In a small town, Human Resources Management takes on all new meaning, as you labor to find people to work with you, train them, keep them, and so on, while starting from a tiny talent pool. Making the most of each staff person is a constant issue. So here are two items to help you…
As a small town small business person, you have a natural advantage in creating local products. I have three examples of local products that will outsell the generic version in a given location. Product Idea 1: Local pride clothing Small towns are filled with clothes sporting the high school mascot. You can build a good…
Living next to a terrific birding site, the Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, I’ve seen an increase in the number of birders traveling the area. Jack Schultz has noticed it, too, and written up a few resources around Nebraska’s bird industry and the Chicken Dance Trail. What kind of small town businesses can cater…
The book: Start and Run a Rural Computer Consulting Business by John D. Deans, on the Self-Counsel Press.Short and Sweet Review: It’s a great book. Who should read it: Anyone who wants to run a rural computer consulting business. Aaron Morris with the Self-Counsel Press sent it to me back in November. (right before a…
Rural demographics are changing. Does this affect your business? First, Rex Hammock found the term ‘ruralpolitan’ novel. Apparently, a ruralpolitan is someone with an above average annual household income who lives on 3 or more acres. Second, USDA’s Amber Waves profiles changing demographics caused by more retirees and immigrants moving into rural areas. Key points:…
Found in the E+Action Newsletter: A recent report by the Center for the Study of Education Policy at Illinois State University concentrates on why students are leaving Illinois, where the students are moving, and what strategies can be employed to retain more students. The report offers a number of recommendations to keep students within the…
Big news out of the UK: rural areas are starting up more businesses and outpacing urban areas. Four different news sources picked up this story on the report from Barclays Local Business. What led to this boom in rural business? From the London Stock Exchange: “Amongst the fastest growing start-up locations, more than half are…
Take this idea from Scotland. After a year of studying what businesses in their area actually need, this mentoring project was designed and launched. Mentors from the local business community will be recruited to help support people who are thinking of setting up in business in the area. Enterprise visits will also be co-ordinated to…
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