Beauty is truly only in the eyes of the beholder. This is especially true when you blend businesses with customer service. For example, a great experience in the local fast food drive-thru is not identical to a great dining experience in a posh Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Area restaurant. Sure they both deal with eating; but...
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Across the United States, organizations know that their customers have become both increasingly savvy and price conscious. The public knows how much something should cost, and everyone and anyone are now clipping coupons and assessing the Web for discounts and deals. If the 2012 customer will haggle in the big box stores and even in restaurants, how...
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With a slowly growing national economy, a continuing concern of global recession, a lack of true consumer confidence and record high gas price; what is a small business to do with the challenges of 2012 even in the healthier North Dakota state economy? The answer that separates the best from the rest is what...
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Ever have a meeting with a prospective client or an important colleague and then wonder when and how you should follow up with a thank you? If you do send a thank you, what’s the best way to accomplish this without seeming tacky? Many times, as busy professionals, we forget the very fundamentals of...
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The world has become an increasingly social networked place where everyone from ordinary citizens and start up’s to internationally known leaders and celebrities are “tweeting” their latest updates. We’re talking about Twitter, the wildly popular social media powerhouse that just celebrated its 5th birthday. As of this article, Twitter boasts over 200 million members,...
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Some days it is very tough to focus on the news and current affairs. Terms like double dip recession, consumer dissatisfaction, high gas prices, jittery Wall Street, job creation, lack of growth, real estate concerns, the federal debt ceiling; what do business leaders do with all the challenges as they head into the 4th...
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One of the best ways to stay in touch with existing customers and stay top-of-mind with potential customers is through email marketing. When a potential customer gives his/her information to you, they are also giving you permission to email market to them. It’s important to find the correct balance between not sending enough correspondance...
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Most business owners get wrapped up in the sales game by trying every trick and tactic in the book to close new business. And while this is perfectly natural and normal, it can sometimes cause a business to overlook a huge and valuable asset to growing their business: Existing customers. Your database of customers...
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One of the largest components of effective communication is a simple one—just truly listen to what the other party is saying. Respect, credibility, and trust are gained when you are an effective and an honest listener. Listening thoroughly will also serve to allow you to sincerely respond to what the other person is saying....
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I was reading an article today by the Associated Press that appeared in DevilsLakeJournal.com. It had to do with The North Dakota Hospital Association’s negotiations with the Indian Health Service and Three Affiliated Tribes over how much North Dakota hospitals are owed in unpaid medical bills. The article stated: “Hospital Association Vice President, Tim...
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Coach Carolyn Happiness and success are up to you.
