Being Opportunity Minded

Being Opportunity Minded

A successful entrepreneur has many characteristics: ambition, good work ethic, and strong leadership skills to name just a few. One often overlooked quality, however, is always being on the lookout for opportunity. Whether things are going well or could use improvement, by looking at situations as possible opportunities, you’re paving the way for further learning experiences and long-term success.

Here are some ways to keep yourself open to opportunity:

Focus not just on working harder, but working smarter. If you find yourself putting in endless hours but you’re still not able to stay on top of your responsibilities, it’s a good idea to re-evaluate how you’re spending your time. Maximize efficiency by eliminating distractions, prioritizing responsibilities, staying organized, and being proactive. For more on this, see: Balance Without Sacrificing Business (How to Make Your Business More Efficient)
Consider “no” as “not yet.” The reality is that you are going to hear that dreaded word, “no,” over and over again. The key is to not let it discourage you. Instead of interpreting it as “no,” think of it as, “not yet.” This will keep you from prematurely closing the door on a potential opportunity. Although “no” sometimes really does mean “no,” keeping your mind open to the possibility that a “yes” may happen eventually will ensure you don’t miss out on a future opportunity.
Have a long term outlook for your business. Where do you see your business in five years? Ten? Creating a long term plan for your business gives you direction and allows you to continue moving forward. Competition increases, technology evolves, and customers’ needs change. Always stay on top of current business and industry trends so that you aren’t left behind.
Network and explore new social groups. Networking should be a constant in your business. Look to expand your network not only at formal events like industry conventions, but also within your community among people you meet and people you already know. Consider stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring new social groups. Join a book club or volunteer at the local hospital. You’ll find that you are not only meeting new people, but enjoying yourself at the same time.
Establish and maintain a great reputation. Strive for excellence in all areas to establish a stellar reputation. Once you have done so, make it clear to your staff that maintaining your reputation is a top priority. Unfortunately, all it takes is one incident to cast doubt on your abilities and tarnish your good name. Practice integrity and consideration for others in all you do. Your reputation will speak for itself and open doors to new and exciting opportunities, such as professional partnerships and word-of-mouth referrals.

Adopting a positive attitude and being on the lookout for opportunity will increase your chances of professional success. Seek help when you need it and help others as well.

How do you keep your mind open to opportunities? Please share your thoughts below!

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Establishing Your Online Presence

Establishing Your Online Presence

The internet can provide tremendous exposure for your business, when used correctly. For this reason, establishing an online presence is not a task to be taken lightly. It can be overwhelming to get started, however, especially with all the different online options to choose from. Here are some tips to help you narrow down your goals and present yourself on the internet in the best possible light.

Quickly and clearly let people know how you can help them with your product or service. Your main objective should be solving a problem for your potential customers. State clearly how you can do that right away on both your website and your social networks. For example, on your company website, the home page is the first online impression (and sometimes first overall impression) people will get of you and your business. Use images and very brief text to communicate how you solve that problem, and provide one or two clear calls to action, where people can learn more and sign up for your list. Avoid too much text on your home page, which can cause people to leave your site right away. If presented effectively and visually, that initial impression will keep people on your website and encourage them to explore further.
Provide honest facts. Facts about the types of customers you’ve served, other businesses you’ve worked cooperatively with, awards you’ve won, or community service you’re involved in are all helpful in educating a prospect about the type of business you operate. If you’re a new business with little or no history, state realistic goals. How do you plan on contributing to your community and to your customer base?
Never pretend to be something else. Trying to present yourself as something you are not will only hurt you in the long run because any prospective employees or clients will be set up for disappointment. Be honest and truthful about who you are and what you provide.
Use real photos, not stock. Stock photos are impersonal and lack creativity. Additionally, visitors to your website or social media presence will be put off because they can’t get a realistic look into your business. Use photos of your office or retail space, employees and customers (with their written permission), and products. People want a true impression of what to expect when patronizing your business.
Stay current and update your site. Always keep abreast of current industry trends and product research as they pertain to your particular business. Incorporate this knowledge into your online presence. As for your company website, frequently check for broken hyperlinks, outdated contact information, discontinued products, etc. When doing so, consider asking someone else to explore the site. A fresh set of eyes can help point out something you may have missed.
Make your site customer-focused. Your website should be user-friendly and focused on how the customer can make the best use of it. Your site should be easily navigable, convenient to use, and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Consider asking current customers to visit your website and tell you what they think of it.
Choose the social networks your customers use. Not sure which ones they use? Ask them! Most likely they are using Facebook, but are they on Pinterest or Instagram? By choosing the social networks where your customers and friends like them are spending time, you can more effectively communicate your message without wasting time on social networks where you’re less likely to get results. Click these links for some tips for setting up a social media presence for your business:

Also be sure to explore the online presences of your competitors to gather ideas and find out which techniques are effective, and which are not. Make sure the message and goals of your business are portrayed accurately online, and adjust when needed.

