How do you combine the best small business resources?
As a small business owner, you know how important it is to use the best resources available to help you grow and succeed. But with so many options out there, how do you combine them effectively? In this article, we'll share some tips on how to find, evaluate, and integrate the best small business resources for your needs.
The first step to combining the best small business resources is to identify your goals and challenges. What are you trying to achieve with your business? What are the main obstacles or pain points you face? By answering these questions, you can narrow down your search for the most relevant and useful resources for your situation.
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I like to know what my available resources are in terms of personnel, facilities, financials, equipment, products, inventory, supply lines, related professional organizations. Next is past history of the business with all the above categories. Once the present and past is known, what worked and did not work can be seen. Outside political, environmental changes, economic swings, technological advancements, neighborhood and business blight or boom, can be weighed in for a future forecast. Now goals and challenges can be defined. Business resources available that align kept, those that do not, dropped. New resources discovered that align pursued. There are many more variables to be explored. This is where I would start. Enjoy
The next step is to research and compare different resources that can help you with your goals and challenges. You can use online platforms, blogs, podcasts, forums, reviews, and recommendations to find out what other small business owners are using and how they benefit from them. You can also look for resources that offer free trials, demos, or samples to test them out before committing.
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What I have found though, this is where entrepreneurs get stuck. They spend a significant time in analysis paralysis, reading, testing, listening, etc to all the things and not taking action. When doing research for new resources I recommend these things: 1. Does it solve more than one problem in your business 2. Research and compare from reputable sources 3. Will it save you time or solve a problem for you. Don’t chase the next shiny thing because an influencer is now using that and claiming it can change everything for you in 5 days. 4. Set 1 hr a week to do the research if your answer is yes to all the above. Don’t go down the rabbit hole and ignore everything else.
The third step is to choose the resources that fit your budget and needs. You don't have to spend a fortune on expensive tools or services that you don't really need or use. Instead, look for resources that offer value for money, flexibility, scalability, and compatibility with your existing systems and processes. You can also look for resources that offer discounts, bundles, or partnerships with other providers to save money and time.
The fourth step is to implement and optimize the resources you've chosen. You can't expect to see results right away if you don't use the resources properly or regularly. You need to follow the instructions, best practices, and tips provided by the resource providers to get the most out of them. You also need to monitor and measure the performance and impact of the resources on your business goals and challenges, and make adjustments as needed.
The fifth step is to learn and update your skills as you use the resources. You can't rely on the same resources forever, as the market, technology, and customer expectations change constantly. You need to keep learning and updating your skills to stay ahead of the competition and adapt to the changing environment. You can use online courses, books, webinars, podcasts, mentors, and peers to learn new skills and trends related to your business.
The sixth and final step is to share and network with other small business owners who use the same or similar resources as you. You can learn from their experiences, insights, and feedback, and also offer your own. You can also collaborate, partner, or refer each other to create more opportunities and value for your businesses. You can use online communities, groups, events, or platforms to connect and network with other small business owners.
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Networking with other small business owners has been one of the highlights of my business career. When you hear their stories and realize that there is a common experience with success on the other end you are motivated to go for another 10 years! The Joseph Business School, ICCC, Urban League, and more have been very valuable to me as an individual and as a brand. The organizers/ founders have similar visions "to build up other entrepreneurs and small businesses." This makes me feel that I am not alone and that the trial are worth it. I attend online and in-person events. I ask hard questions. However, I also network with larger companies, because many of them started small and grew. I aspire.
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