To SME Owners
- It is always a great way to look yourself in the mirror.
What position is you business currently in, are you losing clients, are staff being drama queens, have you got mavericks that do not work the system.
Then check out your LEADERSHIP STYLE, most of the issues in SME business today are due to owners not being on their game, they blame the economy, they blame the government (which government is always on their game!) they blame there staff, but you employed them.
Go check out what it really takes to take you business to different levels, I had a chat with a Sme owner recently, re staff, great staff equal a great business, he said, great staff adds up to higher overheads, staff costs, !!!!!, amazing.
Make sure your emotional IQ is a focus, are you a great motivator and mentor. COOL
Till next time my the FORCE be with you.
Monday, 13 July 2015
Thursday, 2 July 2015
Something NEW
To SME Owners
Yep 6 months gone in 2015, ask yourself the following.
- What did you change in your business the past 6 months that will have an impact on the next 6 months in a positive way.
-Did you just do the same old stuff, which will get you the same old results, and will put undue pressure on you.
- What new things did you introduce into your business.
- Remember there are winners, loses and marginal players in your market, the trick, is to define in your terms how will you measure being a winner.
- look at the key changes you made, if you did not make any, big concern, see what the risks will be,
you are a risk taker, that's what makes you different. Go smash your opposition, but be humble, go do more thinking and research.
Till next time may the FORCE be with you.
Yep 6 months gone in 2015, ask yourself the following.
- What did you change in your business the past 6 months that will have an impact on the next 6 months in a positive way.
-Did you just do the same old stuff, which will get you the same old results, and will put undue pressure on you.
- What new things did you introduce into your business.
- Remember there are winners, loses and marginal players in your market, the trick, is to define in your terms how will you measure being a winner.
- look at the key changes you made, if you did not make any, big concern, see what the risks will be,
you are a risk taker, that's what makes you different. Go smash your opposition, but be humble, go do more thinking and research.
Till next time may the FORCE be with you.
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
Good Growth vs Bad Growth
To SME Owners.
Yes well all want good growth, we have heard it before, lets have the RIGHT GROWTH.
Growth in most forms increases sales, but it must be cost effective, it must be at the right margin.
Right growth is sustainable, the right type of clients, the good paying clients.
Growth should come more from ORGANIC and DIFFERENTIATED approach. Some businesses grow due to their clients growing, ie if you supply a retail outlet/ group and they open 10 new stores your sales will grow, simple enough.
Growing by price discounting is a very very short route, it works for sum, not all, it will be interesting to see how Cell C (here in SA) wins business with their new offer.
The right growth comes from continuously looking at your product range, new products, product improvement, but also which is a key factor is your all round service levels.
Cool go take time out to check how your business is growing, watch the type of business your reps bring to the table.
Till next time may the Force be with you.
Yes well all want good growth, we have heard it before, lets have the RIGHT GROWTH.
Growth in most forms increases sales, but it must be cost effective, it must be at the right margin.
Right growth is sustainable, the right type of clients, the good paying clients.
Growth should come more from ORGANIC and DIFFERENTIATED approach. Some businesses grow due to their clients growing, ie if you supply a retail outlet/ group and they open 10 new stores your sales will grow, simple enough.
Growing by price discounting is a very very short route, it works for sum, not all, it will be interesting to see how Cell C (here in SA) wins business with their new offer.
The right growth comes from continuously looking at your product range, new products, product improvement, but also which is a key factor is your all round service levels.
Cool go take time out to check how your business is growing, watch the type of business your reps bring to the table.
Till next time may the Force be with you.
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
How is your business Strategy.
To Sme Owners,
Always good to review your strategy in this changing world, change and more change, it is key that your staff understand that they may have to change direction overnight.
Here are a few pointers, for a Hold Strategy.
- segment your market and clients.
- upgrade packaging.
- look at ways to add more value.
- have very tight control on every thing in the business, (yep control freaks will enjoy this)
A Build Strategy
- new product development, innovate!
