Are you too busy being busy?

Are you too busy being busy?

We hear it all the time – ‘I spend too much time IN my business, and not enough time ON my business’. So how do you spend quality time on your business, but still make sure your day to day work gets done?

Where to start

First work out how much of that ‘busy being busy’ stuff YOU actually have to do. It’s a common problem that many of us think no-one could possibly do the job as well as we do.

The challenge of positioning your business

The challenge of positioning your business

Most businesses find it difficult to say how they’re different from their competitors. Making those differences valuable to your customers is even more of a challenge. So is it worth the effort? The answer is obvious for those that are clear about their point of difference.

First question. Who are you?

Making the most of a marketing plan

Making the most of a marketing plan

Sales and marketing plans, when produced well, have the ability to dramatically improve your bottom line results. They can create more leads, drive greater sales from those leads, and even help you tailor your products to new and wider markets. Of course all of this relies on you actually following the plan.

Getting a good marketing plan

The important thing to be aware of with any sales and marketing plan is that it is not a promotional plan.

Customer databases and loyalty programmes

Customer databases and loyalty programmes

A great website with some key tools (such as a supporting database system) is not only a great way to keep in touch with your existing customers; it will allow you to promote your business, reach out to potential new customers, take enquiries and entice people back time and again.

Customer databases

A database is essentially a simple list of your customers – typically your best customers. Databases won’t help you make money if you don’t use them properly

Websites that make a difference to your business

Websites that make a difference to your business

Being online is no longer something that businesses should just think about, or put on a list to do ‘one day’ – it is now imperative. Your customers are turning to the net many times a day, looking for the types of products and services that you offer. If you’re not online, you could be left behind.

Evaluating your website

It’s easy to get lost in the technical stuff when it comes to websites, but if you understand a few key areas and can use these to judge how well your site is performing you’ll be able to maximise the effectiveness of your site.