Small Towns, Big Dreams: Business Innovation
Many business owners overlook small towns when they search for new ways to grow. This is a big mistake because rural communities are often untapped; this means that they present great opportunities for economic growth. The landscape is changing, so pull up a seat and discover why small towns equal big dreams and big dreams are the key to business innovation and growth.
Hidden in Plain Sight – Untapped Market Pools
In the digital age, everyone leverages the power of technology because it makes everything easier and faster. However, if more and more businesses look past their tech solutions, they could strike gold in a rural goldmine. Here are five reasons why a rural workforce is the ultimate gold rush.
A Better Pool of Talent
In rural areas, the available talent is more diverse. This means that you’ll find a variety of candidates who have different skills, capabilities, and backgrounds. Diversity is important because when a team has it, it allows a business to explore new ideas that could lead to innovative solutions.
A Tactical Way to Cut Costs
Top-tier talents are always looking for convenient and cost-efficient business opportunities, and these opportunities are often found in rural areas. If you look at job offers from a financial perspective, there are two things to consider: urban living expenses and rural living expenses. Working in an urban community has its advantages, but the cost of living is higher. It costs far less to work in a rural area, and some of the best talents are found here, so it’s a win-win scenario for a small business and its employees.
Faster Turnaround Times and Fewer Setbacks
Rural communities and major cities have different community standards. In big cities, there is less unity, and this can lead to setbacks. In rural communities, there is a higher level of trust, dedication, and teamwork, and local leaders will often have the drive to move a community forward. This is the definition of stability and one of the perks of harnessing talent outside of a city.
Balance
The most successful businesses have focused employees who are balanced. These types of employees are not difficult to find; they will often have their roots planted in a rural community far away from the city. They prefer this setting because it’s serene, quiet, and welcoming; all of these factors can make daily routines less of a grind.
Niches to Explore
Every industry has its own demands, so it’s important to find workers who have laser-targeted skillsets. In rural markets, these candidates exist, and because most businesses overlook them, they are easy to find, interview, and hire.
Getting Started – How to Use Digital Nomad Magnets
Attracting viable employees to a rural area to work for your business will all come down to your sales pitch and what the community has to offer. If you’re ready to attract remote prospects, here are five ways to make an impact.
Offer Bonuses
If you want to make an immediate impact, offer a basic sign-up bonus. When done correctly, it could attract hundreds of potential candidates in a short time span. Large bonuses work best because they are the most attractive.
Best Practices for Sign-in Bonuses
Never pay a new hire a sign-on bonus in full. Instead, divide the payment into monthly installments, and try to deliver the total sum over the course of a year.
Highlight the Amenities
The amenities that a town provides are very important, so mention this early during your sales pitch. If you highlight that a town has quality healthcare, wonderful schools, and fantastic outdoor attractions, more individuals will respond to your offer.
Moving Forward in a Great Team – Five Community-Centric Strategies for Success
Once you have a great team in place, it’s time to build a community around your business. If a community is already established, you’ll need to do what it takes to strengthen it.
Building Block One – Elevate the Customer Experience
In order to build lasting business relationships locally, you’ll need to curate products for your customer base. This will give you the advantage as a small business owner because many larger, competitive companies will not curate their own products.
Building Block Two – Find Great Business Partners
Local small businesses that flow together will grow together. If you’ve never formed a partnership before, reach out to a local business in your area and pursue a joint promotion or a shared loyalty program.
Building Block Three – Join Community Events
Community events benefit everyone, so host them often throughout the year. If you do a great job, you’ll build customer loyalty and attract new prospects.
Building Block Four – Leverage the Power of Social Media
Social media is the fuel that will keep your business moving forward. To leverage it, find and follow business influencers, groups, and local leaders in your niche. Then, participate, comment, make posts, and share content regularly on these social media pages. These strategies will increase your business’s visibility, and in time, your company will gradually become a highly recognized and respectable brand.
Building Block Five – Make Your Business Stand Out
A local business must never lose its identity because it ties customers to a community. To keep your business grounded, support local vendors, run fundraisers, and get involved when local leaders host community events.
Success in the South – Lauderdale is a Goldmine
If you run a business in the south, you have excellent opportunities for small-town economic growth in Lauderdale. To learn more about Lauderdale and what it has to offer, visit www.lookatlauderdaletn.com.
