Five Quick Start Tips to Jump-Start Your Business!

by The Business Guild

1. Marketing - Respond Quickly to Shape the Conversation

Most buyers conduct more than 60% of their research before ever reaching out to you or your sales team.

As a result, it is critical that you respond to your potential customer's inquiry quickly before your competitor does.

Statistics show that almost half of sales are closed with the vendor that responds first.

Why?

Because as the first vendor they speak with, you are able to shape the conversation and provide a value proposition that persuades the buyer that your product or service is the best solution for their needs.

~ Lisa M. Masiello, Founder and Chief Marketing Strategist, TECHmarc Labs

2. Organization/Time Management

You're ready to hire a virtual assistant when you realize that your time is better spent doing the income-generating activities in your business that only you can do.

~ John Morgan, Virtual Business Assistant

3. Networking

A strong network can be a pipeline for leads and referrals, but its greatest value is support and expertise.

Find one group you can commit to, it doesn't even have to be a business group, and start building relationships.

If you truly don't have time for a regular group, connect with one person.

And don't forget the quid pro quo.

You have to be willing to show good faith by giving referrals, sharing leads, and expertise before people will reciprocate.

~ Pat Hammond, NH Business Guild

4. Taxes & Retirement

Start early in the year.

Work with your accountant and financial advisor to identify a retirement account which suits your needs and set it up.

The big mistake people make is to wait until late in the year when they have a better feel for how much they might have to set aside in an account.

This way, when you get to a point in the year when you can predict some cash availability, the account is already set up and ready for the contribution.

~ Ed Carter, CPA