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MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS April 19, 2003 by Linda Hirvonen Delta County Economic Development Alliance Spring Into Business The recent snowfall makes it harder to “Think Spring,” but spring is upon us. The sun coming out always gets people motivated- whether it is to clean house, get moving physically, or start a business. Among other spring-induced activities, existing business owners also get motivated to spruce up their surroundings or to get out and sell more. Bob Negen, Whiz Bang! Training owner who conducted a stirring Uppertunities Marketing session for us in 2002, sent some advice in his e-newsletter (FREE “Tip-Of-The-Week”) last week that seems fitting to pass along this season. If Mother Nature hasn’t cooperated by the time this is in print, then maybe we’ll have to motivate ourselves without her help. Bob & Susan Negen suggest that we go beyond washing the windows in our spring business-cleaning. Here are some of his suggestions and the outcomes he anticipates for our businesses. While his tips are geared toward the retailer, they apply in spades for a good many manufacturing businesses the EDA has visited! Look at your store or office with clear, objective eyes: Is it time for a fresh, updated coat of paint? Does your carpet look more than a little worse for the wear? Are there rips, dings, scratches, or stains on your office furniture? Are your supplies, binders, manuals, and forms, tattered or dog-eared? Do your display fixtures need to be repaired or replaced? A few simple changes can give you a dramatically improved look for your store. Not only will you have a better- looking store or office, but you get seven surprise bonuses when you spruce up your space. 1. You'll kick start your sales. Just creating activity in your store will generate more sales. If you don't believe me, try it! 2. A spiffy work-space brightens your (and employees’) personal outlook. 3. Reorganizing will refocus you and your staff on the right priorities: sales and great customer service. 4. Throwing out all the old, tired, used up "stuff" will free up some space for new, fresh, exciting things to flow in. 5. Once you take the positive, forward action of cleaning your store or office, it is easier to keep the momentum going. So immediately follow your Spring Spruce-Up by having a great promotion or by starting a long-contemplated project. 6. A clean, beautiful space is more fun to work in. 7. You may even be inspired to do a Spring Spruce-Up at home! For those with service industries, or who get really inspired, try some spring cleaning on your processes and response materials. Giving them a fresh look can help keep you focused on the customer service aspects of your business. Have practices become so ingrained that they are no longer effective? Have you been perpetuating processes from the perspective of the business owner instead of from the customer’s viewpoint? What happens when you try to buy your own services? If you get really inspired by the physical spring spruce-up, take some "before and after" digital photos and send what you've done with your Spring Spruce-Up to Whiz Bang Marketing (tips@whizbangtraining.com). They promise to pass along the biggest transformation for everyone on their newsletter list to see (free publicity?). If you would like to subscribe to their free marketing tips newsletter,go to www.whizbangtraining.com Come Grow with Us in Delta County! Linda A Hirvonen, Executive Director Delta County Economic Development Alliance 230 Ludington Street Escanaba MI 49829 (906) 786-2192 or fax (906) 786-8830 |
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