Small business management

When a small business owner draws up his business plan, he takes it as a given that he will have sufficient small business management skills to grow the business. But often he loses sight of best practice in his business. Here is some small business advice:
1. Provide spectacular customer service -- every time. Introduce a “mystery shopper”. Have a friend visit your business and provide feedback from a customer’s perspective. This person should be unknown to your staff and willing to provide a candid assessment.
2. Make sure your front and back office work like a well-oiled machine. Are the front line and the back office telling your customers the same thing? Part of good small business management, it’s a good idea to hold frequent staff meetings where the business’ vision is reinforced.
3. Manage your customer relationships -- return customers take the least amount of effort -- use that to your advantage. It’s best business practice to keep in touch often. Build a database of customers.
4. Review your strategic business plan monthly (weekly is even better). Make sure you’re managing your small business in accordance with your business plan.
5. Adjust your strategic plan as necessary. Always strive to be a best practice business in your niche. Your "smallness" makes you more flexible.
6. Communicate, communicate, communicate... with your employees and your customers. Nurture those relationships. Ask for feedback often.
These points, although obvious and simple are vital in effective small business management.