Mind Your Diamonds for the Answer

Mirror, mirror on the wall - which incentive plan is the most effective of all?

Granted, its not the most scientific method of determining your course of business in 2003, but in this age of rapidly changing technology, fickle customer loyalty and increasing distributor expectations, more and more companies are needing to pull out all the stops in order to keep their companies expanding in the coming years. So if you dont happen to have a magic mirror hanging around, where can you turn for the answers?

Lets look at the options.

Past Performance- Certainly the person who coined the phrase the best predictor of future performance is past performance did not live in the age of technology, where change is the norm and predictability is out the window. Executives today need to think future focus not pine for the good old days.

Technology - After a decade of trial and error and billions of dollars invested, direct selling companies have emerged sharper, more efficient and realistic, recognizing that technology is a tool for growth, not the end-all answer to our prayers. Your strategic plan for 2003 must include advancements in the area of technology, but not rely solely upon it.

Consultants - When you find one who brings a combination of practical field experience in your particular market segment (party plan or network marketing), keen business savvy, a track record of success, and the ability to translate trends into solid strategies for growth, consultants can be very valuable. However, the investment of two precious resources, time and capital, demand that the results generated are both measurable and substantial.

So what is the answer, you ask? Well, at the risk of sounding a little like the keynote speaker you paid to grace your stage at Convention the answer is in your own back yard! The story, Acres of Diamonds comes to mind, about the man who traveled the world searching for riches, only to return to his home and learn that the farm he once considered useless, was home to one of the largest diamond mines ever discovered. The diamond mine that houses your gems, the answer to your question of how to grow your business, is right in your own back yard as well - your distributors!

Want the perfect location for your next Convention that will attract record numbers of attendees? Are you searching for just the right incentive that will inspire even the most seasoned distributor? Is your product line in need of a sizzle item that will boost moral and increase sales? Want to know what would inspire more people to book in-home shows or hold more interviews?

The answers to these questions, and the others youve pondered can be answered honestly, accurately and cost-effectively through an ongoing, well thought out Customer Survey Program. WHO Should You Survey? A campaign that queries all the experts: distributors, customers and hostesses (if applicable) will result in the most comprehensive data. So dont make the mistake of focusing on only one segment of your very broad market. Surveying all groups on a regular basis will result in a constant stream of feedback, suggestions and ideas, the likes of which would impress even the most experienced industry consultant.

If you want the truth and nothing but the truth include in your target groups inactive distributors, one-time hostesses and customers youve not served in 18 months. If you are willing to get a little knocked around and can separate the real feedback from the mean-spirited feedback, this is where you will discover how you can truly transform your business.

WHAT Should You Ask? Here in lies the secret to a good customer survey the questions.

Some traits of an effective survey are:

Objective The tone or nature of the questions must not indicate a preferred answer.
Non-leading If asking participants to select from a list of answers, the options must represent a wide range of sentiments.
Concise Questions must be short and address only one topic.
Simple Keep vocabulary simple, saving the big, impressive words for your annual report.
Brief The ideal survey can be completed in 5 minutes.
Anonymous Allow participants to offer input without concerns of negative repercussions.

For those who do not have the luxury of a department or staff person who is trained in the area of writing and conducting customer surveys, engage the services of an expert who can provide guidance. For those do it yourselfers who have the time to hone their skills, check out these two resources. Guide to Customer Surveys: Sample Questionnaires and Detailed Guidelines for Creating Effective Surveys by Trevor M. Punt and Talking With Your Customers: What They Will Tell You About Your Business When You Ask the Right Questions by Michael J. Wing.

WHERE and WHEN Should You Survey? A thorough Customer Survey Program collects data not just from a broad range of target groups but also catches these groups at significant moments of truth.

For example, survey:
Customers at the close of the product sales presentation.
Potential distributors at the close of the opportunity presentation.
Hostesses after the in-home show when the experience is fresh in their minds.
Show guests who chose not to place an order.
Customers when they receive their products.
On-line guests who visit your business opportunity pages.
And so on

What Methods Should You Use? There are primarily three methods of gathering information via customer surveys. They are paper, web-based and telephone surveys.

For the purposes of this article, in-person surveys are not listed because they do not provide participants anonymity and therefore taint the resulting data.

Paper surveys This is perhaps the most popular survey method because it is user-friendly and enables you to reach a broad audience. For example, provide distributors with postage-paid survey cards that are given to customers once the sale transactions are concluded. Ask that the completed surveys be given to the hostess who drops them in the mail at no charge. To encourage distributor and customer participation, why not offer an incentive, discount or contest in exchange.

Web-based surveys: Although these surveys reach only tech-savvy customers, it is cost effective, convenient, reaches an international audience and the data is easily stored, retrieved and analyzed. If using this method, invest in the necessary technology that encrypts the resulting data in order to protect the privacy of the survey participants.

Telephone surveys: This method is best used with warm markets that have a vested interest in seeing that the survey is conducted. For example, distributors will be more receptive to a telephone survey as it demonstrates a sincere interest on the part of the company. Cold markets such as customers or inactive distributors often view telephone surveys as a violation of privacy, generating more ill will than good.

