Practical Minor Adjustments That Have Big Benefits For Your Business
By Brian McKay
For your business to experience success, there are many things you might need to adjust as you go along. Some prominent ones include who you employ, how much you spend on marketing, and what your overall business plan is. But sometimes, it’s the little adjustments that can make a significant difference.
The minor details of your business can go a long way. There are many little things that customers appreciate in the companies they do business with. There are also a lot of small changes you can make to improve work efficiency.
Instead of focusing on the big picture, it’s often helpful to focus on little facets that go a long way. These things are often easy to change, and you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it can make. Here are some of the practical minor adjustments that can have significant benefits for your business.
Social Media Activity
Most businesses know that they should have social media accounts. But many make the mistake of not being active on them. Having an inactive social media account can reflect on your business. Any customers who choose to follow you might think you have nothing worth looking at if you don’t post often.
If you’re only posting a few times a week, ramp it up to a few times a day. Be sure to post any exciting sales promotions that might entice customers. Also, let your followers know of any exciting news going on in your business. Even lighthearted posts asking customers questions can get them engaged.
It doesn’t have to take a lot of your time, and you don’t need a professional to do it either. Anyone can use social media management software such as HootSuite. You can use apps like these to schedule in regular posts for the entire week. It improves your company’s presence and can also ramp up sales.
Delegate Tasks
There are many activities which you can handle with ease. But some others may take a lot of time and effort. Instead of handling these kinds of activities yourself, you might want to entrust them to employees. If your business has a hard time handling certain tasks, maybe you should delegate them to external sources.
For instance, perhaps you’re having a hard time maintaining your company site. It may be worth getting a professional web designing service to handle it instead. Having a modern professional website also draws in a lot of customers, so it’s a task worth delegating.
You may want to look at which departments are underperforming in your business. It may be worth outsourcing some of these activities instead of handling them within the company. Things like legal and financial matters are often worth getting outside help with. Not only can outsourcing tasks improve your operations; it also saves a lot of time and often money.
Packaging
Any company that produces, sells or delivers goods should consider how their packaging makes a difference. Being lazy with how you pack your products can disappoint customers. It can be especially concerning if bad packaging results in damaged goods.
Your first concern should be the practicality of your packaging. Make sure that you choose the best solution for whatever is it you’re packaging. You may want to look at a range of wholesale containers to decide which is best for you. Make sure your goods are packaged in a way that nothing gets damaged- especially if you’re sending them out for delivery.
Your packaging can also be part of your marketing. Eye-catching boxes and bags can be a great way to promote your product or brand. At the very least, your logo and name should be on everything you package. It can help build up brand identity and recognition.
Cut Down Costs
Want to see your profits rise in seconds? There’s an incredibly simple solution. Just lower your expenses! Identifying anything you’re spending too much on and lowering it can help massively. You can also find cheaper ways to do many of the things you’re spending money on.
For instance, you may be spending a fair bit of cash on replenishing office supplies. It might save you a lot of money to buy them in bulk. That way you pay less and do it less often. You could also find ways to cut down on energy costs. Implementing things like energy saving light bulbs can save you a lot on your running costs.
You may want to adjust some of the bills you’re regularly paying. Phone plans can often cost a lot for businesses. You could find cheaper plans or even turn to free online communications services like Skype. Also, make sure you’re getting the best deal on your insurance and your utilities. Cutting down expenses will save you more money, which you can invest into improving your business.
Listen To Customers
Your customers are the people who make or break your business. Make sure you take good care of them. You should always listen to whatever customers have to say. They can give you valuable feedback to improve your business. Paying attention to customer needs will make them more loyal to you, which will improve your profits massively in the long run.
Make sure you find ways to relate to your customers. Make customer service easy, with various contact options for those who wish to make a query. You should always handle complaints in favor of the customer. A small refund can ensure a customer buys with you multiple times in the future.
You should also collect customer feedback. You may want to send out email forms or encourage customers to tell you how they feel about your business on social media. It can help to find out what you can change to keep customers satisfied. You may even want to reward customers with a loyalty program. Customers who get points or special offers for their loyalty will shop with you often.
Making customers feel satisfied and valued will keep them coming back. Having a loyal customer base will ensure your business gets regular profits. At the end of the day, everyone benefits. Listening to your customers is a minor change with a massive impact on your business success.