Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small business
from someone who has been there, done that in several small businesses.
Clients and customers don't always know the best solution to their problem. The problem that brings them to you opens the door at your place for several possible solutions.
It's true in many businesses--from dentists to landscapers, from hearing specialists to home re-modelers, from event planners to gift shops to health food stores to plumbers to gyms and more.
It's up to you to dig beneath the surface, make certain you identify the real problem, and offer solutions that the client/customer will be happy with. The returns are real--the current job, future come-backs, and referrals
Example: A specialist in home re-modeling brings experience and expertise to that first visit with a customer. I know a very successful re-modeler who provides much more than free estimates. If it's a kitchen, he sketches out some quick possibilities, asking questions about special needs of the cook--islands for special work, hanging racks for pans, storage for small appliances, etc. If it's an office, he discusses what kinds of work will be done there--placement of lighting and windows, storage cabinets and racks, etc. If children are in the home, he reminds the client that the kids will be growing up--when they leave, what will be done with this room? If the client plans to sell the place and move on, which types of improvements will add value?
Bringing your knowledge to bear on the situation at hand can transform a selling experience into an on-going relationship with the client. It's the client who will pay the bill, so it behooves the specialist to dig beneath the surface and satisfy the client's needs.
Other examples: A dentist concentrates on selling smiles, not crowns and fillings. An expert in hearing problems emphasizes his policy that no client pays until 60 days of satisfactory hearing passes. A landscaper shows the client what the new garden will look like, using all the computer tools he has in his handy laptop. Lawyers need to educate clients on the applicable law, but they also need to find ways to help clients do what they want to do--lawfully.
And small businesses engaged in computer technology, networking, social media and all the rest need to understand that other people in small business do NOT understand what computer people can do for them--they get it when it comes to QuickBooks and TurboTax because they already understand accounting and taxes. But they have little appreciation for social media--Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the rest. Patience and fundamental education are needed here.
After a lifetime in business, I retired when I turned 75. Nowadays, I spend my time writing about small business, coaching and working with people in small business. It's a unique world with problems of its own. You can email me your questions at AlWarr16@gmail.com (put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete). I answer every email, and I always respect your privacy.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
Tomorrow is today
Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small business
from someone who has been there, done that in several small businesses.
Throw yourself forward in time a thousand years. Archaeologists are sifting through the remains of our civilization. They are perplexed. What could explain the millions of miles of paved roads and the vehicles that used them?
Gradually, the scientists home in on a theory. These ancient peoples were sun worshipers. They raced out of their houses at sunrise, driving around to welcome the sun. At sundown, they interrupted their activities to drive around the roads again to bid the sun goodnight.
Any given set of facts can be explained in very different ways. It's true with scientists, and it's true with people running businesses.
Questions: Am I trying to move too quickly? Am I on top of the changing marketplace? Is the money for growth being generated fast enough internally? Do I really know my present clients/customers? Do my clients/customers really know what I do? Am I headed in the same direction they are? Do I pay enough attention to their needs and concerns? What can I do to better prepare for tomorrow? Should I be changing directions to better address tomorrow's marketplace?
People in small business are fleet of foot. They can change directions on a dime. This is a great asset, but it can lead into blind alleys. Like the future archaeologists, people in small business can come to the wrong conclusions.
Logical thinking is a great tool. It proves itself over and over again. But it is not the only tool.
Intuition is the tool that leavens the bread. If it feels wrong, don't do it. It means that logic has begun from a false premise. Go back to the facts and find the missing pieces.
Now, go back to the top and read this again.
From my lifetime of founding, growing and thinking about business, first in corporate America, and then in small businesses of my own. You can email me your questions at AlWarr16@gmail.com and put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Your privacy is always respected.
from someone who has been there, done that in several small businesses.
Throw yourself forward in time a thousand years. Archaeologists are sifting through the remains of our civilization. They are perplexed. What could explain the millions of miles of paved roads and the vehicles that used them?
