Better Business Issue #156

Highlights:

Time to pamper your customers

- Times are getting harder, and customers are getting more choosy. All the more reason to make sure you go the extra mile and offer the best possible customer service, says Sarah Cook.

Be quiet and listen!

- One of the biggest reasons for a breakdown in communications is because we don't listen to people. Daryll Scott gives some tips to make your business dealings run more smoothly.

Is your family at war?

- Family firms are still the mainstay of British business. But how can you prevent the infighting and succession issues that often plague them? Grant Gordon explains what to watch out for.

Anna has the world at her feet

- Anna Heyes is just 26, yet is running a successful marketing business and has already won two awards. Richard Reed caught up with her.

From recycling PCs to recycling children!

- Jan Smith started out in business recycling old computers. Now she has set her mind to 'recycling' children - re-engaging them in schools to take an interest in what business has to offer. Bonnie Yuill reports.

Negotiate the best deal

- Negotiation is part and parcel of business life - so make sure you go into discussions fully prepared, says James Dunning.

Obey the sales commandments!

- You want to succeed in sales? Then obey the sales commandments! Brad Dawson explains the basic rules for sales success - they are easier to follow than you might think.

Are you covered in the event of disaster?

- Business insurance is vital - but what do you cover, and how much do you pay? Martin Garton looks at the pros and cons, and suggests ways to make savings without compromising cover.

Is your business well run?

- Managing your business is about more than just making key decisions. If you want long-term success, you must show you are running it carefully, says Neville Bain, chairman of the Institute of Directors.

Get that training right!

- Dealing with staff is a complex process. In our new mini-series, Clive Van Der Velde looks at how to carry out an induction process.

Offer to help cut costs

- In the current climate, one surefire way of getting business is by offering to help your clients cut their costs. It touches a nerve, and it's a recipe for success, says Art Sobczak.

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