Quality products to market and manage your business
Business By Safeguard
800 Kensington Suite 211, Missoula, MT 59801
1-800-476-0559 • 406-542-8432 • Fax: 406-543-8826
info@businessbysafeguard.com
This month's Articles: by Jan Larson, Safeguard Sales Associate We started with “get-to-know me” questions like It was an interesting array of answers to “How did you get started?" and "What do you enjoy most?” When asked “What makes your business special?” Thank you to Kinzie Kinzel (Faulkner Insurance), Steph Lambert (Luella Design and Lambert Family Chiropractic), Rhonda Davis (Yellowstone Photo), Mary Martin (Sunrider International), Noreen Best (Nature’s Best), Jenessa Cavanaugh (Five Valley's Restoration & Cleaning), Kathi Kincaid (Showcase Pet Grooming), Marge Hulbert (Gone Writing) and Heidi Starrett (Computer Central). You are amazing women and a wonderful asset to our community. To be continued . . . You hear a lot about businesses having the best customer service. What does that really mean? When you call a business is the person answering the phone pleasant, helpful, and courteous? Isn’t that expected? When you order something and you are told that it will be there at a certain time -- isn’t that when you should get it? When you walk into a retail store, shouldn’t you be acknowledged and smiled at? These are example of “customer service” and it is expected from all businesses. But what about “BEING OF SERVICE” to your customers? Recently, while waiting in a bank lobby, I observed customer service that you would find in most banks throughout the country. An older gentleman was opening an account and the new accounts person was very patient, explained everything thoroughly and answered all his questions even though it took quite a bit of time. He left the building and there were his keys on the new accounts desk. Instead of taking the keys to him in the parking lot, the new accounts person waited for him to return to her desk. He was very relieved to find his keys, but it would have made such a big impact on him if she had taken the extra step and delivered his keys to him in the parking lot while he was trying to figure out where he had left them. Going beyond customer service and “BEING OF SERVICE” to that customer would have been greatly appreciated. The second instance was a couple that entered the bank and stood looking around. It was obvious that it was their first time in the building. Seconds ticked by while they were trying to figure out where to go. Bank employees were all very busy doing their jobs. Finally after what seemed like a long time, a teller asked if she could help them. I could not hear what they needed or if the teller could even help them, I just overheard their conversation on the way out the door stating that they were headed to another bank in the area. “BEING OF SERVICE” to these customers, even if you only entertained them until the proper person was available to help, may have made the difference. We are told as salespeople that going out and cold calling customers is one of the most difficult and expensive things to do. So when people come to us and we don’t jump at the opportunity to ‘BE OF SERVICE” to them, it’s crazy. Surprise your customers, “go the extra mile”. Do the unexpected and “BE OF SERVICE” to your customers, not just provide customer service. Your customer will appreciate and know the difference.
Referral Meeting
Last week our office hosted a referral meeting for the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network. All these women are successful business owners and fountains of great ideas.
Beyond Customer Service
by Jan Larson, Safeguard Sales Associate
How important is Marketing your Small Business?
Everything you read and hear, tells you that marketing your business is the single most important thing you should do. So, the next question is “how do you do that?”
Every small business has the pen, cup or key tag that sits on the shelf collecting dust. Why aren’t they out there advertising your business? It’s probably because you ordered them without someone sitting down and asking “What do you want this product to do for you?”
Maybe it is your marketing plan – do you have one? That is what Business By Safeguard is all about – we ask the right questions to get the right products to work for your business.
Show them you care. Say for instance you are sponsoring a marathon in your community. If volunteers handed out wet, cool hand towels with your logo on them every 10 miles or so, the runners would appreciate greatly the gesture, have a wonderful physical experience with your business, and remember fondly how you cared about their comfort. Extra towels could be handed out at the finish line or with the runner’s packets.
