Building Relationships and Business by "Buying Local" with a Handshake

I have read that for every $100 spent "buying local" puts $46 back into the community, whereas spending $100 in a big chain location only returns $13 to the community. I am not so sure how these numbers were derived at, but the employees of both big and local locations need paychecks, which your $100 provides. Those employees still need to purchase good and items as well.

If you are a small business, what you should recognize is your potential for future business that can be developed by doing getting your goods and services "locallY". Developing a reputation as a pleasant person and building relationships with other small businesses and knowing each other by name can go a long way to helping your business.

Here are some 1 minute or less ways to meet, greet, and begin building that relationship with other small businesses in your community:

1) Spend 1 extra minute to learn the person's name you are dealing with. Introduce yourself with a smile and a handshake. Tell them what you do and that it was a pleasure to do business with them. (even if it is just the after-school cashier). Do this for every business you encounter and you'll become a welcome guest in your community.

2) Spend 30 seconds to Thank them for their service, especially if it was good. Write an extra thank you on your meal receipt and note if you received exceptional service at a restaurant. The server will see it, and probably the manager on duty. If you are a regular at that restaurant, your service will improve as a result of your "reputation".

3) Put notes of thanks and encouragement to your mail carrier... especially on really nasty days. (this won't necessarily help your business with the mail service, but it might get you occasional front door delivery which does help YOUR business).

You never know how the impact of a handshake, smile, and 30 seconds of "I appreciate your efforts" or "Thank you for your help today" can go a long way in building your business. People who have no direct ability to add to your bottom line have friends and relatives who do that the impression you make will get around to others.

In our tight downturn of an economy, when stakes and tensions run high, make sure you never have a shortage of smiles.