Brick & Mortar Isn't Enough

Business is not just brick & mortar any more

While the web has created new opportunities for business, it has created issues for companies who have always and "still" do business the old way.

For many years a "good old" yellow pages ad, newspapers, or TV & radio was good enough to get your message to the consumer. Not so in today's world. And yet there are those who still resist the change.

Information is intantaneous, competition tougher, and the brick & mortar approach just isn't enough to compete and survive. In today's market companies need to achieve a balance between web and standard practices to effectively generate business.

Websites, email, streaming video, blogging, and social media have all become the new tools for business. Using the right tools will get you the best job.

Social media venues like facebook and twitter have empowered the consumer to share their likes and dislikes about products and services in "real time". Customers tend to follow things they like or have nterest in, and feel important when they can interact with comments. This can be valuable data for any company to improve their products and services.

Ford, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, and Starbucks just to mention a few, have joined the social media frenzy in order to connect with the huge numbers of customers and potential new customers.

For example, on facebook alone there are over 20,000 businesses large and small that have facebook accounts. They know this is the "real deal" and another key marketing opportunity that requires attention.

Information is power. The more a company can distribute their message across numerous media sources, the better. It doesn't matter how good your product is, if no one knows about it, it won't sell.

It's not to say that face to face communications aren't important, they are. Meeting one-on-one makes the customer feel important, and lets them know that you care about them.

A balance between personal contact along with the right "web tools" to present a product or service, expedite ordering, maintain contact with customers, or distribute "sale" information is just plain common sense.

A wise associate once told me, "Work smarter not harder". Learn to delegate wisely, stay informed with new technologies, and utilize the tools that make your job easier. The result is you will keep your customers happy & well taken care of.