Unfortunately, not everyone uses bar coding technology properly. And they don't reap as many benefits as they could.

Utilizing bar codes with your POS software will allow you to...

- Serve customers faster and improve service by quickly scanning bar codes at point of sale (POS) instead of typing a SKU.

- Reduce pricing and inventory errors. Scanning bar codes at POS is much more accurate than typing a SKU. The typical error rate for human data entry is 1 error per 300 characters. Barcode scanners can be as good as 1 error in 36 trillion characters depending on type of barcode used.

- Save time and improve efficiency. If all your merchandise is bar coded you can save time by checking out customers faster, instantly implementing mark downs and eliminating problem of price tag switching.

- Quickly count your inventory at any time. If you purchase a PDT (portable data terminal) you can count and enter your inventory by scanning each item with a PDT. The PDT will store your inventory count so you can quickly upload it into your POS software.

- Reduce costs. If you have UPCs on your merchandise then you don't have to put price tag on product itself, which saves time and reduces handling costs.

- Improve accuracy of your inventory. One of biggest cost savings and benefits is maintaining a more accurate inventory. Bar coding reduces errors at receiving and at point of sale so your inventory stays accurate.

HOW IT WORKS

First of all, a bar code is a series of narrow and wide lines printed on a label or tag. Each bar on label represents a character for a "bar code reader" to interpret.

You can scan bar code with a bar code reader which uses a photosensor to convert bar code into an electrical signal as it moves across bars. The scanner then measures relative widths of bars and spaces, translates different patterns back into regular characters, and sends them on to a computer or portable terminal.

Most bar codes look similar but they can have different symbologies or standards. The symbology defines width of bars and technical details of a particular type of barcode.

There’s an old adage; “Perception is reality”. Simply stated, perception of a brand lies in its ability to influence a client’s behavior. When you have successfully branded your business, in client’s eye there is no service in marketplace quite like your service.

All consulting businesses should have a distinct, sustainable, and competitive advantage to differentiate their services from competition. I call this process of identifying your advantage “Brand Your Consulting Brilliance”.

Here are six simple steps to brand and differentiate your services in current business environment.

1. Think client focus first.

The client’s reality: Consulting businesses exist to serve clients. Develop a client visitation calendar and schedule in-person visits. Look client in eye and say, “I am here to serve you.” Follow up and follow through on all client related matters in a timely manner.

Create a client questionnaire so clients can rate performance of your services. You want them to tell you how you’re doing and what you can do to serve them better. It’s also a way to discover what challenges they are currently facing. Be relentless in your client retention efforts.

2. Discover a distinct advantage that will set you apart from competitors.

Start by articulating your “unique marketing proposition”, a statement of all of qualities and characteristics that set your services apart in marketplace. Analyze your services: What skills and services do we provide that are distinctive, measurable, and add value? Which of our past successes can we leverage in marketplace? And don’t forget to ask colleagues what they see as your competitive strengths.