Business Requirements

Friday, January 16, 2009

What Do Business Owners Want Internet Marketers To Do For Them?

When I say business owners I mean established mainstream companies that employ from 5-500 people.Companies up and down Main Street in every country where you could be reading this message.Real people manufacturing, selling, and distributing real products and services.These companies account for virtually 100% of job growth now and will do so in the future.

These companies are privately held and/or family owned - the money being spent or invested by them is their own money so they are sensitive to the principles of ROI.And they are always on the lookout for people who understand them and who can help them understand the elements of doing business in the 21st Century - by that I mean, online.

They tell me they want to increase their market share in their traditional marketing area.While they may be doing just fine doing business where they've always done it - you can be sure they are not getting all the business that is out there.Sometimes they know this and know why - but they don't know how to change it.Often they are driving right past profitable accounts without realizing it.Maybe you can help them see their picture more clearly.

They want to extend their marketing area by 50-100 miles in every direction.I am not making the 50-100 mile radius up.Within 50 miles they can deliver what the sell, service it, and go there take care of business and come back all in one day.Beyond that there are additional fixed costs to consider.Within 100 miles they can connect with an entire new population of prospects.While they are not "from there" they are close enough to do business with and they are a fresh face on the scene.

They tell me they want to increase their "share of customer" meaning that they want to be the sole source provider of products and/or services in their category that their clients and customers use.Why not strive to get all their business - make each customer a Key Account and the profit per will soar.They also want to make online sales and service a default part of the company - so at least some elements of their organization are in gear and running 24/7/365.

They want to grow their bottom line with easier automated customer acquisition, increased productivity, reduced costs, and a higher sales volume.Along with automation there are complimentary products and services they can offer without increasing their fixed overhead.

And they recognize that customer loyally is vital to a healthy bottom line.It depends on the industry but I have read studies that illustrate that existing loyal customers are five times more profitable than banging away to keep getting new ones.

So how can you help them?Can you help them source complimentary products?Can you teach them how to use Internet marketing strategies, marketing that was previously for 100% online businesses and integrate it into their offline business?Can your strategies help them leverage their existing accounts with the web 2.0 strategies that are second nature to you - and that will mesmerize them, to grow the profitability of the customers they already have?

By now I hope you are thinking about the implications of what you've just read and I also hope you will take a few seconds and post your comments for the rest of us.By sharing your experiences and insights here you will be adding to the richness of the conversation.


About the Author

Just like you, Wayne Messick is concerned about strategies for success in these challenging times.

Determined to realize your potential, get his free report that is guaranteed to help you achieve the success you seek at http://www.wdm.net and also receive a COST OF CONFLICT calculator at no charge.

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Christmas Venue Reviews To Help When Choosing The Perfect Winter Break

Christmas should be a time to relax and reflect.It's an opportunity to step back from the pressures and stresses of modern life and enjoy some time away from work.Because more people are working longer hours, taking less holiday time and rarely taking adequate breaks throughout the rest of the year, Christmas has become the only real time that some people get to unwind and do something completely different.With this in mind many people are choosing to spend the break at a hotel.

Most venue reviews now include details of Christmas menus and facilities because the market for Christmas weekend or short breaks has increased so much in recent years.People, especially working professionals, are looking to get away from the day to day grind of work without having to do housework, cooking, cleaning and the other domestic chores that they inevitably get drawn into when spending time at home.

There are plenty of options when considering a Christmas break.Most hotels and venues that operate all year round have now seen how lucrative the market is around Christmas breaks and have acted accordingly.So now you can not only go for a meal, you can take part in themed weekends, outdoor pursuits be entertained at concerts and live events or simply have a relaxing spa or health break.

Here are three Christmas venue reviews to illustrate what is available if you're considering a break this Christmas.

Charing Cross Hotel, London - The Charing Cross Hotel screams style and sophistication.A recent refurbishment has added to the sense of glamour without taking away the feeling that you are somewhere steeped in history.The individualism that makes a place special in the minds of visitors is also still present with architectural features still present and liveried staff on hand to meet and greet you.

The whole hotel has a grandness to it that is so often missing with modern buildings and its location next to the station reminds you that many famous and important people have crossed its threshold and stayed in its rooms.The restaurant and bar have views across the Strand towards Trafalgar Square which provides a perfect backdrop to a relaxing Christmas break.

Coombe Abbey, Nr Coventry - Coombe Abbey is steeped in history.This former 12th century Cistercian Abbey has been lovingly restored while at the same time adding all the modern features and facilities that you'd expect from a venue.Set in 500 acres of parkland the location is perfect for a winter walk through forests and beautifully kept gardens.

All year round the venue is host to exciting and innovative entertainment.There are regular themed banquets and even murder weekends.The Christmas Carol event has become a regular and very special feature in the calendar.The rooms have a royal grandeur to them and this sense of importance and splendor is reflected in the hotel menu.Coombe Abbey is also ideally located in the heart of Warwickshire and places like Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Castle are both nearby.

The Met, Leeds - Located in the heart of a revitalized and vibrant Leeds City centre, The Met is one of the best hotels in Yorkshire.After a six million pound refurbishment the grade II listed building has been transformed into a top class hotel with modern facilities and offers a top class dining experience to visitors.The new Tempus Bar at the hotel is an ideal place to relax and celebrate Christmas with a glass of something sparkling.


About the Author

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the hotel industry.


Find out more about venue reviews and hotels.

