Looking into the Future for Profits

How to identify future solutions and opportunities?

Your power page, if used extensively, will help you to identify areas where the client may need more help or may need to purchase additional products. When you read through your notes, you will be able to pinpoint areas that will be a business pain. Customers are always happy to find solutions to potential problems if they see their value. You must do your homework on various solutions before you make any suggestions. It is too easy to just promote your own company and its products. Make sure you know how the competition fits into the picture and what they can also offer to solve that same problem.

Your power page should also contain competitor information. You need to know what others are doing in the market place and what their perceived value is to your client. You need to be better informed and better prepared than anyone else. You want to make it easy for the client to choose you over others. Tighten your business relationship by following through with promises and providing value. Your power page should contain all the information you need to keep the customer.

Checklists

What items do you like to keep track of during visits to clients:

______________________________________________________________

________________ ______________________________________________

_______________________________________________ _______________

Choose one potential client and fill in the Information Plan for that company. (see item number 92 for the information plan):

Contact information:

______________________________________________________________

____________ __________________________________________________

___________________________________________ ___________________

Sales Volume:

______________________________________________________________

_________________ _____________________________________________

________________________________________________ ______________

Problems the company is encountering:

______________________________________________________________

___________ ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________ ____________________

Who are their customers and what is their opinion of the target company:

______________________________________________________________

________________ ______________________________________________

_______________________________________________ _______________

For your lead contact list all of the personal information you can gather (birthdate, anniversary, hobbies, other interests, clubs belonged to, etc.):

______________________________________________________________

__________________ ____________________________________________

_________________________________________________ _____________

______________________________________________________________

List 2 or 3 pieces of business you have recently lost and the reason why you lost the deal (be honest with yourself!):

______________________________________________________________

_____________ _________________________________________________

____________________________________________ __________________

______________________________________________________________

What things can you do for the "lost" customer in order to keep in touch so that you may be considered when new business or projects are on the horizon:

______________________________________________________________

________________ ______________________________________________

_______________________________________________ _______________

______________________________________________________________

What is your VALUE proposition? What do you bring to the table for your customers? How have you verified your value:

______________________________________________________________

__________________ ____________________________________________

_________________________________________________ _____________

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Is Brick and Mortar A Passing Fad?

Q: Is the online world the best place to sell... Read More

Postcard Marketing ? Low Cost Visibility

You need to be visible to attract customers, right? But... Read More

Todays Chef, Tomorrows Restaurateur -- Startup Tips by Restaurant Consultants Inc

Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More

Comparing Boston Area for a mobile car wash business

The Boston suburbs seem to be rich with possible locations... Read More

The Responsibility Conundrum - Where art Thou?

Mr/Ms, 'not me' is often on holidays in your business.... Read More

Looking for a New Office Chair?

Perhaps you are building a new home office or you... Read More

Business Failure, The 8 Traps Causing Failure And The One Attribute Which Ensures Business Survival

It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More

Local Search and Internet Yellow Pages - A Whole NewVocabulary for Small Businesss

Buyers want both online and local information about where to... Read More

Old Data in Database Marketing Software

Database Problems in MarketingI have been working on a direct... Read More

Beating the Small Business Cash Flow Blues

Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More

Chamber Membership will BOOST your Business

When is the Chamber ideal for your business?Joining a Chamber... Read More

Mobile Car Washes and Shoe Policies

Mobile carwashing is hard work, it is tough on the... Read More

Have You Thanked Your Competitors Today?

Competition in the business world is often viewed as a... Read More

7 Cash Flow Secrets Your Accountant Never Told You

Looking for ways to boost your cash flow? As a... Read More

The Triple A Way to Spark Your Companys Profits

Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More

Franchise Rule to be Revised; Why?

The FTC, Federal Trade Commission, is considering modifying the franchise... Read More

Truck Detailing Shop Business Case Study

As an entrepreneur you can learn a lot by following... Read More

Small Business Newsletter Dilemma: Which Day Do I Send?

If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More

Franchising and Royalty Payments

If you are thinking of turning your current into a... Read More

Finding the Right People for your Business

Where do you find the right people for a business... Read More

Mobile Pressure Washing and Cleaning Scheduling

If you own a mobile car washing, pressure washing or... Read More

Small Business - Would You Still Need An Accountant If You Didnt Need A Tax Return?

After over thirty years advising small business it still comes... Read More

Start a Resume Writing Service for Profit

The resume writing service serves an important role in the... Read More

Pressure Washing Business; Steam Cleaner Fuel Maintenance

It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More

How to Curb Antique Shop Theft Inexpensively

If you have ever had your antique shop or mall... Read More

Essex Accountants: Top Things to Look For

One of the most common horrific mistakes a business can... Read More

Cash Flow: Why Chaos Equals Poor Cash Flow

Recently one of my customers told me the chaos swirling... Read More

Start a Technical Writing Service

Technical writing services are employed to explain the details of... Read More

How To Get Slightly Famous in Print

Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More

Joint Venture Your Way to Extraordinary Sales!

You know what makes me really happy? Drinking a Starbucks... Read More

Pressure Washing; How to Bid Concrete Cleaning Jobs

Remember the cleaning business is all about time ratio to... Read More

Leverage The Power of Publicity For Your Small Business

Your business is only as good as the number of... Read More

How to Start a Paper Shredding Business

Paper Shredding Business Opportunities are blossoming up everywhere because in... Read More