As the global financial crisis continues to have a negative impact on many businesses around the world, it would be perfectly understandable for firms to adopt a 'dog eat dog' approach to their practices.
However, as reported by the New York Times, some big firms are willing to lend a hand to their smaller contemporaries.
In an article entitled 'Partnerships Based on Service, Not Size', the newspaper puts the spotlight on the help given to small firm Luggage Forward.
The white-glove shipping business has been able to become an established company thanks to the support of larger partners such as DHL, UPS and FedEx.
Co-founder Aaron Kirley told the NY Times: "We realized it made a lot more sense to acquire customers with partners than go out and get them one-off.
"We are organically growing the entire shipping industry. It's not like we're taking boxes from UPS and giving them to FedEx."
Launched in 2004, Luggage Forward has experienced growth this year despite the obviously difficult economic climate.
Commenting on the relationship FedEx has with Luggage Forward, the large firm's director of small business marketing Denise Yunkun said: "There's that perception that big companies don't care about small-business customers and that's not the case."
However, in some cases it seems that the recession is helping firms to take advantage of the poor position of other companies.
Across the pond, the Birmingham Post has reported on the Midland Assured Group, which has made its fifth property acquisition this year.
The Warwick-based property investment company is run by two brothers and its latest purchase is a former pet shop, located in the UK town of Leamington.
In its article on the firm, entitled ''Property entrepreneur brothers take on pet project in Leamington', the newspaper points out that Paul and Simon Davies are planning to restore the building in order for it to be put to very good use as student accommodation and retail space.
Paul Davies told the Birmingham Post expressed regret that the long-standing pet shop has had to shut its doors, but asserted that the building would be appreciated in its new role.
He said: "It's a great shame that Hobdays has had to leave Leamington after having traded in the town for so long, but we are very pleased to have acquired such an attractive site."
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