Is your information and your business at risk? Theft, natural disasters, fires, broken water pipes, computer failure, viruses, and errors can torpedo your computer data and leave you scrambling to access critical information. The Small Business Administration noted that 85% of small businesses that lose their data close their doors within 18 months.
How many times have you called people only to hear that they can’t access their information because their computer “crashed”? Or, their system had a “melt down”? To me, that raises red flags: small thinking, lack of vision and safeguards, and questions about viability of their product or services.
With today’s technology, protecting your data IS protecting your business. And, with all of the options out there – there is no excuse. Be sure to backup your computer data frequently, and store that data in secure locations on- and off-site. There are so many ways to back up your data – DVDs, CDs, external hard drives, memory sticks, and external servers are a few.
If you haven’t done a backup, stop now! Assess your computer system and files and back up your data, documents, financial information, applications, contact list, and database – the information you take for granted will always be at your fingertips. Then, create and keep a backup schedule and continue with daily, weekly, and yearly backups.
The next time I hear “My computer crashed and I lost my data,” is the time I change vendors. Reliable vendors and partners all fit into a winning mix, When SMARTBusiness Matters.
It costs more money to acquire a new customer than it does to retain an existing customer; if you want to increase sales, start with your address book. Are there more services or goods you could be selling to current customers, or have you come up with any ideas on how to offer them creative solutions to reach their business goals? Can they refer you to any other businesses or individuals who may need your services? Set aside a half-hour a day to check in with lapsed customers. Are there new products or services you can offer them? Are you now in a better position to offer better prices, services, or quality than your competitors?
And, when you reach the end of your Rolodex, try tapping a good client. When was the last time you called a good (reference-able) client and said: “Mark, this is Kathy. Will you do me a favor? Can you go through your Rolodex and give me 10 names and numbers of people you recommend that I call to introduce my services?” How can they say “no”? You will find that most people want to help.
When SMARTBusiness Matters, all you need to do is: Just Ask
Communications priorities sure have changed as email tries to take over our professional and personal lives. We are all inundated with emails. It’s overwhelming. We need to be selective – we understand all of that and do our best. Yet, it doesn’t stop with emails. There are those which I call the email permutations: texts, tweets, IMs, Facebooking, Pings, etc. And as if that’s not enough, there are the pre-recorded phone calls, cluttering the way for the poor sales person who does attempt to make cold phone calls (I still have a soft spot for them). Then, there is snail mail. And, between all of those, there are the many phones and voice mails we seemed to be chained to – for whatever reason.
The dilemma is: how to respond?
Let’s put them in perspective or – dare we say – priority with a corresponding responsibility when you are on the receiving end.
The personal phone call (or voice mail) – When I want to speak with someone, I pick up the phone and call them. It still has the most professional impact, and personal interaction goes a lot farther than any other means of communications. Yes, I know the college kids today mostly communicate via text message, but that should change in the workplace. At least I hope it does!
Responsibility: Call me old fashioned, but if someone takes the time to call me personally, I return the call. I may not be able to do it immediately, but I do respond. It’s professional courtesy. And, people don’t forget.
The personal email – Amidst all of the email clutter, there are emails from people who just feel more comfortable sending an email. Or, maybe it’s the best way they can communicate. I’m a perfect example. While I would rather pick up the phone to communicate, sometimes I run out of hours in the business day. Being a business owner, my day doesn’t stop at 5pm. As a night owl who is productive when the phone stops ringing, I can crank out a lot of responses and outreaches via email.
Responsibility: If someone takes the time to send me a personal email, I either respond via email or phone. It may take me a while to either get to it or find the time to craft an appropriate response, but I usually respond. I say ‘usually’ because with the number of emails (400 or so a day), some can get inadvertently lost in the ever-growing inbox or deleted in the semi-weekly purge.
The rest – And then there is the rest of the story. Depending on your chosen method (or generation) of communication, you brand yourself by your outreach and by your response.
Responsibility: No matter what your choice of communication, your response brands you. It demonstrates your image, professionalism, and respect for clients, colleagues, and business associates.
Your Professional Business Courtesy makes the difference When SMARTBusiness Matters.
Could this be a period of disruptive innovation by small business owners?
I marvel at the talent, innovation and speed of the entrepreneur. After spending many years in corporate America, I find the entrepreneur refreshing and challenging. Always keeping me on my toes! But, it’s that innovation and do it now movement that is setting the pace for this economic recovery. The entrepreneur doesn’t have time to lick wounds or trim fat – they run lean operations and are always on the lookout. And, they are willing to take risk and move quickly.
Call it: Disruptive Innovation.
Disruptive innovation is an innovation that improves products or services in unexpected ways, affecting existing markets. These innovative products and services are often offered at a lower price than similar existing products and services or to a different set of consumers. Tough economic times often bring out the best from small business professionals and can foster a period of creativity. That’s why Professor Clayton Christensen at Harvard Business School feels like this economy will have a positive effect on innovation. Small business owners have the ability to change quickly and shake things up. They can also benefit by partnering with larger businesses that may be too big or cumbersome to change quickly and may be in need of a swift change-up in technology, services, and products that small businesses can provide.
Small business employs upwards of 50% of Americans. Disruptive Innovation has my support – When SMARTBusiness Matters.
Call it: Disruptive Innovation.