Gradually, the scientists home in on a theory. These ancient peoples were sun worshipers. They raced out of their houses at sunrise, driving around to welcome the sun. At sundown, they interrupted their activities to drive around the roads again to bid the sun goodnight.
Any given set of facts can be explained in very different ways. It's true with scientists, and it's true with people running businesses.
Questions: Am I trying to move too quickly? Am I on top of the changing marketplace? Is the money for growth being generated fast enough internally? Do I really know my present clients/customers? Do my clients/customers really know what I do? Am I headed in the same direction they are? Do I pay enough attention to their needs and concerns? What can I do to better prepare for tomorrow? Should I be changing directions to better address tomorrow's marketplace?
People in small business are fleet of foot. They can change directions on a dime. This is a great asset, but it can lead into blind alleys. Like the future archaeologists, people in small business can come to the wrong conclusions.
Logical thinking is a great tool. It proves itself over and over again. But it is not the only tool.
Intuition is the tool that leavens the bread. If it feels wrong, don't do it. It means that logic has begun from a false premise. Go back to the facts and find the missing pieces.
Now, go back to the top and read this again.
From my lifetime of founding, growing and thinking about business, first in corporate America, and then in small businesses of my own. You can email me your questions at AlWarr16@gmail.com and put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Your privacy is always respected.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Chiropractors expand
Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small business
from someone who has been there, done that in several small businesses.
Chiropractors usually build a practice over time. It can be a slow, unpredictable process. But several chiropractors I know have found a key to expanding the client base.
Example: Bette became a doctor of chiropractic and opened the door to her small clinic. She knew it would take time to build a practice based solely on chiropractic treatments. And she had an idea that she could overcome this by immediately expanding the operation. Networking her way through the holistic and alternative health communities, she homed in on several specialists--experts in massage, nutrition, yoga and the use of hypnosis to help people lose weight or stop smoking. Separately, these small businesses struggle as independents. Together, she convinced them, they could form a wellness center that would appeal to a wider public. It has been a successful expansion, and she is now adding a licensed acupuncturist to the group. The new wellness center's website is comprehensive but easy to navigate.
This example shows how several independents can come together to create a center offering more than any one of them might do alone.
Example: Another chiropractor concentrated his practice on sports and related injuries, together with the problems experienced by long-distance truck operators. He located his offices at a major truck stop on a heavily traveled interstate highway, resulting in a continuing stream of appointments. Then he reached out to the surrounding schools and sports teams to form relationships with them to handle their aches and pains. He is now putting in place relationships with area medical centers and clinics, so that referrals come to him from other doctors. He has limited his practice to chiropractic, but he has extended the business net far and wide. Appointments can be made through his website and on mobile devices.
This example shows how a chiropractor expands, not by bringing in other specialists, but by seeking additional avenues that feed the business.
Example: William is a chiropractor who loves his work. He attends every gathering of chiropractors, and he stays on top of every advance in the field. Expanding the business by being an expert is a different kind of expansion. He holds open and free informational sessions for the general public to expound on common problems and solutions--this results in more appointments. He provides free brochures to everyone--this results in educating the public and keeps the phone ringing. He has an extensive website--this builds confidence and traffic. He has written several popular books for laymen on the subject--this results in invitations to speak and royalties from book sales. He is invited to speak at area meetings of doctors at hospitals and clinics--this results in referrals by physicians not expert in chiropractic.
This example shows how a chiropractor's expertise can propel the business to new heights. The pathways to success are many and varied.
Questions? After 40+ years founding and running several small businesses, I am now retired and spend my time writing and coaching people in small business. Email me your questions for quick responses--AlWarr16@gmail.com and put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Your privacy is always respected.
from someone who has been there, done that in several small businesses.
Chiropractors usually build a practice over time. It can be a slow, unpredictable process. But several chiropractors I know have found a key to expanding the client base.
