Business Blog for Company Owners

Today’s consumers don’t want a lot of market noise and claims by local companies; they want “relevant meaning.” Your company should be communicating with meaning that matters.

Claims, Claims, Claims: A Lesson in Local Market Signals
When talking to your competitors, your potential clients have heard it all. “We’re the best. We’re the biggest. We care about you. We deliver quality.” Yet, they know these claims don’t necessarily correlate with their experiences after they buy. Face it—there’s a lot of market noise. Are you contributing to more noise and confusion, or are you providing your customers with sought after meaning; clarity and tools to cut through the claims; and properly weighed, relevant market facts? Read more

Today’s consumers don’t want a lot of market noise and claims by local companies; they want “relevant meaning.” Your company should be communicating with meaning that matters.

Claims, Claims, Claims: A Lesson in Local Market Signals
When talking to your competitors, your potential clients have heard it all. “We’re the best. We’re the biggest. We care about you. We deliver quality.” Yet, they know these claims don’t necessarily correlate with their experiences after they buy. Face it—there’s a lot of market noise. Are you contributing to more noise and confusion, or are you providing your customers with sought after meaning; clarity and tools to cut through the claims; and properly weighed, relevant market facts? Read more

The term “customer rapport” is misunderstood by most company owners. The truth is, there are easy ways to improve your relationships with your clients and increase loyalty and referrals.

DEFINE Rapport
How do you define “good rapport” in a business sense? Many people define good rapport as a spirit of friendliness that permeates every staff/customer interaction. It’s hard to argue with that definition, but I find it useful to redefine it in stark terms. I now define good rapport as the rapport that existed between prospect and staff when a sale was made; conversely, I define “bad rapport” as the rapport that was present when a sale was not made. Read more

The term “customer rapport” is misunderstood by most company owners. The truth is, there are easy ways to improve your relationships with your clients and increase loyalty and referrals.

DEFINE Rapport
How do you define “good rapport” in a business sense? Many people define good rapport as a spirit of friendliness that permeates every staff/customer interaction. It’s hard to argue with that definition, but I find it useful to redefine it in stark terms. I now define good rapport as the rapport that existed between prospect and staff when a sale was made; conversely, I define “bad rapport” as the rapport that was present when a sale was not made. Read more

Over the next three years, the Diamond Certified rating process and Directory of companies rated “Highest in Quality” will be heavily promoted by Comcast on 25 top cable television networks that broadcast throughout the Greater Bay Area. From September 2011 until August 2014, Comcast will run 20,673 Diamond Certified commercials and present access to the Diamond Certified Directory on various websites to educate viewers on the Diamond Certified ratings program, the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee and the quality of Diamond Certified companies. Also, as part of the agreement, Comcast will provide Diamond Certified companies with a complimentary needs assessment and special advertising pricing which they can access within their local marketing areas. Read more

Over the next three years, the Diamond Certified rating process and Directory of companies rated “Highest in Quality” will be heavily promoted by Comcast on 25 top cable television networks that broadcast throughout the Greater Bay Area. From September 2011 until August 2014, Comcast will run 20,673 Diamond Certified commercials and present access to the Diamond Certified Directory on various websites to educate viewers on the Diamond Certified ratings program, the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee and the quality of Diamond Certified companies. Also, as part of the agreement, Comcast will provide Diamond Certified companies with a complimentary needs assessment and special advertising pricing which they can access within their local marketing areas. Read more

For those waiting for the economy to start roaring again, my advice to your company is for all your hands to grab an oar and help row. While the local economy appears to have bottomed out and started to gradually improve, the growth in consumer buying power feels tepid. Rather than sit still in the water and wait for the “Big Recovery,” you can help your team row your ship to the front of the competitive line by pulling each oar on your company’s boat in a focused and coordinated manner.

When I shout, “Take to the oars,” I mean that it’s your entire team’s responsibility to promote your company as top-rated and guaranteed. Read more

For those waiting for the economy to start roaring again, my advice to your company is for all your hands to grab an oar and help row. While the local economy appears to have bottomed out and started to gradually improve, the growth in consumer buying power feels tepid. Rather than sit still in the water and wait for the “Big Recovery,” you can help your team row your ship to the front of the competitive line by pulling each oar on your company’s boat in a focused and coordinated manner.

When I shout, “Take to the oars,” I mean that it’s your entire team’s responsibility to promote your company as top-rated and guaranteed. Read more

In all major team sports, home field advantage is real, significant and measurable. Most teams have better win/loss records when playing at home than when playing away. Although several factors are at play, the biggest reason I see for this advantage is the enthusiastic cheering from hometown fans. The pure energy that emanates from thousands of fans seems to lift the home team players on their shoulders and helps them take their game to a new level.
 
 Every day, Diamond Certified companies are lifted on the “quality shoulders” of the Diamond Certified program. Each Diamond Certified company is presented on the most popular quality pedestals in Northern California: a full-page profile in the annual Diamond Certified Directory; Read more

In all major team sports, home field advantage is real, significant and measurable. Most teams have better win/loss records when playing at home than when playing away. Although several factors are at play, the biggest reason I see for this advantage is the enthusiastic cheering from hometown fans. The pure energy that emanates from thousands of fans seems to lift the home team players on their shoulders and helps them take their game to a new level.
 
 Every day, Diamond Certified companies are lifted on the “quality shoulders” of the Diamond Certified program. Each Diamond Certified company is presented on the most popular quality pedestals in Northern California: a full-page profile in the annual Diamond Certified Directory; Read more