Big Ideas in Small Business - Reflections on 2010
December 22nd, 2009 by Diane Sam
Big Idea # 1: The big idea that acts as a foundation for my small business? We think and act like a big business.
Years ago, home based operations or small businesses were not necessarily the norm, and were at a real disadvantage, both in terms of access to technology/professional business services, but also in terms of how they were perceived. Today, and certainly even more so in the future, we have access to low cost, high tech services and are able to essentially replicate a "regular" office/business right in our house.
As the owner, I've really emphasised this to our sales and operations/shipping staff, most of whom work from home. We have top-notch customer relations management software, web/content management software, telecommunications/network connections, business software, conferencing software that allows us to call and video conference with each other, and with customers and suppliers all over the world. All at very reasonable costs. There's really nothing that we can't do from our home office. We can be fast, responsive, and connected to each other. That's our big idea in the operations side of things. We can be just as mobile, responsive and professional as any big scale operation out there.
Big Idea # 2: The other "big idea" that's been brewing for me this year especially is this - Small Business Can Think Global. When I started this business, I thought that I'd grow the business in the way it was 'supposed' to grow, i.e. I'd start out small with a test market, sell in my local/regional area, gradually move across Canada, a year later move into the US, and then eventually, start selling overseas. Sounds logical right? HOW RIDICULOUS! How "OLD-SCHOOL" of me! Read "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman (which I did sometime this year as this idea started brewing). Once you put something out on the Internet (i.e. 'launch your business', fascinating how they are almost synonymous).. YOU have no geographic control! People will contact you from all over the world, and want to buy your products. Make it easy for them. Not only do we sell all over the US and Canada, we've sold and shipped products to Singapore, Phillipines, Kuwait, Israel, Australia, France, UK, etc.. . (thanks PayPal and FedEx!).
With today's technology and global communications infrastructure, doing business overseas is productive, easy and can give you the competitve edge you need. Why are larger companies usually insulated by local economic conditions? Because they are global! They haven't put all their eggs in one basket or one market. There's no reason why small business can't sell, ship, trade and produce anywhere in the world. For me, I tend to restrict my nationalism to hockey games and parades, if someone shows me they can deliver the goods/services/money I need, and they can show they are ethical and fair business people, then I'm willing to do business with them. I don't care what country they're in. The world is flat. We'd better get used to it.
Big Idea #3 - The consumer markets craves authenticity, even as artificiality/materialism continues to grow. The other day I bought some honey from a mom in my son's school who operates a beehive/honey business in her backyard. I was thrilled. Honey never tasted so sweet. Everytime I served it, i said "this is from your friend's mommy." I guess I was just craving something that I knew would be genuine and authentic.
So much of what we buy comes with 'green washed' enviro claims that don't stand up to scrutiny, "awards" and seals/logos that may or may not mean much, unexplained, un-researched and potentially toxic chemical ingredients , and just a lot of corporate baggage. Our lives have become so artificial and so influenced by big business that I think there's going to be a growing backlash against artificiality.
With all the recent food/toy/crib safety scandals and the mis-information campaigns being waged by so-called "industry groups", we don't know who to trust anymore. Moms especially want to buy from smaller, trust-worthy companies that operate authentically and openly. We've been fooled for generations now and we've had enough. Smart companies get this.
So there's our 'big ideas" for 2010, and they form my resolutions as a business women for next year. I resolve to:
a) think and act like a big business in terms of our use of technology and professionalism,
2) think globally and open my mind to what the (flat) world has to offer and;
3) stay small and act authentic when it comes to our products, our marketing, and our relationships.
What do you think? Do you have any advice for us? Do you see any trends or opportunities on the horizon.... please comment!
P.S. Don't forget, there's still 4 ways to win this month! Time is running out on the contest, and we don't have very many entries, so your chances to win are pretty good!
Post filed under: Articles
Comments
Wendy Armbruster Bell said:
I wholeheartedly agree. As Peter Shankman says, "Brevity, Top-of-Mind and Transparency" are the 3 most important things a business of ANY size can do.
Brevity - be concise and to the point - don't waste other people's valuable time
Top-of-Mind - create consistent touch-points with your customers so that when they need a product or service that you offer, they think of YOU first.
Transparency - be real, be you and don't hide behind your corporate logo. Customers expect more these days.
December 23rd, 2009 9:03am
Diane Sam said:
Thanks for the comment Wendy! I try to be precise, but I have a lot of passion around breastfeeding so sometimes I find my message is a bit all over the map. I'm going to work on really honing in on our message/mission in 2010.
December 23rd, 2009 9:44am
Kristinia said:
I love your article! Its soo true on how Mom's don't know who to trust anymore for products due to all the recalls! Thats why I believe a good business is one that has a decent amount of reviews from the consumers of the product as well!
December 23rd, 2009 5:03pm