Archive for August, 2009
Monday, August 31st, 2009
Small Business Tip of the Month: Surveying Customers
Most customers who feel the sting of minor annoyances don’t ever voice their concerns, leaving you unaware of potential problems. The remedy? Customer surveys.
In order to create the right questions, focus on your goals. Maybe you want to improve customer service. Or maybe you wish to examine customers’ perceptions of your products or services. Focused […]
1 Comment » - Posted in Small Business by Megan Dorn
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
5 Free and Easy Ways to Improve Customer Service
Customer service is a hugely important part of any small business. Therefore there needs to be an emphasis placed on making sure that each customer has a positive experience with your business. Here are five free and easy steps you can take to improve customer service in your business.
Manage Expectations
Don’t promise customers anything that you’re […]
1 Comment » - Posted in Small Business by Megan Dorn
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
The Changing Landscape of Online Advertising
This is a guest post by Zeke Camusio, founder of The Outsourcing Company.
There are many issues when it comes to online advertising. You used to have to blast out millions of ads online so people will read all about your products or services, click on your ad, go to your site and make a purchase. […]
No Comments » - Posted in Technology, Small Business by Megan Dorn
Monday, August 24th, 2009
Small Business Tip of the Week: PR Planning
Developing a public relations plan will go a long way in keeping your business focused on achieving all the benefits that media coverage can bring.
Start by creating a calendar and thinking about media opportunities that could occur during the year. Then pencil in any newsworthy milestones. Will your business be expanding or launching new products or […]
No Comments » - Posted in Small Business by Megan Dorn
Friday, August 21st, 2009
Pet-Friendly Workplaces
The idea of allowing pets in the workplace is pretty foreign to me. Never in a million years did I think there was such a thing as pet-friendly workplaces. Apparently I was wrong.
According to a survey by the American Pet Products Association Manufacturers, 20 percent of companies now provide pet-friendly policies. In addition, the Humane […]
1 Comment » - Posted in Small Business by Megan Dorn
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
How to Fire a Customer
While “the customer is always right” may seem like a valuable, time-tested mantra to run your business by, the truth of the matter is that the customer is not always right. In fact, sometimes the customer is so very wrong that the best option for your business is to cut ties.
You can’t just go around […]
No Comments » - Posted in Entrepreneurship, Small Business by Megan Dorn
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
U.S. Small Business Ranks Low on Global Scale
I’ve always been under the impression that the United States, with its lower taxes, more limited regulations and high spirit of entrepreneurship, boasted one of the most (if not the most) small business friendly environments in the world. According to a recent study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, however, that doesn’t seem […]
1 Comment » - Posted in Entrepreneurship, Small Business by Megan Dorn
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
Part Three: Creative Ways to Sweeten a Compensation Package
Today’s post marks part three of a three-part series on approaching human resources in a more creative way. For many small businesses, the process of finding quality candidates, weeding through them, and getting the right one to sign on the dotted line isn’t as simple and straightforward as it once was. The job market is […]
