Are Economic Factors Changing The Concept of Quality in Small Business Environment?

What exactly does "Quality" mean for small businesses? Has the economic downturn over the past 6 years changed the definition of quality relative to small business's delivery of products and services? Is quality, the major driver in delivering and selling to businesses? Are consumers now willing to compromise on quality, to save money? How much will small businesses and individuals tolerate in diminished services or product quality and decide less quality is more important if they can save money?I recently met with an acquaintance that operates a small commercial oriented service business. He was lamenting that 10 years ago he launched into a program whereby he structured his company to deliver the highest quality service to his industrial customers. His quality goals were defined based upon what the customers told him were their highest priorities for good product and service qualities. Those attributes were (in order of preferences): timely responses to their requests, error free production/finished product, on-time delivery of the product/service, and fair pricing for their quality demands. It is important to note that fair pricing was not defined as being the cheapest.Today, he is finding those customers that said, " we buy only quality products and services" are now doing business with vendors offering rock bottom pricing. To get rock bottom pricing quality has suffered; flaws are tolerated. Some small companies are now working with vendors that are moonlighting to pick up a little extra cash and may lack experience working with the latest software technology, equipment, and materials. So, what has happened in the small business sector, relative to the pride a vendor once took in high quality personalized service with a commensurate return? They seem to have vanished; at least for the time being.Conversely, some large manufacturers found a component of quality to mean, components delivered on-time/just-in-time saves them money and equates into sales. Does this example also apply to small businesses across the board, well, maybe not? But there are disconnects; just look at the GM issue of late, where quality was not worth the expense (at the time). This aside, it does seem quality is no longer the coin of the realm with small commercial service businesses. They may look at quality as a product component that is hard to justify on a revenue basis. Some managers might think they can fine tune the service or product quality in house and not pay the vendor for a high level of quality.Businesses catering to the end user of products and services still demand quality. But, most of them offer product and services that are focused on high touch and personal attention to details industries. This quality is not inexpensive to deliver.Could all the changes in small business methods, with pressure on costs, be forcing a new definition of how small business develops their pricing for various levels of quality? I guess if the service or product isn't life threatening it could slip on the" need for quality" scale. Offer quality but at a premium; let the customer decide what price quality is worth.I think discussions about quality from a small business perspective need to be targeted; defining exactly what elements of quality are worthwhile? As standalone considerations, such things as-glitz, glamour, individualized services, and attention to detail may not add anything to perceived quality. For example, the precision delivered in a service product maybe isn't appreciated or needed. Therefore, maybe this is just one example where companies are trading with vendors based on cost and less on quality. Some companies are picking apart the elements of quality being offered to them and settling for a lot less of quality.


It is hard to really understand all the issues involved in small businesses purchasing services and products with the primary consideration being quality. Now the question is: Why does there seem to be a shift in small businesses buying services that are primarily price driven? Quantitative data seems to indicate there is a shift from the holy grail of quality. And, we do recognize, there are still a plethora of companies offering services and product purely based on quality. For example, there are some hotels and car companies having a nice customer niche based on quality; those markets being consumer and extremely large. Everyone could probably agree that any service and product could have such quality if their market would be broad enough to support such quality.Gucci had a corporate mantra that said: Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. Of course that was their market and it is still large. Maybe the 1% is enough to support that kind of quality.For small businesses today, owners must balance costs, revenue demands, marketplace, competition and sophistication of the marketplace. If adding elements of quality to the product line do not generate enough revenue to cover incremental cost, then redefine quality. Quality is in the eye of the beholder. I would imagine a farrier (installer of horseshoes) isn't concerned about the packaging, website, product guarantees, or hand polished horseshoes. He just wants horseshoes at a competitive (lowest) price and from a supplier that keeps them on hand.Some thoughts on quality:
Quality has a myriad of definitions and quality definitions are industry specific and customer dependent. Maybe quality in an industry is simply having a human answer the phone... thinking of the DMV.

The customer will always dictate quality levels.

