small business test

© Copyright Sanna Koritz, Create Business D.o.o.

www.createbusiness.se • [email protected] • +46 8 519 715 17 • +382 69 471 869

The Small Business Test

Check how your business is doing – take the Small Business Test!

You’ll get a company snapshot that helps you see if you need to

strengthen or change parts of your business.

This is how you do it:

1. Print this document.

2. Read through the questions below. Make sure to answer yes only if the

statement is entirely true for you and your business.

3. Summarize the points for each section. In the circle at the end of the

document, mark the number for each respective section with an ’x’.

4. Draw a straight line from one ’x’ to another (from section 1 to section

2; from section 2 to section 3, etc.) until you’ve marked up all of the

sections.

5. When you’re done, you’ll have a good visual of your current company

status. The closer you get to the outer line, the better!

Good luck!

Sanna Koritz, Create Business D.o.o.



Section 1: The foundation of your business No Yes

1. You have a solid business plan that you check and update regularly, at least each quarter.

2. Your passion and your interests are the basis and vital parts of your business concept.

3. Your concept is crystal clear and easy to explain.

4. Your company vision gives a clear direction for your company. All of your decisions and activities lead you towards your vision.

5. You have clear goals that are easy to measure and turn into concrete activities.

6. You have a solid business strategy that helps you create the results you desire.

7. Your company brand is clear, personal and unique. You communicate your brand in everything you say and do.

8. You feel completely happy with and stand behind every part of your business (your concept, webpage, sales pitch, etc).

9. You have an action plan for each week, month and 6-month period, and you check and update your plan regularly.

10. You know how to evaluate your results and you carry out your evaluation at a certain time each month.

Total number of Yes-answers

Section 2: Your offer No Yes

1. There is a high demand for your product/service.

2. Your pricing strategy is clear and reflects the true customer value of your product/service.

3. You’re not depending on a single product or service, but have several different revenue sources.

4. You can easily explain your pricing strategy to your customers.

5. It is easy to understand what you are selling and what the benefits of your offer are.

6. Your offer is unique in the marketplace.

7. You continuously develop your offer so that it fits the needs of the market.

8. You stay abreast of competing products/services to make sure that you maintain your uniqueness.



9. You listen to customer feedback and are prepared to develop your offer according to that input.

10. You offer something unexpected in the delivery of your product/service.


Section 3: Keeping things in order No Yes

1. You are in complete control of your business, no questions are left unanswered.

2. You actively use planning as a way to steer your company forward and regularly check your results and activities.

3. You find it easy to prioritize amongst everything that needs to be done and you have the ability to focus on the things that matter.

4. You feel sure that you are doing the right things and that you are doing enough of them.

5. You have good self-discipline and all the tools you need to steer your business where you want it to go.

6. You have clear processes, templates, etc. that save time in your daily work.

7. Your company is well-organized, you know where to find everything and spend a minimum of time finding important documents.

8. You outsource the parts of your business that you don’t like, don’t know how to do or don’t have the time to do.

9. Your office is well-organized, pleasant and an environment that keeps you inspired and motivated.

10. You have a good system for your finances, a reliable accountant and full control of your income and expenses.


Section 4: Sales and marketing No Yes

1. You feel safe, motivated and optimistic before making your sales calls.

2. You are a good listener and able to identify the customer’s needs during a sales meeting.

3. You feel comfortable talking about your prices.

4. Many of your customers recommend your company to their own network.

5. You have the patience to wait for results to turn up and you avoid overselling to



your customers.

6. You have a focused marketing plan that you use actively and that continuously generates new leads and customers.

7. You feel happy with your sales results.

8. You are a strong public speaker and feel comfortable in larger sales meetings.

9. Many of your customers return for more business with you and your company.

10. You effectively use tools such as the Internet to reach your potential customers.


Section 5: Your customer service No Yes

1. You have a clear service standard that you stick to during each customer contact.

2. You always deliver according to your promises.

3. You quickly communicate and explain any changes to your customer.

4. You make sure to repair any mistakes and have the ability to change the mind of a dissatisfied customer.

5. You are not afraid to say ‘no’ to customers that for some reason don’t fit your company profile.

6. You feel that you and your customers are equal business partners.

7. You always solve any problems that the customer may have with your product/service and do it in a pleasant way.

8. You give the customer what he/she wants, not what you want to sell.

9. You regularly follow up with your customers after a completed transaction to learn how you can become even better at serving your customers.

10. You always give the customer more value than what he/she has paid for.


Section 6: The development of your business No Yes

1. You regularly get training to stay abreast of current and future developments in your field.

2. You take care of new ideas and make sure to turn them into profitable parts of your business.



3. You are in regular contact with several key individuals that help you discuss and develop your business.

4. You develop or change those parts of your company that you are not fully comfortable with.

5. You participate in networks that create long-term value for you and your company.

6. You regularly follow news pertaining to your field of business in order to keep your offer fresh and in line with the market.

7. You learn from your mistakes and make sure to improve whatever is not working as well as it should.

8. You actively seek new contacts that support and develop you and your company.

9. You benchmark your company every six months against the best players in your industry.

10. You are open to new business partners if they can add value to your company.


Section 7: Your attitude No Yes

1. You have positive thoughts about yourself and your company that contribute to your success.

2. You feel that you have the competence and the experience to succeed with your company.

3. You believe that it is more important to stay focused on succeeding than on avoiding failure.

4. You see setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.

5. You are convinced that you deserve all of your success.

6. You easily bounce back after failures or setbacks.

7. You see opportunities, not problems.

8. You trust your own judgment.

9. You have a positive driving force and want to more than you have to.

10. You are convinced of your own value and clear about your strengths and weaknesses.




Section 8: Your lifestyle No Yes

1. You make sure to do at least one thing that makes you happy each day.

2. You surround yourself with a social environment that supports you.

3. You take care of your health and make regular health check-ups each or every second year.

4. You have a balanced lifestyle and stay active and energized in your free time.

5. You have clear boundaries between work hours and time off.

6. You feel motivated and happy before each working day.

7. You sleep well without worries for tomorrow.

8. You don’t work late evenings or weekends and you make sure to take at least three weeks off each year.

9. You exercise at least three times a week.

10. You have hobbies that give you energy and relaxation from work.


Now summarize your points per section.

Fill in the results in the circle on the next page.



5

5

5

5

5

5 5

5

10

10 10

10

10

10

10

10

8. Lifestyle

7. Attitude

3 . Order 1. Foundation

2. Offer

4. Sales & marketing

5. Customer service

6. Development

small business test

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