2012. Eco Press: A Miami Marketing Firm. All rights reserved.
Most successful businesses began with a well-structured business plan that acts as a road map to success; this includes a mission statement and a standard operations manual. Once the foundation for success is set. If you’re a small business starting out, I urge you to at least begin putting a business plan together using the tips given below.
What is a standard operating procedures manual?
A standard operations manual should reflect your mission statement goals, expectations and policies. It should include all guidelines with your business (e.g. a uniform policy, benefit packages or compensation plans).
What is a mission statement?
The mission statement should include your philosophy for the business, business goals, ambitions and principles. If you hire employees, be sure that each one of them is thoroughly familiar with what the business philosophy is, and should be encouraged to work together to ensure the principles are carried through.
Next, set clear goals and expectations!
Your employees should have a clear understanding as to their responsibilities, and what your expectations of them are. You must set goals for them to reach, and they should make sure to not only reach the set goals, but if they are outstanding employees, they will exceed your expectations. By the way, you too should adhere to the same standards, even if you’re the boss.
Goals should be clearly defined, to include an overall scope of expectations, as well as your desired timeline for achieving them, goals should be set and evaluated on a weekly, if not daily basis. In order for each one of your employees to achieve the expected goals, you must know where they are in relation to each goal. [Please note: rewarding your employees for achieving or exceeding your expectations, will not only ensure a higher morale, but will also increase their loyalty to you and your business].
Finally, perhaps 50% (if not more) of your business’ success depends on a well defined and executed marketing strategy!
A marketing strategy, particularly one that involves social media and search engine marketing, is an important process that can allow a business the greatest opportunity to increase sales and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.
Here are the first few steps that should be clearly defined and thought about when coming up with a marketing strategy for your business:
- Define your overall business goals.
- Include a definition of your business, a description of your products or services, a profile of your target users or clients and a definition of your company’s role in relationship to the competition.
- Include a summary of your company’s offering and position in relation to your competition.
- Include a practical application of your marketing strategy.
- Define specific actions you will implement to achieve the goals of your marketing strategy.
- Include details about your company’s unique selling position.
- Include a pricing strategy, a sales and distribution plan, advertising and promotions.
A marketing plan will contribute to ensuring a competitive edge, ongoing profitability and a strong bottom line. In addition, unless your business gets sufficient, proficient and professional exposure on the internet, I don’t think your business will be nearly as successful. In fact, if you don’t have a website, invest in social media marketing and search engine marketing, I’d venture to estimate that your business will lose at least 50-60% in annual earnings.
Think about it, most of us have some type of a hand-held device; whether an iPad, iPhone, smart phone, tablets and laptops- most of us go right to google when searching for a business, needed phone number and so on. If your business is not listed on the internet, if you don’t have a website that has a steady ranking on the first or second page (at Eco Press, my clients enjoy first page rankings), you are way behind your competitors.
I believe that the above business plan is a good start for you. I wish you much luck in your new endeavor. If you’re thinking of hiring a social media marketing agency to handle your online marketing and perhaps even thinking of a website, please consider our stellar services. Eco Press is located in Aventura (Miami), Florida. We proudly design dynamic optimized web designs, provide optimum search engine optimization and social media marketing services.
Much luck,
