The Best of Both Worlds

The Case for Local Business Networks to Embrace Add-On Benefits From Getslocal 

In today’s fast-paced, competitive world, local businesses face mounting pressure from global corporations, online giants, and increasingly complex marketplaces. These challenges require local business networks—such as chambers of commerce, small business associations, referral clubs, buying groups, BID groups, co-operatives and outdoor markets - to offer more than just networking opportunities. To truly empower their members, these networks must deliver actionable tools that drive growth, create resilience, and foster collaboration.

Enter GETS Trade and GETS Rewards, two powerful programs offered by Getslocal. These programs provide local businesses with new opportunities for both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) exchanges. The beauty of these programs? They offer the best of both worlds: businesses maintain the independence of their own standalone loyalty programs while benefiting from the collective power of a local business coalition.

The Modern Challenge for Local Business Networks:
For many local businesses, surviving against larger competition is about more than just offering great products or services. It’s about forming deep connections with other businesses, reaching new customers, and utilizing every resource efficiently. But traditional business networks often fall short when it comes to providing the necessary tools for sustained growth.

With GETS Trade and GETS Rewards, local business networks can bridge this gap. These innovative programs help businesses leverage their underutilized assets, attract more customers, and build strong, collaborative relationships within their community. Let’s dive into how these programs work and why they are so crucial for today’s local business ecosystems.

GETS Trade: 

Transforming Underutilized Capacity into Growth Opportunities

GETS Trade is a B2B Capacity Trade Exchange that helps businesses unlock the hidden value of their underutilized resources. Rather than letting assets like empty restaurant seats, unused hotel rooms, or downtime between clients go to waste, businesses can trade these resources with other members of the network in exchange for services or goods they need.

1. Maximizing Underutilized Assets:
Many local businesses have excess capacity or idle resources that they simply aren’t using. Instead of seeing these assets as wasted opportunities, GETS Trade allows businesses to monetize them by trading with other local businesses.

• Example: A graphic designer who has open slots in their schedule can trade their design services for office supplies from a local vendor. A restaurant with empty tables during slow lunch hours can exchange those seats for marketing services from a local agency.

2. Generating Revenue Without Cash

One of the key benefits of GETS Trade is that it enables businesses to access essential goods and services without relying on cash transactions. This is particularly helpful for businesses facing tight cash flow. By trading what they have, they can secure what they need—whether it’s marketing, repairs, or supplies—without having to dip into their bank account.

• Example: A hotel could offer empty rooms during non-peak times in exchange for printing, building repairs, cleaning services, catering equipment or website updates etc..

3. Expanding Market Reach

GETS Trade connects local businesses across a variety of industries, fostering new partnerships and opening up market opportunities. Instead of being confined to their traditional markets, businesses can reach out and collaborate with partners they may never have considered before.

• Example: A fitness studio could partner with a local café to trade classes for catering, broadening its client base in an entirely new direction.

4. Building a Collaborative Ecosystem

By facilitating reciprocal trading relationships, GETS Trade encourages businesses to collaborate rather than compete. These ongoing exchanges strengthen the local economy, creating a more resilient and cohesive business community that thrives together.

5. Mitigating Risk

In times of financial uncertainty, businesses that participate in a capacity trade exchange are better equipped to weather economic downturns. Rather than relying exclusively on cash transactions, they can continue operating by leveraging their available resources.

GETS Rewards: 

Driving Loyalty and Customer Engagement in a Coalition Program:
While GETS Trade focuses on B2B exchanges, GETS Rewards brings the power of customer loyalty into play for B2C businesses. GETS Rewards is a Coalition Loyalty Program that enables local businesses to offer loyalty points to customers, redeemable at any participating merchant in the coalition.

But the real value lies in the flexibility. GETS Rewards gives businesses the freedom to maintain their own standalone loyalty programs while benefiting from the collective strength of the coalition.

1. The Best of Both Worlds: Independence and Collaboration:
Businesses using GETS Rewards can have their own customer loyalty program. They can offering their personal rewards while joining the broader coalition, which increases customer retention and attracts new patrons.

• Example: A local bakery can issue and redeem their own solo points while allowing customers to also earn or spend premium points. This encourages existing customers to return more often while attracting new customers from within the coalition.

2. Driving Foot Traffic and Repeat Business:
By participating in the coalition, businesses gain access to a larger pool of customers who are encouraged to visit multiple local businesses. Loyalty points earned at one business can be redeemed at another, incentivizing customers to return again and again, keeping money circulating within the local community.

• Example: A customer who earns points at a local hair salon might redeem those points at a nearby coffee shop or bookstore, ensuring they continue to support local businesses.

3. Lowering the Cost of Loyalty Programs:
For small businesses, creating and managing a loyalty program can be both costly and time-consuming. GETS Rewards offers a professionally managed loyalty system that businesses can easily join, helping them compete with larger chains without the hefty overhead.

4. Coalition Marketing for Increased Visibility:
Participating in GETS Rewards comes with the benefit of coalition-wide marketing campaigns. Local businesses that might not have the budget for extensive promotions gain increased visibility, thanks to the collective power of the coalition.

• Example: A customer shopping at a local boutique might learn about a nearby yoga studio through shared marketing campaigns promoting all businesses in the coalition.

5. Encouraging Local Spending:
By offering loyalty points that can be earned and redeemed across multiple local businesses, GETS Rewards encourages customers to stay loyal to their community. Instead of shopping at larger, out-of-town chains, they are incentivized to keep their spending within the local economy, benefiting everyone involved.

Local Business Networks

The Benefits for Local Business Networks:
Local business networks that integrate GETS Trade and GETS Rewards into their membership packages stand to gain significantly. Not only do they provide tangible value to their members, but they also position themselves as key players in driving local economic development.

1. Enhanced Member Value and Retention:
By offering these programs, business networks differentiate themselves from traditional chambers or associations. This added value increases member satisfaction, boosts retention, and attracts new businesses to join.

2. New Revenue Streams for the Network:
Business networks can generate sustainable income through tiered membership packages, participation fees, and commissions on transactions facilitated by GETS Trade and GETS Rewards. This creates a revenue stream that supports continued investment in network services.

3. Leadership in Local Economic Development:
Offering these innovative programs positions the business network as a leader in fostering local economic growth. This strengthens their reputation and opens doors for sponsorships, partnerships, and community support.

4. Reducing Member Churn:
With the tangible benefits that GETS Trade and GETS Rewards provide, member churn is significantly reduced. Businesses that see value in these programs are more likely to remain loyal, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the network.

5. Fostering Collaboration and Community:
By encouraging local businesses to work together—whether through trading excess capacity or cross-promoting each other through a coalition loyalty program—the network fosters a sense of collaboration and mutual support. This strengthens the overall fabric of the local business community.

 A Winning Formula for Local Business Networks and Their Members:
GETS Trade and GETS Rewards offer local business networks and their members an unmatched opportunity to thrive in today’s challenging marketplace. These programs provide the tools businesses need to drive growth, increase customer loyalty, and create lasting collaborations—all while allowing them to maintain their independence.

For local business networks, offering GETS Trade and GETS Rewards isn’t just about adding value—it’s about positioning themselves as leaders in local economic development and creating a sustainable business ecosystem that benefits everyone. It’s the best of both worlds, and a win-win for everyone involved.

Empower your network. Empower your community. Choose GETS Trade and GETS Rewards.