Owning and operating your own business can be challenging at times. There are so many different tasks to do and it can be hard to compete with the big guys – and their seemingly endless resources.
That is why collaborating with and supporting local small businesses is a great way to help each other succeed.
There is often an awesome camaraderie among small business communities that overrides a lot of the more competitive elements of business. By encouraging people to use small business, their money does not disappear into a large corporate vacuum. Instead, it supports everyday families to live the life they want.
If you support local small businesses, then more money is made and spent locally – which benefits the whole community.
There are many ways you can support and advance other small businesses. Check out these tips for how you can use your network to help other businesses grow:
Helping Other Small Businesses Grow Through Your Network
Refer Customers
People are always on the look out for products and services. Word-of-mouth recommendations are often the deciding factor for which businesses they will choose. Whether it’s a friend looking for a local tradesperson or a fellow entrepreneur looking for a service, refer them to a business you know and love.
There might even be opportunities from within your own business that you can pass on to others. Perhaps a prospective client approaches you with a job that isn’t a great fit for your services. But you know another business that would be able to help them. Refer them onto the other business.
This is a great way of supporting other businesses and can create a great strategic alliance. And it will make others more inclined to help you, too.
Share Resources And Knowledge
Money and resources can be tight for smaller businesses. A great way to help relieve this pressure is by sharing office space or equipment. This kind of partnership keeps costs at a minimum while maximising productivity for everybody. It’s a win-win!
Sharing industry and business knowledge with each other is also great for building relationships, improving your own services, and gaining professional development.
Shop Small
New Zealand’s workforce is made up by a surprisingly enormous number of small businesses. They are the lifeblood of the country and many, many families up and down our nation.
Lead by example! Support small business people as much as possible. Make a conscious effort to shop at local markets, and use New Zealand service providers whenever you can.
You know the love, passion and energy that has gone into producing those products or completing those services. Far more than anything produced by a large chain store. Plus, you tend to get way better service!
Partner With Them
Businesses often strike up partnerships and alliances to help each other gain more clients. This might take the form of a contra deal, if you both have products and services that the other requires. Or, you could have a referral partnership with a business that complements your own – for example, a furniture moving company partnering with a cleaning company for move-in and move-out deals.
Collaborate On Marketing Campaigns
This could take a few different forms. Marketing collaboration could occur over social media, by promoting and raising awareness of each other’s brands. You could reward customers with discounts or deals for shopping at certain supported businesses. You could even develop new products and services in collaboration with each other that showcase and promote the expertise of both businesses.
Paying It Forward
There is something amazing about knowing you have done something to help someone else. A simple referral can take you 2 minutes to complete. But the result could be some much more. It might mean that the receiving business books a job that pays for their groceries for this month. And who knows what you might receive in return next week?
When we all work together, we can create great things. I really believe this. And I would love to help your business succeed too. Feel free to get in touch with me if you need any help with your marketing or strategy.