Check lists are a beautiful thing. Pilots use them to make sure their airplanes are ready for flight confirming everything from fuel levels, to control positions and making sure cabin signs are turned on or off. I have check lists for activities from surfing trips to camping. Without them something is bound to be forgotten. There is even a checklist.com with prewritten lists available for use. Shouldn’t a business have a check list to review on a regular basis? It might look something like this:
- Customer Service – How do customers rate your company when it comes to service? Do they find your employees accommodating and interested in their questions and problems? There should be a clear process for elevating problems. Regular training and coaching may be required to keep these skills sharp.
- Products – If you’ve been in business for a long time, is your product line relevant to your industry? Are new items available regularly? You may want to develop long-term product goals that anticipate changes in your business environment.
- Brand/Marketing/Advertising – Check the company logo. It should look like it belongs in 2013. Examine all customer touch-points from stationary, advertising templates and business cards. It might be time to get involved with new avenues of media such as Google or Facebook.
- Technology and Tools – Are your computers up-to-date? Any of your important applications no longer supported leaving you at risk? Is there a tablet solution to replace an aging cash register? Check your website to ensure all the links still work and the entire look and feel is at today’s standards while meeting the needs of your business.
- Employee Engagement – Review your business management style and strategies. Be sure you know how to get the most out of today’s generation and culture. There are many excellent training classes, conferences and even websites to help keep current.
- Business curb appeal – If you have a brick and mortal building inspect its condition. Is walking in your door a comfortable experience for customers? It may be time for a new coat of paint, updated signage or simply replace those 70’s magazines in the waiting room.
- Your internet reputation – This probably one of the most important checks you can do. A bad review on Yelp can really hurt. Are there any “posts” for which you need to respond or follow-up? If your business status has been damaged, you can fix it yourself or hire a company that specializes in resolving these issues.
This check list can go on and on to include financials, security and even a business plan. Decide what areas are most important to be checked on a regular basis. Then place it on your schedule as a mandatory review.
Ted Saul is a business coach that assists with Business Plans and Project Management. He holds a master certificate in project management and has earned his MBA from Regis University. Ted can be reached on LinkedIn, TedS787 on Twitter or emailing Ted@tsaul.com.