Don't expect the quality to be free; there are no free lunches. Quality does impact margins.
I can remember in the early dot com boom, as a vendor and customer, quality was measured by such things as how expensive were the give-a-ways, how costly were entertainment bills, running online ads no matter the end results and justifying expensive tracking programs and site designs for no substantiate reason. So glitz, glamour, service, and value of the end results were components of what we thought was quality. Is that your definition of quality today? Quality in today's business environment is being re-evaluated relative to costs and revenue impact.

Why You Should Look for IT Support

Looking for IT support services when starting a business can be very helpful for you over the course of time, particularly as your business starts expanding. Whether it is for help in managing the network and connectivity issues or more efficiently managing the data involved, business IT support is very important for efficient management and control. However, most small scale companies and industries will not be able to afford the costs involved in maintaining a good IT support for their businesses. In such situations, the best option is to outsource the work to other companies that specialize in IT support. Apart from being a cost effective solution, you will be able to manage your business efficiently and handle any problems quickly. However, it is imperative to make a well informed decision while choosing an IT support company in order to get the best value for your money and time.Outsourcing your work to the right IT company can help you avoid a lot of stress and effort involved in handling server problems and other related issues. These companies usually specialize in dealing with IT problems and will completely take over all the management issues of your company. The right IT solutions can also help reduce your operational costs and help you make the most out of your available time and resources. As you no longer need to implement extra security measures or hire administrators to manage the servers and the systems, you will also be able to save a lot of time and money when outsourcing your work to an IT company.The benefits of implementing a good IT support
For every company, a prerequisite for a long and successful venture is the establishment of a good IT support. This can help you manage your company more efficiently and also deal smartly with any problems or system failures. Without IT support 247, any problems with their servers or the company can take a longer time to detect and solve. This can lead to a greater downtime thus decreasing the productivity of the company. The other benefits that you can avail when implementing good it support are:


Better management and control - After delegating the job of security and management to the outsourced IT support company, you will be able to devote your time to effectively manage and tackle the other issues concerning the company. This can be a change in organization, product development, etc.Better use of resources - Rather than focusing your resources on handling security issues or other common problems, by outsourcing your work to an IT services company, you will be able to use your resources for accomplishing the goals and objectives of the company.Expertise - Without good IT support, any problem with the server can take a longer time to get rectified. As IT support companies are experienced and deal with such issues on a daily basis, they will be able to apply their knowledge in order to develop the best solution quickly.Therefore, by spending a little time to upgrade the existing IT support systems in your company or by outsourcing the work, you will be able to have a peace of mind and work towards achieving better productivity from the company. For further information contact your local tech support guy or local IT services company.

Mom Blogs: What Are the Benefits?

The emergence of mommy bloggers is a direct result of women's desire to work online from home and build a community of like-minded friends. These blogs differ in content from other types of blogs by focusing mainly on topics revolving around the home, family matters, spiritual issues or work at home topics. While on the surface these mom blogs may seem like a way to pass the time, there are actually many other real benefits to running one.Provides a Creative Outlet
For many bloggers, the ability to simply express their thoughts creatively is reward enough. While getting your works published through traditional means can be quite challenging, publishing on a blog takes literally seconds. Whether you seek to write news-worthy pieces or simply maintain an online diary of your life, the blog is a perfect outlet for your creative talents. Don't limit yourself to just writing text on your blog, as they are also wonderful ways to showcase your photography as well.Launch a Writing Career
For those who are serious about wanting to work online from home, a blog is the prefect starting point to building a professional writing career. In essence, a blog is your portfolio and demonstrates your ability to capture the reader's attention and communicate through the written word. While it may take time to grab the attention of higher-ups, your blog is a great springboard toward paid professional writing assignments at larger websites or blogs.Monetary Gain
While most blogs don't start out making much money, they have the potential to turn into a viable way for a single working mom to earn extra money. By building up your readership and focusing on the right way to monetize the blog, you can at least earn a very lucrative side income. Traditional forms of monetizing blogs include displaying advertising on the side rails or even in the context of the post themselves.


