Lynne Conlan
By LYNNE CONLAN
Executive Director, Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce
You don’t have to have a big bank account to bring your business into the spotlight. As an entrepreneur, you’re in a unique position to grow your small business without having to beg, borrow, or break your budget.
This week, I thought I’d share with you some great tips about small business growth recently offered me by ReadyJob.
• First, know your brand. According to the Small Business Administration, logos and slogans are a very small part of your brand. It’s actually the sum total of your customers’ experiences.
• Ensure uniformity throughout your company, whether it’s through color-coordinated employee shirts or having a specific routine in place customers can come to expect.
• Offer great products and even better service. Anyone can sell, but the most successful businesses are those whose owners and employees take pride in their products and services. Even if you have an identical product to your competition, providing your customers better service will ensure they return again and again. Customer Experience Insight reports that nearly half of all customers are willing to pay more money if it means better customer service.
• Show yourself. Consider your business as an extension of you. Your customers want to know the face behind the business. This builds trust with your patrons and keeps you in the loop of any issues that arise.
• Build from within your community. Even if you operate on an online platform, become a part of your community. Join your local chamber of commerce, participate in local events or contribute to industry-specific forums.
• And finally, be patient. Building a business takes time, but you still have to live while you’re navigating the marketplace. Even with limited funds, you have unlimited growth opportunities. With perseverance, adaptability, creativity and great customer service, you can grow steadily and securely toward success.