It’s not easy running a business. If you’re going to find success, then you’ll need to have a good idea, a strong work ethic, and a more than a pinch of luck. While there are many factors that determine business success that are beyond our control, there are plenty that we can influence. Take your professionalism, for example. You don’t have to wait for someone else to help your professional: it’s all on you. And while this might be a secondary concern for you, it plays a bigger role in determining your long-term success than you might think. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at a few tried and tested ways that you can give your company’s professionalism a boost in the right direction.
Step Up Your Seriousness
First thing’s first: take a look at how seriously you’re treating your business. If you’re not taking it seriously, then no-one is going to, either! Treating your business with respect is the first step towards upping your professionalism, and is especially important if you’ve only recently started your venture. When things are in the early stages, we can often downplay the seriousness of our company as a way to protect ourselves. But if you’re going to run a business, then go all-in — if you fail, at least you’ll know that you gave it your all.
Look the Part
There’s no getting around the fact that appearances matter in the world. And if you’re not quite convinced of that, just think of what you would think if someone turned up to a business meeting working clothes from the night before? The aim isn’t to try to dazzle and impress your clients with your professional outfit — it’s to do just enough that your appearance doesn’t become a distraction. If what you’re wearing doesn’t gain any attention at all, then you’ll have succeeded. It’s always worth keeping in mind that clothes that were once professional may no longer hold the same power, if they’re old and beginning to tatter, for example. Make a habit of updating your business wardrobe every so often.
Professional Starts
You only get one chance to make a first impression. And alas, if you get it wrong, then you might just lose a potential customer. As such, it’s worth thinking about what your potential customers think when they make that initial call. If they’re calling your cell phone, and you’re distractedly talking to them, then it’s obvious how that wouldn’t be as impressive as if their call was answered by a receptionist. If you don’t have the need to hire a full-time receptionist, then don’t worry: you don’t need to. Instead, you can make the most of a service like www.virtualheadquarters.com.au. You’ll have the peace of mind that all your calls are being answered while you’re working hard, and that this area of your business is as professional as can be.
Your Website Design
There’s another area of your business that contributes towards the overall professionalism of your company: your website. There’s a big difference between how people perceive a website that looks outdated and is full of errors, and one that is sleek, modern, and looks like a lot of time and energy has gone into making sure it’s as good as can be. Try to take a look at your website using an objective gaze: what would you think if you visited this website for the first time? If you wouldn’t be as impressed as you could be, then work with a website design company to make improvements.
Social Media Tone
You already know just how important your social media channels are for the overall success of your business. But it’s worth keeping in mind that it’s not just publishing content and waiting for your followers number to grow and grow. Since the social media arena is more casual than other spaces where you’ll be promoting your business, it’s sometimes easy to fall into the habit of using a tone that’s not quite as professional as it could be. So it’s important that you find the right balance. While there is space for using humor, you’ll need to use it wisely — and never use any language that might compromise your overall professionalism.
Handling Problems
It’s easy to be professional when everything is going well. That’s because you can see that your professionalism is leading to good things, and will continue to bring even more goodness if you continue doing what you do. But what about when things go wrong? The true measure of your company’s professionalism isn’t in how you act when everything is going well, but when problems arise. If you’re presented with a problem from a customer, then be sure that you’re handling it in a professional manner. You might be right, they might be wrong, but a professional company doesn’t show a petty attitude.
At Your Premises
It’s also worth thinking about the message that your company premises promote. This is not just a place where you work: this is the first place that your visitors see, and it’ll say more about your business than you might think (or like). One mistake that some companies make is that their work premises are out of sync with the message they’re trying to promote elsewhere. If you’re presenting the image of yourself as a cool and hip company, then your premises must be cool and hip too. It’ll show that you’re the real deal, and let’s not forget that honesty and authenticity are at the heart of professionalism.
Keep on Improving
Finally, it’s important that you carry on improving all areas of your business. A professional organization doesn’t sit back and rest on its laurels: it’s forever looking to the future, and figures out how they can make things better for their customers tomorrow than they are today. This year, take a look at various aspects of your operations and figure out how you can push things forward and become more professional.
