The summer holiday season is upon us and it’s the time of year when most start looking forward to a week or two of relaxation on a sun-kissed beach.
This year’s break should be particularly welcome for millions of staff who have been pulling out all the stops to help their companies survive and thrive during the current downturn.
Normally, holidays are a time for SME owners to recharge their batteries, switch off or develop a fresh perspective on the future. However, because of the challenging economic circumstances, it could well be that you are thinking of scrapping your break completely this year.
You may well feel that it should be a case of all hands to the pump and that you simply cannot afford the luxury of having any time off. Or you may be watching your budget so closely that you have abandoned plans to travel abroad and have opted for a cheaper break at home.
Then again, you might feel it is absolutely vital to retain a good work-life balance and have chosen to carry on with your normal ‘R and R’ routine. Or perhaps you have decided to reward yourself despite the recession or have done so well you been able to push the boat out with more expensive or ambitious holiday plans.
Whatever your decision, always bear in mind that, in the Internet age, technology is transforming the SME landscape and there might be a solution out there which
could help you keep an eye on your business even if you are away.
So as you weigh up your options, please take a moment to answer the question in our latest Have Your Say poll.
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We’re all going on a Summer holiday – or are we?
Tags: poll, Summer, Summer holidays, work-life balance
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Poll: What’s the most important part of customer service
We’re all talking about the credit crunch and economic downturn – but one thing we’re forgetting and a sure-fire way to beat the gloom is to ensure you look after your existing customers and do your best to win and retain new ones. Put simply, they are your lifeblood.
As a small business, customer service is a crucial part of how you work and an important way of standing out from your competition. Good customer service means referrals, repeat business and ongoing success. It all makes great business sense.
However, knowing how to deal with your customers in the right way is not an exact science. And with the everyday pressures of running a business, it can be all too easy to disregard new marketing techniques or improved technologies which could make a huge difference to your relationship with customers.
So in order to serve your customers effectively, it’s essential to stand back and look at all the ways you interact with the outside world, as well as the way you do things internally. Ask yourself: Is there a magic formula for keeping customers happy? You might feel that showing a willingness to help is key or perhaps having an understanding of a customer’s individual needs is what matters. Then again, you might decide that serving as quickly as possible in today’s increasingly hectic world is vital. Or are appearance and personality the secrets of your success?
Share your views in the latest BT Tradespace Business Issue of the Week:
Results from each Business Issue of the Week survey are publicised across the media to ensure the voice of UK business is being heard – loud and clear.
Tags: BT Tradespace, business issue, credit crunch, customer service, economic downturn, poll
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Poll: What is your favourite comedy sketch?
This week’s BT Tradespace ‘Business Issue of the Week’ poll seeks to find out what your favourite comedy sketch is.
Results from each Business Issue of the Week survey are publicised across the media to ensure the voice of UK business is being heard – loud and clear.
Tags: BT Tradespace, business issue, poll
Posted in: Your voice | 2 Comments »