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My husband and I are opposite in every respect. I focus on the bigger picture; Sean handles the details.
My strengths are in finance, strategic planning, and negotiating, and Sean’s are in human resources, IT, systems, and technology. Personally, I can be impulsive and emotive, while Sean is calm and calculated.
But that’s a big part of what’s turned our small ‘mom-and-pop shop’ into the national enterprise it is today.
In fact, our one-woman start-up now has multiple service offerings across 32 national branches, and we’re still growing.
Our roles haven’t always been glamorous though; we’ve had to adapt over the years. And during this time, we’ve learned powerful lessons that have made us stronger.
Here are the top five we believe can make a difference in your business:
1. Look after your people
A happy, motivated team must be top priority in any business. Start by hiring the best candidates for the job.
Always.
If they match your company culture and live according to similar values from the get-go, they’ll be easier to work with, they’ll save costs down the line, and they’ll become your most valuable brand ambassadors.
Once your employees are onboard, take an interest in their lives. It shows that you care; that you appreciate their association with the brand – and its infectiousness rubs off on clients.
Don’t be afraid to give them autonomy. With the freedom to make their own decisions (and mistakes), you promote accountability and personal investment. Encourage them to try new things to improve the business.
Managing people with this kind of respect feeds a sense of teamwork that makes everyone feel as if they make a difference.
Read more: How to start freelancing: A beginner’s guide
2. Focus on your clients
Your clients aren’t simply other companies; they’re people, business owners, and employees who want to grow and flourish, just like you do. Connect with them as partners.
Provide personalised service that pays attention to the details and leverage the results to secure the next client.
But don’t focus only on finding new clients. By investing in the clients you already have, a coffee meet-up can be as important as signing a deal. Nurture these relationships and you’ll maximise your growth with every client.
Whatever you do, remember that the client isn’t always right. At least not when they want you to cross a line. If you’re not prepared to publish something on a billboard, don’t do it.
Never shift your boundaries or compromise your values – even for a client.
3. Invest in technology
The technological age is providing mind-boggling leaps in efficiency and analytics, and it’s doing this through innovative collaboration platforms, automated administrative functions, machine learning, smart apps, and intelligent cloud services.
At NOSA Logistics, we use a service called WebVault that offers us a quick and effective way to issue local and cross-border training certificates.
We also use a learner management system, a digital quoting and invoicing solution, a customer relationship management tool, and an application that gives us real-time reporting and monitoring on our driver training.
It’s incredible to witness what these technologies afford us in time, efficiency and analysis.
It’s important to remember, however, that timing is critical when introducing new technologies to your organisation. They must work for the business and be optimally integrated to minimise the duplication of tasks.
Plus, it’s a good idea to introduce one technological advancement at a time, so you don’t bombard your staff.
4. Collaboration is key
Collaborate with complementary organisations wherever possible. This broadens your service offering, widens your client base, allows you to earn additional income through brokerage and a broader market, and offers clients an uninterrupted, one-stop service.
Collaboration can also help when you want to transition into a new space. At the rate the world and technology are changing, you have to be able to adapt.
5. Remember to have fun
If you’re running a small business, or a ‘mom-and-pop shop’ like us, it can be hard to separate your work and personal lives – so you might as well have fun doing it. If you do what you love, it will be easier to do it well, and the profits will follow.Starting, running, and growing a business has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. Stay on your toes, and it can be for you too.
