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Tips to Manage Your Business’ Online Reputation

Have you ever read an online review before purchasing something? If you are online, you probably have. Those reviews might range from simply a ‘star’ rating to a few words, to a well-thought-out review detailing the positives (or negatives) of a product or service. Whether a review is complete or lacking in details, it still has a powerful effect on your audience and your brand. Online reviews can provide your audience with reasons to do business with you right now or give them pause to consider a second (or third) […]

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Customer Service Basics: What Your Team Needs to Know

Customers are your company’s most critical asset.  When it comes to customer service, a positive customer experience can be the key to gaining and retaining a loyal customer. 87% of people say that good customer service changes their buying behavior. In fact, of people who reported having a bad experience, 97% claimed to change their buying decision. This is why it’s crucial that all employees, no matter what their role, are trained in the basics of customer service. Essential Customer Service Skills Active Listening – Customers want to be heard; […]

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Social Listening and Why It Matters For Your Business

Twenty years ago, the dot-com bubble was still expanding and social listening did not yet exist. That’s how quickly digital marketing strategies have evolved and will continue to evolve. With so many frequent changes, how do small business owners keep up with social media and various trends? You can start by knowing the difference between social media monitoring and social media listening and how they can be advantageous for your business. Social Monitoring vs Social Listening Most businesses today, regardless of size, do social media marketing in some way. From […]

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Mid-Year Business Planning

Annual business planning normally occurs in the third and fourth quarters of the previous year. During that time, business owners and team members reflect on performance and delivery, assess goals and create supporting strategies. Often, that is where it ends. With summer upon us, kids out of school and a sense of relaxation in the air, it may feel like the exact right time to shift focus away from the rigors of business and trust that the business planning that you did months ago has you covered. However, establishing mid-year […]

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7 Benefits of Sharing Best Practices in an Organization

Sharing best practices across your organization is an excellent way to improve overall performance and productivity. Regardless of the size of your group, team or company, capturing and communicating your employees’ experiences and knowledge will accelerate learning for all involved. During the day-to-day hustle, it can be difficult to create a classroom-like setting for employees to learn from one another. You can certainly set aside time in your team’s schedule for a formal learning opportunity, like attending a conference or online webinar; however, there are other ways to facilitate knowledge […]

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How to Manage a Multi-Generational Workforce

Currently, there are five generations in the workplace, each with its own set of values, career outlooks and aspirations. The generations in today’s workplace according to Purdue University are: Traditionalists (1925-1945) – 2% of the workforce Baby Boomers (1946-1964) – 25% of the workforce Generation X (1965-1980) – 33% of the workforce Generation Y/Millennials (1981-2000) – 35% of the workforce Generation Z (2011-2020) – 5% of the workforce With these five different generations in play, employers are challenged with learning how to manage a multi-generational workforce. To do so, you […]

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6 Ways to Prepare Your Employees for the Busy Season

Whether or not your business is seasonal, it likely has a busy season. Perhaps your business ebbs and flows with the weather or the holidays. Either way, you’re likely to be familiar with the time when “free time” doesn’t exist for you as a business owner. Once you’re able to establish when that busy season is, you should look at what you need to do to make sure your business and employees are ready for it. Helping your team prepare for the busy times ahead can help reduce burnout, lessen […]

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How Do I Create a Positive and Productive Workplace?

While customers are the drivers of your business, so are your employees. Employees that are satisfied and enjoy coming to work are statistically more positive and productive. According to an article by Forbes, highly engaged employees and teams can increase business profitability by 21%. Employee engagement not only increases profitability but also promotes a reduction in absenteeism and company turnover. Since your employees are the backbone of your business, we’ve put together this guide to help you create a positive and productive workplace for your employees.   Why does employee happiness matter? […]

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Taking Advantage of the Off-Season

If you work in an industry that experiences slower periods throughout the year, the temptation as a business owner might be to check out and relax. While taking time to recover from the busy season is crucial, the off-season in business allows you to focus on things that you otherwise would not be able to give your attention to when times are moving quickly. Take advantage of slower periods in your business to concentrate on your employees, your customers and what you hope this year’s busy season will bring. Regroup […]

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Growing Your Green Industry Business: Know your Options and How to Evaluate Them

In the green industry, business owners often reach a pivotal point where they find themselves at the crossroads of deciding whether to maintain or grow their already blossoming business. The most ideal time to consider growing and expanding your business is when business is good and all signs point to a bright future. This will not only help expand your business when it’s booming but it’ll also provide relief when the economy cycles in the opposite direction. When you diversify, you’ll have more stability to handle economic ups and downs […]

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