Ten Steps To Mining Your Diamonds Consider these ten steps when planning your Customer Survey Program:

1. Define the survey objectives and budget.
2. Select appropriate survey methods. (Can be one or a combination of the three.)
3. Design survey questions.
4. Conduct the survey.
5. Extensively analyze the results for core threats and opportunities.
6. Identify core discoveries as a result of the survey.
7. Select three core discoveries to focus on in an Executive Summary. (Use graphs, pie charts and bullet points to easily communicate findings.)
8. Establish recommendations and define strategies for implementation.
9. Implement strategies.
10. Continue to survey, assess and monitor progress toward defined objectives. While steering your direct selling company toward new horizons, it is vital that you allot the precious resources of time and money to areas that will pay the biggest dividends.

A Customer Survey Program just might be that project, resulting in greater needs awareness, smarter strategic decisions, wisely allocated capital, more effective promotions and greater customer and distributor satisfaction. Not bad when you consider that a Customer Survey Program may be the least expensive project on the list.

The Founders of the Direct Selling Womens Association have provided this article. The Association is committed to supporting direct selling companies by providing valuable resources, distributor market research and a direct link to potential distributors throughout the world. Show your support of the industry by becoming a part of this rapidly expanding Association. To request information on becoming a Corporate Charter Member E-mail: CorporateService@mydswa.org.

The Founders of the Direct Selling Womens Association have provided this article. The Association is committed to supporting direct selling companies by providing valuable resources, distributor market research and a direct link to potential distributors throughout the world. Show your support of the industry by becoming a part of this rapidly expanding Association. To request information on becoming a Corporate Charter Member E-mail: CorporateService@mydswa.org.

Home Based Business Opportunities 2004BB Lee

Home-Based Business Opportunities 2004 by BB Lee(C)2004

(updated)

Your Best Opportunity For Home-Based Business Success Might Be Right Before Your Eyes!

It might even be a task you perform everyday!

Where Do I Begin:
You want to start your own home-based business but you don't know what kind of business to start. The answer to your question might be very obvious!

Consider This:
Your best opportunity for home-based business success might be a skill you perform everyday around the house. Perhaps you are a good cook. Consider starting a catering service.

You take care of children or elderly parents. You could start an elder care or children's day care center.

Friends say you have a green thumb. Not the Jolly Green Giant kind, but you are a great gardener. Ever thought about starting a landscaping business? Or growing exotic house plants?

Perhaps sewing is your hobby. You could specialize in tailoring. Or sewing outfits for children. Sewing designer curtains, cushions.

One woman in California turned her sewing hobby into a profitable business by creating patterns and sewing unique hand bags.

Are you good with a paint brush, hammer and nails. Hire yourself out in your neighborhood as a professional repair person.

Maybe, you are a whiz with computers and surf the Internet for fun. Do you realize a large market exist for an eager entrepreneur to train people in setting up their computers, getting on the Internet. Along with teaching email skills, downloading, web page building, setting up accounts with web host. These are skills you
might find simple enough, but are very perplexing to newbies.

Are you great at throwing together a children's birthday party? Or are you the life of the party? Performing, telling jokes, making funny animal balloons? One young female friend of mine used her offbeat humor to start a traveling clown business, specializing in children's birthday parties.

Did you help a friend arrange a wedding celebration? Wedding Consultants are in high demand across the country. This would be a very lucrative business venture. One easily started out of your home.

Perhaps you worked in an office performing basic secretarial skills. Why not start a home typing service. You could specialize in one area-target college students, typing their terms papers. Or target recent graduates, typing resume's, cover letters. The point is that it is conceivable that the same tasks you perform everyday for your family or employer could be turned into a very profitable home-based business venture.

Maybe you are thinking, "I don't have any marketable skills. I basically cooked and cleaned for my family the last several years." Wrong! You have a very marketable skill. Why not start a "Home Based Cleaning Service." This is a business that is very easy to start out of the home. And started for less than $100.00.

For More Info On Starting A Cleaning Business Click Here: http://www.geocities.com/smallbizbits/salespage.htm OR
http://www.lulu.com/bblee

The Planning Stage:
First thing to do is to grab a few sheets of paper or a notebook. Write down all the duties you perform each day at your job, or you perform around the house. You get the point?

At work: Do you conduct interviews, answer the telephone, type letters, keep records, manage accounts, market products, train new employees on computers.

At home: Do you take care of children, look after pets, tend gardens, keep a household budget, balance checkbooks, sew clothes for children. Paint and repair projects. Lawn care.

Conduct an online research. Search for Internet businesses that incorporate the skills on your list into their business.

Are You Ready?
Keep your mind open to new business opportunities. There's nothing wrong with following the tried and true path. Starting a business venture proven successful. Great opportunities also exist in starting a brand new business venture. One where the waters have not been tested. Think about it. Are you ready to get your feet wet?

Remember, the business idea you have been searching for might be right in front of your eyes.

Sources:
For More Info On Starting A Cleaning Business Click Here: http://www.geocities.com/smallbizbits/salespage.htm

For Information On Arts/Crafts Home Business Ideas: http://www.lulu.com/bblee

BB Lee is Editor/Publisher of SmallBizBits Newsletter. Your Home-based Business Connection On The Internet. mailto:smallbizbits@yahoo.com http://www.geocities.com/smallbizbits

BB Lee is the editor/publisher of SmallBizBits Newsletter. And the author of several ebooks online.