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.

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.

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.

Public Speaking Can Make Your Business a Success

Many business owners aren’t aware of the importance of successful public speaking.  The art of public speaking is a fantastic way to help grow your business and shine awareness on your company’s ideas and messages. Alex F. Bouri, founding father of the highly successful cement holding company, Seament, agrees that public speaking is an effective marketing strategy for any business. The below tips will help anyone improve their public speaking skills.

• Stay Focused - When writing the content of your speech, it’s important to stay on point and focused throughout. Through your engagement, you should ensure that you are answering the following two important questions:  “what do I want my audience to know?” and “what do I want them to do with the information?”  Through developing thoughtful answers to these questions, you will inspire your audience and call on them to take action. 

• Practice, Practice, Practice - The only way to get comfortable speaking in front of people is to do it.  In the beginning of your public speaking career you should really take advantage of speaking to whoever will listen.  Don’t miscount speaking in front of friends and families because these opportunities certainly are a great way of getting your feet wet and will help develop your craft.  As you continue to speak to smaller groups you will become more and more comfortable addressing people and your speaking technique will improve with each delivery.  Also, don’t forget to get feedback from each group you address because their criticism will help make you a successful public speaker.

• Be Passionate - When people evaluate public speakers they put great emphasis on whether the speaker was passionate about the topic or not.  When the audience senses someone’s excitement about what they’re discussing, you can’t help but become engaged.  Listeners have admitted to being able to overlook technical errors when the speaker has passion and a clear message.  While addressing an audience always remember to think about why you care about what you’re talking about and let that shine through each and every word.

As a leader, Alex F. Bouri understands the importance of addressing an audience. He urges business owners to brush up on their public speaking skills so they can motivate and excite whomever they speak to. Being an effective public speaker is also a great tool to have when addressing employees because it’s a great way to motivate everyone involved in your company.

Is Your Company Ready to Go Global?

People often chuckle when they hear bands and actors say “we’re really big in Europe.” Although this may be comical to some, going global is becoming necessary for companies that are interested in expanding and becoming more successful. Alexander Bouri, owner of Seament Holding, an international cement products company, has been very successful in increasing his company’s client base by expanding into other countries. Below are questions you must ask yourself to determine if your company is ready or not:

• Is there a demand? Prior to getting involved internationally, a business needs to determine whether there is a big enough demand for their services outside of the United States. In some cases there may be too much competition in other countries or not enough potential revenue to be made. If you’re unsure of what is out there, plan a visit to the countries you’re considering reaching out to so you can get a better feel for the market. 

• What are the rules and regulations? Whenever you choose to consider doing business outside of the Untied States you need to familiarize yourself with each country’s legal issues surrounding foreigners establishing companies. There is a lot involved with this and you should obtain a lawyer to help guide you through the process. Contact the Department of Trade to get more information on what is involved in doing business over seas. Many international business owners like Alexander Bouri suggest obtaining local help so you have assistance moving things forward while you’re not present. 

•  Can you find a supportive team? While a great team in the United States may surround you, you need to ensure that you can duplicate that success in other countries. Determine whether you will be able to deliver your product to customers in other countries with the same accuracy as you do in your current market. 

Going global should only be achieved when a business can stand behind their products, regardless of where they’re being sold. If you’re looking to create a successful global brand that is known world wide as a company that is consistent and reliable you have to be able to deliver on it, regardless of where your product is being used. If you can’t commit to that then it’s likely that you should wait to spread your wings in the global marketplace.

Four De-Stressing Tips for Entrepreneurs

If you own a business, you know how it feels to think that there just aren't enough hours in the day. You want to do it all – sometimes at the sake of your sanity. If you want to have a business and a life outside that business, you have to de-stress and take some time for yourself every now and then. Take it from Alexander Bouri, a man who owns a global country and still finds time for his hobbies, like gardening and playing chess. The more balanced your life feels, the more productive and successful your business will be, so when you're feeling stressed, try one of these tips.

Get Out of the Office for Lunch

If you spend long hours at the store or in the office, you're going to grow weary of it really quickly. Instead of taking your lunch break in the breakroom, go get some lunch at a nearby restaurant or simply eat outside. You need to change your environment in order to truly feel like you're taking a break, and it's an easy way to de-stress.

Make Time for Vacations

Your business may be your livelihood, but it's not your entire life. Don't give up on vacations with your family or friends just because you feel like you need to be there 24/7. As long as you have a partner or manager you trust, the business will be fine without you for a week or two.

Take Up Meditation or Yoga

Meditation and yoga both require clearing your mind to focus on your body in the present moment. A lot of people find it hard to stop the racing thoughts about what needs to be done, but meditation and yoga are actually practices in clearing your mind. You'll feel much better after taking a break from your buzzing thoughts and ringing phone.

Make Personal and Business To-Do Lists

Always make checklists so that you can prioritize to avoid stress, but be sure to keep your "business" and "personal" checklist separate. Figure out what are the biggest priorities on each so that one does not take precedence over the other. For example, don't skip your child's championship game just to make the schedule at work.

Management 101: Three Tips For Effective Employee Communication

If you ask any manager what the most difficult part of managing their employees is, a lot will say that it’s communicating with them.  When you’re in a management position you need to do whatever you can to ensure that you communicate will with your employees.  Managers like Maurice Bouri know that you have to communicate in a certain way to get your point across to employees, but a lot of managers struggle with the concept and may not even know that they’re doing anything wrong.  Any manager can tell you that you shouldn’t yell or use foul language, but a lot don’t know that you can still come across as aggressive and rude without even raising your voice.  If you’re struggling to talk to your employees, these tips may be able to help you.

Empathize with your employees

Maybe you want to ask someone why a certain project is late, or maybe you want to ask a department about their latest ideas on how to improve their work.  Either way, the best way to communicate with employees is to try to put yourself in their shoes.  You may be angry that a project is late, but you may not know that it was late because a specific client didn’t get back to an employee on time.  The department you want to see improve may not have had time to brainstorm new ideas because they’re buried in work.  If you try your best to put yourself in their shoes, you’ll be able to effectively communicate your needs.

Don’t “test” your employees

“Do you know why I called you to my office?”

“Do you understand why I want you to re-work this project?”

Asking your employees questions without providing any context may seem like a good way to get inside their heads, but it really just comes off as patronizing and rude.  To be perfectly honest if your employees knew the answers to your proposed questions, you wouldn’t be there talking to them in the first place.  Instead of having your employee play a guessing game tell them up front why you’re talking to them.  It’ll help get things done faster, and they won’t feel like they’re being patronized. 

Don’t rely on e-mail

E-mailing an employee may be easier than talking to them in person, but sometimes it’s best to say certain things in person.  A lot of things can be misconstrued over the e-mail and text communication, and you may confuse or surprise your employee with a misplaced period or a poor choice of words.  Body language and the tone of your voice can get your point across much more efficiently than an email could.