Comments on Small Biz Survival: 4 ways to manage multiple businesses

in africa here, we are conditioned to being an emp...

2011-09-16T09:12:25.435-05:00

in africa here, we are conditioned to being an employee, rather than create opportunities, even in the face of vast ones. Wat lead me to your comment was my thought on possibilities to be able to manage more than one business and eventual Google search on the subject. I intend to start from my town as a launching pad. And God help me, expand my lines into the major cities. 'Good Job McCray!'in africa here, we are conditioned to being an employee, rather than create opportunities, even in the face of vast ones. Wat lead me to your comment was my thought on possibilities to be able to manage more than one business and eventual Google search on the subject. I intend to start from my town as a launching pad. And God help me, expand my lines into the major cities. 'Good Job McCray!'

Two small towns in my area that have businesses ma...

2010-02-01T04:01:07.775-06:00

Two small towns in my area that have businesses marketing multiple lines of products/services. One, a family has a pawn shop inside one end of long building and a computer shop at other end. They also have contract for people to pay utility bills there plus a contract with a payday loan company.

Second business, in Miller, the local True Value hardware also markets animal feed/straw, etc plus buy and sell gold/silver, coins, etc.

These businesses both have their multiple types of businesses in just one building, rather than separate locations for each business.

Very interesting discussion and ideas here.

Marco, it's not always about multiple indus...

2010-01-31T18:06:57.119-06:00
Marco, it's not always about multiple industries. In my case, it's several lines of business, all relating to small town business and government. The businesses span agriculture (our cattle ranch), retail (our liquor store), service (grant writing and project management), media (this site) and technology (Tourism Currents). I realize that I'm nuts, but it's also a reflection of small town realities: no one of the businesses can provide my complete income, given my geography. And is it not wise to have multiple income streams? A diversified portfolio, as it were?

Here's the secret no one tells you: the same management and communication skills underlie all of these.

Wouldn't it depend on the size of their organi...

2010-01-31T17:39:57.064-06:00
Wouldn't it depend on the size of their organization? Any by definition, anyone in "small business survival" mode does not have a large organization at their disposal :-)

One of the things that separate small businesses from large businesses is quick access expertise. I like to think so at least.

With a small business you are more likely to deal with an owner or someone close to them. Someone that knows their stuff and it's a decision maker. With a large business, you need to jump through hoops (usually) to reach a person that actually knows enough to solve your problem. Don't take my word - got to your local "big box" store and ask and associate for advice on a product. Then walk to a small "family owned" store and do the same.

I like to think that small businesses sell easy access to an expert - an owner or an employee with quick access to the owner.

So, in how many different industries can a person be an expert on? One is hard enough. Two is darn impressive. Three... well, I'd be impressed about this.

Cheers,
Marco

Thanks for the mention, Becky! That was a great di...

2010-01-30T19:40:56.967-06:00
Thanks for the mention, Becky! That was a great discussion this week.