What tips do you have for establishing an online presence? Please share them below!

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Ways to Establish Trust

Ways to Establish Trust

In the highly competitive small business world, it is of utmost importance to develop a level of trust between you and your clients. A strong professional relationship built on trust will bring you long term success through repeat business, loyal customers, and referrals. Here are some ways that you can improve your ability to establish trust in your professional relationships.

Be real. Most people will likely be able to sense if you are being insincere. Tap into your true desire to help people find what they need, solve a problem they have, and provide excellent service. It will be clear to others that you are a genuine person, and they will begin to trust you. Nurture that trust over time.
Be truly curious about everything. What are your clients looking for? How can you best serve them? Is there a more efficient way to conduct business that you haven’t thought of before? Become more inquisitive, and observe how other successful people operate. When your clients and colleagues see that you are always striving to improve, they will trust you as a person and as a professional. For example, a potential customer has just moved into the area and comes into your flower shop looking for an affordable option for his daughter’s wedding. He raves about the florist in his hometown and how he wishes he could still use him. Ask the prospect questions about why he loved this other florist so much and express your desire to fulfill that need. He will trust that you have his best interests in mind.
Keep personal conversations private. Separating your personal life from your professional life is a crucial part of owning your own business. Even if you have customers who are also friends, make sure that any personal conversations you have had with them stay between you. An easy way to break someone’s trust in you is to spread their personal life around town. Even if they haven’t specifically mentioned that discretion is needed, it is a good idea to err on the side of caution.
Become an expert. As the owner, you should be an expert in all things involved in your business. This includes products, industry trends, customer demands, marketing strategies, etc. Clients will trust someone they feel is knowledgeable about relevant topics and can educate them accordingly. If you owned a camera shop, and a customer came to you wanting something to get started as a beginning photographer but admits to knowing nothing about cameras, it would be your job to demonstrate your expertise. You would narrow down their choices, help them compare options, and ultimately guide them to making a wise selection. Your specialized knowledge will allow customers to trust your judgment.
Help others and always be respectful. This applies to almost every part of life, not just business. However, it often goes overlooked when people are under pressure and stressed out. Maintain a pleasant demeanor and practice appropriate social skills. Even if you come up short in other areas, it is unlikely that you’ll make a bad impression by being a genuinely nice person. Always treat others the way you would want to be treated; this includes everyone from VIP clients to mail room interns.

Establishing trust is a necessary investment to make in your business. Treat others well and always conduct yourself professionally.

How do you establish trust with your clients and colleagues? Please share your ideas below!

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4 Ways Photos Can Help You Grow Your Business

4 Ways Photos Can Help You Grow Your Business

If you’ve got a smartphone, you’ve got access to a camera, and you may enjoy sharing shots you take with your friends via social networks like Facebook and Instagram. But did you know that you can use that camera on your smartphone to help you grow your business? Here’s how:

Take pictures of yourself and other people using your product. All the words in the world about your product don’t match the power of a single picture. So take pictures of yourself or your family using your products, or ask customers to share photos of themselves using it. Have a contest where people submit photos when they see someone using your product while out and about, and offer a prize your for favorites. Then share these photos through your business presences. It’s a great way to show others that your product is used and enjoyed by many people.
Take pictures of your parties (with permission of course!) If you have meetings or parties where people can experience your products and learn more about them, take pictures! When people see how much fun your gatherings are, and how many folks are participating, it can encourage others to want to attend.
Take pictures of things you get to enjoy as a result of your business. Have you been able to take that long-awaited vacation because of your business? Do your kids get to participate in a special program or sport because of what you do? Share photos of those things, and be sure to let everyone know that your business is the reason you get to participate. It can encourage others to want to learn more.
Share photos of things unrelated to your business. Of course you want to share photos directly related to your business. But by sharing other photos, too, of things like sunsets, great meals, etc, you display your human side. Every time you share, you show up in the feeds of the people you’re connected to on your social networks. And each photo is a little reminder that you’re there, so people remember you. Then, when you share a photo related to your business, people are more likely to see it and respond.

Sharing photos as part of your marketing strategy is a great way to highlight what’s great about your business and products. It can highlight what you have to offer and connect with people when words fall short.

