On Friday, I had the privilege to join Jim Blasingame on his nationwide radio show, The Small Business Advocate. Jim refers to himself as the “small business advocate” and that he certainly is. In addition to a live radio show in 50 markets and blog and online archive of interviews, Jim is a champion for small business owners nationwide through media and government.
Jim’s role is vital to our country’s future because small businesses are vital for economic performance, job creation and innovation. Many global companies started as small businesses that scaled, such as Starbucks and McDonald’s. Unfortunately, individual small businesses lack the resources to lobby and command airwaves like large corporations. We need people like Jim to keep the US economy strong.
As Jim pointed out during our radio chat, Grow From Within, while targeted at larger companies, is quite relevant for small businesses. Innovation tools like new business design can be applied to refreshing and even revolutionizing the way small companies operate, to create strategic differentiation, competitive advantage, etc. Consider what a fantastic customer experience might do for local dry cleaners, for instance. Sure, many are great local businesses with committed, personable owners, but what else could a drycleaner do to create a powerful advantage through connecting with their customers in deeper ways, especially as larger, multi-location companies start to scale around the country?
Innovation and corporate entrepreneurship are relevant capabilities for companies of all sizes. Mike and I are grateful for the role Jim plays in our economy, and for the platform he’s offered to help connect Grow From Within with his audience of small business entrepreneurs.
