Comments on: Q & A: How can I grow my business. http://www.sme-blog.com/small-business/business-start-up/q-a-how-can-i-grow-my-business Let's talk business, ....SMALL BUSINESS! Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:06:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Oliver - Business Coach http://www.sme-blog.com/small-business/business-start-up/q-a-how-can-i-grow-my-business#comment-46815 Oliver - Business Coach Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:27:48 +0000 http://www.sme-blog.com/small-business/business-start-up/q-a-how-can-i-grow-my-business#comment-46815 The points made here are very valid - setting up a effect referral system is a key marketing stratergy for most small businesses. The points made here are very valid - setting up a effect referral system is a key marketing stratergy for most small businesses.

]]> By: Printing Perth http://www.sme-blog.com/small-business/business-start-up/q-a-how-can-i-grow-my-business#comment-46391 Printing Perth Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:15:05 +0000 http://www.sme-blog.com/small-business/business-start-up/q-a-how-can-i-grow-my-business#comment-46391 Maybe it's my imagination. I've found since online ordering ordering has grown more popularity and consumers see suppliers as just another name that bobs up when you type a search phrase into a search engine, I now think of them in the same light. Just another prospect or customer wanting a quote or to place an order. I'm in the printing industry and the majority of users of print see it as just a consumable and not something that's been produced specifically for them. There used to be a lot of satisfaction received from delivering an order & hearing the customer say wow, they look great. Not any more... shame really. Peter Maybe it’s my imagination.

I’ve found since online ordering ordering has grown more popularity and consumers see suppliers as just another name that bobs up when you type a search phrase into a search engine, I now think of them in the same light.

Just another prospect or customer wanting a quote or to place an order.

I’m in the printing industry and the majority of users of print see it as just a consumable and not something that’s been produced specifically for them.

There used to be a lot of satisfaction received from delivering an order & hearing the customer say wow, they look great.

Not any more… shame really.

Peter

]]> By: Stefan Töpfer http://www.sme-blog.com/small-business/business-start-up/q-a-how-can-i-grow-my-business#comment-46057 Stefan Töpfer Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:40:16 +0000 http://www.sme-blog.com/small-business/business-start-up/q-a-how-can-i-grow-my-business#comment-46057 <p>Paul,</p> <p>You made some valid points, thank you for that. It is nice to see that you and apparently J. Abraham agree with my answers.</p> <p>From the email it was clear the lady was concerned about her income to support herself, so the fourth point is vital for her to achieve her goal. Her goal is not necessarily to grow the business, but to make more money out of it.</p> <p>This is an often overlooked aspect of very small business, and many business advisors do not understand that some businesses do not really what to grow - as in this case - they just want to earn a good living. </p> <p>If this would have been really about growth only - I would 100% agree with you.</p> <p>ST.</p> Paul,

You made some valid points, thank you for that. It is nice to see that you and apparently J. Abraham agree with my answers.

From the email it was clear the lady was concerned about her income to support herself, so the fourth point is vital for her to achieve her goal. Her goal is not necessarily to grow the business, but to make more money out of it.

This is an often overlooked aspect of very small business, and many business advisors do not understand that some businesses do not really what to grow - as in this case - they just want to earn a good living.

If this would have been really about growth only - I would 100% agree with you.

ST.

]]> By: Paul Simister, Your Profit Coach http://www.sme-blog.com/small-business/business-start-up/q-a-how-can-i-grow-my-business#comment-46056 Paul Simister, Your Profit Coach Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:17:59 +0000 http://www.sme-blog.com/small-business/business-start-up/q-a-how-can-i-grow-my-business#comment-46056 As the lady wants to grow her turnover the first three questions are much more relevant than the fourth. These are the Jay Abraham 3 questions for business growth and too many people focus on the first and ignore the second and third questions. Often your existing customers are a great source of additional revenue - they already trust you. Ask what else they buy - before they buy your product and service, at the same time or after. Can you find any complementary ideas. In particular where do they have an unresolved problem or where do they find it difficult to find a reliable supplier. When you've made more progress with the existing customers, the next step I'd recommend is to ask your existing happy, satisfied customers to find you more customers exactly like them. See if you can have a systematised referral process. Check out Jay Abraham's resources - perhaps by going to my blog - The Business Coaching Blog at http://businesscoaching.typepad.com. I am a big fan and I am gradually build up more Jay Abraham inspired blogs. He isn't the highest paid marketing consultant without good reason - especially when most of his clients are small and medium sized businesses. As the lady wants to grow her turnover the first three questions are much more relevant than the fourth.

These are the Jay Abraham 3 questions for business growth and too many people focus on the first and ignore the second and third questions.

Often your existing customers are a great source of additional revenue - they already trust you.

Ask what else they buy - before they buy your product and service, at the same time or after. Can you find any complementary ideas.

In particular where do they have an unresolved problem or where do they find it difficult to find a reliable supplier.

When you’ve made more progress with the existing customers, the next step I’d recommend is to ask your existing happy, satisfied customers to find you more customers exactly like them.

See if you can have a systematised referral process.

Check out Jay Abraham’s resources - perhaps by going to my blog - The Business Coaching Blog at http://businesscoaching.typepad.com. I am a big fan and I am gradually build up more Jay Abraham inspired blogs.

He isn’t the highest paid marketing consultant without good reason - especially when most of his clients are small and medium sized businesses.

]]>