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It’s expedient for you, as a small business owner, to stay productive in order to grow and succeed in your local community. Having a small business productivity mindset helps you to ascertain the future of your entrepreneurial life in a local community. This also makes you aware of the local community surrounding your business operation, and how best to serve the people. What do we then mean by “small business productivity”?
WHAT IS SMALL BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY?
The term “small business productivity” refers to a small business’s ability to boost its output (goods or services) while reducing its input (resources), hence improving its profitability, competitiveness, and expansion. Increased productivity, among other tactics, can be achieved through adopting new technology, reducing procedures, and giving yourself and your workers the opportunity for training and growth. You should concentrate your efforts to stay in the area where your productivity is at its highest, depending on the location of your business operation.
Small business productivity is crucial since smaller businesses often have fewer resources than larger businesses and need to make the most of what they do have.
Productivity can definately be measured in various ways. It could be by the amount of output produced per unit of input (e.g. sales per employee), the amount of time it takes to complete a task or the number of customers served per day. Here are some simple steps you can take to boost your productivity in any given local community:
1. Network with other small business owners in the community
One of the best ways to grow your small business in a local community is to form a solid network. The fact still remains that your small business is complementary to other small-scale businesses in your neighbourhood. Joining local business organizations and attending networking events can help you connect with other entrepreneurs and potential customers. You can also find some networks through google search
2. Build relationships with local media
There is no doubt that today’s media is not what it used to be years ago. The game has changed over time. Learn to leverage your local media by creating and building mutual relationships with them. Establishing a positive relationship with local media outlets can help you get coverage for your business and increase its visibility in the community. You can feature your products or services on local radio stations, newspapers, etc.
3. Support other local businesses
Life is all about giving and taking. This is called value creation. Hence, the logic is to support other local businesses in your community. Your philanthropic contribution will help create a more vital and vibrant community, which can benefit your business in the long run. Regardless of the products or services you render, ensure that other small businesses benefit from your business’s existence too. These simple steps will, in turn, win you the proper awareness and customers you organically could not have created.
4. Get involved in local events
Oftentimes, events are the most likely places to showcase businesses and brands. Whether it is a fashion show, luncheon, seminar, or even, a get-together, you can use the opportunity to boost your small business productivity. In a way, try as much as possible to attend local events and consider participating in community activities to help build your business’s reputation and connect with potential customers.
5. Use social media
Okay. Here is a quick one for you; how often do you showcase your small business brand on social media in a day, week or month? You needn’t be told about the potential benefits of promoting your small business to the world. Social media is now a connecting platform where people congregate to share ideas, leverage, and socialise. Thus, this makes it a unique avenue for your small business productivity goal to be reached. You can utilize platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with customers and promote your business.
6. Be responsive to customer feedback
Communication is an essential part of every business endeavour. This makes it easier for people to share their experiences in the form of feedback. Since your main goal is to increase your small business’ productivity in your local community, it’s vital to engage your customers regularly. Hence, actively seek out customers’ feedback and take steps to address any concerns or complaints. This can help improve customer satisfaction and promote positive word-of-mouth about your business.
Special Read: HOW TO ATTRACT ONLINE CUSTOMERS TO YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS
7. Volunteer in the community
Ultimately, community service is a terrific method for small businesses to connect with customers, champion neighbourhood causes, and leave a lasting impression. It helps establish your business as a responsible and engaged community member. You can volunteer in your local communities in many ways. These include participating in local events (e.g., fairs, festivals, and charity fundraisers), donating some of your products or rendering professional service for free, organising a charity drive (e.g., a food drive, a toy drive, or a clothing drive, etc.), sponsoring a local team or event (e.g., a local sports team or community event), or collaborating with a non-profit group that shares their mission and set of values.
RELATED:
- 17 Must-Have Productivity Tools for Small Business Owners & Marketers.
- 15 Productivity Apps for Small Businesses.
CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, small business productivity is critical for your small business’s success and survival. It’s not just about increasing profitability; it’s also about realizing your aspirations and goals as a dedicated local business owner who puts his or her heart and soul into the business. Thus, your smart work, not your hard work, will enable you to make use of your limited resources and compete with big players.
Likewise, your small business can boost its productivity and, ultimately, its chances of success when you implement new technologies, streamline processes, or cultivate an environment of creativity and collaboration. So, we raise a glass to you and all of the small business owners in various local communities and cheer them on as they continue to make a difference in your communities and in the world.
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