Category: Business Topics

The school supply list can be both friend and foe – for some there is nothing more exciting than purchasing that brand new on-trend backpack and pack of colored pencils. Yet, in some districts, organizations actually conduct fundraisers where they will purchase your kids’ supplies for a nominal fee or donation to save you the headache.

Just like the parent investing in their students’ supplies, are you making the correct investments in your company’s technology and tools to help your growth for another year and the years after that? Are you still scratching notes on the yellow legal pad your granddaddy used in the last century due to its sentimental value, or have you updated to tablet sand smartphones to help track your customers and their orders?

Business owners – both big and small – have lots of balls to juggle. We’ve got five tech tools to help you increase efficiency and potentially help you grow your business.

Project Management Software

It’s hard to know what you’re supposed to do when you can’t find that yellow post-it note or the corner of that feed sack you wrote a reminder on, so how is the rest of your team supposed to keep track of your tasks and theirs? Project management software is a relatively in expensive investment to share and track your business’s regular tasks and special projects, see who is assigned to which task, and monitor progress and deadlines. A variety of software options exist, and most will allow use on both your computer and phone for easy tracking of projects.

E-mail Marketing

With customers seeking information at their fingertips, an e-mail newsletter is the way of the future. Yes, there is value in the printed word, but for fast, quick blasts of information to get out to your customer list, having those emails on file makes this method of marketing the next wave of great marketing.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Building relationships is key to your business success. Although you might still keep all your customer information on an index card, CRM software will help you track sales patterns, manage and track outreach and even let you see who is visiting your website or opening and reading your emails. A quality CRM program will often help you increase your customer support.

Data Backup

This is perhaps the area to be most proactive in since most of us wait to backup our data only AFTER we have lost it all and are reacting to a bad experience. It’s easy to accidentally delete or corrupt data. Software conflicts and malicious actors can cause major disruptions. SaaS (Software as a service) marketing vendors back up data at the platform level, but you can’t access that information to restore your account.

Backup software gives you full control and immediate access to your critical business data. If something happens, you can restore your data in a few clicks.

HR Management

Few small businesses can afford to hire a human resources administrator. HR management software tools take care of everything from payroll and shift scheduling to distributing important company announcements. They can be a little more expensive, and there is no mobile app because of the sensitive nature of the material.

Just as there are boxes with 12 crayons and 64 crayons, your business can invest in five or 55 technologies to help it succeed. These five are technologies that every company, regardless of size can use to help them grow.

“Be a lifelong student. The more you learn, the more you earn and the moreself-confidence you will have.” – Brian Tracy

Five years ago, BioZyme®launched one of its most successful resources to date, and it just keeps getting better. The Master Dealer Training Program was started in 2017 as an online tool to better familiarize dealers with the wide variety of product lines the company offers. Since that time, the online training portal has expanded its offering to help the dealers become better BioZyme marketers and overall, more successful salespeople.

Now, with three “chapters” or levels, the Master Dealer program offers training on a variety of subject matter, all from the comfort of the dealer’s own computer. Having a slow day in in the office? Log on toMaster Dealer. Hired a new employee? Get that person new credentials in the Online Dealer Center so he or she can receive training from theMaster Dealer Program.

In addition to passing the online courses, the Master Dealer Program has a few other requirements. However, the benefits far outweigh the time and resources needed for the Master Dealer designation. Once the dealer has successfully completed coursework, he or she must also purchase three of the following product lines, before receiving certification as a Master Dealer with all the benefits. Eligible brands include:

1. VitaFerm®
2. .Sure Champ®
3. DuraFerm®
4. Gain Smart®
5. Vita Charge®, Vitalize®, and/or Backyard Boost®

Chapter One is the most extensive online training that gives a company overview of BioZyme, as well as brief summaries of most product lines and how to position them. Once a dealer completes the requirements for Chapter One, the dealership will be designated as a“Master Dealer” on the Dealer Locator, receive signage for the store, and receive a jacket with the Master Dealer logo.

Chapter Two includes targeted courses about marketing HEAT products, using small pack to open doors and other marketing resources. Once a dealer completes Chapter Two, he or she receives a Master Dealer insulated cup and two caps.

Chapter Three was introduced in the spring of 2022with a specific focus on programs and tools for BioZyme dealers and how to make their business more successful. The dealers who complete Chapter Four receive more BioZyme wearables.

Chapter Four is coming this fall and will focus more on the sales support for BioZyme dealers. The reward for this will definitely be something for the entire family.

