Happy Thanksgiving
Recently I read a statistic from the CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Business) that by supporting local businesses you keep 66% of every dollar in your community. Comparatively, only 11% of the dollar stays in your community when you support multinational companies.
The benefits are many: small businesses generally hire local staff, which in turn spend locally, supporting local shops, programs, and service providers. The business will look to other suppliers that are closer. Again, this keeps the economic flow of capital within a smaller geographic region. This, in turn creates a positive cyclical effect.
I once had a conversation with an employee about why I would prefer to purchase certain items for a slightly higher price at a local store over an online platform. From a purely selfish perspective, my reasoning was simple, “You miss a prime opportunity to network both yourself and my business.” By creating a positive business transaction with another local business, you create a powerful referral network. Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing medium.
How does this relate to Thanksgiving you may ask? There are many things in our communities that cause us points of frustration. Unfortunately, many businesses don’t get local support due to some petty issue. The question that I have heard from many people, many times is, “What is one thing you can be thankful for as it pertains to… (fill in the blank for whatever your daily vexation is)?” It forces a perspective that requires gratitude and positive thinking.
By focussing our gratitude and support for the people around us, they will feel like you have their best interest at heart. This develops trust, which, when established, gives you an invited platform of perspective. It’s easy to work with people when we agree. It becomes more challenging when there are points of serious disagreement, frustration, and wrongdoing.
When we’re thankful for what we have, it provides opportunity for creative thinking on solutions to the complex problems we face in which we are possibly ungrateful for. It is the “glass half full” perspective.
So, if you’re faced with challenges in your life this Thanksgiving weekend, try and |find one thing you can be thankful for within the challenge you face. Yes, it can be a monumental task, but its effects will give you a fresh perspective and potentially, a creative path forward.
Your neighbours, community, and local businesses will “thank you” for it.
Hopefully, you can participate in one of the many community events that have been promoted in the paper in the upcoming months.
From my family to yours,
Lowell Harder
