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The customer is always right, most of the time.

The customer is always right… unless they’re wrong. After all, they’re only human too. Your customers’ opinions are important, but “you should not build your customer service system on the premise that your organisation will never question the whims of your clients,” says Branson.

Branson warns that many entrepreneurs think if they provide ‘the-customer-is-always-right’ service that it will improve their businesses. This is only sometimes true. Beware not to damage relationships with customers or staff with your customer service policies.

Define your brand.

When it comes to defining your brand, Branson advises entrepreneurs to do the opposite of what he did with Virgin, which is spreading out all over the place. And while it’s true that Virgin branches into many different industries, Branson says the company is actually quite focused on one thing: “finding new ways to help people have a good time.”

Stick to what you know. Under promise and overdeliver. Because if you don’t define your brand, your competitors will.

Explore uncharted territory.

Branson compares exploring new territory in business to exploring new territory in science or geography. “We will find new species and better understand the make-up of the deep-level waters,” he says.

Business translation: There are still many things out there that haven’t been discovered, invented, achieved. Exploring little- or uncharted areas can spark new ideas and innovations.

Beware the “us vs. them” environment.

A workplace should be one in which the boss and his or her employees communicate well and work together toward the same goal. “If employees aren’t associating themselves with their company by using ‘we’, it is a sign that people up and down the chain of command aren’t communicating,” says Branson.
If you think there might be discrepancies or tension between employees and management, Branson advises to check with the middle management first to try to uncover the source of the problem and address it head-on.

Build a corporate comfort zone.

Employees must feel free and encouraged to openly express themselves without rigid confines so they can do better work and make good, impactful decisions.

“This may sound like a truism,” begins Branson, “But it has to be said: It takes an engaged, motivated and committed workforce to deliver a first-class product or service and build a successful, sustainable enterprise.”

Not everyone is suited to be CEO.

A manager needs to be someone who “brings out the best in people,” someone who communicates well with others and helps an employee learn from a mistake instead of criticizing them for it.

Not everyone does this well, and that’s okay. The founder can but doesn’t have to be the CEO; if the fit isn’t right, he or she should know when the role is meant for someone else.

And, just like last week, we think one more success tip that Mr. Branson should have added is that to boost the chances of success for your business base it at Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch.

Want to learn how to head down the road to success with higher profits, more satisfied employees and happier clients? Take a look at our 14 tips to business success.

Plan: The first step in finding business success is clearly defining your professional objectives, your mission statement, your value propositions and how you’re going to achieve them. What is the plan you have in place to reach your goals?

Care: Care about your business, your work, your clients and your professional reputation. Be passionate about your company’s mission. Care about the satisfaction levels of your employees. Support improvement and reward success. Caring about your work and your business is contagious, and it should start with you.

Be knowledgeable: Who is your target audience? What do your customers want from companies in your industry? What are your competitors’ strategies? What are the opinions of your employees and clients about your business? From your company to your employees, to your clients, to your products and services, know the ins and outs. The more feedback you receive, the more you can direct and understand.

Focus on work environment: Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch is your top Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch/Sarasota provider of executive suites for a reason—we know the importance of a professional, healthy and positive work environment and how it encourages success!

Care about image and location: In the world of business, first impressions go an awful long way, especially if you are an unknown trying to get business from a prospect that has been in business for a while. Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch knows that your company deserves the finest. Our building is in a prestigious Lakewood Ranch location that creates a professional, active and high-status image for you.

Delegate: Teamwork is key! Learn the skillsets of your employees and delegate tasks accordingly. Delegating gives you more time to run your business and focus on your core competencies, while giving others further opportunities to invest themselves in your company. If you don’t have employees then delegate your tasks to the friendly and professional administrative staff at Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch. We work really hard to make you look really good.

Reputation: A company that truly desires success will seek more than profits. Keep the needs of your customers in mind! Satisfied customers equal repeat customers, and research shows that repeat customers are likely to spend 67 percent more than new customers. Not only that, it is much cheaper to retain than to recruit, so make it a point to not only attract clients, but to keep them coming back for more.

Keep it simple: The best problem solvers are ones that not only find an effective solution, but also the most efficient, simple and sustainable answer. Take care of business while steering clear from overly complex solutions.

Be flexible: Every company knows that no matter how carefully you plan there is always the possibility that something happens or a decision is made that changes the game. As long as your company’s operations have room for flexibility and your employees have open minds, several doors to opportunity and success will remain open even if one closes.

Keep accurate records: While the task can be tedious, keeping detailed records of all business activity can be invaluable. Costs can be reduced and controlled, audits can be made easier, and time can be spent more efficiently. Gathering, and most importantly, analyzing the metrics of how your business spends time and money can help you trim the fat and quickly reach your goals.

Differentiate: In other words, free yourself from your competitors! Discover what it is about your business that makes it exceptional. While your company may have similar services and products as others in your industry, identify the part of your business that is unique and makes it stand out from the rest. Use this to show your clients how working with you will be a professional and refreshing experience.

Maintain quality: While saving time and money is crucial for any business, don’t forget the necessity of high quality. Whether in customer service, products or services, quality is the foundation of success.

Plan for growth: With success comes development and growth, so plan for it! Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch offers flexible workspace solutions that provide offices for one to many people, with the option of moving into larger executive office suites in the same location to meet the needs of your growing business.

Have fun: Most importantly, enjoy your work! Keep you and your employees from burning out by maintaining the passion and drive for success. Cultivate a supportive, healthy work environment that will make your employees proud to work for you and your clients happy to work with you.

What does success mean to you? Here at Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch, the provider of high quality executive suites in the Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch/ Sarasota area, we know what businesses need to make their visions of success a reality. We have worked closely with a large number of different companies and organizations to learn what it takes to make it in business and have fashioned our suites and the corporate culture to nurture your success.

Oh, and the fifteenth step for business success? It is to locate your business at Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch. Stop in and see why.

4 Reasons a Professional Office Space is better than Open-Plan Offices

There can be benefits to open-plan office layouts such as greater interaction among workers or increasing the flexibility of a space but for a lot of people there are reasons that a dedicated office space is preferred. Below are four of the most oft-cited reasons that a professional office space is better than open-plan offices.

1) Fewer Interruptions

The ability to separate yourself from other co-workers when needed and have someone else take care of answering the phone can reduce the stress of environmental stimuli and allow you to prioritize and focus on important tasks.

2) Privacy

If you meet with existing clients or potential clients in person, having an open-plan office may make them uneasy or may make it difficult for you to meet with people face-to-face as often as you would like. In addition, there may be phone calls or business issues that need to be discussed that are uncomfortable to talk about in semi-public locations.

3) Feeling Less Crowded

Simply providing a more enclosed space as opposed to short walls that you can see over may help people feel less crowded. It can be difficult to concentrate when co-workers keep popping by a space or talking loudly on the phone.

4) Having a dedicated space

Individuals often have different tasks depending on their job functions and sometimes need different layouts or furniture for different functions. Instead of thinking of everyone’s workspace as the same, an individual office can be personalized based on whether that person does a lot of filing, drawing, or computer work, for example.

Come see what we have to offer and experience our professional and welcoming office environment today! Detailed information on the services Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch offers can be found here, but feel free to contact us (941.373.1400) and take a tour if you have specific questions about your business needs!