Tips for maximising profit from your customers

Best value to me in not just about ££'s.

I know when starting out you have to watch your expenses. Its a real issue, but as you become established and settled, a good working relationship with suppliers who can offer a range of services wins for me. I can remember spending hours searching to save a few £'s on a bit of kit.

Now I value my time more, I would rather put the effort into the business. A supplier who can address a large majority of my needs is a valuable 'asset' and one to nurture.

I value business relationships with 'real' suppliers who can assist when we have problems or need something urgently. That's not always possible when a 'clicks' only supplier has been used at the other end of the country.

My time in the industry has taught me that it is easy to become stuck in rut, be insular and keep your head down and work IN the business. Experience (from help, advice, training, business link) taught me to also concentrate on working ON the business with help of trusted mentors and suppliers.

Replies

Michael Burt February 11, 2010 at 5:47pm

Useful stuff...
PRO

Gary RK February 11, 2010 at 10:18pm

I would really recommend that any business wanting to grow, understand legislation, looking to employ people, draw up contracts, understand marketing and sales basics, IT etc get online to www.businesslink.gov.uk and explore the wealth of business information.

Sometimes you just need a definitive, business or legal answer - you will find it here.

For example, we came to this site years ago when drawing up employee contracts, they have an interactive guide and out of the end pops out a watertight contract of employment This has became our template.

They run wonderfull seminars - I recently went to one on Winning Websites & SEO usage. Now at least I know what we can do ! Also good place for networking....
Fenlandphil February 13, 2010 at 11:56am

I have attended some brilliant business link courses, particularly on marketing and the internet.
I have recently read a book on marketing that I can recomend, Success in Recession, by Richard Lomax.
Angela Lambert February 13, 2010 at 4:19pm

All good advice. As a supplier I'd be interested to know how people feel about attempts to cross-sell. Is a "one stop shop" preferable to having a different supplier for each product that you use? or do you prefer to shop around to get best value. What represents "best value" to you?
PRO

Gary RK February 14, 2010 at 10:05am

Best value to me in not just about ££'s.

I know when starting out you have to watch your expenses. Its a real issue, but as you become established and settled, a good working relationship with suppliers who can offer a range of services wins for me. I can remember spending hours searching to save a few £'s on a bit of kit.

Now I value my time more, I would rather put the effort into the business. A supplier who can address a large majority of my needs is a valuable 'asset' and one to nurture.

I value business relationships with 'real' suppliers who can assist when we have problems or need something urgently. That's not always possible when a 'clicks' only supplier has been used at the other end of the country.

My time in the industry has taught me that it is easy to become stuck in rut, be insular and keep your head down and work IN the business. Experience (from help, advice, training, business link) taught me to also concentrate on working ON the business with help of trusted mentors and suppliers.