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4A Daily News– Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Commerceenterprise business ies, Edward Jones financial advisors rate the firm "Highest in Employee Advisor Satisfaction among Financial Investment Firms, according to a study by J.D. Power and Associates. Local Edward Jones financial advi- sors include: For the fourth time in as many stud- Lisa Rodriguez, in Corning, 1401 Solano St., 824-4290 If you've ever bought or sold a house, you know about the importance of curb appeal. It can make the difference of whether a potential buyer drives by the house or wants to see more. Curb appeal can be a & Financial advisors rank high satisfaction Susie Mustaine, in Red Bluff, 2130 Main St. Ste. B, 527-4729 Timothy Bork, in Cottonwood, 20827 Front St., 347-1600 Tyler Smail, in Red Bluff, 733 since 2007. "For us, this honor is particularly Washington St., 529-3627 The 2012 study ranked Edward Jones highest among eight financial services firms. This is the fourth time J.D. Power has conducted the study strategic marketing tool for businesses to attract more customers. Members of the Tehama County Branding Project believe that the overall curb appeal of the community is crucial to attracting more tourists and improving our economy as well. Whether or not cus- tomers come to your door, what does curb appeal mean to your business and how can you enhance it? "Business curb appeal is all about projecting an image that makes a cus- tomer want to shop at your store or pick up the phone and ask for service," said Laurie Dana, marketing consultant. "It doesn't stop at the door. Your image is synonymous with your business brand, and that image is reinforced posi- tively or negatively every time a person drives by your store, does business with you, talks with another cus- tomer, sees your literature, or reads an article about your business." Increasing business curb appeal doesn't have to cost a lot of money and studies show it can increase employee morale, which has a direct impact on a company's image. Even if a company doesn't regularly host customers, the compa- ny's employees, vendors and creditors are impacted by the positive or negative messages sent by the way the company looks, inside and out. "As companies in the area enhance their appear- ance, Tehama County becomes a more desirable as a place to live and do business," said Kristin Behrens, Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Com- merce past president. "A successful local economy is dependent upon the curb appeal of each business." Behrens and other mem- bers of the Branding project see business beautification projects as a community contribution as well as a strategic marketing invest- ment for a company. Here are six tips for increasing business curb appeal on a shoestring bud- get: warm and inviting? Or cold and untidy? Is your signage in good shape? Are there smudges on the wall? How does the building smell? Could plants add warmth? Would air freshener or pot- pourri make customers want to stay in your shop longer. Look at your build- ing from all angles. Ask the opinion of others. Make a to do list of priorities and set deadlines for accomplishing tasks. 2. Keep your facility well maintained, clean and free from clutter — inside and out! business curb appeal. Is your place of business 1. Assess your current facility will overshadow and negatively impact the best of products and services. Your business's physical A sloppily maintained significant because it is based upon input from our financial advisors and reflects their satisfaction at Edward Jones," said Managing Partner Jim Weddle. "Our 25-point score improve- ment over our previous ranking is a tremendous vote of confidence in our firm as a great place to work." Curb appeal benefits businesses, community appearance projects an image. Even if customers never actually visit your facility, they will notice how your business looks from the outside. First impres- sions matter. Even the most beautiful buildings look shabby if the windows are dirty and the walks aren't swept, while an old building can be made to look inviting with a few welcoming details. 3. Be welcoming or interesting. by knowing what appeals to your customers. Create a storefront image and interi- or displays that convey you are the type of business they want to patronize. Think of your customer as a guest you want to make feel at home, and bring those small touches to your business. For some businesses, creating a welcoming envi- ronment is as simple as putting a bench and flowers by the front door. Other businesses may find it more effective to grab the atten- tion of customers with props. For example, secur- ing a vintage canoe outside the entrance would be a nice touch for an outdoor adven- ture store, while a collection of rare fishing flies on the wall of a bait and tackle shop is an attraction many fishermen would make a special effort to visit. Gaumers in Red Bluff, with its museum quality rock collection, is the perfect example of how effective displays can be for attract- ing visitors to a store. 4. Keep your image con- Set your business apart sistent. lean-to. Very nice/efficient 2/2 manufactured home with cedar shingle siding. Asking $375K 24 IRRIGATED ACRES, HOME, SHOP, BARN, CREEK AND OWNER FINANCING AVAILABLE!!! Property is in 2 parcels with 2 Ag Wells. Currently planted in Oats and Vetch, 22x70 metal barn, 25x65 wood barn, lambing shed, and 20x20 314 Washington Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080 Lori Slade 530-200-2700 www.TehamaCountyRealEstate.com Is your business trendy or traditional? Are your cus- tomers young or old? Does your storefront reflect the image you want associated with your company, and does it set realistic expecta- tions of the products your customers will find when they walk inside? Once inside, does your décor, store layout, and even your employees' clothes meet your customer's expecta- tions? Fresh paint, artwork, and updated signage can quick- ly transform the image your company portrays. 5. Be easy to find whether your customer is and make sure your address and signage are clearly visi- ble. Make sure there are no trees or competing signs obstructing the view of your signs or addresses, and that the lettering is large enough. Hang your sign perpendicu- lar to make it easier to read from the street. Studies show that perpendicular signs are 70 percent easier to read than a sign the same size that is parallel to the road. walking or driving. Drive by your business signage. face of your business and should be considered part of your overall marketing strategy. Signs should show distinct character and reflect the kind of image you want to project. Studies show that for some businesses, the sign is responsible for as much as 50 percent of their business. Regardless of whether customers come to your door or you go to theirs, signage is effective advertising. 