- aggressive pricing
- focus your business units on speed.
So go look at what you need to change/ adjust, it will refocus your mind.
Till next time may the Force be with You. Blog by Kyle Daines
Thank you to those who view my blogs, from, UK, USA, France, Hong Kong, China, Russia, Romania, Germany. South Africa.
Always good to review your strategy in this changing world, change and more change, it is key that your staff understand that they may have to change direction overnight.
Here are a few pointers, for a Hold Strategy.
- segment your market and clients.
- upgrade packaging.
- look at ways to add more value.
- have very tight control on every thing in the business, (yep control freaks will enjoy this)
A Build Strategy
- new product development, innovate!
- aggressive pricing
- focus your business units on speed.
So go look at what you need to change/ adjust, it will refocus your mind.
Till next time may the Force be with You. Blog by Kyle Daines
Thank you to those who view my blogs, from, UK, USA, France, Hong Kong, China, Russia, Romania, Germany. South Africa.
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Review your sales and marketing material
To SME Owners
When last did you layout your BRANDED material on your desk, boardroom table, and review it.
Building your business brand can be quicker than you think, plus brand building is an ongoing focus.
How does your opposition material stand up to your material, good to do this review once a year.
You do not have to spend big bucks, go to your local quick print shop, like Minute Man Press.
Has your material, got emotion, storytelling in the content, these are very powerful factors,
have you a common thread that focuses your prospective clients on how you will solve their problems.
Does your sales team understand what is being communicated and why, do they believe.
Go review your stuff now, it is an interesting project.
Till next time my the Force be with you. Blog by Kyle Daines
When last did you layout your BRANDED material on your desk, boardroom table, and review it.
Building your business brand can be quicker than you think, plus brand building is an ongoing focus.
How does your opposition material stand up to your material, good to do this review once a year.
You do not have to spend big bucks, go to your local quick print shop, like Minute Man Press.
Has your material, got emotion, storytelling in the content, these are very powerful factors,
have you a common thread that focuses your prospective clients on how you will solve their problems.
Does your sales team understand what is being communicated and why, do they believe.
Go review your stuff now, it is an interesting project.
Till next time my the Force be with you. Blog by Kyle Daines
Thursday, 14 May 2015
The Mind of the STRATEGIST
To SME Owners
Always important to be comfortable with how you think about strategy, your strategic views of the industry you are in, your level of understanding what is strategy.
This is more important for those owners that have got through the first THREE years of trading.
Why, by now you will have a feel for the playing field, know your key competitors, and hopefully are working more on your business than in.
So to give you some input, look strategically,
- your status of your market,
- the status of your staff,
- the status of your opposition,
From here identify three key strategic opportunities.
Then ask your self will these make me sustainable sales stream.
Sure nice and simple.
Till next time my the Force be with you.Blog by Kyle Daines.
Always important to be comfortable with how you think about strategy, your strategic views of the industry you are in, your level of understanding what is strategy.
This is more important for those owners that have got through the first THREE years of trading.
Why, by now you will have a feel for the playing field, know your key competitors, and hopefully are working more on your business than in.
So to give you some input, look strategically,
- your status of your market,
- the status of your staff,
- the status of your opposition,
From here identify three key strategic opportunities.
Then ask your self will these make me sustainable sales stream.
Sure nice and simple.
Till next time my the Force be with you.Blog by Kyle Daines.
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Where are your Priorities
To SME Owners
Always good to refresh what should be your PRIORITIES, gives you focus if you list them down.
I have a client that I met with every Wednesday, on this desk he has his "P" list, that we go through.
Have you listed these priorities,
-each day review sales numbers,
-check how many new clients your business has taken on,
- relook your pricing strategy, you can have more than one pricing approach,
-review any expense over R5k,
-are you delegating,
-have you been to visit clients, what is the market feedback,
-what equipment needs up grading.
