Getting Ready to brave Slow Start – Small Business Topic

A new ladies and children only beauty parlor opened in Poonthi Road.

I visited a hair saloon which is bang opposite to this. During the hair cut, the owner talked about the about the investment for starting a decent looking saloon and the difficulty in getting the word-across.

According to him, the recently opened shop must have invested around 2 lakhs for interiors and accessories for the saloon. Also, there are two staff to manage. Unfortunately, two staff left soon after the business took off. Probably, they got a better offer.

For me, these sounded like a typical challenge for a small business concern who has to depend on hires to run the show.

It makes me wonder, if the small business owner is aware of the blunt edges of running a business. Is there such kind of mentor-ship for new entrepreneurs, or is there a guide who can run-through the typical challenges of running a business.

As a small business owner, what are the typical challenges? How do you differentiate?  How do you prepare yourself to face the initial phase of business?

1) Train new staff on how to behave with customers in a courteous manner

2) Understand the risk of loosing new hires ( Have you located the next hire or trained the next employee to take up)

3) Reward new hires, and give them a solid reason why they should or them to stick on to the company

4) Marketing – Yes, be creative, do it differently. ( Typical flyers or posters are rarely effective. Try SMS campaign to prospects in the locality. Give them an offer on Wednesday or so)

5) Start with a specialty ( How different are you from your competitor?)

6) For beauty parlours ( Give a 5 minute FREE leg massage or head massage)

7) Are you know for your cleanliness or punctuality, politeness?

8) Collect mobile number of every customer and send periodic reminders

9) Incentive employees and train them for higher  productive performance.

So, what do you think? Do you think these points improve the chances of success? Do you have other points to share, which was very successful for you?

Feel free to share your ideas on how to improvice small business marketing.

Thanks for stopping by!