One of the central challenges for family run businesses is to devise strategies for competing against larger competitors. By their very nature, family-operated companies tend to be smaller, lean organizations that occupy a niche between the small and medium-sized points on the spectrum of any given industry. Mom-and-pop entities are a subcategory of the family run business niche, which includes all kinds of businesses, most of which were founded by an individual who later passed ownership onto children.
How can these unique commercial operations go head-to-head against traditional companies in their industry? In the restaurant segment, for instance, owners leverage the power of the family friendly establishment to attract customers. In the transportation industry, many families have been successful amid stiff competition thanks to their adaptability and lean operational structures.
The same is true in bodywork, spa, and personal services niches. The legal profession has recently witnessed the fast growth of husband-and-wife law firms that use the familial aspect of customer service to differentiate themselves from competitors. In the mortuary field, families have long held the edge against corporate-run companies for several unique reasons. Review the following details about how family run businesses compete effectively against much larger businesses in every industry.
Restaurants
Mom-and-pop restaurants have a special advantage in the restaurant and food service segment. In addition to working on principles of close owner cooperation, they make good use of the home aspect in marketing campaigns. Perhaps the oldest version of family-based businesses in existence, restaurants, inns, bed-and-breakfasts, and roadside food stands have been a staple of the consumer scene for generations. In an impersonal era of digitized everything, food-based FRB merchants can compete against rivals of all sizes.
Transport Fleets
Family run businesses operate many different types of vehicle fleets, including long-haul trucking, local passenger transport, delivery of goods, etc. Family run fleets have the advantage of being agile and adaptable due to their small size and decentralized management structures. Compared to major lines that run hundreds of trucks simultaneously, family run businesses in the fleet management niche can usually carve out a decent market share within large and small metropolitan areas, no matter how many of the largest national lines are present.
If your family operates a fleet that carries cargo for government agencies within the state of California, it’s imperative to stay informed about the various California smog check rules to avoid significant fines and citations. Falling out of compliance is a costly proposition. Fortunately, family run businesses can learn to use telematics to minimize the amount of time for passing smog checks in California. That’s one way smaller, family owned fleets can maximize vehicle uptime and lower their overall operational costs.
Law Firms
One of the latest trends in law firms is the rise of husband-and-wife teams as senior partners. Couples who own these businesses make local TV commercials in which they emphasize their family friendly structure, informal attitude, and combined experience. The teamwork theme plays a major role in their promotional campaigns, and the partners never miss a chance to remind potential clients that the firm treats everyone like family. So far, the trend hasn’t caught on with accountants or medical practices.
