Small Business Clubs: Is it Time to Join One?

A small business is defined as the one in which number of employees are small. The initial investment required for the starting of small business is less. The output and profit earned by the business is also small. Usually, the expansion of such businesses is restricted due to its less profit earned and low marketing. Lack of business ideas and financing also hinders the growth of the small businesses

In order to help the small businesses grow and increase its potential, the business owner forms a group that aids each other in the business activities. Such a group is called a Small Business Club. A small business club is a non-profit organization. A small business club comprises of all the small business owners and may include some employees holding higher authority.

The purpose of the small business clubs is to provide each of its members with a platform where they can speak out the problems they are facing. The other members provide innovative solutions to their problems. The small business club also provides new business plans for better productivity. The small business clubs also provide funding for business owners who are in urgent need for money. Small business clubs also provide a stage for finding the right person for a joint partnership venture. Partnership helps in increasing the efficiency of working and is financially stronger than proprietary firms with a larger group of customers available.

Majority of the countries have small business clubs. Many of them are large business clubs, but have a separate or integrated forum for small business owners. The list of small business clubs are as follows

The Small Business Club

The Small business club is a UK based club. They have their city venues at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Napier. The regional venues of the small business club are at Central Scotland, Dundee, East Renfrewshire, and Fife, North and South Lanark shire and West Lothian. They organize pre decided meetings at the above mentioned venues from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM with all the members. They provide entry for certain visitors in their meetings. The purpose of the meeting is to provide tips for business development and financial assistance. The members discuss and give advices on recruitment, insurance, staffing and legal matters.

Starting A Business Club

This is an online small business club. The objective is to provide business tips for business start up world wide, with advices from experts in the field. The forums in the site contain discussions regarding various issues in starting a small business. Blogs are added by experts giving tips on recruitment, loans and networking. Brainstorming activities are also present in this online small business club.

The Thames Gateway Business Club

This UK based club is supported by the Enterprise Agency of North Kent. This small business club is primarily established to provide advices regarding networking, development, advertising, computer technology etc for start up and established small businesses. The club prints a newsletter named The Gatepost with articles based on the above mentioned topics.