25 replies to this topic

[Chris Miller]

I've been inspired lately by a few threads here on DT that really got me thinking. The first was "Selling in a Recession?" posted by David Blaise or Blaise Drake & Company, and the second was "Be at CAUSE over the economy" posted by Sarah Galbiati of Innopack USA. Check them both out, they are great threads.

The reason these threads got me thinking, is we've had an amazing year in 2008. despite what the media tells us. Others though, are saying everything is in the dumps. Best year ever...... business in the dumps - something isn't adding up.

So I raise the question, What have YOU done to help grow your business in 2008? Have you sat on your hands out of fear because of what the media is feeding us, or have you given it all you got, just like you always have? Those who are out there ignoring this "recession" and pushing their businesses are seeing GREAT results. Those doing nothing out of fear are feeling a major hurt, like any business who does nothing. Which group are you in?

The poll is multiple choice. Check all that apply. I can personally check every one of them, and it feels great to be doing great with all the bad news around us.

[slalemand]

We have increase our presents locally ?

We have increase our monthly mailings to clients to hopeful clients ?

We have joined other groups in hopes to increase our presents ?

We have done better and are ahead albeit slightly, of last year. This with several of our larger clients cutting back, and in some cases - big time.

We have moved our offices ?

We have added personal ?

And we keep our fingers crossed daily:)

Skip

[artwork]

It has been a exicting year with all the ups and downs.

We have consistent mails sent to our clients and new prospects.....

Follow up on the jobs and client's experience with us been done....

Joined hands with other organization....

Been hopeful and working hard....

[Suzie Hofeld]

Happy Friday to everyone!

I know in my business when I hit a little slump that I have not been doing the activities that produce the results, i.e. marketing calls, personal visits ordering some new and different samples to stop by and drop off.

We have no one to blame but ourselves when business is soft. We also know that in a bad economy our business should shine as they need our products to market to their own customers.

So no wo is me on this one. Get busy, make those calls, see those clients. Talk about what products will help this business grow. We need to ban together and so do the companies we work with. Come up with some new ideas. Need help Turn to Distributor talk. What one of us doesn't know someone else will.

There is a lot of business to write out there you just have to find it. Happy Selling!

Suzie Hofeld

[lyndap]

Very UP and DOWN Year!

We've spent a lot more time on marketing - email campaigns, direct mail, and networking.

We've invested less in equipment and more in education, planning and organization this year.

We survived 9-11 and other economically difficult times - 15 years in this business - and you just have to keep doing what works and find ways to change or get rid of what doesn't!

This will all end soon and we like to think that all our efforts will pay off!!

[BarbC]

Hi All,

Great to see all this positive information. Thank you all for sharing. My poll answers
were right with the majority.

I have brought on new Indpendent Sales and growing my business that way.

Joined Community Groups like the local Chamber and going to join Rotary Club too. No more BNI or LeTip to early for me!

Working more as a Marketing Expert instead of a product pusher!

Ordered new custom apparel and self promos so I can be a "product of the
product".

Building nice relationships with suppliers and working with those that want to be my partner in business.

Enjoy the weekend.

Barbara

[lynnem]

Concentrate on existing clients

[billyk]

Business is lagging a bit but making new calls to a niche with a new product I discovered(actually 2 new products). Joining a chamber in January for a niche clientelle, and simply making more calls mostly to targeted industries. billyk

[lynnem]

Im not listening to media.As I mentioned above concentrate on existing clients and maske sure your in contact with them on a regular basis.
Its from these clients I get good referrals

[CBuerki]

Unemployment in this area is now up to 11.2%. Our business is 58% of what it was this same time last year. We're doing a lot of quoting but fewer are making their way to order status.

Chuck

[lynnem]

Chuck these are very unsettling times. I have noticed that the first people to have been retrennched are the marketing employees.I tell clients they need to BRAND both themselves and their business and its not the time to stop. However, having said that no matter how hard we try its still tough out there.We need to carry on as best we can.

[CBuerki]

Lynne, thanks for the encouraging words. My wife started this business in 1986 when all of her public relations clients cut their budgets - hence the company name - so we've been through lots of ups and downs.

I have a sister living in the Dallas area and she's in real estate and I wouldn't want to be in her shoes right now.