Need to get customers to your door? Send out a postcard with a puzzle piece attached that can be matched to three different prizes at your business. Have a grand prize and two other giveaways that prospective customers can win. It’s a fun way to bring traffic to your business and have fun! We have postcards that can send tees for your golf tournament, guitar picks for your new music store, or even hot sauce for your Chili Cook-Off. If it fits your business, we can help make it happen.
Marketing is easy. With the right product, idea and plan, your business can succeed in the Marketing Jungle.
More Articles:
Customer Appreciation: Let them know they are important
Every one of us buys products and services from a variety of sales people and companies on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis. How many times in the last three to six months have you received some form of appreciation from those companies for the business you have given them? Even just a simple thank you note can make a big impression.
Most of you have probably received little to none in a form of appreciation. In this high-tech and fast-paced business world, showing appreciation to customers is a dying practice. However, it doesn’t have to be that way! Send your customers thank you notes or holiday cards from Safeguard. Safeguard provides quality cards that your customers will love! Call today for a catalog or samples! Your customers will thank you for it!
Safeguard Reminders
(Don’t Forget!)
Don’t forget
Tax Forms
Yikes! Is it tax time already? Don’t pay too much this year. Order your tax forms early to have them ready to go when you are ready to file your taxes. Safeguard offers the Total Package of Tax Forms and Tax Supplies to meet any business needs! Guaranteed to meet IRS form specifications.
Year End Labels
2009 is creeping up on us fast. Don’t get stuck without your year end labels. This is a great reminder because we are also offering a hot special with year end labels: 50% off! Can’t beat that! So make sure you order your labels before we say goodbye to 2008.
Wanted: Creative Ideas for a Business - Safeguard Can Help!
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR:
Products to give to your customers?
Products to hand our during a business event?
Pens with your business information so customers can contact you?
ARE YOU TIRED OF:
Boring business cards that catch no ones attention?
Your employees not looking professional at work?
Dealing with multiple companies for every little thing?
ARE YOU:
Setting up an event and do not know where to start?
Trying to get a promotion off the ground?
Safeguard can help you! We provide the service and products to help you get your ideas going. Safeguard is your one stop for business needs. Not only do we offer checks, deposit slips, forms, envelopes, and letterhead but we also offer many promotional items and apparel. Work with someone you can trust and who truly cares about your businesses’ success. You want your name out there and we want to help you with that. So give us a call today and we can help.
How to Prevent Check Fraud
Check fraud is one of the largest challenges facing businesses and financial institutions today. Here are some tips to prevent check fraud.
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Make sure your check has all the required security features.Store your checks, deposit slips, bank statements, and canceled checks in a secure and locked location.Reconcile your bank statement regularly to catch any questionable items.Never give your account number to someone you do not know, especially over the phone.Unless needed for tax purposes, destroy old canceled checks, account statements, deposit tickets, ATM receipts or any other personal information that someone can use to impersonate you and take money from your account.When you receive a check order, make sure all your checks are there. Report missing checks at once to your supplier. Should you fail to receive your order by mail or the package has been tampered with, alert your supplier.If your home or office is burglarized, check your supply of checks to determine if any have been stolen. Sometimes thieves will only take one or two from the middle or the back. The longer it takes to detect any of your checks have been taken, the more time the criminal has to use them successfully.Do not mail bills from your mailbox at night unless it is secured. Criminals can remove checks from your mailbox and endorse and cash them using bogus identification.
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Use pre-printed deposit slips so that thieves cannot alter the account number.
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Use gel pens, like the Uniball 207, to sign your checks. It makes check washing a lot more difficult.Never endorse a check until you are ready to cash or deposit it. The information can be altered if it is lost or stolen.Don’t leave blank spaces on the payee and amount lines.
Businesses need to use tightly controlled check printing procedures. Ensure only authorized employees have access to checks and check printing equipment. Keep your business and your family safe by following these precautions. Check out these websites for more information: www.ckfraud.org or www.stopcheckfraud.com
