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10 Ways To Kick The Procrastination Habit
I recently read about a survey (by the University of Chicago) which suggested that those who relish challenge are more likely to live up to 10 years longer than those who spend their lives inhibited by timidity.
Trying to realise our...
Dealing with Disgruntled Customers
No matter how hard you try, in business you simply can't please everyone. You could have a highly trained customer service squadron and an award-winning product, but still you'd have some buyers who just weren't happy. The bad news is that unhappy...
Frequent Diner Programs Are A Small Restaurant Owners Marketing Department
Frequent Diner | Customer Loyalty
The History Of Frequent Diner And Customer Loyalty
Since the creation of restaurants, owners have always wanted and
needed to know who their customers are and what they like to eat
and drink. This...
Getting Your Family Involved In Your Home Business
Do you own your own home business? Is your family involved with your daily business? Yeah, I know at times it seems easier to just do everything yourself. It is an easy trap to get into. Why take the time to explain the job, show them how it...
How to Profit From Your Ad Space in this Economic Downturn
Recent research predicts that the online ad market will decline by 25% in 2003.**
In 2004, net advertising is a buyer's market.
Everyone has seen the media spotlight focused on the big dot-coms who, dependent on ad revenues, have either...
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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.
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| United States Small Business Administration |
| An electronic gateway of procurement information for and about small businesses. Search engine for contracting officers, marketing tool for small firms, ... |
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| SBA |
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| Main Page - SmallBusiness.com - Small Business Resources |
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| Business & Small Business |
| Online and print small business publication. Information to help start, grow or manage a small business. |
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| Microsoft Small Business Center |
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| The Small Business Advisor - advice for starting and operating a ... |
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| SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" |
| A nonprofit association dedicated to encouraging the formation, growth, and success of small business nationwide through counseling and mentor programs. |
| www.score.org |
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| Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource |
| IR-2006-2, January 3, 2006 - Temporary and proposed regulations will significantly reduce tax filing burden for nearly 950000 small business owners. ... |
| www.irs.gov |
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| Welcome to Small Business BC your business resource in British ... |
| BC Business Services offers assistance and resources for those running or starting a business in British Columbia and Vancouver. |
| www.smallbusinessbc.ca |
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| Small Business Service | Home |
| Provides information and advice to help small businesses realise their potential. |
| www.sbs.gov.uk |
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| NSW Small Business |
| A site developed by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development for small businesses. Topics include management, resources, current issues and ... |
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| Business Management & Advice: Small Business Resources & Information |
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| Small Business Funding Opportunities (SBIR and STTR) |
| Links to Small Business Funding Opportunities and SBIR / STTR Applications. |
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| Microsoft bCentral Small Business Directory |
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| sbd.bcentral.com |
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| Our site has moved! Please update your bookmarks! |
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| sbdcnet.utsa.edu |
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| Small Business Development Corporation |
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