Recently Forrester Research conducted a survey with owners of small-to-mid-sized business. The focus was “What are you doing to improve your business despite the bad economy?” A majority of business owners reported making 2009 investments to improve their business. Here are the top three areas where investments are being made:
- Acquire and retain customers
- Manage customer relationships
- Improve end-user work force productivity
This year we helped one of our clients as they focused on acquiring and retaining customers and here’s how we did it.
Our long-time client, Royal Buying Group, provides Shell station operators with company gift cards – a fast moving item. The operators wanted a way to quickly and simply place an order for new supplies of gift cards. Delays in orders were costly for our client and their Shell station customers. So, we used our IT and Voice experience to develop a solution using a new phone and voicemail system, Microsoft SQL and Microsoft Access. We created an effective e-commerce solution that was just what the operators wanted - and just what our client needed to keep their customers happy and coming back for more.
We believe the business owners who proactively make investments in business improvements are weathering tough times better than most. They will also be the “early winners” as the economic recovery unfolds. We all know the old adage about preparation meeting opportunity.
How can we help you make your business better?
Every business leader who meets with us during November and December of 2009 to discuss ways to make their business better will be entered into our drawing for a $200 AMEX gift card. Let’s have a lively conversation about making your business better – and you can be a potential gift card winner as well. (Contact us and ask for Bob)
Learn more about our Services and our Clients on our website.
