Casual Articles - Business

Marketing Tips - Advertising
Typical methods of advertising-newspapers, radio and television are effective if used properly, but there are other, less expensive ways to get your company's name out. Local or cable television is an inexpensive alternative to the traditional forms of advertising. Even if you have no experience advertising in this medium, there are companies who specialize in lending a helping hand. Even if finances are a concern (as they are for most of us), you'll be surp

t to restore loyalty to the company. What a terrible time to count on the Legal Department for world-class customer service.

Key Learning Point
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Your service reputation is built, or destroyed, in every moment of customer contact. If your marketing, delivery or service partners are weak, your reputation is at risk. If one department is out of touch, your service image takes the hit. Can you afford to partner with people who do not protect your reputation? Can you allow one department to sabotage your commitment to qualit

Focus or Diversify - Which Path Should YOU Take?
This week I have attended three seminars and listened to several other speakers on the subject of focus and diversify. There is a large amount of information about focusing on one thing to make your business grow. I fully agree with what they have to say, however, I also fully agree with those that say diversify to grow. The real challenge is "how do you do both" so your business stays on track. It may not be as difficult as you think. In my business, I con

am amazed at the effort companies put into building service brands on the outside, yet how fragmented they can be on the inside.

When fragmentation on the inside is experienced by customers on the outside, real trouble is brewing for the brand.

My student, KP, bought a new notebook computer at his nearby Mega-Mall. He was already brand-loyal – this was his fourth computer in a row from the same company.

The notebook came with automatic one-year coverage. KP paid $1,300 extra for an extended three-year warranty.

Unfortunately, someone smashed the window of his car and stole the new computer within a few months of purchase.

The next day, KP saw the same computer advertised in the newspaper and called the telephone number listed. The company does not sell direct to consumers, but promised to refer his request to an official ‘reseller’.

The reseller never called. KP contacted the company again. This time the reseller did call, but was completely unaware of the advertisement in the newspaper. KP explained exactly what he wanted and stressed his urgent need for a new machine. Two days later, the reseller sent him a quote for a completely different and more expensive computer.

KP was now desperate to reconnect and incredibly frustrated by the poor service. He bought a new computer of a different brand…from a different reseller.

What a shame! The computer company lost a lifetime loyal customer due to a weak link in the sales and service chain. I wonder how many other urgent sales leads are lost in this chasm of poor reseller service?

KP then called the company, asking for a refund of his extended three-year service warranty. The computer had been stolen before the warranty started, so the computer company had no financial exposure, no liability, no risk.

The company did not call back for two weeks. KP called again and was told his request had been referred to the Legal Department. Another week passed before the Legal Department replied, ‘No refund.’

KP asked to speak to the Legal Department Manager, and was refused. The company sent another notice stating, ‘The policy is non-cancellable. No refund.’

What a crying shame! This company took in $1,300 for an extended warranty they will never fulfil from a customer already saddened by the theft of his computer.

What a perfect time to show compassion and flexibility, provide a refund or at least credit towards another product or service. What an ideal moment to restore loyalty to the company. What a terrible time to count on the Legal Department for world-class customer service.

Become a Truck Driver Without Paying for Your CDL Training
You can make a lot of money in the truck driving industry today. Many experienced drivers make $80,000 or even more, but getting into the industry can be a bit difficult since a CDL, or commercial driver's license, is required.Right now there is a huge truck driver shortage in the USA. Trucking companies, for the first time ever, are trying to find creative ways to hire potential truck drivers to keep their clients happy.This creates a huge opportunity

a few months of purchase.

KP was now desperate to reconnect and incredibly frustrated by the poor service. He bought a new computer of a different brand…from a different reseller.

KP asked to speak to the Legal Department Manager, and was refused. The company sent another notice stating, ‘The policy is non-cancellable. No refund.’

What a crying shame! This company took in $1,300 for an extended warranty they will never fulfil from a customer already saddened by the theft of his computer.

Spreading Best Practices - Are You Paying For The Same Expertise Twice?
When you are trying to spread best practices throughout your organization, you may realize that you need help in communicating those practices effectively. Wise managers understand that sharing best practices in ways that truly impact employee performance takes highly specialized skills.Unfortunately, once they start looking for external help, these same wise managers can become a little forgetful. They forget that the problem they i

connect and incredibly frustrated by the poor service. He bought a new computer of a different brand…from a different reseller.

KP asked to speak to the Legal Department Manager, and was refused. The company sent another notice stating, ‘The policy is non-cancellable. No refund.’

What a crying shame! This company took in $1,300 for an extended warranty they will never fulfil from a customer already saddened by the theft of his computer.

Custom Banners Help You In Promoting About Almost Anything
Customized service is the most popular thing that is happening in the field of business. In fact, customization is one of the most sought after element by people all over the world. Customization basically means to make or prepare a thing exactly as you want it. Products of different types are available in the market and custom banner is nothing different than any other customized product. Custom banners are banners that are made just as you want it to be made. Bann

called again and was told his request had been referred to the Legal Department. Another week passed before the Legal Department replied, ‘No refund.’

KP asked to speak to the Legal Department Manager, and was refused. The company sent another notice stating, ‘The policy is non-cancellable. No refund.’

What a crying shame! This company took in $1,300 for an extended warranty they will never fulfil from a customer already saddened by the theft of his computer.

It May Be Time to Walk in an Employer's Shoes
If you are in a job search and aren’t receiving viable hits, it’s time to walk a mile in an employer’s shoes. Okay, I realize what you may be thinking. For just one day, you would like an employer to walk in your shoes so they can be sympathetic to the stresses you are going through on a daily basis. That makes sense, since what most of us want is to be understood by others.However, when I suggest you take the time to put yourself in the position of an employ

t to restore loyalty to the company. What a terrible time to count on the Legal Department for world-class customer service.

Action Steps
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Make a visual map of every business partner you rely upon. Then map each department that makes contact with your customers. Now rank them all from best to worst in quality, flexibility, competence and customer care. Take a hard look at the bottom 25%. These are the weakest links that are likely to offend your customers and colleagues, and do damage to your future.

Don't let it happen. Make the decision now: either bring them up with firm support, or throw the bums right out.

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Warehouses use a special kind of highly durable bar code labels to maintain a list of their inventories. The basic types of warehouse bar code labels are reflective, location, floor and pallet.

Does the signage in your company make people do a double take? Do they look back to see what it says? Does it spark curiosity in the viewer? What I am asking is; does your company have a signage double-take strategy to capture the mind and attention of your future customers?

My first year as a Cyberpreneur was a steep learning-curve. I was an academic before starting an online business, so I had a lot to learn. But even if you were in offline-business before going online, you may still have to learn some new skills -online business is a whole new ball-game. Here are some of the things I learnt in my first year in Cyber Space:

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