Chuck

[ProPrinters]

I just bought David Blaise's top secrets for multi million dollar producers. I have it on my ipod, and I play no matter where I go. I am implementing the ideas, and getting re-assurance of what I am doing is the right thing. Just need to do more of it.

[Chris Miller]

I am absolutely astounded by how this vote is turning out. Reason being is that I blame most of my success this year on 4 main things (**** success), and these areas are getting the fewest votes on this poll!!!! Here are the four questions that I am talking about, all of which I answered "yes" to, and all of which I BELIEVE have been the reasons for my success this year. Most of the other questions had 15+ votes and these 4 haven't even received 10!

Let's review the issues that I feel have been a MAJOR factor in my success this year:

1) I've hired help and delegated wherever possible so that I can focus on the more important tasks.

2) I've invested in educational material, such as David Blaise's

3) I've invested in productivity tools such as order management, customer relations, etc.

4) I've donated to an organization I believe in, because I believe in karma.

Hmm.... weird, isn't it?!?

[ProPrinters]

1- I am at the point where the tedious work i can still do at nights. i have hired my teen age daughter to do filing, process incoming and outgoing mail-not a major thing.
2. Doing that
3. To me that is not as important,as getting new clients, what I have works fine.
4. That would never be considered a "reason" for doing something, nor should it be. Donating to an organization to grow your business, seems manipulative. I do donate to area non profits, schools, anchor house, sponsor a local soccer team. I don't do it to grow my business, I do it to be a person who gives back in the community.

[SunEmbroider]

We have shifted our primary marketing focus from local to online marketing. Its much more cost effective, flexible and has produced greater profits. We've also "fired" less profitable customers and raised minimums and prices in some areas.

[FindingPromo]

I replied yes to most every one of those listed.

Additionally, this year 2008, has been a year where I've continued to volunteer my time for the benefit of the industry through a number of efforts and events.

www.RegionalAssociation.org is one

Ever since I founded my business back in 2000 I knew the importance that a local association can provide for being able to not only support my business, but for one to give back to the industry to help make all of those involved, even better.

Second would be Finding the right place(s) to spend my valued time in industry and non-industry forums and blogs. I think that by now, there are about 12 different forums that one can be involved in, just in our industry, and that doesn't even include those that are for regional associations etc. Most recently, using both Facebook and LinkedIn and especially LinkedIn groups, there have been some great opportunities to build business relationships on the more personal side.

Third would be to invest in professional development opportunities even outside of the industry, as well as to be an active reader on business and marketing books and publications not "in" our industry.

Good Luck to everybody in 2009!

[lynnem]

Many thanks for all the info you have provided.

Id like to wish everyone a great Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year.

[aapromotions]

Most comments are from mid October. What the comments would be since then as much movement downwards in the economy.

[DBeavers]

Monday, while driving to Houston for the Tuesday HPPA/Southern Showcase Expo, I called on 2 buyers I have at a hospital in Beaumont. Before leaving, I made two cold calls to different departments at the same hospital. One gave me a referral to their corporate office in Houston, while the other requested a meeting Wednesday. I'll return to Beaumont tomorrow.

Tuesday, had a great education time at the Southern Showcase, sponsored by HPPA for the first time this year, and spent the entire morning visiting with 19 multi-line reps, and picked up catalogs, samples, and sales flyers from over 100 different companies. For HPPA members, Bill Tunney, President, and Larry D. Krause, ancient sage going back to the "Advertising Specialties" era did a presentation about how to improve your business in troubled times.

Recruited 2 new members to HPPA to help others learn more about our industry. I had invited one Houston-based sales person, who wasn't even aware of the Showcase, and he was one of the two new members.

"We also learn by sharing and helping others!"

I'll probably attend NSA, ASI Advantages Roadshow, and possibly the SAGE Showcase in Houston this spring and summer, followed by the HPPA "Hot Stuff Summer Show", the 4th largest PPA regional expo in the industry.

I joined HPPA in '07, and managed to attend half a dozen of the monthly meetings in Houston. Starting with this month's Southern Showcase, my goal is to attend at least 6 of this year's meeting, even though it's a 3 hour one-way trip. It's my association, and I plan on getting as much out of it as possible.

Dennis