|
|
| Small Business Information |
|
|
|
|
Simple Business Tactics Are Your Key To Success
In a world full of complications sometimes we overlook the simple things in life. We are so busy trying to work out our twisted problems that we miss out on the simple secrets to success. The same can be said of our businesses. We get caught up in endless problems when all we really need to do is to step back and see the simple alternatives, that will lead us to success. Sometimes we need to think with the simplicity of a child. Not so long ago, Summer holidays (vacation) in the USA meant the rebirth of the Lemonade Empire. Enterprising children of about 10 years and up set up their lemonade stands and earned themselves some holiday money. A note to all who do not live in the USA, school children in USA have a 3 month vacation in the summer, allowing them a great deal of free time. This was before the year round schools that have tried to cut down the long summer vacation. The Lemonade era was in full swing in these "good old days." The Lemonade King/Queen, who would earn the most money by the end of the vacation, depended on individual factors. Being children they did not have any complicated "think tanks" or secret board meetings, they relied on simple business skills and techniques. Let me explain with these few points. There was a need/market: Hot thirsty people, (most of the USA has hot Summers) A proven hot selling product: Cold Lemonade is the ultimate drink for a hot Summer day. Cheap premises, simple set up and low overhead: A stand with supplies at the curb( side of the road) would not be too expensive. However there was hot competition, many children on vacation, and this is where simple business tactics came into play. Just 3 examples: The Price War: One child was selling Lemonade for 10c Another for 15c A third for 25c All had simple stands with a white board saying Lemonade 10c/15c/25c. They had stands that stood alone, with no related service. Location: Each Lemonade Stand owner vied for the best traffic location, some got lucky others not. All fair in the Lemonade game. Then came: The Ultimate Marketer: A small girl was selling lemonade for 30c and she was the talk of the neighborhood. She was selling more and charging more, how could that be? Here were her simple secrets. Her notice did not just say Lemonade 30c. It said "Freshly Squeezed Lemonade, Made Just For You" She greeted all her customers personally. She took obvious pride in her wares and stand. Her stand was simply and nicely decorated and spotlessly clean. However she did not stop here. She set up her stand next door to the most popular Hot Dog/snack stand. This vender was well known throughout the neighborhood for his great food and service. He had a great location near many offices on a busy street and he was not just seasonal he was there all year round so everybody knew him. He was the perfect compliment to the little girl's lemonade stand. Plus he was a friendly fellow and always recommended his customers to have some delicious lemonade with their lunch/snacks. Of course she also returned the favor. Now we can all learn from the simple business principles that made this small entrepreneur the talk of the town. To recap: She had the market (thirsty people) The product: Great tasting lemonade She improved her ad copy, her notice was better than her competitors. She treated all her customers well, going out of her way to make them feel comfortable. Added value. Happy customers=repeat customers, good service = word of mouth marketing, a very powerful form of promotion. A clean, attractive and professional stand attracted more customers. Her strong link with a large popular seller helped her to sell more. Because of all these factors and the added value of customer service she could charge premium price. All these simple business tactics can be applied to your business and not only help you get ahead of the competition but make more money with less fuss. No need for, time consuming think tanks, and board meetings. These simple principles are right under our noses, we just have to apply them. Think with the simplicity of a child and your business will run more smoothly, be more efficient, and ultimately make you more money. About The Author Cathy Qazalbash is the Publisher of A1-Newsletter A free newsletter for start up businesses Helping all who are determined to succeed She is also a freelance writer/copywriter
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How To Build Business Credit Having their own business is something many millions of people dream of doing. Many do, of course, but so many others never quite get around to it. One of the factors that may discourage people from getting that business off the ground, is a lack of start up capital; and another may be the risk of losing their own money. Administration Of Your Small Business You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of your business, that is, the growing list of things to do that relates to your small business. You've shoved all other appointments aside and starts getting down to working on the nitty gritty details, you're ready to go all out and tick everything on the list off! But where in the world is the list? Local Government Relations for Small Business Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and serving customers without ever worrying about local government relations. For some it turns out okay but for others it can become a disaster. You never know when a new project down the street may call for new plans to adjust