I apologize in advance if I get Multi Level Marketing (MLM) ads all over this page.

This post is about the little gems in your neighborhood and mine.

I had a string of great service yesterday, and the best was at the Elite Tire & Service Center in Stevens Point, WI.  The owner, Jeff, takes the time to discuss your vehicle with you, how long it will take to do what he needs to do (oil change in this case) and other repairs the car may need in the future.  He also gives discounts to repeat customers, which is why both our cars go to Jeff’s garage now for anything.

So how can we help the businesses in our community?  Here are  ideas that I came up with, feel free to add your own as well:

1. Tell others- this seems real obvious, but we usually talk about places where we received subpar service, instead we should tell our friends and neighbors about places that exceeded our expectations.  The more business they do, the greater the chance that they will continue to meet your expectations in the future (instead of close shop.)
2. Meet the Management and learn names- Ok, so this one helps you more than the business (oops) knowing the management is a key to finding the really good discounts, even at large businesses.  Make sure when you go looking for management you have something positive to say about their business, are dressed professionally, and learn their names quickly.
3. Don’t use credit cards at small businesses-  Some of those merchant terminals will charge the business 10% of the sale in fees on those machines.  As a result, you can usually get discounts if you discuss cash payment ahead of time.
4. Pass their business card around-  Along the lines of telling others, the business card is going to help you learn the boss’s name though, and you will be able to greet him with it the next time you come in, and mention how many of his cards you’ve passed out.
5. For Franchises write to the franchise headquarters- If the kid at Mac & Don’s supper club is doing a great job, get their name and send a letter via snail mail to the franchise headquarters.  The store and employee will get commended and the service will improve.
6. Don’t use large banks when there is a Credit Union nearby- I will save this discussion for a future post…
7. Buy lots of stuff from them- Even if its cheaper over at Wal-Mart, and you know it is, splurge a little bit as a community reinvestment.

If you live in a community where small businesses are doing well, you will see these things happening, if you can do something no other business in that town is doing, I would encourage you to at least discuss starting your own business.  If your town is like mine though, you will attempt to improve the local business scene until you can see the little guys doing well.