Just like anything that gets better with time, that is the case for the Master Dealer Program. Now, dealers can complete all courses as they wish with no waiting in between course work. Complete Chapter One today and start Chapter Two; you don’t have to wait a year in between. A dealership can allow multiple employees to complete the coursework and each employee receives the benefits.

To learn more about the Master Dealer Program, log on to the online Dealer Center and click on Training. This is the most comprehensive training you can get without leaving home!

“You can’t win together if you don’t work together.” – Nick Saban

INVESTING IN YOUR TEAM HELPS GROW YOUR BUSINESS With a career record of 232-62-1, Saban obviously knows a little about building WINNING and WOWing teams. Recently, Bob Burkham, BioZyme® National Manager of Supplement Sales, offered his perspective on why it is vital to invest in your teams to grow your business.

“Investing in training is an investment in their success and ultimately the business’s success. You are making your employees more valuable by giving them the tools they need to be more successful in their jobs,”he said.

Those trainings can come in various models and forms, including external trainings like the BioZyme Master Dealer Training Program, a leadership growth program provided by the local chamber of commerce or other organization or a webinar about sales or other products you offer. Regardless of the trainings you offer, the most important resource to share with your team is communication.

Communications is key to building the team, according to Burkham. It is important to remember that communication doesn’t just take shape in reminders posted to a bulletin board or barking orders to workers before your morning cup of coffee.

“Bring everyone together for a roundtable discussion and listen to their ideas. You probably can’t incorporate all the ideas all of the time, but it will help figure out where there are chinks in the armor, and it helps make everyone feel part of the team,” he said.

Another important thing to consider when investing in your team, is time – both theirs and your customers. When investing in trainings, make sure they are the correct trainings for the correct people on the team, so those valuable team players don’t feel like you are wasting their time in another meeting. Ensure the trainings they receive will inspire, motivate and teach them to be better at whatever their role is to help grow your business.

And, when training a salesperson, especially, make sure they are not going to be wasting a potential customer’s time. If the customer doesn’t feel that their time is valued, they probably won’t feel valued at all.

“Everyone has a limited amount of time in this fast-paced world. It is paramount to show up and bring value,” Burkham said.

Finally, Burkham suggests that when sales staff have the proper training, their natural competitive spirit shows up to do better or sell more than their peers. A competitive rivalry is likely to occur if there is more than one salesperson. And even with a one-person sales staff, that person will likely want to outperform the month or quarter previous, due to the competitive nature of sales.

“Your sales team will be racing to the checkered flag, and at the end of the day, the entire company wins when you have taken time to invest in your team,” Burkham said.

Put forth the resources. Open the lines of two-ways communication. Know the value of time. Grow a successful team and watch your business grow!

Summer is a great time to get involved in your community. It doesn’t matter if your community has more than 75,000 people like Saint Joseph, Missouri, where our corporate headquarters is located, or just a few more than 750 dwellers like Alexis, Illinois, where this article is written from, communities thrive in the summer, and people notice when businesses get involved.

From the summer softball leagues to small town festivals, county fairs and pageants, there are a myriad of ways for businesses to get involved in their community. They don’t all have to involve a lot of extra time, money or resources, but they will likely garner some type of appreciation. End users notice when businesses give back and often, that will gain your business a little extra revenue too. Here’s a look at a few ways businesses can get involved on the Local Team this summer.

Be a Mentor

There is often nothing more rewarding than mentoring a young person. Serve as a mentor to a young person who might be interested in pursuing a career in sales, marketing, nutrition or feed manufacturing. Offer your time to the person to come job shadow you at your company for a few days throughout the summer so they can see various aspects of your career, ask questions and get a feel for what you do. Be sure to follow any safety regulations,

Provide a Space

Perhaps there is a group of young people trying to raise money for an educational trip to Washington D.C., or some other place that wants to have a bake sale or sell fresh produce from their garden. Surely you have a place at your store front for an 8-foot table to allow these kids to sell their goodies. These young people won’t forget your kindness, neither will their relatives. And don’t forget to bring some cash that day; you’ll probably need some of Grandma Betty’s cookies or some fresh tomatoes.

Join the Parade

At least in the Midwest, it seems there is never a shortage of parades. Fourth of July. Let’s have a parade. The county fair. Let’s have a parade. A random Wednesday after wheat harvest. Let’s have a parade! Parades often have themes and are a fun, relatively inexpensive way to showcase your business. Showcase your company, your employees’ cute kids and throw out some candy, and get involved.

