5 Tips for Small Businesses Seeking to Work with Larger Companies
Small businesses often find it difficult to secure contracts with larger corporations. In many cases, these companies require a significant amount of experience and resources that may be beyond the reach of small businesses. However, with the right strategy, small businesses can position themselves as competitive players in the corporate procurement space.
1 - Get Certified as a Diverse Supplier
Certifying your business as a diverse supplier can help you build relationships and position your company to compete for contract awards. These certifications include Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women, Veteran, or LGBT-Owned.
Certification is an essential first step in cultivating relationships with corporate supply chains and positioning your company to compete for contract awards. Corporations and governments across the state look to partners and statewide agencies, for qualified and capable minority- business partners.
Statewide organizations exist to help entrepreneurs become certified. For example, The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) is a leading authority on MBE certification and offers a comprehensive certification program.
2 - Attend Networking Events
Relationships with key decision makers are important to getting your foot (or bid!) in the door. Business owners can look to statewide certifying agencies to help them facilitate essential relationships between Georgia corporations and diverse firms.
Be sure to check the websites of statewide agencies for upcoming events. For example, The GMSDC calendar supplies networking and matchmaking opportunities where key players in corporate procurement and qualified suppliers may meet and engage one another.
Attending networking events is an excellent way to get exposure and establish relationships with key players in your industry. Make sure to prepare a pitch that highlights your company's unique value proposition and what sets you apart from your competitors
3 - Build a Strong Online Presence
Having a strong online presence is necessary for small businesses seeking contracts with larger corporations. Make sure to invest time and resources into building a professional website that highlights your products/services, capabilities, and success. Your website should be user-friendly and visually appealing.
You may also want to consider starting a blog to establish yourself as an authority in your industry. Social media is another crucial part of your online presence. Make sure to create profiles on the major social media platforms and post engaging and relevant content regularly
4 - Leverage Technology
Leveraging technology can be a game-changer for small businesses seeking contracts with larger corporations. Ensuring that your business has the proper cyber security measures in place is a requirement of most large employers, while other technology tools can streamline the process.
Other technology tools may help set your business a part as being able to deliver your product or service. For example, project management software can help you stay organized and deliver projects on time and budget. Customer relationship management (CRM) software can help you track leads and manage your sales pipeline more efficiently. There are many tools and resources available to help you build a stronger online presence, such as website builders, email marketing tools, and social media management platforms.
5 - Be Persistent
Finally, persistence is key when it comes to going after contracts with larger corporations. Don't get discouraged if you don't get a response right away. Keep following up to stay top of mind with your target companies.
Going after contracts with larger corporations can be challenging for small businesses, but by following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can position yourself as a competitive player in the corporate procurement space. Get certified as a diverse supplier, attend networking events, build a strong online presence, leverage technology, and be persistent. With the right strategy and mindset, you can secure lucrative contracts with larger companies and take your business to the next level.
This text has been generated by an AI model, but the ideas and underlying research are original and generated by a human author, Vanessa Wagner. The organization, grammar, and presentation may have been enhanced by the use of AI.