Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Raising business awareness and the dangers...
Quite an odd-ball but I thought I'd share with the world my experiences and hopefully give an insight into the potential dangers of brand awareness if not done to it's best ability. We recently advertised our business via the Barclays website as part of a competition, this competition only allowed us to use 150 words as a business description and that's where our story begins.
I was emailed today, entirely out of the blue, from a person i've never met, a person i've never heard of in fact. This person was abrupt and very dismissive of our business and our new concept, which seemed to shock me.
His email without referring directly to exact words, stated that he was unhappy at the fact that we were trying to steal or strip the customer / supplier relations and he was hopeful that this wouldnt work.
Understandably; I replied within minutes thanking him for his comments however advising him that his perception was completely wrong. I sent something similar to the below, which explains a little more in depth what we were trying to say.
"We aren't trying to remove the supplier and customer relationship at all, we are simply giving people more options and taking away the hassle. We aren't going to be man in the middle, imagine you wanted a new IT supplier for example but you wanted one with X accreditations, X years in the trade and within 5 miles, this would be our criteria, we would source it and then pass the supplier straight through to you. They're not going to be any cheaper, just that the process gets you what you want while you sit back and wait.
The idea is that we give suppliers a small form to fill in so we know what criteria to match you with, some of it basic info and some, more trade/sector based information. Then we log the details into our supplier database and match you up with any new enquiries or leads that require what you can offer. The way we make our money is by invoicing the supplier a 5% introductory commission, this way the customer gets the service free, the supplier gets additional work that they wouldn't have had without our input and we get a small proportion."
Just 15 minutes later, I got another email, thanking me for my reply and asking us to meet with him so we could discuss his business using us for his distribution, thus raising an opportunity.
It is only now that you can begin to appreciate how important brand management is and how first impressions can truly make all of the difference. The difference between 123 words on our Barclays advert and 198 words on my email, meant the difference between somebody actually wanting our business to fail and somebody wanting to use us to reach wider markets!
So to summarise, my advice is this, never underestimate how powerful the slightest portion of text can be and always stay optimistic. In the darkest hour, an opportunity can be right around the corner...
I was emailed today, entirely out of the blue, from a person i've never met, a person i've never heard of in fact. This person was abrupt and very dismissive of our business and our new concept, which seemed to shock me.
His email without referring directly to exact words, stated that he was unhappy at the fact that we were trying to steal or strip the customer / supplier relations and he was hopeful that this wouldnt work.
Understandably; I replied within minutes thanking him for his comments however advising him that his perception was completely wrong. I sent something similar to the below, which explains a little more in depth what we were trying to say.
"We aren't trying to remove the supplier and customer relationship at all, we are simply giving people more options and taking away the hassle. We aren't going to be man in the middle, imagine you wanted a new IT supplier for example but you wanted one with X accreditations, X years in the trade and within 5 miles, this would be our criteria, we would source it and then pass the supplier straight through to you. They're not going to be any cheaper, just that the process gets you what you want while you sit back and wait.
The idea is that we give suppliers a small form to fill in so we know what criteria to match you with, some of it basic info and some, more trade/sector based information. Then we log the details into our supplier database and match you up with any new enquiries or leads that require what you can offer. The way we make our money is by invoicing the supplier a 5% introductory commission, this way the customer gets the service free, the supplier gets additional work that they wouldn't have had without our input and we get a small proportion."
Just 15 minutes later, I got another email, thanking me for my reply and asking us to meet with him so we could discuss his business using us for his distribution, thus raising an opportunity.
It is only now that you can begin to appreciate how important brand management is and how first impressions can truly make all of the difference. The difference between 123 words on our Barclays advert and 198 words on my email, meant the difference between somebody actually wanting our business to fail and somebody wanting to use us to reach wider markets!
So to summarise, my advice is this, never underestimate how powerful the slightest portion of text can be and always stay optimistic. In the darkest hour, an opportunity can be right around the corner...
Sunday, 16 May 2010
We need your support !
We have chosen to apply for a fantastic opportunity currently being promoted by Barclays Bank to gain £50,000 investment into your business idea.
Many hours of horrible tear driven business plans, cash flow forecasts, break even analysis sheets and video productions later and we've developed what we believe is a compete worthy entry.
We now need YOU to help us, we need to obtain the 1st 2nd or 3rd highest rankings for best business idea throughout the midlands region, a task that we appreciate is very difficult but are prepared to embrace and challenge.
So please, show your support for BizSnipe and BizSnipe.com by voting for us using the following link:
https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/5895
Much appreciated to all those who vote!
Regards,
The BizSnipe Team
Many hours of horrible tear driven business plans, cash flow forecasts, break even analysis sheets and video productions later and we've developed what we believe is a compete worthy entry.
We now need YOU to help us, we need to obtain the 1st 2nd or 3rd highest rankings for best business idea throughout the midlands region, a task that we appreciate is very difficult but are prepared to embrace and challenge.
So please, show your support for BizSnipe and BizSnipe.com by voting for us using the following link:
https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/5895
Much appreciated to all those who vote!
Regards,
The BizSnipe Team
Friday, 14 May 2010
Independent Derbyshire Business Exihibition Seminar & Networking Event
Dont miss THE business event of the YEAR - Independent Derbyshire Business Exihibition Seminar & Networking Event
Full Day ** 9th September 2010
Matlock Links are proud sponsors of a local business event held at the lovely New Bath Hotel, Matlock, Derbyshire on Thursday 9th September 2010 from 10am-4pm.
The event is the FIRST EVER independent business to business run event that has been organised in the area and is sure to be a fantastic event
Tickets are only £10 to attend which includes full day access, open networking, free time to browse the exhibition stands from local businesses, speed networking sessions and three key-note speakers (soon to be announced) as well as much more!
Refreshments will be provided throughout the day as well as business lunch and business promotional pack, including delegate list on arrival.
Limited places are available and tickets are sure to sell out fast, so to book your place, please contact us via email http://www.blogger.com/info@matlocklinksbusinessclub.co.uk or DM on Twitter @Matlocklinks
Full Day ** 9th September 2010
Matlock Links are proud sponsors of a local business event held at the lovely New Bath Hotel, Matlock, Derbyshire on Thursday 9th September 2010 from 10am-4pm.
The event is the FIRST EVER independent business to business run event that has been organised in the area and is sure to be a fantastic event
Tickets are only £10 to attend which includes full day access, open networking, free time to browse the exhibition stands from local businesses, speed networking sessions and three key-note speakers (soon to be announced) as well as much more!
Refreshments will be provided throughout the day as well as business lunch and business promotional pack, including delegate list on arrival.
Limited places are available and tickets are sure to sell out fast, so to book your place, please contact us via email http://www.blogger.com/info@matlocklinksbusinessclub.co.uk or DM on Twitter @Matlocklinks
What is BizSnipe.com ?
BizSnipe offers a unique and simple online platform which allows members to tender for business projects, while at the same time enabling you to find products or services you need as a business quickly and easily.
We offer a FREE online platform for anyone within business and particularly the small to medium business sector as well as freelance professionals, who are looking for good quality suppliers for any products or services ranging from business cards, financial services, marketing, insurance, executive travel, graphic design and many more...
BizSnipe saves you time and allows you to source new business on a local and national basis all online which in turn means increased revenue.
We offer a FREE online platform for anyone within business and particularly the small to medium business sector as well as freelance professionals, who are looking for good quality suppliers for any products or services ranging from business cards, financial services, marketing, insurance, executive travel, graphic design and many more...
BizSnipe saves you time and allows you to source new business on a local and national basis all online which in turn means increased revenue.
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