Learn how to delegate and do more of it. Small business owners wear many hats. Often, business owners can become overwhelmed, which can lead to burnout. Create a comprehensive list of tasks and determine what can be delegated to increase your own productivity. Set aside time for your own personal recharge or refresh! Your business will thank you.

Continue marketing and incorporate promotions. To grow your business in 2016, remember to keep promotions and marketing efforts fresh. Take the time to create a monthly marketing and promotions schedule that incorporates special offerings, advertising or special events. And stick to it! If marketing isn’t your forte, consider hiring a marketing expert, whether on a contract basis or a full time staff position.

Join a new business organization or networking group. Speaking with industry colleagues will give you new ideas and help you make contacts to position you as an industry leader.

Set realistic goals. What does success look like for your business? Do you have an annual revenue goal? Do you want to grow your customer base by 25 percent in 2016? Are you looking at expanding your service area? In 2016, set SMART

(specific, measureable, achievable, relevant, time-based) goals and plan what strategies you need

to employ to achieve your goals. Smart short-term goals can be the key to long-term

success.

Make customer service a priority. Providing great customer service and asking for customer reviews is a great way to showcase the way you do business. Many consumers use customer reviews as a research tool when looking for products and services. Do not be afraid to ask for reviews. Be sure to login to your BBB

Business Login and upload the BBB Customer Review Seal to your website,

as well as review the entire BBB Customer Review Toolkit for BBB Accredited

Businesses.

Build your online presence. If you don’t have a website, get one! There are many online and budget-friendly solutions to building a simple, effective website. If you have a website, take the time to update your hours of operation, contact information and review your privacy policies. Be sure to update your web address in your BBB Business Review and install the BBB Dynamic Seal.

Visit the Small Business Resource Center for more tips and resources at bbb.org/central-texas.

Austin • Centroplex • Corpus Christi • Laredo • Permian Basin • San Antonio • Victoria • Waco

January 2016

66 No. 1

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New Year, New Business!Time to set some New Year’s resolutions for your business

It’s 2016, and we all have our own personal New Year’s resolutions from joining a gym to taking more vacations or even spending more time with family. This year, BBB encourages businesses to make resolutions that build on successful strategies to rejuvenate your business. Here are some of the top resolutions to incorporate into your business’s plan for 2016:

2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR

AUSTINAbove the CloudAgape ApplianceAgriTek Water Works, Inc.Air Choice ServiceAlan Swayze, Attorney at LawAnna’s Granite GalleryATX Solar Solutions LLCATX Yankee HandymanAustin Area Aerobic Services LLCAustin Deck and PatioAustin Lawn CareBrookfield Residential PropertiesCactus Homes and Ranch Management

Capital Housing SolutionsChapa LandscapingChrissie Poindexter, AgentChristian Brothers Automotive - Round Rock

Crocodo.comD4C ConstructionDeedClaimDragonfly MechanicalE & T ConstructionElizabeth A. McFarland, Attorney at Law

Environmental SystemsEnvision Window CoveringsEyeSeeYouNow.comFinancial SolutionsG2 Builders CorporationGHM Masonry & StoneGraceland Windows & DoorsGreat Texas Sports Promotions, LLCHakuna Matata No Worries Plumbing Services

Happy Hippo ElectricHolman ServicesIDT EnterprisesIIIMPACT DesignILE Designs IncIndependent Investment Bankers Corp

Just Perfect Carpet Cleaning and Restoration

Kelly Hardwood FloorsKitestrings Pediatric TherapyKyle’s Bright BeginningsLaugh and Learn Mother’s Day OutLiberty GuttersMarenco Marketing SolutionsMiura Moving & Delivery, LLC

Nature’s Haven BuildersNew Braunfels Auction Company LLC

R & S PavingRemax FamilyRenew Med SpaRiver City ResortsROI NetworkingRoots Real EstateSenior Financial ServicesSHINER Electric LLCSonesta Bee Cave AustinSuarez ConcreteTexas Property Buyers, LLCTexas Roofing & RemodelingTexas Star AllianceThe Taylor Mansion Estate and Crystal Ball Room

