About Us
Pike Business Machines, McComb
The products and services we offer
Recommendations Received (62)
"I have known and done business with Larry for many years. His service is great."
"Awesome guys with a great Rep!"
Products & Services
We work within a seven county region of southwest mississippi. We do a lot of computer network repair and support in addition to the imaging produ...
Recommendations Given (105)
"Paige Howell and the automotive dealership he runs are truly an asset to our business community. ..."
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"Paige Howell and the automotive dealership he runs are truly an asset to our business community. Honesty and integrity have always been his trademark."
"wonderful, caring people. "
Recent Activity
We are showing signs of improvement in our business, with some new startups emerging and a loosening of purchasing and leasing from many established businesses. Q4 actually looks more promising, but I must qualify that statement. Things have looked up a few times this year, only to fall apart. ...
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We are showing signs of improvement in our business, with some new startups emerging and a loosening of purchasing and leasing from many established businesses. Q4 actually looks more promising, but I must qualify that statement. Things have looked up a few times this year, only to fall apart. So, I will use the term cautiously optimistic for Q4.
There is still a feeling of disbelief and confusion out there. Stress levels are very high, and many small to medium sized businesses, regardless of years in operation, are wondering if they will survive another year. It's surreal, actually. It's a very difficult time for business in America. ...
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There is still a feeling of disbelief and confusion out there. Stress levels are very high, and many small to medium sized businesses, regardless of years in operation, are wondering if they will survive another year. It's surreal, actually. It's a very difficult time for business in America. So much change has come upon us so quickly.
The good news is, local business communities are beginning to see that survival depends upon small businesses supporting each other. The generation that survived the Great Depression has almost left us, but I clearly remember their stories about business survival during that time, and it sounds the same as now. What's happening on Wall Street in no way reflects reality across America.
Profound change has come. Businesses are beginning to see that reality, and are reshaping their business operations in hopes of survival. The businesses that can best serve their customers have the best chance of survival.
In January of this year, just before the outbreak of this virus, our company made the strategic decision to become a sales & service partner for Brother Corporation, in addition to the Sharp brand equipment we are authorized to sell & service. We did this so we would be able to reach the market...
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In January of this year, just before the outbreak of this virus, our company made the strategic decision to become a sales & service partner for Brother Corporation, in addition to the Sharp brand equipment we are authorized to sell & service. We did this so we would be able to reach the market segment that is in a lower purchase price range (quite large, actually). Our reasoning had nothing to do with the COVID-19 thing at the time it was made, but we quickly realized we had actually done something right for a change.
This addition has made a big difference for our business in that it has had a stabilizing effect by reducing the up and down cycles we had previously been experiencing even in the supposedly great economy (my geographic area was not experiencing the greatness).
As a small business in rural America, we struggle at times. We are constantly making further strategic decisions aimed at increasing the diversity of products and services we can offer our customers. It seems to be working. Just go away, already, COVID!!!!
This is a very good question, and one that cannot be answered with any positivity at this point in time. 2020 is a year of clarity and vision. Clarity, because we clearly see that change has come upon us. Vision, because we must now view our world through a different filter of light. The...
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This is a very good question, and one that cannot be answered with any positivity at this point in time. 2020 is a year of clarity and vision. Clarity, because we clearly see that change has come upon us. Vision, because we must now view our world through a different filter of light. The question has been asked with normality as the point of reference. It must be asked instead, with vision into our changed world as the point of reference. Truthfully, many businesses may not be able to bring back all previous employees, at least not now. And for those businesses, and the affected employees that has to be the point of reference. We will feel our way forward with clarity and vision in darkness. It will be challenging, for sure.
It has been said that the only things certain are death and taxes. Change should be added to that list. It too, is certain.
Local businesses are just beginning to come back on line, having been closed for weeks. We will just have to wait and see how it goes. Scary times!
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Local businesses are just beginning to come back on line, having been closed for weeks. We will just have to wait and see how it goes. Scary times!
In Mississippi there are group health plans available from only two suppliers. I'm sure there are factors that influence this, but it is difficult to get competitive rates from only two suppliers.
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In Mississippi there are group health plans available from only two suppliers. I'm sure there are factors that influence this, but it is difficult to get competitive rates from only two suppliers.
This is a subject in which I am well versed. We offer net 30 day credit terms to most of our customers, and are occasionally affected by their own cash flow situations. In good times, we keep a cash set aside for such times, but that is not always possible, so we resort to credit cards and bank...
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This is a subject in which I am well versed. We offer net 30 day credit terms to most of our customers, and are occasionally affected by their own cash flow situations. In good times, we keep a cash set aside for such times, but that is not always possible, so we resort to credit cards and bank credit lines. We own the real estate in which our businesses are located, so that helps. Also, our business isn't dependent solely upon walk in business. We typically have to go to our customers to generate business, which gives us a little flexibility in cash flow generation.
Workplace stress is a very big concern. The industry we work in is a high stress industry, so we do whatever we can to mitigate stressful influences. For example, we require a full hour for lunch, close at 4:00 PM instead of the traditional 5:00PM, and take time throughout the day to talk and...
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Workplace stress is a very big concern. The industry we work in is a high stress industry, so we do whatever we can to mitigate stressful influences. For example, we require a full hour for lunch, close at 4:00 PM instead of the traditional 5:00PM, and take time throughout the day to talk and discuss problems and situations that have arisen. Our team has responded well to these measures by being more relaxed and confident that they will not be chided for every little thing. Of course, this environment requires a more highly structured workday because we work shorter hours. But that isn't a problem. Our team feels they are needed so they work smarter. There is also a no tobacco rule, encouragement to keep weight under control, and family first policies that allow for the situations that inevitably arise. Our employees are our greatest asset. We let them know that.
Early in my business ownership I was mentored by two old school business operators. They came in succession during my formative years in business. The only thing I personally did right was listen to them. They taught me business strategy, the proper balance in customer relations and the vital...
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Early in my business ownership I was mentored by two old school business operators. They came in succession during my formative years in business. The only thing I personally did right was listen to them. They taught me business strategy, the proper balance in customer relations and the vital importance of integrity. It was like getting an MBA without paying for it.
We have survived nearly forty years in a very competitive industry, copying machines sales and service. I could probably write a book about it. But our greatest success is not that, it's how we survived with our integrity intact. I am very proud of that. We are a small dealership in rural...
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We have survived nearly forty years in a very competitive industry, copying machines sales and service. I could probably write a book about it. But our greatest success is not that, it's how we survived with our integrity intact. I am very proud of that. We are a small dealership in rural area of southwest Mississippi where integrity matters, and I am proud of that, as well. We are not financially wealthy, but we are certainly "rich", and I am most proud of that.
