Smaller Companies are the drivers of economies around the world.
“Klein aber fein”. The first time I heard this phrase was from my old German teacher as he discussed my recent homework. I was too young to appreciate sarcasm! However small can be beautiful when it refers to smaller companies.
1. Smaller Companies Care
Winning the business of a large customer is a big deal for a smaller company. It could amount to a very significant % of their total business. This means they care so much about getting things right that the entire organisation is dedicated to making sure the customer gets the service they expect.
2. Quick Decision Making
Smaller companies don’t have excessive bureaucracy. It isn’t necessary to prepare a 20 page justification document in order to undertake some product development. This means the customer gets what they need sooner.
3. Access to the Owners
There’s little hierarchy involved in smaller organisations. This gives the customer direct access to top management/owners. This allows real discussions about how both organisations can benefit from working together. “How do we both make profit from this”?
4. Competitive
Without the infrastructure of large corporations to support, smaller companies can be price as well as service competitive.
5. Flexibility
Chasing direction in an oil tanker is a slow process. However a speed boat can turn circles in seconds. This is the small for smaller organisations. If demands change in the middle of a job, smaller companies can respond more quickly.
What are your experiences of working with smaller companies?