When trying to find a new supplier what turns you off the most

Unclear website
Inability to find their website
Poor signage (building or vehicle)
Poor customer service either on the phone or face to face
Confusing advertisements
Not using a domain name for their email
Only having mobile numbers listed, not a landline
Bulk Emails to everyone and their dog, without personalization
The feeling that the company you are looking at is too cheap and wouldnt provide a quality service because of their over zealous discounting tactics.

There are a myriad of things that can turn a potential client off of your business, think about what you dislike when you are looking for a new supplier for either a product or a service. These types of critical errors in effect make you a bit of a scarecrow. Its time to discard the floppy hat and the beady eyes, to transform your business into a lead magnet instead.

So youre an Expert eh?

This is the information age, have you noticed how information hungry people are these days? Everyone wants to bleed you dry of what you know, so to avoid the endless phone calls about everything and anything why not put yourself out there as an expert in your field, after all you are, arent you?

No one knows your business like you, no one comes to the exact same conclusions you do and so that combined with your experience and qualifications makes you an expert.

So why bother with all that writing and posting of comments? Whats the point?

Youre in Business Congratulations

Heres the thing... so are thousands of other companies.

You are pushing a product range or service and so are thousands of other companies.

You have a specific target market and so do thousands of other companies.

What makes you think your target market will notice you over your competitor (or not even your competitor). Ill re phrase.

What makes you think that your target market is going to allocate an amount out of their budget to spend with you

Your likely answer is because they need us

Why Not complete our very simple exercise, it will help you bring some perspective back into your business and give you a good idea of what you are doing that is not working, what you could do that might work better and re ignite some of the passion you had when you first embarked upon your business. Once you have finished the exercise you will either be sure you are wasting your time and energy or know that there are so many things that you can do to make your business a screaming success.

The moment you set up your business you were determined and had a plan of attack all decided you knew what you wanted to do, how you wanted to do it, how youd run your business and how youd make all those dollars you dreamed of. Thats right isnt it, we all go into business because we can do something really well, we want something of our own and bottom line we are all chasing the ever elusive big bucks and freedom to boot.

So here come the facts

Many business owners or managers would probably scoff at this idea and say... of course not. But as Business Consultant, Tamara Simon, points out, we do actually create rather than gain many of our difficult clients.

For many businesses, difficult clients are defined as those who

* Dont pay on time
* Dont pay at all
* Change the brief or specification
* Contact you on a very regular basis (email or phone)
* Ask silly questions
* Arent organised
* Want to or have to have everything explained to them often on numerous occasions.

Do you utilise effectively utilise the spare time within your business or if you have none, maybe the question is why not? Business Systems Specialist, Tamara Simon, has a few simple tips on how to invest in the future of your business.

For the last twelve months, weve been bombarded through the media with the gloom and doom of the current global financial crisis (GFC) which has probably also been THE topic of most conversations with business associates, colleagues, staff, friends and family.

And rightly so because both personally and professionally, we are facing a very different economic world to that of the last 5 to 10 years.

For some businesses, this has caused a slow down of work and commitments from clients. But we know it will turnaround what is probably unclear is when.

But the question is are you using this opportunity to not only get ready for the new financial year but for when we turn the corner?

How good is your customer service?

Have things been slipping through the cracks and if so, do you know why?

Business Systems Specialist, Tamara Simon, has some business etiquette tips.

I dont know about you but I am constantly amazed at the lack of courtesy which exists today. Im a strong believer in good manners and with this technological age, you would think it would be easier than ever to keep in touch.

Do you arrive at every job or meeting on time? Being punctual is easier than you think. Business Systems Specialist, Tamara Simon, has a few simple tips on forward planning.

Im sure youve heard from family, friends or clients that one of their biggest frustrations is with people who dont keep appointments, are always running late or dont allow enough time for meetings. Not to mention those who take phone calls while they are with a client.

Is it any wonder that negative generalisations are held about tradespeople in the building and construction industry and other service based businesses?

When was your last real holiday

Business Systems Specialist, Tamara Simon says many people spend so much time working in the business that they forget to spend time developing their business and take time off.

By real holiday, I mean you didnt think about work, no phonecalls, no quick visits into the office, no email, no impromptu meetings with clients.

Im guessing many of you especially solopreneurs are thinking tell her shes dreaming. But what if I told you that implementing some simple systems can minimise rework, increase your productivity and free up your time to gain more clients or have some well earned time off. Businesses are often deemed successful when clients keep coming through the door and there is money in the bank account.