Adopting to Change... How the Post Office Is Surviving

When was the last time you actually wrote a letter to someone? I must admit I can't remember. With email ingrained into our everyday lives, letter writing has become something we did in the olden days. A few years ago, everyone thought post offices would be a thing of the past too. My younger sister used to own a post office on the UK and I know in 2006 they closed down around 3000 post offices across the UK. She was lucky and kept hers, but a lot or people thought the post office would be a thing of the past and it was not a good business to venture into.

Well today I go to the post office, but for lots of new reasons, and certainly not to post a letter! They are a prime example of a company which has moved with the times. They offer more products, and also more facilities and more services. My post office in the city has currency exchange, passport renewal as well as a wide range of stationery. There are a dozen more services they offer besides these. Have a look at this great clip:
The Post Office has moved with the times just as we all need to. I hear all the time 'It's not how it used to be'. Trust me, things will never be like they used to be. Businesses have to be prepared to adapt and change.

If you have a small business or are a one man band, here are my tips on how to re-evaluate your business:

1) Take a day off. Don't go to work. Instead, sit in a coffee shop or a park with an iPad, or pen and pad and think of what your daily, weekly and monthly routines are when you connect with your customers and suppliers. Write them down and detail what you do as part of these processes. We are not going to turn your business upside down, however a bit of streamlining to improve the efficiency of your business, adding a little wow factor to get customers and suppliers talking about you.

2) Do you know anyone who is technology savvy? Or you maybe you are yourself? Start to look at your processes and customer connections. See how you can use tools like the iPhone or iPad, GoogleDocs, Email, Internet... anything to make the customer's experience better and more memorable. The customer must remember their experience with you so they come back. You want to be different and have them talking to their friends or colleagues about you. Also make your connections with your suppliers more efficient. If it is easy to get stock to you and that pay their invoices promptly they will know you are professional and efficient and will want to deal with you more.

3) Start to test and implement these little changes, and put your head, eyes and feet in the customers' shoes. Will this change you make improve their shopping experience with you? Will they talk about it? Will they come back and shop more? Just change one little process at a time and use the tools out there to help you.

Do you have a process in your business that you know you need to improve but are not sure how to go about doing so? Are you struggling to step into your customers' shoes and think of new ideas? Have you made changes in your business?