Nailed It!

Good News! It’s a miracle! Got up this morning, looked into the mirror and realized most of us are still alive, though slightly bruised from fighting our way though most of the winter months. It’s like working out and using those muscles or marketing and operation tools we haven’t used in a long time – in some cases years. Sore yes, but after reading about how terrible it is from every form of media, you might think it was a foregone conclusion that our businesses were in the grave.

Spring is in sight. Days are longer, people are starting to go outdoors, and the phones are actually starting to ring a few times – certainly more than a few weeks ago. Can’t wait for the government or TARP to jumpstart our businesses or sales – of course we all know that, but had to be said.

Time to wick some of that Spring activity into February. We need to remind our current and prospective customers that it’s a good time to buy for future needs. Most manufacturers have capacity to fill before the spring activity starts to trickle in which means deals! Continue Reading »

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 The playing field has changed for many-no point in going to war with an outdated plan and weapons!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 »