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#BusinessTipTuesday – “The Extra Mile” Day

This week’s #BusinessTipTuesday recognizes, “The Extra Mile” Day celebrated on November 1st! Here at the SBDC we want to help you go the extra mile to make sure your business is the absolute best it can be. Every once in a while, it would be beneficial to assess all aspects of your business to ensure that they are representing the most professional and valuable business image and presence. We want to make sure that everything is covered when it comes to your business, be it marketing, employee engagement, and location, amenities, and offerings; but also, that it exceeds the expectations of your customers. We have come up with a small checklist to use, to guarantee that you are going the extra mile!

  • Up-to-Date Information: VERY important information here… keep all of your data as current as possible for your business! Whether its business cards, handouts, price lists, websites, important statistics, store hours or many of the other aspects that make up a business, it is vital to have this information up-to-date. It could come across as unprofessional if you advertise or inform customers of one thing but then realize that it is not the most current information. Imagine this scenario… a store advertised being open on a Saturday afternoon and upon arrival it is closed. This would likely cause frustration and definitely has the possibility of leaving a bad impression on the customer.
  • Social Media Presence: Everyone is on social media nowadays; so keeping up with your networking platforms is key! Posting every so often just is not enough; you will have to try and stay online and active as much as possible. Throwing together some online contests or specific weekly posts will keep people interested in your page and your business. Social media is a free way to advertise and can really help your business so use it to your advantage! Click on the link to see a few reasons as to why social media is beneficial to your small business.

Why Go Social?

  • Website Appearance: Similarly with social media, everyone is online and expects businesses to have a website. So, it is extremely helpful for a business to first have a website and second that it includes the important, up-to-date information while also catching the eye of the viewer. Also it is good to keep in mind that your business website is smart-phone friendly, since people often look at your site on their phone. In the case of online businesses, the website serves as your main point of business, so having a fully functioning and current site is of the utmost importance! The link below offers some tips on “what not to do” when it comes to your business’s website.

The Big Problem with Social Media Sites

  • Curb Appeal: If your business includes a brick and mortar location that is quite literally the first thing a customer sees upon entering the business. The look of your building will have a lot to say about your business and how you conduct it. It is not all about the physical location or building your business is in that is important, but the way the building is presented and kept. Remember, your storefront to your business is the same as the cover to a book, and we do not want a customer to judge a book by its cover. Take a look at this infographic to help boost your curb appeal!

How to Improve your Business’s Curb Appeal

  • Employee Look & Behavior: The way employees present themselves overall also has a lot to say about your business. Both their look and behavior work together to present what your business has to offer to the customer. Starting with their look, the more put together they appear, the better the impression to the customers. A clean looking uniform, hair in place, and a smile go a long way by not only making you look professional but also the business look professional. Behavior is very important on behalf of employees. Understanding the business, being kind and friendly, and willingness to help are just some of the many ways to positively interact with customers. Check out these few tips on how to ensure your employees provide top-notch customer service and make the right first impression.Customer Service Skills for Employees

Danielle Guari
Business Consultant
The University of Scranton
Small Business Development Center

 

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