7 Small Business Advantages Large Corporations Don’t Have

Seven small business advantages large corporations wish They Had.

Many small business owners bitch and moan that their big competitors are the reason they fail to succeed as entrepreneurs.  

This could be true only if the price of goods or the ability to spend more to acquire a customer was the main reason when it comes to them getting and keeping customers and clients.  

The truth is, you, as a small business owner, you have several small business advantages you can use to make your business outrageously successful and beat the big boys in the bargain.  

Yes, it means a bit of thought, imagination, and good old-fashioned graft but it’s not that difficult and most certainly can be achieved.  

Key Takeaways

1. Speed: Small businesses can implement changes faster than large corporations, which are often slowed by bureaucracy.
2. Flexibility: Small businesses can take risks and make quick decisions without needing to follow strict protocols or gain approval from multiple levels of management.
3. Specialization: Small businesses can focus on niche markets, providing specialized products or services that big businesses may overlook.
4. Personality: Small businesses can easily build a unique brand personality, something larger companies often struggle with.
5. Direct Customer Interaction: Small businesses offer personal service, allowing customers to deal directly with decision-makers.
6. Ease of Automation: With a smaller and more specific customer base, small businesses can more easily automate processes, improving efficiency.
7. Quick Skill Implementation: Small businesses can quickly acquire and implement new skills, directly benefiting from any profits gained as a result.

Table of Contents

• 1 Small businesses work faster.  
• 2 Small businesses are more flexible.
• 3 Small businesses can specialise.
• 4 Small business personality.
• 5  You are on the front line.
• 6  Automation is easier.
• 7 New skills.
• 8 In summary

1 Small businesses work faster.  

Big business almost always takes forever to get stuff done.  

They do things the way they do them because that’s how they’ve always done them. 

Things are usually done by committee, and something as simple as a change on the page of a website can take weeks.  

However, you can make as many changes as you like whenever you like, as quick as you want. 

2. Small businesses are more flexible.

Big companies tend to have gazillions of policy documents and procedures to follow.  

You can take shortcuts and take risks because you make the decisions, you are the only one accountable for those decisions because you are the boss.  

3. Small businesses advantages: Specialisation.

Ever heard the saying the riches are in the niches? There’s a time and a place to be in a big market with lots of competitors. 

However, when someone want’s something special whether it’s a product or service think Valentines, birthdays, anniversaries etc people look for specialists.  

4. Small business personality.

One of the keys to successful marketing is your business having a personality. Big businesses really struggle to do this well.  

You get the odd ones that do but companies like the Virgin Group are few and far between. As a small business you have a great opportunity to create a personality for your business and you don’t need the approval of a board of directors.

5. Small business advantages on the front line.

You can give your customers personal advice; personal service and attention and they can get it from the top man or woman, a big business can’t do that.

Your customers get to deal with the boss who has the power to make any decision he or she needs to solve any problem or deal with any issue. 

6. Automation is easier.

As a small business you can be niched. And because you have a relatively small and narrow customer and client base, it’s much easier for you to implement the systems and strategies that automate the repetitive time-consuming work.

A customer query comes to you immediately so it doesn’t get lost circling around various departments looking for a home before someone eventually deals with it. 

7. New skills.

New skills are acquired and implemented more quickly and are proportionately more profitable as a small business owner.

If for example you learn a new marketing strategy, not only can you test it immediately, but any profit you make comes straight back to you.  

This gives you a bigger incentive to learn and become focused on new skills that will benefit both you and your business. 

FAQ’s

Can referral marketing work for my small business without a large customer base?

Yes, referral marketing can absolutely work for your small business, even without a large customer base. In fact, it can be even more effective for small businesses because of the personalised relationships you build with your customers. 

When you provide exceptional service or products, your satisfied customers are more likely to refer friends, family, and colleagues, expanding your customer base organically. Additionally, each referral carries more weight because it comes from trusted sources, which can help establish credibility and trust faster than traditional marketing methods.

How can small businesses use flexibility to their advantage?

Small businesses can use flexibility by quickly responding to customer needs, taking shortcuts, and trying new strategies without needing approval from multiple departments. Since small business owners are often the sole decision-makers, they can implement changes and take risks much faster than larger companies..

Why is automation easier for small businesses?

Automation is easier for small businesses because they often have a more focused and narrower customer base. This allows them to quickly implement systems that handle repetitive tasks efficiently. Customer queries, for example, can be handled more swiftly without being delayed in large corporate structures.

Final Thoughts

I would say that there are small business advantages that the giants of industry would love to have. The main thing is to maximise those advantages to the full and not compete on terms that are disadvantageous to you. 

Speak soon  

Len.