Business Beware Blog: Giving Your Business a Voice

The Angie’s List for Contractors: All Free Stuff Here

Good morning BB’ers. Everyone or most everyone knows about Angie’s List and what it is but if you don’t well just go with it Came across this article written on WSJ: “No Free Stuff Here: At Angie’s List Members Pay.”

Great article and how Angie opens up about the the beginning stages of the company and we truly respect her for how she built it. It’s a great company and to us and we applaud them on what they do. It’s sad but there are some bad businesses and contractors out there that try and take advantage of customers. And it’s tough because those guys give the good, hardworking business owner/contractor a bad rep. Most businesses go through the hoops to get a license and pay for all the business things you are suppose to pay while others try and skip the system. Of course every business would like not to pay all the fees but it’s just the right thing to do and you could really get into some deep stuff if you don’t. Not saying we agree with all the licensing terms (because some are just flat out ridiculous and almost as ridiculous as association fees…).

The point I’m getting at is that yes there are some bad businesses out there that give us a bad name but there are also bad customers out there that give good customers a bad name. There are literally bad customers out there that are just waiting to take advantage of your business and what’s sad is we are seeing many b2b situations popping up too. You know the typical bad customer too – bully, arrogant, wants things for free, thinks they are right no matter if they’re wrong etc. This is why it’s crucial to pre-qualify customers before you work with them or even “hire” them for your business.

At Business Beware we help you watch out for these customers and it’s all free stuff here…

And speaking of WSJ, check out this article: How To Market On The Cheap

10 Blogging Topic Ideas for Your Small Business

Ever hit writers block and have no idea what to write or talk about? Everyone hits that wall a few times or maybe all the time so we decided to brainstorm a few things we think might get your juices flowing.

1. Give reasons why people should sign up for your newsletter.

2. Review something in your industry whether it’s a product or something you use for your business.

3. Share and lists tools that you use everyday for your job and why others should too.

4. Share problems you face with your type of business or industry.

5. Why your business is better or different than your fellow competitors.

6. Make a list of your favorite things.

7. Spotlight your favorite people in the industry and tell others why their knowledge is something others should check out too.

8. Make a list of your favorite sites that you use everyday whether it’s to do with your business or just business related.

9. Ways you have found that work best to market your business to your customers.

10.  Let others know how and why you’re using social media. If you’re not using it share why (because a ton of small businesses still don’t).

There is a quick list of 10 thoughts for you to help you get back on track with your blog posts or if you were just looking for new ideas. If you liked this list great! If you have other tips, feel free to leave them below and share with us as well.

Have You Ever Heard That You Should Train Your Customer?

We came across an article the other day a guy wrote that’s based in England stating how you should treat customers and how you should train them…yes, it said train them. We had a little too much fun with this one since it was our “stuck on stupid” segment too.

Watch the show here.

What are your thoughts on training a customer?

Dashon Goldson Encourages Kids to Reach “The Highest Point”

As you know we have been in search of people doing great things whether it’s with their business or organization. We are amazed everyday at the things people are doing to make a difference and we are huge sports fans so to hear about a pro athlete doing something to make a difference in kids lives just made our hearts sing.

Dashon Goldson – free safety for the San Francisco 49ers – has started a foundation for kids called “The Higest Point.” Dashon has seen far too much happen to the communities around him and he wants to do his part to give back – utilizing the resources that he has acquired as a professional athlete to help make a difference in people’s lives.

Dashon took a second out of his crazy, busy schedule to tell us more about his foundation, why he started it and what all he wants to do with it in the future. Check it out:

For more information on Dashon and The Highest Point visit his website: DashonGoldson.com

And follow him on Twitter

Oh and here is his superhero pose…he doesn’t even need a cape for this picture…

Unhappy Customer Reacts at Cafe

Ever wanted to just tell a rude customer what you really think? Well we say go for it. We found this video and thought it was hilarious. It’s actually a prank that’s set up between the customer and the waitress where other customers around have no idea it’s a set up and a camera is rolling. There is nothing like pulling a good prank on people for some laughs but seriously if a customer is rude, show them the door.

Restaurant Owner Kicks Out Rude Customers

We came across this article the other day (and will chat about it on the show this week too) about how Andy Husbands - Restaurant owner/chef kicks out his rude customers. This makes our heart happy to hear that others share the same vision as us when it comes to firing a customer or just saying get out of here, we don’t need your business.

You can’t be afraid to say “you’re fired” to a customer. There are times to go the distance for them (when they have been an awesome long time customer and are the no-drama kind) and there are times you have to let them go because they are a hindrance to your business, your employees and to customers around them like in Andy’s situation.

Read more about the article here. And make sure to let @HagerWBZ know that you read the article and liked it!

Selling a Struggling Business in Today’s Economy

You can see the desperation in business owners and entrepreneurs voices as they seek out advice on how to sell their struggling business these days. It’s tough out there and everyone is trying to stay afloat the best they can. We know this with being small business owners ourselves and which is exactly why we created Business Beware as another tool to help you watch out who you do business with and collect the money that’s owed to you.

Two of our favorite people and who just rock our socks off basically – Mike Michalowicz and Carol Roth were on MSNBC offering their thoughts and tips about this subject and from business owners that wrote in seeking advice. Both of them are great and they are non fluff, no BS and straight forward about advice (which is what we are all about) for business owners and entrepreneurs.

Check out their interview here on Your Business Answers: MSNBC

Can We File a Complaint Against Another Business (B2B)?

We get a lot of emails that come in during the day and we have seen this one become our most common one lately – I need to file a complaint (or collect) from another business that screwed me over can I use your service for B2B?

