Questions Every Small Business Owner Should Reflect On

Do you have a compelling response to the question, “What do you do?”
You’ve been asked this before!  What’s your answer?  Is your response to the “do”
question brief, interesting, communicating a good idea about what you do and creating curiosity to know more? If your response generates questions, you have
crafted a good answer. If you never hear “Tell me more,” then your response
needs a makeover!

Are the groups that you belong to generating good leads for your
business? Be honest! If not, you need to find a group that markets to the businesses or customers that can use your product or service.  It is a good idea to look at the ROI (Return on Investment) of the time and resources you spend on your membership to various organizations.  The measurement isn’t always dollar for dollar. The return can be increased visibility made possible through your volunteer contributions in the organization, or alliances that are formed as a result of your membership or access to the rolodex of the members of the organization. All this and more needs to be taken into account to measure the effectiveness of your various memberships.

Do you use every social occasion as a networking opportunity? If not, why not? Just last week, I witnessed a business owner’s response to a request for his business card. He said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t bring business cards with me. I thought this was just a social event”!  Oh no-o-o-o!  Every social occasion is a networking opportunity. Your business cards need to travel with you at all times — because you never know when you’ll be asked for your card. And this is the season of social events.  Be smart. Have card, will party!

Do you collect testimonials from your satisfied customers? If you do, then use them in your proposals, website, brochures, etc.  Pay attention to what your customers say about your business. This is great marketing collateral. What you say about your business is a good thing. What others say about your business lends credibility and is a splendid thing! It is all about credibility and building up that trust factor.

Do you model what you sell? If you are a website designer, then have the best website to showcase your work. Doesn’t it amaze you when you see just the opposite?  To help a client decide on a website designer, we interviewed three companies. One dropped out of consideration quickly because his website is awful!  He admitted that it needs work! There are no excuses for this sort of shabby representation of his business and work. Do you feel very confident about the hair cut you will receive from a hair stylist who looks like she hasn't combed her hair for a few days?  Remember, you are always on display.  Show up the way you really want to be seen.

Do you have a business plan or marketing plan developed and in place
for 2012? If not, why not?  It is a well-known fact that people who have written goals are much more apt to achieve them than those who do not have written goals. What are you waiting for— 2013? If you’d like a complimentary copy of a one page business plan, send me your request via email:  Lorraine@lanebc.com with one page business plan in the subject line.         

Celebrate the blessings and joys of the holidays!