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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

How Rugby Hospitality Can Give You The Edge

Impressing a client by taking them to a restaurant and plying them with wine is no longer an acceptable way of trying to win friends and influence people.That particular form of schmoosing has been well and truly consigned to the dustbin of history.Nowadays potential customers expect something a little different and whatever you choose is a reflection on you and what your business has to offer so it's vital you make the right decision.

The field of corporate hospitality has grown in recent years to accommodate the need for individual and sometimes bizarre requests that companies are making when it comes to impressing customers.One of the most popular is Rugby Hospitality.Since becoming a professional sport in 1996 every aspect of the sport has improved and as a result it has become as popular as football and cricket.

Playing standards have improved and a new breed of athlete has emerged in the rugby world.Players are now fitter, stronger and faster.As a consequence the standard of play on the pitch has reached a level it could once only dream of.Many people now regard the game as the most entertaining in the world.

Attendances have risen, facilities have vastly improved and the game has stepped into the 21st century with renewed vigor and potential.It's no wonder that many companies are now looking at Rugby Hospitality as a way to impress clients.

Rugby Hospitality also has a factor inherent in it that many other sports do not possess.The public's consciousness has not become saturated with the sport or stale due to over exposure.It still retains that special quality that gives it the edge over other sporting events; exclusivity.

Of course there are weekly games that offer Rugby Hospitality and they are proving to be increasingly popular due to the Success that British and Irish teams are having in the European Cup.Top teams like Bath and Leicester are able to attract big foreign names as well which increases attendance and ups the entertainment value.

But it's perhaps since the 2003 World Cup in Sydney when England famously won the World Cup with a Johnny Wilkinson drop goal that the Rugby Hospitality market has really gone through the stratosphere.International rugby matches have never been so popular.

Rugby matches regularly take place between southern and northern hemisphere sides; New Zealand South Africa and Australia are regular visitors to the British Isles and there is fierce rivalry between the two camps.Beating a southern hemisphere side is considered a huge achievement by any team and tickets for such games are hard to come by.

One of the attractions of looking at Rugby Hospitality as a way of promoting your business is that these tickets become easier to get hold of as they are part of a package deal.The fact that you are able to get such tickets can only reflect well on your business.

Next but by no means second in terms of prestige there is the Six Nations.The annual competition between England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Italy never fails to impress.The talent on display in some of these matches is the best in the world and some of the encounters take on legendary status.

There's no better way to impress a potential customer than giving them an opportunity to see history being made, and that's often what you get with a Six Nations Game.

With a range of different events and packages available Rugby Hospitality is a great way to impress clients and gain an edge over your competitors.


About the Author

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the corporate hospitality industry.


Find out more about Rugby Hospitality and corporate hospitality.

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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Seventh Heaven - The Seven Steps To Being A Great Manager

Every manager likes to think of themselves as being capable of handling whatever their working day has to throw at them and in most cases it's true, they can.

It goes with the territory; the ability to cope with new situations and deal with pressure whatever form that pressure takes.But is the capability of handling a difficult situation enough?Shouldn't managers excel in everything they do, including difficult situations?

management training offers a chance to improve already existing skills and highlight problems and create a path to acquiring new skills and eradicating weaknesses.Sometimes the difference between good and great can be a small detail or a quiet word, something we would not have immediately thought of unless it was pointed out to us.

There are seven areas that any good manager should be familiar with to ensure that they are performing to the best of their ability.They can be thought of as the seven tools that you use to get the job done!

Communication Skills - Communication is the cornerstone of everything that a manager does.Without good communication one of two things inevitably happens; either nothing happens or things go wrong.Without good communication skills no manager will last very long in any job.I would even go so far as to say that 'good' is not good enough; excellent is preferable.

Management training offers the opportunity to understand exactly what communication involves and how to put it into practice.

presentation Skills - Being nervous in front of a crowd is understandable but in a presentation situation, even if an audience can empathize, nervousness only ever communicates a negative impression.

Management training can teach a person how to channel nervous energy and turn it into a positive.It also aims to help understand body language and how apparently minor details and gestures can have a huge impact on how you present yourself and your ideas.

Time Management - 'There aren't enough hours in the day' just shouldn't be in a manager's vocabulary.If it is you are not performing well.There could be a plethora of reasons, and some may be out of your hands.There may be ineffective systems in place that are making your job harder than it should be.

Management training helps you to identify such issues and make whatever changes are necessary.Eliminating problems, wherever they are, frees up time and enables you to concentrate on the job in hand.

Delegation - A large part of managing involves delegating tasks, often on a daily basis.Pairing tasks with the right people is a skill and if you are under the impression that it is nothing more than lining people up and handing out responsibilities at random then you are not making the most of your team or getting the best out of them.

Management training can help you understand the importance of good delegation and how it leads to trust and empowerment amongst member of a team.

Team Building - Management training encourages the process of team building by demonstrating its importance in effective performance and achieving goals and targets.Understanding that every team is unique in both personnel and direction is a huge step towards building a successful team.

Leadership Skills - Every manager needs to be a leader to a greater or lesser degree.Without leadership skills and, more importantly, without displaying those leadership skills you will be an ineffectual manager.Leadership involves and certain type of behavior and, in most cases, an ability to motivate and inspire.

Project Planning - This seventh step on the ladder to becoming a great manager is the place where all the other steps converge.Management training establishes the importance of using all the previous skills and constantly updating and adapting them according to whatever the situation dictates.


About the Author

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the management training industry.


Find out more about management training and how it can help you.

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