Example: Bette became a doctor of chiropractic and opened the door to her small clinic. She knew it would take time to build a practice based solely on chiropractic treatments. And she had an idea that she could overcome this by immediately expanding the operation. Networking her way through the holistic and alternative health communities, she homed in on several specialists--experts in massage, nutrition, yoga and the use of hypnosis to help people lose weight or stop smoking. Separately, these small businesses struggle as independents. Together, she convinced them, they could form a wellness center that would appeal to a wider public. It has been a successful expansion, and she is now adding a licensed acupuncturist to the group. The new wellness center's website is comprehensive but easy to navigate.
This example shows how several independents can come together to create a center offering more than any one of them might do alone.
Example: Another chiropractor concentrated his practice on sports and related injuries, together with the problems experienced by long-distance truck operators. He located his offices at a major truck stop on a heavily traveled interstate highway, resulting in a continuing stream of appointments. Then he reached out to the surrounding schools and sports teams to form relationships with them to handle their aches and pains. He is now putting in place relationships with area medical centers and clinics, so that referrals come to him from other doctors. He has limited his practice to chiropractic, but he has extended the business net far and wide. Appointments can be made through his website and on mobile devices.
This example shows how a chiropractor expands, not by bringing in other specialists, but by seeking additional avenues that feed the business.
Example: William is a chiropractor who loves his work. He attends every gathering of chiropractors, and he stays on top of every advance in the field. Expanding the business by being an expert is a different kind of expansion. He holds open and free informational sessions for the general public to expound on common problems and solutions--this results in more appointments. He provides free brochures to everyone--this results in educating the public and keeps the phone ringing. He has an extensive website--this builds confidence and traffic. He has written several popular books for laymen on the subject--this results in invitations to speak and royalties from book sales. He is invited to speak at area meetings of doctors at hospitals and clinics--this results in referrals by physicians not expert in chiropractic.
This example shows how a chiropractor's expertise can propel the business to new heights. The pathways to success are many and varied.
Questions? After 40+ years founding and running several small businesses, I am now retired and spend my time writing and coaching people in small business. Email me your questions for quick responses--AlWarr16@gmail.com and put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Your privacy is always respected.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Artists and artisans
Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small business
from someone who has been there, done that in several small businesses.
Painters and sculptors, photographers, jewelry makers and wood turners--all these have trouble connecting with a buying public and supporting themselves.
Creative and talented artists and artisans tend to be immersed in their work. They also frequently disparage the arts of advertising, merchandising, marketing and selling. But they ignore these at their own peril.
Art galleries have helped to bridge this gap in the past. Increasingly, however, art galleries are turning themselves into high end gift shops. The focus is on the up-scale buyer. Bringing together the works of many artists and artisans in one place attracts customers looking for things that are not mass-produced.
Example: As a youngster, Judy loved to making bracelets and necklaces out of unusual materials. As an adult, she moved into semi-precious stones, silver and gold. Her designs attracted attention, but many of her works languished on the shelf. She connected with a high-end gift shop and experienced immediate success. They displayed Judy's works, handled the sales, and promoted her jewelry. The shop arranged a special open house to meet the artist. As time passed, prices for her jewelry doubled and then tripled. Judy is now in the process of making similar arrangements with other high-end gift shops in other cities.
Brick and mortar locations can become destinations for serious shoppers. But the Internet reaches out worldwide.
Example: John spends full time in his workshop. Wood turning is a special love, and he has always been fascinated with the machinery used. He earned a nice living turning out wooden bowls, and, as a profitable sideline, reconditioning old lathes and selling them to other wood turners. He decided to up his game by using the Etsy website and Facebook. He took some time to create--not bowls, but spectacular sculptures using different woods and finishes. The result was exposure to a vast audience. He tapped into the client base that was previously unavailable to him. Now he earns more than just a nice living.
Using the Internet has opened up vast markets to artists and artisans. They can now reach out far beyond the space where they do their special creations.