How do you use photos to promote your business? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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DSEF & BBB: 10 Tips to Help You be a Savvier Shopper in 2013

By Kelsey Owen

A new year is a great time to resolve to be a smarter, safer shopper. BBB has 10 resolutions that can help you fight scammers, prevent identity theft and save money in 2013.

Always check a business out with BBB before you buy. Nearly 400,000 businesses meet BBB standards and are qualified to use an Accredited Business seal on their websites and business locations. Visit www.bbb.org to find BBB Business Reviews for more than 4 million businesses across North America.
Be skeptical of “job offers” that promise easy money. With high unemployment and long job searches common, scammers are targeting people desperate to find jobs. Beware of any job offer, work-at-home scheme or business opportunity that promises big money for little work and no experience.
Always read the fine print—especially with “free” trial offers.Thousands of consumers complained to BBB this year after signing up for a “free” trial offer online that resulted in repeated charges to their credit or debit cards, sometimes amounting to hundreds of dollars every month. Read the terms and conditions of any “free” trial offer before handing over credit or debit card numbers.
Keep your computer safe. If you haven’t already done so, install anti-virus software on your computer and check regularly for software and operating system updates and patches. Don’t open attachments or click on links in emails unless you can confirm the email came from someone you trust.
Never wire money to someone you don’t know. Many scams require that the victim wire money back to the scammers. Scammers know that tracking money sent via MoneyGram or Western Union is extremely difficult. Once you’ve wired the money, it’s almost impossible to get it back. Stay up-to-date on the latest scams via BBB’s Scam Stopper.
Fight identity theft. Shred paper documents that include sensitive financial data and dispose of computers, cell phones and digital data safely. BBB offers tips and checklists on what to shred, and hosts annual Secure Your ID Day events nationwide to help you stay safe.
Ask BBB for help. File a complaint with your BBB if you have a disagreement with a business or have been ripped off by a scammer.
Create a budget and stick to it. Setting a budget can help you stay afloat in 2013. BBB has advice on how to create a budget to help you get out of debt and stay out of debt at www.bbb.org.
Fight fake check fraud. Thanks to advances in printing technology, scammers have the ability to create professional-looking phony checks. Educate yourself on the common types of check fraud and be extremely wary of checks that come with claims that you’ve won the lottery, are eligible for a government grant or have landed a job as a secret shopper. These are almost always scams.
Get everything in writing. Don’t just take a company’s word for it. Get every verbal agreement in writing to limit miscommunication and misunderstandings between what you expect and what the business delivers.

DSEF and the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) foster honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visit www.bbb.org/us for more information.

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How Your Business Can Solve Real Problems

In order to maintain a long-term, thriving business, it is important that you offer a solution to real problems that people face. To do this, take the time to find out what these problems are, what solutions have been tried and failed in the past, and how your product or service can fulfill that need. The following is a basic list of suggestions for how to solve real problems with your business.

Look for a need. This is especially important in over-saturated industries where a great deal of competition exists. For example, a metropolitan suburb with a bustling downtown area is home to several different restaurants on every block. The reason each one is successful is because its owners have satisfied a need. Local residents want the convenience of city life while maintaining the quiet, more laid-back, affordable lifestyle of living in the suburbs. Their downtown area is like a prized possession, especially because of the shopping and dining that exists. Each restaurant offers something different, whether it’s a specific type of cuisine or a particular ambiance Without these options, local residents would have to travel into the city to find unique dining options, so these restaurants together fulfill a need for a convenient alternative.
Provide good value. At a time when everyone is watching his or her pennies more than ever, it is crucial to provide a good value. Is your product or service versatile? Is it reliable? Don’t forget to factor in those elements when deciding on price points. People are willing to pay more for something that is of high quality and can be relied upon. Another key aspect of value is the level of customer service you offer. When customers know that you genuinely care and that they can trust you, the value of your product increases.
Make sure your product or service is for long-term use. Have you ever bought something that needed to be replaced shortly thereafter? How likely were you to purchase from the same company again? Only offer products that will last a reasonable amount of time and services that can be used for the long term. That Bluetooth headset you sell should last a customer longer than his or her cell phone contract does. Similarly, those students who pay you for private voice lessons should be taught techniques that can be used in any style of music at all levels. Repeat customers mean long term success.
Seek out client feedback. This should be a top priority. Asking for feedback can be done informally through casual conversation or in writing on a survey card provided at checkout. Whatever strategy you use, listen carefully and adjust accordingly. You may have customers that swear by your products but aren’t being provided quality customer service by your staff. If this is the case, wouldn’t you do everything necessary to change that? Your clients are the backbone of your business, so listen to what they tell you.
Make improvements that benefit clients. Based on feedback you receive and other observations you make about how your business operates, make improvements that benefit the client first. For example, the owner of a small fitness studio wants to make renovations to her outdated space. As much as she looks forward to a lobby with a more efficient layout and an exercise area with new padded flooring and a state of the art sound system, she can’t afford to make all these renovations at once. The improved flooring will benefit her clients the most, as it will be easier on their joints and more pleasant to exercise in general. Make decisions with your customers in mind.