Find Like-Minded Friends
Another important benefit of running a mom blog is that you will gain readers who quite often become lifelong friends. This is particularly important if you're blogging about topics such a health issues or if you are a single working mom who simply needs to build a support network. Many of these friends will also have their own blogs and can help you build your readership by linking to yours. Bloggers also hold meet-ups in various locations where blog followers can meet in person to grab lunch, converse and get to know each other better.Make an Impact
Finally, mom blogs have the ability to make a real impact on your community, the lives of others and even on state or federal policy. If you feel strongly about certain issues, blogging about them can help you gain increased support for them. Today's viral blog posts are often picked up by local and national news outlets who expand on the stories by interviewing the blog writers. This is a wonderful way to bring attention to your cause by simply spending a little time at your computer keyboard.

What First Impression Does Your Business Give?

If you run a small business what is the first impression that you create for your customers? What is their initial experience of your business, how professional do you appear? A first impression may not even include any personal interaction with you.For example, what is your out-of-hours customer experience like? Potential customers may not know your opening hours, may call in person or on your landline and expect to find details of your website, your mobile phone number, be able to leave a voice mail. Is the first impression your business gives positive and professional or does it turn people away?Practice being your own customer, put the boot on the other foot and check out your own first impression of your business. What first impression does your business give?I work from home, see my clients there and regularly stop outside upon my return home to double-check how the front of my house looks, the first impression I get as I pull up outside. I want to reaffirm that it's still okay to invite customers there, that the neighbourhood is smart, tidy and looks acceptable to the type of customers I want to attract. Does the garden look tidy and welcoming, are the windows clean; all important, subtle things that clients will pick up on, often without realising.When I walk through the front door I'll usually pause to take in the first impression the room presents, how it looks, smells, feels. These things are all important, especially to a first time customer or client. Do clients or their companions have somewhere to sit and wait if necessary and is that place comfortable?I recently called at the advertised shop premises of a driveway laying business. I was considering spending quite a lot of money on a new driveway and wanted to see examples of their work, the different options available for colours and styles, but every time I called their shop was closed. I tried at different times, all within the usual office hours. Daytime, Saturday afternoon; the business was styled as a shop but had no receptionist or staff present and no information explaining why. It was an exasperating experience which conveyed a rather indifferent attitude towards potential new business.


They could argue that they're saving on overheads, are able to offer a more economical service as a consequence but when a new customer is trying to make contact it's important that they're able to do so. Why have a shop in the middle of a row of shops if it's unmanned? What first impression does that create?Competition is fierce in the world of business and as a small business or sole trader it's important to offer that special something extra to customers and clients. Yes, pricing is always going to be an important consideration but it's by no means the only one.Quality customer service, professionalism and reliability are often almost more important than the price and can certainly put you ahead of the competition. Creating a good first impression helps you to get your foot through the door and reinforces potential customers belief in your ability to deliver well on your promises.A good first impression helps you to look professional, conveys the message that you take a pride in your work and in your reputation and that your business is important to you.

The Benefits of Good Credit Control Procedures in a Small Business

Credit control is important in a business especially for small businesses. This means that every small business should ensure that it collects its outstanding invoices. Some small businesses let their uncollected invoices accumulate which ultimately affects their cash flow and also the performance of the general business. This problem can be attributed to poor credit control and lack of knowledge on the benefits of good credit control procedures in a small business.One of the primary benefits of good credit procedures in a small business is that there will be sufficient funds to ensure that the business runs smoothly. The outstanding uncollected invoices mean that the business has some money which is deemed to be available but cannot be used in the operations of the business. This is especially a major issue in a small business which might not have enough funds to run the various operations without collecting the outstanding invoices as required. This makes it paramount for a business to ensure that it has set down good procedures of credit control so as to ensure the business runs smoothly with sufficient funds available.Having good procedures is also important since it enables the business to know its reliable and trustworthy clients. This is because having good procedures in place will enable the business to explain to its various clients when and how the invoices will be collected. The reliable clients will keep to the payment terms and will ensure that the invoices are ready by the time stipulated by the credit control procedure. Through this the business can identify the clients that keep to their payment terms and therefore it becomes easier to extend credit to such clients since they keep their word.Another major benefit of having a good credit control procedure in place is that the businesses are able to plan properly. This is because a small business with good control procedures will be able to know the money it has and the money to expect. As a result, the business will be able to budget even on the uncollected invoices since the laid down procedure will ensure that the outstanding invoices are collected on time.


