Every two years during the summer or winter Olympics we develop a sense of worldwide camaraderie. The names of foreign athletes roll off our tongues like those of trusted friends. We become avid fans of sports that we won’t even watch again for another four years. We get wrapped up in the stories and successes of people that we will likely never even meet. For those two weeks we are part of a global fandom connected in some small way to people all around the globe.
Imagine extending that global goodwill to small business. Instead of only looking for small business solutions in your own backyard, expand your search to include foreign locales as well. The hero that holds the key to your success might be working halfway around the world. Become a fan of small business practices that you might not otherwise even be aware of. At times we are all guilty of ethnocentricity. We all think that our country has developed the best solutions for our particular issues. We need to remember that others might be going through the same challenges that we are currently facing. In some cases they may have encountered these issues long before they reached us and they may already have tested solutions and determined the best ones. It never hurts to consider options outside our own borders.
Something else that the Olympics teach us is that the medalists aren’t the only winners. Often we cheer for the athlete who finished well off the podium but achieved a personal best. While we would all love to be able to choose the “gold standard” best solution, it isn’t always in the budget. Look for those “personal best” solutions that meet all your needs. The ones that solve your issue without breaking the bank. They may be missing one or two of the ‘nice to have’ features but at the end of the day they get the job done. Who wouldn’t cheer for that?
For just over two weeks people around the globe are drawn together by Olympic competition. Then the closing ceremonies air and we all go back to life as usual. We forget the names and faces and in many cases even the sports that they excel at. That’s fine for sporting events. Most of us would quickly become unemployed if we devoted too much time and effort to following these contests. In small business, holding on to these ideals could be biggest triumph of all. People often speak of thinking globally in the abstract sense. If we took concrete steps to achieve this goal the results could be remarkable.
Of course, if what you’re seeking is an inventory management solution - Look no further! Stockpile is a podium worthy personal best solution for your small small business. Want to feel like a winner? Try Stockpile today!
