Business Evaluation

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Here we present a list of statements by which you can evaluate your company. The statements are grouped by type of business (retail, manufacturing, wholesale, and service, other). Consider printing out the statements for your business type, distributing the statements to appropriate staff, have them rate each statement on a scale of 1-10, tally up and average the scores (e.g. in Excel), and determine which areas need the most improvement. Then develop a plan to improve those areas that are most wanting in the company ASAP.

See assessment for this type of business: Retail | Manufacturing | Wholesale | Service

 

Q#	RETAIL BUSINESS EVALUATION (top)	1-10
1	We are constantly taking fresh initiatives to contact all potential customers for our products in our marketplace.
2	Our market strategy effectively differentiates us in the eyes of the customer.
3	We have an effective sales and marketing strategy to tap the most growing markets.
4	Our store layout and merchandizing are designed to effectively promote our products.
5	We are taking effective measures to improve our closing ratio on traffic coming into the store.
6	We effectively utilize direct mail to attract new customers.
7	Our customers are extremely pleased by the quality and speed of service which they receive from us.
8	Our store signage and product merchandising are neat, attractive, frequently varied, making it easy for customers to identify the features and price of every product.
9	We utilize effective systems to follow-up on every sale and obtain customer referrals.
10	We systematically monitor the impact of ads and promotions on store traffic and sales to evaluate their effectiveness.
11	Our marketing plan provides for an appropriate level and blend of print, radio, TV, other advertising to reach all potential customers in our market area.
12	The information that we give our customers is timely, accurate and appropriate to satisfy their level of needs.
13	We effectively complement our in-store sales efforts with sales and marketing efforts that reach a greater number and broader range of customers.
14	Every member of our sales staff knows how to listen to customers, win their confidence, and make them feel happy about the products/services we offer.
15	All our sales people are alert, energetic and enthusiastic in the interactions with customers.
16	Our sales people have clear sales targets that effectively motivate them to exceed past levels of performance.
17	Sales managers frequently monitor and review individual performance with each sales person and identify ways to improve their performance.
18	All our sales people are highly skilled in qualifying customers and closing sales.
19	We have clear standards for customer service which are known and followed by all personnel.
20	We strive to make the sales experience entertaining, enjoyable and delightful for every customer.
21	We have a clear and in-depth understanding of the trends effecting consumer demand, buying habits, and distribution in our industry.
22	Our store design, the conduct of our sales staff and the store environment are appealing to youth and women.
23	We maintain an appropriate blend of mid and high end products to meet the needs of our customers.
24	We eagerly and enthusiastically study new technologies in search of new business opportunities.
25	Our product strategy effectively differentiates us from the competition in our marketplace.
26	Our product strategy avoids unnecessary duplication of product lines.
27	We maintain an appropriate balance of inventory in each product category to match our actual sales in that category.
28	Our product line integrates high margin product categories.
29	We continuously review the products we stock to add new faster moving items and reduce investment in slower moving ones.
30	Every member of our sales staff possesses a high level of technical knowledge about our product lines.
31	Our technicians possess a high level and a complete range of technical knowledge and skills.
32	Our technical staff in service do every job right the first time.
33	Every member of our technical staff receives regular training.
34	All the demos in our stores are kept in fully operational condition.
35	Our sales people have the knowledge and skill to demonstrate the products they sell.
36	We are entrepreneurial pioneers in marketing new technologies.
37	We effectively utilize computers to improve the speed and efficiency of all aspects of our operations.
38	There is good communication and coordination between the sales force, customer service, warehouse, purchasing and advertising departments.
39	We know exactly what products we have in stock and on order at all times and this information is readily available to those staff who need it.
40	We have effective systems to monitor the satisfaction of our customers.
41	When customers inquire about the status of deliveries, installations and repairs, we are able to immediately retrieve the information and reply.
42	We have the management structure and systems in place to provide cost effective, high quality, timely service for our products and services.
43	We have a core team in place capable of effectively managing all aspects of our business.
44	We effectively delegate responsibilities to people throughout the organization and closely monitor their performance.
45	We assign clear responsibilities and levels of authority to people throughout the organization.
46	There are standard written operating procedures for all recurring activities.
47	All activities of the company are carefully planned in advance and closely monitored during implementation.
48	Routine operations, projects and paperwork are completed on schedule.
49	Decisions are taken and executed promptly.
50	We have effective purchasing system for managing inventory.
51	All file cabinets, offices, storage facilities, and warehouses are maintained in a clean and orderly fashion.
52	Sales management provides strong, motivating leadership and effective organizational discipline.
53	Recurring problems are dealt with by introducing new systems or by improving existing ones.
54	We consciously recruit people with high energy levels.
55	Our recruitment systems and procedures enable us to effectively identify and evaluate potential new employees.
56	We are highly successful in recruiting people with the right qualifications, skills and personality to work effectively in our business.
57	We have an effective orientation and training program in place to bring new employees up to high levels of performance as quickly as possible.
58	We have an effective training program in place to continuously raise the skills of experienced sales people.
59	We have an effective training program in place to continuously improve the managerial, organization and interpersonal skills of all managers in the company.
60	All our people work together harmoniously as a team without conflicts.
61	The pay scales and benefits offered by our company are sufficient to attract and retain competent people.
