Contributing Bloggers

Why choose a small business?
November 4, 2013

According to BDC “Small and medium sized business make up 99.8% of all Canadian companies.” This post is meant to salute small business owners and small business month in Canada.

Recently I read the blog of a well-known, and for me, well respected business owner and was surprised to discover he and his partner had done a business review and felt they were well short of their revenue targets. This is a small business owner who has built a high profile – I mean money just finds him doesn’t it? As a business owner it was encouraging to read – after all when you’re a small business it can feel that you’re the only one who worries about revenue targets to the point of distraction.

It made me think further – a small business is a company you want on your side for a variety of reasons, but let’s focus on a big one: Money.

We’re used to following budgets, driving towards the bottom line, it’s built into our DNA and a huge part of everyone’s focus within the company. That means we’ll be laser focused on your budget. Because we know how.

Our clients tell us how refreshing this is. This made me wonder even more. Wait – other companies aren’t?

Budgets are a daily part of our own business, at every level of the organization. Too often I’ve seen in big companies once you get into the rank and file, workers lose site of the importance of budgets; after all, it’s someone else’s money. And that’s just the thing with a small business. It’s never someone else’s money.

So here’s some tips on choosing the right company to partner with, and ultimately to tracking The Money for your projects. While these are event related, I’m sure you’ll find similarities that apply to any project.

  • Clarity in the scope of work. Ensure you’re clear on exactly what services you receive. A lot of companies will quote low and then when asked about a particular service, respond with an oops, that wasn’t included in the scope.
  • Look for honesty and don’t forget to ask the experts. Sometimes the client doesn’t know what they need. That’s why they’ve come to us in the first place. And it’s our job, as the subject matter experts, to point out important elements. Sometimes this means tough conversations on what the right choices are. It’s a tough balance on how and where you spend your money. Look for a company that designs with value. And that doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest price. It means choosing the right elements as part of your budget.
  • Build in regular budget meetings outside of your status meetings. One that is focused just on the money and how the project is progressing. Are you over or under projections?

A small business will spend your money responsibly, because that’s our reality, every day.

Trish Knox

Trish has been turning her clients' event vision into reality for 18 years. Known for continually pushing the envelope both strategically and creatively, she has set the bar for helping clients effectively engage with audiences. With more than 25 years in marketing, Trish's career includes a combination of both agency and client experience that proves invaluable when operating in the corporate environment. She has guided clients through some of their most sensitive and high profile programs. Trish applies a thoughtful, unique approach, while embracing new ideas and blending the latest industry trends to all event programs. She has developed event programs for leading corporations such as Avaya, Facebook, Canadian Tire, Dell, D2L, Microsoft, Salesforce and Softchoice. Her event experience crosses the corporate spectrum including the management of large scale conferences, national roadshows, trade show booth design, award galas and C-level customer engagement events. Trish works in conjunction with the client to position the company as forward thinkers and leaders in innovation.

Latest posts by Trish Knox (see all)