by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant We’re talking about a small, possibly family-owned hardware store. Actually, it’s not that small compared to a store in the ‘50s when it was founded, but it is small compared to the big stores that we have around today. So, how do you fare against these big guys? How do […]
by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant There is a scene in Seinfeld where Elaine loses her little punch card from a sandwich shop. The card has only one more star to punch and she will get a free sub. And now she is angry and disappointed because she lost it. When Jerry asks her “Why” she […]
by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant Learn to say yes! The old adage goes that rule one is that the customer is always right; rule two, the customer is always right and rule three, when in doubt refer to rules one and two. Then why is it that so many companies these days do not follow […]
by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant There is nothing like a small local restaurant. A place with charm and history. A place that people remember going to with their parents when they were little. Or taking that first date for an ice cream soda while sitting at their soda fountain. We all have fond memories of […]
by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant So far, we have talked about service businesses where the company goes to the customer’s home to provide their services from landscaping, to plumbing, to home repairs, to cleaning services. However, these are not the only types of small businesses there are. So, for the next few weeks we are […]
by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant I was walking by a prominent Waterville building the other day and could not help but notice this scene. Well, actually, I heard it first when the solitude of my daily walk was shattered by the blasting of the worst loud music I’d ever heard. This music was so loud […]
by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant I know you’re busy, out there in the job. Working as hard as you can to please your customers, and grow your business. But there is still one thing you need to do to make sure that your business always looks professional. One thing, that if you do better than […]
by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant When running your own business, no matter what size, it is important to find ways to make your business stand out. This is especially true when your business involves working at your customers’ homes. When it comes to being special and outstanding it’s important to remember that the devil is […]
by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant What makes people remember you? What are you known for? One of the great marketing and branding moves you can do to make yourself noticed and remembered is to have something that people remember you for. Something about you and your company that makes you distinctive. A symbol, or a […]
by Dan Beaulieu Business consultant Look, it’s going to happen. Someone once said that if you don’t make mistakes, you are not trying hard enough. So, yes sometimes you will make a mistake, you will screw something up that will make your customer upset and possibly even angry. And then there are sometimes that because […]