We asked some of our COSE members to share with us some TRICKS they swear by when it comes to running their own small businesses, as well as some TREATS they’ve experienced as a result of being a small business owner.
So don’t be a scaredy cat—pause for a spell and check out what they had to say!
TRICK: “The best ‘trick’ we have found for finding rockstar employees was taking the time to develop our core values. It makes the hiring process easier because we know that those who succeed at Pandata embody our core values. It's our measuring stick for hiring.”
TREAT: The greatest ‘treat’ in running this business has been developing a recognizable brand for Pandata. As a career-long marketer, the opportunity to build something essentially from scratch has given me so much personal satisfaction. Hearing people say, ‘I have heard of Pandata’ or ‘I really love your marketing’ makes me proud of how far we have come.”
Nicole Ponstingle, Pandata
Trick: “One trick we use as a matter of policy is transparency—especially as it pertains to upfront pricing. This way there are no surprises and price-only potential clients filter themselves out of the conversation. We end up getting much more qualified leads and potential clients who are more concerned with value vs price.”
Treat: “Getting to meet, help and work with local entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Greater Cleveland area on a daily basis has been such a fulfilling experience. Knowing that we're directly impacting our local economy and local families in a positive way...it doesn't get much better than that!”
Nachum Langsner, LocalBizGuru
TRICK: “Always have a Service Recovery strategy. No matter how good your service delivery, something will go wrong, either through your own fault or by accident. So, plan for it. Remember that a customer who receives bad service followed by a sincere apology and an outstanding service recovery process often becomes an ‘apostle’—spreading the good news about your company—because people love to tell a good story.”
TREAT: “I get to decide. As a solopreneur I may have to worry about marketing, sales and cash flow, because if I don’t sell, I don’t eat. But two things I never worry about are job security (because I know the boss—me!—isn’t going to lay me off) and feeling stuck in a dead-end job (because I can reinvent myself at any time without waiting for permission)!”
Jim Smith, The Executive Happiness Coach
TRICK: “Identifying and spending time with others (through happy hours, emails, etc) who run a small business in my same industry. Although they are technically competitors, they also experience the same problems I have. Sharing ‘tricks’ of how we have solved the problem we all have, has allowed me to solve these problems more quickly than if I had to figure it out myself…
Which has led to the TREAT of having this group of fellow small business owners become incredibly great friends and referral sources.”
Margaret Cassidy, Cassidy Law
TRICK: “One trick that I use is my marching orders to my team members: A video project is not complete until the client is ecstatic at the final showing.”
TREAT: “A treat I’ve experienced is getting to know so many diverse organizations intimately—their mission, culture and purpose.”
Tony Weber, Goldfarb Weber Creative Media
TRICK: "I use Survey Monkey to qualify candidates when interviewing. I send it to those whose resumes look solid, with the goal of paring down the candidates for phone interviews. The survey has about seven basic behavioral and technical questions. This helps me determine the candidates that are serious as well as get a better feel for the candidate’s writing style, communication skills and thinking. It reduces the need to conduct a ton of phone interviews as well."
TREAT: "I’ve really gotten a chance to harness my creativity and vision. Whether it’s building our solutions out, tackling sales goals or building our community impact initiatives, running my own business allows me the freedom to think, create ideas and make them happen!"
Nevin Bansal, Outreach Promotions and Small Biz Cares
TRICK: “When applying for a small business loan, time your loan request to coincide with the date when your year-end tax return will be completed by your accountant. That way, when your banker asks for a ‘current financial statement within 90 days of application’ you’ll already have it and won’t have to pay her to do a new one for you!”
TREAT: “Don’t be scared to consult your local economic development professional at your City Hall when considering an expansion. You never know what incentives they might have available to help your business grow. For example, businesses in Cleveland, Lakewood, Fairview Park, Maple Heights, Shaker Heights, and Cleveland Heights have received performance grant assistance from the city in conjunction with their SBA-backed loans. Maybe you can, boo!
Raymond Graves, Lender Relations Specialist, Cleveland District Office U.S. Small Business Administration
TRICK: “After I have interviewed someone and the pressure is off the potential candidate, I have two of my employees interview and talk to the potential applicant. They answer any questions they might have about working at SACS Consulting, culture, etc. I explain to my two employees: ‘You are the ones that will work with this potential candidate day to day and not me—so see what you think.’ It is amazing without our people asking much at all what the candidates volunteer and ask—which tells us if they are a good fit or not and increases our hiring success rates!”
Tim Dimoff, CEO and President of SACS Consulting
We hope you have enjoyed these tricks and treats and we wish you happy haunting!