Questions? I retired when I turned 75 and spend my time now writing and coaching. You can email me your questions at AlWarr16@gmail.com and put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. My 40+ years experience is at your disposal, and I always respect your privacy.
from someone who has been there, done that in several small businesses.
Painters and sculptors, photographers, jewelry makers and wood turners--all these have trouble connecting with a buying public and supporting themselves.
Creative and talented artists and artisans tend to be immersed in their work. They also frequently disparage the arts of advertising, merchandising, marketing and selling. But they ignore these at their own peril.
Art galleries have helped to bridge this gap in the past. Increasingly, however, art galleries are turning themselves into high end gift shops. The focus is on the up-scale buyer. Bringing together the works of many artists and artisans in one place attracts customers looking for things that are not mass-produced.
Example: As a youngster, Judy loved to making bracelets and necklaces out of unusual materials. As an adult, she moved into semi-precious stones, silver and gold. Her designs attracted attention, but many of her works languished on the shelf. She connected with a high-end gift shop and experienced immediate success. They displayed Judy's works, handled the sales, and promoted her jewelry. The shop arranged a special open house to meet the artist. As time passed, prices for her jewelry doubled and then tripled. Judy is now in the process of making similar arrangements with other high-end gift shops in other cities.
Brick and mortar locations can become destinations for serious shoppers. But the Internet reaches out worldwide.
Example: John spends full time in his workshop. Wood turning is a special love, and he has always been fascinated with the machinery used. He earned a nice living turning out wooden bowls, and, as a profitable sideline, reconditioning old lathes and selling them to other wood turners. He decided to up his game by using the Etsy website and Facebook. He took some time to create--not bowls, but spectacular sculptures using different woods and finishes. The result was exposure to a vast audience. He tapped into the client base that was previously unavailable to him. Now he earns more than just a nice living.
Using the Internet has opened up vast markets to artists and artisans. They can now reach out far beyond the space where they do their special creations.
Questions? I retired when I turned 75 and spend my time now writing and coaching. You can email me your questions at AlWarr16@gmail.com and put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. My 40+ years experience is at your disposal, and I always respect your privacy.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Bakery expansions
Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small business
from someone who has been there, done that with several small businesses.
A bakery near my home has been in business for many years. It is a highly successful family operation. Cars line up around the block, waiting for parking, and customers then wait in line inside.
Another bakery in a nearby town opened three years ago. Season after season, this operation struggled. Finally, last month, it closed.
The difference here was not location. The successful bakery is located on a narrow out-of-the-way street, and it is difficult to park. The one that closed was on a small town's main street with a constant flow of automobile and pedestrian traffic.
Many things contribute to success in the bakery business. Freshness, taste, variety, display, service, attitude, spreading the word--all these are important. Price plays a part, but it is often overly emphasized--customers looking for a bargain go elsewhere. A sample table can enhance the waiting customer's experience and increase awareness and sales.
Example: Another bakery in my area gradually changed her operation to become a specialty bakery. Once offering cookies, pies and donuts, the owner now concentrates on spectacular cakes. Straightforward carrot cakes that once sold for $20 are now shaped like a bunch of carrots and go for $50. A birthday cake for a man in love with his Corvette is shaped and colored like his car--it went for $100.
Examples: A bakery can increase its reach and bottom line by partnering with a local caterer or wedding specialist. This puts your product in front of a new audience. Do some local catering yourself--company meetings can use trays of biscotti, cookies, and other treats. Stay on top of current food trends--gluten-free goodies are in demand now. If space is available, consider holding birthday parties, corporate meetings, retirement parties, and other events at your facilities. And don't neglect selling possibilities on the Internet--Facebook can propel your operation locally and beyond.
Expanding a bakery takes careful thought and planning. But the rewards are there for the taking. Go for it!
Questions? I retired when I turned 75, but I stay active helping people in small business. You can email me your questions--put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Your privacy is always respected.
from someone who has been there, done that with several small businesses.
