How do you increase business profits? Answer the following questions carefully, and you'll have a good start.
1. Can you increase the average sale? A restaurant with 25% profit margins might make 50% on additional sales to existing customers (less labor to bag one large order than two smaller ones). Asking "What would you like to drink with that?" works, and it's just a start.
2. What's the least expensive way to get a customer? Before you spend another thousand dollars advertising to get new customers, could you get as much business by spending a few hours contacting previous or existing customers?
3. What low risk ideas can you try? I once sent a letter to several visiting basketball teams, inviting them to visit our restaurant, and giving the coach a free meal as an incentive. The cost? Two dollars. The pay off was two busloads of customers. At that rate, you could increase your business profits even if nine out of ten ideas fail.
4. Have you tested prices? I knew a store that sold a product for a $1.05, that cost them $1.00. At a price of $1.20, it is doubtful that they'd lose half their sales, but if they did, they'd still make twice the profit. Some things even sell better at a higher price. Test.
5. Can you measure your advertising results? How do you know that you're not spending more for a customer than they're worth? Coupons, customer surveys and other methods of measurement are a must.
6. How do you know your customers are satisfied? The worst restaurant meal we ever ate went down without a comment, but we never returned to that restaurant. Maybe the owner should be talking to the customers.
7. Can you enhance the percieved value of your product? Years ago, I sold walking sticks for $10 at flea markets, and $20 at craft shows. Sometimes location alone can enhance the percieved value of a product. What else can you do?
8. What are similar businesses doing? See what your successful competitors are doing. Can you do the same?
9. What other products can you sell? There's a reason stores have candy and magazines near the checkout. Extra sales are a great way to increase business profits.
10. Can you use your customers as salesmen? Word of mouth is a start, but what other ways can you get your customers to bring their friends to you?
These were culled from a longer list. I call it "stolen business ideas," because I can't credit the original authors. I took them where I found them over the years, with grattitude, but without notes.
Steve Gillman has been studying every aspect of money for thirty years. You can find more interesting and useful information on his website; http://www.everythingaboutmoney.info
move out cleaning service Lake Forest ..Part Two of Cash to Cash Cycle SeriesNext: SalesWe've already... Read More
Almost daily, newspapers, business magazines, radio and television carry reports... Read More
Never in history have more entrepreneurs launched more new businesses!... Read More
So you have set up your company, fairly established and... Read More
Do you want to be #1-10 on Google and other... Read More
There are so many simple, yet really sure-fire ways of... Read More
The Ten Commandments of Goal Setting While it's good to... Read More
Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming"... Read More
It is possible for small companies and individual business people... Read More
As a counselor, therapist or healing professional (massage therapist, physiotherapist,... Read More
Good Speakers need good listening skills to become Great CommunicatorsSpeakers... Read More
Rut -- a routine procedure, situation, or way... Read More
Please don't think I am calling you a "moron" to... Read More
1. Use subheads throughout your ad copy.Subheads are great to... Read More
Having business partner or planning to start a business with... Read More
1. Locks and Padlocks ? Locks on all outside entrances... Read More
1. Great Things Take Time ? Three years passed between... Read More
There are many places you can get books, and I... Read More
We've heard numerous success stories of Internet entrepreneurs like Jeff... Read More
Ever lost a sale you thought was in the bag?... Read More
What would You do with $1,000,000With $1 Million would you:?... Read More
1. You have a big goal and you want someone... Read More
So many people I worked with said they got more... Read More
You're busy with your business today, aren't you?You're pushing your... Read More
The number may seem grim for Web-based commerce. In 2004... Read More
house refresh service Bannockburn ..Almost daily, newspapers, business magazines, radio and television carry reports... Read More
Most people have at least one favorite quotation from a... Read More
At Macquarie University in the early '90s, three Australian early... Read More
For most business owners and entrepreneurs, preparing, and communicating the... Read More
The 9-to-5 grind can make you feel like a just... Read More
Creating a website is one thing, making it better is... Read More
1. Use subheads throughout your ad copy.Subheads are great to... Read More
Imagine if you were going to address a stadium full... Read More
We've heard numerous success stories of Internet entrepreneurs like Jeff... Read More
Which one are you? An effective IT project manager, able... Read More
There are so many simple, yet really sure-fire ways of... Read More
1. Examine everything in your office from the view of... Read More
Studies have proven that there is one reason why people... Read More
Whether you are self employed or you work for someone... Read More
Let's put to rest the fallacy that success, in sales... Read More
Millions of people start new small businesses in the United... Read More
Did you know that there is one critical difference between... Read More
If you are like me, you are living some distance... Read More
In building and runnng an independent private practice or small... Read More
Are you ready for a BASH? Have you ever been... Read More
The term "junk mail" is a well-known term. To... Read More
Networking is probably the best way to build a profitable... Read More
In my career, I have had a total of 3... Read More
Only one of every 5 businesses makes it to its... Read More
It has been said you can lift the Rock... Read More
Top Quick Tips |