There's more to marketing than advertising and mailers...

When people think of marketing a small business, they consider just the typical strategies like advertising, internet marketing, networking, mailers, and email. What most business owners fail to recognize is that marketing encompasses all of who you are and what you do... from the way the phones are answered and your employees respond to questions to your production and accounting policies.

Because every aspect of your business has an impact on how well you do business, it's important to review business practices every now and then. When doing so, business owners should consider each part of their business from a marketing perspective (keeping your corporate image in mind) and ask some of the following questions:

1. When customers call are they greeted with a "smile" and quickly directed to the appropriate person or do they get lost in the sea of voice mail?
2. When there's a problem, is the customer passed around from department to department or is there a set policy and person(s) who handle and resolve all complaints?
3. Are all your employees valued for their knowledge, input and skills?
   
4. Does your sales team work with your production team?
5. Are your proposals/estimates easy to understand?
6. How quickly do your employees return phone calls?
7. Are your invoices easy to understand?
8. Do you pay your vendors on-time?
9. Do you make any claims in your products/services that you really don't deliver on?
10. How quickly do you respond when someone places an order?

There are so many more questions you can ask. The key is to periodically ask and evaluate how your company is doing. Remember, your corporate image doesn't stop with a nice looking logo, fancy website, and creative marketing pieces. If there's one aspect of your business that doesn't fit with the corporate image you want to portray, it's time to get down to business and fix it.

Eagle Soars Welcomes New Marketing Executive, Gretchen Biondo

Eagle Soars Consulting is pleased to announce the addition of Gretchen Biondo to its team of marketing and training executives. Biondo will be handling sales and new business accounts in the Treasure Coast area of Florida.

"It's always nice to work with someone who is enthusiastic and energetic," states Anne Lazo, owner of Eagle Soars. "Gretchen will be a great asset to the Eagle Soars' team. Her personality and desire to see business owners succeed are a winning combination for this company and the clients she will bring to us."

Biondo comes to Eagle Soars with a wealth of business knowledge and has worked as a buyer for a promotion company for a number of years. The company is looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Biondo.

Family/Work Balance: No One Left Behind

Sometimes when you own a business, it becomes hard to get away from the day-to-day duties that demand your attention. Unfortunately, these activities are important for you to achieve the success for which you are looking. Sadly though, it seems like the ones you love sacrifice the most while you travel down the road to financial and time freedom.

Here are three tips to help you minimize these difficult sacrifices:

1. Give your "family time" your undivided attention. A while back my husband and I went to a business meeting. My husband had a discussion with another member of the same business. He asked the question, "How do you balance work and family time?" The man responded, "Yes, it is difficult at times, but when I'm with my family, I make a conscious effort to give them my undivided attention." So, even though you may have many business things that demand your thoughts and time, don't let those things consume you so much you neglect the real reason you started the trip.

2. Make it a family business. Many times, as a stay-at-home mom, I have many things that grab for my attention, especially our 1 year old son and 3 year old daughter. When I work in the kitchen my children seem to always demand my attention most. When they do, I seize a teaching moment and try to include them in whatever I'm doing. You can do the same in your business. Take some time today to make a list of things your family could help you with in the business.

3. Make vacations a priority. Whether you want to admit it or not, you and your family need a vacation from the hectic waves of life several times a year. No money to vacation? Can't take a vacation because your business demands your time right now? Try a "staycation." A staycation is literally a vacation you take at home. The term staycation gained its popularity in the summer of 2008, during a period of dramatic gas price increases and higher travel costs. With a global economic crisis and record unemployment claims, it looks like staycations are going to be just as popular in 2010. Get your first 5 sample staycation ideas here.

Elizabeth and her husband, Eric Shoop, are the owners of First Kids Furniture. Not only do they sell unique furniture for kids, they also provide some great resources for parents! They're also the visionaries for Build on the Rock Ministries.