A bakery near my home has been in business for many years. It is a highly successful family operation. Cars line up around the block, waiting for parking, and customers then wait in line inside.
Another bakery in a nearby town opened three years ago. Season after season, this operation struggled. Finally, last month, it closed.
The difference here was not location. The successful bakery is located on a narrow out-of-the-way street, and it is difficult to park. The one that closed was on a small town's main street with a constant flow of automobile and pedestrian traffic.
Many things contribute to success in the bakery business. Freshness, taste, variety, display, service, attitude, spreading the word--all these are important. Price plays a part, but it is often overly emphasized--customers looking for a bargain go elsewhere. A sample table can enhance the waiting customer's experience and increase awareness and sales.
Example: Another bakery in my area gradually changed her operation to become a specialty bakery. Once offering cookies, pies and donuts, the owner now concentrates on spectacular cakes. Straightforward carrot cakes that once sold for $20 are now shaped like a bunch of carrots and go for $50. A birthday cake for a man in love with his Corvette is shaped and colored like his car--it went for $100.
Examples: A bakery can increase its reach and bottom line by partnering with a local caterer or wedding specialist. This puts your product in front of a new audience. Do some local catering yourself--company meetings can use trays of biscotti, cookies, and other treats. Stay on top of current food trends--gluten-free goodies are in demand now. If space is available, consider holding birthday parties, corporate meetings, retirement parties, and other events at your facilities. And don't neglect selling possibilities on the Internet--Facebook can propel your operation locally and beyond.
Expanding a bakery takes careful thought and planning. But the rewards are there for the taking. Go for it!
Questions? I retired when I turned 75, but I stay active helping people in small business. You can email me your questions--put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Your privacy is always respected.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Garden centers
Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small business
from someone who has been there, done that in several small businesses.
Garden centers in temperate areas of the country keep their doors open and the plants moving out all year. But those in the colder regions must adjust to seasonal changes.
People in small business are nimble. They react quickly to changing conditions and adjust their businesses accordingly.
The market for seedlings, plants and flowers explodes with the first warmth of spring in most of the United States. People are tired of winter's blast, and they are anxious to get their hands dirty with potting soil.
Garden centers suddenly come alive with flats of petunias, hanging baskets crammed with flowers, basil and parsley, tomatoes and eggplant. Customers tend to swarm in these places for a few weeks--and then it's over.
Business owners cope with this in many ways.
Example: One grower I know began as a roadside stand selling plants and produce grown on the farm. Quickly, Estella realized that certain types of veggie plants sold out first. The following year, she concentrated on raising many different heirloom tomato and pepper plants. She knew she was right when all these sold out. She built a greenhouse, and these days, Estella starts her seedlings in February, throws open the doors in April, and closes down in June. She sells thousands of plants. She distributes some to retailers at wholesale prices, but she sells mostly over the Internet, shipping to repeat individual customers. Plants left over grow on to maturity, and she sells fresh tomatoes and peppers all summer to locals.
What started off as a small fly-by-night roadside garden center became a large operation.
Example: Bill had a small garden center for several years. He offered a wide variety of shrubs and fruit trees, perennials and hanging baskets, springtime flats of annuals, herbs and veggie transplants. Business was good in the spring, slowed down during summer, and died beneath the snows of winter. He decided to offer landscape design services to clients. It took several seasons, but today Bill is busy all year. He still offers the full range of plant materials in spring. But winters are spent lining up clients for garden designs to be completed during the coming year. He now sells the plants needed for his designs, installs small fish ponds, fencing, mulching, landscape maintenance, brick and concrete works, and just about anything else a client might want.
Turning a garden center into a landscape design firm takes patience and expertise. If Bill did not have design talents, he could have partnered with a landscape designer who didn't have a garden center.
