| A new economy is emerging. The players play by | | | | aren't afraid to step out and try new marketing |
| different rules and make money in different ways. | | | | techniques. |
| The old economy isn't dead - yet. But the new | | | | 5) Build your brand internally so employees |
| economy is creating more ways for service | | | | become part of your marketing and PR efforts. |
| businesses to be marketed. The lines between | | | | Your company's culture will be talked about at |
| company and client are blurring. Here are ten | | | | dinner parties and happy hours almost every |
| ways in which service business owners can adapt | | | | week. Keep your employees happy and you'll |
| their marketing and sales efforts to the new | | | | continue to attract quality people to your business. |
| economy. | | | | 6) Let the speed and quality of your service be |
| 1) Organize service development and marketing | | | | your brand. |
| efforts by customer segments. Customize your | | | | 7) Measure customer satisfaction aggressively. |
| services and marketing efforts to specific clientele | | | | What are they saying? Who are they talking to? |
| and dig deeper into profitable niches. | | | | If it's bad, how can you fix it? |
| 2) Deliver exactly what you say you will, and | | | | 8) Keep your eye on how many clients you lose, |
| make sure you're saying something remarkable. | | | | acquire, and retain from month to month and |
| What makes your firm different from everyone | | | | year to year. |
| else out there? Define it and spread the word. | | | | 9) Find ways to serve more. What else can you |
| 3) For acquisition, focus on emerging markets and | | | | provide to your clients and prospects? What are |
| early innovators - especially if you have a new | | | | some other ways to add value? |
| business. You will get your clients from people | | | | 10) Implement social networking practices for |
| who aren't afraid to try something new. Find | | | | customer service and marketing. Establish a |
| them, embrace them, and add value to their lives. | | | | presence on any or all of the following websites: |
| 4) For retention, focus on ways to instantly and | | | | MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Facebook. |
| continuously build rapport and trust - especially if | | | | Use this list to launch your business into the new |
| you have an established business. Otherwise you | | | | economy and upgrade to Business 2.0. |
| will lose market share to your competitors who | | | | |