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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • customer service | mistakes

    There is always something

    ByJNSwanson January 15, 2009August 27, 2014

    By Jon Swanson We have a local mechanic. He’s a nice guy. We’ve talked often over the last few years, more often than I would like some months. He does the work. He’s nearby. He’s friendly. But almost every time there is work to be done…I have to go back. Something is missed. A bill…

    Read More There is always somethingContinue

  • customer service

    No questions asked

    ByJNSwanson January 7, 2009August 27, 2014

    By Jon Swanson We were out for dinner with eighty of our closest friends. The server spilled on Nancy’s coat, the cream sauce from the stuffed mushrooms. She immediately got her manager. James came over. Apologized clearly and specifically.  He told us to get it cleaned, laughed with others at our table who asked for…

    Read More No questions askedContinue

  • customer service | tourism

    What do people remember about your business

    ByBecky McCray January 4, 2009August 27, 2014

    Melyn Johnson, Oklahoma Tourism Department, said this of women travelers: What do women always remember? Whether the bathroom was clean, and whether the food was good. I think it applies to all of us. Are we taking care of the basics? New to SmallBizSurvival.com? Take the Guided Tour. Like what you see? Get our updates….

    Read More What do people remember about your businessContinue

  • customer service | Small Biz 100

    Love your customers

    ByBecky McCray December 29, 2008August 27, 2014

    It’s the most basic of business basics. Love your customers. You’re heard it a million times, and if you’re feeling stressed, it’s easy to forget. When you are working, in the flow, making progress, and a customer calls or walks in and interrupts, it’s hard to remember. But… how do you work on that? Jon…

    Read More Love your customersContinue

  • customer service | mistakes

    Mistakes: Thinking small about fees

    ByBecky McCray December 23, 2008August 27, 2014

    Scott White, The BIG Kahuna, shared a story of a small business mistake: Last night my wife and I went to a birthday dinner at one of the nicest St. Thomas restaurants. We really happen to like this restaurant. There were 8 of us in total. The food was fantastic. The service was white glove. What…

    Read More Mistakes: Thinking small about feesContinue

  • customer service | marketing

    Show what you do

    ByBecky McCray December 23, 2008September 27, 2016

    “We had a great morning with about 15 people at the Pillar Ranch open house! Anytime you show what you do, it’s more effective.”Royce Gomez, @rghorses on Twitter  Royce is right on. The best way to really connect with people, potential customers, is to show them what you do, to get them involved before they…

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  • customer service | mistakes

    Break out of your search tab

    ByBecky McCray November 25, 2008August 27, 2014

    How often do you break out of your search tab? I have a search tab open watching “publishing” and another watching “books.”The books tab is full of book readers – 1000s of them…The “publishing” tab is full of reports of the death of books and publishing and how no one reads books anymore.Maybe more of…

    Read More Break out of your search tabContinue

  • customer service | mistakes

    Missing the train

    ByJNSwanson September 11, 2008August 27, 2014

    I knew where I was going in the big box office supplies store. I go there regularly, though not often enough that my face is known. When I got to the aisle I needed, I walked past two employees. They were deep in conversation. I quickly figured out that one was probably in training. As…

    Read More Missing the trainContinue

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