The brand, flavor, color and choices (if they have any) of tea is as significant (and essential) as the bread selections and just as often overlooked. When you don’t have the basics well done in your business it doesn’t lead your client or customer to expect the best. Put these in place and it really will be the little things that make a big difference. So let’s take a look at some of the specifics you want to put in place.
This is to your business what great and flavorful tea and fresh baked bread is to most restaurants (we aren’t at Denny’s here!)
Email and Phone Response Time
I actually recall a showroom I was in years ago who had a policy of “appearing busy” so they didn’t answer their phone until the third ring or later. That is cracked! It is also unprofessional and discourteous to clients. Needless to say I didn’t do business with them. What is your policy? Sure you can let it roll to vmail nothing wrong with that, but you do need to ensure you follow up promptly or have an assistant do so. Oh and please if someone calls, call them back, unless they request a text or email. Always use the same format of communication that they started with unless invited to change.
Email Signature
This is so often overlooked, incredibly simple to do (hey, I’m a non-tech and can to do it) Please when you send an email always have a signature file with your full name, title, and some form of contact. Now I understand that perhaps not everyone gets your direct access, but you can always put a general office line and include a tag about your latest program, service special or award (Yes, I am going to be adding my Forbes recognition to mine!) Make it easy to reach you fast, email isn’t always reliable or fast.
Clear Branded Identity
Every now and again, I’ll be in a restaurant and it seems to be a bit of this, a bit of that, a real hodge podge of themes, elements, even the china isn’t consistent, the flatware mixed up and you get the sense that they just threw it together. In business this can be lethal. You must have a cohesive and easy to understand presence and identity. This isn’t about your logo, so get over logo paralysis (yes you!) This is about knowing who you are, what you stand for, and the primary ways you serve. I speak, mentor, and consult. Sure I also do social media management, and marketing strategy and those fall under consulting. I am consistent and persistent in my presence (same headshot on every network, in fact that is my logo) and providing value always. What are you recognized for? Can you be recognized, or are you all over the map with 18 different identities and simply a moving target? Stop, get clear, get targeted.
When you take care of the basics you will have many more opportunities come your way for the BIG stuff. If you ignore the basics, you will find those opportunities dwindling fast. What kind of tea will you serve? What kind of bread will you bake? When you want to get clear and strategic on your basics and essentials head over to claim your free spot in my www.superchargesuccess.com Insider’s Circle.
