When you run a business, it’s easy to get swept up in the minutiae that come with your daily operations. Sometimes it can be really hard to see the wood for the trees. We can get so caught up in the processes and procedures that we lose sight of just why we have chosen the rocky path of entrepreneurship. It wasn’t because we want money, acclaim or an easy life (none of those things is guaranteed when you run your own business). More often than not, it’s because we want to make a difference in people’s lives and the businesses in the space in which you operate weren’t doing a good enough job. When you feel like it’s all getting a little bit too much, just get out there and mingle with your customers. Each and every one of them has chosen to visit you and not your competitors.
That’s pretty special!
They didn’t come to you because you’re cheaper, or because your logo is in their favorite color. They came to you because of your reputation. It’s what made them put their trust in you and keep coming back time after time at the expense of your legions of competitors. Your reputation is arguably one of the most important aspects of a small business. This is why it’s so important to fortify the pillars upon which your reputation is built. Take any one of them for granted and it could destroy the reputation you worked hard to build…
Your employees
As much as you may like to, you know that you can’t interact with each and every customer yourself. That’s why you have worked so hard to find employees who will be great ambassadors for your brand. But even the most diligent employee can have a bad day, especially if they feel that they are being taken for granted. Ensure that they are well looked after, well motivated, well trained and well remunerated and you’ll find that they never let you down.
Your equipment
Your equipment plays an important part in ensuring that you are able to offer the quality and volume of the product you provide. The right equipment can help to keep your operation running smoothly and your reputation intact… And the wrong equipment can develop faults, reduce the quality of the products and services you provide and grind your operations to a halt.
Make sure that even when your budget is limited you get the equipment you need from reputable purveyors. Whether it’s securing a reliable vehicle from Western auctions or buying budget-friendly software solutions there’s a strong argument to be made that reliability and quality are well worth paying for in business.
Your content
Your content is your brand’s voice. It builds value in your brand, gives your business a sense of personality and establishes you as someone with opinions, insights and experiences well worth listening to. Posting regular content can strengthen your reputation while also giving your SEO a nice organic bump making you more visible than your competitors. However, if the quality of your content starts to dip or if you start spinning old content just for the sake of posting regularly, it can not only put customers off, it can cause you to be penalized by search engines.
Fortify these pillars with good quality and you’ll maintain your reputation even if your budget is limited!
