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How to Start Thinking Outside the Box by Looking Outside Your Business
| Guest post by: Tom Borg |
Article Overview: When it comes to growing our business, you don't have to be as original or smart as you think. By simply observing other successful businesses you can learn how to makeyour small business more successful and profitable. The following example will show you how one company is being successful.
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Free Download - Be Nice to Your Customers By Tom Borg |
How to Start Thinking Outside the Box by Looking Outside Your Business
A few weeks ago I attended a business meeting on a Tuesday night at a fairly large restaurant by the name of Doc's Sports Retreat in Livonia MI . As I pulled into the restaurant parking lot, I was flabbergasted. During this Michigan recession, the parking lot was almost completely full. Once inside, I could see the place was near capacity. As the evening progressed the restaurant became totally packed, This is a Tuesday night mind you! On the way out I asked the head waitress: if there was something special going on that evening. She said "oh no, this is the way it usually is, seven days a week". Now I was really curious. A few days later I called the manager, Todd Clickner and asked him what they were doing that allowed them to earn so much business. Todd spoke passionately about the values he and his staff shared and lived. He explained to me that they were doing a number of things. First, they believed that their number one priority was to take care of the people that came into their restaurant. They made it a point to reach out and touch people and get to know them. They demonstrated this by greeting their clients as they came in the door, making them feel good during their visit, and thanking them as they left. Todd went on to say that they believed in giving back to the community. They put their "money where their mouths were". They actively supported the area by giving to all the community high schools and youth programs. Next, they were a unique facility with a sports theme, indoor and outdoor seating areas, a large pond on the south end of the restaurant that created "an up north atmosphere", so, it was a nice place. Finally, their food and service was excellent and reasonably priced. No wonder his business was packed on Tuesday night in the middle of a Michigan recession. Enough said.
Here is my point: one of the best ways to grow your business in a down economy is to start looking outside your business. What are other small businesses or organizations, like Doc's Sports Retreat, doing that could work for you? Pick one of the things they are doing right and adapt it to your business. Try it out, measure the results, evaluate the results then tweak it so it fits your business or organization. If it works, keep using it. Your customers and clients will be glad you did and so will you.
REFLECTION NOTE
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Article #8 Trying To Find Out What Bills To Pay This Month?
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Start Setting Those Goals!
Referred by: http://www.salestrailblazer.com
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About the Author: Tom Borg RSS for Tom's articles - Visit Tom's website Tom Borg is a consultant, trainer and coach. He is president of Tom Borg Consulting LLC. He works with the managers and employees of businesses and non-profits in the area of professional development and customer service training. He is the author of the book/cd "Making Service Count". He earned his bachelors degree in administration and his masters degree in Educational Leadership at Eastern Michigan University. You can contact him at: 734-812-0526, or visit his website at www.tomborgconsulting.com Click here to visit Tom's website   How to Motivate Your Staff and Employees to Do Their Best How to Start Thinking Outside the Box by Looking Outside Your Business The Names of Your Customers Are Important Managing Your Organization with a Positive Attitude Little Things Make a Big Difference |
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