Being small is hard. Sometimes you just want to give up and walk away. We are passionate about keeping you in the game. This month we wanted to inspire you to be better, stay strong and step out to try something new. We’ve pulled together 7 thoughts to encourage you on the road ahead.
- "Though they be but little, they are fierce!"
– Shakespeare (Modified with assumed permission)
According to the Small Business Administration, “the 23 million small businesses in America account for 54% of all U.S. sales” (source). 54%! Small businesses have real power in the marketplace. Use your smallness to your advantage and talk up the reasons being small is beneficial such as your ability to be flexible, turn on a dime, respond more quickly to customer needs and the personal service you offer.
Download this quote > - "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"
– Unknown
In today’s economic climate, adaptation is key. Sometimes small businesses can be resistant to change and to moving the business in a new direction. Only 3 out of 10 small businesses are still in business after 10 years (source). Instead of letting that statistic discourage you, let it encourage you. Encourage you to be open to a new direction for business, a new hire, a new location or a new product. Make brave attempts now to set your business on a path to become 1 of the 3.
Download this quote > - "A year from now you will wish you had started today."
– Karen Lamb
This point goes with the previous one as well. Small businesses are notorious for stalling. Budgets are smaller, time is shorter, hands are fewer… we get it. Take some time to think of the things you wish you had started last year or the year before. Where might you be if you had started them? Now, pick 1 or 2 objectives that you have been putting off that can help propel you forward. Set up a meeting with your team and get the ball rolling this month.
Download this quote > - "If each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we shall become a company of giants."
– David Ogilvy
Small businesses have added 8 million jobs to the marketplace since 1990 (source)! When people work for small businesses, they are able to get a very wide breadth of work experience since small business employees often have their hands in multiple departments. Recognize what you offer to your employees and take time to appreciate them. Understand the influence of adding to your small business and hire only the best, even if they are better than you. Hiring the best only serves to make your business better, so what’s the downside?
Download this quote > - "Be so good they can't ignore you."
– Steve Martin
Small businesses have so much to offer and are usually very good at what they do. The problem lies in the marketing. A recent survey of businesses with less than 1,000 employees found that more than 50% of those companies had annual marketing budgets of less than $1,000.00(source). So be good at what you do AND tell people about it so they don’t ignore you.
Download this quote > - "That which matters the most, should never give way to that which matters the least."
– Unknown
One of the benefits of being small is the ability to make decisions based on what matters most to us. With the hustle and bustle of everyday small business workings, it’s easy to lose sight of what you set out to do. However, by staying true to what you believe and the vision on which you founded your company, you will go far. Make a list of what matters most to you and your business and share it with your family and employees and post it in the office to ensure the mission of the business is clear to all.
Download this quote > - "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.
– Pablo Picasso
Sometimes we just feel confused and knocked down and need inspiration to move our business forward. When we feel that way, it can be tempting to just go through the motions without intention. Rather than getting discouraged, keep working. When we are working and moving forward, inspiration comes to us from the most amazing places. Just keep working.
Download this quote >
Small businesses are amazing! Remember that as you move throughout your day, week and year. Choose one of the quotes above and post it near your desk to remind you of how important you are and to pick you up when you need a little push to keep going.
