Well, it’s that time of year! Spring-cleaning season is upon us.

While you may have already started, or even finished, spring cleaning your home, it’s the perfect time to “spring clean” your business, as well. This is something you should do every year, no matter how large or small your company. You cannot gauge the effectiveness of any changes you’ve made throughout the year without analyzing the benefits and bottom line.

Here are 10 questions to get you started:

1. How do your year-to-date sales compare to the last couple of years?
   Don’t be satisfied if you managed to match them because if sales stayed the same then you’ve achieved zero growth. With inflation, this flat growth line is a warning sign for more trouble down the road.
2. What percentage of your business is from repeat clients?
   This is important to know because if it’s too low, then something isn’t working right and needs to be re-evaluated. You need to ask yourself why your clients aren’t coming back to you. The estimated cost of getting a new client versus retaining an existing one can be as much as five to one in terms of dollars spent. Keeping clients is more cost-effective than constantly seeking new ones.
3. Have you updated your website lately?
   A fresh website design is a key to online marketing, because styles, trends and technologies are always changing. Make sure your website reflects your business style and communicates effectively your company’s point of view. And a big plus, making regular changes to your website can help improve your site’s ranking in search engines.
4. Do you consider marketing and advertising expenses or investments?
   How you look at the money spent in these areas affects your willingness to spend money at all. Would you look at prescriptions as a waste of money? Marketing is really investing in you, your vision and your company. The old adage that you must spend money to make money is true, but you must spend it wisely. Spend it on ads that are bringing in responses and orders, and if they’re not, you need to change things up. If you are spending money on ineffective advertising, you might as well be throwing your money in the trash.
5. Do you know what PR is and how to use it positively to position your business in the media?
   I’ll bet that at least one of your competitors does. Nearly every mention of a company or business in newspapers and magazines is a direct result of publicity efforts. Being quoted or featured in an article speaks volumes to your clients and readers who are your potential prospects. A good PR consultant can do that for you and show you ways to extend the shelf life of that article beyond its publication. (Check out Shannon Cherry The Power Publicist for some AWESOME PR tips and a FREE Publicity Power Pack.)
6. How long has it been since you offered a new product or service?
   Loyal customers like to see you changing and progressing with the times. If you’re stuck for an idea, ask your customers what they need.
7. Do you treat your regular customers better than your drop-ins?
   You should. If your customers don’t feel special when coming to you for products or services, why should they remain loyal to you? Have a customer appreciation day or a special invitation only sale for your regulars. Create a mailing list of your regulars. Send occasional post cards or greeting cards for special events or just to keep in touch. Learn to recognize them on sight and greet them by name when they visit you.
8. How long has it been since you really talked to one of your customers?
   Just as you appreciate when your doctor takes time to talk to you, your customers will appreciate you if you take an interest in their needs. If you have a service business, have lunch or coffee periodically with some regulars – even if they only contact you once or twice a year. The personal touch in an impersonal world will be remembered.
9. How is your business doing compared to your competition?
   Every company, no matter what the size, has competition – even home-based businesses. Is their business growing or downsizing? Is their pricing or service better than yours? If so, what can you tell potential customers about the price difference? Think about how you can improve your service to meet or exceed your customer’s expectations.
10. Do you have a newsletter, eZine or Blog (separate from your regular website)?
    If not, you should! Your eZine or blog posts don’t have to be long, drawn out pieces; they are perfect places to share success stories, Q&A sessions and photographs of events your company is involved in and requesting current clients to forward your info to friends and acquaintances that might be interested in your services. It’s good to keep things light, and even add a little personal touch to attract readers. Visit Michelle PW for excellent marketing tips and to sign up for her free report 10 Ways to Make Your Marketing More Creative.

Partnering with a Virtual Assistant (VA) can be one of the smartest business moves you will ever make.  A good VA will be able to assist you in handling your administrative workload, allowing you more time to focus on growing your business and generating revenue.  Here are just ten of many ways that a Virtual Assistant can provide much-needed support to your small business:

1. General Administrative Support: If you ever wished you had an administrative assistant on call, a Virtual Assistant may be the perfect solution for you!  VAs can provide general administrative services such as word processing, data entry, spreadsheet and database maintenance, desktop publishing- the list goes on and on.  In fact, if you could give it to an administrative assistant, you can give it to a Virtual Assistant!

