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Being perceived as professional by outsiders is a common challenge for small businesses. Many startups reach a stage where meeting clients in cafes no longer cuts it. Here are 10 simple ways that your company can make itself look bigger it is.
When pressed, many startup entrepreneurs will admit that if their customers knew how small their operations were, they wouldn’t be taken seriously.
Some businesses win a tender or major contract and are pushed into the next level of growth before they are ready. But if you can deliver what’s required, there’s no reason why clients need to know that it’s just you (and perhaps a few key employees) behind the scenes pulling all the levers.
With today’s software, technologies, automated systems, virtual offices and assistants, it’s never been easier to play bigger than you are.
While I’m not suggesting faking things you really need – like qualifications, permits or the stuff you need to stay out of jail – there are plenty of ways in business that faking it until you make it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
All you need is courage and the conviction to see it through and deliver on your promise.
Note: Faking it Til You Make It has nothing to do with lying or misrepresenting yourself. It’s about seeing what you can be, projecting it and delivering upon it.
Here are some tips that have worked for me and some of my customers.
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1. Dress Sharp
I can’t help it. I judge books by covers. And most people in business do, too. Dress sharp. Enough said.
2. Have a professional email address
johnmeister79@hotmail.com isn’t exactly projecting a big business success story. Get your own email server, a hosting provider with your business domain name or investigate other cheaper/free alternatives (like Google Apps).
3. Have a top quality business card
We’ve all had it. That embarrassing moment when someone hands you a screamingly cheap business card. What do you say? “Oooow, well done. You obviously saved about $150 on printing a really good business card.” Your card is a communication tool. Use it to say you’re a quality product.
4. Use different email addresses
Set up accounts@mybigbusiness.com, sales@mybigbusiness.com, you@mybigbusiness.com, etc. – even if it is you who is responding to all of them. No one needs know you’re a one-man band. (While I know of people who answer the phone and pretend to put it through to ‘accounts’, then take the call, I don’t recommend this unless you’re a great method actor or want to sound like a Simpson’s episode.)
5. Have an impressive website.
Impressive doesn’t mean expensive, but it’s your storefront to the world. For many clients, it’s the first stop when trawling for prospective suppliers. Don’t engage you’re mate’s son who’s studying design, unless he is going to create a cracking website you’ll be proud of.
6. Get a proper workspace
When “Let’s meet at Starbucks” means “I don’t have a smart space, so let’s meet at a café” it’s time to move on. Bureaux members, no matter how big or small, have access to the smartest boardroom and meeting facilities in the country and use it as they need it, keeping appearances up and costs down.
7. Expand interstate (virtually)
A business card with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane suggests a large operation, and in some cases it’s a necessity to have. It’s easy and inexpensive to benefit from virtual addresses where your mail and calls are answered and re-directed through a virtual receptionist and smart postal address.
8. Get a smartphone
If clients see you on the phone, show them your systems are the best. A brick mobile from the 1980s outdates you and your business. A smartphone can also make you more mobile and efficient.
9. Have a ‘Yes, we can!’ attitude.
If asked to do something you haven’t done but know you can achieve, say yes. Have the “Well how do we make this happen?” moment in private, then get on with the job at hand.
10. You tell Me!
Send your tip for how small business can look like big business. The best tip will win a free one-month membership (worth almost $500) to Bureaux that can be used in Melbourne and Sydney.
Rowena Murray is Director of Bureaux Business Lounge Australia.
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Marshall Reply:
May 9th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I agree with many of these comments. Here are some tips I've been implementing with my business. Ill try to be kind of specific to help those new to small business.
Phone system should be set up with a good pbx provider such as freedom voice. It can cost you anywhere from just $10 a month up to $80 a month and a great asset to your company. This makes your business look just as big a even your largest competitors. Extensions, hold music, Question and answer setup for tasks like automated hiring.
Than theres toll free or custom toll free phone numbers. This can make or break some business's. For example there are many 1-877 numbers that are not yet taken. What sounds better 440-959-4932 or 1877-Attorney. Having a custom number and pbx together can do wonders for your business.
Your website is also very important and should be done by a professional. If you have a website created, you should use it wright though. For example have mini sites or landing pages created to capture your users info for further follow up. Hire someone off sites like elance or freelancer to both build your site and set it up for the search engines. Remember, no-one will find your site unless your keywords are right.
If you really want to look professional, hire a website spokesperson for about $300 to introduce your site and product to your future customers. Not only does this make you look very professional, it also doubles the rates of those joining your program.
When choosing a domain name make sure its something memorable and professional at the same time.
Following up with your customers on a timely manner is also very important. Use an automated email program like constant contact. Set it to get back to your customer within 4 hours not right away. You want to look personal and professional but not automated and faceless.
Finally if you want to look both professional and automate your business use a program like earth class mail. This program will allow you to set up P.O boxes in locations that will impress your clients. For example 2172 Santa Monica blvd instead of P.O box 13344 des moines, Iowa 43543. Doesn't the first one sound like a very professional business to be right on Santa Monica Blvd.
This program will also scan and email all of your mail and deposit your checks for you at a cost of about $40 a month.
The secret is using third parties that specialize in the parts of your business that you don't. You can't be everything at once, it just doesn't make you come of as professional.
If you set up your business this way it will cost you a few hundred dollars a month at most while saving you thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of work.
Finally, If you have the money it is a good idea to hire a personal assistant to help you on the time consuming tasks. They can cost as little as $4 an hour and do a great job helping you look big. If you want to learn more about this subject check out articles like outsource your life or the 4hour work week by timothy ferris. It will completely change the way you handle your business.
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