I’ve always been a firm believer that by using local business service providers you increase your chances of survival at the most pessimistic or have massive success at the most optimistic
When I set up the business aspect of Altrincham HQ one of the 1st things I did was attend a Breakfast Business Network Meeting to meet both experienced businesses as well as new businesses just like myself
It was one of the best decisions I made – my own business I could do blindfolded with my hands tied behind my back – but it was great to have accountancy, legal, IT advice and more – the whole gamut of everything you need to run a business, but don’t know the in’s and out’s of!
And you know what? Those businesses that I met on my very 1st networking meeting and have seen every month for the past few years – the vast majority of them have grown, expanded and are still part of my support network now
Last week we launched Start-Up Business Services – which is 12 local Businesses coming together to help new Start-Up Businesses grow and prosper. A local solution to a national problem
Here are my thoughts on Why You Should Work With A Local Business Over A Government Scheme
THEY STILL RUN A BUSINESS AND HAVE BEEN THROUGH ALL THE START-UP PROBLEMS
“Still running a business” is the key phrase here
Quite often the personnel behind Government Funded Schemes have ceased to run their own business, as they have found the salaried lifestyle more suitable to their current situation.
That’s fine – family comes 1st and running a business can be extremely stressful especially at those times when you have late payers or the market takes a dip
But the business world is an ever changing landscape. Wouldn’t you rather take advice from somebody who has weathered all these problems and still believes that running their own business is the best and most financially rewarding option to take
Not only can the business give you the best possible advice based on the here and now (rather than theory or advice based on the market 5 or 10 years ago), but also give you the shining hope that you too can do this
THEY HAVE A STRONG NETWORK AND HAVE A BIG BLACK BOOK OF CONTACTS
Over the years I probably meet on average 50-60 different businesses a month at Business Networking Meetings
Most businesses I meet at networking meet similar number of businesses
It means when you work with a local business you open yourself to their big black of contacts that they can refer you to / can refer them to
Just think about the huge value that that gives your business – imagine how many potential leads you can get by working with a local accountant, IT company, solicitor and marketing company
Businesses in it for the long term understand the value of relationships and helping others
THEY ARE THE MASTER OF ONE SPECIALITY RATHER THAN A JACK OF ALL TRADES
The last point and probably the most important point to take away from this blog
Whenever you work with any service provider make sure they are specialists rather than jack of all trades
So often I see Government Funded Schemes where the same person is delivering the Social Media Training as the Customer Service Training as the How To Design Your Website Course
Unless you are being advised by an expert – you will often find that the free / funded government advice can cost your business dearly in the long run
We live in a world of openness and transparency – it takes 2 minutes to check trackable recommendations via LinkedIn or Freeindex. Do it on every single service provide that approaches you!
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If you want to find out more information on Start-Up Business Services http://www.startupbusinessservices.co.uk
If you want help with Social Media Training or outsource solutions https://www.altrinchamhq.co.uk/services/social-media-training/
Email alex@altrinchamhq.co.uk or call Alex on 07806774279
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