Monday, February 21, 2011

Top 10 tools for Small Business

If you are a small business, here are the top 10 things to implement in 2011:
1. CRM: How can you possibly know who you are selling to without it?

2. Twitter: Will improve your search engine ranking and introduce you to people you never would have met ither wise.

3. Linked In: Because your best referrals and potential new customers are from people you already know.

4. Blog: Become a thought leader, industry guru, a go to source for potential customers. How fun is that! 

5. Sales Training: If you have new employees or old dogs, sales training will net you more sales or help you realize you need to replace your sales force.

6. Monthly Employee Reviews: How else will people know if they are doing a good job or why they were managed out?

7. Employee Recognition Awards: Because this is the easiest low cost - high value campaign that will drive the right behavior.

8. Vendor Costs Review: Telecom, Wireless, office supplies – whatever your major expenses are. You are likely spending too much money. It may be easier to save a $ than earn a $ some months.

9. Customer Communication Strategy: If you aren't talking to your customers, someone else likely is. Email Marketing (like Constant Contact), Twitter, Face Book and phone calls help you be in the right place at the right time when folks are ready to buy.

10. Make your office fun! Comfortable and homey. It should be conducive to working, building solid relationships with colleagues and keeping employees on task. Life can be a hamster wheel. At least decorate the cage, maybe even offer a Hamster in a ball!

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