Small Business News: The Competitive Edge
Small business is not for the faint of heart. And, while we’re on the subject, it’s not for those who want a predictable existence where everything stays the same. Making your small business work and then grow will require sharp thinking and decisive action. But most importantly, it will require a competitive edge. For any small business, survival will depend on going head to head with larger companies that are, in many cases, better financed and more experienced than you and coming out on top time and time again.
Tips
Don’t like change? Tough. Todd’s video post is brief and to the point but also happens to be the “top pick” by BizSugar visitor’s today. He’s got a great quote on change and a message that applies to everyone in small business today. Todd Youngblood’s “SE” Blog
Reaching those crazy-busy customers. No matter if you’re part of the sales force or the sales manager of an small to medium sized business or the owner of a little company trying to make that first sale, Tibor’s advice is to get used to dealing with busy prospects who have no interest in your product and no time to listen to your pitch. The Pipeline
Success Stories
15 entrepreneurs tell their stories. It’s safe to say most big businesses start as small ones so what we can learn from entrepreneurs who’ve built big and successful companies can be very informative to anyone starting their own small business. In this series of interviews, David Siteman Garland talks with 15 entrepreneurs who have succeeded in building $1,000,000+ companies. The Rise to the Top
Self-development
When David meets Goliath. S. Anthony Iannarino’s post aptly includes a photo of a slingshot, an obvious reference to taking on the big guy, a common experience for any small business owner or employee working for a smaller firm. Competing against larger established companies is a fact of life for small businesses, particularly startups, and succeeding against the odds is a matter of survival. The Sales Blog
Your attitude is everything. Whether you’re the guy out with prospects, customers and clients selling your own product as the head of your small firm or have a small sales force to do it for you, setting the tone with a positive attitude is critical. This post looks at how to cure your attitude as a sales professional, but as a small business owner you’ll be the lead sales person whether you’re the one going door to door or not. Sales Blogcast
Tech
Small town business survival. Martin Lindeskog interviews Small Biz Survival blogger and rural small business expert Becky McCray in this podcast covering the technologies and techniques that help small town businesses survive and thrive in the era of the Internet and how geography need no longer be a boundary for any entrepreneur. Ego
Contests
Have you contributed to the SugarTone Sweet Business Blogging Contest? The submission portion of the contest has ended but members of BizSugar.com and Bloggertone.com still have until Thursday to vote for their favorite blog or leave a compelling comment. The winning blogger will receive $350 in prizes and the winning comment $250. BizSugar Blog
Book Shelf
Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure But Others Don’t. Pierre DeBois reviews a book that could be about your business…or not. One thing for certain is that all small business owners face some level of stress and the trick is how the best respond. Small Business Trends
Competitive Selling: Out-Plan, Out-Think, Out-Sell to Win Every Time. Real success in small business comes down to being able to out perform the competition. And for companies short on financing and resources, this comes down to sales and lots of them. Good then that we have this book from professional sales trainer Landy Chase about the key to getting it right reviewed by Ivana Taylor. Small Business Trends
Conclusion
Giving yourself time to recharge. For Barry J. Moltz this means getting off of the Internet or off “the grid” as he calls it. But whatever it is that helps you rest and regroup is an important part of keeping that competitive edge. Without it, burnout will overtake the most dedicated entrepreneur and where’s the competitive edge in that. Your Business Unstuck
Host of CrowdSourcing Tweetchat
Founder of Zimana
Starting your own business takes a lot of courage and an immense amount of work. It certainly is not for someone looking for a 40 hour work week. But the rewards are priceless and I wouldn’t have it any other way!