Small Business On the Web
How do you react when business goes quiet? Many businesses, at some time or other, experience quieter times. This could be due to the seasonal nature of a business, but more often than not, it’ll be due to the success or failure of putting goals and strategies in place to ensure a steady flow of business.
Here are 10 things you can do when business goes quiet:
Australians are getting fatter and unhealthier; if you’re a small business owner, the implications of this could be bad news. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that 16% of men and 17% of women are now classified as obese, while a further 42% of men and 25% of women are classified as overweight. The results of this for the workplace are reduced productivity, more time lost to sick leave, and increased health and safety issues.
When you want to find out any information from your customers make sure that you don’t assume anything. Assumptions can make you bankrupt.
Most of the time you never have to assume all you have to do is ask. You can ask in so many different ways. You can ask in day-to-day contact. You can ask through surveys. You can ask through focus groups.
Whatever we you want to know, you can ask. And customers will tell you exactly what they want. However, you have to listen and be receptive to their answers. Are you willing to listen?
The expression ‘time is money’ has never been more accurate than when applied to the business sector. Every manager knows that streamlining processes and improving productivity internally has dramatic effect on output externally and, at the end of the day, your balance sheet.
But while we often hear talk of working smarter not harder, it’s a lot easier said than done. With the right steps, however, any business can make improved efficiency a reality.
As a manager/owner it’s imperative to outline your company ethos, and display it clearly to all staff. The listed items should then act as a checklist in everything the company does. A way of testing decisions and also providing employees with an accurate ‘action plan’ as they test their daily demands against the companies expected ethos outcomes.
Society in general has seen a trend away from ethical and honest behaviour, and modern business practices are no exception. Good work is overlooked and those who have a slicker approach are rewarded.
Remember the “good ‘ol days” when a handshake was a firmer deal closer than most modern day written contracts? When a successful business traded on reputation rather than advertising budget?
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