Green is Good

The world has selected the word green as the symbolic term for ecology and keeping this planer livable for us and our offspring. Some people practice it vigorously and others ignore it completely. But almost everyone would like to do their part as long as it doesn't put them out too much.

Kids are learning it in school and young adults are really jumping on the bandwagon. I think some have even taken it too far with protests and demonstartions. When you push too hard, other people have a tendency to back away and not join the cause, even if they believe in it. But letting the business world take the first steps and provide the easy path will get more people to connect and link to the "Green is Good" cause.

As a growing business you can use this concept as a catalyst to stand out from competitors. You can either start this conviction in your industry or join with others in larger organizations. But you need to make customers and clients aware of your participation for it to be effective. Always be on the lookout for new and inexpensive ways to conserve and recycle. Green is NOW, so there's no reason to wait.
More on Green ideas on page 213 in my book "THe Jelly Bean Principle"

Chamber Networking

Chamber of Commerce meetings are where you can meet professional people that are there with business in mind. Maybe your competitors are too busy to join or attend meetings and you can be there with no adversaries present. They might think it's a waste of time and it won't help their business. But you can be there to listen, learn and contribute. You never know when the "Golden Goose" will be there looking for what you have to offer and you will make a great business connection.

Most of the networking is done during the cocktail or social hour prior to the meeting so make sure you arrive early to take advantage of it. And if there's a meal, sit at a table where you don't know many people so you can meet them before the formal meeting starts. As soon as you arrive stop at the washroom and check your appearance, hair and breath before you start talking to anyone. The Chamber is there to help your business so don't pass up the opportunity.
More on Chamber networking in chapter 15 of my book "The Jelly Bean Principle"

Ways to Destroy Loyalty

Just as you can create loyalty you can reverse it easily if you're not careful and don't pay attention to the things below. Don't make buying from you difficult, time consuming or an overall unpleasant experience. You may drive your customers into the waiting arms of your competitors. Watch out for these loyalty destroyers:
*Poor customer service (obvious)
*Feature have sales on out-of-stock items
*Ignore customers that need help
*Have poorly displayed merchandise
*Don't return calls or emails
*Have a sarcastic or grouchy attitude
*Make customers wait to pay you
*Open late or close early
*Use only voicemail 24/7
*Have a no-refunds policy
*Have business hours that only suit yourself
*Don't answer customer/client questions
*Offer only long delivery times
*Drag out solving a problem
*Show up late for appointments
*Be poorly dressed and groomed
*Have a dirty store or office
*Don't thank customers for every purchase
*Don't train your employees well
*Run out of popular products
More on customer loyalty in chapter 15 of my book "90 Days to Success as a Small Business Owner"

Payment Discounts

Giving a discount for paying your invoices and other bills early are used often in the business-to-business world. In the consumer world payment is expected upon completion of the service or delivery of the product so generally a discount is not offered. But in business sales the invoice amounts are larger and it can be well worth it to offer a discount for fast payers. Many times the amount discounted is made up by the late payers who end up also paying your service charges.

Discounts can speed up much needed cash flow so you can pay your own bills. Don't hesitate to use them often when you need cash flow or want to take advantage of your supplier's discounts. When offering a discount on an invoice highlight the words so they can be easily seen. If you really need the quick payment call them a day or two before the discount deadline and remind them. Many will have overlooked it and then decide to take your offer.
More on collection ideas in chapter 15 of my book "When the Shit Hits the Fan" available at amazon.com

Have a Contest !

Offer a contest with no purchase necessary to get people to try your product or service and listen to your sales pitch. Be sure to follow all state and federal rules and laws. It's wise to offer one large prize to attract attention and several smaller prizes so there will be more winners. The more winners the more interest and publicity you will generate.

If you are having a drawing announce the time and date far enough in advance so you can have as many people as possible in attendance. They may even make a purchase while they are there and you will get to show off your business while they are waiting for the winners. Make the contest duration four to six weeks but not much longer. Enter any names from entries on a mailing list for use later.
More on different marketing ideas in chapter 2 of my book "90 Days to Success as a Small Business Owner"

Franchise Royalty

This is a percentage of your gross sales (not profit) usually paid to the franchisor (corp office) monthly or quarterly. There is often a minimum amount due, even if you are having a slow period or there is no profit for that time. However you can ask in advance to have a no-fee-due clause in your agreement if your business is temporarily closed due to weather, family emergency, or other disaster.

Compare the royalty in advance to others in the same industry and you will find some higher or lower. This doesn't necessarily mean it's better or worse until you compare what you are receiving for this royalty. There should also be a 5-10 grace period without a late fee for your royalty payments. Some franchisors will offer automatic debits from your bank account so you don't forget to pay. Royalty is the life blood of the corporate office and they usually watch your payments very closely.
More information on franchises in chapter 3 of my new book "90 Days to Success as a Small Business Owner" available everywhere.

Be a Yankee Peddler

About 200 years ago, as our new nation was growing, people in remote areas didn't get the benefits of all the product choices that people in populous cities did. So wise salesmen called Yankee Peddlers gathered up wagons of goods and visited these remote areas where the products were eagerly bought. They were like a traveling store and everything sold quickly because there was no competition.

Then the peddlers would go back to the big cities, fill up and go back out again. They may have added a little extra to the price for their traveling expense but the remote buyers didn't mind because of the convenience. What other choice did they have except to ride to town themselves? The Yankee Peddlers did very well and were always welcomed by the homesteaders.

It's easier to go door to door when the doors are only a few yards apart but what about when they are miles apart? The people and companies that are far from the big cities need the same goods and services that everyone else does so why not be a Yankee Peddler and serve them? The chances are you won't be butting heads with as much competition as you are in the big cities. By going that extra mile you may get a whole new group of customers that your competitors forgot about.
More in chapter 10 of my new book "90 Days to Success as a Small Business Owner"