When you are thinking about opening up a small business, or you’ve already got an existing small business that maybe isn’t progressing and growing as you had hoped, it’s normal to look outside your own goals and operations and see what other businesses are doing. How are they succeeding? How are they making a mark in their industry and managing to meet all the goals they set out to achieve?
While you may be tempted to look at the competition for inspiration and answers, there could be an industry that offers even more answers, and that industry may come as a surprise to you. No matter what kind of small business you own, did you know that you can actually learn a whole lot from fast food joints and how they operate? Sure it may not answer all your questions, but it can certainly shed light on areas that can then help you to succeed.
So what can small businesses learn from fast food joints? Let’s take a closer look.
They Know How to Find Staff and Fast
The employees you have are what help to make or break your company, so with that in mind you don’t have time to sit around and wait for that right candidate to fall into the job. This is where you can look to fast food joints. When they need staff they are proactive and take every measure to make sure they find the right person, and quickly. They understand that means posting their fast food jobs online, in the store, and even in the local newspaper if need be.
Then there is the job ad itself. They are usually specifically laying out what work experience is required, and the skillsand traits that can make a person a good candidate. Again, that can provide you with tips on how to craft your own job postings.
Be Transparent About Your Suppliers
Another thing that fast food joints are known for is using high-quality suppliers and then broadcasting it to the world. They want to be transparent when it comes to the food customers can expect, and show them that it’s better quality, which is therefore healthier. This is another lesson that small businesses can use, as they move to be more transparent about their suppliers and the quality of the products.
Branding is Everything
Fast food joints are pros when it comes to recognising that branding is everything. They know that they need to be aggressive in their marketing, getting the word out, and carving that niche for themselves in a highly competitive industry. Carving a niche and branding is essential for any company, regardless of the size of it or the industry it is in. Building a name for your company takes time, but it’s something that needs to be done.
Be Consistent At All Times
Fast food joints, especially those that are franchises, also need to be consistent. This means consistent in their menu options, the quality of their food, and the quality of their service. Consistency is something that customers appreciate and quite frankly demand, no matter what industry you are looking at.
While it may not seem like your small business has anything in common with fast food joints, as you take a closer look it’s clear that there is a lot you can learn from them.