“In Business” by Roland Millward

For a business to do well  it needs to build credibilty with its customers. This is something that once you have a customer is relatively easy to do. By offering good service and value, fulfilling your promises and so forth will be credibility.

However what can you do to build credibility with people who have not yet used your services?

This has to be done by the impression that you give about your business from the first point of contact. How the is the phone is answered? Is it answered quickly and with a friendly voice? Are emails replied to promptly and brochures posted quickly? Your business must be run in a friendly and efficient manner. The website should look great and give client the information they need along with brochures and other material, making sure it is of the highest quality.

Every contact with a customer must reflect what your business will do for that customer when they commit to an order. Once that order is placed then you can continue to build on your reputation and keep that customer for life!

Have you tried Twitter yet? This website may seem simple as it is designed for short messages similar to text messages from your mobile phone. You only have 140 characters but you can say a lot with that particularly because you can use web links. You can send messages from your mobile phone to Twitter. Visit www.twitter.com.

You are able to become a follower of people you like and others can follow you. Your followers can view the messages that you leave. The messages are called ‘tweets’. There are lots of add on sites developing that you can use to enhance yout Twitter experience. Twitter works on the basis of one question “What are you doing now?”

Now for the business ideas. You can find like minded people say “internet marketers” or people who live in your area and join up with them as a follower and encourage them to follow you. You will then be able to build a business relationship and direct them to your website.

It is all very simple but very effective. Give it a go today!

One of the most vital skills in business is the art of listening.
Listen to your customers. What are they telling you?

All good sales people will tell you that you should spend around two thirds of your time listening and only one third speaking. Or to put it in a well used illustration ” You have two ears and one mouth, use them in that proportion”.

It is certainly true that when you are speaking to someone you need to develop listening skills. Show the person that you are listening by your facial gestures, nodding of the head and perhaps a little mmmm sound. Don’t go over the top!
Ask questions and sometimes relate what you have been told so as to gain clarification. For example you could say “so what you feel is this ……..” repeating the key thought that they had covered. People like to know that you have listened.

You can also listen to your customers through the power of the written word. Perhaps a survey on your service and then act on what it tells you. Look for areas to improve or to find products that clients are wanting but you are not providing.

Taking the time to listen and then to act on what you hear will pay dividends.

Are you listening?