Make it stand out
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Stay organized.
Proper documentation, time management, and task automation can make or break your business.
Track Finances: Record transactions weekly and keep all invoices and receipts for tax purposes.
Meet Deadlines: Use project management software to set deadlines, assign tasks, and centralize documents.
Plan Ahead: Schedule social media posts, automate email follow-ups, and use Slack or Zoom for team communication. Replace unnecessary meetings with emails for efficiency.
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Learn to be flexible
Agile businesses thrive by quickly adapting to market changes, while slow movers risk obsolescence. Use data, listen to customers, and stay flexible.
Be Ready to Pivot: If customer feedback shows your product or market is weak, change your business model or pricing.
Upgrade Your Website: If traffic is low, swap out outdated designs for a responsive, modern look.
Stay Flexible: Embrace change and continuously improve to stay ahead.
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Automate as many things as possible.
Automating tasks saves time and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Follow Up Automatically: Use CRM tools to contact new leads within 24 hours.
Automate Bookkeeping: Use accounting software to handle day-to-day finances.
Recover Lost Sales: Send automated emails for abandoned shopping carts.
Streamline Payroll: Use payroll software or automate in Excel.
24/7 Customer Support: Set up a chatbot to handle queries outside business hours.
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Maintain a personal touch.
Small businesses can offer a personal touch that sets them apart. Handwritten thank-you notes, small gifts, or freebies for reviews can make a big difference. Use your CRM tool to note personal details about customers for high-touch personalizations. For example, if you’re a jeweler who sold a custom engagement ring, you could send a wedding gift and a discount offer for a future purchase after the couple marries.
Personal Touch: Handwritten notes and small gifts enhance customer experience.
CRM Utilization: Track personal details for personalized follow-ups.
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Protect your intellectual property
Intellectual property includes intangible assets like trademarks, copyrights, and patents that set your business apart. For small businesses, this means protecting designs, ideas, and trade secrets. Competitors copying your product can erode market share and damage your reputation. If registering a trademark or patent, seek an attorney’s help to navigate legal complexities and avoid mistakes, such as omissions in descriptions or drawings and missed deadlines, which can lead to denial of your request.
Protect Your Assets: Safeguard your designs, ideas, and secrets from competitors.
Get Legal Help: Avoid mistakes in trademark or patent applications by consulting an attorney.
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Have a great website.
Your website is crucial for attracting leads and driving sales. Keep the design clean and simple, and invest time in proper SEO. Focus on strong branding to build trust and differentiate from competitors. Clearly state your value proposition so visitors understand your offer.
Use High-Quality Images: Professional photos build trust better than stock images.
Write Detailed Descriptions: Highlight product benefits and tell a story. For example, explain why bergamot is a great scent or the significance of amethyst.