Michael’s Insights

The way a business or company relates to its clients is a huge part of how your company is perceived. Client relationship management is often paid homage to but the companies that stand out have taken real time to think through how to do this so that every point of contact with a client is consistent with the values of your organization. How much time do you spend with a client, how do you involve them in your business, how do you go out of your way to accomodate them. These are just some of the questions you need to think through.

Maintaining strong relationships with customers and clients is critical to the survival of any business, but too often, we fail to keep in touch. We are missing a significant opportunity. It is less expensive to retain existing customers than it is to develop new ones, and with the help of the internet, it is also easier.

You spent years training to become a specialist in your field. You have the skills and education you need to be an excellent practitioner, but there may be something missing: the necessary skills and education to run an effective business. No one ever told you that you would be involved in sales, marketing, customer relationship management, employee management and strategic planning.What you need is a small business startup checklist.