, and if there were some incident needing addressing, there’s no trouble “talking with the owner.” He or she is right there, in your face.
Small business owners are heavily invested in their own businesses and this often produces a high level of excellence. If they don’t, they won’t make it. We expect a higher standard from them, and we get it.
It’s no secret that it particularly shows in the staff. It’s common to walk into a major chain and find salespeople who are not familiar with the products, not well trained in either sales or people skills, and decidedly disinterested in serving customers or making a go of the concern. Also you may not see the same salesperson twice in a one; the turnover is high.
Small businesses don’t have the huge advertising budgets large chains do. They’re dependent upon word-of-mouth and it shows. They can’t afford to alienate a customer who makes it into their store. You are noticed and valued.
“Texas” Candy
I had out-of-town company this week, and was playing tourist in my own town with her. In one stretch of highway crammed with “buy here” stores, we stopped at “Texas Candy.” This was my friend’s request. She wanted a “Texas experience,” and yes, we got one.
The woman behind the counter in the small and divine-smelling store, had put out samples of everything they sold. Except the cinnamon rolls which we could smell and which, she said, were warm from the oven. Could we resist buying some?
Beyond the samples, we were an “event” in the small store. Company had come! She chatted with my friend and gave us a warm experience, with superior product well-presented. We would’ve missed so much if we’ve stopped at the store that begins with an S and is on every highway in the US.
My friend is still talking about how “friendly” Texans are!
Patronizing other small businesses makes a statement, and shows your commitment. At the same time, you learn. A small establishment which manages to make it – restaurants particularly having a high failure ratio – is doing something right, something you need to know about it you want to succeed.
The TAKE HOME POINT AGAIN: If you want YOUR small business to succeed, patronize OTHER small businesses, and let others know.
About the Author
©Susan Dunn, marketing coach, http://www.webstrategies.cc . Ebook writing and launch, web strategies, marketing and promotion, press releases, web design, writing copy, brochures, article-writing and submission. Full-service, consultation and implementation, advice and resources. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for free ezine, put “checklist” for subject line.
|
|
|
|
|
| Finance - Leases-Leasing Ezine Articles |
| EzineArticles.com allows ezine or email list publishers to upload or download free expert content that can be used within email newsletters or websites. |
| ezinearticles.com |
|
| Finance: Leases Leasing Articles from EzineArticles.com |
| http://ezinearticles.com/?cat=Finance:Leases-Leasing Free Content For Your Ezine or Website http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ Why use your ... |
| ezinearticles.com |
|
| Leases Leasing - Money & Finance Articles |
| Leases Leasing - Money & Finance Articles. Money & Finance | Accounting & Payroll | Bankruptcy | Business & Loans | Credit Tips | Currency-Trading ... |
| www.article99.com |
|
| Finance » Leases Leasing » Absolute Article Directory |
| Absolute Article Directory: Finance, Leases Leasing. |
| www.absolutearticle.com |
|
| - Leases-Leasing |
| By David Springer | On January 29, 2006 | In Leases-Leasing | Rated. Short on cash, but need equipment? Consider leasing what you need. ... |
| www.articlebar.com |
|
| Leases Leasing |
| You are here: Article Directory arrow Article Directory arrow Finance arrow Leases Leasing ... Leases Leasing. Articles ... |
| www.rumorist.com |
|
| Long Term Car Rental Italy Auto Rentals Leases Leasing Rome Milan ... |
| Long Term Car Rental Italy Auto Rentals Leases Leasing Rome Milan Florence One Way Paris London Frankfurt Madrid Lisbon. |
| www.ideamerge.com |
|
| europe car rental leases leasing one way rentals long term renault ... |
| pictured is the Renault Laguna Estate, With Renault tax-free, short-term auto leasing you get the exact, brand-new vehicle you reserve, plus unlimited miles ... |
| www.ideamerge.com |
|
| Private Fleet - Finance, Insurance, novated leases, leasing, CHP ... |
| New Car Broker Australia. Private Fleet sales discounts on your new car purchase, no haggle, no hassle saving $1000s off all new and used cars for private ... |
| www.privatefleet.com.au |
|
| Projector Leases, Leasing Companies for LCD, DLP, LCOS projectors |
| Projector leasing programs and services. Choose a company. |
| www.projectorcentral.com |
|
| Category: leases-leasing |
| Category... leases-leasing. Results 1 - 3 of 3. Search took 0.01 seconds. Page 1 of 1. Buy or Lease: Which Automobile Transaction is Better? ... |
| www.articler.com |
|
| John Dellagnese & Associates: offices, officespace, lease, leases ... |
| It takes two companies to bring you the premier Corporate Property Development group in Northeast Ohio: the talents of John Dellagnese and Associates ... |
| www.dellagnese.com |
|
| John Dellagnese & Associates: offices, officespace, lease, leases ... |
| Welcome to our Tenant Login Page. * Forgot your password or haven't received one yet? Email us tinah@dellagnese.com or call 330-668-4000 and we will reply ... |
| www.dellagnese.com |
|
| The-Arts-Magazine.com - Leases-Leasing |
| Home arrow Article Links arrow Finance arrow Leases-Leasing. Main Menu ... Mosets Tree. Leases-Leasing. Listings. There are 0 listings in this category. |
| www.the-arts-magazine.com |
|
| OmegaMotors.com - Your Money - Leases - Leasing Overview |
| Blue Book retail & trade-in value reports on used vehicles. Kelley features prices on used cars, trucks, street and dirt bikes, ATVs, scooters, ... |
| www.omegamotors.com |
|
| Entertainment Guide - Leases-Leasing |
| Sunday, 03 December 2006, Home arrow Article Resources arrow Finance arrow Leases-Leasing ... Mosets Tree. Leases-Leasing ... |
| www.entertainment-resource-directory.com |
|
| - Leases-Leasing |
| Mosets Tree. Leases-Leasing. Listings. There are 0 listings in this category. spacer.png, 0 kB. spacer.png, 0 kB. download joomla modules download joomla ... |
| www.healthcare-resource-guide.com |
|
| FINANCEDEPARTMENT.COM- Finance, Mortgages, Leases, Leasing ... |
| Finance, Mortgages, Leases, Leasing, Brokerage Houses, Mortgage Lending. |
| www.financedepartment.com |
|
| vehicle leases leasing guide and facts |
| vehicle leases leasing guide and facts. Under the federal Consumer Leasing Act, you, the consumer, have a right to information about the costs and terms of ... |
| www.shopperfavorites.com |
|
| - Leases-Leasing |
| spacer.png, 0 kB. spacer.png, 0 kB. Home arrow Article Resources arrow Finance arrow Leases-Leasing. Mosets Tree. Leases-Leasing ... |
| www.cars-directory-guide.com |
|
|