Support the Fair

One great way to give back to your customers is to support the local fair or livestock show. You can sponsor a show or purchase and an animal at the premium auction to show support for your customers or their kids or grandkids. Although this typically will have some financial cost, the rewards are worth it in thank you notes and customers that are happy to return the business back to you. This truly demonstrates care that comes full circle.

Having a business means being part of a greater community. Get involved in your local community this summer to show that your business is a team player.

How many times have you seen a football team win by a last-second field goal? That kicker has paced the sideline for most of the game practicing his kicks and keeping that leg ready to go, so we don’t always think about him. Although he might not have as much playing time as the quarterback, his participation on the team is of utmost importance.

The same can be said for your customers. You might not see them everyday or even communicate with them on a regular basis. Their “on-field” time might seem minimal in comparison with your employees and vendors, but without customers on your team, you’re not even in the game.

Oftentimes you only hear from a customer if he or she needs product or if the customer is disgruntled with a product or service – and that isn’t what you want to hear. It is important to follow up with every customer and ask for feedback, and let the customer know that positive or negative, the feedback they provide is important to your team.

The book “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” states that “when people don’t unload their opinions and feel like they have been listened to, they won’t really get on board.” The first step is to begin the conversation, which you or your sales team can do in a follow up conversation after the sale. Here are three things that companies can do to bring customers into the conversation and engage them as part of the team:

1. Always be receptive and responsive to feedback. Regardless of the timing or channel, organizations who are prepared to receive and acknowledge customer feedback will have more loyal and engaged customers. This includes phone calls, letters, emails and even social media. Learn more about using social media as a customer care tool on the next page.
2. Create an environment built on trust. This means when asking for feedback, clearly state why you want the feedback and what you intend to do with it. In the agricultural world we are accustomed to working in, trust is the foundation of all we do. If your customers don’t trust you, they likely won’t be a part of your team for too long.
3. Empower customer service teams to solve problems and seek feedback simultaneously. Since most dealers are not staffed by a sales team and a customer service team, training all employees about the products and how to work with people is more important than ever.

Once you receive customer feedback and review it, follow up. Customers offer a fresh perspective, and perhaps their idea will help increase sales or bring in a new customer. At the very least, knowing that you acknowledged their feedback will help encourage a positive business relationship and should help your team keep a winning record.

“You can’t win together if you don’t work together.” – Nick Saban

With a career record of 232-62-1, Saban obviously knows a little about building WINNING and WOWing teams. Recently, Bob Burkham, BioZyme® National Manager of Supplement Sales, offered his perspective on why it is vital to invest in your teams to grow your business.

“Investing in training is an investment in their success and ultimately the business’s success. You are making your employees more valuable by giving them the tools they need to be more successful in their jobs,”he said.

Those trainings can come in various models and forms, including external trainings like the BioZyme Master Dealer Training Program, a leadership growth program provided by the local chamber of commerce or other organization or a webinar about sales or other products you offer. Regardless of the trainings you offer, the most important resource to share with your team is communication.

Communications is key to building the team, according to Burkham. It is important to remember that communication doesn’t just take shape in reminders posted to a bulletin board or barking orders to workers before your morning cup of coffee.

“Bring everyone together for a roundtable discussion and listen to their ideas. You probably can’t incorporate all the ideas all of the time, but it will help figure out where there are chinks in the armor, and it helps make everyone feel part of the team,” he said.

Another important thing to consider when investing in your team, is time – both theirs and your customers. When investing in trainings, make sure they are the correct trainings for the correct people on the team, so those valuable team players don’t feel like you are wasting their time in another meeting. Ensure the trainings they receive will inspire, motivate and teach them to be better at whatever their role is to help grow your business.

“Everyone has a limited amount of time in this fast-paced world. It is paramount to show up and bring value,” Burkham said.

Finally, Burkham suggests that when sales staff have the proper training, their natural competitive spirit shows up to do better or sell more than their peers. A competitive rivalry is likely to occur if there is more than one salesperson. And even with a one-person sales staff, that person will likely want to outperform the month or quarter previous, due to the competitive nature of sales.

“Your sales team will be racing to the checkered flag, and at the end of the day, the entire company wins when you have taken time to invest in your team,” Burkham said.

Put forth the resources. Open the lines of two-ways communication. Know the value of time. Grow a successful team and watch your business grow!