Basic Business Ideas That Make a Big Difference

Sometimes the best tips are obvious, to the point, and very effective.
Basic Business Ideas That Make a Big Difference

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I recently had the time to pick up a copy of Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. Part of the reason I liked the book so much is that it was a quick read. I can’t stand business books that go on and on for hundreds of pages. Like all of you, I just don't have that much free time during the busy season. So I need books that get to the point and let me walk away with some really great ideas.

The other reason I loved the book so much is because it is really, really good. The core of the book is that you can do a lot with very little. It’s so easy to get caught up in grand ideas and big plans. But when you do that, you can get away from the core of your business. Simple really can be best.

In case you don’t have time to pick up a copy, here are the points that I liked the best:

  • Get some alone time at work. Sounds almost impossible right? They recommend periods of time each day where people can’t talk to each other. You have all been in the middle of something that really needed your full attention. And in that time five people came into your office and interrupted you. So frustrating, right? A period of distraction-free alone time would make your work a lot easier to complete.
  • Meetings are toxic. They waste so much time and rarely do they accomplish a lot of good. We are guilty of that at Royal Flush. You schedule a meeting and before you know it 15 people are in the room and everyone is talking about everything but the point of the meeting. If you have to have meetings, only invite the necessary people, set a timer so you can’t run over the scheduled time and always have a clear agenda. 
  • Emulate drug dealers. This may sound crazy, but drug dealers are astute in that they give a little of their product up front for free to get you hooked. Obviously I don’t want you to give your customers drugs. But feel free to give free delivery or free hand sanitizer to a new customer. It encourages customers to come back for more, especially when you provide great service on top of that freebie.
  • Send people home at 5 p.m. There will be times when you really can’t do this. The service industry means long hours. But your employees have a life outside of work. I want my employees to see their kids and be home for dinner. I also know that leaving at 5 p.m. is enough enticement to encourage them to get their work done in a timely fashion. 

These are just some of the great points in this book. I honestly believe this book is worth picking up. We can all use some help with our businesses and sometimes the most basic ideas are the ones that make all the difference.

About the Author: Alexandra Townsend is co-owner of A Royal Flush, based in Philadelphia.



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