Added on September 2nd, 2008
Found in News
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Networking is an important part of business life. Early mornings apart there is a lot to be said for joining a regular networking group. For many sole traders it is a lifeline, an opportunity to share thoughts, ideas and hopefully do a little business. From the point of view of small / medium sized companies there is an opportunity to gain additional sales potential through the development of strategic alliances, pro-active marketing and reciprocal business.
In an effort to grow a business it is important to think about your reason for networking to ensure you are putting your efforts in the right area. So, if as a sole trader, you want to have a bit of company for lunch but the cut and thrust of business is secondary to vol-o-vents and satay chicken sticks, then there are a host of venues to temp your taste buds and exercise your jovial banter.
If on the other hand your main aim is to shout ‘look at what we have to offer’, ‘how much budget have you got to spend?’ and ‘ come and let us give you a competitive quote’ then its important to make sure you are not barking up the wrong tree (so to speak).
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Added on July 8th, 2008
Found in Google Adwords, News
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When business is slow and ’financial’ belts are tightened, marketing is usually the first area to suffer. Upon closer investigation you may find that this really is a case of ‘cutting off your nose to spite your face’. By delaying work on that new website, or not getting that new company brochure printed you may be doing more harm than good!
Rather than withdraw from the ’scene’, now may be the time to ‘get out there’ and promote your business. When times are hard businesses shop around more, they look for value added services, they look for products or services that improve their productivity, they may be looking for you! If you are not there being seen in the right places, making your presence known and keeping in touch, before you know it the customers you have already may be gone!
When considering how to market and who to market to perhaps asking yourself a few key questions may highlight where you lack the right tools to do the job. [..more..]
Added on June 16th, 2008
Found in News, Special Offers
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The word ‘website’ immediately brings to mind on-line shops (e-commerce trading) or information websites (brochure style sites), but what if your business is not about selling in the traditional sense? What if you are a consultant, an agent or a designer? What if your company offers a less tangible service than selling a ‘widget’?
If your ‘business’ is looking after ’customers’, educating them or providing a service to them then perhaps you need to re-look at what your website is offering. Ask yourself the following:
- what is the purpose of the site?
- what information or activity could encourage a repeat site visit?
- what do your clients expect to see?
- what can you offer on-line that you would normally do by telephone/fax /post?
- what do your clients think of your website?
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