Despite often being overlooked, the small business sector is a vital part of our economy. However, it is not just local communities who can benefit from patronizing small businesses, but the US Military and the Government as well. When the Military and the Federal Government opt to conduct business with a small company over a larger one they have the ability to forge better relationships, increase freedom and flexibility, save money, and play a role in boosting the economy.
Project Dedication Creates Close Technical Support Relationships
Building close and productive customer relationships is a cornerstone of small business success. Without close relationships between customers and employees, a smaller business cannot survive. When working with a small business, chances are the customer will get to know the people working for them on a first name basis. The customer may also have the opportunity to meet with those at the small business more frequently and develop more of a personal relationship than they would working with a large company. Many of these bigger businesses have many departments and/or procedures in place that prevent or slow down contact with the client. For the customer, this increased connection means closer communication, shorter waiting times, great customer service, and the ability to have their ideas and concerns acknowledged quickly. With a small business, customer complaints are handled more efficiently and persoanlly and faster solutions and follow-ups can be expected, should any issues arise.
“Customer complaints can be handled faster and on a more personal level in a small company, making long-term customer relations easier and more profitable”- Kermit Burley, Demand Media
“Your business matters, and that business owner is going to go the extra mile to make sure you know it.” -Gail Goodman, Huffington Post
Reduced Overhead Allows Technical Innovation: More Freedom and Flexibility
Small businesses are often able to adapt to their customers’ needs with more freedom and flexibility than their larger counterparts. According to Kermit Bruley of Demand Media, small businesses have a lean structure and fewer layers of management making “decision times much quicker, allowing for flexibility and adaptability that a larger company does not have.”
With a shorter chain of command and significantly less overhead, there are fewer hoops for employees to jump through in adapting a process to a particular project or gaining executive approval. This translates into less rules standing in the way of making something happen. At a small business, the owner may even be directly engaged with the project (remember, each project is vital to a small business’ success). This leaves the door open to introduce and develop new ideas quickly and efficiently.
Same Technical Experts with Less Cost: Saving Money and Boosting the Economy
Choosing a small business also helps the economy. A smaller company generally has much lower overhead, with lower operating costs. This allows them to provide the same services as a larger company at a lower rate. When a project’s success is centered around the skills of the project team, reduced overhead costs means that the same support staff can be provided at the same salaries by a small business, as could be provided by a large business with a larger overhead cost to cover. Overall, choosing a small business for your needs also creates new jobs, helps local communities and neighborhoods, and produces economic growth.
While big businesses may be the right choice for projects requiring large workforces or complex and costly capability, small businesses are able to match or increase quality and innovation on many different types of projects- and often at a lower cost.