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
recurring maid service Wilmette ..One way links will help you gain better rankings in... Read More
Seven Reasons Why Training Doesn't Produce the Desired Results and... Read More
Here are ten things that you can do to hold... Read More
While some new business owners face the issue of not... Read More
Who doesn't have issues with organizing their inbox!? I receive... Read More
1. Make a clear, specific commitment to what you want.... Read More
Are you ready for a BASH? Have you ever been... Read More
1. Great Things Take Time ? Three years passed between... Read More
Let's put to rest the fallacy that success, in sales... Read More
The Internet is a fast growing medium, trancending the personal... Read More
Cross cultural differences can and do impede upon communication and... Read More
Most people have at least one favorite quotation from a... Read More
If you are thinking of starting a new business, or... Read More
1. Get to know people. First meet those people in... Read More
Your business card is a valuable piece of real estate... Read More
You're busy with your business today, aren't you?You're pushing your... Read More
A lot of people are insecure about buying something or... Read More
Which one are you? An effective IT project manager, able... Read More
Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know... Read More
There are lots of benefits for some businesses to import... Read More
Either simply a looker-on or a player in the world... Read More
One way to manage your time more effectively is to... Read More
Good Speakers need good listening skills to become Great CommunicatorsSpeakers... Read More
How much is your data worth to you? In this... Read More
Looking for an old friend? Want to know if your... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..Being appropriately dressed is essential in making good impressions in... Read More
Rut -- a routine procedure, situation, or way... Read More
How much is your data worth to you? In this... Read More
The term "junk mail" is a well-known term. To... Read More
Looking for a manufacturer or supplier of home furnishings in... Read More
With today's technology and people's need for more information it... Read More
When sending mail to clients and potential clients, make your... Read More
Attraction marketing is about making a customer for life not... Read More
Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming"... Read More
Only one of every 5 businesses makes it to its... Read More
Are the endless lists of Top-7's and Top-10's taxing your... Read More
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your... Read More
Buckling under the weight of chronic corporate restructuring, and frustrated... Read More
Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know... Read More
Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know... Read More
1. Get to know people. First meet those people in... Read More
The 9-to-5 grind can make you feel like a just... Read More
Ten Tips for Staying ConnectedMany of my business clients tell... Read More
Proofreading may not be terribly fun, but it's one of... Read More
Studies have proven that there is one reason why people... Read More
I believe some people create and publish websites for the... Read More
You need sales and you wanted them yesterday. Here are... Read More
mistake #1: rely just on financial statementsProfit and loss, revenue... Read More
You're busy with your business today, aren't you?You're pushing your... Read More
At Macquarie University in the early '90s, three Australian early... Read More
Top Quick Tips |