As the budget is so close, I like many small business owners have quite frankly felt so supported by the business community. I have seen so many posts and had messages from friends with words of support following the news of the predicted budget, which is honestly so appreciated.
While I am keen not to turn this into a political debate, as a small business owner it can be tough with very long hours and real pressure. During COVID I paid every invoice and all bar one of my staff in full, and like many small business owners, that one was me. I’m not unique, it’s just good business.
Anyway, whilst like most small business owners I’ve been so flattered by the support, I wanted to attempt to turn this into a positive and give you (business owner or not) some pointers of how you can support your friends and network who run small businesses.
- Engage on social media – Some of us use social media and have more time than others, but things like following a small business page, inviting friends to do the same, liking posts and commenting all have so much more of an impact than you’ll ever know.
- Buy local – I totally understand popping into your local supermarket might be easier and sometimes more within your budget than going to the farm shop, bakers and butchers BUT do what you can and when you can. Here at T&T we buy EVERYTHING that we can (LinkedIn an example that we can’t) from a small business.
- Refer – I was previously part of BNI, which I enjoyed but I do know that some people find it uncomfortable referring, so just to stress I am by no means suggesting you need to do a referral every week BUT do what you can. With my recruitment hat on, we would be mortified if anyone felt pressure to recommend us, but if the opportunity lands on your lap (EG: Do you know a good recruiter), we’d be so grateful if we were mentioned.
- Reviews – Again really simple, if you have a good experience, write a review. I know that many small businesses feel awkward asking, so maybe do it without being asked.
- Feedback – In my experience this can often be the most valuable point to many small business owners. It’s human nature to say ‘Good thank you’ but actually some of the most valuable feedback to us small business owners is constructive! If you feel that beer doesn’t taste right or those weekly update emails that T&T send are too wordy, others probably feel the same way, so by providing feedback it gives the opportunity to improve.
- Check in – I was sad to hear that poor mental health and even suicide within small business owners is one of the highest categories. It can be a lonely place at the top of a small business with so much pressure. Often just a quick text with how are you, can make such a difference. I know people like
Howard Feather
and
James Butler
are so good at this but there are so many others.
- Share knowledge - ?What is obvious to you, isn’t obvious to everybody! Things like limited company Directors being able to take 6 x ￡50 vouchers surprised me, when
Nick Mason
?mentioned, which I am sure I have since told 50 people, 40 of which didn’t know! What do you know about business, that you can share?
I am by no means saying you need to do all of the above for all of your network, and I am very aware I haven’t said anything new but even doing 1 point for 1 small business will make such an impact.
Thank you for reading and please do share any ideas that I have missed.
Senior Project Manager | Product Owner | Helping companies run software projects (SAFe, Waterfall, Agile)
2 周Ben, thanks for sharing!
Candidate Experience Manager - Thompson & Terry Recruitment | Applying a headhunting approach to 'Recruitment Agency level' jobs, resulting in 86.4% of the first CVs we send securing the job!
4 个月Historically my role at T&T has never included new business. We have always been in the very fortunate position of clients always being a result of referral. Some people may have realised recently your posts have been slightly different and we are now in a position where we are able to onboard new clients and have the capacity to do so. I have been so surprised how many of my friends who have been willing to help and not been offended by me reaching out to them. It just goes to show… people genuinely want to help small businesses, it’s often more the question of ‘how’. So I LOVE how your post is showing people exactly how they can do this. The smallest of things can make a huge difference for a small business????
Recruitment Manager at Civil Nuclear Constabulary
4 个月Really good, and simple, tips there! Whilst they’re small and easy to do, they’re certainly impactful. I once read a quote along the lines of “if you support a small local business, you’re helping a family pay for their child’s ballet lessons, not helping a millionaire buy their 3rd holiday home”. While the quote is a little flippant, it always stuck with me in that by helping to support a local, or friend or family members, business you’re actually making a real impact on their life!
I help leaders too busy for LinkedIn | ProGrowth - Fully Managed LinkedIn | ProXcel - Advanced LinkedIn Training | ProHybrid - A Flexible Part-Managed Service.
4 个月This is a timely post. The challenges facing small business owners are very real, especially in light of the upcoming budget. With such a significant portion of the workforce depending on small enterprises, it’s essential that we rally behind them. Thanks for sharing these important thoughts.
"Economically Inactive" Thinker, Writer and Investor at Retired
4 个月You are very kind to mention me Ben, and I like how you have turned the budget uncertainty into a positive. I like your suggestions, and those from Cara and Ella. When I was in Oxfordshire, I was always trying to be aware of creating economic activity that stayed in our community. Spend local, stay local. The capitalist model inherently siphons profit away to those holding the capital - we have to be intentional about resisting that when we can. And I say that even though I'm now part of the capital holding class! On the budget, I think a lot of the fear is being whipped up for political gain. The country needs fixing, that means better public finances and that means the broadest shoulders need to bear the load. The 'working people' issue is a trap the Torues cornered Labour into, by limiting the areas where tax could be raised. Typical of their scorched earth approach as they faced losing power.