Month: March 2023

Why Adaptability Is An Essential Business Strategy

A person in a white t-shirt holding up a blue card with the words "Time to Adapt" written on the front

In a rapidly changing business landscape, the ability to adapt and be resilient in the face of challenges is more important than ever. The most successful businesses are those that are able to innovate and evolve to stay ahead of the competition, while being flexible and having the elasticity to overcome obstacles. The ability to adapt is what sets successful businesses apart from those that are set in their ways and ultimately fail. It is clear, that in today’s ever-changing environment, adaptability is the most important business strategy.

What is business adaptability?

Being adaptable is not just about changing course quickly, it also involves having a culture that embraces change and encourages innovation. It means being open to new ideas, taking risks, and constantly learning and improving. Successful businesses stay ahead of the game by anticipating future changes, being proactive, and continuously tweaking their products, processes, and strategies. They also understand that change is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires constant attention. In addition, adaptable businesses prioritize their customers and employees. They listen to feedback, respond quickly to customer needs, and create a culture of trust and empowerment for their employees. This fosters a dynamic and collaborative work environment where new ideas are encouraged, and experimentation is celebrated.

Why is it important?

Adaptability is essential as it enables businesses to quickly and effectively respond to changes in their environment. It helps to accommodate new realities, meaning that companies are better able to survive and thrive in new or unexpected circumstances. Such flexibility also enhances creativity and innovation, as individuals and organisations are better able to recognise and exploit new opportunities that arise. Finally, adaptability promotes both personal and professional growth and development. It encourages the learning of new skills, in order to navigate challenging situations and flourish.

Where do I start?

  • Find a way to embrace change. It’s a natural part of life, and the more you accept it, the more adaptable you and your business will become.
  •  Be open to new ideas and perspectives. Keep an open mind and try to see things from different angles.
  • Be willing to learn! There is always something new to explore, so try to keep your mind focused on learning new things and developing new skills.
  • Be decisive. Develop your decision-making skills and learn to be comfortable making quick decisions when needed.
  • Be flexible and willing to adjust your plans as needed. This can help you adapt to new situations and changes that may arise.
  • Practice resilience! It will grant you the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. Remember to stay positive, seek support from others, and focus on your strengths.

If you’d like to find out more about nurturing an adaptable business mindset or have any other queries you’d like us to support you with – we’d love to help! Get in touch:

T: 01903 688789 E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com

Why Client Testimonials Are Essential For Maintaining Business Growth

Laptop computer with two speech bubbles emitted from the screen displaying five star reviews

As the world becomes more and more digitised, it’s important for SMEs to establish and maintain a strong online presence. In order to do so, businesses must build credibility and trust with potential clients. One of the best ways to do this is through client testimonials. Providing reassurance to your target prospects, testimonials help to establish your business as credible, trustworthy, and renowned.

Why Testimonials Are Important

Testimonials are an important way for businesses to establish credibility and trust among target prospects. They are a great way to showcase the unique benefits and experiences customers have had with your company. Simply put, testimonials are a form of social proof that your product or service works, is high quality, and can be trusted. By displaying authentic testimonials, potential customers will gain insight into your product’s effectiveness, reduce any doubt they may have, and view your offerings as a real, tangible solution. Ultimately, testimonials help to convert leads into new, paying customers, leading to increased revenue and business growth!

How To Get Testimonials

Apart from directly asking your clients, there are many ways a business can collect testimonials. Survey tools such as feedback forms or questionnaires are a popular choice, providing a quick and proactive way of receiving detailed feedback. Alternatively, if you’re looking to increase your brand awareness third-party review sites can also be a great option. As part of your onboarding process or post-purchase process, you could ask customers to visit a “Review Us” page that links to your profiles on sites such as Trustpilot, Yelp, or Google reviews. If you’re struggling to gain testimonials, you may want to consider a “reward system” for customers willing to share their experience. Finally, remember to always thank your clients for taking the time to provide feedback!

