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\"Business is a tool to help you get what you want out of life\"
Marcia Griffen

Over the past 20+ years, I have been helping large and small companies become more successful in the United States, and now New Zealand. I’d like to share with you the 7 top tips for business success I have learned during this time. These tips are useful for any size business, and apply equally to charitable organisations and those on the stock exchange. So whether you are a volunteer for a local club or planning on becoming managing director of a large corporation, these tips can help you reach your goals.

1. Know

   Your Customers.

Conduct the necessary market research to really understand the people who buy your product or service. What do they read? What radio stations do they listen to? Which TV programs do they watch? What are their hobbies, interests, problems, dreams? Then, when you are writing an ad or a letter, you can have an image of the person you are writing to. Your words will ring true, and when your targeted prospect reads it, it will be relevant for them. Separate your customers into different groups with unique needs and desires, and approach them with offerings designed to appeal just to them.

2. Know Your Costs.

Really understand which products or services make the most profit for you, and regularly review your offering to drop those which don’t measure up. Assign as many costs as possible directly to each product, rather than have general overhead. Some products and services really do result in more overhead costs than others, and if you don’t assign these costs to the product, you may actually be losing money with each sale. If you are not sure how to calculate the break even point on your business, or on a single product or service, ask your accountant to show you.

3. Advertise Wisely.

Concentrate your efforts on selling existing products and services to existing customers, and then reach out to new customers or introduce new products or services. It is far more cost effective. Don’t let yourself get pushed into buying expensive advertising with no way to measure the results. Exhaust the inexpensive ways to reach your customers first, and always measure the results of your efforts. If nothing else, always ask people who stop by or ring \"by the way, where did you learn about us?\"

4. Let Others Help You.

There are free services available to help the smallest and the largest business succeed. Use them. Examples are Auckland New Ventures Inc., BIZ Info and free seminars, and TRADENZ. Also, make use of the ideas of the people who work with or for you. Form teams, share leadership, and listen to your team members.

5. Know Where You Are Going, And Why.

If you haven’t prepared a business plan, do it. If you did once upon a time, update it, and use it. Give it to new employees to study. Everyone who is involved with helping the business succeed should know what is in the plan, so they can help the organisation reach its goals.

6. Do What You Say You’ll Do.

Whether as an individual, or a business, this is critical for success. When people know they can count on you, they will recommend you to others with confidence.

7. Capitalise On the Power of Your Computer.

Have someone teach you how to use those programs which are on your computer and you never use. Like PowerPoint, and Excel. Learn how to search the Internet, and by all means start sending e-mails.