How to Keep Your Business Booming

How to Keep Your Business Booming

Steve Stone
Contributing Writer
CEO, ShuBee®

#1 Make Marketing Your First Priority

When the money isn’t rolling in, what’s the first thing many of us cut back on? You’re right. Marketing. However, this is the perfect time to start with a new campaign! Think of all those ignored customers and how much it will mean to them when your company is the only one to try to reach them. You can really increase your market share during times like these.

#2 Keep Your Service Trucks Stocked

Now you may think keeping the bare minimum on your trucks saves you money in the long run. Your technicians will use less and you’re more likely to stay in the green. You may temporarily save money, but it will look bad when your technician doesn’t wear his shoe covers because he ran out. Or he may accidentally track mud through the house because he doesn’t have enough surface protection to cover the floors. Choose to keep your trucks stocked.. This will keep your technicians and customers happy!

#3 Work Smarter, Not Harder

Long hours and working weekends just isn’t necessary. Focus on finding ways to make things more efficient on the job. Delegate more. Only take on what you can handle and work on procedures to make your job easier.

#4 Focus on Your Employees

Take a look around your office. Do you see many of the same faces? If so, you’re probably treating your employees very well. You give them bonuses, raises, health insurance, vacation time, everything that keeps employees happy and working hard. However, if you have high turnover, it may be time to reconsider how you hire, manage and reward your technicians.

#5 Keep Your Clients Happy- Ask for Referrals

When you have a million things to do, it’s very easy to forget who should come first, your clients. Can you think of that great client that comes back to you time and again and refers you to her friends? That’s the client you want to keep. Send her a thank you card when she refers you to a friend and make sure she gets a birthday card every year. A few tokens of your appreciation will go a long way to ensure she keeps her business with you. Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals from your favorite clients. They’ll be happy to help you out, and you may earn some new clients!

#6 Start a Reserve Account

Small businesses have a lot of ups and downs. Cushion the blow of a slow month by keeping a reserve account. It may seem like common sense, but it never hurts to be reminded. Save money during the good months so if things get rocky, you’re prepared.

#7 Create Great Procedures (And Stick to Them!)

Many of us come up with great, efficient ways to do our jobs. We’re so proud that we may even tell a few people. Then a few months go by… and we completely forget what it was that we came up with! Make it a goal to write down new procedures and stick to them. Imagine if Dick and Mac McDonalds came up with their ideas about speedy service, low prices and big volume, but didn’t write anything down? You probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to enjoy that Big Mac you had at lunch.

#8 Do Something You Love

We spend most of our lives at work. Don’t cheat yourself by having a career you’re not thrilled with. Make sure you’re doing what you love and can be passionate about it. Not only is this a contagious attitude you want to have in the workplace, it will also help you be a happier, healthier person because of it.

#9 Set Goals and Steps to Reach Them

Remember all those personal New Year’s Resolutions you made at the beginning of the year? How many have you given up on? It’s not too late! Just make sure you write down your resolutions and steps to reach them. This will make those hard-to-keep resolutions a little easier.

#10 Last, But Not Least… Give Yourself Credit

Don’t blow past another success. Take the time to appreciate what you accomplish and give yourself a pat on the back. This will help keep you motivated even if other people don’t recognize the great job that you do. Way to go.