5 Steps to Turn a Negative into a Positive Customer Experience
A negative experience often means the customer goes elsewhere with their business—and often they tell their friends. So each lost customer means more than just their lost business, but it results in lost business from their friends as well. However, research also tells us that if we are able to recover from a poor experience,…
Read MoreCustomers Appreciate Green Businesses and It’s Easier Than You Think
Consumers are making more informed choices about what they choose to purchase, compared to a decade ago. More people than ever are looking at environmentally friendly products and services in every industry. So, as an entrepreneur, you need to take this shift in attitude seriously. The simple facts are these. No one will decide to…
Read MoreHow to Choose a Location for Your Small Business
The location you choose for your business can be a make-or-break decision going forward. In Business Centers Make a Perfect First Office I discussed location a little but because it is so important, I thought I’d go into greater detail on choosing a location in general and more specifically to the post I just referenced,…
Read MoreRock Your E-Commerce Business: Here’s How
Many small businesses are run mostly if not solely online these days. Even brick and mortar businesses often do a ton of business through ecommerce. It can be a huge sales booster, as shopping online is a big deal right now. It is easy and convenient. How can you be sure you are getting the…
Read MoreHow to Know When It’s Time to Fire an Employee
Deciding when it’s time to fire an employee isn’t an exact science. Occasionally a burst of outrageous behavior will make the decision obvious, but that’s seldom the case (fortunately!). Putting the issue in a broader perspective helps. I once heard someone divide employees into four groups: Type D: Those who won’t do their work, or…
Read MoreLeveraging Google Maps Marketing for Your Local Business
Google Maps marketing is most commonly viewed from the perspective of the 3-pack listings shown near the top of the search results for localized keywords. For example, see the figure below for the Google search “yoga Seattle.” While the 3-pack is one of the most valued forms of marketing real estate for local businesses, it’s…
Read MoreA Simple Guide to Setting Up and Marketing Your Business on a Shoestring Budget
Nobody counts the number of ads you run; they just remember the impression you make ~Bill Bernbach Every business, at some point or other, has operated on a shoe string or non-existent budget. But of all the activities you do, marketing your business is simply essential. Marketing your business is what water is to a…
Read MoreWhat is Your Business Really Worth?
For many owners, the answer to one question determines their ability to leave their companies: “How much money will I get when I sell?” This question is indeed critical. Realistically, you can’t exit your business unless you achieve financial independence, and the primary source of that independence is likely to be the funds you receive…
Read MoreHow to Communicate Your Company’s Vision to Your Employees
Your vision is exactly that: yours. Not everyone has the luxury of immediately understanding the strategy behind your decisions, but it’s important that your team grasps the deeper meaning behind their work. After all, how is your team supposed to think critically and be innovative if their perception of the work is misaligned? If you’re part…
Read MoreIf You Can’t Write, You Can’t Sell
In the past few days, I’ve been embroiled in conversations about grammar and spelling. I read a discussion about “Should I hire a sales person with poor writing skills.” I was astounded by the majority of responses. Many people had the view, “If they can sell, who cares!” The conversations about grammar ran along similar…
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