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When the Shit Hits the Fan!

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When the Shit Hits the Fan!

How to Keep Your Business Afloat for More Than a Year

Career Press,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Text available

What's inside?

How you can keep your startup business afloat – even amid calamity and disaster.

Editorial Rating

6

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

A savvy, seasoned entrepreneur, Barry Thomsen provides business beginners with plenty of street-smart advice on what to do and not to do when you go into business. He offers valuable, if not original, insights on business start-ups, hiring, finance, suppliers and especially customer service in this rundown of problems that commonly beset new ventures. getAbstract recommends his advice and acumen, even if his handy manual’s vulgar title precludes mentioning it to your boss. That is, of course, unless you are the boss, in which case Thomsen wrote this for you. Read it before disaster strikes.

Summary

Solving Problems for Your Small Business

Entrepreneurship is a noble endeavor. You bravely strike out from the pack and set up your own business. However, you can falter – and, often, recover – in many areas. Avoid:

  • “Poor customer care” – Maybe “entrepreneurship” should be called “customer-ship.” Without customers, your boat will be dead in the water before you start. You must keep your patrons content and satisfied, so they return regularly. Superior customer service is the best way to keep consumers happy. Make that the goal of every step you take in your business. Always make your buyers feel important. Never ignore them, treat them rudely, interrupt them or make them wait. Immediately follow up on their calls or complaints. Make refunds immediately and in a nice manner. Don’t screen customer service calls. Answer them all before the fourth ring. Never use voice mail. And never try to pull a fast one on your shoppers. They will pull a faster one on you: They will flee your business forever. If customers don’t come back, find out why as fast as you can. Are they unhappy with you? With your salespeople or service? Did your competition offer better deals...

About the Author

Barry Thomsen has been an accomplished entrepreneur since he opened his first lemonade stand at age five. He is a former door-to-door salesperson, who has worked for both Avon and Amway. He currently publishes Idea-Letter, a newsletter for small business owners.

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