| is not a definitive ‘how to’ article. | | | | business standpoint. |
| Starting a business is a serious and very difficult | | | | How to get organized and stay that way. From the |
| process. What this article will do is to give you some | | | | day you open your doors, you must be organized and |
| general directions and a tip which will help you get | | | | have a systematic way of performing your business |
| organized and remain that way. | | | | activities. This is the glue that holds your business |
| Most people have a dream about what they would like | | | | together. |
| to do with a business. Maybe it is something that is in | | | | The tip: Check out what an 800 number and PBX |
| their family that they would like to market. This is often | | | | system can do for you. Your ability to communicate |
| the case with a good, popular restaurant. Family | | | | with customers and prospects depends heavily on the |
| recipes make it big in some of these locally grown, | | | | capabilities of your phone system. The affordability of |
| family owned eateries that are a joy to visit. | | | | an 800 number and related PBX system allows them |
| What to sell. You have to know what you want to sell. | | | | to be a part of your business from the start. You can |
| But that might not necessarily be the only way to think | | | | design a system to meet your needs and one that will |
| about this. Look about you in your community. Do you | | | | grow with you as you grow. Also, not only does it help |
| see any demands for goods or services that are | | | | you to handle incoming calls, it helps you keep costs |
| going unmet? What opportunities are there from which | | | | low by not having to hire someone to perform the |
| one could make a profit? | | | | functions of a receptionist. |
| How to sell it. Is your business a retail establishment? | | | | Customers and prospects will appreciate that you |
| Will it be a service or product oriented business? Will | | | | included this system with your new business as a way |
| you sell directly or through a dealer? All of these | | | | of keeping in touch. The auto attendant features allow |
| questions must be answered in your initial assessment. | | | | them the flexibility to route their own calls. The online |
| Also, you must consider local regulations, licenses, and | | | | information about your products and services helps |
| permits. | | | | answer basic questions. The ‘follow-me’ |
| Where to get customers. How will you let the | | | | feature helps insure that they will be able to talk to a |
| community at large know that you are in business? | | | | ‘live’ person when needed. |
| What will bring them in to make a purchase: price or | | | | Starting a new business is hard work. Realizing the |
| quality? What will keep them coming back? What | | | | benefits from one is a special joy. The satisfaction in |
| place does service have in your organization? Your | | | | knowing that you are helping your customers be |
| ability to attract and keep customers will be the | | | | successful is priceless. Make an 800 number and PBX |
| catalyst that makes you or breaks you from a | | | | system part of your plans. You will be glad you did. |