When you hear the word "success" does it bring on visions of fame and fortune for your business? Have you clarified and articulated what that success will look like for your business and how you'll know when you've achieved it?
What's the definition of success for your business? Most small businesses are selling their time and expertise to deliver a service to their clients. So the question I want you to reflect upon is this? "What does success look like?"
Now before you start answering with responses like, "I'll do $X Million in sales this year." ? STOP! That's not what I meant. The question is? "What does success look like for your client(s)?" Remember, your clients? Isn't it generally fair to say you're in business to provide a service to your clients? When you do it right, what does it actually look like for the client?
Don't get me wrong. I understand that we're in business to make money ? to make a living for ourselves. But that's rarely enough in life. Most of the service providers I know love working with and servicing their clients. If you focus on taking care of that, the rest will almost certainly take care of itself. So what does success look like for the client when you do it right?
Spend some time and clarify success for your service business. What are you passionate about? What is it that you're trying to do for your clients? What difference do you want to make? What do you "love" doing for them? What is it that they will have or be able to do because they bought your service from you?
This definition covers a broad range of issues for you and your business. All aspects of your business must be working well together to achieve this success. Be as specific as you can.
Now, if you really want to make this a valuable exercise for your business, then I challenge you to take the results of your own brainstorming and sit down with a few of your best client(s) to see what they think and get their input.
I think you can see that this type of reflection goes beyond listing your services or the results of your services. This is not, "I'm providing marketing and business growth services to help my clients' realize greater return on their marketing investments." Instead, let's get down to, "Clients won't have to struggle with their marketing efforts, wondering how they're going to get more clients. They will be able to easily generate a consistent supply of high-quality leads and convert them into more business so they can focus on what they love doing ? servicing their clients." See the difference?
For most small business owners I've known and worked with, owning their own business is a "dream." Unfortunately, if they're constantly stressed about how and where to find more business, then their "dream" may become their "worst nightmare."
Success then for my clients means helping them put a more systematic approach in place to ensure they're constantly generating leads and converting them into more business so they can realize their "dream."
When you clarify success in this way, you'll be able to devote your attention to continuously improve what you do and how you deliver your services to your clients. You'll be motivated to ensure you're delivering that value to your clients and not just doing what you always do so the clients will pay their bills. With success clarified, you'll be able to ask yourself, "How is what I'm doing today contributing to delivering success for my client?" And here's the real kicker ? because of your focus on your clients' success, expect to see more success for your own business!
(c) - Kevin Dervin, KPD Marketing
About the Author:
Kevin Dervin is focused on helping small businesses that are ready to grow, but struggle with how to consistently attract more clients. Visit http://www.proven-small-business-marketing-solutions.com for more great marketing information you can put to use in growing your business today.
Find Kevin's Kansas City based KPD Marketing practice at http://www.proven-small-business-marketing-solutions.com and subscribe to his free ezine called ABCD Grow.
personalized cleaning services Des Plaines ..In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it... Read More
What kinds of things effect mobile service businesses P and... Read More
Aircraft Interiors of personal and corporate jets have hundreds of... Read More
I propose this thought on the subject of Franchisee territory... Read More
When starting a business, you have to determine the method... Read More
The goals of businesses have undergone much evolution from the... Read More
When a person knows and knows not that he knows.... Read More
Writing a business plan is a fundamental step to ensuring... Read More
First, we need to define the different kinds of skip... Read More
There is a continual trend we are seeing which I... Read More
There are many little details that go into making sure... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
Q: Is the online world the best place to sell... Read More
Multimedia is everywhere on the Internet, whether in the form... Read More
New Franchisors and Entrepreneurs need to watch out as they... Read More
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
You can provide affordable health care plans to your employees.... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission decided to sit down and revamp... Read More
Most small businesses incorporated in 2005 will fail by the... Read More
Starting your own e-commerce business can be quite the adventure.... Read More
There are both fixed and mobile detailers. Consumers often will... Read More
What is the satisfaction & expectation review of the business... Read More
The stock market is still on a wild roller coaster... Read More
Does your company have a community relation strategy? Have you... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Arlington Heights ..Does your small business have a banking and credit card... Read More
The challenges of the small business owner are well documented.... Read More
If you're anything like me then you dislike with a... Read More
If you run a pressure washer business you need complete... Read More
Administrative and clerical tasks are the bane of every industry.... Read More
When you awoke this morning, you found yourself buzzing with... Read More
I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More
It is imperative to have your business legally prepared. How... Read More
If you are in a franchise and have a territory... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
This morning, I went to take a short walk outside.... Read More
How often have you thumbed through a business opportunity magazine,... Read More
Microfiber cleaning towels have been around for about ten years... Read More
What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More
A thing worth doing is worth doing badly. Yes I... Read More
Many mobile pressure-washing companies turn to government contacts to make... Read More
An observation while returning home from a seminar: Getting away... Read More
As stability emerges in the Middle East there will be... Read More
Setting priorities in your business? Your first job is to... Read More
If you are a small business and qualify to participate... Read More
SBIR vs. STTR: If you are participating in the SBIR... Read More
Discover How Specialized Cost Containment Creates A New Win-Win Position... Read More
There are only a handful of car wash franchises in... Read More
Many physical therapists in private practice have the appearance of... Read More
If you intend to franchise your company you will need... Read More
Small Business |