A business can even get outsourced providers of credit control services who will ensure that all the outstanding invoices are collected on time. Having outsourced providers will give the business time to concentrate on other issues regarding the growth of the business. Furthermore, some outsourced providers even pay for the uncollected invoices and then go ahead to collect the invoices after the stipulated dates. This gives the small business the assurance that funds will be available on time to run the various operations of the business.Good credit control procedures that enhance collection of a businesses outstanding invoices are also beneficial because it allows a business to control credit limits. Small businesses should have a limit of the credit to be extended. This means that these businesses should have a limit of the outstanding invoices. When the outstanding invoices surpass the set limit, the business might not be able to extend credit to other clients.But with good credit control procedures the small businesses will be able to set limits and therefore be able to extend credit to other customers and also to those whose outstanding invoices have been collected. Therefore, it is paramount for a small business to have good credit control procedures in place which will enhance their collection of outstanding invoices.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Starting Your Own Business

You might have already heard many times about the joys and fulfillment of being your own boss. Now you have started to contemplate quitting your desk job and starting a small business. Taking the jump is scary because of the fear of the unknown, and you do have the right to feel that way. Some entrepreneurs may have a success story of their own, but a large silent portion of those who had their start-ups cannot say the same. Before plunging into the swirling depths of the world of business ownership, weigh the pros and cons first.The Pros of Making It on Your OwnYou take control of everything. Whatever dreams you've been longing for while locked up in your office cubicle for nine hours will finally come to fruition. You have the say on what product you want, how to do it, and when to do it. As the cliché goes, "You're your own boss."You have the potential to create something bigger. Look at Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg and all the millionaires that have become household names because of their success. When they started their business, they didn't know how big it would get, and you'll never know unless you try.You achieve a work and life balance. Running your own business lets you work at home and spend time with the family. If you're in the Internet business, you can work at any satellite-covered area of the world. You get to have a LIFE that's not dominated by 40 hours (or more) of being stuck in your office chair, while you're being monitored by your boss.The Cons of Starting Your BusinessYou are the be-all and end-all of your business. Being self-employed does not mean that you can go out on the golf course chatting with potential clients all the time. You still have to work for your real boss and that is your clients. If you have to work until late at night, you must because you don't want to lose your source of income. All successes and failures will fall upon your shoulders.


You don't have a regular income. Freelancers face this problem where the dollars depend on the completion of the projects, which may go on for weeks or months.You allocate your personal savings for the capital. Banks and other lenders can finance your business, but you still need to pay them on a monthly basis. Without money coming in, you may have to shoulder the expenses from your own coffers to purchase licenses, equipment, furniture, etc.SummaryThey say that you'll never know unless you try, but this doesn't permit you to just dive into an endeavor that has no turning back. Look into the above-mentioned pros and cons and interview small business owners as well to find out the challenges they endured. You may find that the pros outweigh the cons if you are entirely confident of the product or service you are offering.A service-based business (e.g. freelancing) is recommended if you want to start with low overhead costs, so you get to keep more of the revenue coming in. Budgeting will be much easier because you can control the expenses, such as the type of office furniture to buy or using your home phone for business calls. This sounds more reassuring than product-based in which you'll be carrying an inventory of products that you are enjoined to sell to at least break even.Starting one's own business is not for the faint of hearts, but the glory and pride of managing one cannot be matched by any six-figure salary. So ask yourself-are you ready to change your life?

