Your little goldmine

...Your existing customerbase. Even if you have just two customers, you’ve got a customer base! What's more, it’s probably one of your most valuable business assets, yet one of the most under valued by small business people around the globe. Now is the time to really get to know them: what do they buy from you? When? Why do they choose you? How can you contact them? How often do you contact them? When was the last time you felt really close to them? How many products do they buy from you? Why don’t they buy more? Could you satisfy more of their needs? Are you sure they’re profitable? If they’re not, can you make them profitable?...get the idea…?

Give something away!

Using freebies and guarantees to help "Make it happen"... Giving stuff away isn’t just for people who flog products. Service providers can offer freebies and guarantees too, it just requires a bit more imagination! Potential customers just love freebies and are much more likely to try your biz if you offer them something for nothing or a guarantee. Once you’ve packaged your freeby or your guarantee, use it to attract FREE publicity. Only give stuff away willingly though – grudgingly will win you no friends whatsoever! & finally make sure whatever you decide to do, it all comes with your VERY BEST level of customer service!

Your Plan 2009

The end of January is looming. How's your business plan panning out? Are you going to achieve your targets for the end of month 1? Are you optimistic heading into month 2? Are you on schedule to achieve what you'd hoped for in the first quarter of 2009? How are you really feeling about the economic downturn/recession/depression or whatever it's being coined today? Are you feeling the teeniest bit positive but at the same time reluctant (or downright scared) to admit it?