A Fast and Simple Way to Update Your Business

You open your computer, the flashing button says, "We have a new update for your software program. Do you wish to update now or later?" You choose the Update Now button and immediately your computer begins to download a new version of the software program.

What is the program updating? It's fixing broken parts of the software program; it's adding new features. It does this quickly and easily. Right before your eyes you see the update taking place. You click a button and you have the newest software update.

Computer software and hardware companies have learned that "updating" is a necessary tool in today's computer world. Without updates, users would drift towards other vendors who have the latest features and best programs.

What about your own business? When was the last time you updated your business operations? In our fast paced, every changing business climate, your either update or customers will drift to your competitors.

Your business needs are no different than computer software companies. You need to make fixes to your business operations. You need to add new features and benefits of your business and market these new features to your customers.

Here is a short and exercise you can use to "update" your business operations. Look at these four areas in your business.

1. Your Market

Over the course of doing business, has your market message remained the same? Does it still reflect the heart of your business? How would you change it to reflect more precisely what is really happening in your business? Are there parts of your marketing efforts that need to be dropped because they are no longer useful? If your message has changed, should you be looking at different advertising mediums for your business?

I watched a floor covering business change its marketing message over a number of years. At first it offered itself as the company with the cheapest prices. As the business evolved, they realized that creating a great customer shopping experiences was more important than being the lowest price.

Once they realized their market had shifted, they made changes in their advertising. They made changes in their vendors. They made changes in their staffing. By asking a series of simple questions, they were able to update their business operations.

2. Your Customers

This business aspect is closely related to your marketing issues. Over a period of time, you can begin working with different customers. At first, the change happens gradually. Then one day, you realize your customers are different from your original business.

How do the new customers compare to your original customers? What customers need to be dropped so you can concentrate on new customers? Where is the best place to reach and contact these new customers? What other effects does this new customer population have on your business?

3. Your Buyer's Shopping Experience

If your customers and market have changed, how do these changes affect your customer's buying experience? Customers today have many buying options. Does the presence of chain stores affect your operations? Do internet buying options affect your business operations?

Customers today are looking for specific types of shopping experiences. Some want to buy simple and fast. Others want to make purchases slow and leisurely. What changes could you make in your customer's shopping experience that would set you apart form your competitors?

Think of the difference in getting your oil changed at a Jiffy Lube business with plastic chairs and left over coffee. Compare this to getting the same oil changed at a Lexus dealer with a plush waiting room and high speed internet access.

4. Your Customer Follow Up Activities

Having customers buy more from you and buying more often is triggered by the relationships you establish with them and your follow up efforts. Once upon a time, sending postcards was enough. Today, the option of email notices, electronic newsletters and other fast, quick and inexpensive communication options change customer follow up's.

Have you looked at your follow up activities to see if you can update these functions to make them faster, easier and more efficient for both you and the customer? Today's customers expect you to use contemporary forms of communications. Are you taking advantage of these forms?

Conclusion

These are several key areas you can use to update your business operations. Just as your software is updated on a regular basis, you need to make the fixes and enhancements to your business on a regular basis. The next time you see the question on your computer, "Do you want to update now?" remind yourself to update your business operations.

If you want to learn more about how you can use niche building strategies to increase your profits, email me at al@hanzal.com. For more articles on small business issues click www.innovativesellingskillsforsmallbusiness.com.

About The Author

Al Hanzal helps small business owners make more profits by using quick and easy exercises to improve their business.

al@hanzal.com

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Where Businesses Fall Short

1. No vision. Successful businesses have a clear vision or... Read More

How to Fire an Employee

One of the most difficult tasks you will face as... Read More

How To Manage A Difficult Employee

Having to manage a difficult employee is never fun and... Read More

Organizational Structure, Creativity, Innovation

Organizational structure can inhibit or foster creativity and innovation. The... Read More

Management Procedures Usability ? How to Improve

Are your people consistently following your procedures? Each year, organizations... Read More

Ringing Doorbells Without Howitzers

Many operations leaders have been there, done that with re-engineering.... Read More

Work Environment Tidbits

Color is a big factor effecting all indoor... Read More

Managing Dickheads

"We are so different and individualistic that we can't work... Read More

Are You At The Mercy Of Computer Geeks?

Many business owners are sabotaging their business without even realizing... Read More

How To Decrease Downtime and Increase Productivity

All maintenance activities of the workforce must be documented, this... Read More

5 Surefire Ways to Bring Your Business Objectives Full Circle with Technology

All small to mid-sized company owners want to know where... Read More

Is Your Employee Newsletter Management Propaganda?

It should not be. If it is an effective newsletter,... Read More

Managing After Downsizing

So, you survived the downsizing. Your company did something that... Read More

Check Your Communication Skills

Use this check list to assess your communication skills.Focus* Do... Read More

Training Adults, Not Teaching Children

Adults are vulnerable to personal and professional embarrassment from poor... Read More

How to Set Up a Conference Call

The methods in which you set up a conference call... Read More

Nine Vital Lessons For Avoiding Training Fads That Waste Time, Money and Enthusiasm

Unfortunately, at least two thirds of much of the training... Read More

Policy & Procedure Manuals - Tools For Greater Productivity and Efficiency

In today's tough retail environment the retailer needs all the... Read More

Delegating Responsibility

Too many managers waste both time and energy performing tasks... Read More

Business Leadership Skills - Managing the Human Being Behind the Business

Managing the Human Being Behind the Business It's... Read More

Internal Control - The Why and How

Many retailers do not have good internal controls in place... Read More

Managing Yo-Yo Style

Does being managed by others smack more of "Survivor" than... Read More

Appraisal Interviews: What To Say & How To Say It

STEPS TOWARDS A GOOD APPRAISAL INTERVIEW:Don't say: "You just don't... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: A New Managers Tale

This article relates to the Manager/Supervisor competency, commonly evaluated in... Read More

The Dog That Didnt Bark

A few weeks ago, after consultations with others in an... Read More

Turbo Charge Your Career With The Most Powerful Leadership Tool Of All: The Leadership Talk: Part 2

In Part One, I described the Leadership Talk and how... Read More

Shrinkage Control

What has been your store's shrinkage experience for the last... Read More

The How-Tos of Firing Incompetent Employees

CATEGORIES OF OFFENSES: Most organizations have two categories of offenses... Read More

Knowledge Management - Creating a Sustainable Yellow Pages System

How can I "know who knows" None of us can... Read More

Try It Out On Your Team First

Wow! You're brilliant! You have a great idea. You've looked... Read More

Two Critical Success Factors in an ITIL Implementation

Any IT manager who wants to pursue the IT Service... Read More

The ?Better Product? fallacy

Another fallacy ingrained in the minds of most marketing managers... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines:Choosing an Effective Employee Recognition Program

This article relates to the Recognition competency, commonly evaluated in... Read More