Hardwood Floors December 2018/January 2019

BUSINESS BEST PRACTICES

TECHNOLOGY

Recently, I completed the Sales Fundamentals learning path on NWFA University. The Data Management course hit a major chord with me as most of my days are spent reporting on, analyzing, or creating new solutions around data. You may think that a database topic is similar to watching paint dry, but I am here to convince you that you can use a database to develop your business without possessing an IT degree or hiring a consultant.

DEFINE END GOALS First, forget about data and technology. Instead, consider some long-term goals for your business. Begin with the end in mind and develop the technology needs from that. Your end goals may be things like expanding your customer base, boosting repeat business, or increasing profit margins. Ask yourself, “What is the desired outcome for my business?” and “Why do I want to do this?”This is similar to choosing the right flooring for a room. What is the desired look? In what room is it being installed? How will the space be used? Once you identify the end goals, consider the processes that will allow those goals to materialize. At that point, it becomes clearer what data needs to be stored. For example, if the goal is to track your customers, the data needs are simple: store all current customers with complete contact and address information. If the goal is to increase profits, however, the task is slightly more challenging as all costs including labor, products, overhead of all installations, and of course, all invoices need to be stored. LET’S TALK A LITTLE TECHNOLOGY Next, make sure you have a way to keep all the data you need easily. If you use accounting software, you already have a system that can store the data. Or, you may already have spreadsheet or database software on your computer.

END GOAL Send birthday cards to customers

WHY: To build a relationship. My company name will be easy to remember when looking for new floors. THE PROCESS Near the end of each month, run a report generating names and addresses for every customer with a birthday next month. FIELDS REQUIRED: Name, Address, Birthday Month OPTIONAL FIELDS: Date of Birth, Year of Birth, Birthdays for other Family Members, etc. TIP: Keep in mind that you only want to store the fields that you want to maintain long-term and will use in this or another process. Otherwise, the stale data only gets in the way of this and other goals.

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