NFIB

Get Together
10/ 03/ 2003

by Vicki Gerson

Small business owners can learn a lot from their peers, which is why attending a small business roundtable can offer valuable insight into the challenges that small business owners face, and also serve as an excellent forum for networking. Whether focusing on one small business issue or several, get together with other small business owners to learn about the following topics:

Industry tips: To gain insight into your industry while avoiding competition, plan a roundtable with owners of similar types of businesses from different geographical locations. Participants will feel more comfortable explaining how they increased market share and grew their business if they do not feel threatened by the other participants.

Motivation: Find out what motivational techniques other employers are using. Inquire about seminar speakers to find out if they may be beneficial to your employees.

Association meetings: If your peers have attended organizational and association meetings recently, find out if they found them to be useful. Have them share some of the information they learned at this year's conference. If they seem worthwhile, note them and put them on next year's calendar.

Networking: Networking is becoming popular among America's business owners. In a weak economy, many business owners are looking for new ways to generate more business. In a group of small business owners, some may belong to their local civic club while others may belong to women's groups. All of these could lead to new vendors, new hires and maybe even new customers. Networking groups can also provide information and suggestions to small business owners about everything from lawyers and tax accountants to delivery and printing services.

If you haven't gotten together with a small business group yet, consider making it a high priority this year. Before you form your own group, though, check local media to find out about existing small business groups.

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