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If there’s one phrase, that’s more dangerous than any other when you’re setting up a business it’s “one-size-fits-all.” There are thousands of business in the world, and the one thing that they have in common is that they are all different. Sure, some will have similar products, similar customers, and similar branding. That but that doesn’t mean that they are the same. So, if every business is different, then why do so many business owners run them in exactly the same way? One of the biggest mistakes that you can make as a business owner is to say “well, it worked for that business, so it must work for mine!” Of course, sometimes that it true, there are occasions where something applies across the board. But then there are times when a part of your business needs a more personal touch. Here are just a few things you should personalize in your business.
Your website
Now, there are obviously certain things that every website needs. It needs to be clear and easy to navigate. But there are certain things that one business needs from its website that others won’t. Think about what it is that your customers are looking for when they visit your website. How can you make sure that they can find it as easily as possible? Retail sites aren’t offering the same thing as websites for dentists, so why should they be made the same way? The best thing to do is to build your website from the ground up with the specific needs of your business in mind.
Your marketing
To be able to market effectively you’ve got to a have a solid understanding of exactly who your target demographic is. And if there’s one thing you should know about different demographics is that they all respond to marketing in different ways. If your demographic is much older people, then you’re not going to get much out of a large-scale social media campaign. Similarly, Millennials tend to completely ignore traditional advertising, so you’ll need to find more effective, viral marketing methods to communicate with them. Just because a campaign worked for one business doesn’t mean it will for your own. Look at effective ways your demographic has been marketed too before for ideas.
Your employees
Everyone who works for your business is an individual, with individual strengths, weaknesses, desires, and needs. You’ll get nowhere if you try to treat them as if they are all the same. Of course, you need to make sure you’re treating them equally and fairly, but you should still make sure that you’re paying attention to their individual needs. If one employee works better in isolation, then find space for them to work away from people if they need to. Another employee might be a great leader and communicator; it’s probably a good idea to allow them to discuss ideas with other people and guide them forward effectively. Being understanding and flexible is one of the most important traits that a business owner can have.
