12 Must-Have Tips for Small Businesses

Presented by Salesforce Essentials

Today, I want to share with you some essential advice that every small business should know. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow your business, these tips will help you succeed.

1. Know your customers:

Understanding who your customers are is key to providing them with the right products or services. Take the time to research and learn about their needs and preferences.

2. Focus on your strengths:

As a small business owner, you have limited resources. By focusing on your strengths and what you do best, you can stand out from the competition.

3. Build a strong online presence:

In today’s digital world, having a website and utilizing social media platforms is crucial. It’s a great way to connect with your customers and promote your business.

4. Provide excellent customer service:

Treating your customers well is essential. Make sure you’re responsive, friendly, and go the extra mile to exceed their expectations.

5. Embrace technology:

Don’t be afraid to embrace technology. It can streamline your operations, improve productivity, and help you stay competitive in the market.

6. Manage your finances wisely:

Keeping track of your expenses and revenue is crucial. Make sure you have a clear understanding of your finances and create a budget to help you stay on track.

7. Network and collaborate:

Networking with other businesses and professionals can open doors to new opportunities. Don’t hesitate to collaborate and learn from others.

8. Adapt and innovate:

The business landscape is ever-changing. Be open to adaptation and always look for ways to innovate and improve your products or services.

9. Set achievable goals:

Having goals gives you something to strive for. Set realistic and achievable goals that will motivate you and guide your business growth.

10. Take care of yourself:

As a business owner, it’s important to prioritize self-care. Take breaks, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and find ways to recharge.

11. Learn from your mistakes:

We all make mistakes, but the key is to learn from them. Embrace them as opportunities for growth and continuously improve.

12. Stay positive and persistent:

Running a small business can have its challenges, but staying positive and persistent is crucial. Keep pushing forward, and remember that every setback is just a stepping stone to success.

There you have it – 12 essential tips for small businesses. Remember, building a successful business takes time and effort, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can achieve your goals. Good luck on your journey!

So, at Dreamforce 2018, the awesome folks from Salesforce asked us attendees to share our best advice for small business owners. And guess what? We got more than 1,000 amazing pieces of wisdom!

Now, to celebrate National Small Business Week, we’ve gone through all those incredible suggestions and picked out the top 12 bits of advice just for you. And just for a bit of fun, we’ve also included some runner-ups that had similar ideas but were said in different ways.

1. Every journey starts with one step – make sure you have the right shoes to go far.

Starting a small business means making a lot of important decisions, big and small. The things you choose today can have a big impact on your business in the future, so it’s super important to start off strong and set yourself up for success.

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1. Get off to a good start by investing in the right software/tools. This way, you won’t have to start all over again later.

2. Take it step by step and start with something simple. You can always build on it later. It’s harder to simplify things if you make them too complicated from the beginning.

3. Life isn’t just about finding your passion. It’s about taking action and making things happen.

2. Don’t try to do everything at once — focus on small, quick wins instead.

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Don’t stress yourself out with complicated stuff or get stuck trying to make things perfect. Keep it simple whenever possible.

• Get it done now. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect!
• Don’t overthink or overanalyze simple tasks.
• Progress is more important than perfection.

3. Trust your gut – you might have a feeling about the next big trend in your industry!

Running a small business can be scary, but you’ve got this. You’re the captain of your ship, so trust yourself to make the right decisions.

Runner-up: Stay positive!

4. Have big dreams, but make sure to plan for the future. Planning is your best tool for long-term success!

Having a vision for your company is awesome. But it’s even more important to plan ahead so that the choices you make today won’t limit you tomorrow.

• Change management is crucial!
• Change is always happening!
• Don’t worry about change, but do your homework first!

5. Be open to the journey without being too rigid on the outcome.

Running a small business is like going on an exciting and unpredictable adventure. Being flexible is one of the most important tools for overcoming unexpected challenges.

