Posts Tagged ‘competition’

Go for Growth “Business Routines”

October 10th, 2011 by Amanda Rose

BLOG – Go for Growth (20 September 2011)

I had the wonderful opportunity to represent My Business Help at the Go for Growth Seminar with Verne Harmish providing practical advice on various aspects of business, including small businesses.

So let’s take you through a series of blog posts which will hopefully give you an insight into how Verne’s experience and advice can assist businesses across the board from small to large business.

Verne says “Routine Sets YOU Free!”.  What does he mean by this?

Well, my understanding from listening to him is that you need to set aside time each day for a face to face meeting with your senior executives – the same time every day.

 

Why would you do this? 

Well, it is a time for you (the CEO) and your senior management to specify specific issues each individual is having and to get it sorted straightaway.  It is also a time to ensure you know where your business is at, where your competition is at and get ahead of it.

What your team can sort through in 15 minutes by being face to face is much more effective than any email communication or adhoc meeting you may feel is necessary.

Verne provided so much practical advice but his suggestion was to put all of his ideas through a filter and then pick or choose the ideas which suit your company but you must make sure that you implement them – not just choose them.

Learning is important in the growth of a business.  Why?  What I learnt from Verne is that you should never stop learning.  His comment, “if you don’t read then you barely have an advantage over someone who can’t read”, really stuck in my mind.  How often do we take time out to sit back and read a business book to give us great insight into how and what we could do better.  On the weekend, switch off your blackberry or iPhone and read a book.

What type of book may depend on your business but he gave quite a few examples which I would like to share in this blog:

‘Where Good Ideas Come From’ – Steven Johnson

‘Hidden Champions’ – Hermann Simon

‘How Companies Win’ – Rick Kash and David Calhoun

You can also obtain free advice by clicking through to Verne’s website: http://www.gazelles.com/index.html.  There is an amazing amount of downloadable forms, articles and more for a small business owner to download and learn from.

Hazel, Assisting U Virtually
For
My Business Help

Do You Know Who Your Competitors Are?

September 20th, 2009 by Amanda Rose

Not knowing who your competitors are can be dangerous for any sole trader or small business.

You need to know them well, what they offer and what is different about them that may be drawing potential customers/clients from you to them.

How to find out who your competitors are

  • Yellow pages, True Local and other online directories
  • Local paper directories and ads
  • Going for a walk around the area (or drive)
  • Asking around, even asking your clients
  • Google for words relating to your business to see who comes up at the top (Take note also of the advertised lists on the right, your competitors have paid for these spots)

What do they offer and how do you match up?

  • Visit websites and make phone calls to find out what they offer and their prices
  • Do they run regular specials?
  • Do they target a particular market? Females, seniors etc
  • More importantly, find out what they offer that you don’t
  • Try them out
  • Buy their product or service
  • Get a free quote
  • Visit their stores
  • What is their customer service like?
  • What is their turnaround time when contacted?

Once you have collected all this information, put it in a folder and then see how your business compares. What can YOU offer that is different? Do you need to focus on a particular area that is more popular?

Then make sure you keep an eye out every month, do a quick refresh of the above steps to keep on top of what your competitors are doing so you don’t fall behind.