HOW TO GET
AHEAD IN BUSINESS
TOP TIPS
to help YOU and YOUR business succeed
Hello!!
03 We love everything business. From market stalls to large internationals, from one man bands to teams of thousands - business is business! We’ve gathered top tips from 30 amazing local businesses to share with you regardless of the kind of business you run, or dream of running, just go for it and follow your dreams! Sue St Albans Businesses & Popdance World June My Mustard
When proof reading important content, read it backwards
It may seem mad but you are more likely to spot errors such as spelling mistakes and double words. Even better, get someone else to read your copy, not only to check for errors but also that it conveys the messages you want. Content Connection
Get help where you need it so you can spend your time doing the things you’re best at for your business
05
Digital Jen
Learn, Develop, Improve!
DCS Voice and Vision
Spend time to develop strong relationships with your clients and ensure you understand their objectives
07
This will ensure you can look after them well, which, in turn will create loyalty (and hopefully recommendations too!) Optimise Hospitality
When you share your wisdom with the world, you multiply the success and fulfilment for everyone involved including yourself!
The Book Midwife
Building a brand starts with building strong relationships
09
Taking time out to have one to ones is one way of doing this. Getting to know the other person, their business, interests, ambitions, journey etc and vice versa. It has proven to be successful in building relationships, receiving new business, and growing a trusted suppliers list. Aarti Parmar Brand Communications
Boost your Search Engine Ranking
Brand building is a vital part of SEO and winning awards certainly builds your brand. It’s also a great way to boost your social media engagement and build links to your website. Wagada
Follow your passion. Make the rules. Turn a new idea into a reality.
11
One of the best reasons of all to start out in business is that you have a good idea. This could be drawn from your existing expertise and knowledge built over the years. Basepoint
Make sure your strategy is clear, based on research
STANTA
Before sending to print always give your work one final check.
13
Print out and slowly read the contents backwards - you will be surprised at how much sometimes you miss. Macpro Design and Print Ltd
Approach networking events with a view to building relationships not with a view to selling
Business Network
Embrace all media platforms as opportunities for you to promote your business
15
From a PR perspective, whether that’s offline or online, in newspapers and magazines, radio, TV and social media, especially LinkedIn and Twitter. Pardell PR
Stay focused, stay committed, work hard!
Red Office
Go for it - life’s too short!
17
Make mistakes, try things, fail, succeed, share, collaborate and build your team you can’t do it all yourself! St Albans Businesses
At the heart of every business is a person with a story to tell
Don’t be afraid to tell that story. It will give your business some personality and create a connection. People buy from people after all. Copy Kite
If you don’t do it excellently, don’t do it at all
19
Because if it’s not excellent, it won’t be profitable or fun, and if you’re not in business for fun or profit, what the hell are you doing here? My Mustard
Concentrate on the tasks you are good at - outsource everything else
Have a clear outcome defined when planning a project to enable you to achieve what you set out to do. Hour Hands
Backup your data!
21
Make sure you know where the data is stored and then test restoring your backup, there is nothing worse than needing your backed up data in an emergency and it not working for you. BLS Computer Solutions
Get your professional photo right and get noticed
Perfect Light Photography
ALWAYS budget for taxes
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So many businesses get caught out by having large tax liabilities to pay and do not have the cash to pay these as they become due. If you budget for tax as an everyday task, your business will always be prepared and ahead of the tax man! HJRL & Associates Limited
WTF Where’s the Focus?
Know where you’re going and why then take 3 action steps today towards your goal. It’s all about focus and action. Eureka Selling
Where possible streamline your business processes
25
By implementing and integrating cloud software solutions you will create more time, giving you more visibility into your finances & productivity, insights into your sales activity which in turn helps with marketing all in a realtime basis accessible anywhere, anytime on any device. MND Training
Once we let go of trying to please everyone, we discovered who we were really, really valuable to and that has made all the difference.
Business Film Booth
Cash is king.
27
Clydesdale Bank
Follow up leads and be honest with what you can deliver
We all like to do business with people that we trust and know will deliver. Oaklands College
Get found more easily than your competitors
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This can be done by setting up or claiming, optimising and verifing your Google My Business listing on Google Maps Striking Places
Letting your personality shine through in your business is a must!
Everyone knows that being professional and hard working is key to growing your business but we have discovered that having fun and enjoying yourself while at work and around your clients and staff will always keep a smile on your clients faces and potentially become a repeat customer. Yellow Lizard Media
Every business should have a robust disaster recovery plan.
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In the event of a full system outage, businesses need to be able to recover their systems and data and should also have a firm understanding of the risk and potential cost to the business in the event of any issues. Cheeky Munkey IT Support
Build your business on passion and hard work
Believe in your product and surround yourself with great people. Holiday Inn Express
I would advise all business owners to be passionate about whatever you do
33
Have a go and don’t let fear of failure paralyse you into inaction. Take calculated risks, make a few mistakes, learn from them and be adaptable. The sum of all experiences, good and bad, makes us who we ares The Celebration Project
NEVER assume… NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER …follow up on every enquiry. When the interest is there, you never know where it may lead. Norwex