- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
In addition to drive, ambition and a great deal of planning, starting and expanding a small business generally requires capital. Capital may come from family, friends, lenders or others. This Financial Guide provides an overview of how to get the capital you need to start or grow your business. Table of Contents Finding Sources Of […]
- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
Do You Have A Business Or A Job? Michael Gerber is a business consulting “guru” whose observations concerning small businesses have had a profound impact on how his students see their businesses and their role as a business owner. Gerber observed that most people go into business for the wrong reason. They are skilled technicians. […]
- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
Quick! What is your most valuable business asset? If you are like most business people, your mind might quickly fly over your balance sheet. Is it your equipment? Is it your location? Is it your accounts receivable? For most businesses, the most valuable business asset isn’t on the balance sheet. It’s their customer list. And […]
- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
In developing your marketing message, it’s very helpful to develop a Unique Selling Proposition, or USP. What is a USP? The USP very clearly answers the question, “Why should I do business with you instead of your competitors?” The USP may be used repetitively in your marketing literature to build the customer’s or client’s identification […]
- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” It’s interesting to see how many small businesses try as soon as possible to follow the example of some large corporations to build an impersonal “corporate image.” People actually prefer to do business with people, not institutions. The last time you […]
- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
An extremely powerful marketing tool that we get “too busy” or “too smart” to use is the testimonial. According to marketing guru Dan Kennedy, “What others say about you and your product, service, or business is at least 1000% more convincing than what you say, even if you are 1000% more eloquent.” The reason is […]
- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
Who are the very best new customers you get? Who is most likely to buy from you and continue being a good customer in the future? Isn’t it a prospective customer who was referred to you by another customer who is an advocate for your business? Referrals are the best prospective customers because they have […]
- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
By developing an effective advertising plan, you increase the likelihood of a positive return on your advertising investment, regardless of the amount you spend. Table of Contents What Do I Want My Advertising To Accomplish? Whom Should My Advertising Speak To? What Should My Advertising Say? Where Should I Place My Advertising? Advertising is an […]
- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
Pricing goods and services is one of the most difficult tasks in the business arena. Many small businesses fail to make a profit simply because they don’t consider all the factors necessary to make prices competitive and yield that elusive profit. Table of Contents Retail Cost and Pricing Competitive Position Pricing Below The Competition Pricing […]
- October 25, 2013
- admin
- Business Strategies, Growing Your Business, Strategies
Market evaluation is the most critical element of successful business planning. It provides the basic data that will determine if and where you can successfully sell your product or service and how much to charge. Table of Contents Market Research Questions to Ask Market Data Export Markets Summary If you are thinking of starting a […]