Tramps Fashion Compression Hosiery

Transformations Building and Remodeling

Ultra Auto Transport LLCWant to sell nowWaterloo RealtyWe-Rent-ItWilli Law Firm, PC

CENTROPLEX/WACOAll Green Lawn & LandscapeAmerican Allied Transmission & Automotive

Ares 2K Environmental ServicesAycock ConstructionCompass Property ManagmentDiebolt Construction LLCHobbs LeasingKilleen Affordable Cleaning ServicesSoap-N-Bubbles Maid ServiceWhole House Inspection Company

CORPUS CHRISTI/VICTORIA

1st Choice Insurance AgencyAlice Bussey - Keller Williams AgentAlpha InteriorsAvant DesynAvila EnterprisesCoastal Garage Doors & More

Dreamers Auto Body RepairFisher StevensGulf Coast Mailing & Printing Services

Jessie Martinez ConstructionMansion By The Sea LLCMorales EnterprisesPinnacle Laser Tattoo Removal, LLCRidgeline RoofingSummit Home BuildersTC PaintingThe Bend Magazine

PERMIAN BASINBarbee Wrecker ServiceBasin DisposalCJJ Construction, Inc.Club Janitorial ServicesDG Carrasco FlooringFamily RV & Storage, L.L.C.Garrett Consultants, Inc.Pogo Exploration CorpRino K&K CompressionRising7 Logistics, LLCYour Communication Bridge

SAN ANTONIO/LAREDO

1st Choice Collision Center4 Paws Animal Hospital5 P MHSA.C.T. ServicesAdelita’s Tortilla FactoryADG TaxAlamo Zippy ShellArmour Asphalt ServicesAutumn Leaves Assisted Living Personal Care Home

B & S Contracting Services, LLCBarbwire Fence N SeedBeasley Tire ServiceBuiltSmart ResourcesCadena Realty CoCarroll S Barbour, Attorney at LawChavarria’s Plumbing of SA Inc.Clark Pool & Spa Service CoD G Family DentistryD J Construction & Remodeling

Daniel F Burke, Attorney At LawDevelop eAgile, LLCDiscover Carpet Care LLCFirst Choice Delivery ServiceFour Seasons Lawn CareG. Morris HomesGarden Heights Weddings & Event Venue

Granite Sealing TechnologiesGreenville Custom Homes & Construction

Hill Syntec DistributingHutto TransportationIMSE RentalsJ&C Welding SupplyJoe Logue Auto SalesJoe’s SprinklersK & B Motors LLCKelso PlumbingLaredo Chamber of CommerceLaw Office of Daniel De La Garza, PLLC

Law Office of Jeramie Gertz, PLLCLaw Office of Jesus M DominguezLiberty TaxLone Star Jeep WorksLost Creek DentalMarble MastersMaster Chief Air Conditioning & Heating

Mata’s Insurance GroupMz Tax Refund ExpressNo Limit PaintingPair of Dice ServicesPawson ElectricPiccs By VicPoteet Homes LLCR & R Custom CycleRepublic DentalRiver City InternationalRoyal Kim Maintenance, IncRunge Veterinary ClinicS.T.S. ConstructionSchaefer Land EnhancementSouth Texas Handpiece Express, LLCVictory TransportWizard Auto Body Restoration and Custom Shop, LLC

NewNovemberAccreditedBusinesses

2

®

ACCREDITED BUSINESS

BBB Accreditation ChecklistLog into your BBB Business Login and be sure these items are done.

Contact your marketing department today for any questions or help at 512.445.4748.

Do you know your business login and password?

Have you uploaded your BBB Accredited Business Seal to your website?

Did you upload the BBB customer review seal to your website?

Have your uploaded photos, videos and social media links to your BBB Business Review?

3

Special thanks to our Corporate Partners!

