1. Largest Selection -
One way that you can make your product or service stand out is to offer the largest selection of products, services or programs. Example: Home Depot, E-Bay, Staples, Amazon.com
2. Innovative Product -
If you have a new product with a patent covering it or a service that others don't offer, you will have something that no one else can offer. Example: Windows, Viagra, Value Program
3. Multiple Uses -
Once you have a product or service to offer, look for other ways that the customer can use the same product or service. Example: Baby carrier that has carriage base, electric can opener with knife sharpener, Aspirin can be used as pain reliever and heart attack preventative. Cell phone is a camera too. This is what Merck set out to do with Vioxx --there are risks.
4. Superior Customer Service -
Keep reminding your customer that you are eager to help them by giving extra-ordinary support on your product or service. Example: Nordstrom's is known for this. Doctors who make house calls, a mobile lawyer's office, a glass company that comes to your workplace to change the glass in your automobile are other examples.
5. Convenient Location -
Make it easy for customers to do business with you by providing them access in exactly the place where they will need your product or service. Example: Bank in the supermarket, ATM in airport, setting up a stand to sell umbrellas on a busy street corner on a rainy day.
6. Expert Consulting -
If you have deep knowledge of your product or service, you can be useful in helping your customers before and after the sale is made. Example: Computer sales person who understands connectivity issues and can help you integrate your equipment with the new computer. Real Estate Agent who has huge rolodex and provides referral to other vendors that new home owner would need.
7. Price -
If you have a product or service with a high price, you offer prestige. If you offer the lowest price, the thrifty customer will be attracted to your product or service. Example: High Price - Lexus, Canyon Ranch etc. Low price - Target, Wal-Mart
8. Lasting affect -
The product or service you offer have a longer lasting affect than any others.
Example: Extra strength Tylenol, Bike lock that cannot be opened, car battery that lasts 5 years, long lasting car tires.
9. Guarantee -
Offer a guarantee with your product or service. Example: Money back if not satisfied. Free conversion back to previous vendor if not satisfied.
10. Packaging -
Offer a package that is different from others. (prettier, stronger, environmentally friendly, easier to open, child-proof)Example: Packaging material that dissolves in water, free gift wrapping for all purchases, child-proof aspirin bottles, juice drinks with straw.
Alvah Parker is a Business and Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Parker works with high potential professionals who want to have a career that is fun, fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are managers, business owners, sole practioners, attorneys and people in transition. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com. She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.
quick home cleaning Glenview ..People often ask "What makes a good business plan? Or,... Read More
Let us look at a few of the big distribution... Read More
If you own a mobile franchise business and wish to... Read More
Many business start-up kits or consultants will tell you one... Read More
To Grow (Catapult) Your Business That's Why.When it's in your... Read More
How you finance the expansion of your business is important.... Read More
We all know that nothing runs without a plan, and... Read More
Canada's lean leaders need to look beyond the horizon and... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
As a business owner, you've likely created a hurricane plan... Read More
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published... Read More
Does the competition drive you crazy?Are they relentless about taking... Read More
The new check cashing instant clearing will take some time... Read More
So what makes a vision successful? Everyday companies try to... Read More
By cranking up others development to meet your business needs,... Read More
Creativity is one of the greatest tools for success in... Read More
Business plan financial projections seem daunting because they are so... Read More
Writing a business plan for a franchised outlet of a... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
Human beings are rational agents. Rationality endorses one to take... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
Many cities have home pages on the Internet. Many of... Read More
Strategic alliances are increasing at a rapid rate. It is... Read More
There's nothing automatic about corporate growth, particularly in the information... Read More
Running a business, whether it be an offline multi-billion dollar... Read More
scheduled maid service Winnetka ..A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
Possibly THE most frequently asked question of me is "What... Read More
The goal of almost every business owner is to generate... Read More
Conventional wisdom has it that there are only three ways... Read More
If you own a mobile franchise business and wish to... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits horizontal markets clientele and in case... Read More
Do you work in or own a business that's affected... Read More
Richard L. Daft one of the country's recognized academic leadership... Read More
David E. Gumpert, author of Burn Your Business Plan, often... Read More
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals,... Read More
"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."That's... Read More
Is there a 'magical' way to exponentially grow your business?It's... Read More
It doesn't take a Terrorist Act, Tsunami or Earthquake to... Read More
Business planning is widely acknowledged as one of the keys... Read More
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published... Read More
"Bozo" ? A clown with a forlorn look, always finding... Read More
Last week we talked about a few of the ways... Read More
To Grow (Catapult) Your Business That's Why.When it's in your... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits multiple services market niche and healthcare... Read More
Every decade we seem to come up with a buzz-word... Read More
Have you ever done a SWOT analysis? No, it's not... Read More
Regroup?is this a new management trend? Not a chance! Regroup... Read More
Some analysts credit [Larry] Ellison with anticipating the consolidation in... Read More
What do Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, Anthony Robbins, Andrew... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
Strategic Planning |