If you run a business then you'll know what a challenge it is to keep on top of how your customer service levels are doing along with everything else that you already have on your plate that may also be just as important on any given day. Hence, this is where many businesses fail because they don't have the time to concentrate on two of the most critical aspects that make a business thrive: its customers and the business’s productivity levels. 

If you've noticed that these two areas need a bit of improvement, your local Brazoria County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has put together a how-to guide on bringing your customers and productivity levels to the forefront of your operations.

Invest in a Social Media Marketing Strategy

Nowadays, it is so simple to connect with your customers that it almost seems too good to be true. Well, social media is actually better than it sounds because you can connect with your audience on an authentic level simply by interacting with them online regularly. These connections are so important that you need to dedicate a good amount of effort to developing your marketing strategy. If you don’t have the time, it is best to outsource or hire a small social media marketing team to handle this aspect of your campaign. Regardless of who handles it, make sure that someone on your team is able to handle any customer queries or complaints, and to reply to comments that may pop up on your social media channels. 

If you have money budgeted for your marketing campaign, you can increase your levels of customer engagement with paid ads that are aimed at your target audience directly. Otherwise, you could go the cheaper route and enhance your social listening skills to determine what customers are really thinking concerning your brand.

Use Technology for your Benefit

These days, technology is accessible to everyone, which is what makes it such a valuable tool when it comes to running a business. Because if customers aren't on social media themselves, then they are most likely interacting with some type of software or app to get the services or products they need. For example, online shopping is in some cases even overtaking shopping at the mall, so if you own a product-based business then it might be worth investing in an e-commerce app to increase product availability and improve your customer service levels even more. 

Perhaps you've noticed that your business processes could do with some improvement. Then it may be a good idea to invest in Business Process Management software to help streamline these processes that much more. What’s more, machine learning is actually taking over many of the repetitive and mundane tasks with the use of bots. This way, customers are attended to promptly, and your team can concentrate on those areas that require specialized expertise to get the job done right.  However, there can be a higher cost involved to invest in this software. But it’s important to also consider what your return on investment may be versus how much money and time you will need to spend if you do everything yourself. 

If you’re not yet able to invest in BPM, there are other solutions that can help with a lower budget. For example, you could invest in a cloud-based accounting system to increase your financial accountability. The advantages of going this route include managing your cash flow better and giving you a more accurate and up-to-date indication of what your profit and loss and balance sheets are looking like. Another budget-friendly option is a PDF editor. You can quickly learn how to edit a PDF online for free, which will allow you to reduce paper and toner costs while also establishing clear communication with remote workers. With a few simple steps you can add notes, highlight sections, annotate areas, and add sticky notes to a PDF while you are developing a document or reviewing a marketing mockup.

Use Technology to Grow Your Business

Growing your business usually entails looking at those finer details that will significantly impact your bottom line. These areas are usually pretty easy to identify, but you must follow identification up with action. Take the time to plan your social media and marketing campaigns, and hire some help if you don’t have the amount of time it will take to execute it well. And find great free and budget-friendly ways to manage your practices, like finances and communication, in order to grow your business in a healthy way.

Membership in the Brazoria County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce offers invaluable benefits to entrepreneurs in our community. Join us today!