Customer surveys can be an extremely valuable way of collecting all kinds of useful data. What businesses often don’t consider is that customer surveys can also serve other objectives, such as to inform customers, to advertise a new product, or for lead generation.

If your marketing goal is “to inform readers about a new product or offering”, or “bring an advertising message to prospects and clientele”, then the satisfaction survey becomes a subtle piece of advertising. Read More

How is your small business site or product going to be found when the indexed web contains almost 15 billion pages, according to www.worldwidewebsize.com? Here are a few insider tidbits on SEO (search engine optimisation) for your small business website.

A domain by any other name

The most important single element in ranking well in search engines is your domain name (DN). Secure a domain name that is different, original and not commonly used by other businesses. It is also helpful if your domain name includes keywords that explain what you do. If necessary, rename your product or business to make sure you can purchase the domain name.  Read More

Many types of small business routinely offer customers some idea (either a quote – which is legally binding, or an estimate, which is not) of the cost for doing a job. Often customers require such an estimate for a sense of safety or to compare quotes from different businesses before they will commit to a purchase. There’s always the pressure to supply the lowest quote to win the job so an inaccurate quote can wipe out any profit margin on a job. Better understanding how to price and more efficient ways of developing quotes can reduce the risk of getting it wrong. Read More

Even talented and successful entrepreneurs may concentrate so intensely on their business that they neglect their personal financial planning.  They save little money outside their business, have only a modest retirement benefits package plan and carry insufficient insurance to cover any hiatus in the businesses’ income generation activity. Sooner or later, these people find themselves regretting their lack of foresight. Good financial planning means never having to say “Sorry”. Read More

Most organisations review the performance of their employees on a regular basis (usually annually), for the purposes of determining pay adjustments, promotions, terminations and training requirements. Unfortunately, the very idea of being “appraised”, of having some superior pass judgement on them, is resented by many employees – unfortunate because, in fact, a structured Performance Appraisal is the most objective method their employer can use to reliably evaluate their standard of performance and reward them according to their real merit. Even the most technically sound Performance Appraisal structure can be sabotaged by non-cooperation, usually arising from some idea that it is “unfair”. To operate effectively, you must build a Performance Appraisal system that demonstrates fairness through every aspect of its operation. Read More

Choosing a web solution is not just a matter of throwing up a few pages, as cheaply as you can by using friends and tech savvy kids to toss it together.  The online market these days is as valuable and important as the physical marketplace you do business in so when it comes to creating a website it’s worth investing the same commitment of time, money and resources that you put into the physical set up of your premises, or selecting essential tools and equipment for the business.

Your web solution will need to be able to grow and develop with your business. If you choose a web solution that isn’t flexible and can’t be upgraded, you may end up having to replace it as your needs change.

Here are some points to consider: Read More