If you have a family owned and operated business, you probably already know that the bigger companies have plenty of advantages over you. However, what about the advantages you possess over them? There are lots of ways that you as a small, family owned business can get the edge over your competition every day. One way you can do this is through your sales and marketing. You have a great deal to offer versus your competitors when it comes to sales and marketing. How so?
When you are thinking about sales and marketing, you may be shocked to realize that you can provide the same advantages that a larger company can. There are a number of different advantages that you can have simply by virtue of your own setup. You should be aware that these are things that will be quite ineffectual for a larger corporation to even attempt. Take a look a few techniques to get you started, and you'll find that you have a great place to begin.
Tell Everyone Where You Come from
If your business is family owned and operated, you have a story to tell. (So, okay, YOUR family might be tired of hearing it, but other people won't be.) Take a moment and some pen and paper (or your computer) and just briefly summarise how your family got started in this field. Detail some problems you've had to face and take care of along the way. Your advantage here is that people love to hear stories, especially if you can preserve them on CD or DVD. Get creative!
What Is It That Makes You Special?
In this day and age, many people feel insecure about their work and don't know if their company has any loyalty to them. So let people know about how you operate. Do you always promote from within? Maybe you have always looked out for your employees. Show everyone how different you are from the colder corporate world, and you can bet that you'll see some customer and employee loyalty.
Don't Hide Your True Nature
Although you might be concerned that it's a potential disadvantage, make sure that everyone knows that you're a family business. Put it into your corporate slogan or put it into your advertising, along with how long you have been in business. You'll find that this is an important way to let your company get to know you and to create an identity that they can be familiar with.
Give and Take Credit When Deserved
Share information about everyone who's made your company so successful. This gives you great publicity, and it also helps your public get to know more about you and those who have made your company thrive. Of course, you can put the spotlight on upper management, but make sure that you also give credit to those in lower level employment. After all, those are really the folks who make the company run day-to-day. It also shows your customers that you play fair, give credit where it's due, and keep things above board. This, in turn, is going to help your business.
For many people, a family oriented business is something to be proud of. So if this is who you are, what are you waiting for? Get the word out: take advantage of the advertising that is possible for you and no one else.
When you are thinking about sales and marketing, you may be shocked to realize that you can provide the same advantages that a larger company can. There are a number of different advantages that you can have simply by virtue of your own setup. You should be aware that these are things that will be quite ineffectual for a larger corporation to even attempt. Take a look a few techniques to get you started, and you'll find that you have a great place to begin.
Tell Everyone Where You Come from
If your business is family owned and operated, you have a story to tell. (So, okay, YOUR family might be tired of hearing it, but other people won't be.) Take a moment and some pen and paper (or your computer) and just briefly summarise how your family got started in this field. Detail some problems you've had to face and take care of along the way. Your advantage here is that people love to hear stories, especially if you can preserve them on CD or DVD. Get creative!
What Is It That Makes You Special?
In this day and age, many people feel insecure about their work and don't know if their company has any loyalty to them. So let people know about how you operate. Do you always promote from within? Maybe you have always looked out for your employees. Show everyone how different you are from the colder corporate world, and you can bet that you'll see some customer and employee loyalty.
Don't Hide Your True Nature
Although you might be concerned that it's a potential disadvantage, make sure that everyone knows that you're a family business. Put it into your corporate slogan or put it into your advertising, along with how long you have been in business. You'll find that this is an important way to let your company get to know you and to create an identity that they can be familiar with.
Give and Take Credit When Deserved
Share information about everyone who's made your company so successful. This gives you great publicity, and it also helps your public get to know more about you and those who have made your company thrive. Of course, you can put the spotlight on upper management, but make sure that you also give credit to those in lower level employment. After all, those are really the folks who make the company run day-to-day. It also shows your customers that you play fair, give credit where it's due, and keep things above board. This, in turn, is going to help your business.
For many people, a family oriented business is something to be proud of. So if this is who you are, what are you waiting for? Get the word out: take advantage of the advertising that is possible for you and no one else.
About the Author:
About the author: Dr Marc R. Dussault is an experienced Exponential Growth Strategist with expert knowledge in family firm succession. Go to the "Family Firm Succession" website for more detailed advice on business succession planning.
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