For a significant number of people, staying on task can be one of life’s biggest challenges. Between Facebook, Twitter and easy access to hundreds of movies and TV shows on the Internet, it can sometimes be a marvel that anything gets accomplished. Of course, if your passion is helping businesses engage with their customers through social media then perhaps you are excused from engaging on social media outlets during working hours, but, if not, it may be time to push yourself back on track.
It can be surprisingly easy for your true purpose, the passion that drove you to your work in the first place, to become drowned out by the buzz of daily life. When that happens, will your friend’s tweet about an awesome sale at Target really help you get refocused? Instead of giving in to the impulse to check your email or to watch “just one episode” of your favorite show, take a quiet moment of reflection.
Even if the hubbub and rush of embarking on a new business venture or adjusting your business goals to align more with your personal goals has taken over your life, your true purpose is most likely still somewhere within you. If you feel run over, distracted, frustrated or stressed or have any manner of other things that seem to be holding you back, it might be time to take a much-needed moment of reflection. In a preferably quiet area, close your eyes and remind yourself of your purpose. Have you been true to your purpose and yourself? Are the guiding principles that initially led you to your work still present? If the answer to both of these questions is YES, then all is well to continue on with business as usual. If the answer to either question is NO, then it may be time to make a few changes and get your business back in line with your true purpose.
Working within your own purpose can be one of the most fulfilling adventures in life, but even the most well-intentioned people can eventually lose sight of the path. What may have started out as a profitable or successful endeavor can begin to falter without the purpose-driven push of your passion to keep it on track and to fulfill all of your goals. Luckily, you can think of your purpose as your lifeline — it will always be there to help guide you and your business through both prosperous and difficult times.
If you have owned or operated a business for any amount of time, you know that the path to success can be fraught with frustration, setbacks and complication. Obstacles are an inevitable part of any type of business, but how you respond to them is completely in your control–and may play a significant part in your long-term success.
Pricing confusion is a common challenge faced by business owners. It is important to place a fair value on your goods and services, but one that reflects your talents and quality provided. When determining prices, the profit margin should be the main factor, not emotion.
No matter what type of business you own, you will eventually face challenges of some kind. Resolve to overcoming obstacles with determination, flexibility and a willingness to learn from past mistakes. Understanding how to respond to obstacles can ensure that you emerge on the other side as a smarter business owner.
The importance of providing quality customer service may be one of the more underrated keys to business success. Excellent customer service can lead to loyal customers and garner new business through word-of-mouth recommendations. People will often choose to patronize a locally owned and operated business simply because of the attention and care that they receive.
A simple Google search will turn up hundreds of tips for small-business owners, ranging from having a social media presence to developing a strong marketing campaign. While it is always important to attract new customers, it may be even more important to keep them. Providing excellent customer service begins with a passion for the product or service provided and a genuine desire to keep customers happy. Happy customers may be the gateway to business growth and increased profitability.
It can also be beneficial to ask for feedback. Carefully consider what customers and clients have to say. If negative feedback is given, evaluate what part of the customer experience needs to be improved and implement changes as soon as possible. Learning from mistakes and being responsive to client needs is one of the trademarks of a successful, growing business. It should be noted, a business should provide a seamless and easy online experience as part of a customer service strategy.
Do you own a service business? Chances are that at some point, you have struggled with securing new customers and finding a marketing plan that accurately conveys the message of your business. The success of these entrepreneurships is based on a personal relationship with customers/clients, and any marketing strategy should reflect what makes this interaction unique and important.
The relationship with your customers is the lifeblood of your service business. Build and maintain strong relationships by providing a quality product, as well as developing a marketing strategy that is uniquely suited to your target market. Working with an experienced marketing team can give you the competitive edge that you need to reach new customers and maintain the ones that you already have.
Companies and businesses often grapple with the correct way to market to consumers of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. As the demographics of American consumers are shifting, and will continue to change dramatically, smart businesses will realize that these changes can either offer an opportunity for growth or will result in eventual decline. Minorities make up a huge part of the consumer population, but the challenge lies in how to best reach these groups.
Multicultural marketing should be centered on demand, not necessarily demographics. This is based on the simple fact that consumers purchase products based on what they need or want, not necessarily their ethnic or cultural identity. For instance, many non-Hispanics buy salsa and many Hispanic consumers enjoy French wine. These are just oversimplified examples of how businesses sometimes miss opportunities by approaching multicultural marketing from the wrong angle.
Reach new customers by being smart and intentional. Break into multicultural markets with a strategy developed specifically for your business and your brand. We can help you navigate these complicated factors and develop a plan that will propel you toward increased profitability and new customer volume.
January typically sees both business owners and individuals in a flurry of activity, making resolutions and eagerly setting out to achieve these new goals. However, change rarely comes easily, and by the time February arrives, many people have already abandoned resolutions for the old, comfortable routine. With one-twelfth of the year already gone, it may be time to refocus on what is important, what needs to change and the most efficient way to accomplish goals.
In moments of doubt, it can be beneficial to look at the struggles and accomplishments of other successful entrepreneurs, take note of how they overcame diversity and take their words of advice to heart. For example, Mark Cuban, famous billionaire and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has this to say about the importance of hard work: “
Kevin O’Leary, another self-made billionaire has this to say about success, “
What is the benefit of a marketing plan if it does not reach the intended audience? Like the metaphorical tree falling in the forest, does it matter if there is no one around to hear it hit the ground? The best laid plans and most detailed marketing campaigns will fail if the right people do not see them.
Is my business primarily for…
Identifying a target audience is crucial. However, the hard part may not lie in the who, but in the how. There is great benefit in having a knowledgeable ally when trying to revive a listless business, jumpstart an income stream for a new company or to simply understand why your marketing plans have not been fruitful. Not only can we help identify your target audience, we can ensure that you have a streamlined, detailed and completely unique method of reaching it.
George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Communication is the foundation of any relationship, and effective communication is especially vital in the business world. A failure to clearly communicate can lead to misunderstandings with clients and other problems, ultimately resulting in lost opportunities. It is easy to fall into the trap of assuming that you have a clear line of communication with your clients, so it’s beneficial to occasionally evaluate how effectively you are communicating.
There are many benefits to clear communication. It can make your relationships with your clients better, allow for greater employee interaction and improve the overall function of a business. You can improve communication and your relationship with your clients and employees by observing any of the following tips:
Want to be heard? Learn to listen. Ask your clients what they want and strive to understand. When you make the effort to simply listen and hear what people are saying, it is a personal investment in others. And in the business world, making good investments may be the key to growth and success.