TAX TIPS:

Work Opportunity Tax Credit - This tax credit is available for wages paid by employers who hire individuals from certain target groups.  There are eight target groups, and minimum employment periods are applicable.

Small Employer Pension Plan Start-Up Cost Credits - This credit is available to small businesses to encourage them to establish and maintain retirement savings accounts for their employees.  The credit may be claimed for qualified costs incurred to create or maintain a new employee retirement plan.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE

We’ve all heard the occasional horror stories about ineffective communication results in negative feelings and ultimately can hurt your business.  Evaluating and improving your customer communication efforts can pay off in new business and an enhanced reputation.

Communication between builders and customers is a two-way street.  Some new home buyers are more involved and curious about the construction of their new home.  Builders that embrace that can use it to their advantage as a cost-effective marketing tool.

This list of smart builder communications can guide you in your communication efforts.  See how you compare.

•  Answering customers’ questions or soothing their anxieties isn’t a waste of time.

• Not responding is also communication with a negative result.

• Listening is sometimes more important than speaking.

• Use the golden rule of professional communicators: know you           audience.

• Communications requires customer empathy.

• One-to-one communication (i.e. phone calls) works well.

• How you communicate is not nearly as important as important as  what you communicate.

• Direct your customer communications tasks to properly trained        staff who are good communicators.

• Pro-active communication is easier and more effective than re-        active crisis management.

• Customer communication leads to good rapport and positive word of mouth.

Following these tips will help you stay on the right path to effective customer communications.  Remember good or bad communication can affect your reputation and word of mouth can be your ultimate, low-cost marketing tool.