Archive for 'operations'
Track your Packages with Twitter
April 24th, 2008 by John Herman, under operations, products, tools, twitter, web applications. No Comments
@TrackThis has started on Twitter. Now you can direct message them and updates on your package progress will be sent to you in Twitter. It supports UPS, USPS, DHL, and FedEx.
Business Builders Talk Radio is Here
January 15th, 2008 by John Herman, under Succeeding Steps, branding, marketing, operations, planning. No Comments
We have teamed up with Jennifer Gniadecki from Marketing Curve to create a great new Talk Radio Show on Blog Talk Radio.
We will be covering ways to Build your Business. Click here to check out our website for the show and listen to past episodes. We will be on and taking your calls every Sunday at 5 pm EST. Drop us a line if there is a topic you want us to cover.
Top Ten Lists + Forbes = Business Love
March 7th, 2007 by John Herman, under Uncategorized, operations, small business, strategy, trends. No Comments
Are you a business owner? Are you thinking of starting a business?
If you’re still in the planning phases, you may need to do some rethinking if you have one of The 10 Riskiest Businesses to Start. From Travel Agency to Retail Store, there are pitfalls and problems listed that would make any budding entrepreneur cringe with fright!
There is something…though…that we noticed. Something that made us really, really excited. Excited enough that we called our friends and had them look at the article…exciting enough that we couldn’t help but blog about it.
Business consultants aren’t on the list.
Niche businesses aren’t on the list.
Our clients aren’t on the list.
This was like three strikes for the team you can’t stand. While we have all the respect in the world for people trying to start any business, no matter what the odds, we couldn’t help but giggle maniacally as we realized that globalization and the changing landscape of business was not scary at all for those who’ve already embraced the challenge of living in a world that’s become, well, a little flat.
How is your business faring in the new economy? Are you faltering? Looking for a new image? From medium sized businesses to niche market startups, Succeeding Steps really has their eye on the prize. The prize? Your success. You can find a company that is cooler, you can find a company that can do the electric slide better, but when it comes to branding and business strategy, we blow the competition out of the water.
Are you a Zoomer?
January 31st, 2007 by John Herman, under change, operations, planning, strategy. 2 Comments
In a recent Fireside Chat with 37signals, Seth Godin shares the definition of a zoomer.
Matt:
Seth, what are zoomers and why are they important?Seth:
A zoomer is someone who changes without stress.Human beings evolved to resist big changes. So, change triggers stress.
But we built a world that keeps changing faster and faster
SO, how to win?
Easy, teach yourself to view changes as little things, not big ones.
If you change faster than the competition, you will, by definition, be more ‘fit’ for
the new environment.
Sometimes it comes from the top, of course, but more often, it’s an individual’s choice.
and if you work with non-zoomers, get out!
Are you and your business able to change without stress?
Read Part 1 of 2 of the chat with Seth Godin and Mark Hurst
Read Part 2 of 2 of the chat with Seth Godin and Mark Hurst
Clash Your Sword with a Customer Service Rep and Win
January 17th, 2007 by John Herman, under customer service, operations. No Comments
I spend way to many hours on the phone with Customer Service Reps some months. The Consumerist gives 28 tips for fighting back and winning in a battle against a Customer Service Representative. Here are the Top 11:
1) Use a speaker phone
2) Set aside at least 30 minutes
3) Get a human.
4) Gather your evidence
5) Act like a human
6) Don’t think the world revolves around you
7) Know your enemy
Take notes
9) Don’t be afraid to hang up and try another operator
10) Run out the clock
11) Be firm
Read the full list of 28 tips.
Note to self and other small businesses: If your customers need this list, you are doing something wrong!