4 Ways to Do a Review of Your Business

By Ron Segura 

More than half the year has ended, and plenty more is left to go! How will the rest of the year look for you? Will it be business as usual, or have you taken the time to review the past seven months to develop a strategy to strengthen the weak areas of your company? 

Here are four areas you might review if you have not already done so: 

1. Administration 

When was the last time you called your main office number to hear how a staff member answers your telephone? You might be surprised to be put on hold immediately or by the number of times the telephone rings before being answered. Some may view answering telephones as something anyone can do. Wrong!  

How that telephone is answered could mean satisfying or losing a customer. It could mean the difference between gaining new business and missing an opportunity. Do not underestimate the damage that can be done by not answering the telephones correctly.  

2. Operations  

Have your complaints increased over the previous six months? Did you check if the number of repetitive complaints increased? A review of the request or complaint process should be conducted by operations and executive management at least twice a year. The goal is not to have repetitive problems, so make sure that this year you will:  

• Investigate why the problem occurred.  

• Develop a preventive solution to the problem.  

• Follow up with the customer.  

3. Marketing  

Did you wave your flag last year? Who knows about all the good work you do and how did you communicate this information? Now is the time to review your website. Ask yourself: 

• Does the content emphasize the benefits of using your service?  

• Does it move the reader to action?  

• Is it up to date?  

4. Sales  

Did you meet your sales goals for the year? If not, what hindered you from getting the sales needed to reach the company goals? We all know how quickly time flies; therefore, we need to ensure we have a strategy that incorporates daily sales efforts. Remember, what you do not do today will affect you tomorrow. Take control of your sales efforts by setting aside time each day to reach out to potential prospects. Contacts can be made by:  

• Telemarketing, 30 minutes to one hour a day.  

• Sending out a set number of emails or letters to potential prospects.  

• Telling five new people about your company each day.  

Schedule time for annual reviews of these and other areas of your company. Apply what you learn to strengthen specific areas strategically to achieve your goals. 

Ron Segura is the founder and president of Segura & Associates, a consulting firm for contract cleaning companies as well as building managers in North and South America.