2. Online Marketing Management: A Virtual Assistant can assist you with your online marketing plan.  They can manage your pay-per-click campaigns, post  articles, submit your website to search engines, add your website to online directories, create banner ads, prepare and send email newsletters, etc.  Since VAs make their livings online, many of them keep abreast of the latest trends in online marketing.

3. Email and Voicemail Management: If you get large numbers of emails or voicemails, a Virtual Assistant can manage your inboxes.  They can sort through the spam and reply to messages that don’t require your attention, leaving you with fewer messages to wade through every day.  A VA can also provide you with a consolidated report of voicemail messages, allowing you to return a number of important phone calls from a single report.

4. Project Management: Large and small projects alike can be managed by a Virtual Assistant.  A VA can keep your project on track by organizing and coordinating resources, objectives, deliverables, etc. They can relieve the everyday stress of project management while ensuring that deadlines are met and progress continues.

5. Invoicing: A Virtual Assistant can facilitate your invoicing, ensuring that your clients receive timely, accurate invoices.  By partnering with a VA to prepare your invoices, you can gain a tremendous amount of time each month to focus on other aspects of your business that require your specialized attention.

6. Customer Response: Use a Virtual Assistant’s services to keep existing and potential customers happy and returning.  A VA can effectively and efficiently handle customer questions and complaints in an appropriate manner.  By providing your customers with a timely, helpful response, a VA can help you build a stronger relationship with your customers.

7. Event Planning: Nothing is better than a well-planned event.  Enlisting the help of a Virtual Assistant in coordinating your seminars and company functions can take a tremendous amount of burden off your shoulders, allowing for stress-free coordination of your events.  They can make arrangements for the location, speakers, catering, photography, etc- and notify the attendees, too.

8. Travel Arrangements: Whether your business requires you to travel extensively or occasionally, a Virtual Assistant can help coordinate and consolidate your travel plans.  A VA can arrange your transportation, accommodations, in accordance with the meetings and events you will be attending.  They can compile a detailed itinerary for your trip, ensuring that your travels are well-planned and hassle-free.

9. Internet Research: A Virtual Assistant can efficiently perform internet research, consolidating the information you seek and saving you both time and money.  A VA can use their extensive research skills to your benefit, providing you with incredible value by investigating requested topics and providing the results in the desired format.

10. Calendar Management: Managing a busy schedule effectively doesn’t happen by chance.  Team with a Virtual Assistant to help you stay atop of important dates, appointments, contacts and events.  They can help you stay organized and prepared each day, with minimal effort on your part, reminding you of obligations and events ahead of time.

A Virtual Assistant can provide you with customized support solutions for your small business.  By teaming with a Virtual Assistant, the unique needs of your business can be accommodated while reducing your workload and providing you more time to grow your business and achieve your financial and personal goals.

Opening Ceremony

I’ve been meaning to post a recap of my walk in November, but the past two months have just been jam-packed with “stuff” and I finally forced myself to sit down and write something!

I want to start off by saying how much I truly appreciate everyone’s support for my participation in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. My San Diego walk was an incredible 60-mile journey and I have many wonderful memories. Memories I wouldn’t have without your generous donations.

I managed to come through the walk with just a few minor injuries, sprained wrist and bruised and blistered toenails. I still bear the bruises under two of my toenails and a third nail happened to fall off last month. Yuck! But my feet held up rather well. They were not nearly as banged up as they were in 2009 and my sore muscles were fine just two days after my walk. In DC I was stiff for weeks! I guess all those extra training walks really helped! Ya think? lol

Leslie and Marianna

This walk will go down as the first rainy 3 Day in San Diego history, and my first time walking all day in the rain.

And when I say rain, I don’t mean the gentle, warm spring showers that we were told you find in San Diego, but a “West Coast” Nor’easter. It was a cold, wind-driven rain that stopped only briefly and managed to soak you from head to toe. Not even the two rain ponchos I had on could keep me dry. It didn’t help that we walked along the ocean nearly the entire day on Saturday and most of Sunday.

