Starting Your Small Business

Where do you find more customers?

How do you compete with bigger businesses?

Answer. Build loyalty and rewards.

You may not have the money to spend on advertising like your competitors do but you don't need it. What you need is added exposure, added exposure that costs little or none.

One of the best ways is referrals. Getting referrals from your customers reinforces new customers that they should choose you because they can trust you and they will be satisfied. A good way to track your referrals is to build a list and rank it. You can develop a database of your most loyal customers and the products they buy. How many are repeat customers? How many times per month/year are they repeat customers. Assemble this information and rank it to ensure you are spending your time wisely with your best customers.

Join local events. Get involved in your community. Being involved in one event may spell the difference between increased cash flow or stagnation.

You must remember that you are one of many businesses that the customer can chose. You must give them an incentive. Once you give them an incentive, reward them and reinforce that they have made the right decision. Actively pursing them to give you leads of other people with the same problem or people that may be in their industry and simply contacting them will be a great start! Until next month.

Mr. Des Marais has operated small businesses for over 20 years. He has been a consultant and held positions in some of the fastest growing companies in Canada. He has held past management positions in retail, tourism, hospitality and sales for a variety of companies. He has increased sales by 200% in 2 months for an herbal doctor; increased sales by 30% in 4 months for a major Canadian Big Box Retailer and helped several entrepreneurs develop and sell their business. His expertise is in the area of growth and business development. He has also been involved in developing business chapters in cities across Western Canada. In terms of charities he has been involved with several groups including Habitat for Humanity, United Way and local city soup kitchens. In terms of Business Development and mentoring Mr. Des Marais has volunteered with S.E.E.D.S mentorship review committee, ACE, YEA and university alumni and speaking events. He has given presentations at the University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University.

---

How to Profile a Client

At first glance, this topic may seem a little repetitive,... Read More

Naming Your Business: 3 Tips To Ensure Success

If you are just starting your business, or if you... Read More

Franchise Company Operations Manual Sample Outline

Many companies wish to expand and a few wish to... Read More

Where Can People Find Information About Starting A Business?

Approximately 200,000 new businesses are started each year. More people... Read More

Small Business Success Tip: Learn Something New Everyday

Your grandfather probably told you to "learn something new everyday".... Read More

Small Business - Is The Accounting Profession Ripping Them Off?

My 16 year-old daughter said, "Gee Dad! You look just... Read More

Building Your Business for Success in 2005

It's a strange anomaly.Most people who set out to start... Read More

Pressure Washing at Golf Courses

There are many potential niches for pressure washing companies that... Read More

Genius Time? It Matters

I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More

SBIR - A Nice Add-on Business

If you are a small business and qualify to participate... Read More

Freelance Tips: How to Cope with Spring Fever When Theres Work to Be Done

We all know how glorious those first warm days of... Read More

7 Cash Flow Secrets Your Accountant Never Told You

Looking for ways to boost your cash flow? As a... Read More

Business Owner--Educate Thyself!

Remember the training programs, seminars, and workshops you had to... Read More

Creating a Paperless Office

When working from home, it is usual to find that... Read More

Nevada Incorporation: The Advantages of Incorporating in Nevada

Incorporation in Nevada has become an attractive option for savvy... Read More

Pressure Washing Companies; Pricing Dock and Deck Cleaning

If you own a Pressure Washing Company and wish to... Read More

Boy oh Boy, The Obstructions and Obstacles

The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More

Image is Everything - Secrets to Cleaning Car Fleets

A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have... Read More

Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time on Service Businesses in the United States

The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the way we... Read More

The Failures Guide to Small Business Success

How many "get rich schemes" have you joined? Or have... Read More

How Most Business Owners Sabotage Their Success

Owning a business is a challenging endeavor. If you're like... Read More

Business Failure, The 8 Traps Causing Failure And The One Attribute Which Ensures Business Survival

It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More

7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking Power

CARD SHARK7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking PowerThe... Read More

There Are No Dumb Business Questions, Not!

Q: I'm curious. What is the dumbest business question you've... Read More

Its Spring - Time For A Compensation Program Tune Up

Now that winter has passed, the annual ritual of spring... Read More

The Most Important Decision of Your Massage Business Career

Don't you find that there are so many decisions you... Read More

Small Business Marketing - Clarify Success

When you hear the word "success" does it bring on... Read More

Mobile Car and Truck Washing Vehicle Placement

To maximum potential profits and dollars in a mobile washing... Read More

Analyzing Customers in Your Business Plan

The Customer Analysis section of the business plan assesses the... Read More

Seven Common Mistakes Made By Small Business Owners

Most new small businesses won't be in business this time... Read More

Breaking The Chains!

Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More

Your Practice is Only as Valuable as Your Referral Base

Many physical therapists in private practice have the appearance of... Read More

A Key to Success: Be Consistent

Over the years I heard the best way to learn... Read More