stand out and succeed in uncertain times
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Stand out and Succeed in Uncertain Times. Rick Spence Kawartha Family Business Group April 27, 2009. We’ll start with an exercise. Who stands out in recession?. Companies that make the most of their support systems; and - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Rick SpenceKawartha Family Business Group
April 27, 2009
Companies that make the most of their support systems; andCompanies that provide real value, from the customers’
point of view
Good Food. One aisle. No hassles.
By offering something different, by knowing your customers
best, and by being the first
to spot new opportunities
Redefine your product or service
by taking advantage of emerging technologies or new
customer needs
7 Tough-Times Tactics
Case study: Lakeport’s 24 for $24
How can you become more convenient, more helpful? How can you save people
money? How can technology
help them do more, faster?
Your customers are the foundation of your business and the source of your success.
7 Tough-Times Tactics
Retailer Andy Buyting: If it gets to me,
it’s free”
Employees now are willing to work harder,
change how they do things, and help the company succeed
7 Tough-Times Tactics
Barack Obama
Two ways to grow a business: Find more customers,
or sell more to the customers you already have.
7Tough-Times Tactics
Your customers are the foundation of your business and the source of your success.
7 Tough-Times Tactics
Many companies miss out on opportunities because they are
not good at describing what they do.
Closer to the customer
I do this (or these things) for
(this market) so they can do
this (define key benefit).
Closer to the customer
“Move in with them”through surveys, panels,
blogs, CRM, etc.
Closer to the customer
Source: Customer Advisory Boards, by Tony Carter
Every meeting in the company starts with a customer story
“Move in with them”through surveys, panels,
blogs, CRM, etc.
Closer to the customer
Cheap media space, websites, newsletters, SEO, blogs,
Twitter, etc.
Closer to the customer
Closer to the customer
The more seriously you take your board, the more benefit you're going to derive from
their expertise.
7 Tough-Times Tactics
• Schedule problem-solving retreats
• Create a Business Owner’s Plan
• Prepare a Succession Plan
7 Tough-Times Tactics
* Find ways to bring innovation to your products and services. * Be easier to do business with* Align your staff* Make more money from every sale. * Get closer to the customer* Acquire trusted advisors* Make the most of family relationships.
Yes We Can!
Rick [email protected] my blog at www.canentrepreneur.com