Biz Crusader

 

I’ve been working with business owners for over 15 years now and during that time, I’ve met many business owner types.  I’ve come across the big egos, the endless analyzers, the frugal and I’ve even met a few dictators along the way.  After meeting and working with so many personalities and leadership styles, there is no business owner type that frustrates me more than the “I am not a techie” owner.

 

The reason for my frustration is because I have a unique vantage point of seeing for myself how street-smart and courageous most small business owners are.  Because of this observation, it makes me wonder why these business owners won’t take on the challenge of learning some basic technology skills to advance and grow their businesses.

 

The bottom line is that your small business will FAIL if you do not embrace modern business technology.  It doesn’t matter if your business has been around for 20 years and you’ve never relied on anything but “word of mouth”.  The entire landscape of doing business is changing rapidly and it will move on without your business if you do not learn how to utilize technology to your advantage.

 

 

 

1)  You’ve repeated the phrase “I am not really a technical person” more than 5 times this year.

 

2)  You blame your age constantly for not being on top of business technology.

 

3)  You are constantly seeking help from anyone inside and outside the firm for basic technical assistance.

 

4)  Your children are your technical support.

 

 

I know what you’re thinking.  This post is a bit harsh.  The straight talk is needed.  Keep in mind that I’ve dedicated a big portion of my adult life in the pursuit of advancing small businesses.  Believe it or not, I am trying to help by kicking you in the you-know-what.  Many of you will also believe that this blog is geared towards older business owners.  On the contrary, I’ve found that age has very little to do with this problem.  In fact, according to the latest AARP surveys, one of the fastest growing technology usage groups are people over the age of 55.

 

 

 

1)  Change your state of mind about technology.  Without this paradigm shift of thinking, you won’t be able to move forward.  Are you the “throw my hands up” type?  If you own a business, I know you’re not.

 

2)  Take the time and put forth the effort to learn basic computer usage skills.  Do you know how to save files, create folders, save photos, cut and paste, install software and etc?

 

3)  Take the time and put forth the effort to learn basic e-mail usage skills.  Do you know how to attach files, create folders, auto-respond, add a signature and etc?

 

4)  Take the time and put forth the effort to learn basic Internet usage skills.  Do you know how to search, add to favorites, organize favorites, download files, shop/buy online and etc?

 

5)  Invest in some resources to train yourself and the staff if need be.  You might even want to consider an in-house one day training for your entire staff.  A full day dedicated to learning and training on how available basic technology can help your business, would that be a good investment?

 

 

If you follow some of my suggestions, you will feel incredibly empowered and a sense of rejuvenation will fill your business.  Take full advantage of ALL that technology has to offer small businesses and be an insider in the 21st Century.  This is my hope.

 

 

 

Believe it or not, my little business blog has logged over 18,000 page views and just under 1,000 unique visitors in the first 3 months.  In the big world of the WWW, these stats are not that big of a deal but nevertheless, I am very pleased to see that so many of you are enjoying my posts.  If you’ve read more than a few of my rants, you already know that I have somewhat of an “inner conflict” about technology.  In many cases, use of technology will make your business better but there are times when it will encourage you to abandon the basics.  This post is about one of those times when it can hurt your business.

 

Don’t forget to say Thank You.  If you have kids, this phrase is probably very familiar to you.  I must utter these words at least once a week to our 5 year old.  After saying it again today, I thought it would be a perfect topic for discussion with my business owners.

 

In today’s fast-paced world of the Internet, e-mails and instant everything; many business owners are abandoning traditional business basics.  The bottom line is that it’s just too easy to send an e-mail or leave a VM when more is required.  Saying thanks in a proper way is a basic business etiquette that should be practiced no matter what the circumstances or economic conditions.  The good news is that so few business owners send proper thank yous these days that it will be much easier for your business to stand out above the crowd.  Unfortunately, it has become all too common for customers to spend thousands of dollars and not get so much as a thank you card in the mail.  In most cases, they might not even get an e-mail thank you.

 

 

 

1)  You will immediately elevate the positive perception of your business in your prospects’ or customers’ minds.

 

2)  You will immediately separate your business from the competition.  And by doing so, you will give your prospects and your customers a reason to remember you.

 

3)  Give your prospects and customers a positive memorable experience and watch them turn in to your business ambassadors. 

 

4)  Your closing ratios will increase.  Your repeat sales will increase.  Your referral business will increase.

 

 

 

1)  After meeting a prospect.

 

2)  Upon securing a sale or contract.

 

3)  When a customer has referred you to someone.

 

4)  Periodically with long term customers.

 

NOTE:  NEVER use form letters.  They are worthless and you might as well not send them.  Handwritten cards and notes are best.

 

 

Like all worthwhile efforts, implementing a proper THANK YOU program for your business will take a commitment by you, the business owner.  As an example, when my sales representatives secured a deal, I would not allow the processing of that order until he or she handed in a hand-written thank you card with the sales order.  It was one way to implement the policy.  Remember, when it comes to these kinds of basic business principles and practices, easier for you does not mean it is better for your business.

 

 

 

 

 

My advice is to schedule your business day with a firm regiment of time blocks.  Of course, you won’t follow the schedule to the exact minute because we are not robots and the unexpected will always interrupt you.  Do your best to stick to the regiment.  At the very least, the time blocks should serve as a constant reminder of your business priorities.  If practiced correctly, this daily schedule will give you a much better feeling of accomplishment at the end of each day.  And most importantly, you will have moved your business forward.

 

 

 

BLOCK 1:  ???am to 11am — New Business, Sales Calls, Sales E-mails

BLOCK 2:  11am to 12noon — Return Client Phone Calls & Client E-mails

BLOCK 3:  1pm to 3pm — Client Care, Deliverables, Employee Relations

BLOCK 4:  3pm to 4pm — Return Phone Calls & E-mails

BLOCK 5:  4pm to 5pm — Administrative Duties

BLOCK 6:  5pm to ??? — Wrap-up, Organize, Plan for Next Day