June 30th, 2008
I recently read an online article about a retailer who described what he saw as the difference between Baby Boomers and Generation X’ers (those born between 1965 and 1980; i.e., children of Boomers) as shoppers.
For those of you boomers who own retail businesses, the differences might be important.
Baby boomers, this retailer said, were more careful, […]
By Jean -- 1 comment
June 27th, 2008
My final question for Customer Service Week: Do you talk with customers about your personal life?
In some professions, you have little opportunity to talk to customers about yourself. You’re busy doing the work or sending off the product. But in many professions, you interact with customers, and there is plenty of time […]
By Jean -- 2 comments
June 25th, 2008
Here at Small Business Boomers we are in the middle of “Customer Service Week.” Each day I’ve asked a question about dealing with customers.
On Monday, it was about how to handle an irate customer.
On Tuesday, I asked if you would “fire” a customer.
Today’s question: Would you ever refer a potential customer to one […]
By Jean -- 4 comments
June 24th, 2008
The situation I talked about yesterday, with the travel agent who got mad because the doctor didn’t use her agency to book a trip, has another twist to it. The patient was 20 minutes late for her appointment. And she was typically at least 15 minutes late for every appointment. I told the doctor she […]
By Jean -- 2 comments
June 23rd, 2008
Like other baby boomers in business, I talk to people in the same profession. A doctor told me about this dilemma and asked for my advice:
A patient who is a travel agent had been coming to this doctor’s office for several months. When he asked how she was doing, she occasionally bemoaned the fact that […]
By Jean -- 3 comments
May 13th, 2008
It’s easy to sit back and bemoan the economy and other external factors that may be causing your business to slow down. Pick your excuse here:
People don’t want to spend the gas to get to my business; they have on their “gas faces” (See Talk Stock Trading’s Tisa Silver)
People are on a “recession […]
By Jean -- 2 comments
March 21st, 2008
Darlene McDaniel over at Interview Chatter has found a great video about how to hire the best people for your small business.
I’ve talked to many small business owners, and they all say the same thing: Finding and keeping the best people is the most difficult part of their jobs. Good employees know how […]
By Jean -- 5 comments
December 27th, 2007
With Apple stock nearing $200 I thought I would relate my Apple shopping experience experience this holiday season. The contrast between that experience and the one I had with Ticket-Master is illuminating.
I wanted to buy an iTunes gift card at my local Apple store. First, there were 3 young guys waiting for me as I entered the store. […]
By jim -- 0 comments
December 1st, 2007
Wrapping Up, 2: Take a look at your brand before the end of the year.
The buzzword around corporate circles these days is “rebranding.” I think of it more as “guaranteed work for ad/marketing agencies.” It seems like everyone is rebranding: ToysRUs, Chrysler, the Republicans, even Pakistan (in the “really bad idea” category.)
So […]
By Jean -- 2 comments
November 2nd, 2007
Expect the price at the pump to move up smartly over the next few months. The stocks of the major refiners have just taken a hit. Not that they’re sales aren’t up, but their cost are up more.
These are international companies like Exxon and BP. They are some of the most widely held stocks in the […]
By jim -- 2 comments
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