Booklet Tips - Do's, Don'ts, and Myths

A popular writing format for articles, books, booklets, and lists is based on do's and don'ts, and myths. While the authors' intention is always to be helpful, the result couldn't be more misguided, becoming the opposite of helpful.Imagine reading a list that, for the sake of efficiency, only had a header on it before the numbered listing. The header said "Don't" and then went on to have a list of 10 items. The only thing is you missed noticing the header when you read it. You got distracted, you were reading quickly, you had your thumb over part of the page, anything is possible. Regardless, you missed seeing "Don't." Not only did you miss noting the word "Don't" at the beginning of the list, your brain reads that list as if it had direct instructions of what to do rather than what not to do.At the very least, you have to remind yourself that the list is saying what not to do. That's a lot of extra and unnecessary mental effort to counteract what you see, isn't it? Do you want to put your reader through that? Even if you have one list of what not to do and another list of what to do, it is still confusing at best and requires extra mental effort to keep it all straight. As the reader is going through the list of "Don'ts" they are left wondering what to do. You may be giving them the answer to that in the next list, which is then disjointed from what they are now reading at this moment.The same is true of myths. The myths fall into the same category as what not to do. You have to process what you're seeing twice. First you read it and then you have to re-file it mentally into the ideas that the information is untrue, while deciding whether it is actually even true or not.


Look at all that excessive effort to sort through something intended to be simple, helpful, and easy. You may never have given a moment's thought to what is being triggered with do's and don'ts or myths until now. After all, many people use that approach - and many people are unaware of how counterproductive it is.There is a simple fix and one that makes you a more valuable resource to people who want what you offer. Put it all in the positive. With all the information coming at you and the rest of the world every day, you can do it differently. You can streamline the flow. You can simplify the process.ACTION - Tell your reader what TO do as your consistent way of delivering your tips. When you notice yourself headed toward "don't" or "avoid" or other words representing what not to do, ask yourself what you want the reader TO do, and tell them that. Do it simply and directly minus any sensationalism or exaggeration. Tell them the truth as you know it rather than myths. They will appreciate it and come back for more."Turn Your Tips Into Products, Your Tips Products Into Moneymakers.TM"© 2014

Pros and Cons of Automatic Driving Lessons

Car driving is a daunting task for many people. Some people find it difficult to learn this art of maintaining a balance between gear, clutch and accelerator. Automatic driving lessons provide a good opportunity to get started. If you are confused about taking automatic driving lessons, then here are some pros and cons to help you.Advantages of taking automatic driving lessonsSuch car consists of only two pedals; therefore, a learner feels more comfortable and stress-free. There is no need to change gears of the car as it chooses gear depending on the speed of the engine. It provides a stress-free learning experience to boost your confidence.The combination of clutch, gear and accelerator may divert the focus of the learner from road traffic. However, automatic car drivers can give full attention to what is going on the road. That's why they have good traffic sense, speed judgment and decision-making power.This car is beneficial for people with learning disabilities or physical disabilities. It provides a good platform to learn to drive for people with learning disabilities or physical disabilities. Automatic driving lessons are helpful for people with autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia. They don't have to master the clutch, gear and brake. Hence, the learning process becomes less complex.


People with physical disabilities have restricted movements. Such people can drive this car with some adjustments. It is a good idea to learn the automatic car if you are struggling to pass a test in a manual car.Disadvantages of automatic driving lessonsThese cars are very expensive. Once you have passed your test in an automatic car, you ought to buy this car. You cannot drive a manual car after passing this test. It would be difficult switching to manual car as your driving skills do not suit it.Manual car drivers are more skillful than automatic car drivers. A person, who drives manual car, can react better in any bad situation. It is easier to drive a manual car on mountains and slippery conditions. The manual transmission of a car makes it easy to maintain a constant speed on such conditions. You may not have much control over your automatic car on a steep mountain pass. Moreover, you cannot slow down your car using the gear.I hope that these tips will help you in taking the right decision and learn driving. You can start learning with these simple tips.

