One of the biggest lessons to come out of the pandemic has been the importance of flexibility. Finding ways for your business to stay agile and adapt to some pretty drastic changes has been critical for those continuing to survive and thrive.
There’s plenty of advice out there on how to pivot the best to retain or even add new customers to your mix. We consulted several sources — NerdWallet and ZDNET — to see what advice they were giving small businesses on staying flexible in today’s market. It turns out there are several ideas that may not seem as obvious but could be some important stepping stones to further success. Here’s a look at what we found.
Look into more automation
The article in NerdWallet offers this smart advice. Finding ways to use apps or programs to execute those straightforward functions such as payroll, HR and point-of-sale can lead to more time for you to look at customer retention plans or potentially lucrative new business models.
Improve employee as well as customer experience
Another recent report on small business success is detailed on the ZDNET news site. It discusses customer and employee engagement and how they are closely linked to success. To that end, it shows that providing flexible work schedules and better safety in the workplace is leading to great customer perceptions. One stat cited in the report: 90% of customers believe how a company reacts in crisis mode shows its own trustworthiness.
Work on your supply chain
One pressing need relates to finding supplies in order to produce products, and this is something that is happening across the board. To that end, it helps to seek out relationships with multiple suppliers, according to the NerdWallet story. Make sure they are in different locations as well, so backups can be established as needed.
Figure out new ways to deliver your products
When you think about the pandemic, one thing that comes to mind is the increase in curbside delivery, and not just for restaurants. As the Nerdwallet story notes, outside delivery services, downloadable products and pickup at retail hubs have become much more prevalent in the current business climate.
Use security to deepen — not distance — customer relationships
This is another one from the ZDNET story, in which it advocates for technology to be used as part of e-commerce. Company leaders should not be afraid to tell customers that they are focused on data security in this context. Using the technology saves time, while the explanation of why it’s useful helps customers feel secure.
Overall, it may take some extra time to find out what works best to keep your business on an upward trajectory, but it’s time well spent in order to attract and retain loyal customers —and bring you more peace of mind.
That last part of the equation is one of our specialties. Our customized solutions at ARO with customer care, outsourcing, collections and voice messaging can be real difference-makers and can give you more time to plot and plan your future. Find out more about what we have to offer on our website.
