American Express is hosting it’s 1st annual Small Business Saturday (comparable to Black Friday) scheduled on November 27, 2010 in New York City…
On Small Business Saturday, American Express is pushing for everyone in New York City to shop a local small business.
“To boost interest among small businesses and consumers, American Express will give $100 worth of Facebook advertising to 10,000 business owners who sign up for the program. The company will also give a $25 statement credit to 100,000 card members who register their card and use it at a small business on Nov. 27.”
First Off
I really don’t like big corporations like American Express. I could list a million reasons why, but I’m that’s for another time.
I love working with small business owners and individuals who are starting up their businesses… They’re always optimist and that’s just great to be around.
Small businesses have been getting crapped, they’re used to getting crapped on and under the current administration it’s not going to stop anytime soon. I hear it all the time…
But, there may be light at the end of the tunnel.
There’s Always An Agenda
Of course American Express is spending a few million dollars to promote Small Business Saturday in New York… But chances are, people are going to spend several million on their cards and American Express will make a boat load (rightfully so).
I’m glad middle management at American Express thought up of this idea (you know middle management does all the work).
This is the exact type of mentality that large corporations need to have.
I think too many large corporations get caught up in how to cut cost to increase profits.
I’m not one for wasteful spending. If it takes 2 people to do a job you don’t need 3.
On the other hand… if it takes 2 people to do a job, I’m not going to have 1 person doing it.
What I’m seeing is a lot of large corporations struggling to keep their profits in the black, but they are afraid to invest in marketing.
Instead they cut back on staff… cut back on marketing… they don’t hold proper inventory… start paying their vendors at a net 60, 90 or even 120… and it spirals out of control from there.
This is wrong… Not morally speaking, but from my perspective.
If your business isn’t making money… The 1st thing you should invest in is MARKETING.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Consumers rule the market NOT stockholders.
Small Businesses rule the economy, not large corporations.
If WE THE PEOPLE support our small local businesses it stimulates our local economies.
I think Small Business Saturday should be celebrated across our entire nation on Nov. 27 2010.
If it was… every local economy in the U.S. would be stimulated.
Pass It On
If you’re down for supporting Small Business Saturday in your local community, pass it on.
If you’re a small business owner and you want to participate in your own Small Business Saturday for your community:
- Start promoting Small Business Saturday RIGHT NOW…
- Tell your other small business owner friends to start promoting it RIGHT NOW…
- Call your local paper and tell them that you and other local business owners are doing your own local Small Business Saturday and ask them, “Do you want to cover our story?” (They’d be stupid to not say ‘Yes’ as it would tie a national story to their paper and community.
- Come up with an amazing offer… If you are having a hard time thinking about what an amazing offer may be… Ask in the comments below and I’ll give you a few ideas.
