Linda C Smith, author and owner of a home-based business. I write a business blog at http://intlnat.com where you can also find links to my business. My joy in business is sharing my passion for my products as well as showing others how they can enjoy the benefits of a home business.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_C_Smith
How do you define "success?" Do you know what constitutes a "successful" business? There are two elements that can make or break a business' reputation and positively or negatively affect its bottom line, and that's consistency and quality. Either you are consistently doing all the right things, or you are consistently doing all the incorrect things. Either way, consistency is a key to success or failure. Also, if you work to provide good quality every time, then your business has more than an equal chance to succeed. Mediocrity never shows in first place.
CONSISTENCY is an element not easy to maintain. As example, are you able to give good customer service on a consistent basis? Or, is every product you sell of a consistently good quality? Can your product or service be counted upon to be of the same [or better] quality from one purchase or use to another?
Using the food service industry as an example, imagine a restaurant that has both dine-in services and take-out delivery services. What business practices could give this restaurant a reputation for consistent quality of service as regards its take-out delivery services?
1. Providing timely, friendly delivery - every time - the food arrives within the time frame advertised and/or promised at the time the order is taken; and the food is still warm and is freshly prepared. A restaurant that provides take-out delivery service that can achieve consistency in this area will both retain customers and gain referral customers. Providing this type of service over and over again can equal business success.
2. The food is delicious - every single time - there are several elements that can negatively affect this part of the restaurant's reputation: (1) using less-than fresh ingredients; (2) skimping on ingredients; (3) cooking items ahead of time and keeping them in warming trays...food does go stale. If you have a favorite recipe at this restaurant and you order it as part of your take-out order multiple times AND if it is delicious each and every time...you can be assured that this restaurant is following good business practices. Consistently delicious food equals business success.
Consistency is one of the keys to a business' success. Your customers have to know that with every encounter with your business they will receive:
o friendly, helpful service
o quick and helpful answers to questions and concerns
o products that deliver what they are supposed to deliver - whether that is flavor, nutritional content, freshness...whatever the elements may be
o follow-through on delivery times and dates
QUALITY is one of those golden elements that every business would like stamped upon it. Elements of quality can include:
*quality products - this can be defined by craftsmanship or ingredient quality or manufacturing practices
*availability - a "quality" of a successful business could be that the products or services are never back-ordered; are fresh [if this is an applicable benefit]; has good delivery services; offers ease of ordering
Another benefit of offering consistency and quality? Repeat business. A business with a track record of consistency and quality has a high percentage of customers who re-order and a higher percentage of referral customers. Happy, contented customers tend to tell their friends and families about businesses they've had success with or products they like.
Be consistent with what works and offer the highest quality possible in goods and services and you'll stand a good chance of business success.
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