Beat the Recession: 25 Clusters of Five: Number 1

Beat the Recession through making sure all of your basics are right. Do a 'secret shopper' on your company, your team, your division and come up with a list of things to improve. Here's a list to get you started:

1. You have a web-site. It is up-to-date. And it is really easy to find your telephone number and e-mail on it. But above all it is QUICK to load; get rid of all that fancy FLASH stuff, asap.
2. You have a simple brochure. It is available in both paper and electronic format. It is up-to-date. It sells rather than tells. When a request is made for either (especially paper) it goes out instantly. Don’t respond to a prospect with second class mail. What’s that telling them?
3. All e-mails sent out have a proper sign-off and change on a regular basis to promote a product of yours. The sign-off contains your direct dial and mobile number.
4. Everybody who answers the phone is incredibly helpful and don’t sound as if they have been disturbed from something far more important than serving the customer.
5. You are bold. Have courage. Don’t be a sheep. You don’t have to attend an exhibition simply because everybody else does. If it’s not getting you great business do something else with your time and money.