Yes you can. Believe it or not we have seen more and more businesses getting into it with each other since so many are working together on one job with the way the economy has been. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a customer or fellow business, if you did the work and there was an agreement and someone didn’t hold up their end of the deal then you need A) get paid or B) let others know not to work with them in the future.

So if you have a B2B problem and need to do something about it then we suggest you use our site to “work it out, work it out…”  (yes I totally rapped as I typed that).  For more information visit our how it works page.

Business Owner Seal of Approval

Okay so we got to thinking here at Business Beware (and after many said they wanted us to create a seal for their site) that we should create a seal for our members. And although we think the Better Business Bureau is a great organization we thought why put “accredited” on the seal when there are a ton of business owners out there that are accredited but don’t use sites like that. Sometimes customers don’t use companies if they don’t have a seal of approval stamped all over everything. Which is just plain silly if you ask us.

So after thinking about it we decided that where we come from a small business owner works hard to make a living and doesn’t take a penny from others unless they earned it (great country song that says just this too). We decided to take a stand and create a seal of approval for our fellow hard working business friends we call the “Hard Working Business Owner.”

Oh and that is totally Robert – the founder of Business Beware in the photo too out working hard like he always does. Feel free to download these seals for your site and we do have member seals available once you join the site too. Let’s start a movement and not pay to become accredited when your credit is in your line of work day in and out.

Great article written about us in the Gulf Coast Business Review that posted today so make sure and check it out.

Feel free to download these and use them:

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How the Work Office Relates to the Show “Glee”

If you have no idea what Glee is then you must be living in the foothills in the middle of nowhere, seriously this show is on fire (and it’s downright hilarious and one of our favorite shows). But it got me thinking you know it’s set in a high school but we all know that as we get out of high school and move on to college, the real world etc. that none of the gossip, bullies, over achievers, competition etc. ever goes away. It’s actually in the workplace every day and sad to say that there is a Sue Sylvester in every company team.

Take Rachel Berry for example -

She is a great singer (chops that can make you go “wow”) somewhat on the nerdy side, bossy, speaks her mind, wants to be accepted for who she is and very competitive. Know someone in your office like this? Usually the one that feels like they have so much more to offer than how much they get paid, wants to have the corner office with the big window, all around great person who tends to be on the bossy side.

Finn Hudson -

Good looking athlete (adorable by the way) who gets by with his looks and since he is a big sports guy at the school but can belt out some sweet tunes. How many fellow employees or people do you know that were the attractive ones that got promoted or got their way simply because they were the cool guy/girl (minus the tunes of course)?

Will Schuester -

The awesome teacher who wants to help any way that he can and has every one’s best interest at heart while belting out some amazing tunes and dance moves. Each business has that go to person that everyone learns from or goes to for advice. They are the ones that are consistent and don’t gossip or stand up to bullies like “Sue Sylvester.”

Noah “Puck” Puckerman -

The oh so bad boy that thinks he’s got game with every woman that walks by him (and he does have game I’ll add) but does have a heart deep down. There’s one of these in every business and you know who they are…the ones being suave with the ladies and always saying “let’s go catch a drink later dude.”

Santana Lopez and Brittany -

Two cheerleaders that stick together and do everything together. Santana is the cool one or “knows what she wants” cheer girl who usually gets her way. Then you have Brittany…(anyone who has seen this knows what I’m getting at ha!) no, but seriously she is the one that has no care in the world and is just there to be there. There’s always a few that bound together in the workplace that chatter about everything going on and always have to be in the center of things.

Mercedes Jones -

The “tell it like is” with a voice that can make your legs have chicken skin. She may be strong willed but she has such a huge heart and just wants others to see her for her. These are the people in the office that everyone wants to chat with or get advice from because they’re real. They are great with customers because they get things done and do it with a big smile on their face.

Artie Abrams-

The kid in the wheelchair that you just want to give a big hug and jump in and do the “safety dance” with. He can be awkward but it’s only because he actually takes time to think before he speaks. You know this person in the office, they are the ones that come in on time, don’t ask questions, get their work done and leave for the day without causing any commotion.

Kurt Hummel and Quinn Fabray -  

Both appear to have a hard shell on the outside when on the inside they are just big softies that want to be loved by their family and others around them. It’s easy to throw up a wall to people rather than letting them in where they can get to know you. These in the office are the ones who act tough around you and can sometimes rub you wrong with what they say but at the end of the day they just want someone to say “you’re alright.”

And of course Sue Sylvester -

The overbearing, crude, bossy, arrogant, bully that makes you want to pee your pants with her jokes. She terrorizes kids, teachers and anyone who comes her way just because she can. Despite the bully aspect she also deep, way deep down has a tiny heart for people but will never let you see it. These are the bullies that pick on everyone in the office no matter who you are and love to see it get under your skin. This could totally be your boss…I bet if you think for one second you can name your Sue Sylvester that occupies your office can’t you?

Quote from Sue: “Your hair looks like a briar patch. I keep expecting racist, animated Disney characters to pop up and start singing about living on the bayou.”

No matter where you go or what you do you’re always going to have a mesh of people with different opinions, outlooks, ways of doing things, beliefs etc. who will more than likely disagree with you at some point but that’s where as a team you have to come together and meet in the middle. Think about this show, if there was one of these characters missing how would that affect the group? It would be like a missing puzzle piece and one talented person missing from the glee club. As a business you have to work as a team to cross the finish line. And without each person in your company there would be something missing (and well if they are pulling you down, then find a better version of them).  Sure you’re going to run into people you don’t like or overpowering individuals who think they know it all but you have something to offer too so get up on stage and belt it out like you know how to.

Oh and catch Glee every Tues night too if you like mediocre shows and all