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7 Tips for Overcoming Perfectionism and Getting More Done
A very busy schedule and perfectionism are a deadly combination. A “friend of mine” has this problem from time to time. There just isn’t enough time to do everything and do it perfectly.
Is Customer Service the New Marketing?
The line between customer service and marketing is becoming blurred, and some companies are even counting customer service as a marketing expense. Although in the past there were definitive marketing and customer service “departments,” it makes sense to acknowledge their relationship and interaction for the overall good of the company.
Poor Staffing Decisions
No entrepreneur lives in the utopia of having zero turnover (although sometimes they might like to make it seem that way), but certainly making the right staffing decisions by putting people in the right roles can allow your startup venture to scale quickly. The wrong staffing decisions can leave your new company mired in constant unplanned change.
Why Are You Afraid of Your Customers?
Do you find yourself reluctant to touch base with customers because of fear of what you might find? Do you think that no news is good news? When you think about reaching out, do you ask yourself, “What if something is broken?” or, “What if they ask a question I can’t answer?”
Contract Agreements Every Small Business Should Have in Place
It might be tempting to seal a deal with a handshake. After all, verbal formalities just slow things down—and as a small business owner, you’ve got countless other things to do to run your business. However, having the proper contracts in place will give you and your business solid legal protection should the need arise.
Moving from Customer Service to Customer Experience
We all know the difference between good and bad service, but in order to compete, you have to move beyond this and focus on the overall experience you create for your customers. Successful companies must shift their focus from providing satisfactory customer service to creating a memorable customer experience that builds loyalty.
You Must Hire Professional Consultants
Since many new entrepreneurial ventures are often started on a shoestring budget, where you spend your financial resources can be a prickly situation. When is the right time to get yourself legal help? Do you really need an outside person to do your books or can you do it yourself?
Who’s the Boss of Customer Service?
Are you bold enough to BE THE BOSS of your customer service efforts? Although it may seem politically incorrect these days to assert your position as a manager, sometimes it is the only course of action that brings about the kind of customer service that you want to offer your staff and that will build your brand as a customer service leader.
Big Data, Little Data: A Customer Experience Opportunity Waiting to Happen
Big Data is a collection of data so large and complex it becomes difficult to process. However, many companies embrace a different concept of Big Data. While the collection of data is broad, based on a large amount of information and customer feedback, these companies are able to filter through it to understand general customer behavior and trends.
Can Customer Service Go Too Far?
While customer service is critical, it cannot be given away if the costs become prohibitive. I think the answer is to make sure that everyone understands the terms of a deal when they are accepted.