Monday, March 31, 2014

Spring Cleaning your Business



When March and April roll around, a lot of people start getting rid of those dust bunnies, taking clothes to the donation center, and letting in the fresh air. Have you ever considered doing the same with your business? Every aspect of your life can use a little refresher every now and then, and your business is no exception. Now's a good time to apply that renewed energy to your biggest asset.

You could start by de-cluttering. Switch from paper files to technology and begin scanning things into the system. Look for a cloud-based storage solution to ensure that all your files are backed-up. Then, get rid of those filing cabinets. The more open and airy your office feels, the more clear-headed you'll be when you go to tackle a task.

Meanwhile, start updating your business's technological wardrobe. Is all your technology up-to-date? Maybe it's time to get some new cash registers, get faster computer software, or find a more organized communication tool for everyone to use. You could even benefit from replacing that old, leaky fridge. New things make everyone feel better and give the physical feeling of a fresh start, which is great for your attitude.

Start organizing your customers and your leads for some more de-cluttering. Even large-scale entrepreneurs like Alexander Bouri have to prioritize their customers every once in a while, and when you can delineate your higher-spenders and ready-and-willing from those who aren't so interested, you can then begin to get back in touch with them. Send them an e-mail or give them a phone call to see if there's anything you can do for them as a great business refresher.

Now might also be a good time to think about re-branding. Even if it's a slight simplification of your logo, a new slogan, or a new pricing model, doing something new not only makes you feel like you have a new start, it makes your customers re-evaluate how they see you as a brand.

Remember, spring cleaning isn't just for your house or your wardrobe. Refreshing your appearance, your car, your computer, or even something as large as your business can be beneficial.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Emotional Appeal: Sharing the Story of your Small Business



Perhaps you've been invited to a conference or are simply trying to pitch yourself as a partner to another company. At some point or another, as a startup or a small business, you're going to have to use emotional appeal to gain customers and network. Whether we want to admit it or not, as small businesses, we often have to prove why people would shop with us.

Take it from Maurice Bouri and his family. They're a large-scale company now, but it took a lot of talking and networking to get to where they are. That's why they're offering tips on sharing your business's story in an effective way.

Most importantly, be authentic, says Maurice. Don't go digging for whatever you think will sell – tell the truth and let the emotion shine through. No one wants to feel as though they're being lied to in order for someone to sell a product, so make it clear that what you see is what you get when telling your story.

Be concise. Just as much as you don't want to stretch to make your point, you also don't want to talk anyone's ear off. Your audience is going to get bored with a long-winded story. They want to know the point of what you're saying, so be sure to make it quickly – but thoroughly – and leave room for any questions.

Don't be too humble. Don't be afraid to compare yourself to larger industries – for example, "we're the Starbucks of the software industry" or "like GrubHub for repairmen." It helps customers to draw a familiar connection and also makes you seem credible.

Get personal if possible. If you've got a real-life experience that can help get your point across, use it. If you've got an extremely happy customer, see if they'll write a testimonial. People don't like to be sold with claims – they like to see how these things apply to their lives.

Conduct trial and error with small groups. Not sure about a new product? Offer free samples and have passerbys fill out a survey – it's that simple. Some things are going to work, and some aren't, but you'd rather lose out on a small project than a big one.

Monday, March 3, 2014

How to Run a Family Business



Maurice Bouri, his brothers, and father all know what it’s like to be in business with family.  Being a part of a family business has many positives, but there are also some negatives.  Family members involved in business together love the opportunity to be surrounded by their loved ones and enjoy building a profound venture that will last for generations.  For many people it’s difficult to find the right balance of work and family priorities. If you’re planning on starting a family business, keep the following tips in mind.

§  Consider Leadership Training – Leadership skills do not come naturally to most people and those who do demonstrate leadership skills sometimes aren’t aware of how to use them to the best of their ability. There are many leadership professional development opportunities available for companies that are looking to operate in a proficient way. 
§  Open Up the Communication – Some people assume that family businesses have the best communication because they’re working with the people closest to them.  In reality, this is actually far from the truth.  Families usually have a hard time communicating with one another because they usually don’t end up discussing important or difficult issues related to the business because of conflicts that are unrelated to the business. To make sure that your family business doesn’t fall into the trap, make it a point to hold weekly or bi-weekly meetings with a clear agenda. Make it clear to everyone that this meeting time is for business related topics only. 
§  Get Everyone Involved – Many companies devalue younger family members because they make the assumption that they’re disinterested or not old enough to contribute.  As soon as children are old enough to work get them involved because the company will hopefully be a big part of their future. Teach them young what it means to be a hard worker and how to be an effective player that’s part of a team.
§  Enjoy Yourselves – All work and no play can make every member of your family burn out quickly. To keep your family motivated and energized about the business you have to allow for time to unwind and enjoy one another outside of work. Stepping away from the family business to appreciate one another will only make your company more successful because you will strengthen your bond as a unit.

Maurice Bouri feels that all successful family businesses need to keep the above tips in mind.