Step outside of your role as a small business owner and take an honest look at how you can solve real problems with your business. Evaluate your products, talk to your customers, and make improvements accordingly.

How do you solve real problems in your business? Please share your answers below!

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DSEF & BBB: Not All Customer Reviews & Review Sites Are Created Equal

By Myriam Cruz

Looking for pre-purchase advice, more and more consumers are turning to reviews for products and services. However, not all reviews are created equal and many consumers question their validity after several reports claim fake reviews are more common than expected.

An article by TIME Magazine highlights that while various review sites – such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia and Google – are implementing steps to identify both positive and negative fake reviews, “the system is being manipulated…and that’s all negative for consumers who are using them to try and make smart choices.”

Aside from company staff and marketers, freelance writers are also paid for reviews praising a company, product or service. In one case, a Wall Street Journal reporter plugged the name of a reviewer into a search engine and discovered the “consumer” was a communications manager at the company whose product she was praising.

Are there any consequences for such misleading behavior, you might ask?

Considering similar situations misleading, theFederal Trade Commission (FTC) revised its Endorsement Guides in 2009 to reflect three basic truth-in-advertising principles:

Endorsements must be truthful and not misleading.
If the advertiser doesn’t have proof that the endorser’s experience represents what consumers will achieve by using the product, the ad must clearly and conspicuously disclose the generally expected results in the depicted circumstances.
If there is a connection between endorser and the marketer of the product that would affect how people evaluate the endorsement, it should be disclosed.

While FTC guidelines provide some protection from misleading customer review practices, they are only part of the solution. Consumers play a vital role when it comes to identifying and denouncing misleading practices.

As Better Business Bureau (BBB) joins the customer review industry, it provides guidelines to help identify real reviews from fake or paid praise. In the end, the best way to obtain information about a product or service is to become familiar with the review process and use review sites that have a user verification process, such as BBB’s email verification.

Do you think it’s worth looking at reviews before purchasing a product or service? Are you more likely to consider reviews for higher priced items?

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How to Plan for January Business Now

How to Plan for January Business Now

December is often an exceptionally busy time for retailers and small business owners. The holiday demand for products can keep you just going, going, going until the holidays finally arrive and you’re left exhausted. Unfortunately, right after the holidays many business owners experience a slump in sales…unless they’ve planned ahead. Here are some tips to keep your business going strong right into January:

Use the holiday business to your advantage. Don’t just coast through the busy holiday selling season without planning ahead. Put a specific emphasis on the advantages your customers will experience by coming back to you in January. Talk it up! And be sure to make a list of all the things you can be doing with every customer to encourage them to shop with you in January, so you remember to tell your customers about them.
Make a list. While your customers are shopping with you during the holidays, be sure to gather their contact information, and get permission to contact them later. That way, you have a marketing mailing list you can take advantage of after the holidays are over.
Offer coupons and other incentives that can be used in January. Every customer that purchases from you, and hostesses that host for you, should receive a special coupon that offers additional discounts, gifts, or other offers for coming back in January. Make it a “just for you” offer that allows them to pamper themselves after taking care of everyone else during the holidays. But get your customers thinking beyond the holidays. People still need things in January. Make sure they think of your business when they need them.
Hold a post-holiday sale. Many retailers offer special post-holiday discounts on merchandise, and customers expect these. Think about a sale that your business can offer after the holidays, and give each customer a flyer or email reminding them about that sale.
Offer a January promotion related to weight loss, New Year’s Resolutions or self-improvement. One of the keys to successful marketing is talking about the things people are interested in. In January, there is always a huge emphasis on New Year’s resolutions and weight loss. think about ways your product line might fit into this. For example, if you sell candles, you might have a promotion that focuses on the resolution to make more time for your spouse (candlelight dinners, anyone?) If you sell skincare, craft a promotion that focuses on “New Year, New You” and teaches techniques for improving your skin or updating your look. If you sell cooking products, focus a promotion on healthy cooking techniques. No matter what you sell, there’s a way to tie it into what everyone is thinking about in the New Year. Create a promotion that takes advantage of this to build your business, and make sure your customers know about it now so they’re ready.

To keep your business income consistent, you need to focus on the activities that will keep customers coming back in January. By applying these tips, you’ll attract customers who are ready to shop for themselves.

