Business Audits

SWOT Analysis

At Trade Secrets we believe that before you begin fixing, adding or learning you should have clarity on what already exists. This can be achieved by completing a SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis is a framework for analyzing your company’s strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities and threats that your external market presents.A SWOT assists you in taking the time to work on your business and not in your business, it can be used to identify alternatives, current goals and plans to enable you to progress.

Surveys

Staff and Customers:
At Trade Secrets we can gather real, actionable feedback from your staff and your customers, opening the channels of communication that assist you in understanding the issues that matter most to your people and your business. Sensitive data is handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality.

Competitors:
Competitor surveys are done the same as your own businesses Mystery Shopping. They provide an excellent training tool for your employees. You and your staff will better understand the importance of your own customer service and sales efforts when you see what the competition does or does not do better. They can see why a customer would choose one company over another, and then start taking steps to be sure the chosen company is YOURS! This is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of your market. Surveys can be conducted via phone, face-to-face or on-line.

Focus Groups

Have you ever had a new idea and been scared to implement it? Or have you ever wondered what customers or staff thought of the way you do things? Focus Groups consist of a group of people who come together to brainstorm and offer rich feedback for the benefit of your business.

The participants can be internal or external pending on the topic of discussion.

An internal group can benefit from the fact that they are being heard and that you are interested in their input this can be a very motivating and morale boosting exercise.
An external group can offer new and fresh ideas without having the emotional connection to your business.

Appraisals

Appraisals are something that most people in management positions know are required, yet they are often the first thing that gets postponed. People find they feel uncomfortable and do not have a structure to follow. At Trade Secrets we do not come and do the appraisals for you, but rather we teach you and give you the tools to make them an integral part of your staff development.

Appraisals should be a tool to assist in the development of skills and performance of each staff member. The purpose is to discuss performance, goals and expectations of both yourself and the staff member. Your final outcome should be a happy and productive work environment with high levels of staff retention.