Think about why you started your business. Maybe you were 15 years old, mowing lawns for neighbors during the summer to raise money for your senior trip. Maybe you graduated from college and loved being outside so much you found a way to make it your job. Whatever your reasons were then, chances are you aren’t spending a ton of time mowing lawns or enjoying the outdoors these days. So what’s your “why” now? And do you have an exit strategy planned? These are all important questions to ask yourself […]
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How to Introduce a New Product or Service to Your Customers
Considering all the planning and preparation involved, it’s no surprise that business owners in the services sector get pretty excited when they bring a new service offering to market. But then what? Just adding another line item to the menu isn’t likely to attract much attention. How do we gain better traction with our existing customer base when rolling out a new service? Here are a few ways to effectively introduce a new product or service to customers. Introducing a New Service or Product to Customers While there may be […]
4 Questions to Ask Before Diversifying a Business
Diversification is a strong business strategy, but it is also a big business decision. Having the right approach and willingness to learn is a great first step. Investing in a business requires thorough evaluation and contemplation. Your careful research will guide you toward the right decision. As you narrow down a shortlist of contenders, you get into the deep research phase known as “discovery”. During the discovery phase, you need to dive below the surface to truly ascertain if there is a good fit between you and the business you […]
The Spring Green Flex Start Program
Becoming a business owner can seem like quite a risk if you’ve never owned one before. The transition between your current career and your future entrepreneurial dream may appear to be a far leap, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. At Spring Green, we’ve designed the Spring Green Flex Start Program which offers Franchise Owners greater control of their time and flexibility as they transition from their current occupation into the growing Green Industry. The right candidate is able to operate their Spring Green Franchise in a […]
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; […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Tips for Setting and Tracking Your Business Goals
Goal setting is not a new concept. As business leaders, we buy into the importance of goal setting, but we need to be careful to avoid a common misstep—failing to accurately track these goals. Let’s explore a few reasons why the tracking step is overlooked. Solid and measurable goals were not set, making tracking impossible. Tracking mechanisms were too complicated and cumbersome, so the measurement is not sustainable. The metrics don’t sync up with the overarching goals you’ve set for your organization. Other common factors can include lack of training, […]
Knowledge Is Power
Knowledge sharing within an organization has significant benefits, but it does not always happen. It takes the leaders of any team to foster a collaborative environment, but that can be a challenge despite knowing the advantages. Here are some things you can do to encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration in your business. Promote Safety in Sharing One of the best ways to encourage knowledge sharing is by creating a working environment in which team members feel they can share input and ideas that will be taken into consideration without negative […]