Stay ahead of the Competition in 2011

Read Andy Prestons' 7 ways to stay ahead of the Competition in 2011.

His first tip reads......
"Ringfence" your Existing Accounts

In order for you to stay ahead of the competition in 2011, the first thing you need to do is ‘ringfence’ your existing customers.  More and more companies are looking to replace lost revenue and profitability through acquiring new business – and some of the ‘new business’ your competitors are targeting will include your existing accounts!

As a lot of salespeople (and a lot of companies) have got complacent, they’ve tended to neglect existing accounts – and those are now the ones that have been taken by their competitors, or the ones most at risk.
What are your relationships like with your existing accounts?  What about the ones you haven’t spoken to for a while?  The ones you don’t get on as well with?  Would they tell you if a competitor had been in?  And if they did, would you retain the business at the same price, or would you have to ‘price match’ to keep it?…..
Read other tips here

Don't Overlook Mature Employees!

There are many prospective employees now entering the market that never expected to be there, i am talking about Men over 50:
Why are corporate companies rejecting these extremely experienced people and putting them out to pasture?
Men over 50 are able to concentrate on their business activities more than younger men, they have less concerns in their home life
to distract them from their careers.
Some of the credits offered by men over 50 are:-

• They bring maturity and confidence
• They tend to be less 'flappable' and react well in a crisis
• They offer a wealth of skills and experience
• They make excellent mentors
• They offer strong organisational skills
• They have excellent people skills and are able to communicate across the generations
• They are reliable and motivated to work
• They tend to take less sick days
• They can take their holidays outside of the peak school holiday period
• They stay in their jobs longer so reduce recruitment costs and create more continuity

I feel sure that men over 50 can add to these skills, so why not consider, first, keeping them on your staff using them in roles that
can enhance your business strenghths of other employees. Talk to them and see what they believe they can do to help you grow. And secondly,
when a man over 50 applies for a position you have advertised, consider the expreience he will bring to your comany and us this to your advantage.
He will take less training to fit the position unlike a younger person who will need a great deal of hand holding to get him up to scatch.

Do these people (and yourselves) a favour and keep them employed in a position where you both benefit, don't just reject them as 'Has Beens', because they are certainly not that.

Thanks to Penny Power for the idea of this Blog and the fact that I have been Mentoring several such men over 50 during this last month.

Half Day Marketing Workshop

Marketing is a skilful art and many companies waste their marketing budgets without producing the right results.
Selecting the right tools for your sector is a critical part of delivering increased sales. This workshop is to help you get results from your marketing activity, boosting your business profile for long-term consistent growth.
 

The Workshop will-

• Trigger incredible concepts and strategies to make your marketing campaigns profitable.
• Give you Fresh, New, Exciting Marketing Ideas to grow your business

By applying these concepts in your business, you can improve the im-age, turnover and profits of your company.

You will also receive a copy of “Marketing Your Difference” eBook. (Value: $39.95)

“Without MARKETING something terrible happens - Nothing!

Tom O’Toole, Owner & Entrepreneur, Beechworth Bakery

Who Should Attend
Any business owner/manager who wants to improve their marketing knowledge and subsequently activity. The workshop will also assist anyone who wants to understand the basics of marketing.

VENUE
Uni of SA, Mawson Centre, Room 121, Main Street, MAWSON LAKES, SA 5095.

COST
ONLY $55 inc GST, Workbook, Morning Tea and eBook.

Ring 0438 095 058 for booking details. 
Get more details here....
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Free eBooks Available from Brougham Associates.

We would like to offer you the choice of 2 x eBooks by Rory Sheehan.  All we ask is that you sign up to receive our regular Newsletter.

Go to www.brougham.com.au/newsletters and complete the form on that page, easy.......

The newsletter gives up to date topics on how to get the best from your marketing. A must for an Small to Medium Enterprise business.

Looking forward to sending you some terrific information over the next year or so.

Latest business ideas on social marketing

Thomas Power, Chairman of Ecademy, a major Online Networking Group, gives his views on Social martketing, very interesting views.... Watch this video.......




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