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.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carBusiness owners and entrepreneurs are, by nature, risk takers and... Read More
Want to become more strategic? Add these traits to your... Read More
There is a story, about a business owner who wasn't... Read More
Possibly THE most frequently asked question of me is "What... Read More
I'm not talking about posting the HBO schedule on your... Read More
Business seems to drop, slow or even stop during the... Read More
When looking at Akron carefully one cannot help but notice... Read More
I am not a big fisherman, but I do enjoy... Read More
There is so much small business information available today that... Read More
Many movies have been made about the tragic story of... Read More
1. Largest Selection -One way that you can make your... Read More
You know you need a business plan. You probably realize... Read More
"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."That's... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
"Did you hear what your competitor is doing?" This question... Read More
As fast as you can say business disaster, your business... Read More
GETTING STARTED WITH SUCCESSION PLANNING: PART IA survey of 4,300... Read More
We have been spending many hours surveying the market for... Read More
The foundation of any business transaction is the promise of... Read More
Where would your business be without a proper plan? A... Read More
The boom of the dot-com era in 1999 brought the... Read More
We all agree Strategic Planning is a critical part of... Read More
If you are a successful franchise of a large franchise... Read More
One of the quintessential parts to any business is your... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More
Does the competition drive you crazy?Are they relentless about taking... Read More
Diversify - to make diverse, give variety, to balance, to... Read More
A menu is the foundation of any restaurant; Guests will... Read More
Writing a business plan can be tricky when all the... Read More
So what makes a vision successful? Everyday companies try to... Read More
Part 1A few weeks ago I attended a seminar sponsored... Read More
If you own a mobile franchise business and wish to... Read More
Business rises and falls on leadership. According to business guru,... Read More
In Ohio: besides the 3-Cs you should look at Akron,... Read More
One Research Scientist at the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Imaging Systems laboratory... Read More
It is always said "If you Fail to Plan, you... Read More
You have invested a lot of time and energy on... Read More
Is there really anything as a problem? Does chaos or... Read More
With a heightened awareness of opportunity, ideas can often be... Read More
Is your business growing as fast and effectively as it... Read More
Writing a business plan is not an easy endeavor, nor... Read More
To Grow (Catapult) Your Business That's Why.When it's in your... Read More
If you are a manufacturer wanting to use your business... Read More
I'm not talking about posting the HBO schedule on your... Read More
From time to time there seems to be a flurry... Read More
So you've decided to write your own business plan because... Read More
ACTION PLANNING: Action Planning is a process to develop strategies... Read More
Writing a Business Plan these days is tough, venture capitalists... Read More
Growth through acquisition should not be considered an option reserved... Read More
Strategic Planning |