• Be ready to try new things.
• Your greatest strength is being humble.
• See things from different perspectives and find ways to make them better.

6. One great employee is better than 10 bad employees.

Your employees are your most valuable asset. Hiring the right people (and then listening to them and trusting them) is one of the key steps towards success.

• Surround yourself with a fantastic team and take your time building it.
• When it comes to hiring, your first and second choices are crucial. They can either make or break your small business.
• Remember, the success of your business depends on the strength of your team.
• It’s important to invest in talented people who can contribute to your business.
• Listen to and trust your employees because they are your most valuable asset.

7. Listen. Listen. Listen. You have two ears and one mouth. Use them in that ratio.

The devil is in the details (and good communication).

• Never assume that you know everything. It’s important to learn, collaborate, and share knowledge with others.
• Involve everyone in difficult discussions because diverse perspectives lead to better decisions.
• Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your opinion, even if it goes against the popular belief.
• Always seek feedback from your customers to improve your product and processes.
• Pay attention to your customers’ needs and preferences at every step of the way.
• Take the time to listen to your customers and truly understand what they want.

I want to share some important tips with you. Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

Firstly, paying attention to details is crucial. It might seem small, but it can make a big difference. So, always double-check everything to ensure accuracy.

Now, let’s talk about customers. They are the heart of any business, especially small ones. Treating them well and giving them a reason to come back is vital. Remember, if you prioritize excellent customer service, financial success will naturally follow.

Customer retention is just as important as customer acquisition. Building strong relationships with your customers and keeping them satisfied will help your business thrive. Don’t forget, customers should always come first.

Becoming customer-obsessed is key. Understand their needs and preferences, and go above and beyond to meet them. Strive to provide value in every interaction, and you won’t even need to do much selling.

Lastly, remember the words of Elvis: Only the strong survive. Entrepreneurship comes with challenges, but successful small business owners tackle them head-on. Embrace every obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow.

So, keep these tips in mind: pay attention to details, prioritize customer satisfaction, and believe in yourself. With the right mindset and actions, you can achieve great things in your small business journey!

Hey, things go wrong sometimes. But guess what? You’re gonna be just fine. Don’t let anything stop you!

When everything feels like it’s going in the wrong direction, switch it up and go left! You never know what opportunities might be waiting for you.

Don’t be scared of failing. It’s not the end of the world. In fact, it’s a chance to learn and grow.

Remember, giving up is not an option. Keep pushing forward with perseverance and persistence. It’ll take you far!

And here’s a tip for your professional journey: Work for a company that you can truly be proud of. When you hire amazing employees, treat them right. It’s crucial for your small business to keep those valuable team members onboard.

• Create an awesome company culture that everyone loves.
• Take care of your people and treat them with kindness.
• Keep your employees happy and motivated.
• Show gratitude and be kind to everyone you interact with.
• Remember, your people are the heart of your business!

Lastly, always follow through on your promises. Do what you say you’ll do. Your words and actions define you. Stay true to your word!

What is your company all about? If it doesn’t have a clear purpose, it probably won’t last for long.

• Always tell the truth!
• It’s important to be nice to everyone.
• Don’t ever burn any bridges.

12. You only have one life. What matters to you?

There is only one you! It’s impossible to build and run a successful company if you’re not taking care of yourself. Treat yourself well, so that you can reap the rewards of your hard work.

• Remember to take deep breaths.
• Make sure to take time to eat.
• Sometimes, a nap is necessary.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the amazing Dreamforce attendees for sharing their thoughtful and helpful suggestions with us.

Want to know a secret? Salesforce Essentials is like a magic wand for your small business. It’s all about finding customers, winning their business, and keeping them happy so you can grow like never before. Sounds amazing, right? Well, it is! And you don’t have to just take my word for it. I’ll show you how.

First things first, let’s get connected. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. We’ll keep you up to date with all the latest and greatest small business CRM solutions. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out.