Business Blog for Company Owners

We’ve interviewed the Bay Area’s top-rated local company owners and compiled a must-read list of their 10 most important management tips for 2011.

1. “By taking a comprehensive approach to project management throughout every phase of our customers’ projects, we can minimize mistakes and make sure we’re providing the best possible work.”—Bill Doughty, Bill Doughty Landscaping, Inc.

2. “Communicating effectively with customers is very important. By consistently staying in touch with them, [you’ll] give them plenty of time to understand exactly what’s wrong with their vehicles and feel comfortable and confident in their decisions.”— Tim Stussi, Diablo Auto Specialists

How to attract new, high-margin customers

Bad News: Promoting discount offers as your main theme tends to attract price shoppers. Read more

We’ve interviewed the Bay Area’s top-rated local company owners and compiled a must-read list of their 10 most important management tips for 2011.

1. “By taking a comprehensive approach to project management throughout every phase of our customers’ projects, we can minimize mistakes and make sure we’re providing the best possible work.”—Bill Doughty, Bill Doughty Landscaping, Inc.

2. “Communicating effectively with customers is very important. By consistently staying in touch with them, [you’ll] give them plenty of time to understand exactly what’s wrong with their vehicles and feel comfortable and confident in their decisions.”— Tim Stussi, Diablo Auto Specialists

How to attract new, high-margin customers

Bad News: Promoting discount offers as your main theme tends to attract price shoppers. Read more

The full-color Diamond Certified Directory is the most distributed and used directory of local top-rated companies in Northern California. We’re creating the 2012 edition right now, and it’s shaping up to be the best ever! In April 2012, more than 800,000 of these popular directories will be mailed to homeowners with $75,000+ in household income, select local business owners, property and apartment managers, and insurance and real estate agents throughout Northern California. If you qualify for Diamond Certified, your company’s full-page Diamond Certified Profile will be presented in your county’s edition. Here are the top four ways the 2012 Diamond Certified Directory will help your company:

1. Best Presentation of Your Company in Print
With the modern prominence of the Internet, Read more

The full-color Diamond Certified Directory is the most distributed and used directory of local top-rated companies in Northern California. We’re creating the 2012 edition right now, and it’s shaping up to be the best ever! In April 2012, more than 800,000 of these popular directories will be mailed to homeowners with $75,000+ in household income, select local business owners, property and apartment managers, and insurance and real estate agents throughout Northern California. If you qualify for Diamond Certified, your company’s full-page Diamond Certified Profile will be presented in your county’s edition. Here are the top four ways the 2012 Diamond Certified Directory will help your company:

1. Best Presentation of Your Company in Print
With the modern prominence of the Internet, Read more

As a consumer, I’ve been using the Diamond Certified Directories and giving preference to Diamond Certified companies throughout the Bay Area for years. Recently, I’ve had a chance to start working more closely with the Diamond Certified Program through a strategic partnership between American Ratings Corporation and Comcast Spotlight. In turn, I’ve begun paying closer attention to the messaging and strategies used by its top-rated companies.

I always knew the Diamond Certified Program was well respected by its qualified companies, but I had no idea that our business models and value propositions were so closely aligned. Read more

As a consumer, I’ve been using the Diamond Certified Directories and giving preference to Diamond Certified companies throughout the Bay Area for years. Recently, I’ve had a chance to start working more closely with the Diamond Certified Program through a strategic partnership between American Ratings Corporation and Comcast Spotlight. In turn, I’ve begun paying closer attention to the messaging and strategies used by its top-rated companies.

I always knew the Diamond Certified Program was well respected by its qualified companies, but I had no idea that our business models and value propositions were so closely aligned. Read more

Today’s all-star company owners may know some things that you don’t. Why not use their secrets to increase your profits?

PRICING

1. Margins
If you’re not willing or able to charge a price that provides your company with a solid profit, bad things can happen. Low or no margins can force companies out of business or create a downward spiral of quality/cost cutting. If you can’t get the price you need to generate truly profitable margins, you’ll be forced to cut costs.

Business Owner Insight: “The quality and craftsmanship we build into our work can cost more than hiring a company with less experience, but we provide honest, Read more

Today’s all-star company owners may know some things that you don’t. Why not use their secrets to increase your profits?

PRICING

1. Margins
If you’re not willing or able to charge a price that provides your company with a solid profit, bad things can happen. Low or no margins can force companies out of business or create a downward spiral of quality/cost cutting. If you can’t get the price you need to generate truly profitable margins, you’ll be forced to cut costs.

Business Owner Insight: “The quality and craftsmanship we build into our work can cost more than hiring a company with less experience, but we provide honest, Read more

According to a March 2010 study by BIA/Kelsey, 97 percent of consumers now use the web to research local products and services. That’s why it’s so important for Diamond Certified companies to maximize the usage of their Diamond Certified Company Report pages at www.diamondcertified.info.

If you qualify for Diamond Certified, here’s why your Diamond Certified Company Report will become your company’s most influential web page: 

1. “Meaning” on a Single Page
One page captures everything meaningful to prospective customers: ratings, company profile, survey responses, high-definition video, FAQs and more. With a single click, it’s all there and easy to see.

2. Accurate Rating = Analytical Proof of Quality
This is the only page on the web that shows exactly how your company rated Highest in Quality. Read more

According to a March 2010 study by BIA/Kelsey, 97 percent of consumers now use the web to research local products and services. That’s why it’s so important for Diamond Certified companies to maximize the usage of their Diamond Certified Company Report pages at www.diamondcertified.info.

If you qualify for Diamond Certified, here’s why your Diamond Certified Company Report will become your company’s most influential web page: 

1. “Meaning” on a Single Page
One page captures everything meaningful to prospective customers: ratings, company profile, survey responses, high-definition video, FAQs and more. With a single click, it’s all there and easy to see.

2. Accurate Rating = Analytical Proof of Quality
This is the only page on the web that shows exactly how your company rated Highest in Quality. Read more