Is Your Business Ready for 2003?
Anyone who owned a business in the U.S. in 2002 knows the difficulties that a poor economy can cause. Even those in other countries who may have operated under better economic conditions last year have or will experience downturns in business. Well, 2002 is over, so how do you regroup to face 2003 with optimism and a fresh game plan? That was the topic of discussion in my recent coaching session with Denise. "The economy can't possibly be as terrible this year as it was last year, can it?" she asked.
"I mean, I'm really struggling to get new jobs from my current clients much less bring on new clients." "Well, it does seem like the economy is taking a longer time to rebound than anyone expected, so let's see what we might be able to do to shore up your business during this down time." During the rest of our conversation, we set a new agenda focused on strengthening relationships with current clients, further distinguishing herself from her competitors, and approaching segments of her target market that she'd never really considered. By strengthening her relationships with her current clients, she is ensuring that they will return to her when things do pick up instead of hiring some writer they've recently met who was more in the forefront of their mind. By focusing on identifying more ways to distinguish herself from her competitors, she is making sure that if she does get the opportunity to make her pitch to a business that is hiring now, they will be more apt to hire her over her competition. But, the most significant way you and Denise can get new business coming in the door now is to identify and approach segments of your target market that you've previously ignored. People and businesses haven't completely stopped spending money, but many have cut back significantly.
Your job is to find those that are still hiring people to provide the service you sell. You can do this by focusing in on one or two market segments within your target market and really going after them. Segments are smaller groups that fall within the larger label "target market." Let's say your target market is "business owners." Well, there are a lot of industries represented within the group called "business owners." And finding, reaching, and pitching your services to each one takes a different approach. The "business owner" group could include: * freelance writers * caterers * interior designers * florists * house cleaners * doctors * landscape planners * recruiters * accountants * architects * massage therapists * dry cleaners And, I'm sure you'd agree that these people do not likely belong to the same networking groups, read the same national publications, attend the same annual conferences, or buy the same support services. Additionally, they don't have the same needs or care about the same things.
If you go out into the marketplace in an attempt to reach "business owners" with one marketing message, nobody in the group is going to hear the specific message they want to hear ? "what's in it for me?" It's impossible to answer that question for all the diverse groups that make up the whole category of "business owners." So, what's your target market and can you identify segments within it that might represent new opportunities for you in 2003? And, further, how can you locate, approach, and sell to them? Take some time to think about it this afternoon. It will be well worth your investment..
Kimberly Stevens is the author of the ebook series, *The Profitable Business Owner: A Step-by-Step System for Starting & Running a Successful Service Business*.Download Sample Chapters & get her free MiniCourse, *The 10 Most Common Mistakes Business Owners Make & How To Avoid Them* at: http://www.askthebizcoach.com/ebooks.htmkim@askthebizcoach.com
Tis the Season for Giving…Flowers
(ContentDesk) December 2, 2005 -- Are you racing around trying to buy holiday gifts for everyone on your list? Getting gifts out to everyone, near or far, doesnt have to be difficult. Instead of running in and out of every store in town make one stop at your local flower shop or a couple clicks on an online flower site and send flower arrangements to those hard to shop for folk. Winter is the number 1 flower-buying season and theres a reason for that, plants and flowers make great gifts. Here are some great gift ideas: Look for arrangements using poinsettias and amaryllis (flowers of the season) Think wreathsthey make beautiful door hangings and can also be used as centerpieces Ask your florist to incorporate pieces of evergreen into the arrangement for a real holiday feel Find arrangements with candles, fruit, and ornaments used as focal points Anything that is deep purple or red, these are great winter season colors
Tip: Pass on Grocery Store Flowers Why order flowers online...
Florists > Tis the Season for Giving…Flowers
A Look at International Flower Delivery
As our global community continues to expand we often find ourselves with friends and families who live in countries outside of the U.S. In the past this caused somewhat of a dilemma if a person wanted to send a gift of flowers internationally. It was not as simple as calling the local florist; it was almost impossible to find a florist who could wire transfer the order to another florist in a different country. This has changed, however, because of the availability of resources via the Internet.
Do a simple search in any major search engine for "International Flower Delivery" and you will yield hundreds of results.
Many companies are now offering international flower delivery and it is usually just as simple as ordering domestically.
Many online flower companies have access to florists worldwide. It is usually simple to find an online company, select your product and specify that you need the order to be shipped internationally. The company will...
Florists > A Look at International Flower Delivery
5 Smart Ways to Unleash Your Potential
1. Be honest with yourself about your skills and abilities. Most of us underestimate how many things we do well. Figure out your skills & abilities, and look for ways to incorporate them into your life & work.2. Listen to compliments.
Use the feedback to help you identify your strengths and abilities. If it's tough for you to recognize your strengths on your own, let others help you.3. Exercise at least 3-4 times a week for 20-30 minutes. Exercise gives you more positive energy, dissipates...
5 Smart Ways to Unleash Your Potential Florists incorporate
Florists > 5 Smart Ways to Unleash Your Potential
Florists ink cartridges Is Your Business Ready for 2003?
The Never Ending Spyware Story
It's been with us since 1993, it's gotten more intrusive, more complicated. It's created a whole ecosystem, so to speak. A person sits somewhere, writing a new virus, a new application of Spyware. It is put onto the Internet and Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware vendors begin to develop definitions to combat it, maybe even to stop it permanently. These fixes are incorporated into the new versions of the software they sell, or distribute as freeware.
Existing companies, businesses, and users struggle...
Florists spyware The Never Ending Spyware Story Is Your Business Ready for 2003?
Florists > The Never Ending Spyware Story