Business Strategy - Page 9

When people discuss Spring Cleaning, they typically do so in regards to cleaning their garage or sometimes even their office. It's typically about cleaning a physical space; reducing clutter, creating order, and making your physical space look better. Guess what - there is opportunity in the clutter that inspires spring cleaning! Think about it...those piles exist because most small businesses get weighed down in the day-to-day of the business. They get so busy working in it, that they don't have time to work on the business. Now you might be thinking, "How in the world is Spring Cleaning going to help me work on my business?"

As business development experts we are systems junkies! There is nothing we love more than working with our clients to design a new system or getting to the bottom of why an existing system doesn't work and then helping to redesign it. Ideally, businesses are full of documented work systems and people are using those systems to achieve predictable consistent results. This might lead one to think that when all systems are in place the business is set, right? That would be true only if businesses are stagnate. But as you know businesses are not stagnate... they are dynamic... they are constantly changing. 

 "Your system is perfectly designed to give you the results you're getting." W. Edwards Deming

Last week we started exploring systems beyond the electronic programs and applications your business relies on. We expanded your point of view that your business is run on different kinds of systems. Everything that happens in your business is based on a system. This week we want to challenge you to explore the degree to which your business is at risk as a result of not owning the systems being used to achieve results. 

This month we are setting you up to be refer-able. We looked at why you want to be pro-active in planning a referral strategy. Also, we shared ideas to implement a better, consistent experience to your customers. Basically, setting the groundwork so your business is refer-able. Finally this month we want to discuss what to do after a customer refers yo

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends."  ~Walt Disney

Last week we explained the necessity in having a referral strategy. We also introduced you to three reasons a customer refers your business to others. And, we challenged you to think like your customers and experience why you would refer your business to others. The next step, and what we are covering this week, is starting to make the necessary changes so you are more referable.

Personal introduction, referral, recommendation - whatever the word or phrase you use, it can be defined as "your current customers bringing others to your business to also be customers." All businesses want their customers to have a remarkable experience. Even better, is a customer having such a remarkable experience, they want to share that experience with others.

As we've discussed before, there are always things that are happening to your business. Those things that happen to your business are difficult, because even when they are good they are outside of your initial control. This month we've looked at the point of view to take, how you can prepare, tools to assist in problem solving, and the importance of leadership. We want to leave you with a quick reminder. There will always be things that happen to your business. You may not be able to control them, but you can always choose to control how you react to them. Having the right resources is an important step in reacting to all the things that can happen to your business. Listed below are a few resources for you to consider: