Small Business Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Serious’

Over the years I’ve reviewed many “get quick rich” programs. They essentially all say the same thing or make the same promises about earning thousands of dollars a week part time, with very little effort. Typically they start with a story about how the individual who started the program was a step away from being destitute, and then persevered and discovered a secret formula of building wealth, and will sell that secret wealth building formula to you because there is so much opportunity with this formula, that everyone can be successful.

While I am far from being a cynic, I do look at these programs and know that it is never that easy. Starting a home based business takes hard work. Sure there are hundreds of benefits, and the potential to earn a full time income, and possibly even become wealthy starting a home based business. However, over 95% of people fail. People fail at their home based businesses for a lot of reasons, but primarily because they go in with improper expectations and without a real plan or timeframe to build their business. Let’s discuss what to expect when starting a home based business.

Whether you are a mom looking to start a home based business, a retiree looking for part time income, or anyone else looking to work from home in your spare time, you have probably searched the internet and come across dozens of business opportunities that makes a lot of promises, and provide a lot of testimonials about how much people have made with a particular program. While I do believe that this information is true and accurate, and that you can make a lot of money with a home based business, you need to have a realistic approach and use some common sense. Here are some guidelines on what to expect as you build your home based business, and some “gotchas” to fight through:

1. Don’t expect to make money right from the beginning. A home based business takes commitment and takes some time. You should have a business plan or at least a timeframe on when you expect to make money, and work towards that goal. I think so many people fail at starting a home based business because they believe they will make money within a few days of starting the program, and when they don’t they get discouraged and quit. Set realistic goals and as you meet those goals you will be on the right path.

2. Setting aside time to build your business can sometimes be a challenge. Mom’s looking to start a home business may have to drive their kids to different after school activities, as well as a host of other things. Other people have other commitments in their life. The beauty of a home based business is that it’s your business and you can go at your own pace. I know for me, there have been times when I had other commitments and went a few days without being able to focus on my home business. That’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up. Make a schedule, even if it’s only for 20 minutes three times a week, and get something accomplished. The key is perseverance.

3. Find a program or a business that is fun for you or something you really believe in. Start a home based business by looking at the things you know and like, and instead of it being work, it will be fun. It’s much easier to find time for things you enjoy or subjects that you really understand and are interested in.

4. Don’t look outward, but from within. Although there are many people who can help, you really need to help yourself. There are a lot of mentors, and don’t get me wrong, you should find one or a group of them that can help give you guidance, instruction and tips. However, do not expect someone or a program to do it for you. You need to be independent to a certain degree, and willing to try different things all the time. The success of your home based business is really up to you and you alone.

5. Be willing and ready to change. As you continue on with your journey to build a successful business from home in your spare time, keep in mind that when you just get started there will be a learning curve. How you start may not necessarily be the way you end up. Through trial and error you will learn the best tactics and strategies and the best way to manage your home based business. Remember, every time you fail at something, you are learning how NOT to do it, and you are getting closer to be successful.

There are so many people who want to make money from home, and build a successful home based business today, that it’s inevitable that many will try. Unfortunately, a lot of these same people will fail because they will have the wrong expectations. Expect hard work. Expect that nothing comes easy. Expect a sense of accomplishment by owning your own home based business. Expect success will take time. If you accept these conditions and work through them, you will be a success in your home based business, and will reap the rewards of the hard work and dedication you committed to.

People who own and run small businesses may have been overlooked in the past. Not attracted to the big budgets and sophisticated requirements of big business, the security industry has not focused on providing small business security. Small businesses had to settle for inappropriate and overpriced security that resembled home security systems.

But there’s good news. Leading security industry manufacturers and providers are paying attention now. They’re beginning to understand that the unique needs of small business security require tailored security measures and systems.

Small business security does have one advantage. Needing smaller staff and experiencing less turnover than large businesses, small business’s risk for in-house theft is significantly less, reducing the need for inventory tracking and video monitoring for break rooms and storage areas. But small businesses still face serious risks for theft, vandalism, and violence.

Small business security needs are in many ways like those of corporations and individual homeowners. Common-sense security measures are important. Things like removing potential hiding places for would-be thieves by eliminating blind spots on building exteriors is a basic preventive measure. Lighting the building, inside and out, makes it possible for people outside the building to observe criminal activity at night and when the business is closed. Keeping entry points clear of obstructions and shadows is important to safety and security. Installing locks with security codes for individual employees prevents entry by unauthorized people.

Exterior lighting is not only important for security. It’s an important way to prevent injuries to customers and to prevent crimes against both customers and employees outside the building. Liability insurance is a significant expense, and good exterior lighting can qualify small businesses for discounts and insurance savings. So in a way, liability insurance is a good small business security measure.

Every year, small businesses lose billions of dollars to preventable theft and vandalism. Monitored commercial alarm systems are an inexpensive and effective way to protect your small business. They’re easy to install in less than a day, and they’re easy to operate. A good small business security system will include control panels, security keypads, glass break sensors, window and door contacts, motion detectors, and sirens. Systems can be hard-wired or wireless. They can include loud immediate alarms or silent alarms that alert law enforcement without interrupting ongoing business. They can have add-ons like fire alarms and video surveillance. You can get a back-up system to assure your small business security needs are covered at all times.