Office Carpet Cleaning - The Truth About Achieving Clean Commercial Carpets

There are many benefits to carpet cleaning other than just removing unsightly stains. The below information provides a wealth of detail that will leave you confident of the best way to keep your commercial carpets clean.Benefit one is that many more of us these days are suffering from allergies throughout the year. Workers struggle to get through the day with the usual symptoms of a cold, such as a runny nose and or a persistent cough, even itchy eyes. This can all stem from dirt, dust, bacteria and allergens trapped within the carpet threads, which contributes to making it very difficult for office workers to continue with their job.Dust and dirt often gets deeply trodden into the carpet over time. Daily usage of a vacuum cleaner will certainly help to keep the allergens at bay but mold spores and bacteria will eventually build up within the fibres of the carpet and result in the steadily decline of your healthy office environment. Professional carpet cleaners these days use high-tech equipment and technology that ensures deep cleaning, which is able to lift all dirt, soil, dust and allergens out of the carpet with a minimum amount of disruption to the day-to-day running of your business. When we feel good we produce our best work.Benefit two considers the point that having your commercial carpet professionally cleaned can increase your business performance as deep cleaned carpets keep the office workers safe from allergies, respiratory difficulties and illness. Hotels and office carpets in heavy foot-fall public areas suffer from general daily wear, dirt, mud, odours and stains, which is all very noticeable to your customers and clients. A company will benefit from having well-maintained and professionally cleaned carpets, enhancing their overall professional image.


Benefit three is that carpet cleaning eliminates trapped pollutants. Research carried out through environmental agencies note that dirty carpets can preserve many sources of indoor air pollutants. These include pet dander, cockroach allergens, particle pollution and lead, amongst everyday dust and dirt. Particles that are trapped within the carpet can cause toxic airborne particles that will only be removed through the use of specialist cleaning equipment.Benefit four contemplates the fact that professional cleaning of your commercial carpet prevents further damage to the carpet and maximizes its lifespan. Humidity in the air binds the loose soil making it overtime much more difficult for routine vacuuming to remove. Once the hardened soil and grit wears down into the carpets fibers and threads it acts like sandpaper which causes irreversible damage leading to the carpets having to be replaced, which is a cost that can be avoided by the regularity of professional cleans.As a company, making the great decision to take care of your carpets means that you are investing in your company, its performance, employee's health and the well-being of all office workers by keeping your business premises clean. This is a winning formula for providing your staff with a healthy, pleasant working environment whilst being the proud owner of stunning chic carpets portraying positive first impressions of high standards.

The Benefits to a Small Business in Outsourcing Its Bookkeeping Requirement

In the current world of innovations, people are looking for new ways to make their businesses run more effectively in order to get maximum profits. Due to the recent global recession, increasing sales volumes has ceased to be an option for many companies, as the incomes of households are decreasing. The best option to maximize your business profits is to cut down the operating costs.You could decide to lay off some employees. But this can have a negative impact on your company's operations. In order to increase the value of your business you require an efficient bookkeeping service. However, keeping track of all the business transactions on your own is a big task. A small miscalculation can jeopardize the whole record and even your business operations. Availing a bookkeeping outsourcing service is the best solution in such a case.With outsourced professionals handling your business's accounts, there are no errors incurred in the records. Once you are totally relieved of the stress of controlling financial statements, you can focus on your core business activities.Compliance laws and taxation rules are constantly changing. It may be difficult for a business to remain aware of the new laws. An outsourced book keeping firm can relieve you of the responsibility of keeping up to date, and stress of trying to accurately complete taxation requirements. In addition, some small business owners do not have the expertise to effectively undertake this vital part of their business's accounting, thereby risking potential taxation penalties.As outsourcing firms have a healthy competition among them, you can be assured of the quality of the services offered by these firms. Sometimes in-house employees need to be pressurised. With outsourced firms, there are no chances of any work pending as all the financial records are always up-to-date.


The cost of using a payroll service can be high for a businesses that uses an outsourced service. The expense of employing somebody to handle payroll can be much greater than using an outsourced bookkeeping service. A set monthly fee is normally charged, allowing for control in the amount of money spent. This assists in accurate budgeting thus preventing unexpected accounting costs.As added benefits, some of these firms offer additional services too. You can get organised reports right away from invoicing, billings, tax planning, projection to bank account reconciliations. They can also review your business on a regular basis and update you with relevant information and suggestions on how to increase your profits.Your bookkeeping reports are available within a few clicks. You can easily access, retrieve or update your reports and records at any time. It is very convenient for small businesses as it helps in cutting down business running expenses.Bookkeeping outsourcing services businesses are flourishing at a great speed. Firms are avidly seeking for this option as it promises to cut on their expenses. You don't have to make any investments in order to seek profits from an outsourcing firm. The entire process of associating with outsourcing service providers is naturally simple. All you have to do is to put down your requirements and then choose the most experienced one.