Small Business Survival: Tie-In products add to your bottom line

By Kevin Mitchell
Statewide Food Equipment

This is the story of how one business owner stepped outside his comfort zone and discovered a golden opportunity he never expected.  That business owner is me.

At Statewide, we specialize in meat and deli weighing and processing applications.  For 19 years, we’ve outfitted many meat rooms and delis for success using our product lines. Along the way, we developed support for our scale systems by offering label stock that our scales use, creating custom stock with our customer logos as well as information needed for discriminating consumers. (more…)

Survive the Recession – Build Customer Loyalty

As a business consultant, I often tell clients that customer service can make or break a business.  Service, service, service.  Nothing is more important.  The other day, I had a firsthand example of my mantra in action.

I took my Lincoln MKS to the dealership (Varsity Lincoln Mercury in Novi, Michigan) for a repair on a door lock.  I was told the part was on backorder.  A week later, Bill Hardin, from their service department called to tell me that the supplier for that part had gone out of business.  Ford had located another source but there would be a delay.  I’m thinking this is just another example of how this economy has affected everything.  An auto supplier goes out of business and I’m left waiting for a part.   Another reason people are nervous about buying a new car.  I didn’t say anything, but I was on the verge of becoming an unhappy customer.

But then something really extraordinary happened.  (more…)

Marketing Without Money – Lesson 2

There’s a wonderful old bawdy blues song that says “if I can’t sell it, I’m gonna sit down on it.  I ain’t gonna give it away.”

Not a good marketing strategy.

One of the best ways to market without money is to “give it away”.  It’s not a new concept.  The food industry has known this for years – give potential buyers a taste and they will want more.  Retail and restaurant industries use punch cards to increase sales.  But there are ways to leverage giving into whatever you hope to achieve for your business that go way beyond, buy 9 and get the 10th for free. (more…)

Marketing without Money – Lesson 1

Talk is cheap – but it pays!

Many years ago, when I was a young and hungry real estate agent, my broker sat us down after our weekly meeting and said, “now call 5 people you know and ask them if they know anyone who needs a realtor.” My first response was that she was crazy. I’d already sent out my little announcement letters. Everyone knew I was selling real estate. My next thought was “who the heck do I know?” My friends were young and not in the home-buying mode yet.  Everyone else seemed to have so many potential leads.  How could I possibly compete?

The boss was watching and the other agents were dialing like fiends, so I picked up the phone. I called my mom. (more…)

Where in the WWW is your Web Site???

Many business web sites are like orphan children on a raft at sea.

They’re out there… You think they’re OK… You hope someone finds them…

By now, we know that every business needs a web site. But how can you tell if your web site is really working for you? If it’s not, you’re losing business. Internet marketing is like all other marketing - it’s an ongoing process. So, what can you – or should you – do?

First, you should have access to logs that show you detailed reports on the traffic to your site and where it’s coming from.  If your web host doesn’t offer that, start shopping for a new hosting service.

Next, is your site design easy to use? Will visitors immediately know what information they can find there and how to get to it? If not, it’s time for a web site makeover. (more…)