The Value of a Review

One year has ended and another is ready to go! How about you? Will it be business as usual or have you taken the time to review the past year and to develop a strategy to strengthen the weak areas of your company?

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Here are some areas you might review if you have not already:

1. Administration

When was the last time that you called your main office number to hear how your telephones are answered? You might be surprised that you are immediately put on hold or surprised by the number of times that the telephone rings until answered. Some may view the answering of telephones as something anyone can do. Wrong!

How that telephone is answered could mean satisfying or losing a customer. It could mean the difference between gaining new business or missing an opportunity . Do not underestimate the damage that can be done by not answering the telephones correctly.

2. Operations

Have your complaints increased over the previous year’s? Did you check to see if repetitive complaints increased this last year? A review of the request or complaint process should be made each year. The ultimate goal is not to have repetitive problems, so make sure that this year you will:

• Investigate why the problem occurred.
• Develop a preventive solution to the problem.
• Follow up with the customer .

3. Marketing

Did you wave your flag last year? Who knows about all the good work you do—and how did you communicate this information? Now is the time to review your website:

• Does the content emphasize the benefits of using your service?
• Does it move the reader to action?
• Is it up to date?

4. Sales

Did you meet your sales goals for the year? If not, what hindered you from getting the sales needed to reach the company goals? We all know how fast time flies by, and so we need to make sure that we have a strategy that incorporates sales efforts on a daily basis. Remember, what you do not do today will affect you tomorrow!

Try to set aside time each day to make contacts with potential prospects. This can be done by:

• Telemarketing thirty minutes to one hour a day.
• Sending out a set number of emails or letters to potential prospects.
• Telling five new people about your company each day.

Schedule time for annual reviews of these and other areas of your company. Use what you learn to strategically strengthen particular areas in order to reach your goals.

Segura & Associates works with all types of organizations helping them operate their facilities in a healthier, more sustainable, and more efficient manner. Click here to contact Segura & Associates