This advice from Colin Bates’ BuildingBrands newsletter could be a mantra for small biz survival. Of course, he offers huge business examples, so let’s add some small biz perspective.
“Cooperate on product design.”
Everything you do is your product. How you do it is design. (see Tom Peters) Can you design your product work with someone else’s product, even if one or both are services? Maybe your income-tax service can coordinate with an investment advisor to develop products that are both a good investment and a wise tax strategy.
“Cooperate on product placement and usage.”
Can you offer local brands? Or famous products? What are the leading products that compliment yours? Can you strike a deal to cooperate? We’re looking for more locally-made wines for our store.
“Cooperate to build your industry.”
Can you work together build your entire town or region? Can you connect with others inside your industry but outside your area? We frequently share info with a neighboring liquor store.
Technorati tags: [small business] [small biz][Tom Peters] [Colin Bates] [cooperate] [brands] [small town]
- Zoom Towns: attracting and supporting remote workers in rural small towns - December 10, 2020
- In an economic crisis, spend your brainpower before your dollars - November 25, 2020
- Video: How to fill empty car dealership buildings for the holidays - November 6, 2020
- How has 2020 changed the challenges rural small towns face? Tell us here - October 20, 2020
- The Idea Friendly Method to surviving a business crisis - October 6, 2020
- Join me for the Rural Renewal Symposium online Oct 13 - September 26, 2020
- Cheap placemaking idea: instant murals - September 11, 2020
- Refilling the rural business pipeline - July 7, 2020
- Huge vacant buildings: grants to renovate? - June 9, 2020
- Economic self defense for small towns - June 7, 2020
Great ideas Becky! I’m actually putting together a magazine that focus on collaborative business marketing. I’m planning a spring shop local event for Clayton County, GA to encourage businesses to team up for a weekend of special business savings and open houses that will allow them reconnect with residents.
We’d love to hear how that works out!
I think those could be a very important strategies for small town businesses. How about local wine, cheeses and artisan breads(made with local wheat, of course)? You could also sell wine glasses, baskets and breadboards, etc. I’m also wondering if it is possible for small stores in different towns in our county to co-operatively order items (such as clothing) and offer inter-store transfers when someone wants a color or size not available in one of the shops. Our town is too small to carry much variety alone. Is that a realistic idea?
Lila, I think it would pay off nicely for towns and stores that could manage the transportation. Thanks for sharing a great idea!