How often has someone thought of starting a business based solely on the fact they think it will be easier than working for someone else. Fact is, owning and operating a business can be one of the most grueling experiences you will have. Granted, there are many advantages, but unless someone has actually run a business there is much to consider before you make that decision.
The following information will help you operate a business more professionally. With today's technology there is no reason you cannot have the look of a large company even if you are working off your kitchen table. If you have a home based business it is suggested you have a room dedicated to your business. This helps you to stay focused and there are some major tax benefits in doing this.
PROFESSIONALISM
-Choose voicemail rather than an answering machine. There is a major difference in the perception to the caller.
-Toll free number. Check with your local telephone company to find out if this is available to you if you will have a lot of clients/customers from outside your calling area.
-Have a separate business phone line. You do not appear very professional if your children answer the phone.
-Email. Avoid using free services due to limitations and perceptions. -Dedicated fax line. A small business will appear as such if the fax number and phone number are the same.
RUNNING AN OFFICE
-Stay organized. The more you can keep yourself organized the easier it will be to respond to customer's requests in a timely fashion.
-Color file folders. A great way to organize your file system. Each color indicates a category.
-Dedicated file cabinets. Separate personal papers from business.
-Form letters. Don't reinvent the wheel with every letter you write. Keep form letters on a disc or your hard drive.
FINANCIAL END of running the business. There will be many costs to running a business. The following are some of the investments you will need to consider.
-Medical insurance
-Separate phone lines
-Taxes
-Marketing material
-Office supplies
-Products
-Service fees
-Accountant
-Financial Planner
-Bookkeeper
-Keep excellent records
-Keep all receipts
-Advertising
THINGS YOU WILL NEED IF YOU WANT TO STAY COMPETATIVE
-Business license
-Incorporate
-Bookkeeper
-Financial planner
-Marketing material
-Business cards
-Letterhead
-Envelopes
-Folders
-Letters of referral
-Bio sheet
-Product or service sheet
-Web site
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
-Which ones are most beneficial for you to join? To get the biggest benefit from any organizations you need to get involved. Use the monthly meetings to network.
-Dues and fees. How much are the annual dues and cost for monthly meetings?. Figure that in your budget.
-Conventions. Are there any conventions you need to go to? What is the time and cost investment? Talk to others who have gone to find out if it will be worth the investment.
-Network. Most of your business will come from referrals.
QUALIFYING THE BUYER
-Who is my customer?
-Do they have a budget for my product or service their budget?
-Do I want to work with them?
PAPERWORK
-Invoices
-Contracts
-Service agreements
-Letters
MANAGE PROFESSIONAL IMAGE
-Responding to requests by providing what the customer needs. If you are not the person for the job, who can you refer (that's why networking is so important)
-Follow-up. Do your follow-up in a timely fashion
-Develop a good relationship with the client
-Return calls as soon as possible
-Send information in a timely fashion
-Priority mail is often less expensive than first class. And it can be more impressive to your client.
-Keep in touch after the fact. A mistake a lot of people make in doing business is they do a job for a client and then seem to forget the client. It is easier to get repeat business than it is to find new business, and yet, so often business owners and salespeople (which is what you are if you own a business) will look for the new customer and forget about their existing clientele.
Kathleen Gage is a keynote speaker, author and business advisor specializing in marketing and promotions. Access Gage's's FREE eBook about how to gain visibility on the Internet with Street Smarts Internet Marketing at http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/free -ebook.htm
Whether you are an Entrepreneur or Business Professional there are... Read More
Manufactured and Mobile Home owners know that the weather this... Read More
At one point or another, almost every business runs short... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
Many new ventures are preoccupied with all the money they... Read More
Why does research and education play an important part of... Read More
I meet and talk to hundreds and hundreds of business... Read More
If you own a mobile truck washing, pressure washing or... Read More
Passion. Passion alone can make your business successful. As an... Read More
Remember the training programs, seminars, and workshops you had to... Read More
That sizzling sound you're hearing may be a symptom of... Read More
One of the first things you will need to set... Read More
Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More
Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More
For really tough boat hull cleaning you will need to... Read More
The employer / employee relations environment has been constantly evolving... Read More
In this series of articles I'm going to show you... Read More
One of the most common horrific mistakes a business can... Read More
Is your business making money? Would you know?Figuring out whether... Read More
In general, all of us know how to accomplish the... Read More
To wash an airplane there are many items you will... Read More
Would you rather have one good client paying you five... Read More
A successful joint venture marketing effort is the goal of... Read More
One of the greatest pitfalls in e-commerce is Field of... Read More
The Operations Plan is a critical component of any business... Read More
Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More
If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More
The way you manage your money is one of the... Read More
To get approval for your small business loan application, you... Read More
In many industries, image is one of the last things... Read More
The single most important activity you can do in your... Read More
Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More
Pity parties are nothing new. In fact, we do it... Read More
I ran a franchise company for many years, a car... Read More
What makes a business relationship?What really makes a business relationship?... Read More
If you run a pressure washing business it is a... Read More
If you are thinking of turning your current into a... Read More
If a customer owes your local business money, it's hard... Read More
Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More
Frankly, given the legal and regulatory requirements involved in attempting... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
In the summer, I can't drive two blocks without seeing... Read More
The day care industry is expanding. There are now more... Read More
Tap these treasures of ideas. The best money you can... Read More
Am I the only one that does not have an... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that I went a... Read More
Starting and growing a small business can be a daunting... Read More
If you are in the pressure washing business and are... Read More
Many mobile pressure-washing companies turn to government contacts to make... Read More
What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More
Achieving real success should be the goal of any good... Read More
Forget everything you've ever heard about the U.S. Small Business... Read More
My colleague, Jane, recently lamented to me an all too... Read More
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More
Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More
For many small businesses, the "S" corporation is the business... Read More
Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More
You are selling your small business (business value under $1... Read More
Owning a small business in Wichita, KS might not be... Read More
A career coach could be simply defined your job seeking... Read More
Ongoing support for a franchise system is omnipotent. A major... Read More
The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More
Is it right for you?If you decide to advertise your... Read More
You bet a name is important. Many small business owners... Read More
As a small business owner, outsourcing work to Virtual Assistants... Read More
How do you find groups that are in need of... Read More
Small Business |