Make Outsourcing a Positive Experience
Make outsourcing a positive experience for everyone involved – the customer, the company, and you. Outsourcing can take on multiple shapes. It can mean bringing in a temp for a short period of time. It can mean an on going relationship with a freelancer or virtual assistant. Or it can mean sending over flows of work out to a competitor. What ever form it takes there are a few key ways to make sure it is a positive and profitable solution. First, review all of the places that your business and the outsourced business will intersect. Record these and go over how these points of...
Read MoreWhen Does a Product Become a Brand?
When Does a Product Become a Brand? It becomes a brand the moment a consistent branding strategy is set in place and people begin to make the connections. A brand is not as elusive as you might think. A brand is a consistent message that is triggered in a consumer’s or client’s mind. Every time they see or hear x they think y. In a way it is basic Pavlovian Theory. Think of the most common examples: the golden arches — McDonalds. Mouse ears — Disney… the red dartboard—Target. The list goes on. The concept can be translated into a logo, a song, a saying...
Read More3 Ways to Handle Stress
Everyone has stressful situations come up in their lives. For some it is a daily routine, for others it is an occasion or event that brings on the feelings of stress. Stress has been called the number one killer. It adds to high blood sugar and high blood pressure. It exacerbates a number of diseases including, it is believed, cancer. Stress is in our heads, it is our thoughts that create feelings of anxiety and tension. Stress theory holds that to relieve stress there are multiple techniques. Here are three. Turn the corners of your mouth up. Creating a smile triggers the immediate...
Read MoreWhat’s in a Sales Kit?
As your sales team reaches out to potential new clients, it is vital that they are armed with compelling materials that reinforce your unique value and benefits to customers. Following are the materials we recommend developing for the sales team. Custom letter of introduction targeted at specific industries This is often the first thing a potential new client will see. It is what prompts them to consider your company as a supplier. A well-written letter of introduction can help open doors for your sales team. Business Cards Business cards are one of the most basic yet essential tools to any...
Read MoreCustomer Databases – using, not abusing them
If you’ve been in business a number of years, you should have a database of your customers. In fact, you should have software that’s tracked all their purchases, contacts, and requests. Now, they may not be all your best customers, but it’s a list that can be used with other communication tools none-the-less. If you don’t have a list, you can purchase one or more. However, make sure you’ve done your homework or marketing plan first. When you do, you should have a full demographic and economic profile of your ideal target client. Then, you can go “happy hunting” or...
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