What are you doing to build your January business now? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

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DSEF & BBB: The Customer is Always Right – This Minute (Part 3)

DSEF & BBB: The Customer is Always Right – This Minute (Part 3)

By Lance Trebesch

Timing Is Everything

In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, we established that always-happy customers represent 1% of the average organization’s customer base. The other 99% are likely willing to flock to your competitors or slander you on their social networks the moment you fail to please them. Your window for rectifying the situation, addressing their problems, and proving your loyalty to them is small and shrinks quickly.

You have a two-fold strategy: first, identify problem areas and address or eradicate them before your customers have an unpleasant experience to begin with. Second, create mechanisms that allow you to instantly communicate with anyone who still isn’t satisfied.

Likely, you already know what areas are causing trouble in your business model. As Mark Hurd demonstrated, most of your customers are willing to pay more money for better service. Now is the time to invest in improvements:

Product Quality: Obviously, address this first. If your product or service is substandard, why are you in business? Sell something worth selling.
Website Design: Everything needs to load properly, be easy to use, and look up-to-date. If customers can’t interface with the site, you can’t sell online.
Delivery Options: Partner with a reliable company. Offer multiple options. If your product is expensive, consider whether free shipping gives you an edge.
Support Staff: You need smart, friendly people, familiar with all aspects of the business, able to deal with cranky customers, and ready to fix problems.

Most people with complaints would rather complain to someone who can help them, rather than barking randomly into space. Be available to hear problems. Go out of your way to make it easy for people to provide feedback. It’s far better if they complain to you than to a public website!

Webforms: Your website should include an easy-to-find link where customers can contact you. Any complaints should be answered immediately.
800 Number: If call volume is low, maybe you only need twelve hours of customer support a day, but for bigger business, 24-hour toll free numbers are a must.
Social Networks: Your customers are connected. Are you? Many people head for Facebook or Twitter first. Be there, waiting for them, ready to answer.
Reach Out: Don’t wait for folks to complain. Customer surveys and other direct contact soliciting feedback help you provide everyone with what they want.

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Five Ways to Increase Repeat Sales

Five Ways to Increase Repeat Sales

Repeat sales can be the difference between a thriving business and a failing one. In order to increase the amount of repeat business you do, the most crucial thing to remember is that friendship is more important than sales. By treating your customers just as you would your friends, you instill a sense of trust in your business, and give them plenty of reasons to continue patronizing your business instead of your competitors’ business. Begin seeing your customers as friends and increase your repeat business in the following ways:

Create opportunities for friends to buy, rather than having sales. The main idea here is that you want to appeal to your friends. What is it they need or want? Think about their favorite products, what they’ve expressed interest in, or what they’d like to see more of. For example, a customer wants to purchase your organic hair care starter kit for several of her friends this holiday season, but is hesitant to spend so much money at once. Even though you aren’t planning on discounting this item in particular, offer a special for this specific customer at a price that works for you both. Your willingness to satisfy her need as well as the personalized service will encourage her to come back again and again.
Truly believe that your product/service helps your friend. If you sincerely believe in what you are selling, that will shine through to the customer. Think of the last time you ate at a fabulous restaurant with delicious food and an outstanding wait staff: Didn’t you tell your friends and family about it right away? When we experience something pleasurable, we naturally want to share it with others. Your products and services are no different.
Always deliver excellence. Aside from making good business sense, a commitment to excellence will give you a leg up on your competitors and big business counterparts. When something goes wrong, fix it. When something goes right, commend those involved and integrate it into your regular business practice. Whenever possible, anticipate issues before they arise. The best way to deliver excellence is to be proactive.
Keep your promises. Of course everyone makes mistakes, but failing to keep promises is a surefire way to drive people to take their business elsewhere. Don’t promise something that isn’t 100% guaranteed, like something you cannot control. If a customer inquires about an out-of-stock item, an honest answer such as, “We expect the shipment on Monday afternoon,” will be much more appreciated than, “It will definitely be on the shelf by Monday.” What if the truck is late or goes to the wrong address? What if the order is wrong? Always be honest and only promise something when you’re sure you can deliver.
Focus on conversation, not a sales pitch. Because you see your customers as friends, you should take a true interest in their lives. Strike up conversations that aren’t disguised as sales pitches. Ask about family members by name when possible, find common interests, and share something about yourself as well. Remember that friendship is a two-way street, so don’t forget to do your part.

A commitment to building relationships is necessary for increasing your repeat sales. Focus on your customers as friends and do everything you can to help them.

How do you generate repeat business? Please share your ideas below!