Good newsletters tell people what they want to know about your business
August 5, 2008
Guess what’s the most frequent question I’m asked about publishing newsletters? OK. The second most. After people want to know how much it costs, the question I hear the most is, “what should I put in my newsletter.” It’s a good question. I know because I see a lot of bad newsletters that contain information I’m not interested in and don’t pertain to my business. How do you get the right mix to keep your customers, potential customers and/or employees reading? Here are some of my thoughts. Read more
Is customer service the weakest link of your business?
July 24, 2008
SPEAKING OF SERVICE - by Jeff Kasper || You’ve probably heard the phrase, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” and “The Devil’s in the details” or “Leave nothing to chance.” So many businesses plan for the major, expected interactions with customers. They plan for advertising, capacity, distribution systems, logistics and more. It’s important to plan. However, your success depends on the implementation. More importantly, it depends on everyone in your chain to be as strong as the others. Read more
Concord’s NextEnergy to be acquired by LoneStar Capital
July 23, 2008
NextEnergy of Concord is scheduled to be purchased by LoneStar Capital of Texas for $3.6 MM. NextEnergy has installed solar power systems throughout the state of California, its main focus is the Northern California territory. Residential installations account for 90% of NextEnergy’s revenues with small business installations accounting for the remainder. Mr. Randy Kauffman is currently the President and majority shareholder of NextEnergy.
Walnut Creek data breach makes Google rethink outsourcing data storage
July 16, 2008
Google last week said that thieves that broke into the offices of Colt Express Outsourcing Services of Walnut Creek, Calif., stole several PCs containing the personal information of Google employees, in addition to personal data of CNET Network, and other clients of Google. Google ended its relationship with Colt on Dec. 31, 2005, but data from employees hired before Jan. 1, 2006, was still with the company. It would not say why.” Go figure. The Walnut Creek break-in shows the critical nature of any outsourcing of storage of sensitive data.
Add value to raise your bottom line
June 23, 2008
SPEAKING OF SERVICE - by Jeff Kasper
You’ve certainly heard companies talk about this concept called, “added value.” So what does it mean? And, if the big companies are doing it, why can’t you?
Added value is what gives a company the right (decided on by the customer) to charge more for a product or service than what it costs them to buy or deliver it. The automobile industry is a classic example of adding value and charging you for it. Read more
Tailor your newsletter to your readers
June 16, 2008
A major mistake people make with their newsletters is misjudging their readers. You wouldn’t send a newsletter full of information about your employees to your customers. And you wouldn’t send a newsletter about business issues to your employees. Or would you? Read more
Concord Chamber installs new board, Jun 26
June 12, 2008
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce will install its new board of directors for 2008-09 at its 71st annual installation luncheon to be held, June 26, 11:00 a.m., at Buchanan Field’s Jet Hangar, 500 Sally Ride Drive in Concord. Ellen Williams, managing director of Concord-based Niche Ventures will succeed Dick Allen, outgoing president.
Nine strategies to Recession-Proof your business
June 3, 2008
Remember when an aggressive sales force and a competitive price were the key ingredients to growing and sustaining a successful business? Not any more. With more than 90 percent of start-up businesses failing after three years, plus a major downturn in the economy, increased competition has created a foot race for whatever business remains. Read more
How do you greet your customers: Yo Dawg…Wassup?
May 7, 2008
SPEAKING OF SERVICE - by Jeff Kasper
“Yo, wassup?” Not necessarily the greeting you would expect from a syndicated columnist. You, the reader, after all, are my ultimate customer. Following the general rule that you must greet every customer, I’ve done my job.
My mother told me, “You never have a second chance to make a first impression.” And, as simple as this statement is, it’s still true. Each time a customer sees one of your employees, based on how the customer is (or isn’t) acknowledged, is making a first impression. Read more
