How Small Businesses Can Work with Big Competitors for Growth

Being the "Little Fish" is not always a bad thing, when you travel in schools with the "Big Fish" you are bound to reap the rewards. I can tell you from experience, this is true. You may start out feeling defeated already, due to the simple fact that the numbers are just against you. However, small businesses working with big competitors can create growth in many areas. For those of you that may be considering a start-up or expansion, the future is bright. For example, large companies are looking for small businesses for logistics & distribution, sales and marketing and even partnerships. You may be surprised, some of your biggest competitors can become your best customers and ally's. After all, everyone needs a "Little Fish" for something... Your small business can achieve this by not looking at every big competitor or new business as a threat or competition. Look at these businesses as potential customers or clients; if possible. You need to recognize the national and international markets and businesses as a whole. Forming international business bonds or customers can create growth, outside of what your small business may be used to. You may find your needs and strengths may compliment each other in some way. You need each other. Here is a list of ways you can accomplish working relationships with big competitors: • Each has some thing to bring to the table, whether it may be new, innovative technology or products. This is where you start. Look for a way to "get-in" so to speak. You may offer a product from your company, which can be of some use to them. • Offer a shared customer data base, in which the "Big Fish" may borrow your acquired local customers. To help them develop a relationship with local clients and the community. • Perhaps your company has an excellent business and management software plan and practices. Large company's are always looking for new ideas and practices and especially software trends. • Large company's depend on image and appearances and keeping them in tact. When you form a relationship in any shape or form, they are gaining your image as well. • Lastly, stereotyping in both large and small businesses can create a unique recognition of each other positives. You can tap into the ability's and motivations of one another. By establishing relationships with the big competitors you can grow with them and on your own. The saying "You scratch my back and I'll scratch your's" does apply in this case. There remains still, a stigma of how large businesses and chains are always out to get the little guy. You have to stay ahead of the game and the players. Do not be afraid to take chances and try new concepts, change is always good and it opens many new doors....