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When a potential customer contacts your company via telephone, what is the first impression received? Is the caller warmly welcomed by a live operator or receptionist, or does he get dumped into a frustrating, endless cycle of automated voice commands?

Sometimes the obvious is the most easily overlooked. A business owner has only one chance to make a first impression. Today, it’s common for a potential customer’s first visit to your company to be made by telephone, so make that initial contact a positive experience for your caller.

The first time a potential customer visits your company (whether in person, via telephone or through the Internet), he should immediately feel comfortable and confident about doing business with you.

Think about the image presented to someone who phones your organization for the first (or 50th) time. Will the caller feel welcomed and important? Is he likely to remain on the line to finish the transaction or call again for products and services in the future?

Telephone Doctor recently commissioned a survey that discovered the following:
•    85% of consumers indicated that telephone courtesy makes a difference when choosing which business they will patronize
•    65% prefer doing business with companies who have real people answering calls versus those that use an automated attendant
•    65% stated they are frustrated when placed on hold immediately after calling a company
•    48% refuse to conduct business with a company if they receive poor customer service over the phone
•    The most frequently noted complaint: being placed on hold

The nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization Public Agenda discovered that a whopping 94% of its survey sample indicated it was “very frustrating” to phone a business and be greeted with a recorded voice rather than one of a live person.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, telephone operators are one of the top ten positions expected to decline within the next twelve months. Today’s voice recognition systems continue to improve dramatically, and the increase of electronic communication has considerably reduced reliance on the telephone.

Although many companies have made the transition from live operators to automated attendants for a variety of reasons (most notably to reduce overhead), the survey findings discussed in this blog should be carefully considered. Business owners may wish to ensure callers have a way to reach a live operator, and all employees interacting with customers on the telephone should be professional and courteous. Operators should be able to listen and really comprehend what the caller is requesting, so they can answer the question and fulfill the order or get the customer to someone who can.

Here's hoping you hear what your customers do!
 

This is the first in a series of several articles on how to better position your company to potential and existing customers.

We've all heard the phrase, "First impressions count." This is a true statement that is sometimes easily overlooked by a small business owner. It seems obvious, but if you have a physical location, you should always be thinking about maximizing your curb appeal.

The first time a customer -- an existing or potential one -- visits your company, the customer should immediately feel comfortable and confident about doing business with you.

Residential real estate agents often request that homeowners looking to sell first spruce up their homes as much as possible in order to generate interest from potential buyers. The same is also requested from business brokers prior to listing a company for sale.

The time to think about curb appeal is not just when selling, however. Having a professional and inviting entrance is sure to help retain existing customers and attract new ones.

Stand outside the front door of your business and look at the impression you may (or may not) be making through the eyes of your customer. If a first-time visitor walks past your building, is he likely to enter your door? Here are some helpful tips:

•  Is your company name and street address clearly visible?

• Speaking of signage, do you have enough -- but not so much that it appears cluttered? And, is everything spelled correctly? You'd be surprised how often we notice poor spelling and grammar: not the best first impression.

• Is the exterior clean and pleasing to the eye? Perhaps a coat of fresh paint or some planters at the entrance might be a good investment.

• Does the front of the company convey the message you want to send to customers?

• Is the entryway tidy, and is it easy for customers to reach the door and access the business?

Of course, first impressions don't stop there. Once the customer is inside, what does he see?

• Does your reception area include friendly, knowledgeable staff members to greet visitors?

• Is the lobby clean and uncluttered? (Keep an eye out for messy papers and disorganized working surfaces.)

• If signage is present, it is helpful or distracting? Is your company's name (and/or logo) prominently displayed?

• Does the lobby become an extension of the entryway and reflect the message you want to share with visitors?

Many small businesses employ the use of a welcoming sign in their reception area. If an entrepreneur knows of a visit in advance, most guests appreciate seeing their name as they enter the front door.

Comfortable seating areas, flowers and plants and the offer of a beverage are other welcoming touches that visitors notice.

Here's hoping your visitors become long-term customers!

Recently, I've noticed several articles in various publications regarding changes in residential real estate marketing strategies. It seems that open houses (except those hosted for other real estate agents) are no longer a preferred way to reach potential home buyers. Today's tech-savvy buyers prefer to research listings on the Internet, taking virtual tours when and where it is most convenient to them. Most buyers, these articles note, make a decision whether or not to contact the listing agent based on these virtual home tours.