If you haven’t already done it, you should ask a security professional to inspect and assess your small business for vulnerabilities and ask for a proposal that addresses them. Inherently more vulnerable to financial losses, there’s no such thing as too much security for a small business. An expert in the field can help you identify your small business security needs and create a plan that both meets your budget and makes your small business more secure.

When shopping for a small business security system provider, there are a few basic ways to select the best one for your needs. First, you should always talk to more than one company. Three or four reputable vendors is a logical choice that produces competition and gives you a variety of ideas and options. They should be willing to come to your business for face-to-face meetings. Be sure to get the proposals and price estimates in writing, and make sure the proposals are complete, including monthly charges, set-up and installation fees, and warranties. Find out if they offer training for you and your staff. Once you’ve made a commitment, review the contract very carefully to make sure it includes all the options you discussed with them.

The small business security specialist can analyze your physical layout, your internal procedures, and your vulnerabilities to help you come up with a comprehensive plan.

Who says service is serious? Customer service can be silly too. Take this fun quiz to test your customer service knowledge. You may be a service ace if you both pick the correct answer to each of these ten questions, and understand why these answers are correct.

1. A complaining customer is:

A. Always right

B. Almost right

C. Often lying

D. Always the customer

2. Customers who complain:

A. Had unhappy childhoods

B. Are genetically predisposed to be sourpusses

C. Have trouble in their primary relationships

D. Are doing you a service in identifying what isn’t working in your business or organization

3. The best reward for your customer service representatives is:

A. Earplugs and punching bags

B. Valium or other mind-numbing drugs

C. Recognition and appreciation on your part

D. Anger management seminars

4. CRM stands for:

A. Customers Rarely Matter

B. Can’t Remember Much

C. Communicating Random Meaning

D. Customers Rudimentarily Managed

E. Customer Relationship Management

5. Customers who complain want . . .

A. Something for nothing

B. To be heard and have their experience validated

C. To vent for the sport of it

D. To be made majority shareholders in the company

6. Customer Service departments:

A. Are the afterthought that cleans up messes other departments cause

B. Build customer loyalty

C. Are leaders in understanding customer behavior patterns and market research

7. For a company to be considered service-oriented:

A. It must mention customer service in its mission statement

B. At least 18.3% of its employees must work in the customer service department

C. Its managers must at one time have been CSRs

D. Customer service must be addressed by all departments

8. A Call Center is defined as:

A. The midpoint in duration of a telephone call

B. A revenue sink hole

C. A place where middle-of-the-road calls coexist with liberal and arch-conservative calls

D. A location where complaints and problems are converted into successful saves for your customers and your company

9. Customer Care is:

A. A managed care medical program for customers

B. A nifty alliterative phrase that looks good in company brochures

C. A new program where customers care for themselves

D. A philosophy wherein the customer is wrapped in service even before a problem arises

10. Customer Service Culture is

A. A new form of yogurt where the lid removes itself for you

B. Behavior being analyzed in a Petrie dish for contagions

C. A mythical civilization in which everyone smiles and welcomes you when they meet

D. An environment where customer service permeates the thinking of the entire company

KEY

1. D. Customers are often wrong but they never stop being the customer. Right or wrong they are to be accorded respect and cared for. Focus on the insights their complaint offers.

2. D. Complaining customers alert you to systemic problems before they drive off more customers. Their complaints represent many more customers who may not spend the time to tell you about problems, instead just leaving you for your competitors.

3. C. Your staff deserves and thrive on recognition and appreciation. Take the time to celebrate them collectively and individually. Whether through cards, gifts, surprises, outings and acknowledgements at company functions, let them know how important, valued and appreciated they are to you and the company.

4. E. CRM refers to systems designed to track and cater to each customer’s whims and preferences over a lifetime. CRM is about managing customer relationships over the long haul by attending to their individual needs.

5. B. Complaining customers have several needs. Implicit in their actual complaint is also a need to be heard and their unhappiness acknowledged. Fixing the problem is important. So is letting them know you understand their displeasure and feel for them. One without the other is an incomplete remedy for customer complaints. Don’t forget the emotional component in complaints.

6. B and C. When you solve a problem for a customer you actually build confidence and allegiance. You’ve proven you stand behind your products or service, giving customers a warm and fuzzy feeling of safety and protection. As well, you tap the pulse of the customers. Their complaints and feedback give valuable insight into how well your products are assembled, documented, sold and hold up. Listening to customers tells you a great deal about your company’s products and services (and your competitors’ too) from real life customers. That’s invaluable!

7. D. A Customer Service orientation must transcend the service department. All departments must understand and model good customer service for the company to be considered strong in service. Many problems can be avoided outright by attending to customer service. Why should the customer service department carry the weight of service for the entire company. Don’t operate under the adage “never enough time to do it right but always enough time to do it over.” Get it right at the source, in all departments.

8. D. Make your call center is a shining example of your company’s commitment to its customers. Your center is a visible symbol of your company’s commitment to customer success.

9. D. Customer Care is a philosophy wherein customers are cared for by a company – the entire time they’re customers. Care isn’t just to be administered as a salve for problems. Demonstrate care from the start and your customers will flock to your products and services.

10. D. Customer Service Culture is the infusion of service ideals into every department, from sales, shipping and receiving to legal, human resources and beyond.