Dell Small Business 360

Dell has also hit on the trend many big companies are following to create a small business resources center. Dell's is called Small Business 360 and is a first generation SMB site still focused more on product sales than on actually being a resource center.

To Dell's credit, however, they have begun to put in additional information that is not only focused on selling Dell products. For example, under the Starting a Business category they have articles such as 3 Ways to Get Investors Interested in Your New Business, 5 Tips for Estimating Your Start-up Costs, How to Write a Business Plan.

Inside tip: Anything related to marketing, raising capital, or writing a business plan will always be a big hit with small business readers.

It's a step in the right direction and the beginning of the evolution of the Corporate SMB Resource Centers from having a focus of pushing products to building relationships as a trusted advisor and supplier.

Get Involved In The Small Business Community

I just came across a press release that Dell is holding a competition to find the best small business that "has used technology to drive a significant change or develop a competitive advantage in delivering superior customer value and experience."

While the message could be simpler, Dell is doing a lot of things right here:

• Don't go it alone - Dell has partnered with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) to put on the competition and help promote it
  
  
• Give prizes - Aside from the recognition, the winner receives $30,000 in free Dell products and a lifetime membership to the NFIB. There are also prizes for the top 9 finalists
  
  
• Offer something unique - While the products and NFIB membership are good starters, the winner also gets to spend a day with Dell founder Michael Dell at the company's headquarters. What better experience could a small business owner ask for than to learn from one of the true entrepreneurial success stories of our time (see yesterday's post Teach Entrepreneurs What You Know).

Running contests and getting involved in the small business community is a great way to stand out, attract attention, and build a brand as a company that cares about entrepreneurs.