the roads or put in center medians. If you are on a busy road you rely on traffic from both directions. A five-month road project can kill a business and what if it is in your busy season. If you are in retail that could be Christmas Time; imagine half you customers not being able to turn into your driveway? Then imagine after the holidays are over you have to deal with a center median which does not allow cross-over traffic. Or a do not cross over the line sign with a police car enforcing the new laws from your drive way leading into your business? Increase Productivity and Business Success - Take Responsibility Are you responsible for your results? A Look at Incorporating a Business in Florida As you may know, there are many ways to incorporate a business in Florida. While companies exist to do the legwork and paperwork for you, the most direct way is to contact the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporation's website itself. How to Give FREE Advice and Make Money When is advice free and when should you charge for it? FFP vs. CPFF Contracts SBIR Corner: FFP vs. CPFF contracts: A Small Business Consultant Can Help in Many Ways... But One Thing He Can?t Provide A consultant must remember that the business belongs to the client. There is always a danger that the consultant will take a dominant position to the detriment of both of them. Got Stimulation? An observation while returning home from a seminar: Getting away from the everyday allows room for analysis and new thoughts. Stimulation while away from the everyday energizes analytical and concept ional thinking. Too Many Lawyers in Franchising Today Attorneys and Lawyers are ruining the franchise industry. It is too bad too, because franchising represents over 400,000 businesses in our country and accounts for just over one-third of every consumer dollar spent in this country. By over regulating and over lawyering the industry we are weakening our free markets and suffocating our up and coming entrepreneurs. Top 7 Small Business Resources for 2005 If you want to start a business in 2005, and start making money almost immediately, the sites listed below are some of the best I have found. I've chosen each site because it is absolutely outstanding in providing the tools you need to get started, as well as taking you through the steps you need to get started immediately. How Do I Choose The Right Business Opportunity For Me? First you have to start with knowing your budget and how much you can afford to spend on a business opportunity. There are ways of starting a business opportunity online for as little as $50 as an affiliate; this figure goes all the way up to $1 Million dollars with a McDonalds restaurant. Leverage The Power of Publicity For Your Small Business Your business is only as good as the number of people who knows about it. For your venture to grow, you need to start spreading the word about your business. You may have the best products your field, but you cannot expect your business to breach the million-dollar mark in sales if only the people in your street know about it. Some entrepreneurs start doing promotions only when their businesses are up and running, while some market their business even before the products or services are fully launched. Franchise Territories for Mobile Businesses; Why Limitations In franchising an individual desirous of their own business will sign on with a franchising company and use their brand name, know how and expertise to make a living. The franchisor will generally assign an exclusive territory with limitations. In our franchise company we have mobile service units, which clean cars and we have to have territories to prevent in-fighting from franchisees which might inadvertently end up competing with one another. Provide Affordable Health Care To Employees At Little To No Cost To You You can provide affordable health care plans to your employees. If you feel overwhelmed by health care plan costs, you may be able to achieve far more than you believe. Here is how. Fire the CEO If you are the boss and you think your job is to run the business, you are dead wrong. Your job, the most important job in any business, is to market the business. How to let go of your EGO When does your ego get in the way? Reclaim Equipment Detailing Industry and NPDES, EPA, Storm Water Rules It behooves every professional mobile auto detailer to stay up with the reclaim equipment necessary to comply with the NPDES, EPA and storm water rules. Every company has a responsibility to not pollute the water supplies. If you are an auto detailer perhaps I might be able to assist you in complying without breaking your bank. There are inexpensive ways to keep your waste wash water out of the storm drains. Looking for a New Office Chair? Perhaps you are building a new home office or you are redoing the one you have. Or, maybe you are looking for an office chair to replace that broken down model sitting in your office. Regardless, the office chairs of today offer more then just comfort. Choosing an office chair can be as much fun as getting a raise! Well, maybe it's not that good, but it's still a great moment! Seven Common Mistakes Made By Small Business Owners Most new small businesses won't be in business this time next year. That's the cold hard facts. Though it is easy to start your own business, it takes a lot more to succeed in business. There are seven common mistakes made by small business owners. Let's explore them so you can avoid them.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2005 |