Being small can actuallyprovide a competitive edge over big retail. The secret for an independent tiredealership lies in flaunting – not hiding – your smallness. Corporate giantsjust can’t achieve the personal relationships that small business owners havewith their clients. They aren’t as close to their customers and can’t respondas quickly to changing demands. It’s easier for a small dealership to gain communitytrust than it is for a big chain.
Here are a few tips that canhelp any small tire dealer thrive in a competitive environment crowded with bigretail:
• Keep a positive attitudetowards making changes in your business.
• Adjust your business towhat the customer wants.
• Do what the big guys can’tdo by focusing on niche markets.
• Start with a qualityproduct, then gain area residents’ support and trust through community service.
• Think cooperation. Partnerwith other, non-competing local businesses to exchange referrals or advertisingmaterials.
• Use your expertise. Givefree talks on tire safety or maintenance.
• Call customers and askthem what they expect and appreciate in a tire shop. Retail giants won’t, orcan’t, take this approach because they’re just too big. After a fewconversations, you’ll learn what to avoid and what to provide.
– Source: Tire ReviewBusiness Toolbox
