Here’s proof… size really doesn’t matter
I’m always on the lookout for great examples of organizations that own their space. It’s easy to find these examples amongst the ranks of the large and famous - companies like Apple, Google, Coca Cola and BMW to name a few. So when a colleague mentioned how much difficulty she had had getting some materials printed for a meeting she was hosting, I thought of all the times I have needed something done under similar circumstances and how some outcomes had turned out like hers, and others very differently. And all this led me to think about the importance of size. Or more accurately, how size really doesn’t matter when it comes to business success.
Owning your space means doing it right
I doubt that anyone who has ever needed printed materials has had a positive experience one hundred percent of the time. I know I haven’t. But what struck me was how I keep going back to the same quick print shop every time I do need something done fast, and done right.
The quick printer I use is located on the concourse level of an office tower where I seem to spend a lot of time. That’s why I initially used this printer. It was simply convenient. But that’s not the reason I’ve gone back a dozen or more times. It’s really no trouble to upload a file to any printer’s FTP site regardless of where they are. No, the reason I’ve returned again and again is because I can count on this printer to do what I want, when I want it. I trust them to come through for me.
Trust brings 'em back
When you think about it, isn’t this what owning your space is all about? Having customers trust you enough to willingly return over and over again. And with any luck share their positive experiences with others.
Being the biggest thing around is not about the size of your business
The fact is, you don’t have to be a Fortune 1000 company, or a huge nonprofit, to be the biggest thing around (and own your space in your market segment). We all have go-to sources for printing, t-shirts, custom golf balls, market research, business advice and many other things. For the most part, as long as we can get what we want, when we want it and at a fair price, size will generally be the last thing on our mind.