Comments on: Small: the new big

By: Othest

Othest — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:47:51 +0000

I do not generally respond to content but I’ sure will in this case. Seriously a big thumbs up for this 1 C CLass IP hosting!

By: Steve Ward, @CloudNine Media Recruitment

Steve Ward, @CloudNine Media Recruitment — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:25:59 +0000

This is an interesting subject.
I have also been advised by my social media strategist – who is helping me grasp the social media world and apply it – to emphasise the `me`, and used `Steve Ward` on Twitter, my website and online communications; as opposed to Cloud Nine.
I was absolutely taken with this idea, as I am an sole operator – and people buy from me – and as is stated, I thrive on being small as it gives me an edge with my clients, and I have always communicated this verbally. But its strange that I never really communicated this in the online world – until now. And hey, I’m in recruitment – its a people business.
Fantastic message Brian, and one I wholly echo now.

By: Crispin Read

Crispin Read — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:51:57 +0000

When I first helped my son set up his business in the 90′s, I couldn’t understand why he referred to himself as ‘we’. As other have commented, he was trying to win contracts with big organisations.

As the business person becomes more professional and knowledgeable,(as he/she has to be) it will make absolute sense to refer to’me/I’. I guess this is another example of ‘small being the new big’.
In the case of Optimum Financials Ltd, we are a team of three so ‘we’ is the reality. We do take individual responsibility for individual tasks, in part by reference to ‘I’. In the end, as long as we are up front and honest, the debate would seem to be a matter of common sense.
Really great blog and comments, thanks.

By: Brian Heys

Brian Heys — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:45:22 +0000

Wow, you take a night off from the Internet and look what happens – all these great comments. Seriously, thanks so much to everyone for commenting. I’m glad my first ever guest post touched you, or made you think in some way.

As for the knighthood, well, I’m open to the idea! Is The Queen on LinkedIn? If so, she’s only six degrees of separation away…

Now, if only I could figure out how to get this many comments on my own blog!

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:12:06 +0000

You mentioned stock photography, and I’ve been banging on for ages that smaller businesses need to play to their strengths by showing (using “real” photography) who they are, how friendly, approachable and professional they are. Hiding behind cheap, generic, irrelevant photos that are being used by ALL their competitors is no longer slick or clever.

I applaud this post, and recommend you for a knighthood

By: Gary Gorman

Gary Gorman — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:19:03 +0000

Excellent post and one I can really empathise with. It was only when I ‘came out’ as a one man operation and replaced the ‘we’ with ‘I’ that my business took off.

What I saw as a weakness…there’s just little old me here…was in fact a strength. Training purchasers were re-assured that the guy agreeing the contract was the same as the person delivering the programme.

I’ve even taken this a stage further with everything now branded (or about to be branded) as ‘Gary Gorman’ rather than as my limited company…limited in both senses of the word!

Great post Brian and thanks Emily for sharing it with us.

Gary

By: Rachael

Rachael — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:00:30 +0000

Fabulous post!!
A quick search around the various business forums online and you’ll see a whole host of posts asking how they should word their websites. It’s a difficult one but one which in my opinion your business plan dictates.
If you’re planning on being a sole trader for the remainder of your business you need to come out and be honest that it is just you. After all, people buy from people. However, if your business is going to expand and you’re going to be working with large multinationals unfortunately I think it’s a kiss of death to make out you are the only person working in your organization.
It also has a lot to do with the type of business you’re in. for those of us in PR, marketing etc etc saying “Hey it’s just me” works and it works well, because people love that personal service.
My advice would always be look at your business, at the types of clients you want to attract and take it from there. Overall you’re absolutely right, it’s usually extremely obvious that a one man band is indeed a lone worker…

By: Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:57:00 +0000

It’s interesting that i was taught to punch above my weight on my website… hence the ‘we’, ‘us’ on my website.

But like Emily, I use the ‘I’ and first person for my blog.

By: madelaine bennett

madelaine bennett — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:51:46 +0000

My company is small (I prefer boutique) but there is more than one of me, so we do need to say “we”.

On the other hand, we’ve deliberately tried to keep our branding friendly and give the impression we are a small passionate company. I think it wins us more business than it loses..

By: Emily Cagle

Emily Cagle — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:32:00 +0000

Great post, Brian. ECC was a ‘me’, ‘I’ and ‘my’ for a long time on this site, because, well…it was just me, and I was more than happy to say so.

Now I have a few people in the team, including 2 freelancers and an account exec, I’ve made the change over to ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘our’, but I still stick to first person on the blog, because I write it (and because while the ECC team do all work together, we don’t have a collective consciousness!).