Change is difficult. Taking a step back to look at how you are doing things and how you can improve is something we tend to put off, telling ourselves there are more pressing things that we should be spending our time on.
It can be difficult to see the bigger picture when you are so involved in the day to day running of your business. Finding the time to do this may be a challenge, but it’s a task that can generate a lot of savings for your business.There is always the temptation to maintain the status quo….business is going ok, right? But is “ok” really good enough? Does mediocre give you the edge against your competitors?
In this blog post we will take a look at some of the ways tradesmen can save money by reviewing current processes and identifying areas that can potentially being improved.
Responding to an enquiry
How long does it typically take for you to respond to a sales enquiry? When a potential customer gets in touch, it’s because they have problem or need that you could fix. To them, there will most likely be a sense of urgency to get this issue resolved as soon as possible, so if you don’t respond in a timely fashion, chances are another supplier will get in first and you will lose the business.As a small business, you will probably be spinning a lot of plates and it can be difficult to give every task your full attention at all times. One way you can make this process more efficient is by setting up automatic emails. These emails would go back to the prospective customers straight away with a message saying you aim to respond within a given amount of time, meaning the prospective client gets an immediate response and you have set expectations.
Sending out a quote
How long after getting details of a potential job are you able to get a quote out? Often, creating quotes can be a long-winded process. Perhaps you have to first visit the client to get an accurate scope of work, then wait until you get back to the office at the end of the day (sometimes a few days) to get the official quote typed out and emailed to the client. As with responding to enquiries, the longer it takes for you to get an official estimate in front of the customer, the more likely they are to go with another supplier.
In this situation, using a software solution such as Quilder can save you time and money. You can use the app on your smart phone or tablet to immediately create the quote as you are scoping out the job with the client. You can then send it straight away, before you even leave the client site! Using a solution such as this can make your quote and estimate turnaround much quicker and gives you the opportunity to close the deal while you are still with the customer.
Getting paid
Ensuring a healthy cash-flow is key for a small business. The quicker you are able to get invoices to your customers, the quicker you will receive payment. Using an app to create your invoices gives you the flexibility to create them while on the go, wherever you are. You could potentially have an invoice sent out to a customer straight after you finish the work!
