Small Business News: The Moms and Pops Strike Back
At one time it might have appeared like the big brands had it all wrapped up. Now the mainstream media would have you believe the economic downturn as reduced small mom and pops to near collapse and certainly impending tax increases aimed at their customers won’t help matters. But make no mistake, mom and pop businesses are here to stay. The lifeblood of the economy, they have survived many catastrophes and are agile and lean enough to take advantage of a changing economic landscape. Looming threats like ballooning federal debt and an expensive and potentially repressive healthcare law remain, but this small business roundup is dedicated to the enduring power of small mom and pop businesses and sharing the resources that will help them survive.
Small is beautiful
What makes mom and pop businesses the better choice? Jason Kienbaum argues that small mom and pop businesses will win out in the end with superior service and attention to each of their customers as individuals. Despite the success of big brands in the past due to lower prices built into their business models and a tough economy, Jason argues the worm has turned. Got a story of David triumphing over Goliath? Jason would love to hear from you. Business Done Now
Another great reason to stay small. Want another reason small businesses may have an advantage over their larger rivals? Try the looming federal healthcare reform law. Financial planner Rick Kahler says the new healthcare reform favors small businesses by making some either exempt from providing benefits or by giving them tax credits in some cases to cover costs. Make no mistake. There will be plenty of downsides to healthcare reform felt by everyone, but a look over this list of ways to prepare clearly indicates that size may not be an advantage. What Works For Business
Tips
Could 13 be your lucky number? With so many challenges out there facing your small business, it’s important to grab every advantage and avoid any costly mistakes. But would you know a truly detrimental misstep if you were making it right now? That’s where Daniel Kehrer comes in with this guest post on the 13 mistakes you should be certain not to make. Small Business CEO
Who needs a business address? Companies like Intelligent Office offer not only online support but offices, conference rooms and other elements of a fully-staffed company on a pay as you need basis. You can work from home or from any number of locations where these fully-staffed offices are popping up without the need for a big company with big overhead. CTV News
Resources
The SBA is now on Twitter…and Facebook. The Small Business Administration, the U.S. government’s small business arm, now has a Twitter presence, so drop by and check it out. From the looks of things they haven’t got many followers yet, but followers on Facebook are somewhat more solid. The SBA offers assistance with business plans and other details connected with starting a small business as well as some loan opportunities. There are many resources for small business owners and those seeking to launch a new venture should certainly check out the SBA as one possible source of assistance. SBAgov on Twitter
Marketing
Great marketing makes size irrelevant. Think you can’t compete with the big guys. Check out this slide presentation recently shared by entrepreneur Ben Yoskovitz on LinkedIn about how a well crafted design message really works. Is there anything here your small business couldn’t do in marketing your product? Jason Putorti
Operations
Are big businesses really more efficient? And who cares? Hey, speaking of Montreal, Quebec-based entrepreneur Ben Yoskovitz, here’s another great post where Ben argues that we buy because of a value proposition not just because a product or service is efficient. Though Ben’s talking about a product here, the same thing goes for businesses large and small. Think of your small business. What do you offer of value that larger companies can’t? Instigator Blog
Networking
LinkedIn for idiots! Hey, don’t be offended. The title of Laura Petrolino’s little guide is taken from all those self-help books with dummy or idiot in the title. But her post really is a helpful guide to a social network often overshadowed by the superstar status of Facebook though no less valuable, especially for business networking. Flying Pig Communications
Finance
Alternative funding for small business. When banks say no, will your customers say yes? Small businesses tapping loyal customers for needed cash infusions isn’t unheard of and can be a great way to deal with funding issues in an environment where conventional loans can be hard to come by. Here are some examples of businesses who found success getting financing from customers. WSJ
Policy
How healthcare is already raising taxes on mom and pops. If you think the only costs to small businesses from the new healthcare law are being forced to provide health insurance whether they can afford it or not (at least for businesses with 50 or more employees) and the fallout from the ballooning federal debt, think again. These issues would be bad enough, but for some small businesses, a federal tax increase will also be part of the package. Though affecting only the indoor tanning industry, research suggests it will target mostly small businesses. Could yours be next? National Federation of Independent Business
Founder of Infusionsoft
Founder of JustRetweet
Thank you for including me in this post! And glad that design presentation I shared was useful. I found it very interesting and valuable.
Just a quick note – I’m based in Montreal, Quebec … not Toronto!
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As the Social Media Director of a Web Developer (www.RiaEnjolile.com) that offers professional looking and affordable websites to it’s clients, let us not forget the importance and value of a well designed and content rich website to any small – or large – business. This is the first place most consumers will go, on the web, to check out your business. Here is where you get your only chance to make a good first impression.
Recently, I wrote a blog article on this same topic, which should dove-tail very nicely with the excellent Blog article, above. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978327642
I completely agree with the main contention that small businesses can win the day by offering better customer service. Frankly, many of the larger organizations have completed abandoned offering good customer service to their customers. At least, this has been my own experience lately. I can’t understand why?
Today, when you call customer service you are connected with someone overseas, who usually reads from a script and won’t deviate from it no matter what. There is usually no one available to make a creative business decision and if you try to insist on speaking to someone else, you are often “accidentally” disconneted and sent to the back of the line when you call back. Very frustrating.
Small businesses take an interest in their customers, more often than not. They realize that their customers do not owe them a living and can go elsewhere for better service. They also know that many of their customers not only represent repeat business, but also personal referrals. Larger companies don’t seem to care about this.
Getting back to the importance of a website. If a small mom and pop can effectively convey their expert knowledge and individual attention they pay to their customers in their website content and by using case studies and testimonials to share real life examples, they canconvince more people to do business with them. A, effective website is critical to business success.
Ben, the post has been fixed to reflect your proper home base of Montreal, Quebec.
Thanks Anita!