We’ve done the right thing and become Bizfix

When we began piloting a brand new way for local businesses to get top quality business advice and support for an affordable fixed fee we knew we were doing the right thing.

We talked with some fantastic business leaders. They made it easy for us to know what local businesses want. They said give us proper advice and support that is:

1. easy to access
2. easy to understand
3. easy to use
4. based on the most important business issues
5. realistically priced.

So, while we piloted and did a tonne of research on our products and services, we didn’t research far enough about our brand and our website. Clients found our old website unappealing, and people were confused by our former name Do the Right Thing. Ouch!

So today we are delighted to launch a clear and easy to access website, which is packed with serious content for local businesses. We also fixed our name so it is easier to understand how we help businesses grow. Welcome to Bizfix, fine-tuning for business.

There are lots of new tools and tips to help local businesses grow so please take a look at www.bizfix.co.uk and let us know what you thing.

You can also sign up to our updated blog there!

Sell more to current customers

Sell more

 

Sell more to current customers   

There are only 4 ways to sell more to current customers. Are you doing all 4?   

1. Sell again

If a customer has bought from you in the past, are you making it easy for them to buy from you again? Are you communicating with them to remind them what a useful product or service you have? Are you reminding them that they may be running out of your product or need to update the service you gave them? It is the simple power of suggestion, if you remind them of the benefit your company brings to them, they are more likely to think of and buy from you.   

2. Up sell

They already like what you offer or they would not have bought it, so are you offering them the next level up. Are you selling add-ons, updates, the premium version of whatever you do? The absolute best thing about upselling is that premium products and services have higher profit margins (if yours don’t you need to sort out your pricing) so upselling means more profit per sale for you.   

3. Cross sell

If a customer buys one of your products or services, are you offering them the other related things you sell? Again if you are not cross-selling to your customer base you are treating your customers badly. We know they already like what you offer because they just bought it, so why wouldn’t you want to offer them the related things to make their lives even better?   

4. New sell

Sell them some new stuff. You already use every opportunity to find out what your current customers think of what you offer, and what they would like to buy that you don’t yet offer, right? So get offering what they want. It is the surest way to sell more to your current customers and without even trying to bring in new customers.   

For tips and tools to sell more, take a look at our Customerfix

If you can answer this small business question, you can dominate

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Predicting business performance

There is one question I typically ask all our business clients. Whether they are a small local Cambridge business, or a multi-national looking for business advice, their ability to answer this one question is an excellent predictor of their business success.     

Customers, profits or innovation

No matter whether we are working with them on bringing in more customers, developing higher profit margins or developing new products and services, those businesses that can answer this one question, consistently outperform their business competitors. And the question is ….   

“What do you want to do with your business?”    

I know, radical isn’t it? You might think it is too simple for words but just try it. Ask a friend what the top management of their company is trying to achieve and you will get lots of hums and aahs but you will not get a succinct, direct phrase that makes it crystal clear where that company is heading.    

Think it is easy? Well try this exercise for yourself.    

1. Take a pen
2. Get a piece of paper
3. Write down:

Over the next 5 years I want my business to be known for ….    

The trick is you are only allowed one thing. And you will note that it stops you saying “I just want to make a mountain of money.” You have to have something that is more meaningful than that, then the money flows. If you find your plan talks about excellent customer service and valuing staff, and blah, blah, blah, you have missed the point. Rip it up and start again.   

Need some small business inspiration

Here are a few examples from big business that could work as inspiration for your business. They date back to the 1950’s but are still cracking today.    

• Boeing: Become the dominant player in commercial aircraft and bring the world into the jet age.
• Sony: Become the Company most known for changing the worldwide poor-quality image of Japanese products
• Stanford University: Become the Harvard of the West

What is the best business statement you have heard? Is it your own? Let us know by commenting below.

Related Articles

• Improve small business customer service with a personal touch (customerthink.com)