Advertising Your BBB® Accreditation

Set yourself apart from your competitors by driving home your BBB Accreditation status. BBB Accreditation is a distinction that shows people your commitment to ethical marketplace standards. Here are some ways to tout your BBB Accreditation:

Don’t forget to mention your BBB Accreditation

®

ACCREDITEDBUSINESS

®

ACCREDITEDBUSINESS

®

®

VIDEO

Video ads are a great way to engage your audience. Hosted online or used on broadcast television as commercials, video provides your business endless creative possibilities.

When creating your ad, include information about your BBB Accreditation as well as displaying the BBB Accredited Business Seal.

Make a statement by advertising your BBB Accreditation.

WEB

Static and dynamic web ads are a great way to quickly reach your target audience.

Make sure to include the BBB Accredited Business Seal so people identify you as a trustworthy business.

RADIO Recording a radio ad? Audio is a powerful tool as part of your campaign. Create memorable and catchy radio ads that will keep your company top of mind.

“[Your Business Name] has been a BBB Accredited Business since [Year of Accreditation]”

Your Business Name

Business PhoneBusiness LocationBusiness Website

Your Tagline

®

ACCREDITEDBUSINESS

HOW TO USE THE SEAL

You may, within the scope of permission granted below, advertise your BBB Accreditation by using the BBB Accredited Business Seal. BBB will provide you the seal in various sizes. The image should meet a minimum height requirement for “BBB” of 1/8 inches tall.

For more information about advertising your accreditation and to download BBB Accredited Business Seals, visit bbb.org/central-texas and access your Business Login. For assistance, call your BBB marketing experts at 512.445.4748.

®

ACCREDITEDBUSINESS

Approved BBB® Accredited Business Seals

Better Business Bureau, Inc.1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

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AUSTIN, TX

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BetterBusinessBureau®

Return Service Requested

Trust Talk is published by Better Business Bureau 1005 La Posada Drive, Austin, TX 78752. Trust Talk is published for executives and employees of BBB Accredited Businesses in its 79-county service area. All rights reserved: the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent of the publisher. References to or mention made of any company, product or service herein is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product or service, but as information obtained from sources believed to be reliable for the use of BBB Accredited Businesses and subscribers. Because the matters contained in this Trust Talk concern matters of the utmost public importance and concern in providing a free flow of information to our companies concerning business enterprises in the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin area, BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses to contact their local BBB with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist BBB in fulfilling its mission of advancing marketplace trust.

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Inside this issueNew Year, New Business! ....................................... 1

New Accredited Businesses ..................................2

Advertising Your BBB Accreditation ..................3

Impact & Influence Report ................................... 4

In November 2015, your BBB...Provided customers with 194,192 BBB Business Reviews

Handled 1,478 disputes

Hosted 203,287 website visits

Sent 322 Request-A-Quote referrals to Accredited Businesses

Supported 13,264 Accredited Business Locations

In November 2015, your BBB was mentioned 2,209 times by 48 local media outlets including...

Contact BBBBBB® Corporate Office

1005 La Posada Drive

Austin, TX 78752

P: 512.445.4748

F: 512.445.2096

@: info@centraltx.bbb.org

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Find BBB on...

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Prepaid Debit/Credit Cards - 8,190

Roofing Contractors - 7,702

Home Builders - 5,464

Construction & Remodeling Services - 4,280

Auto Dealers - Used Cars - 3,460

Plumbers - 3,369

Air Conditioning Contractors & Systems - 3,242

Insurance Companies - 3,017

Attorneys & Lawyers - 2,796

Contractors - General - 2,768

Trust Talk | January 2016

Revocations

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Brio BuildersFailure to respond to 1 or more consumer complaint(s)

eProperty Tax LoansFailure to comply with BBB requests to modify or substantiate advertising

Collision QuestFailure to respond to 1 or more consumer complaint(s)

Serrato Burglar BarsFailure to respond to 1 or more consumer complaint(s)

Wommack ChevroletFailure to respond to 1 or more consumer complaint(s)