Example: As he was growing up, Don played around in his grandmother's garden. She had set aside a large area for her bonsai plants. When Don inherited the place, he transformed that extensive bonsai collection into a business. He sells direct to the consumer--both near and far over the Internet. To increase local interest, he holds demonstrations and talks that attract the public's attention. He brings in master gardeners for special sessions, and he offers classes to people interested in learning bonsai techniques. In addition to bonsai plants, he sells a complete line of tools of the trade, books, instructions, and other downloadable materials.
The ingenuity of people in small business, along with persistence, gets them where they want to go. With garden centers, the possibilities are many.
Questions? I retired when I turned 75. You can email me at AlWarr16@gmail.com with your questions. Put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Quick answers from my 40+ years experience founding and growing small businesses. Your privacy is always respected.
from someone who has been there, done that in several small businesses.
Garden centers in temperate areas of the country keep their doors open and the plants moving out all year. But those in the colder regions must adjust to seasonal changes.
People in small business are nimble. They react quickly to changing conditions and adjust their businesses accordingly.
The market for seedlings, plants and flowers explodes with the first warmth of spring in most of the United States. People are tired of winter's blast, and they are anxious to get their hands dirty with potting soil.
Garden centers suddenly come alive with flats of petunias, hanging baskets crammed with flowers, basil and parsley, tomatoes and eggplant. Customers tend to swarm in these places for a few weeks--and then it's over.
Business owners cope with this in many ways.
Example: One grower I know began as a roadside stand selling plants and produce grown on the farm. Quickly, Estella realized that certain types of veggie plants sold out first. The following year, she concentrated on raising many different heirloom tomato and pepper plants. She knew she was right when all these sold out. She built a greenhouse, and these days, Estella starts her seedlings in February, throws open the doors in April, and closes down in June. She sells thousands of plants. She distributes some to retailers at wholesale prices, but she sells mostly over the Internet, shipping to repeat individual customers. Plants left over grow on to maturity, and she sells fresh tomatoes and peppers all summer to locals.
What started off as a small fly-by-night roadside garden center became a large operation.
Example: Bill had a small garden center for several years. He offered a wide variety of shrubs and fruit trees, perennials and hanging baskets, springtime flats of annuals, herbs and veggie transplants. Business was good in the spring, slowed down during summer, and died beneath the snows of winter. He decided to offer landscape design services to clients. It took several seasons, but today Bill is busy all year. He still offers the full range of plant materials in spring. But winters are spent lining up clients for garden designs to be completed during the coming year. He now sells the plants needed for his designs, installs small fish ponds, fencing, mulching, landscape maintenance, brick and concrete works, and just about anything else a client might want.
Turning a garden center into a landscape design firm takes patience and expertise. If Bill did not have design talents, he could have partnered with a landscape designer who didn't have a garden center.
Example: As he was growing up, Don played around in his grandmother's garden. She had set aside a large area for her bonsai plants. When Don inherited the place, he transformed that extensive bonsai collection into a business. He sells direct to the consumer--both near and far over the Internet. To increase local interest, he holds demonstrations and talks that attract the public's attention. He brings in master gardeners for special sessions, and he offers classes to people interested in learning bonsai techniques. In addition to bonsai plants, he sells a complete line of tools of the trade, books, instructions, and other downloadable materials.
The ingenuity of people in small business, along with persistence, gets them where they want to go. With garden centers, the possibilities are many.
Questions? I retired when I turned 75. You can email me at AlWarr16@gmail.com with your questions. Put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Quick answers from my 40+ years experience founding and growing small businesses. Your privacy is always respected.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Small restaurants
Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small business
from someone who has been there, done that in several small operations.
Small restaurants and cafes can go through difficult times. They are among the first businesses to feel the pinch of bad economic times.
They can become neighborhood gathering places and this can be the bedrock on which these operations grow and expand. People return again and again because they know what to expect. Customers usually settle on a few items from the menu and they re-order frequently these favorites.
Kick-starting small restaurants and cafes to the next level takes some careful planning. You don't want to mess with what success there you have, but you need more business.
