Businesses and entrepreneurs in small towns like Mokokchung, particularly in underdeveloped states like Nagaland, face an uphill task. In fact, they often have to work twice as hard and be twice as enterprising as their counterparts in major towns simply to stay afloat. This is because the complexities of economics work against them.
Small towns have smaller markets, limited purchasing power, fewer business opportunities, restricted access to capital and specialised services, and higher costs associated with logistics and connectivity. The disadvantages are numerous, while the opportunities are few. For local entrepreneurs, simply keeping a business alive can require considerable effort, persistence and creativity.
This is why all stakeholders in a small town need to work together to create an enabling environment for businesses and entrepreneurs. Government agencies, business communities, consumers, institutions and the wider public all have a role to play. When opportunities are already limited, cooperation and mutual support become even more important.
Unfortunately, the small-town mentality can sometimes resemble the “crabs in a bucket” mentality. Instead of helping one another rise, people may try to pull each other down. More often than supporting local entrepreneurs, members of the community may view another person’s success with suspicion, jealousy or unnecessary competition. Rather than recognising that one person’s success can create opportunities for others, there can be an instinct to prevent that success.
Perhaps this is a result of survival instincts in an environment where opportunities are scarce. Perhaps it is simply a consequence of a poor mentality. Whatever the reason, the outcome remains the same. Such behaviour does not help anyone. It contributes to keeping small towns small.
A community cannot immediately change its geography, market size or economic limitations. But it can change the way it responds to them. Supporting one another does not mean eliminating competition. It means creating an environment where enterprise can grow and success can generate more opportunities.
Small towns already have limited opportunities and plenty of constraints. They should not add one more constraint by pulling down the people who are trying to build something.
If small towns want to become bigger economically, they must first become bigger in their thinking.