What To Do With Testimonials

Once you have collected your testimonials, the next step is to optimise them for usage and promote them on your websites and other channels. It’s important to feature your testimonials prominently by placing them on dedicated pages of your website, using them on product pages, or even featuring them in a slider on your homepage for maximum visibility. Additionally, you could create a customer success section that displays quotes, stories, or customer photos that can help onlookers visualise how great your customers find your product or service. You can also share customer testimonials on your social media channels. Testimonials that include photos of customers or products tend to perform better, providing visual appeal while helping to break up the text and grab attention. You can also experiment with different formats, such as stories, reels, gifs, or other short form videos that will help you captivate your followers and show off the customer’s experience.

Testimonials are an essential tool for any business looking to establish a strong online presence and increase business growth. Be sure to leverage them to the fullest, by optimising them for usage online. This will not only help boost customer trust and validate your product but will also be beneficial for overall brand visibility. If you’d like to find out more or require any additional business support, our team would love to help! Get in touch:

T: 01903 688789 E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com

7 Ways To Successfully Reduce Employee Turnover

A person in an office packing their things into a cardboard box

High employee turnover rates can be detrimental to any business – large or small. Not only does it mean a loss in productivity, it can also lead to a decrease in morale and an increase in expenses. The good news is that there are various things you can do to reduce staff turnover and keep your team happy and engaged. From creating a supportive and collaborative environment to promoting employee wellbeing, these tips will help you retain your team and keep your business growing.

Understand why employees are leaving

The first step is to identify the issue. When trying to pinpoint why employee turnover is high, regular feedback and surveys can be useful. Make sure you’re asking questions that will help you understand the underlying problems that are causing employees to leave. Is there a lack of job satisfaction? Is there too much pressure or are there not enough opportunities for growth and development? Maybe the way you communicate or manage employees could use some improvement. Get to the root of the problem and make necessary changes to ensure employees are set up for success. 

Craft a recruiting strategy that attracts the right talent

The next step is crafting a recruitment strategy that will attract the right talent. What are the attributes, skills, and values that you want in an ideal employee? Once you’ve identified what you want, make sure your job description is clear and the benefits you provide are competitive. Be sure to reach out to the right people and organisations. Networking and attending recruitment events can be a great way to scout new talent, while word of mouth can be one of the most efficient ways to find a reliable team. Don’t forget to ask your existing employees to refer their contacts or others they know, who may be a good fit.

Improve communication and feedback

Effective communication and good feedback is key. Make sure your team has access to the information and tools they need to do their best work. Keep the lines of communication open and ensure all feedback is consistent and two-way. Regularly check-in with all employees and be constructive, this can help increase morale and encourage employees to feel appreciated. It will also help your team to feel more connected to the company and give them the opportunity to express any concerns or offer solutions.

Encourage professional development

Providing employees with the chance to grow and develop is a great way to ensure the longevity of your team. Invest in your employees and provide them with the opportunities and resources to take their career to the next level. Consider providing in-house classes/training or outside seminars and conferences they can learn from. Most importantly, be understanding and let your employees learn from their mistakes.

Nurture a positive workplace environment

Make sure your company culture is one that is well respected and attracts employees who can genuinely contribute and create a positive environment. Recognize and celebrate employees’ successes, honour their work, and provide social opportunities for staff to interact. While these things may feel small, they can go a long way in making employees feel valued – ultimately decreasing unnecessary turnover.

Be flexible

Flexible working hours and flexible vacation policies give employees the chance to create their own work-life balance, which can lead to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Offering work from home or remote work options can also be beneficial as it can reduce stress and save employees time and money. It may be helpful to conduct surveys or studies to learn what type of flexibility works best for your employees and take the necessary steps to implement it.

Be transparent about targets and expectations

Finally, be transparent from the get-go. Employees should have a clear understanding of how their performance is evaluated as well as their roles and responsibilities. Provide detailed performance metrics and use them to benchmark success. Keep your team updated on company goals and strategies. Regularly solicit feedback and use it to identify where small changes can be made to make employees’ jobs easier or more enjoyable.

Reducing employee turnover is no easy task. It requires time, focus, and commitment on the part of the management team. If you’d like to find out more about reducing your employee turnover or require any additional business support, we’d love to help! Get in touch:

T: 01903 688789 E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com