By Nate Lorenzini posted on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 @ 2:07 PM - (General)
Even though the economy has been dismal and unemployment has been on the rise, a fascinating phenomenon suggests that small businesses and boutique firms stand to gain customers in these trying times. Let’s face it, whether times are good or bad small businesses have never been able to afford the luxury of being wasteful, inefficient, or careless with money. Large corporations, on the other hand, which are bureaucratic by their very nature, have a tendency to become highly inefficient and wasteful when times are good. When faced with an economic downturn, the inevitable occurs in a large corporation—mass downsizing resulting in a loss of valuable talent and customer service. Consequently, the large name brand company that customers were paying for tends to lose its luster in the face of lost relationships and customer support.
Peter Bregman, CEO of Bregman Partners, Inc., a global management consulting firm, also believes that small companies will win in this economy. He states that “Small is the new big. Sustainable is the new growth. Trust is the new competitive advantage.” He says that “small companies with low overhead, reliable owners, a small number of committed employees, personal client relationships, and sustainable business models that drive a reasonable profit are the great opportunity of our time.” To read more about Bregman’s point of view on this topic visit his article Why Small Companies Will Win in This Economy.
The tenants of the Brentwood Business Center, the Sand Creek Business Center, and the Sand Creek Plaza are all too familiar with this mantra. The majority of the tenants renting space in these Brentwood business centers are small local vendors with a particular focus on sustaining clients through relationships and keen customer service. In fact, KMB Management, the managing firm over these properties, has developed a philosophy that embodies the spirit of Bregman’s slogan: “Small is the new big. Sustainable is the new growth. Trust is the new competitive advantage.” Each new customer and/or potential customer at KMB Management is treated with respect, professionalism, kindness, and commitment.
In closing, if you are a small business in this trying time don’t lose heart. This is your golden opportunity to take advantage of the niche opportunities that are out there. Just remember that small is the new big and the power of the personal relationship can never be underestimated. Creativity may also be your number one asset in attracting new business and retaining loyal customers. The business expert Peter Drucker once said that, “Business has only two basic functions—marketing and innovation.” Therefore, turn your creativity into innovative marketing endeavors!
By Nate Lorenzini posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 12:30 PM - (General)
This question has been at the forefront of our minds for a long time. Analysts, speculators, and business people alike have been desperately trying to wrap their minds around the enormity of this problem for the past few years. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the United States has been in a recession since December of 2007.
Economic insight and analysts from the Wall Street Journal speculate that the American people will have to hold out until 2010 for the National Bureau of Economic Research to make an end-of-recession declaration. In Washington last week, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, however; publicly declared that the recession was over. He did qualify this statement by saying that there would not be a “splashy return to economic boomtime anytime soon.”
Bernanke attributes the end of the recession to several factors as follows: a rise in retail sales for the month of August, a rise in housing sales in key markets, and a rise in median home prices in Southern California markets, one of the hardest hit boom-to-bust areas in the country. All of these factors combined serve as key economic indicators to market stabilization and recovery. To read more about these factors visit Yahoo's Real Estate Outlook.
Unfortunately, unemployment is the wild card in this recession equation. Even with the end of the recession drawing near, unemployment will not have a speedy recovery. According to Robert Gordon, a Northwestern University economist and member of the Business Cycle Dating Committee, unemployment will peak sometime between December of 2009 and March of 2010. Nevertheless, Bernanke says that the vast majority of Americans who are employed saw wage increases this year up to 5% marking the largest gain in fifty years.
The experts are declaring that the recession is either over or coming to a close which is very good news for everybody. This is certainly optimistic news for businesses both small and large who are anxiously awaiting the return of the market. For local businesses like those located in the Sand Creek Business Center and the Brentwood Business Center, this may stimulate expansion or growth plans for the coming years. In which case, commercial building owners will eagerly be waiting to accomodate the needs of growing businesses with office and retail space.
By Administrator User posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 @ 10:29 AM - (General)
It's time for Cornfest! So strap on your cowboy boots and join the fun. The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual festival on July 7th from 5:00pm to 10:00pm, July 8th from 10:30am to 9:00pm, and July 9th from 10:30am to 6:00pm. The event will be held at Brentwood City Park, surrounded by Second Street from Liberty High School to Oak Street. General Admission is ten dollars for adults and five dollars for students and seniors who are 65 or older. Children under the age of five will get in free!
Each year, Cornfest draws thousands of people from the local and surrounding communities. If you are new to Brentwood or the local community, this is a great opportunity to meet wonderful families, new friends, and business owners. The festival will also be packed with attractions and activities for the whole family. There will be live music, a carnival, a car show, pony rides, arts and crafts, great food, local wines and microbrews, a kid's zone, Friday night fireworks, info alley, and plenty of corn!
This event showcases the City of Brentwood as one of the fastest growing communities in Contra Costa County. In fact, Brentwood has experienced population growth of 104.05 percent since 2000. As of 2009, Brentwood boasts a population of 48,448 people making it an excellent location for new businesses and families. Without the help of new local businesses like Fremont Bank, Cornfest would not be the successful event that it is. The Brentwood branch of Fremont Bank which is located in the Sand Creek Plaza across from the Sand Creek Business Center, Brentwood's office and retail hub!
Other event sponsors include the City of Brentwood, Coca Cola, Bud Light, The Monthly Grapevine, Brentwood Press and Publishing, Mike's Auto Body, Black Bear Diner, Kohl's, and many more. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for your business contact the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.
You will not want to miss out on this wonderful event, the opportunity to meet your neighbors, and learn more about your local community!
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