This got me thinking about buyers looking for a business to purchase and the similarities of utilizing the Internet for research. The majority of advertising and marketing for business brokers is handled through web sites that feature businesses for sale. While a few of these sites are available to entrepreneurs looking to sell their companies themselves, the majority are available only to business brokers through professional subscriptions.
As we've discussed, maintaining confidentiality of the business is a key factor for a successful business transfer. After all, a small business owner does not want to announce to his customers or competitors that he is thinking of retiring or leaving the industry.

The larger sites available to business brokers offer more space for describing key points about the companies for sale, while still maintaining complete confidentiality. Business brokers are experienced in wording listing descriptions that grab attention and highlight the factors most buyers will find attractive.

You only get one chance to market your business. Most buyers will find your company's listing by searching online. Make sure to maximize your marketing strategy when the time is right for you to sell.
 

Most entrepreneurs readily embrace new tasks and roles and are used to being in charge of everything relating to their companies.
However, before rushing in to market and sell their small businesses, business owners will want to keep the following tips in mind. The dance between buyer and seller is a delicate one, and it is very easy for one small misstep to ruin the entire deal.

• Prepare in advance - General housekeeping should be scheduled well in advance of marketing the business. This includes a physical clean-up of the premises, making needed repairs on equipment and perhaps enhancing the curb appeal of the company with a new coat of paint or adding plants and shrubs to welcome guests through the front door. Housekeeping also includes getting files -- particularly those relating to accounting -- in order. Buyers will expect to review financials dating back at least a few years during due diligence.
   
• Plan for due diligence - In addition to reviewing recent financials, buyers typically will want to see the lease agreement, customer lists, an accounting of inventory, information on FF&E and other similar items. Anticipating what the buyer may request and planning ahead saves time and helps make the seller appear organized.
   
• Be realistic in pricing - You may wish to engage the services of a business broker to determine a reasonable selling price for your company. Businesses that are not priced correctly (particularly those priced too high) will not interest most buyers initially and generally do not sell at all.
   
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained - Business owners must avoid a breach of confidentiality at all costs. Buyers should be qualified in advance and be willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement. A business broker is experienced in how to handle this situation while keeping the process moving along.
   
• Don't neglect the daily routines - The business transfer process rarely happens overnight, so it is important that the seller continue to focus on his business, keeping it running smoothly and successfully.

• Stay flexible - Negotiation involves give-and-take. Realize the buyer is probably also an entrepreneur and may be used to being in charge of situations as well. The willingness for both parties to compromise on some issues will keep the process moving to the closing table.

These suggestions are the top recommendations from experienced business brokers around the country.

“Loose lips sink ships.” It’s a familiar phrase to Americans, originally written by the War Advertising Council during World War II as “Loose lips might sink ships.” The British also used variations of the phrase that encouraged citizens and military personnel to avoid careless talk that might serve the enemy.
The phrase is still used today to caution against thoughtless chatter in general.

When selling a company, it is vitally important that confidentiality be maintained throughout the business transfer process. A breach of confidentiality may not only kill the deal, it can cause further repercussions to the seller as employees and customers may leave, creditors may begin to scrutinize more intently and competitors may capitalize on the perceived opportunity.

If a business owner is unable to disclose information, how is he supposed to sell his company?

Business brokers are professionals in this arena and have the experience and tools in place to manage the business transfer process discreetly, helping sellers maintain the utmost confidentiality until the transaction has been completed. This is accomplished by:
•    Marketing effectively
•    Qualifying buyers
•    Using documents that require confidentiality
•    Managing the information flow

A business broker should prepare a customized marketing approach for each company he lists for sale. This includes describing the business in a generic fashion -- one that will appeal to prospective buyers without jeopardizing the seller’s identity.

Approximately 90% of prospects who initially reply to advertisements are usually not a fit at all, generally because they lack the necessary experience or cash investment for the transaction. There are also a lot of “lookers” or “tire kickers” who can easily drain a seller’s time and tax his emotional energy. Business brokers have the skills to help qualify buyers immediately, before the seller is ever involved.

Business brokers use confidentiality agreements, with wording prospective buyers must agree to, in writing, before additional information is released.
Business brokers also manage the flow of information, holding the most sensitive records secure until a formal offer to purchase (with escrow deposit) has been accepted by the seller.

The business transfer process is somewhat unique in that the details of the entity being sold are not shared initially, but rather peeled away as the buyer becomes more interested and continues to offer proof of his sincerity and qualifications.