I read a great article by Christine Churchill, Survival of the nimble. In commentary on Christine's article, Bill Slawski says:

Christine notes that small businesses may be able to take advantage of small windows of opportunity where risk adverse larger businesses follow rather than lead into new areas and opportunities. Another advantage of being a small business is in being closer to conversations with customers, where you can listen carefully to what they have to say, and how they say it. Keep listening, and be responsive.

Christine also indicates a small business focus that larger businesses sometimes miss: being able to think niche, think local and think creatively. Many big businesses cannot do these three things well.

Well worth a thorough reading of Christine's article.