Reviewing Key Business Strategies

“The future depends on what we do in the present.” – Mahatma Gandhi

The purpose of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the civic, economic, industrial, professional and cultural welfare of the Crescenta Valley. We seek to educate all citizens on the role and importance of a healthy economy to the community’s existence.

To have a healthy economy requires having successful businesses. I did research on what it took to be successful in business and saw that in my research there seemed to always be the same six principals. The first three cornerstones to be successful in business are networking, customers and passion, which I explain below. The next three I will explain next week.

The first cornerstone of successful businesses is your customers. Always have strong commitments to each customer. Understand what the customer wants. Improve the life of your customer. Always be trustworthy and do what you say you are going to do.  Always provide impeccable customer service. Respond quickly and provide a more personalized service than the competition. Present the benefits of your products and services to your customers, highlighting the unique solutions it offers to their problems. Study, but do not copy, your competitors and package your products distinctly. Avoid being a copycat; rarely do imitators succeed. Strive for accuracy and quality the first time around. First impressions are everything. Your business hinges on its reputation, so it is imperative that you build a good reputation for the quality of your products and support services. These two things are the best indicator towards success: high quality goods and superior service. Always aim for quality, accuracy and treating each customer like they are your best customer. Customers need to feel that they are important.

The second cornerstone is passion. Discover your strengths and build on those instead of developing weaknesses. Know yourself and your business. Have a passion for your business. Work should be fun. Believe in yourself and have confidence. Be creative in looking for ways to improve your business and make it stand out. Concentrate on what you do best and become an expert in that field. Always work on constant and never-ending improvement.

The third cornerstone is networking. You should have a strong network. Know people who know people. This can be the most powerful marketing tactic to sustain success for any business. Networking is about making connections and building mutually beneficial relationships. Personal relationships enable you to stand out. People do business with those they like and trust. You should serve as a resource to help others succeed and in turn you will succeed.

We have an upcoming event in which the CV Chamber can help you build your network. On May 30 at Voivoda Labs at 4 p.m. there will be a grand opening ribbon cutting. The address is 3501 Ocean View Blvd., in Glendale right below the Montrose Shopping Park. Voivoda Labs is an incubator that helps technology startups who are beginning to generate revenues and are looking for angel investment in order to break into the mass market. Voivoda also offers co-working office space for lease. Please see their website for more information at voivoda.com or come and welcome this new business into the Crescenta Valley at their ribbon cutting. Refreshments will be served and tours of their beautiful facility given. Hope to see you there.

Important CV Chamber dates: May 30 – Ribbon cutting at VoiVoda Labs; June 13 – Business mixer at Caspian Services.

Please call our office for more details on any event. How to reach us: (818) 248-4957 / crescentachamber@aol.com / www.LaCrescenta.org / 3131 Foothill Blvd., Suite D.

  julia rabago