Hire the Hyperlocal(s)

We’ve all heard the phrase “EAT LOCAL”. We’ve also heard the phrase “BUY LOCAL” and “SHOP LOCAL” and soon you will hear the phrase “HIRE LOCAL” or “HIRE HYPERLOCAL”.

I’m sure this has been said before and probably already exists in many areas but, can you imagine going to fill in a job application and it asking you something like: How many people do you know in the community? or Are you a member of any social clubs, churches or other?

Essentially your employer will want to know how many people you know and are connected to locally and why wouldn’t they. If you can bring value into their business via your local affiliations isn’t this a valuable thing?

The other day I was at the bank in my town of 20,000 people. The bank brands itself as a community bank. The bank, however; has enough branches that it seems to have grown out of it’s small town feel and connection.

There was a long line of customers waiting patiently to be seen. Unfortunately on this busy day however there was only one teller available, so it was a long wait.

As I waited in line I noticed how this individual bank teller was able to greet every single person by their first name. She also then either asked them a question or mentioned something of relevance to each and every customer.

How’s your brother doing?
Did you guys win your tennis game yesterday?
Say hi to Susan…

I was impressed to say the least, because there were about seven people and, she did this with every single person!

When it was my turn I asked her, “How do you know all these people?… Did you memorize names?
Are you required by your bank to remember these customers names” and most importantly….

“Do you get paid extra for the value you bring to your business?”

I know for a fact that I haven’t even been greeted by the bank manager, nor have I seen any other individual greet and interact with so many individuals at one time.

She explained to me that she had grown up in the town and that her father was a local mechanic. Over the course of the last twenty five years she had developed relationships with practically everyone in the community. Plus the fact that she simply enjoyed meeting and working with people was an added bonus.

Wow….!!!

This bank would be getting real value simply by hiring this woman as a community representative. So the question is? What value can hyper local hiring bring to your business?

Do you gain a business edge in doing local business simply because your customers know and like you?

Should hyper locals be paid more for the value they can bring to your business?

What about the risk of firing hyper locals?

Let me know what you think below.