Nailed It!

HO! HO! HO! Making a list and checking it twice?

This year is in the books-good, bad and the ugly! Time to reflect on successes and strategies that fell short. Before we succumb to the Holiday festivities let’s also review that budget that we meticulously prepared several months ago. The playing field has changed for many-no point in going to war with an outdated plan and weapons!

Let’s make a list:

• Check our assumptions - revenue, operating costs, margin expectations, product mix…realistic, achievable goals are useful. Exceeding our sales goals may bring on another set of challenges. I’ll take those any day.
• Marketing – do we need to rethink our target markets and sales campaigns or are we okay.
• Revisit material costs – you may get a pleasant surprise. Check your large purchase items. If you are having to adjust your pricing in the market, they might be adjusting too…don’t get me wrong, we all need strong vendors, but everyone is doing a little belt tightening. Continue Reading »

It’s the Holiday Season – Feeling Festive?

Talk about a scary October, not to mention Halloween! The government is bailing out everyone but you-the businesses that service their debt, pay their mortgage, attempt to keep their employees employed and maybe, just maybe, grow their business in uncertain times. Oh, did I say pay taxes, hmm.

It’s the holiday season. Some businesses, skewed for the holidays, are already promoting and pushing their products as they do every year; upwards of 40% of their annual business happens, or doesn’t, in 45-60 days.

Take a chapter out of their book by joining the holiday buying mentality. The media has already prepared the market for you:

• Offer a sale or add value of specific services or products for no additional costs
• Tailor some of your products to the holiday season
• Promote products that enhance holiday festivities

Look out another 90 days and gently remind your existing and potential customers of possible upcoming needs:

• Replenishing inventory of products that have projected usage over the next few months in order to expense costs in 2008 before new, more austere budgets hit in January for 2009
• Pet projects that were approved for this year but not complete…it’s always tough to go before the “budget altar” again for a project that was already approved, especially with tight dollars
• Trade show display booths that require updating for new products or services

We can help with the consumables like decals or replenishing jobsite signs, vehicle graphics for company rigs to trade show, event signs or even customized decals for the season. Continue Reading »