Help grow your business through collaboration, expansion, improved marketing and some of the following quick tips.

1.  Improve your customer service

Businesses with good customer service retain consumers and attract new business through word-of-mouth. Even if you think you’re already providing good service, make it a priority to provide refresher training to frontline staff at least once a year. Alternatively, hold regular meetings to discuss any issues as they arise.

2.  Try out new products

Even if you have multiple products selling well, be on the lookout for opportunities to expand your product line and satisfy customer demand. If you’re unsure how well a product will sell, order a small amount first. Just remember to update your marketing material to let customers know about your new offerings.

3.  Rejuvenate your marketing material

Holding on to old, outdated marketing material can make your business appear out of touch or even unprofessional. Review your marketing material at least every 12 months. If you’re on a limited budget, focus on producing basic material that is stylish but functional.

4.  Enhance other people’s good ideas

Be aware of great ideas, or new ways of working, from other businesses and think about how you could adapt them to your own business. The best ways to find out about new ideas are to research the latest trends in your industry, subscribe to industry publications, attend conferences and keep up-to-date with your competitors’ websites.

5.  Team up with another business

Joining up with another business to promote a special deal or offer is a great way to get your business into new markets with new opportunities. Another option could be getting your business listed on another business’s website, or in an industry directory.

6.  Test your marketing ideas

Before you implement a marketing campaign, test it on a limited basis and fine tune it before a full-scale rollout. The easiest way to do this is to target selective customers and see if you receive a response. Ask your best customers for feedback before implementing any marketing ideas.

7.  Create regular customers

Keep a record of client names and details for future marketing material or special offers. Starting up an e-newsletter is also a good way of keeping in touch with clients – just make sure you have their permission before hitting the send button.

8.  Consider expansion

Think about whether your current premises will meet your needs over the next five years. If you’re looking to target new customers, will your current location appeal to your new target market? Keep an eye out for competitively priced lease arrangements, or deals on neighbouring properties that could enable you to expand at your current location.

9.  Guarantee your products and services

If you want to build future sales through repeat customers, you need to make it clear that you stand behind your offerings. A good start is to offer a money-back guarantee for any product sold, or to back up big sales with after-sales support.

   10. Pay attention to your customers

Take any feedback from customers seriously and make an effort to thank them for sharing their thoughts – even if they are raising concerns or making a complaint. If you have a regular customer who isn’t happy with a new marketing strategy or product line, listen to what they have to say – there’s a chance that other customers might share their concerns.

Don’t be afraid to try new ways of generating growth. Consider the tips above and decide whether they can help enhance your overall product or service.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

Small businesses can grow in boom times as well as periods of difficulty by working smarter and taking advantage of opportunities. Put these following effective tips into practise to help grow your business.

1.  Utilise new technology

Modern technology can save you time, improve productivity and reduce your operational costs. Make use of Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other social media tools to market your business.

Dropbox is a cloud-based service that can be used for document creation and sharing, while Skype is commonly used for calling or video conferencing.

2.  Communicate better

Always take a friendly but professional approach to any form of customer interaction including written invoices, quotes and emails. Create guidelines for dealing with customers in writing and over the phone. Reply to messages as soon as possible. If you take too long to return a call or email, you may lose a potential customer to a competitor.

Try writing a blog or column about your chosen industry. Think about sponsoring an event or gifting your products or services to a local sports team, community group or school.

3.  Become more innovative

Even if your products and services are selling well, always look out for new ways to refine your business. Organise regular brainstorming sessions and invite staff to share their ideas on ways to improve products or services.

4.  Tighten up your credit policies

For any orders, make sure your customer completes a credit application and that they understand your terms of trade. Encourage your customers to clear payments quickly by emailing or posting invoices and giving clients a clear time frame to pay. Revisit your terms of trade and make any necessary changes if need be.

5.  Improve your record keeping

If you’re selling products, keep a record of every product sold and ensure you’re aware of how much stock you have. There are free or low-cost point-of-sale (POS) computer programs that can manage stock inventories and provide a record of each product sold. Create a database for future follow-ups by recording clients’ names.

6.  Join business associations and organisations

Business associations and organisations give you access to industry leaders about current innovations and developments within your chosen market for an annual membership fee. They hold regular events, seminars, short courses and networking evenings which can be incredibly valuable for meeting business owners, identifying investors, and learning more about your industry.

7.  Develop a website

If you’re a well-established business, potential customers will be searching for you on the Internet – often before they pick up the phone or walk through your door. An effective website needs to be functional, communicating what you offer and your point of difference.

8.  Manage your time more effectively

Take note of where your time is going each day. Some tasks could be consolidated, or completed at a dedicated time each week. There are free or low-cost time management tools such as Toggl and Google Drive that monitor your daily workload and can generate weekly reports.

9.  Buy good quality business cards and use them

Take any opportunity to hand out your business card when you meet new people – even outside of work.

10. Generate referrals

There are many ways to create referrals and grow your business. For example, you could pay for them per lead, write a blog, attend trade shows, or simply advertise through various media.

Your small business will need to harness a variety of methods for it can grow sustainably, so take the time to plan ahead and try some new approaches.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.