Sam Frankel, Sales Director at Polypouch UK (www.polypouch.co.uk)
Independent family run businesses have been the backbone of the UK economy for many years, and the pandemic has sadly seen many of those local firms close. There is an importance in today’s climate for suppliers to choose wisely when it comes to which firms they want to work with.
Working with an independent family run business has so many bonuses, ones which are likely never to be seen with large corporations. Here are our top tips for why working with an independent family run business is so beneficial to successful supplier relationships.
Work ethic
Independent and family run firms punch way above their weight, all backed and supported by a really strong work ethic, a willingness to succeed and unrivaled dedication to the company. This means that they want the company they are working with to receive the best possible customer journey and will work tirelessly to achieve your goals. Think of a family run business as an extension of your own business, and that is the key difference in service. While larger enterprises may have a wider reach and marketing budget, they don’t have the same level of personal interest in your company.
Communication
Communication in any business is imperative, but with a family business it establishes great communication from day one. Problems and situations do sometimes arise; and by having a responsive team that are hands on, you’ll eliminate issues quickly. A family run business is also constantly striving for the best and to be the trailblazer in terms of their industry. Take packaging for example. Sustainable packaging is the driving force changing the industry for the better, just knowing that widely recyclable or compostable packaging is making a difference to landfill is a huge positive, and independent companies like Polypouch have been ahead of the curve, leading the change and knowing what’s around the corner, and that understanding creates commitment.
Fluidity
One of the greatest assets of working with a family business is their ability to work across all areas, so if a person is off work that day, the team are able to compensate and pick up on their workload knowing exactly what it is they do, and how to do it. One day they might be in production and the next, looking after sales. There’s a far more fluid pathway through the business, without having to stick to defined roles, and this ultimately saves time and money.
Influence
Local people often support local companies – and what they have to say has more impact on the people around them. Word of mouth is one of the most effective marketing tools, and suppliers will also benefit from that relationship. Independent companies can influence their local councils directly and interact with their local community through presenting to local groups, running online Q&A sessions and being visible to both businesses and individual consumers locally. When independent companies speak up, local communities will support them – influencing changes in issues they are passionate about such as sustainability and recycling habits.
