Small Business Basics: Six Smart Tips for Sustained Success
If you’re a small business owner, you likely think it takes big steps to keep the doors open. This is actually a misunderstanding — it is the little things you do each day that perpetuate long-term success. Here are a few examples of daily actions that will benefit your bottom line in this guest blog post, Small Business Basics: Six Smart Tips for Sustained Success.
Encourage Self Care
Self care is the process of feeding your mind, body, and soul. We often forget that it is important, even during the workday. Prioritize your self care as well as that of your employees by implementing practices that encourage breaking away from the office. One example: Give them an extra day off. Google did it back in September as a way to provide their workers some much-needed time to mentally recover from stress and anxiety brought on by the pandemic. Clearly, that isn’t possible for everyone, so tapping into resources such as Wellbeing Webinars by Rachel Letham can help you get a better understanding of why self care matters.
Network Often
Like self care, networking is also important for you and your employees. Make sure to join trade industries and register as a member of your local Chamber of Commerce. You can also participate in community activities or serve as a mentor at your local college or high school to help students taking vocational classes better understand your industry. Make sure to have plenty of marketing materials on hand, including business cards, each time you make a personal appearance. This will ensure your new connections have your contact information and are up to date on your products and services.
Use Technology
Technology is often intimidating, but it’s a necessary addition to your small business. One example: payroll processing software. You can use a smartphone app to track time and generate reports no matter where you are. This means you don’t always have to be on-site to handle team management or employee payments. The right technology will also include mobile timesheets so that you can get payroll done on time, as well as handle staff scheduling and track projects out of the office. Other technologies to consider include customer relationship management software, business-specific internet, and cloud storage.
Prioritize Customer Service
Whole and healthy employees and time-saving technology will help you spend more of your valuable working hours focused on what matters, which is your customers. Make customer service training a part of your standard onboarding procedures. You can customize your training program or utilize sites, such as Alison, to give your customer-facing staff the tools they need to handle issues, such as late shipments, as they arise.
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Engage Workers
It is not enough to focus on your employees' mental wellness, you also want to make sure they understand that they are a valuable part of your organization. One way to do this is by offering opportunities for them to present their ideas, which Awards Network asserts is easily accomplished by setting up an employee suggestion program. This could be something as simple as a box in the break room where they can write down their ideas to help improve business. As the people in the proverbial trenches of your business, your employees are a valuable asset with hands-on knowledge of how things work. Don’t overlook their inputs.
Stay Organized
Organization is crucial in any professional environment, and your small business is no different. Keep yourself, your staff, and your inventory in check to improve efficiency, which will have the domino effect of increasing your customer, employee, and vendor happiness. If organization is not your forte, bring in someone that can book your appointments, keep the coffee stocked, and generate daily reports. A personal assistant is an excellent addition to your workforce.
To recap, you don’t have to make big decisions to have a big impact on your business. All of the tips listed above, from encouraging self care to engaging your workers and keeping yourself organized, will go a long way toward helping you perpetuate sustainable growth.
Rachel Letham is a coach and wellness entrepreneur with a vested interest in helping you live your best life at home and at work. Reach out to see how Rachel can elevate your life.
This blog is a guest post from Julie Morris. Julie Morris is a life and career coach. She thrives on helping others live their best lives. It’s easy for her to relate to clients who feel run over by life because she’s been there. Find out more about Julie here