Compete with the big dogs is tough when you're just starting out. As a small business owner, I discovered that the biggest advantage is the flexibility to offer small and build relationships with our clients. Good service is another key factor in retaining customers and acquiring new ones.
Perhaps the biggest challenge for small business is the provision of professional services to customers of the large companies offer. They are always short handed. You can not necessarily afford qualified staff. You do not have a fancy database for storing user data. You do not have million dollar intranet access to critical information about the products. May hell you do not even have a receptionist to answer the phone when having lunch. But do not despair. Here are some tips that will make your life easier:
1. Get a good small business accounting system:
QuickBooks is what I use! I am not at all related to Intuit in any case, but the program is great. Invest in the Premier version, and you can even connect computers in your office to share the same database. You can store tons of information, do not search the customer name and store the job details. This puts customer information right at your fingertips, and eliminates a lot of unnecessary paperwork.
2. Get a voice mail system:
As soon as you can afford it, get a voice mail system, so you will not miss any critical pozive.Govorne mail system gives the illusion of size immediately. Setup a mailbox for each department, even if you're the only person working in uredu.Sustav voice mail is much cheaper than hiring a receptionist.
If you can not really afford a voicemail system, mailbox rental service with your phone usluge.Trošak is minimal, but the sound quality is much better than off-the-shelf machine. Alternatively, forward your office line to your mobile phone. Be sure to sign up for a reliable service with the best reception in the area of coverage.
3. Get the address of the company's e-mail:
E-mail address ending in "@ aol.com" just does not look professional enough. For less than $ 10 a month, you can get e-mail address ending in "@ yourcompanyname.com". Remember, this is the little things give you away as a small company.
4. Having a well designed web site:
A well designed web site not only induce confidence, it also provides vital information that your customers want to know. You can put the whole sales pitch on their web site: your products, your pricing, your delivery, your guarantees, your professionalism, and so dalje.World Wide Web can level the playing field between you and Fortune 100 companies, if you know how to market your business to right way.
5. Give the best customer service:
This is really what makes the interruption of business, in my humble opinion. And great customer service does not require a lot of money, just a lot of determination and a bit of hard work. Here are some tips:
- Know your product: to know them better than any of your competitors. Knowing good and bad. People want to do business with someone who knows what they are doing. It gives them confidence in you and your company.
- Will be of help: Ask the question "How can I help?" instead of "What's in it for me?" If people can feel their sincerity, then you will feel comfortable enough to buy from you. Train your staff so they share the same attitude.
- Will be organized: A file of your customers and their order information is correct. Use a professional accounting system designed for small businesses. It gets really annoying customer if you or your staff can not find your information.
- Be a friend of clients: big companies with call centers likely than not is not user friendly. As a small company, it is important you develop a relationship with their clients, big or small. People switch jobs so often these days you never know where they might end tomorrow. Never burn any bridges.
- Be flexible with their rules and prices. Large companies are not.
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