Something To Think About When Asked "How's Business?"

[RichmondTech]

I hope you find this as motivating as I did.

http://www.smarterwebstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Hows-business.pdf

 

[dgiles79]

Thanks for that, definitely gives you something to think about. We always have to be willing to adapt, in order to grow.

 

[thebige]

+1

I am convinced that your attitude has a direct effect on your altitude.

 

[nhicktrush]

Nice share, lesson learned.

 

[andcorptech]

I get asked this almost every day, it seems to be a good ice breaking questions many of my customers use. For me , I tell them how it is, I don't lie , but I also don't make it negative when its been slow. I tell them its been slow, but then also tell them how Ive been trying to get things moving. I have found it sparks a more constructive conversation than whinging about how the economy sucks and sales are down.

Having said that , when its slow for us, its not that we have no customers, its just less than usual. I have not had an empty workshop in the last 3 years I have owned it , or to be honest in the 7 years prior to that when I was their technician.

My previous boss had the rule that you ALWAYS said business was booming, even when not, as they thought this false image would make them look better, but for me honesty has worked better as my customers often have input on ideas for me, as well as some good referrals on support services ( such as sign/printing and advertising companies).

 

[RichmondTech]

I get asked this almost every day, it seems to be a good ice breaking questions many of my customers use. For me , I tell them how it is, I don't lie , but I also don't make it negative when its been slow. I tell them its been slow, but then also tell them how Ive been trying to get things moving. I have found it sparks a more constructive conversation than whinging about how the economy sucks and sales are down.

Having said that , when its slow for us, its not that we have no customers, its just less than usual. I have not had an empty workshop in the last 3 years I have owned it , or to be honest in the 7 years prior to that when I was their technician.

My previous boss had the rule that you ALWAYS said business was booming, even when not, as they thought this false image would make them look better, but for me honesty has worked better as my customers often have input on ideas for me, as well as some good referrals on support services ( such as sign/printing and advertising companies).

Based on your talk of honesty and lies, I'm not sure if you got the point of document. Take the financials out of the picture, then answer the question "How's business?"

Financially, September was one of our slower months, but business is great! We're finishing our company rebranding, establishing new ways to connect with our customer base, and we've had some really positive feedback from customers on all the changes. It's an exciting time! Business is great!

All of the news headlines talk of financial gloom and doom. All it takes is one bad bit of information and as it gets spread around the news networks it gets bigger and bigger and eventually grows into a whirlpool of negativity sucking everything in. I refuse to be a part of that.

 

[PC-MOT]

+1

I am convinced that your attitude has a direct effect on your altitude.

Another nice quote!

And thanks to the OP, great way of looking at things!

 

[Y.F.N.C.G.]

Great stuff.

I believe how you project yourself makes a big difference, not only in customer perception but in your own perception of your business.

Whining to customers about low numbers or bad business will make you seem unprofessional and will instill that attitude of failure in everything you do.

Look on the positive side telling other people business is great will let them know you love what you do and will reflect back onto everything you do with your business.

Success is how you define it and if your business is unsuccessful it's only because you choose to think of it as such.

 

[thirsty.professor]

I make sure me and my employees all have a great attitude when asked anything, this one gets asked a lot. I find myself being honest and open more and more and I think customers really like that.

 

[andcorptech]

Based on your talk of honesty and lies, I'm not sure if you got the point of document. Take the financials out of the picture, then answer the question "How's business?"

Financially, September was one of our slower months, but business is great! We're finishing our company rebranding, establishing new ways to connect with our customer base, and we've had some really positive feedback from customers on all the changes. It's an exciting time! Business is great!

All of the news headlines talk of financial gloom and doom. All it takes is one bad bit of information and as it gets spread around the news networks it gets bigger and bigger and eventually grows into a whirlpool of negativity sucking everything in. I refuse to be a part of that.

Yeah your right I did miss that point, and I can understand what your saying. I assumed for myself it was about the financials, as I tend to have a positive outlook regardless so It didn't occur to me.