When running a small business, you may think that you're relegated to the sidelines in the business world and that you have to take the scraps of the big companies out there. However, many small businesses are finding ways to collaborate with global firms that need roles filled. Instead of simply doing what you've been doing and working with other small businesses, you may want to look at some of the options in front of you for getting contracts from major corporations.
Getting Connected
Although it can be tough to get your foot in the door through traditional methods, there are some solutions that you could use to develop relationships with bigger companies in the world. By using online networks, it's possible to pitch your businesses to some of the decision makers in bigger corporations. For example, using an online commerce services such as Ariba, you can get into a network that has over 730,000 businesses across the world.
Many of these businesses those things that they need on these online networks. This makes it possible to bid your company's services to the larger company. When it's done this way, you may be able to overcome some of the limitations that you apparently have as a small business. Large businesses do not know how big your company is and if your site looks good, they'll be more likely to take you seriously.
Bidding for Jobs
In addition to using Ariba, another tool that you could use is Odesk. Odesk is an online portal that makes it possible for businesses to hire freelance workers and other small businesses to fill roles. For example, if your company needs a content writer for your business website, you'll be able to find one on Odesk. You simply post the job description of the work that you need done and then sit back and wait for writers to start bidding on the job. This can be a very cost effective way to fill a role because you have all of the workers bidding against each other for the job. You can look at their portfolios and see exactly what type of work they put out before hiring them.
If you're trying to get your foot in the door in a particular industry as a small business, you can also use these sites to bid on jobs. This makes it possible for you to go out and find work for your business without spending much money on advertising. You can sign up for a number of these sites, create profiles and then start bidding on jobs. Once you are chosen for a job, you can then start building relationships with the companies that hire you and get ongoing work.
Size of the Business
The nice thing about using online portals such as these is that it does not matter how big your businesses or how big the business is posting the job. Many of the biggest companies in the industry are becoming accustomed to posting jobs on sites like Odesk and Ariba. As long as the person or company that they hire is qualified for the job, they don't necessarily care where they are located or a bigger company is. They just want the job done and they're willing to pay the going rate to get it done.
Getting Started
If you want to hook up with some of the biggest companies in your industry, make sure that you have your own house in order first. Make your site look great, get your product or service at the proper price point and then start networking.
