Low Cost Changes...

[admin]

To Improve Your Business

Perhaps the simplest improvement to any business is improved customer relations and customer contact. When your customers know they can count on you, reach you, and be served by you, no matter what, they increase the amount they count on you and they avidly recommend you to others. That brings you new business, and that improves your bottom line. The following five changes are easy to implement and will help you build a better relationship with your customers.

1. Create a business continuity plan. A business continuity plan is the portion of a business' emergency preparedness plan that details how it will continue to conduct business during a natural or man-made event that causes a break in normal business function (i.e. power failure or flood). It's the most important change discussed here, and takes the most time to research and craft. The U.S. government offers a free Web site to help small businesses develop such a plan, Ready.gov Business. A small business could complete its plan in one week or less. Larger businesses may want to hire a consultant who specializes in developing business continuity plans. This change is free if you do it yourself and costs a nominal amount if you hire a consultant, about $500 and up, depending on business size and complexity.

2. Set up a virtual office. Whether you run a restaurant or a writing service, a virtual office will benefit you by ensuring that any document you need remains accessible no matter where you are. It also lets you and your employees work together on projects online instead of needing to be in the same location. Storing documents in a cloud computing environment such as Google Docs also provides you with a free backup copy of every document, in case your computer crashes. Also, scan and upload important business documents such as your business license, state tax permit, etc. This change is free if you implement Google Docs Standard.

3. Add a data plan to your mobile service. A data plan enables you to access the Internet and your e-mail on the go from your mobile phone. Today's customers don't expect to have to wait until the next business day for a response to a question or concern so turn your mobile phone into a complete communication tool and take care of your customers' needs immediately. Since you'll have Internet access on your cell, you'll also be able to update your Twitter and blog on the go, as well as access your virtual office documents. This change costs a nominal amount, between $5 and $40 per month depending on your wireless carrier.

4. Create a Twitter account and use it wisely. Twitter provides a powerful communications tool to reach existing and new customers on a daily basis and an invaluable tool for updating customers and employees in an emergency. Use it wisely and judiciously though because you will turn off customers and Twitter followers if you constantly tweet (post) ads. Follow those who follow you and respond to your followers' tweets. This change is free.

5. Add a blog to your Web site or blog on a social network. A blog enables you to post news and specials to your Web site and provides your customers with a method of engaging in conversation about them. Blogging a response to one customer's question can provide the answer in the future to others. It's an efficient mechanism for building a better customer relationship. This change is free.


by Carlie Lawson