The Napoleon Complex: Little Companies With Big Attitudes
Aug
1
Written by:
8/1/2011 9:23 AM
The memory of the launch of my payroll company remains very clear in my mind. The business was finally open, but there was just one problem: there were no clients who actually needed payrolls prepared. The equipment in the office was fancy—a new printer and a great little computer network. I even had one staff member. Does my mom count?
Nevertheless, the business was operating and ready to take on the giant payroll processors of the world. Armed with unbridled enthusiasm, I began guiding a fledgling venture on a path to conquer an industry—or at least a little segment.
Fast-forward a grueling 15 years. Today, Advantage Payroll Services is a respected independent payroll services provider in the New York metropolitan area. We compete with the big guys on a level playing field. In fact, I've been told that my company is a topic of discussion at industry giants’ sales meetings and that some of them strategize to undercut our pricing and discredit us by telling lies to persuade our loyal clients to jump ship. Secretly, it is clear that our competitors respect us. Why do they need to resort to such behavior? It’s simple: Many of our clients were tired of the service at larger firms and were happy to find a home with a smaller provider that responds to their needs more quickly and effectively.
Does our situation sound familiar? Whether a small startup or a well-established organization, managers and owners understand exactly what I mean. How can a small business compete on the same level as large firms when they don’t have the money for extravagant marketing, can’t hire the best sales staff available and can’t afford a swanky location?
For several strategies to put industry giants in your rear-view mirror, read the rest of my blog at
http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/managing/article/the-napoleon-complex-little-companies-with-big-attitudes-robert-basso
1 comment(s) so far...
Re: The Napoleon Complex: Little Companies With Big Attitudes
I came from a retail business that was litterly desimated because of major burglaries. I created the shell a new entity starting out with $800,000 in debt from the prior ruins.
My client base was limited to a portion of my old clients. A couple of years later, I became aware of the LI Networking Community and the ability to align myself with LI based charities. Today, 14 years later, we are out of debt and building an ICON in the LI Business Community. I thank all of you for the support you have shown and I am committed to serve where I may and give back when I can.
By Marvin Soskil on
8/1/2011 9:56 AM
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