Business Information for Entrepreneurs by an Entrepreneur

We've been talking about customer service and "wowing" the customer. Part of providing great customer service is in managing customer expectations.

That's what makes franchises like McDonalds so popular over "mom and pop" fast-food restaurants: customers have a sense of expectation when they walk in. It doesn't matter if you're eating a burger in Nevada or Norway, you've got a general idea about what to get.

If you operate that mom and pop restaurant -- or any business -- you need to address those expectations head on. And, if you can, use your USP to help set you apart.

Here's an example: if the competition is selling computers that ship in a week and you can offer a turnaround time of overnight delivery, you need to put that in your USP. Of course, if you have to charge more to ship overnight, consider managing your customer's expectations by telling them that it costs more. Otherwise, they may feel dissatsified if they do not understand the differentiation.

Not sure what a USP is or how it can help? Check out this link: Don't Run With the Herd

I have a confession to make: about a week before I go to the dentist, I begin flossing daily. I brush extra hard. I drink a glass of milk each day. I swear off all sweets.

Then, after the dentist, what happens? I'm back to my old less-than-perfect routine: No flossing, too many sweets.

If my dentist really wanted to make sure I flossed more often and ate less candy, she'd schedule appointments closer together. That way, instead of going to the dentist every 6 months, I'd go every 3 months. Net Result? I'd double my flossing and halve my candy intake!

That's what this blog is about: a middle-of-the-quarter reminder for your business plan. Your business plan is the roadmap of your business to lead you from start-up to success. Take a moment to check to see if you are on track. If you are, great! If not, spend a few minutes to think of a way to get you back on track. It's easier to make a course correction in the middle of the trip instead of at the very end!

In my opinion, Harvey Mackay is one of the leading business and management educators of our time.

I would recommend all of his books to every working person. But I think Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive is my favorite. I own a copy and try to read it once a year… or more frequently. Each time I am rewarded with great ideas that simply make dollars and sense.

Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive provides absolutely invaluable material to every person in business on topics dealing with sales, negotiating, marketing, customer service, and nearly every other business topic you can imagine. Before I became an entrepreneur I used ideas in his book in the corporate world. Since I struck out on my own, I keep a well-thumbed copy of his book nearby and turn to it again and again.

If you have one book to read this quarter (and most of us are too pressed for time to manage even that!) buy this book and read it:

Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive