Business Upgrades – You love your business, and your customers likely do, too. Times change, however, as do trends and how companies (and consumers) do things. To remain relevant and continue serving your customers, you may need to take a step back and ask yourself if it’s time for some upgrades. If you’re not quite sure where to start, here are a few ways to help.
Get Feedback from Existing Business Customers
One of the best places to start when thinking about potential upgrades for your business is to consult with your existing customers. Ask them about what they like and what changes they’d like to see. Since they might be hesitant to say anything to you, you should go to them.
There are a few things you can do to gather feedback. One is to speak with customers directly. Ask them if there’s anything that you can do better next time. Ask them to fill out a customer satisfaction survey (include a link on the receipt or in an email). Leave space for them to offer suggestions.
Get a Better Handle on Your Finances
We get it; dealing with financials is anything but fun. Knowing your numbers, however, is vital for the success of your business. It can also help you to make more informed decisions that benefit you and your customers. If you find that you’re facing a crunch every month due to the time gap between bills being due and customers paying invoices, you may want to consider comparing factoring companies and getting financing.
Automate Where You Can
There are likely some parts of your business that are both tedious and time-consuming. You’d be able to get so much more done each day if you didn’t have to worry about them.
In today’s technology-driven world, you may be able to automate these tasks. For instance, countless cloud-computing apps can help to make managing your books a breeze. You can automate bill payments, email marketing messages, and so much more. With these tasks handled, you can focus on other important things, like running your business and providing for your customers.
Make a Few Business Eco-Friendly Changes
More and more people are becoming aware of their impact on the environment. To respond, they’re looking to reduce their carbon footprints. Many would love to do business with companies that share their values.
The great thing is that you don’t have to implement huge changes to go green. You can take a few small steps and add more as you see fit. For instance, you can offer the option to receive receipts via email, rather than printing them out. Sign up for paperless billing yourself and minimize paper usage. Switch out your old lightbulbs for energy-efficient alternatives and make use of natural light. You may also consider working with environmentally-minded partners.
Strengthen Your Online Business Presence
If you haven’t already, now is the time to strengthen your online presence. Give your website a makeover and optimize it. You may also want to consider creating social media pages for your business. The thing about social media is that you have to be active. Post regularly, but don’t always make it about sales or your business. Feel free to share relevant or useful information. Create and post content, share updates, and go live to answer questions. Don’t forget to respond to any questions or comments from your followers, too.
Focus on Your Business Employees
Your customers are an integral component of your business, but so are your employees. Happy employees improve efficiency and provide better customer service. Take some time to appreciate them and the hard work they do. Organize social events, offer flexibility, and recognize their efforts. Don’t be afraid to get their input for types of activities or rewards they might enjoy most.
Upgrading your small business can help to open you up and make you more accessible, not just to your existing clients, but to new clients in places you might never have looked before. You’ll become more efficient, stay relevant, and help your company grow.
