--- title: "Stump the Strategist: How Can Small Businesses Stay Ahead of Their Competitors?" description: If you've always wanted to take on your competitors, now is your chance! Watch as our strategists give you all the tools you need to win. image: https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hubfs/Step_Change_Jun2016/Running.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/how-can-small-businesses-stay-ahead-of-their-competitors#main) [![Step Change](data:image/webp;base64,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)](https://www.hellostepchange.com/) [About](https://www.hellostepchange.com/about) [Our Story & Team](https://www.hellostepchange.com/about) [Careers](https://www.hellostepchange.com/about/careers) [Services](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services) [All Services](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services) [Brand Stories](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/brand-stories) [Business Strategy](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/business-strategy) [Content Production](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/content-production) [Marketing Plans](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/marketing-plans) [Predatory Marketing](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/predatory-marketing) [Value Propositions](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/value-propositions) [Lockstep Baseline](https://stepchange.typeform.com/to/dDl1DXnC) [Institute of Change](https://www.instituteofchange.com) [Our Work](https://www.hellostepchange.com/clients/portfolio) [All Case Studies](https://www.hellostepchange.com/clients/portfolio) [Testimonials](https://www.hellostepchange.com/clients/testimonials) [Reviews](https://www.hellostepchange.com/reviews) [Speaking](https://www.hellostepchange.com/speaking/ashton-bishop) [Ashton Bishop](https://ashton-bishop-speaker.hellostepchange.com/) [Events](https://www.hellostepchange.com/speaking/events) [AI*?!#@*](https://www.hellostepchange.com/ai) [Blog](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog) [All Blogs](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog) [Knowledge Nuggets](https://info.hellostepchange.com/knowledge-nuggets) [Contact](https://www.hellostepchange.com/contact) [About](https://www.hellostepchange.com/about) [Our Story & Team](https://www.hellostepchange.com/about) [Careers](https://www.hellostepchange.com/about/careers) [Services](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services) [All Services](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services) [Brand Stories](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/brand-stories) [Business Strategy](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/business-strategy) [Content Production](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/content-production) [Marketing Plans](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/marketing-plans) [Predatory Marketing](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/predatory-marketing) [Value Propositions](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services/value-propositions) [Lockstep Baseline](https://stepchange.typeform.com/to/dDl1DXnC) [Institute of Change](https://www.instituteofchange.com) [Our Work](https://www.hellostepchange.com/clients/portfolio) [All Case Studies](https://www.hellostepchange.com/clients/portfolio) [Testimonials](https://www.hellostepchange.com/clients/testimonials) [Reviews](https://www.hellostepchange.com/reviews) [Speaking](https://www.hellostepchange.com/speaking/ashton-bishop) [Ashton Bishop](https://ashton-bishop-speaker.hellostepchange.com/) [Events](https://www.hellostepchange.com/speaking/events) [AI?!#@](https://www.hellostepchange.com/ai) [Blog](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog) [All Blogs](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog) [Knowledge Nuggets](https://info.hellostepchange.com/knowledge-nuggets) [The Step Change Blog](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog) # Stump the Strategist: How Can Small Businesses Stay Ahead of Their Competitors? [![](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/step-change-favicon-2026.png?width=40&height=40&name=step-change-favicon-2026.png) Step Change](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/author/step-change) 28 October 2015 / 2 min read - [B2B Sales](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/b2b-sales) - [Branding](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/branding) - [Stump the Strategist](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/stump-the-strategist) ![](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Step_Change_Jun2016/Running.jpg?width=1600&name=Running.jpg) ### Q: In residential real estate, how can we get the listings before our competitors? ### **A:** - The key is high frequency, low cost marketing. Small businesses cannot afford the frequency through advertising to create top-of-mind awareness. Being the loudest, most prominent voice in the room is very expensive, where as automated marketing content can achieve high frequency at a low cost. - Automate as many standard processes as possible into a 'one click' process. Use email or direct mail to notify your potential customers, and tell them why your process is better for them than your competitors. You'll gain customers that have used your competitors and want a comparison, and new customers who do not have time for lengthy processes. - The specialist beats the generalist. Use niche or 'inch wide, mile deep' marketing to position your company as a specialist in a specific area, or for specific people to be remembered. If you are the most relevant choice for one person, you are almost guaranteed to win that customer – 1st brand to brain gets twice as much recall as 2nd and 2nd twice as much as 3rd. - It has never been more important to be polarising. Knowing who you are not for, could potentially be the key to focusing on your target market. - Innovation is now the key factor in marketing. Go back to your markets core drivers and find a way to address them. Find out what your competitors are doing and be predatory. ### Featured strategists are: [Glenn Bartlett](https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-bartlett-02798235/) – Associate Strategy Director, Step Change [Jeff Cooper](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyghcooper/)– Founding Partner, Step Change [Adam Long](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlongentrepreneur/)– CEO & Co-Founder, Smarter Drafter & Conscious Step ### About Stump The Strategist: - Questions from the floor, answered live in nine minutes - It's opinion, not advice - Step Change charges clients for advice, Stump The Strategist is free [![stump-the-strategist-generic](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2337212/b303354e-089b-4445-aa2d-dfe48acb4451.