Whether your small business is a newbie or been around for a significant period, how are things going?

For many running small companies, everything has to fall into place for things to work out.

That said where do you place importance when it comes to the roles your customers play in your success?

Making sure your customers receive the best service they can will prove a factor in how long you remain.

So, are you prepared to run a winning small business for many years to come?

Be Aware of Potential Roadblocks

To put yourself in the best spot possible for a long-term winning small business, file away these keys:

1. Revenue

What small business owner can stick around that long if he or she doesn’t know how to handle money?

It is imperative that you are good with overseeing money on several fronts.

First, be wary of where you’re losing money. Often, it is when not charging enough and letting customers take advantage.

One such way customers can get the upper-hand on you is if you are getting taken to the cleaners on chargebacks.

Those chargebacks occur when a customer determines he or she doesn’t want to pay for a sale. As such, they leave you stuck with the bill. Over time, the cost of those chargebacks on your business can prove devastating. Along with the financial fallout, you might even losing merchant charging privileges.

Always stay abreast of your revenue stream. In doing so, you are less likely to encounter a nasty surprise or two.

2. Service

As mentioned, customer service is something no business owner can push to the side. The bottom line is you either off great service or you do not.

So that you can fall in the former more times than not, make sure your customers know you appreciate them. From quality and affordable products to thanking them for their business, show appreciation.

You can also score points with them by going that extra mile. Whether that’s service or taking a minute or two to converse, let them know how appreciative you are of them.

Remember, they more times than not will have a lot of choices with those they want to do business with. Be that one business owner who becomes their first option.

3. Future

Although most business owners will tell you they live for today, don’t miss out on tomorrow and the next day etc.

Always be thinking about how you can improve your business down the road.

Among some of the areas to consider on occasion:

• When is it time to expand my small business?
• Should I bring on employees?
• Am I doing enough to advertise and market my brand?

• What is the outlook for my industry?

By having one eye on tomorrow as you work for today, you are less likely to run into any surprises soon.

So, as you take a few minutes to reflect on your company, are you running a small business at the end of the day ?