6. Pay attention to your Outdoor signs are the Remember large chains were once small businesses who paid attention to every detail of their image includ- ing curb appeal. Whether your business has a huge marketing budget or oper- ates on a shoestring budget, you can attract more busi- ness to your company, instill pride in your employees, and make your community more desirable to conduct business, simply by paying attention to the image you project from the street and inside your doors. Your biggest advantage: Your employees vated. They help you achieve success and they are con- stantly being looked at by your competition. Your employ- ees are your most valuable asset, and if they aren't engaged in their work with the company, they may be looking for the next job opportunity elsewhere. Competition has leveled the playing field, and investing your time and resources into making building a focused workforce that is enthusiastic about working for your company is an investment in making sure your business survives and thrives. If your business is filled with dis- engaged employees, who do their eight to five but are "checked out" mentally from their work, you're los- ing money. In a recent Gallup employee survey, it's estimated that employee disengagement costs busi- nesses $328 billion every year, with national trends estimating that an employee's lost productivity could cost 34 percent per $10,000 of their salary. By Lisa Hansen They keep your business running. They keep you moti- Lisa Hansen their work has far reaching affects that should cause concern for business leaders. Engaged employees are more produc- tive, more profitable, and more likely to stay longer with your company. So what can business leaders do to make sure they aren't losing ground, and potentially profit, by having a company full of employees who have "checked out"? The implication of employees becoming disengaged in Encourage Learning Employees are looking to grow their knowledge and understanding of their industry or field, and an employer who fosters an environment of learning means employees are likely to stay. According to the Corporate Executive Board, a research and business consultation company, employees who are engaged are 87 percent less likely to leave their companies than disengaged employees. With a job market that is beginning to rebound, it's likely that your top employees will receive interest from other businesses. When your organization offers opportunities for employees to participate in industry-related associations, attend confer- ences to add to their skill sets, or encourages further educa- tion with incentives, you're building a company for the future. Live Your Values are lived and breathed by the entire organization are miss- ing out on a facet of business that can attract, and keep, the most talented and dedicated employees. This type of orga- nizational culture must start at the top and be present in every level of leadership down the chain of command for it to make a significant impact. The next generation of work- ers is looking for employers who are not only passionate about their business, but who also clearly live the values they have defined as important to them. Recruiting and keeping the youngest and brightest minds in your field will take more than just an attractive salary and benefits pack- age. Companies that lack a set of clearly defined values that The Tehama County Branding Project is a move- ment in response to an opportunity and desire to improve the economic pros- perity of Tehama County and it's anchor communities of Red Bluff, Manton and Corning. Branding: eco- nomic prosperity is a com- munity investment in a jour- ney of discovery and the development of activities, enhancements and new business opportunities that reinforce our community assets, lend to the greater community prosperity and create loyalty beyond rea- son. FRIDAY SPECIALS WHOLE TRI-TIPS Celebrating our 9 yr Anniversary WHOLE RACK OF SPARE RIBS $ starting at $ No Interest option with Regular Monthly Payment or *18 month *9.90% APR with 2.0% Monthly Payments Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date. If the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period. Or if you make a late payment.* 527-5828 Cal. Lic. #233456 *The Visa® credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank. Special terms apply to purchases charged with approved credit at participating merchants until [05-31-2012]. The minimum monthly payment will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional period. Interest will be charged to your account from the pur- chase date at the regular APR if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period or if you make a late pay- ment. For newly opened accounts, the regular APR is [26.59%]. The APR may vary. The APR is given as of [04-01-2012]. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. If you use the card for cash advances, the cash advance fee is 5% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $10.00. Offer expires [05-31-2012]. 1ST COME 1ST 2 Bud's BBQ 528-0799 Only good through April 30, 2012 OR RESERVE 22825 Antelope Blvd • Red Bluff ★★ ★ SERVED 15 20 small businesses, costing as much as 60 percent of an employee's annual salary according to the Society for Human Resource Management, and when employees aren't feeling recognized for their work, they are prone to leave. You can battle this common business cost by implementing a system that promotes frequent employee recognition with verbal and written communications, as well as rewards that will show your gratitude for a job well done. Businesses should also take advantage of performance reviews and pro- vide regular feedback to employees as they make improve- ments on their past reviews. Take a look at your current workforce. Is your business Recognize and Reward Studies have consistently shown that turnover is hurting filled with employees who will work hard to see the com- pany succeed even in difficult economic or uncertain times? If you haven't considered the cost of disengaged employees, don't go another day without considering how you can make sure it doesn't negatively impact your business. Lisa Hansen, CPC, CTS is the owner of Express Employment Professionals, 243 S. Main St. in Red Bluff. She can be reached at 527-0727. Over 25 years of experience The North State's premier supplier of stoves STOVE JUNCTION Wood Burning Stoves Did you know? We've Got Exempt From No Burn Days! Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff Rent a unit & get 1/2 OFFMonth Each NEED SPACE? Have we got a deal for you! for up to 1 year. Some restrictions apply. 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