Vision Corner Learning Center - Opening Spring 2024
Small Business Owners
The small business community is a vital part of a thriving small town. New business start-ups are important to overall economic development and a high priority for Vision Corner
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Basics of a Sound Launch
- A sound business idea: customer appeal, market size, competitive reality, physical location
- Owner personal preparation: skill, time, adequate financing
- Mentor in place: at least one trusted advisor for help and honest asessment
- Launch Requirements in Place: corporate form, state licensing, checkbook/money handling, basic record-keeping, brochure, business cards
- Online presence: website or equivalent to provide information, establish legitimacy
- Market intro (grand opening): pre-planned, adequate, professional
Customer Loyalty Building
- The importance of repeat customers as a success requirement
- Understanding your customers' experience as critical factor
- Understanding "high-side delight" and how to achieve it
- The value of referrals and how to earn them
- Handling dissatisfied customers, short- and long-term impact
- Establishing ways to reward customer loyalty
Disciplined Business Operation
- Quality Control: Anticipating and avoiding errors that are expensive and or cause customer dissatisfaction.
- Handling the Money: systems and procedures to assure funds are secure
- Disciplined Administration: an attitude toward careful handling of detail
- Accounting and Legal: part of discipline, timely filing of forms or tax payments
- Vendor Relationships: importance and value of long-term relationships
Managing Business Growth
Adapting systems and procedures: an attitude to adapt as needed.
Seeking higher level advice: Mentors, peer groups, professional advisors
Adding employees: Understanding the extent employees are a game-changer
Employee guidance: company culture (your beliefs and expectations), monitoring performance, hiring and firing