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January 16, 2014
The Last Business…or Is It?

I heard a new term the other day, ‘Third Ager.’ Here in North America, we use the more common term, ‘Zoomer’ or ‘Boomer.’ According to a recent article in the Vancouver Sun on Nov. 9, 2013, by Bob Ransford, “There are an estimated five million Canadians 65 years of age or older today, a number that is expected to double in the next 25 years to 10.4 million seniors by 2036.”

Ransford states that “the Royal Institute of British Architects recently published a report exploring some of the economic and social changes that dominant aging populations will bring for towns and cities in the next 30 years.” The article made it clear that the institute “identified, an ‘active Third Age’ – a new demographic cohort representing active, healthy members of society approaching or beyond retirement. Members of the active Third Age are 60 to 74 and much engaged in leisure and cultural pursuits.”

This article broke the myth that all retirees are heading for Sunny Brook Rest Home. I predict that, whether it is from financial need, boredom, self-fulfillment, innovation or whatever the reason, this age group could become the next great generation of entrepreneurs. They bring deep financial pockets, sound business wisdom and experience, passion for enterprise, political savvy, and are from a generation of hard-working people. With these offerings, there is an increased chance a start-up would succeed. Besides, with the sheer numbers, these businesses could drive our local and national economy, offer business mentorship, and create employment opportunities.

So for all you ‘Third Agers’ out there, I would encourage you to explore self-employment as a life-change option. Who knows this last business could be way more fun than anything you have ever done in your life to this point! I’d love to hear from you. Is self-employment an option for you…or not?

October 3, 2012
Will Someone Call Me Back!!!

Today I am on a rant.  Face it…I love to support small business and look for opportunities whenever possible, to purchase from, book with, and support the Canadian entrepreneur.

Owner-operator businesses can be fun, original, and very, very good at what they do.  They can be caring, and because they are hands-on, can be pro-active, responsive, and one step ahead of trend.

They can also be the most frustrating to deal with.  Recently, I was looking for an event location for a birthday party.  I did an Internet search and came up with 3 ideal locations that were unique and well-suited to my needs.  It is important to note here that all three locations are small and unique hospitality businesses that are run by owner-operators.

All three of the company websites gave me an email address to send an inquiry to.   Emails were sent and only one responded with a call…five days later.  I was promised menus by day-end.  It has now been two weeks.  There is still no email with menus, nor has the fellow called me back to see what I thought of the menus or if he could book me.

As I was really interested in booking with them, I called one of the other locations twice more and left messages with their voicemail.  Here we are two weeks later and still no calls or emails back.

In my opinion the average customer today wouldn’t have even made the additional call as they would have expected an email response right away. People don’t wait; they move on. How many potential customers and how much money are we leaving on the table because the follow-up is poor or non-existent?

Here’s a suggestion to the business owner.   Get an outside person to email or call your business and have them make some inquiries.  Find out what the response time is, what your people are saying, and what they aren’t doing. Create a follow-up plan, train to it, and monitor it for success.  I guarantee you that there is money to be made by efficient follow-up.  Do it right because your competitors aren’t!

July 9, 2011
Use It or Lose It!

It’s summer. Have you noticed that your phone doesn’t ring anymore and your email count is down? You can’t get hold of many business owners? Out-of-office messages are epidemic?

According to Tom Hall, in an on-line article by Karen E. Klein, “Some small businesses shut their doors—or mentally check out—during the summer. But companies that do so will leave new business on the table” Hall, a serial entrepreneur and principal of Tucker/Hall, a crisis communications company in Tampa, Hall recently co-authored a book, Ruthless Focus: How to Use Key Core Strategies to Grow Your Business, with leadership expert Wally Bock. Hall spoke with Smart Answers columnist Karen E. Klein about the importance of pushing business forward and avoiding the summer doldrums. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow.

Karen E. Klein: It feels like a lot of small businesses don’t get much work done over the summer. Is that impression outdated?

Tom Hall: It should be. It’s a psychological issue: People save up mentally for vacation and start focusing on vacation a week or two early. When they get back, they’re mentally on vacation for another week. So a week’s vacation turns into a low-productivity month.

Karen E Klein: What’s the alternative?

Tom Hall: Summer is a great time to jump your business ahead. If your clients and customers are all taking a break, take advantage of the slow market and get yourself ready for the fall.”

My tip for summer marketing?

Make those calls anyway! Isn’t it nice to know that when they return from holiday, they will hear your voice when they return, see your name on the message pad or at the very least, know you emailed them? Be sure and follow up again a couple of weeks later.

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