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This e-letter is brought to you by Travelers Home Improvement Finance. In each issue we bring you business and marketing tips, suggestions, and selling ideas for providers of Home Improvements and the renovations markets in Canada. More articles to hone your business skills are archived with each issue on our website. Please follow the link that is listed in the left hand column. If for any reason you would like to remove your address from our list, please use the SafeUnsubscribe feature at the very end of this message and you will be immediately removed. Thank you. |
 Marketing Must-haves
Maybe you've just created your business, or maybe you've been in business for years. Now how are you going to tell people about it? Even if your business is well-established, it's important to promote continually and consistently. Fortunately, there are many ways to do so in this modern day.
Business card
Whether you're speaking, networking, serving customers or actively recruiting new clients out in the field, your business card should be put to good use. And even though it's a small card, it carries a big message about you and your business. Your card can be simple or polished, basic or multi-functional. For instance, a higher-quality card with a calendar on the reverse might encourage recipients to post the card near their desk, which simultaneously provides a continual reminder of your business name. Good cards have a clean design with easy-to-read text clearly stating business and personal name, business location and phone number, and list of services.
Web site
The web site is essentially an interactive business card, applying many of the same design principles. Clean, easy to read, clear text stating key information and user-friendly navigation. Site visitors like to see a page with information about your business and its history, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions page and a page listing contact information. From an administrative perspective, make sure the site is easy to expand as your business grows. Also make sure to offer Crelogix point-of-sale financing for any e-commerce aspect, or at least promote in-store financing for any walk-in traffic.
Follow-up
E-newsletters and postcards are two relatively inexpensive ways to follow up with business contacts. Send these regularly with a professional design, useful information, and the option to opt-out of receiving the e-newsletter or postcard. Consider your target audience and whether they are tech-savvy enough to receive an e-newsletter. Also consider offering loyal customer incentives like monthly coupons or even special discount offers for client birthdays. |
 Is your website primed for business?
If handled correctly, your web site can be a hot spot for gathering leads, promoting your business, or even selling merchandise. If your site isn't getting the traffic you'd like, change up your online strategy in a few easy steps.
Make it complete
There are certain things that savvy web users instinctively look for. These include an About Us page briefly describing your business mission and history, and a Contact Form where visitors can e-mail questions or concerns. The commonly used Frequently Asked Questions page provides answers for many of these questions up front, so visitors won't need to take the extra step of e-mailing the business. If your site features brief testimonial statements from other customers, visitors may feel more confident in using your products or services.
E-commerce
Whether you're selling a product or service, it's beneficial to have an e-commerce aspect complete with Crelogix point-of-sale financing. Site visitors will be able to purchase merchandise or schedule a service and pay in full with a few clicks of the mouse. Furthermore, research has shown that e-commerce is one of the prime ways to reach the 18-30 age demographic. When dealing with e-commerce, it helps to link to a privacy notice and secure site statement. This assures customers that their private contact information will not be shared and their payment information is totally safe from prying eyes. It also helps to run specials on your web site, like monthly discount codes or a discount for using point-of-sale financing. After each transaction, always send the customer a notification page by mail or e-mail to confirm the order was received
Engage your target market
Consider adding a forum to your site, where visitors can discuss topics relevant to your business and industry. Also consider adding an e-newsletter to your marketing roster and recruit subscribers by incenting them with giveaways or discounts. You might even host monthly contests online with a new prize each time, often a great way to gather contact information of prospective customers. Visiting and commenting on blogs related to your industry is a great way to spread the word about your web site, and of course, always make sure your marketing materials and business cards clearly state your web site address. |
How to keep your employees happy  Happy employees lead to increased productivity and customer satisfaction. So how can you get (and keep) happy employees? There are several options, some of which are easily implemented regardless of the nature of your business or how it's being affected by the economy.
Open door policy
Communication is key when it comes to knowing what your employees want and need. Furthermore, being open to their ideas and suggestions on business procedures and customer service could improve operations and make your staff feel more like a team working toward a common goal.
Coffee and tea
Offering limitless supplies of coffee and/or tea can perk up employees and even encourage conversation, which in turn strengthens your team. Complimentary beverages can also welcome customers and encourage them to return.
Family activities
Host picnics, bowling nights or open houses, or even simply consider making the Christmas party family-friendly. Family-friendly activities give everyone a chance to get to know each other better. Again, the primary goal is to further a team-oriented approach to work.
Competition
Offer incentives for your employees to sell more, get more referrals, or sign more people up for point-of-sale financing. Whatever your current business goals, creating a competition amongst employees can help you reach them while facilitating a team-oriented atmosphere in the process. |
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Should you use a payroll software program?
 Payroll is widely regarded as a necessary evil associated with entrepreneurship. It can be quite confusing and time-consuming, which is why so many business owners have opted for the electronic option. Payroll software programs may cost more up-front if you've been handling everything yourself in-house, but are definitely more affordable than a payroll service. Either way, the long-term savings on time and money are outstanding. Before you pick a program, consider a few things.
Are you tech savvy?
If you barely know how to turn on the computer, you will probably want to designate someone to handle the payroll software program. It can be done with a few clicks of the mouse, so you can entrust this task to an existing employee, with perhaps a small pay increase for the added responsibility. You will not, however, need to hire a new employee for this task. Anyone who knows computers fairly well should be able to handle the payroll chore in no time.
Could your bank help?
Many banking web sites now offer online payroll at little to no cost, just like they offer online banking. This will also require a designated tech-savvy person to navigate their way around the bank's web site, but it will not require the added upfront cost of purchasing software. You may feel uncomfortable with having personal financial information for your business and your employees on the Internet, but there would likely be an Internet link even if you were using a payroll software program. Talk with your banker to learn more about online payroll options and discuss any concerns.
Customization
The number one concern when choosing a payroll software program is customization. Can you control which data is reported and tracked? For instance, you may care more about X data than Y, and your software should allow you to focus on what's important to you. Furthermore, it's important to customize which employees can access this program, so password protection and other security measures are key. Lastly, tax reporting should be a feature in all payroll software programs, to consolidate the process and simplify your entrepreneurial life. |
 Online Vendor Registration
It is now possible to register your retail location online through our secure web portal. This secure portal will allows you to submit completed electronically generated registration documents to Travelers Acceptance.
Registering with Travelers is as easy as 1-2-3, you need to simply point your internet browser window to the following address as indicated below:
https://www.travelersacceptance.com/secure/application.aspx
Once all the documents have been received, Travelers will begin the setup process. Once completed, an email will be sent to the owner with a user name and password to be able to access our online financing system. Do not wait till you have a need for financing to get setup, Be prepared ahead of time, register now. | |
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Travelers Acceptance Corporation has since 1974 partnered with businesses to arrange, structure and fund unique indirect consumer financing solutions across a wide range of industries including tuition, automotive aftermarket, vacation ownership, healthcare, membership, consumer durables, power products and home improvements. Travelers consults with its client partners to create superior term financing solutitons that attract and retain more clients,close more sales, and increase overall profitability. |
 Joel Harrison
Managing Director, Home Improvements Finance
1-800-667-6640 ext. 2906
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editor@travelersacceptance.com
Travelers Acceptance Corporation | |
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