The TRICK is to have a list and work it day in day out 365 days a year.
Till next time may the Force be with you. Blog by Kyle Daines
Always good to refresh what should be your PRIORITIES, gives you focus if you list them down.
I have a client that I met with every Wednesday, on this desk he has his "P" list, that we go through.
Have you listed these priorities,
-each day review sales numbers,
-check how many new clients your business has taken on,
- relook your pricing strategy, you can have more than one pricing approach,
-review any expense over R5k,
-are you delegating,
-have you been to visit clients, what is the market feedback,
-what equipment needs up grading.
The TRICK is to have a list and work it day in day out 365 days a year.
Till next time may the Force be with you. Blog by Kyle Daines
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Your Business Model
To SME Owners.
Here is a fancy few words , been used in business for about the last 8 years.
What does your BUSINESS MODEL look like.
Here are some guide lines.
- Your model should show you HOW you are going to make money.
- What people, financial, and equipment you need to invest in.
- Your Target market.
Too name a few blocks that make up your model, after that you develop and implement your strategy, and then put in place action plans.
Till next time may the Force be with you. Blog by Kyle Daines
Here is a fancy few words , been used in business for about the last 8 years.
What does your BUSINESS MODEL look like.
Here are some guide lines.
- Your model should show you HOW you are going to make money.
- What people, financial, and equipment you need to invest in.
- Your Target market.
Too name a few blocks that make up your model, after that you develop and implement your strategy, and then put in place action plans.
Till next time may the Force be with you. Blog by Kyle Daines
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Your Business EXPANSION
TO SME Owners
Yes we all want to expand our businesses, locally or per region, or into the GLOBAL JUNGLE.
Here are some key essentials.
- Commitment--- you know what this means
- Knowledge------very very important
- Adaptability
- Financial strength
- The RIGHT PEOPLE, yep people make it work or mess it up
- Effective communication
- Capacity of the business and the Management
- Time and Patience
PLUS INNOVATION,
All simple stuff, nothing new, nope, this info is from my library a book I bought in 1995, by P S Orsino
the point keep it simple, do not get too fancy with the latest buz words.
Till next time may the Force be with You.
Yes we all want to expand our businesses, locally or per region, or into the GLOBAL JUNGLE.
Here are some key essentials.
- Commitment--- you know what this means
- Knowledge------very very important
- Adaptability
- Financial strength
- The RIGHT PEOPLE, yep people make it work or mess it up
- Effective communication
- Capacity of the business and the Management
- Time and Patience
PLUS INNOVATION,
All simple stuff, nothing new, nope, this info is from my library a book I bought in 1995, by P S Orsino
the point keep it simple, do not get too fancy with the latest buz words.
Till next time may the Force be with You.
Monday, 16 March 2015
You are running a FAMILY business
To SME Owners,
Firstly let me say to you, well done, it takes big -------, to have family to rely on.
Watch out for these common mistakes,
-Blood and business usually do not mix( yes there are always exceptions!)
-Make family members ACCOUNTABLE, by getting them to do weekly reports to you, brings structure to them,
-Hard to FIRE a family member.
- Family members need to work 8 to 5, not when they feel like it, OH but I worked till 2pm
went to collect the kids and worked at home till 8pm????
Business is Business family members must be treated like any other staff member, WHY, you Know
why.
Till next time may the Force be with YOU. Blog by Kyle Daines
Firstly let me say to you, well done, it takes big -------, to have family to rely on.
Watch out for these common mistakes,
-Blood and business usually do not mix( yes there are always exceptions!)
-Make family members ACCOUNTABLE, by getting them to do weekly reports to you, brings structure to them,
-Hard to FIRE a family member.
- Family members need to work 8 to 5, not when they feel like it, OH but I worked till 2pm
went to collect the kids and worked at home till 8pm????
Business is Business family members must be treated like any other staff member, WHY, you Know
why.
Till next time may the Force be with YOU. Blog by Kyle Daines
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