When you run your own business, it can be easy to feel that you are doing it all alone. There is no manager to report to and you are responsible for the whole operation. We understand this, however we want to remind you that you are actually surrounded by people who can offer their support. These are the three key relationships for any business.
Get to know your customers
Your business should all be geared towards giving the best possible service and products as you can to your customers. Your relationship with them needs to be strong and it needs to be a two way street.
Many businesses take the time to carry out some market research with their customers as they launch, and then they leave it there. This is a huge mistake as your customers can really help you to shape your business going forward.
At the outset, start getting to know your customers. Introduce yourself, let them know more about your business and ask for any feedback. Make sure that they know that they can always come to you with any suggestions for improvement or any problems that they are having.
Customers appreciate being listened to and they can help you to iron out any issues and rectify problems quickly by letting you know about them. They are also in the best position to help you come up with new ideas and suggestions.
Work closely with your suppliers and supporters
No business exists alone, you will need to call on the resources of outside companies from time to time or use them on a regular basis.
Perhaps you need Electrostatic Glass for your giftware range or you need a company to manage your IT services for you? It is a good idea to build relationships with manufacturers, professionals and service providers that can closely support your business and its requirements.
Many of these companies will be working with other businesses, so help yours to stand out by taking an active interest in all that they do and by always being polite and friendly in your dealings with them. This way you can be confident that they will handle any problems that might crop up quickly for you as they will want to remain on such good terms with you.
Build a positive and contented team
Your team will lie at the heart of your business. They will keep the wheels turning every day for you and they are often key to ensuring that your business provides excellent service to your customers. They are instrumental in your success, and as such, you will want to make sure that you are building a positive and contented team.
You should ensure that you are providing them with a safe and comfortable environment to work in and you can use a variety of hacks and tools to keep everyone collaborating and on the same page, from setting up daily reminders to using apps to ensure everyone is in the loop.
Communicate with everyone openly and regularly and take the time to recognise and reward good performance. Everyone should feel valued and appreciated.
