Covid isn’t over. In fact, the virus is probably here to stay for a long, long time, perhaps forever as endemic. But, the worst is likely well behind us. However, some small business owners are using the pandemic as an excuse and customers aren’t buying it. This is because consumers are well aware of what’s really going on and do not take kindly to such unbelievable explanations. So, it’s time for small business owners to stop using Covid as an excuse. Now, let’s take a look at why it’s so damaging. Excuses are Bad for Business Small business owners have a lot on their plate. They are responsible for wearing many hats and often have to do everything themselves. This can lead to some owners making excuses to their customers when things don’t go as planned. While it may be tempting to do this, it’s important to remember that there are many consequences for doing so. This is because there are compelling reasons why small business owners should never make excuses to their customers. Business experts wince at pandemic excuses because, well, they’re excuses, which are not the bailiwick of successful entrepreneurs—who are, by definition, problem solvers. Although tossing off a Covid excuse may seem benign, it creates a messaging problem because it’s likely deceitful: Customers are now savvy to the fact that supply chain, safety, and staffing challenges are well-established market conditions—not sudden pandemic blows. —Bloomberg Business Remember, customers will accept difficulties for what they are. They understand some situations are simply beyond a small business’ control. But, when others in the industry are moving forward, meeting their customers’ needs, it becomes dangerous for entrepreneurs to make excuses. Why Small Business Owners Shouldn’t make Excuses to their Customers Covid has become the proverbial “dog ate the homework” excuse. Sure, it is possible, but it’s also growingly becoming improbable. In other words, sure, the pandemic and shutdown may have lingering effects. But, to apply it capriciously is just a bad business practice. Some of the reasons why small business owners should never make excuses to their customers include: It harms credibility. When a small business owner makes an excuse to a customer, they are essentially saying that they are not capable of handling the situation. This can cause the customer to lose faith in the small business and may never use their services again. Businesses can suffer a bad name. If a small business is known for making excuses to their customers, it will not be long before word gets out. Customers will start to avoid doing business with them because they know that they will not be able to count on them to deliver what they promise. It makes owners appear ineffective. When a small business owner makes excuses to their customers, it makes them look like they are not in control of their business. This can lead to the customer questioning the owner’s ability to run their business and may cause them to take their business elsewhere. Customers may never return. If a small business owner regularly makes excuses to their customers, it is only a matter of time before they start losing them. Once a customer has had enough of being lied to, they will take their business to competitors who deliver and may never come back. As you can see, there are many reasons why small business owners should never make excuses to their customers. While it may be tempting to do so in the moment, it is important to remember that the consequences can be very severe. If you are a small business owner, do your best to always be honest with your customers and never make excuses for your mistakes. Your business will be better off in the long run. Do you have any tips for small business owners on how to avoid making excuses to their customers? Please, take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your input! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

No, It’s Not Too Late to Cash In on the Holiday Shopping Spree, but You’ve Got to Act Fast The holiday season is a magical time for businesses, both large and small. While you might think you’ve missed the boat, it’s not too late to dive into the holiday shopping spree. In fact, with some strategic planning and swift action, small business owners can maximize their profits and make a significant impact during this festive period. Ways Small Businesses Can Take Advantage of Holiday Shopping The holiday shopping season is already underway, and small business owners know what that means: a chance to make a big chunk of their annual revenue. But with so many businesses competing for customers’ attention, it can be tough to stand out. If you’re worried that you’ve missed the boat on the holiday shopping spree, don’t despair. There are still plenty of things you can do to attract customers and boost sales this season. Here are a few tips: Make sure your website is up-to-date and ready for holiday shoppers. This means having a festive design, a user-friendly interface, and a secure checkout process. You should also ensure that your website is mobile-friendly, as more and more people are shopping on their smartphones and tablets. Offer holiday promotions and discounts. This is a great way to attract new customers and encourage existing customers to spend more money. You can offer discounts on specific products or services, or you can offer free shipping or other incentives. Run social media contests and giveaways. This is another great way to attract new customers and generate excitement about your brand. You can offer prizes such as gift cards, free products, or even a trip to your store. Partner with other local businesses. This could involve cross-promoting each other’s products or services, or hosting a joint event. Partnering with other businesses is a great way to reach a new audience and increase your visibility. Get involved in your community. Sponsor local events, donate to charities, or simply volunteer your time. Getting involved in your community is a great way to build goodwill and show potential customers that you care about more than just making money. If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful holiday shopping season. But remember, you need to act fast. The holiday shopping season is short, so it’s important to start planning and implementing your marketing strategies now. More Strategies Small Businesses Can Use to Promote Their Products and Services During the Holidays While the above advice will certainly help, if you’ve already got most or all of those bases covered, there are still other things you can do. So, here are a few additional tips for small businesses to cash in on the holiday shopping spree: Focus on your best-selling products and services. Don’t try to sell everything to everyone. Instead, focus on the products and services that you’re best at selling and that your customers love. Make it easy for people to shop with you. Offer a variety of payment options and make sure your checkout process is quick and easy. You should also offer free shipping or low shipping rates. Personalize your shopping experience. Send personalized emails to your customers with recommendations and special offers. You can also offer gift wrapping and gift notes. Provide excellent customer service. This is especially important during the busy holiday shopping season. Be responsive to customer inquiries and go the extra mile to make sure your customers have a positive experience. While it may be a little late in the game, small business owners can still cash in on the holiday shopping spree by acting swiftly and strategically. Understand the mindset of last-minute shoppers, optimize your online presence, leverage social media, offer irresistible deals, collaborate with local businesses, and maximize customer experience. Do you want to grow your company in 2024 but you are not sure what’s required to make that growth happen? Attend our “Planning for Growth” half-day workshop where you will get amazing details specific to your business for what’s needed from your marketing, your sales team, your production team, and your financial performance to enter 2024 with confidence you can indeed grow as planned. You will have the clarity you’ve always wanted but didn’t know how to create. It’s a $1495 value we are offering in November for only $99. Contact us for dates and times. We offer a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t leave the workshop confident that you know what to do to grow your company in 2024. So, go ahead and contact us by phone or email! By phone 602-435-5474 By email: SteveM@WatersBusinessConsulting.com