While inflation and dicey economic conditions are a major concern, 61% of small business owners surveyed by the US Chamber of commerce have a positive outlook on business for 2024. Even with the rosy outlook, more owners reported a decline in profitability versus growth at 39% and 31% respectively. Customer driven businesses could be facing […]
Top 3 Small Business Trends for 2024 Read More »
As the holiday season winds down, small & medium sized customer driven businesses see a slowdown in traffic during the first month of the new year. This downtime for business is an excellent opportunity to thoroughly analyze and inspect all facets of the operation. A detailed look at how the business runs could identify opportunities
OPERATIONS: Impacting the Bottom Line During Business Slowdowns Read More »
2024 could be a major pivot year for customer driven small and medium sized businesses. Consumer sentiment has moved steadily into the positive but growth and profitability will be driven mostly by increased efficiency and productivity. Frontline teams that have direct engagement with customers are crucial in the success of any operation. An ongoing question
TRAINING TRENDS: Closing the Skills Gap in 2024 Read More »
2023 was a tough year for small and medium sized businesses with 2024 prospects not looking that much brighter. While consumer spending may have inched up slightly, operational costs continue to soar and the labor market continues to tighten which puts a real spotlight on efficiency in the new year. Every process from internal procedures
TRAINING TRENDS: Focus on Efficiency in 2024 Read More »
One of the biggest challenges facing customer driven businesses is attracting and keeping quality new hires. In the post-pandemic world, labor pools have shrunk and good candidates are even in shorter supply. A recent study by Gartner paints a grim picture, suggesting that 51% of potential new hires decline offers or don’t even respond to
When it comes to customer driven businesses, people are usually at the core of the operation and what those people produce influences how profitable the enterprise can be. The most efficient organizations have highly skilled workers in the core group that can perform tasks and complete jobs quickly and efficiently. A sole manager would be
MANAGEMENT: Mentoring Unlocks Individual Potential with Long Term Benefits Read More »
The retail business is a tough gig these days. High inflation, reduced spending and increased theft have put immense pressure on brick and mortar retail stores. Many larger chains have even given up, shuttering their stores in key metropolitan areas as both costs and losses dramatically rise. With that being said, physical storefronts are making
RETAIL OPERATIONS: Maximizing Opportunities that Walk Through the Door Read More »
Working and managing in the retail business has been a tough gig since the end of the COVID-19 lockdown. Consumers and the public at large remain under pressure as costs rise across the board. Higher prices means more chances for loss for retailers as bad actors resort to crime to obtain goods. Relaxed prosecution laws
RETAIL OPERATIONS: Controlling Loss Drives Profitability in the Retail World Read More »
The telephone is still a very powerful tool for businesses. When selling or marketing a product or service, phone calls are the fastest way to penetrate any potential market. Direct to customer engagements will qualify leads and close deals faster than any other method of marketing. A recent Zippia study revealed that companies that do
The first question that should come to a marketer’s mind is: How do I get my product or service in front of as many people as possible? Traditional methods of marketing might employ some sort of physical marketing message meant to distract a potential customer into looking at that message. A more direct method is
MARKETING: Cold Calling Still Gets Results Read More »