Several things have happened since the last post.  We have had the opportunity to work with more companies, and have been able to open discussions with groups that represent large numbers of locations with small groups of people working at each location.  It seems that just as I pointed out last time:

o   Common Goal

o   Defined Process

o   Get Paid

o   Attract New Customers

These are all common objectives within the business environment. There is also a new trend in the back office support activities.  Our sample company is more than likely using their cell phone as a tool.  With new VoIP services, they keep their cost down by not having a dedicated telephone line, they forward calls from the main office/home to the cell phone when desired, they utilize voice mail straight to their cell phone, receive email, charge credit cards, and many other things. 

However with all of that activity going on with their cell phone, they should utilize some type of filtered email service to prevent spam from going to their cell phone.  

 

So their telecom needs would more than likely be Internet, phone, an arguably television.  That is the same mix that our other customers are looking for as well.   The other companies are also looking at ways to consolidate expenses.  They have been asking for  unlimited computer desktop support, Internet, voice over IP, Television, websites, network monitoring, remote support, on-site support, and (network laundry service, you know clean up the problems.)  All of this on one bill for $2.95 / month.  Well you can’t get everything that you ask for; however, there has been a lot of progress with companies that are now providing these services by working with groups of providers that specialize on specific areas of expertise.  In some situations they have multiple partners just in case one can’t meet the needs of a customer.  They like to call themselves consortiums of network services providers.  For the customer it becomes a one stop shop, one throat to choke, one neck-tie to grab, or better stated, a central point of contact to resolve telecom or data issues that prevent companies from meeting their common goals, following a proven process to increase revenue.

 

Next time, we will discuss some of the new products that are becoming available almost daily.  Until then, I wish you happy hunting on your quest to drive revenues higher.

What is a small business?  It is a business that isn’t large, that was simple enough.  But really what is it?  It is just like a large business, but with a smaller focus.  It still has the same goals, to make a profit, conserve resources, and don’t spend too much to get the job done.   However, the challenge is much harder when there is a limited staff.

It never ceases to amaze me when I come in contact with a small successful business.  It almost seems to me that if you distill it down you almost have the same recipe.   

·         Common Goal

·         Defined Process

·         Get Paid

·         Attract New Customers

Then they repeat the process over and over again as quickly as possible and make the most of their opportunity.  The purpose of this blog is to look at some of the issues that are common to all business enterprises, and then look at solving these common problems.

Let’s start off by observing a small operation like a Lawn care company.  While living in a large urban gated community, it was easy to see that there were a large number of companies providing lawn service, and it was interesting to watch the different companies that frequented the neighborhood.  Some companies stood out, they had trailers full of equipment.  The equipment was organized, put into specific places; bags for lawn cuttings, fuel, oil, and spare equipment in case of failures.  Each person in the crew would do a specific job, and from start to finish it would take some where close to half an hour and they would be gone to the next house.  The customer could pay cash, or set up a monthly account.    While they were in the neighborhood, they would ask other people if they needed their lawn cut, and would work them in as needed.

Their goal was to get the lawns mowed, follow a proven process, offer to provide additional services like tree trimming, get paid, ask other neighbors if they needed similar services, and move on.

Short and sweet business plan, hard work, but none the less, it is work that pays.  They had their phone number on their truck, and they also carried business cards that could be handed out.

·         Common Goal

·         Defined Process

·         Get Paid

·         Attract New Customers

Of course, pay taxes, keep the books, keep up with personnel, maintain the equipment, and all of the other things that come along with running a business. 

How can they improve, what problems can they avoid, and how could technology help a small lawn care company?  They could use email, a website, and scheduling software.  In the next post we will take a look at some of the problems and solutions that can be implemented to help our example company.