The San Diego walkers kept apologizing for the rain but the community support made up for the weather. In both cities I’ve walked the community support was great, but San Diego was at a higher level and very different. Besides the normal handouts of water, candy, gum and chocolate, the “San Diegans” handed out Jell-O shots, beer, wine, salsa and chips, coffee, cookies and donuts throughout the route. They also modified their support for the rain, handing out large garbage bags to use as ponchos, Ziplock bags to put over our socks to keep our feet dry and hand towels to dry off with.

All weekend long the 3 Day staff reminded us to change our socks because “wet socks give you blisters” but that is just not true. I got the same blisters on Saturday walking in wet socks all day that I got on the first day in DC and it was dry and sunny. I gave up on changing the wet socks after the second pit stop. As soon as I left the bus we used to stay dry while we ate lunch, my feet were wet again. And the second time I changed my socks it was WAY harder to put my shoes back on, my poor toes were so bruised and blistered.

Thankfully I packed my walking sandals for Sunday. My feet were much happier for it. In spite of the rain, the walk was great. Here are some of the highlights!

Day 1- Friday

The seals at La Jolla Caves

The Melon Men

The Melon Men: three men in hot pink bras stuffed with watermelons

The walk down to the beach at Torrey Pine State Park watching the surfers waiting for the waves

Walking up the steep hill from the beach into Torrey Pines with the San Diego police on bikes asking us to “push the tush” and “cop a feel”

Lunch at La Jolla along the ocean, being windy and cold enough that we did not stay longer than necessary

Jell-O shots, wine and beer being handed out along the route

Mr. Smiley face and his daughter cheering us on as we walked the last few miles to camp. They stayed with us during the entire walk, even in the rain.

Tripping on a hole in the sidewalk about 3 miles from camp and injuring my hand (the medic said I was the only person to come in with a hand injury I always have to be unique)

Arriving at camp after 23+ miles and finding a group of men and their sons helping set up tents and carrying bags for the weary walkers

Showers with no lines and individual changing area, a nice change

The remembrance tents glowing on the hill overlooking the beach

Day 2 – Saturday

Rain, Rain and more Rain!

Homeless man who sleeps under one of the overpasses telling me “you should stay out of the rain today. I am not even going out, not a good day to be walking. Stay dry and God bless you for what you are doing”.

The nice lady that was handing out Ziplock baggies to put on over our socks so that we could keep our feet dry.

The “hug” man at lunch. He stood under a tree waiting for each walker to come by to give them a hug. And boy did I need it after 13+ miles of walking in the rain.

Lunch on a school bus which was warm and dry

No rain for the next 4 miles on the boardwalk at Mission Beach

Parties at the condos on the beach with offers of cocktails, beer and free breast exams from young college men. I thought long and hard about joining them and getting a taxi back to camp! That beer was looking pretty good!

A double rainbow over the beach

Camp: the inside of the tent and sleeping bag were both dry

Showers, hot water and dry towels

Warm bed

Day 3 – Sunday

Sunshine as we packed up our tents and gear and left camp, even thought the rain started shortly after

Residents of the assistant living center dancing and cheering us, some were in wheelchairs

San Diego police department entertaining us at the 1st pit stop as we waited for the porta potty. They were so much fun (even rocking a few of the porta potties while they were occupied, telling people to hurry up) and they used their vacation time to keep us safe on our walk.

Massive hill up from Old Towne, beautiful view once at the top but what a hill!

The “breast man”, he is an old man in a wheel chair with the sign that reads “I am a breast man”. He is out there every year, getting hugs and kisses from the walkers.

The last 3+ miles to holding with the sidewalks full of families cheering us on

Petco park and walking in as a team with the “Walks of Life” sign

The silence and the deafening cheers of closing ceremonies

The hugs and goodbyes

These were the memories that I took back with me

Again to all those who made a contribution, thank you for your support. I could not do this without you. And just in case you are wondering, yes I am walking again in 2011… in Philly.

Because of your generosity and the support of all of my donors, to date I’ve raised $6,800 to help end breast cancer. To contribute to my 2011 walk please visit my site here.

For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, visit komen.org; for more information about the Komen 3-Day for the Cure, visit The3Day.org.

Thank you for making this possible. Maybe next year, you can join me!