Is the business world getting smaller?

Is the business world getting smaller?

What business opportunity could there be for you if it is? I ask this question on the eve of the first ever Norfolk Day. It is being run by local press and the Norfolk Chamber with many local sponsors. It is to be a celebration of business in Norfolk and to promote local businesses and raise mutual awareness of opportunities for trade locally.

This is in the same week that a client was explaining to me that he is trying to help a global company who want to change their fulfilment so it is sourced from different suppliers across the world to reduce transport costs and reduce delivery times.

Last year I visited New Zealand and was impressed by their pride in community and the large number of local independent suppliers with few national or international companies that were consumer facing. There were lots of local stores and markets. We were proudly told by the coach driver as we went into Christchurch that only one national supermarket is allowed in the city and that is because they pass their community based criteria.

Since then I have watched Blue Planet and heard that twenty percent of the plastic in the oceans comes from tyre degradation from vehicles traversing countries delivering goods from A to B. I also am very aware that I spent years putting meat into plastic with modified atmosphere so we could have sufficient shelf life on produce to enable it to be stored in depots and transported to supermarkets nationally and across Europe.

I have also heard supermarkets pledging to remove plastic packaging from their stores. This can only, in my view, mean a reduction in transportation, year round availability, choice and shelf life on products, probably a price increase as efficiencies of production are lost and will lead to some degree toward the days when my Granny used to shop four or five times a week, buy everything in paper bags or open and store in a cool larder for a day or two maximum!! This seems like a move towards what I saw in New Zealand and admired last year.

So, what does this mean to you? Well, consider which of your customers or potential customers are re-considering their ethical stance and see if you can make an offer of improved service, flexibility of supply, reduced transport costs and time and build this into your offer.

Also, consider are their opportunities for you to work with partners across the world, or open another facility so you can break into other international markets by making similar offers to them.

I don’t want to bring Brexit into this, but the world is changing. Keep your eyes and ears open and see where the business world getting smaller can open an opportunity for you.

I hope you found this a useful and interesting article. Please contact me on 07511969690 or rogerpemberton@actioncoach.com to discuss how I can help you move your business forwards.