There will come a time in your business where you feel ready to add another service offering. To make this successful, there are ten tips to consider before moving ahead.
1) Revisit your business plan. If you don't have one, write one for your business as it currently exists (even a one-page, brief summary will work fine). Compare how your business plan will be the same or different with the addition of this new service.
2) Will this new offering build adequately on what you already have in place? This refers not only to your resources, but also to your own skills and those of your staff. Does this new offering extend further what you've already been doing? Or is it a detour into a new area?
3) Is the addition going to be cost effective? For example, if you're building on what you already have in place, you're probably going deeper into your current market rather than trying to start a whole new business from scratch. Generally speaking, it's almost always going to be more cost effective to add a related service line than it is to start a new one.
4) Have your customers asked you about this or expressed a need for something new? If you regularly consult with your customers you will know what they need and want. If they continually ask you whether you provide a particular service, use this information to guide what you next add to your business. Your bottom line will thank you.
5) If you are a solo professional, how will the new service improve what you're doing now? Will it provide you additional income or additional freedom? Is it an area that is more interesting to you? Just be sure that adding the service is likely to provide you with definable personal benefits otherwise, you might stretch yourself too thin.
6) How will your customers benefit from this new service? If you don't have a built in market for what you're offering be sure to think about what this new service will do for your existing customers. Will it allow you to serve more people? Fewer people? Will it cost less? Are the results going to be better?
7) Ask yourself: Why this and why now? What is driving your decision? Is this the right time to implement this new plan? Timing, sometimes, is the main difference between success and failure.
8) Give adequate notice. Be sure to give your customers adequate notice of these changes if this addition is going to impact your existing customers (as in you might be less available for a while or your prices might increase). Customers are very resilient when they know what's going on and why.
9) Communicate your enthusiasm. If you are excited about a new offering be sure to share this with everyone you know. Once you've decided to go ahead get as much help and support as you can. As the business owner, you have a lot of influence on your customer's view and response to this change.
10) Set some goals and revenue projections for the new offering. Create a marketing plan and decide how you will reach your targets. Measure your results. This will assist you in gauging if you're on the right track.
Most of all, have fun with this process. One of the best parts of owning your own business is that you can make adjustments which make your business better for your customers and yourself.
(c) 2004, Dr. Rachna D. Jain. All rights in all media reserved.
About The Author
Dr. Rachna D. Jain is a sales and marketing consultant to small business owners/solo entrepreneurs who want to make more money and have more fun in their businesses. Check out her daily insights at http://www.salesandmarketingcoach.com/blog
http://www.salesandmarketingcoach.com/blog
limousine Ackley .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareRemember those drawings from science class of how a lever... Read More
It is imperative to have your business legally prepared. How... Read More
Just when the entire state was kissing Wichita goodbye, economically... Read More
Every company has a value proposition. That is a statement... Read More
When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make big... Read More
If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More
Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More
Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S. securities broker or... Read More
You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More
Q: I have outgrown my home office and need to... Read More
Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More
Success is the desire of everyman on the face of... Read More
Achieving real success should be the goal of any good... Read More
And is having a logo really that important?My answer to... Read More
Small Business, Big Business ? What's the Diff?Well a lot... Read More
Hew Hampshire car wash market. Well we have visited every... Read More
One of the major complaints in the QSR Quick Service-Fast... Read More
Running a small business requires many skills. However, to do... Read More
When you go into business for yourself, there are many... Read More
A suggestion box is a really good idea for your... Read More
Your product is dying. With the same inevitability that we... Read More
There are almost as many opinions and views on marketing... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission out of the blue decide in... Read More
One of the most common issues that comes up for... Read More
I started working with another new client last week. He... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare Alexander ..Some of the very qualities that attract people to the... Read More
We are noticing an increase in the length of time... Read More
Mobile carwashing is hard work, it is tough on the... Read More
Completion not Perfection Five Keys To Doubling Your Productivity and... Read More
Everyone is talking about small businesses. In 1993, when it... Read More
Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or... Read More
There are several well-known truck washes in the Great State... Read More
All legitimate home business entrepreneurs insist and announce loud and... Read More
Most doctors never distinguish the difference between customers and patients.... Read More
Achieving real success should be the goal of any good... Read More
If you are in a franchise and have a territory... Read More
Everyone wants to succeed in life. Most people want to... Read More
Disclosure laws in franchising are suppose to help the consumer.... Read More
If you plan to do business online, then your website... Read More
When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to... Read More
There have been many great points raised on both sides... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission is assisting competitor to cheat and... Read More
Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways... Read More
How do you find the best business partners?Finding a good... Read More
If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM... Read More
Do you promote yourself as offering prompt, reliable and quality... Read More
For the employees, payday is the brightest day; they finally... Read More
Many of our nations 400,000 franchisees run their businesses out... Read More
At first blush this idea might be difficult to wrap... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --People do business with... Read More
Small Business |