Whether you’ve been running your business for years, or have recently started your enterprise, you’ll know how important it is to continually monitor your progress and identify areas for growth and improvement. If you do hone in on a trouble spot, the good news is that there are some quick routes to business success.

Simply follow these top tips to turn any flagging areas of your business into success stories of their own. These come courtesy of Bill Richardson, programme leader of City University London’s Business and Enterprise unit.

Assure your service

Service measuring is key; it helps you to identify new opportunities as well as room for improvement. The good news is it’s quick and easy to do; simply pick up the phone and ask your customers: how are we doing? What could we improve on?

Master marketing

Top up your marketing know-how with a quick course; plug into online resources or see what events and seminars exist locally. City University London for example holds regular learning and networking events for its business neighbours. Marketing should be at the cornerstone of your business strategy, but it won’t take long to learn a few new tactics that could increase profitability.

Catch those customers

Where are your potential customers lurking? Tap into local and business community networks to bring up new leads; for example, if you run a pram company, contact every mother and baby group in your area. Customer referrals are also a great and quick way to drum up new business; ask customers to spread the word if they’re happy with the service you’ve provided.

Back to the plans

Take a moment to monitor your business progress against your business plans. Are you where you should be? If not, why not? Refocusing and refreshing in this way helps to reenergise your activities.

Set the skills

Do you and your staff have the right skills for what your business needs at the moment? If you don’t, investigate what you need to do in terms of HR and training to make sure that your workforce is fully equipped to deliver the best service possible.

For more information about City University London’s business and enterprise department, contact bill Richardson at enterprise@city.ac.uk or on 020 7040 8492.