62	We have performance based incentives in place that effectively motivate our managers and staff to strive for high performance.
63	Our employees feel a high level of enthusiasm and job satisfaction.
64	We actively encourage the participation and initiative of our people to improve the way we carry out all aspects of our business.
65	All employees receive regular job performance appraisals to help them improve their performance and plan for their career development.
66	We give social recognition and personal attention to employees that do a good job.
67	We have systems in place to capture ideas and suggestions generated at all levels of the company, and procedures for evaluating and responding to them.
68	The company encourages and supports the on-going education of all its employees.
69	Our managers possess a high level of organizational and managerial skills.
70	The company has a clear standard for the number of hours of training which each sales person should receive every year.
71	People within the company are self-disciplined in their work.
72	Our accounting system enables us to track all categories of recurring expenses and compare them to past levels and industry norms.
73	We pay our bills on time.
74	We collect receivables on time.
75	Our inventory system enables us to accurately account for all products without discrepancies.
76	We have a detailed budget for projecting and controlling expenditures.
77	Our accounting systems are updated daily and maintained up-to-date.
78	We utilize all possible sources of capital from banks, investors, supplier credit, etc.
79	We utilize all possible means to help our customers finance their needs in a cost effective manner.
80	We carefully control expenditures to minimize costs and eliminate waste of any description.
81	We systematically control inventory levels to maximize turns.
82	When we give a quote for a sale, the price accurately takes into account our costs and the proper amount of gross profit for the sale.
83	We maintain active and close relations with our bankers.
84	Our pricing strategy enables us to maintain high margins on exclusive lines and be competitively priced on non-exclusive brands.
85	All purchases of goods/services are routed through a central purchasing department to ensure we buy at the best prices.
86	Our company is highly successful in evaluating credit risks and minimizing bad debts.
87	In evaluating product lines we take into account the total annual gross margin on each line.
88	Our financial people possess all the knowledge and skills required to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
89	We carefully manage our cash utilization to maintain sufficient liquidity and to invest surplus cash to maximize returns.
90	We are aware of enormous untapped potentials for the growth of the business.
91	We have the energy needed to grow the company.
92	We are committed and enthusiastic about growing the company.
93	People in the company are energetic and hard working.
94	Customers are attracted by the energy they feel in our store.
95	Our employees feel a minimum of fatigue and burnout on the job.
96	Physical activities at the company are quick and brisk.
97	Fresh ideas are continuously being generated and encouraged.
98	There is a culture of positive thinking and a "can do" attitude throughout the company.
99	Everyone in the company understands our mission and future direction.
100	Our company has clear goals and plans for its long term growth which are understood and endorsed by our managers and employees.
101	There is clear direction of the goals and objectives coming from top management.
102	The structure of our company (e.g. divisions, departments, processes, teams, etc.) is right for the direction our company is moving in.
103	The activities of the company are highly organized and clearly defined.
104	Job positions in the company are highly organized, in terms of people doing the right tasks, responsibility, and clarity of authority.
105	Systems in the company operate smoothly and efficiently.
106	The skill needs of people are constantly being evaluated.
107	People are getting the training they need to meet the skill needs they have.
108	There is excellent communication among people in our company.
109	There is excellent teamwork and cooperation among people in our company.
110	The quality of the products and services we sell is high.
111	Our company is fully systematized. The activities and systems in our company are fully organized and implemented.
112	There is good coordination between the various activities, functioning within the company.
113	All activities have been systematized to insure that they are effectively carried out.
114	We have a clear and effective marketing plan.
115	We are marketing to the right target market.
116	We have all of the information needed to have an effective marketing plan.
117	We are aware of the economic, social, governmental, international, and industry forces affecting the market.
118	Top management has excellent attitudes toward, relations with, and interest in the staff.
119	There is harmony between members of the staff.
120	There is plenty of scope given for individual initiative, enterprise, and creativity.
121	There is fair compensation in terms of salary scale, employee benefits, bonus and profit sharing, etc.
122	Each employee's talents are fully utilized.
123	Each employee is given the right amount of responsibility in their job.
124	We have regular staff meetings to discuss new employees, new products and services, new procedures, and get employee feedback.
125	We offer a solid line of custom products/services that augment our standard offerings.
126	Our employee work schedule is maximized for efficiency.
127	We have solid cash flow.
128	We offer products/services that meet the price range requirements of our customers.
129	Our ads and promotions effectively attract potential customers.
130	Considering all factors, we have the right location to attract customers to our business.
131	The company has a clear perception of its mission and central purpose.
132	The company has up-to-date plans for sales, marketing, products & services, human resources, organization, and budget.
133	The company strives to achieve high company values, which are endorsed by others, and are implemented in daily activities.
134	Our people feel closely identified with the interests of the company and are eager for its growth.
135	People express a cooperative attitude throughout the company. There is an appreciation of each other's point of view.
136	People in the company always want to improve their performance, and take pride in doing the best job possible.
	MANUFACTURING BUSINESS EVALUATION (top)
1	We know exactly the profile, size, and composition of our customer base.
2	We are able to anticipate and respond to the changing needs of our customers.
3	We have well designed and effective marketing materials.
4	Our customers are pleased by the service they receive from our company.
5	We always deliver products and services to our customers within the time agreed upon.
6	The information we give our customers is timely, accurate and complete.
7	We closely observe the marketing