Small Business+Phoenix+Software

Lately I have been so impressed in the power of my network.  Not that it’s extensive or anything special but it is there for me.  Every time I network with someone I’ve met years ago or last week, I receive information and advice that I could not normally achieve by myself.

Last week, it was the owner of a web design firm in Mesa I met at an ASBA function.  Through pure chance, we sat by each other and when I heard her company name, bells went off.  I knew this person from some where or some place.  After the function, I asked a few questions trying to figure this out.  After 10 minutes, we figured it out, it was the AZIPA group.  In the time it took to figure this out, I recognized that this business owner operated using the same principles as mine, namely knowledge, work ethic and honesty.  We wanted to talk further, so we agreed to meet over coffee the following week.

During the coffee, we discovered we had quite a bit in common besides the markets we serve (and technology we worship).  We were both candid and honest.  She could give advice and receive it, as easily as could I.  We shared what worked, what did not work and what needed work.  We were both organizers of a networking group, her at one time and myself right now.  It was a great meeting.  I gained a ton of advice and perspective completely for free (and because I tried).

This week, I met up with a old colleague from a former consulting gig for lunch.  He brought someone along I had not met before.  Both work at Intel in Chandler but have some entrepreneurial ambitions.  We discussed business development at length and yet again, the conversation led to places I would have never imagined nor achieved on my own.  Even though we were interested in different markets, we could relate to the power, depth and variety of our respective networks.  

You’ll often read that you should dust off your network if you are in the market in the job.  You’ll often read that building your business requires networking and deep rooted relationships (based in trust).  What you don’t hear about is how strong your network is.  This comes from the diversity, the openness and honesty of those in your network.  People you know are ready and willing to tell you just what you need to hear.  I recommend you get out there and enjoy it for yourself.  It’s worth it.

As I’ve recently mentioned here, I was on the hunt for a local printing and mailing company here in Phoenix as part of my shopping spree during Independents Week.  I ended up sending several request for quotes to a few local companies.  One in particular stood out by offering special pricing, considering my low volume of advertising, and offering to help me in any way.

During my first meeting with the company, the account executive said to me “we are not just interested in this job, we are interested in your repeat business.”  He’s not kidding.  He knew full well that if I liked their work, I might come back.  He knew that I’m a small business today, but I might be a bigger business tomorrow.  He knew that if my advertising was successful, I might return with additional work for them.  I might even give them a referral.

This struck home for me even further when I received a knock at the front door of my home today.  The owner of the golf course surrounding my community, wanted to discuss his efforts to re-develop the driving range into office condos.  His driving range fronts Baseline Road very near where the planned 202 South Mountain Freeway is expected to be built.  He clearly needs neighborhood support, because no one bought in this community expecting rezoning of any part of the golf course.  The problem was, all I could focus on while listening to his arguments, was our last conversation in his pro shop. 

I had shown up for a round of golf with two friends, on a holiday Monday.  I have a membership at the course which allows me to play for free, if I’m walking, or you have to pay a cart fee of $15 to ride.  During the membership sign up period, an informal deal was made with homeowners who owned golf carts, that they did not have to pay the cart fee.  I had shown up with a neighbors cart, as I had done numerous times before, to avoid the cart fee.  Today, that was a problem.

There was some nervous hemming and hawing about my use of a neighbors cart and how that violated the spirit of the informal agreement.  I would be allowed to do it, this one last time …. but next time, I would have to pay the cart fee.  Not a problem, I understand.  Problem is… the golf course did not understand the concept of repeat business.

Unfortunately, for the golf course, I have not been back to play since this exchange.  This also means that I have not brought any other (paying) players with me.  We haven’t bought lunch during or after a round.  I haven’t hit one bucket of balls at the driving range either.  The golf course was more interested in the $15, that I was apparently denying them, than any business I might bring in for them.

It’s a shame, really.  Hopefully, next time you are faced with such a decision on a customer, you will remember that repeat business is the best business to have.

If you haven’t seen the news (or the web page), June 30 – July 6 is Independents Week in Arizona. The basic premise: take the pledge and buy local.

For me, the challenge is: how many ways can I find to shop local? Let’s see…

1) I need a new windshield (thanks to the Arizona heat and yet another truck with a blowout on the 101). I guess that means a call to Diamond Auto Glass.

2) I need an AC checkup. I guess that means a call to a guy my wife met who is just starting out on his own.

3) I need groceries, so that means a trip to Bashas. This is doubly enjoyable because a neighbor manages a store and I’ll give his store a little bump too.

4) I haven’t played golf in something like 2 months, but I absolutely love the municipal course at Aguila, so count me in. The city and state governments need your help too.

5) The neighbors want to go eat Italian (hey, they’re from Philly), so I think we’ll go to Amano Bistro. A simply beautiful restaurant with the freshest food south of downtown.

6) One of my clients downtown is overdue for a courtesy call. Luckily, they are within walking distance of Athenian Express.

7) I’m ready to make another advertising buy, so I need to make up mind between one of the local papers, a magazine published by Republic Media or a direct mail campaign. I can do the printing for direct mail locally, but the postage might violate my 100% local pledge. Tough one.

As I spend a lot of time in downtown Phoenix assisting clients, I am inevitably in all kinds of independent restaurants, bars and coffee spots lending my support to local businesses.  I’ll save it for another post but supporting local businesses is the the only way to go about your business if you own a business.

Anyways, I’m always picking up fliers, reading bulletin boards and picking up as much info as I can.  One of these was the Small Wonders map published by Local First Arizona / Arizona Chain Reaction.  I can’t begin to tell you how much recognition and support these small businesses deserve.  This map is just scratching the surface of the number of great services available to all of us.

Even though the map is only a start, I seriously RESPECT the effort put forth by Local First to do something, anything.  This has lead me to do my part and join Local First Arizona / Arizona Chain Reaction and I encourage you to as well.

For anyone who doesn’t think government policy affects growth of entrepreneurship needs to take a look at this article on the nytimes.com website today.  Ireland made several key changes to policy which had a direct impact.

Higher education was made free via the Free Fees Initiative in 1995 by the Ministry of Finance.  A simple investment in human capital provided opportunities to many who otherwise would not have been able to afford it.

Additionally, the tax on corporate profits was set to 12.5% which is in stark contrast to personal income tax rates between 20% and 41%.  Originally, it was 32% but the finance minister introduced legislation that phased in the reduction to 12.5% over the course of several years.

Most of the legislators in Arizona discuss economic development in terms of investment, but that only works if the investment is in education.  I wonder if they should start thinking in terms of environment.  Only with the proper nurturing can entrepreneurship really take off here.

More information on the Free Fees Initiative, please note this article.