small town rules

Becky McCray

#ncsym13

Barry Moltz

Becky McCray

Remember when …

(CC) James & Vilija

For small towns, this is not news

Wrong assumptions contributed to the Dust Bowl

(PD) Dorothea Lange

We learned to question assumptions

It’s just like a small town

I. The Economy changed (CC) TaberAndrew

One small town got caught

(CC) JimmyWayne

Plan for Zero

Rule 1:

@BeckyMcCray

Take a long term perspective

Survive 5 years of ups and downs

Plan ahead for fuel costs

Spend Brainpower Before Dollars

Rule 2:

@BeckyMcCray

Be frugal Use creative

financing

Spend your creativity first

Multiply Your Lines of Income

Rule 3:

@BeckyMcCray

Diversify to reduce risk

Plant multiple crops

Build multiple brands

(PD) USDA-NRCS

#SmallTownRules

1. Plan for Zero

2. Spend Brainpower Before Dollars

3. Multiply Lines of Income

4.

5.

6.

7.

II. Technology changed

(CC) Citrix Online

Containerized shipping smashed geographic advantage

Work Anywhere, Anywhen

Rule 4:

@BeckyMcCray

Rethink geography

Use technology to defeat distance

Try rural sourcing

Learn customer-driven communication

Rule 5:

@BeckyMcCray

Communication with customers is 2-way

Use a variety of methods

Because customers do, too

#SmallTownRules

1.

2.

3.

4. Work Anywhere, Anywhen

5. Learn Customer Driven Communication

6.

7.

III. Society is changing

The local movement is big

Be Proud of Being Small

Rule 6:

@BeckyMcCray

Stay small while building big

Keep small work groups

Hive off separate business units

Be Local

Rule 7:

@BeckyMcCray

Hold on to your local culture

Strengthen your local community

Build local engagement

#SmallTownRules

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. Be Proud of Being Small

7. Be Local

#SmallTownRules

1. Plan for Zero

2. Spend Brainpower Before Dollars

3. Multiply Lines of Income

4. Work Anywhere, Anywhen

5. Learn Customer Driven Communication

6. Be Proud of Being Small

7. Be Local

Does rural have a future?

Locally-owned small businesses are our future

www.BeckyMcCray.com/connect