Which road?
The road to business success is not clearly marked. Every business book, business website, and business guru makes the process of launching a business seem like a simple step-by-step progression. You think, “if I perform Step A, then Step B, then Step C, as proscribed, my success is guaranteed.” It’s not.
You must choose your own road and it’s never easy. Many roads will take you to your destination, but, which one is best? Choose one and you may have to double back and start again. Choose another and you reach a dead-end. Choose a third and you hit a fork in the road. One will take you directly to your destination.
At every step you must choose. So which road will you take?
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A Business Question for the Ages
What will make your business successful?
a. a smile
b. cheap beer
c. free food
d. all of the above
Let’s review your answers.
If you answered c. free food, you missed the mark. Free food might help your business but alone it won’t make it successful. Why? Because it’s free. There’s no profit in free. You have to match your free offering with something that makes you money. Free food is the extra value you add.
If you answered b. cheap beer, you are getting warmer. People will give you money for cheap beer. Now you have a chance to make a profit because some cash is coming in. Cheap beer and free food make a good combination. The free food will help you sell more cheap beer. Cheap beer is your good product.
If you answered c. a smile, you almost nailed it. Great service – a sincere smile counts as great service – sells more to your current customers and keeps bringing them back. Good service is a least as important as a good product.
If you answered d. all of the above, you obviously know what it takes to make your business successful. If you don’t combine all elements - good product, extra value, and great service - you won’t earn any new customers and will find it difficult to maintain the customers you do have.
Are you forgetting a smile, cheap beer, or free food in your business?
Photo credit: Unhindered by Talent
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