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2337212/b303354e-089b-4445-aa2d-dfe48acb4451)   ![](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/step-change-favicon-2026.png?width=72&height=72&name=step-change-favicon-2026.png) Written by [Step Change](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/author/step-change) We exist to inspire step changes in businesses and in people. [Older postHow can social media be used to attract more customers?](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/how-can-social-media-be-used-to-attract-more-customers) [Newer postJeff & Ashton speak with Darren Woolley from Trinity P3 about the use of "strategy" in marketing and business](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/jeff-ashton-speak-with-darren-woolley-about-all-things-strategy-for-business-and-marketing) [Featured seriesKnowledge Nuggets](https://info.hellostepchange.com/knowledge-nuggets) ### Categories - [Marketing Strategy (197)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/marketing-strategy) - [Digital, Technology & AI (152)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/digital-technology-ai) - [Business Strategy (118)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/business-strategy) - [B2B Sales (88)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/b2b-sales) - [Branding (82)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/branding) - [Culture & Leadership (73)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/culture-leadership) - [Step Change News (63)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/step-change-news) - [Industry Insights (38)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/industry-insights) - [Stump the Strategist (36)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/stump-the-strategist) - [Decision Making (31)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/decision-making) - [Innovation & Disruption (31)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/innovation-disruption) - [Customer Centricity (24)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/customer-centricity) - [Predatory Marketing (24)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/predatory-marketing) - [Knowledge Nuggets (20)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/knowledge-nuggets) - [History's Greatest Strategists (18)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/historys-greatest-strategists) - [Thought Leadership (13)](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/topic/thought-leadership) See all categories ## In this article ## Get the next one in your inbox ## Keep reading [![What ChatGPT Doesn’t Know About Brand Salience](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG/Posts/2-Story/brand-salience.001.jpeg?width=720&height=450&name=brand-salience.001.jpeg) 23 February 2023 What ChatGPT Doesn’t Know About Brand Salience](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/brand-salience) [![b2b-personalisation](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG/Posts/5-Connection/b2b-personalisation.jpg?width=720&height=450&name=b2b-personalisation.jpg) 12 April 2019 B2B Personalisation: What Do Customers Really Want?](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/b2b-personalisation) [![predatory-targeting](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG/Posts/1-Strategy/predatory-targeting.jpeg?width=720&height=450&name=predatory-targeting.jpeg) 26 March 2019 Targeting Strategy: Using Predatory Targeting to Drive Business Results](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/targeting-strategy-using-predatory-targeting-to-drive-business-results) [![Step Change](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/stepchange-blog-2026/images/full_white_colour.svg)](https://www.hellostepchange.com/) [Unit A1/35-39 Bourke Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015](https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Step+Change/@-33.8705256,151.1952939,17z) [(02) 8030 8655](tel:+61280308655) - [Home](https://www.hellostepchange.com/) - [About](https://www.hellostepchange.com/about/) - [Services](https://www.hellostepchange.com/services) - [Work](https://www.hellostepchange.com/clients/portfolio) - [Speaking](https://www.hellostepchange.com/speaking/ashton-bishop) - [Blog](https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/) - [Contact](https://www.hellostepchange.com/contact/) Search this site Search © 2026 Step Change ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Step Change", "url" : "https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/author/step-change" }, "dateModified" : "2019-03-18T00:02:41.258Z", "datePublished" : "2015-10-27T13:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Stump the Strategist: How Can Small Businesses Stay Ahead of Their Competitors?", "image" : [ "https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hubfs/Step_Change_Jun2016/Running.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hellostepchange.com/blog/how-can-small-businesses-stay-ahead-of-their-competitors", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.hellostepchange.com/hubfs/SC%20-%20Logo_Full%20-%20White%20+%20Colour.png" }, "name" : "Who How Global Pty Ltd" } } ```