Example: Bob decided to add music. He made contact with a local Irish group and found that several members played traditional Irish musical instruments--they even got together occasionally to practice. A place to practice was a problem for the group. Bob offered them exposure at his modest restaurant on Sunday afternoons--no payment was involved. Soon, the word spread and a full house of customers arrived--not only on Sunday afternoons, but on other days as well.
To expand your customer base, think outside the box. Sometimes, by solving someone else's problem, you solve your own.
Example: Jackie took an approach that involved her love of different cuisines. Her cafe sat less than 50 people. She was busy at breakfast and lunch, but there was little dinner traffic. She decided to add an International Night on Thursdays, thinking that it would attract more attention. The first week she offered a Jamaican Holiday meal, followed the second week with Casablanca Night. By the third week, every seat in the house was filled with diners clamoring for more of the Tex-Mex Specials.
Every idea you try might not work. And what works for one business might not work in another. But you never give up.
Example: Frank wanted to expand his restaurant business to become the "go-to" place for parties and gatherings. He began putting out the word--to organizations, companies, and groups. Everyone, it seemed, needed a space for small gatherings. And Frank could serve up food and drink from the restaurant side. He redid the decor, and his restaurant business became the caterer for the events that took place. As word spread, people wanted to hold other events at Frank's--private parties, birthdays, retirements, reunions and the like. He's thinking of franchising the concept, and he has already expanded with a second location.
You never know where an idea for change will lead you. But you stay on top of your game by testing every idea that holds promise.
Questions? I retired when I turned 75 and keep active with writing and coaching. You can email me at AlWarr16@gmail.com with your questions--put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Quick answers from my 40+ years experience founding and growing small businesses. Your privacy is always respected.
from someone who has been there, done that in several small operations.
Small restaurants and cafes can go through difficult times. They are among the first businesses to feel the pinch of bad economic times.
They can become neighborhood gathering places and this can be the bedrock on which these operations grow and expand. People return again and again because they know what to expect. Customers usually settle on a few items from the menu and they re-order frequently these favorites.
Kick-starting small restaurants and cafes to the next level takes some careful planning. You don't want to mess with what success there you have, but you need more business.
Example: Bob decided to add music. He made contact with a local Irish group and found that several members played traditional Irish musical instruments--they even got together occasionally to practice. A place to practice was a problem for the group. Bob offered them exposure at his modest restaurant on Sunday afternoons--no payment was involved. Soon, the word spread and a full house of customers arrived--not only on Sunday afternoons, but on other days as well.
To expand your customer base, think outside the box. Sometimes, by solving someone else's problem, you solve your own.
Example: Jackie took an approach that involved her love of different cuisines. Her cafe sat less than 50 people. She was busy at breakfast and lunch, but there was little dinner traffic. She decided to add an International Night on Thursdays, thinking that it would attract more attention. The first week she offered a Jamaican Holiday meal, followed the second week with Casablanca Night. By the third week, every seat in the house was filled with diners clamoring for more of the Tex-Mex Specials.
Every idea you try might not work. And what works for one business might not work in another. But you never give up.
Example: Frank wanted to expand his restaurant business to become the "go-to" place for parties and gatherings. He began putting out the word--to organizations, companies, and groups. Everyone, it seemed, needed a space for small gatherings. And Frank could serve up food and drink from the restaurant side. He redid the decor, and his restaurant business became the caterer for the events that took place. As word spread, people wanted to hold other events at Frank's--private parties, birthdays, retirements, reunions and the like. He's thinking of franchising the concept, and he has already expanded with a second location.
You never know where an idea for change will lead you. But you stay on top of your game by testing every idea that holds promise.
Questions? I retired when I turned 75 and keep active with writing and coaching. You can email me at AlWarr16@gmail.com with your questions--put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Quick answers from my 40+ years experience founding and growing small businesses. Your privacy is always respected.
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