08/01/2012 by Geoff.

We always bang on about doing your marketing in order to make a success of your venture - but it will cost a fortune I hear you say.

Maybe not.

If you have a good product or service you stand a chance of harnessing the power of your existing customers - word of mouth recommendations. They’re very powerful and mean that new clients feel confident in your business and feel less on edge. Search for ways to make it easy for your clients to recomend you.

Whilst “word of mouth” marketing has been arround a long time it has recently had the advantage of online social media. But beware it’s not for all companies (not new start ups) you need a mature product or service.

Another point to remember in the words of “Crosby” it is no longer to offer a good product or service it needs to be exceptional giving your clients something to shout about for you.

Posted in Business interest, Tips and Ideas | No Comments »

18/10/2011 by Geoff.

So you’re getting bit tired of the day to day hastle of your business and you think its time to get somebody in to take the day to day grind off you.

Unfortunately there is no suitable candidate internally so you are considering recruiting from outside. Now whilst there are plenty of people to help with recruitment, including ourselves, and some good candidates out there you should think carefully before making what will be a significant investment and be a risk.

On the plus side you may be lucky and get someone who adds value to you’re business. Alternatively are you really prepared to hand over the reins? The fact that there isn’t an internal candidate suggests you’re not. Perhaps better to identify internal potential, try to develop it and practice taking a back seat over the coming months.

Posted in Business interest, Contact Us, Tips and Ideas | No Comments »

27/09/2011 by Geoff.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service has revealed that there has been an 8% fall overall in Tribunal claims for the period April 2010 to March 2011.   However the 218,100 claims still represent a 44% increase on the 2008-9 figures.

Written by Simone Greasley

Posted in Business interest, Current Issues | No Comments »

27/08/2011 by Geoff.

There has been quite a lot of publicity recently over the 20th anniversary of the world wide web. The invention of Tim Burners-Lee gave us the facility to create websites and access them without getting involved in computer language.In 20 years things have moved on a lot and most of us have a vitual profile to go alongside our physical one. However the vitual one comes with some dangers!When we meet and communicate with people physically there are a number of things to help understand what we’re saying and what we’re like:

• body language
• intonation
• attitude - polite or otherwise
• etc.

However when we operate in the virtual World (e-mail) your receiver doesn’t have these advantages - they can only interpret your words by what they think you mean (not always right). A simple example is having asked for and received information or advice from a contact how many of us forget to say thankyou? How are we seen?Its a common courtesy.

Posted in Business interest, Tips and Ideas | No Comments »

17/08/2011 by Geoff.

So your business has stagnated?

Think about investigating these:

•  Joint ventures
• Extend your market reach
• Develop a new product or service
• Enhance productivity

Remember if you think any of these might fit your business be sure to assess all the implications.

Simone Greasley

Posted in Business interest, Contact Us, Tips and Ideas | No Comments »

08/08/2011 by Geoff.

This is a way to grow your business. But you need to get your customers talking about you.The secret to this is to offer great customer service along with the following:

• Ask for a referral – do they know anybody who could use your services?
• Let your customer know that you care – asking for feedback on what you have done works two ways!
• Spread the word – ask for testimonials with permission to post on your website
• Say thank you – for the work and for any referral
• Stay in touch

Simone Greasley

Posted in Business interest, Contact Us, Tips and Ideas | No Comments »

08/08/2011 by Geoff.

No matter what type of industry you operate in, you must ensure that your marketing message is tailored for your target market. Many businesses make the mistake of trying to sell a product or service. The marketing message does not really need to communicate what that product or service is but instead the message needs to illustrate that the firm is selling a benefit. That benefit may be a solution to a problem, something that makes life easier or something that saves money for customers.Don’t fall into the same trap that so many other businesses have fallen into. Don’t sell the product, sell the benefits of the product.

Next, it is important to focus your marketing message in order to make it appeal to your target market. Be specific about who your audience is and make sure that your message contains enough detail so that they can see how your product or service can be of benefit to them. Emotions form an important part of a purchase decision. Create a marketing message that appeals to your target audience. Use imagery and ensure that the detail of the message shows that your firm understands the requirements of the customer and displays how your product or service will benefit them.

Finally, your marketing message should be as simple as possible. Keep it straightforward as complex marketing messages can prove ineffective.

Posted in Business interest, Contact Us, Tips and Ideas | No Comments »

03/08/2011 by Geoff.

The Bribery Act was due to come into force in April 2011 but has been delayed.  It will now come into force on 1^st July 2011. 

Guidance has now been published thereby allowing businesses three months in which to put their procedures in place.  For further guidance, contact the EMS HR team…………..

Written by Simone Greasley - HR Consultant

Posted in Business interest, Contact Us, Current Issues | No Comments »

12/07/2011 by Geoff.

As regular visitors will know we’ve written a number of postings on the subject of late payments. It is probably the most time consuming and frustrating issue small companies face. It should not be forgotten that collecting the money you’re owed can be a matter of life or death for a small business.

Some useful pointers to oil the wheels are:

• Become a pest - if you don’t ring you’ll sink to the bottom of the pile
• Get to know the people involved at your customer
• Accuracy - ensure there is nothing preventing payment
• If there is a genuine dispute resolve it before considering further action
• Consider refering to a more senior person
• A formal or legal letter (a letter before action). Perhaps remind your customer you are due interest on late payments
• Consider court action. Remember this will cost time and money. Also don’t do it if your customer hasn’t got the money to pay.

As we’ve said before be accurate and stick to your process.

Posted in Business interest, Contact Us, Tips and Ideas | 1 Comment »

16/06/2011 by Geoff.

There have been many small businesses that need money to set up or expand their business and get a negative response from banks when asking for loans. An alternative that is becoming more common is to borrow money from friends or family.This can be a good alternative but it needs setting up professionally or you run the risk of not only losing your business but friends and family as well. Good rules of thumb are:

• Put everything in writing so both sides know what is involved
• Be clear it is a loan or equity. The latter option may have some merits as your business matures
•  State how the money will be used and when it will be paid back
• Do not borrow more that family or friends can afford to lose
• Pay a fair rate of interest on loans
• Discuss what will happen if the business fails. Will the lender write off the loan or expect you to pay it back?

Posted in Business interest, Tips and Ideas | 1 Comment »