Job Search Targetting Smaller Companies
"Why Small Organizations Mean Big Business"
In the movie "You've Got Mail", the sub-plot aside from the
love angle is that the heroine (played by Meg Ryan) was forced
out of business when the big-time bookstore owner (played by Tom
Hanks) moved into town.
Meg's character owned a quaint little bookstore which she
inherited from her mother. Although the prices of her books were
a little steep, she makes up for it in service. She packs the
books in a specialized bag, and she knows all of her customers
by name.
Tom's character, on the other hand, moved into town to build a
branch of a big chain-bookstore which offered discounted prices
and a huge building, as compared to Meg's little bookshop on one
corner of the town's streets.
In the end, Meg was forced out of business because her customers
went to Tom's monstrous bookshop.
Nowadays, this situation will not hold true anymore.
More and more small organizations are paving the way and giving
big businesses a shot of their own medicine.
In the movie, the reason why Meg Ryan was forced out of business
is because she cannot profit anymore. Her prices are steep as
compared to the other big business' discounted rates.
Her only edge is that she gives personal service, she knows her
customers by name and she has a very small staff, about 2 or 3
employees.
As a small organization you may turn around and have these
qualities as your edge to compete against the big sharks in
business.
Here are some tips on how you can hold your own against a big
business:
1. Small businesses have big competition.
This means that you need to know how to survive out there.
No matter what nature of business you have, it is better to
learn about the competition so that you will be able to survive.
Here are some tips on how you can survive the big competition:
>Keep your business alive.
When it seems as if your cash flow is in a downward slope, keep
a tight rein on your budget.
Do not spend on unnecessary business purchases and always
balance your books.
If you are one to buy on impulse or if you are the type to
listen to those who sweet-talk you into purchasing "necessary"
items, control yourself.
Get a second and third opinion if possible, as these impulsive
buys may lead to the end of your small organization.
>Do not be afraid to seek professional help.
The fall of most small businesses start with decisions on
problems which are not carefully analyzed.
Although you think that you already have a contingency plan,
make sure that you have foreseen the results of a certain
business decision.
In the long run, it is better to seek professional help rather
than embark on a plan that could start the downfall of your
business.
>Keep your books straight.
The better option is for you to hire a professional outside
accountant to figure the returns of your investment and handle
the other financial aspects of your business.
>Take advantage of every free business counseling whenever
available.
This does not just help widen your knowledge, but it will also
give you an idea of how other businesses are ran by small-scale
owners.
>Know exactly where your business is headed.
In your day-to-day operation, make sure that you know where you
want your company to be 5 or 10 years from now.
Be always aware of the trends in the industry that you are in,
practice good money management and learn how to recognize
potential problems before they arise.
2. Learn how to market your small organization.
Marketing is not about trying to sell your products and services
to everyone.
It is about knowing who to market your products to.
In marketing, it is good to remember these fast facts:
> Know about your customers.
>Communicate with your customers.
>Build a good and personalized relationship with your customers.
This will be a great edge for you to have against the bigger
companies.
They might offer discounted prices but it is harder for them to
keep track of customers on a more personal basis. >Do not stop
the marketing process.
As a small organization, you need to routinely review the
markets that you need to pursue so that you can better reach out
to your customers.
Remember, small organizations are big businesses these days so
do not be afraid to work hard for the company that you have -
not matter how small.
If you work hard, make wise business decisions, learn how to
market your small business and personalize your customer
interaction, your small-scale business is sure to rise to the
top.