Sales are what makes or breaks a small business. Yet many entrepreneurs, especially those who are the product gurus in their company, never fully grasp their importance or the process that drives them. Sales are not just a function of a good product.
Strategic partnerships are more than simply two companies working together. Like dancing, it requires "chemistry" between the partners and that each partner know their particular "steps," role and timing in the "dance."
Surely, that phrase from "The Godfather" conjures up a particular vision in your mind. But, for entrepreneurs, they should think of it as the way they do business with customers, employees and supplies. Under promising, over delivering.
Regardless of glitzy campaigns, attempts to create videos that can go viral, no matter how many likes you have on Facebook or followers on Twitter, the ultimate purpose and very reason for the very existence of marketing is to generate qualified leads.
Success is often a two-edged sword. With it comes the fruits of your labors. But also, with it comes the necessity to deliver on that success. Every entrepreneur dreams of success. But few truly plan for it.
Virtually, every entrepreneur says they are a "customer-driven" company. But often their actions speak far louder than their words. Wherever you are in your growth cycle, your actions dictate how important customers REALLY are to your small business.
The revenue vs. margin question is one faced by entrepreneurs at, virtually, every step of their growth. Would you, or should you sacrifice margin for revenue? Top line success drives overall success. Without revenue there is no margin to improve.
To succeed, every entrepreneur knows that his/her product or service has to meet an identified customer need. However, equally important, is "connecting" with the customer on a personal and professional level, building a relationship.
Every entrepreneur I have ever known has always put "great customer service" at the top of any list of company strengths. Yet, often, this same entrepreneur is doing things that are subliminally undermining critical aspects of good customer service.
All entrepreneurs have an opportunity to create something that didn't exist before. For many entrepreneurs that isn't enough. They want to leave a legacy behind. Products or services that people buy because the buying experience is memorable.
