Create a community centric business

I recently saw tweet from Stephen Fry about a local pub in the UK that is selling shares to renovate and keep the local pub in business. In this current pandemic, very long black mirror episode that we are finding ourselves in, it small local businesses that are probably hit the hardest and are struggling to stay afloat.

This is a great way to create an inclusive business within your community. They just slightly tweaked their business model which is based on a value proposition, local pub culture, which dates back well over a thousand years. I'm going to "my" pub for a pint sounds much better than going to "the" pub. It creates a community ownership without forcing it, there is a need and culture for a local pub where the community can get together and socialize and they supply this need in a more creative and inclusive way.

Is this not the way that small businesses need to go? They need to be creative in how they can provide value and be an integral part of their local community. This does not stop at the consumer but includes other local businesses. Simon Sinek talks about the infinite game, its not about winner or losers, but about continuing playing the game. Business need to create a value "business ecology" / "shared economy" within their community, think back to the time when the baker exchanged bread for veg at the local grocer, or when the black smith was paid in meat. This is an extreme example, or maybe not so extreme, the point is that for small local businesses to survive they need to go back to the drawing board and be creative at creating a community based business.

You can find the link to the blue bell pub below

https://www.bluebellstokeferry.org/