On the right you will notice what I consider the be the most annoying buzzwords. If you have any further suggestions for the poll or just like to post your most annoying buzzword, feel free to leave them here in the comments. For inspiration, see below:
http://www.businessbuzzwordbingo.com/bbbingo.html
http://therussler.tripod.com/ling/corporate_buzzwords.html
http://www.buzzwhack.com/buzzcomp/indac.htm
Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Volunteer State Community College provides free and confidential advising sessions to small business owners that want to grow, hire, or obtain financing.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Marketing Tips for Surviving the Economy
Marketing
• I know that I just said last week that it may be time to cut costs, but this is the area you may need to increase costs. That doesn’t mean to keep marketing with the same methods, but if sales are slow, you may need to actually increase marketing instead of cutting back.
• We have all heard the statistics about how much easier and profitable it is to keep a customer than it is to create a new one. Armed with that knowledge you should consider developing a customer loyalty program that will assist you in these tough times.
• Ask your customers what they want. Consider a customer survey. Internet survey tools like Zoomerang™ or SurveyMonkey™ can be free or very low cost.
• Identify and develop your competitive advantage. Why does the customer want to do business with you? What do you do better than your competition?
• I know that I just said last week that it may be time to cut costs, but this is the area you may need to increase costs. That doesn’t mean to keep marketing with the same methods, but if sales are slow, you may need to actually increase marketing instead of cutting back.
• We have all heard the statistics about how much easier and profitable it is to keep a customer than it is to create a new one. Armed with that knowledge you should consider developing a customer loyalty program that will assist you in these tough times.
• Ask your customers what they want. Consider a customer survey. Internet survey tools like Zoomerang™ or SurveyMonkey™ can be free or very low cost.
• Identify and develop your competitive advantage. Why does the customer want to do business with you? What do you do better than your competition?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Financial Tips for Surviving the Economy
Financial
· Review your monthly income statement and cash flow statement. You want to look for trends and upcoming problems. If necessary, sit down with your accountant to review these financial statements.
· While increasing income takes a little time, decreasing expenses can be immediate. That doesn’t mean to just make broad cuts across the board. Instead, look for specific fixed expenses you can lower. Odds are that there are some expenses that you haven’t taken a look at in quite some time.
· If you carry an Accounts Receivable, make sure you have a collections policy and follow it. Don’t let customer credit become bad debt that burdens your finances.
· In uncertain economic times, there may be the tendency to pay off debt more rapidly than is required. However, building reserves cash may offer you a level of safety for future needs since the borrowing capacity of most small businesses has declined.
· Review your monthly income statement and cash flow statement. You want to look for trends and upcoming problems. If necessary, sit down with your accountant to review these financial statements.
· While increasing income takes a little time, decreasing expenses can be immediate. That doesn’t mean to just make broad cuts across the board. Instead, look for specific fixed expenses you can lower. Odds are that there are some expenses that you haven’t taken a look at in quite some time.
· If you carry an Accounts Receivable, make sure you have a collections policy and follow it. Don’t let customer credit become bad debt that burdens your finances.
· In uncertain economic times, there may be the tendency to pay off debt more rapidly than is required. However, building reserves cash may offer you a level of safety for future needs since the borrowing capacity of most small businesses has declined.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)