Balance Builds Resilience Washington DC

Relationships, Time, And Finances Are Critical To Business Success

Much of what small business owners do is a balancing act. Consider the difference between a successful installation and one that you would rather forget. You can install a system that meets a customer’s budget, accommodates their need for the latest technology, and cleverly foresees future expansion. But if this “perfect” system overwhelms a not-so-tech-savvy customer with too many buttons and controls, perfection quickly turns to disaster.

Much of what small business owners do is a balancing act.

It’s easy to focus on one or more areas at the expense of another, but the trick is to keep all critical factors in view. When it comes to running your business, there are three main areas to keep in mind if you want to remain resilient, even during challenging times: relationships, time, and finances. Neglect one of these business essentials and you risk losing the balance that builds resilience. Here are some tips to help you think in ways that will create the right balance for your business.

STRONG RELATIONSHIPS, STRONG BUSINESS
An important part of building a resilient business involves maintaining good relationships, and at the top of the list are relationships with existing customers. Finding new customers is a major priority for any company, but business development is time consuming and expensive.

To get the most out of the investments that you have already made, look to existing customers because selling to them is often easier and cheaper than finding new ones. Review customer lists with an eye for installations that are in need of upgrades or replacement. Then commit to getting in touch by phone or in writing to propose add-ons or updates to existing systems.

PROVIDE EMPLOYEE INCENTIVES
When money is tight it takes solid teamwork to stay within budget. Help everyone on your team stay focused on costs and improve employee relationships with incentives that reward performance. You can also build efficiency and stronger employee morale just by asking for employees’ input. You might, for example, consider offering a reward for practical ideas that can save the company money. After all, some employees may understand certain day-to-day aspects of your business better than you do. So take advantage of it.

REVIEW VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS
As your business grows and evolves, so should your relationships with vendors. Conduct an annual audit of the vendors you rely on and evaluate whether they’re still meeting your needs. Perhaps there’s a better option, or maybe it’s just a case of rethinking what you really want from current vendors. Use this opportunity to make sure that you are receiving the best discounts and payment terms because longstanding relationships are often rewarded in a slow economy.

USE DOWNTIME WISELY
Small business owners and their employees usually have little time to spare, so if a slow economy has left you with downtime, us...

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