Dear Carnegie Coach:

I am the owner of a company that has been around for just a short time now. We’ve been having a very difficult time trying to overcome the obstacles presented by the current state of the economy. In the past the main driver of business was through word of mouth, with a declining number of customers I need to find a new way to promote my company. Do you have any on ideas on how I can build the awareness of my company?

Allie

Dear Allie,

The current economy has led to a highly competitive sales environment where less perspective buyers exist. A great asset to your company would be for you to remain in contact with your customers. Systematically following through with your current and potential customers is an opportunity to shape their perception of you and your organization. Here are some of the ways that you can keep your company on the minds of your customers.

• Notes – Even in our wired age, nothing beats a hand-written note. Whether it is a thank you note, or a reminder note, the recipient knows that we took time out of our day to sit down and hand-write a personal message to them.
• E-Mail – This is the next best thing to a hand-written note. Make your emails personal, friendly, and relatively informal, so that the receiver knows that we aren’t just sending a template message.
• Phone Calls – Instead of avoiding leaving voice mails, embrace them! An outgoing, upbeat voice mail message will be heard if the information is personalized to be relevant to that customer.
• Systematic Notices – Weekly, monthly, or yearly updates are another way to make sure that our customers feel like they are remembered. Announcements tied to promotions, sales, and special offers are another way of following through

• Gift and Rewards Programs – These initiatives are becoming more and more widely used by retailers and service providers. They reward customers for money spent with that organization, whether the rewards are in the form of gift certificates, credits, discounts, or airline miles.

• Satisfaction Surveys – Many organizations do follow-through surveys by phone, email or mail. In some cases they are some form of customer preference survey, examining trends and choices.

Dear Carnegie Coach:

My company has recently experienced some downsizing and my workload has increased drastically. When I get into work in the morning I have so many tasks to complete that I do not know where to begin. I know that my boss is relying on me at this time to accomplish many tasks. My major problem is that I’m not sure how I should prioritize my tasks. Do you have any advice that can help me prioritize?

Kristin

Dear Kristin,

With the current outlook in the job market more and more is being asked of employees at an individual level. Now more than ever you need to break down your tasks and identify the priority that each of them has. Here are some tips that will allow you to prioritize and get the job done in the most efficient and productive way:

• Record all Activities – Write down all your multiple demands, competing priorities, tasks and activities for the day or week. This will allow you visuals what needs to get done.

• Determine Primary Goals – Make a list of your primary goals for the day or for the week.

• Evaluate Important vs. Urgent – Decide which of these activities are the most important verses the most urgent. At this stage, take into consideration how certain items affect others and the consequences for not accomplishing certain items.

• Rank – Use a ranking system to begin planning. For Example:

“A” tasks have high priority and must be completed immediately.

“B” tasks are moderately important but can be done after “A” tasks

“C” tasks are of low-level importance and can be tackled in our spare time

• Create Schedule – Indicate deadlines for each task and estimate the time involved to complete the task. Keep in mind any tasks that may be linked together to increase productivity.

• Revisit Goals and Adjust – Review your goals and the rewards of doing the task on time, and make any necessary adjustments

• Purge – Get rid of items on your list that remain at the bottom and will realistically not get done.