As a small-business owner, how often have you said, in conversation, “I can’t compete with the big stores?” How often has a customer been told you can’t do something because this is just a small business? Stop it! That sounds harsh, but your words just made you your worst competition. Instead, offer the customer information…
Starting a business is risky. Data the U.S. Census Bureau has gathered show maybe 20 percent of businesses do not last through the first year, and 70 to 80 percent will not be around five years after starting. While that information may be depressing and suggest you not even try, you have ways to increase…
Small-business owners always are looking for opportunities to build their business. Some of the ways owners do this are through providing what customers want, working hard, and offering the right selection at the right price and trying to attract the right market. These are all needed elements of a successful business. Yet there is an…
When working with customers, do you use your language or their language? No, the question isn’t about whether you use English or German or Spanish. The question actually is whether you talk about your product or service in terms of features instead of what the customer wants from the product or service. A simple question…
Last weekend I took our car in for a routine oil change. As expected the staff were friendly, the service quick, and everything was done right. They provided a comfortable lounge area while I waited with a big screen TV, coffee and water. Those were my expectations and they were all met. However, there is…
When asked about marketing, many small-business owners think of a one-word definition: selling. Selling is one part of marketing, and it is a crucial part because it brings in revenues to keep the doors open. But it is only one part. Paraphrasing from Jay Levinson’s classic book, “The Guerilla Marketer,” marketing is defined as “everything you do.” Simply put,…
If you live in the US, I’ll bet you have a Jiffy Mix in your kitchen cabinet right now. I have three. I counted. Even if you don’t, surely you recognize the iconic blue boxes with their simple branding, even though Chelsea Milling Company doesn’t spend a dime to advertise them. Chelsea, Michigan, is…
Market research focuses on understanding your customers. There are a variety of tools to help you do that. Yet one of the most overlooked tools that offers a great deal and costs very little, except for time, is conversation. Conversation is great in terms of getting to know your customers as individuals. What are their…
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