RSS Feed

‘Small Business’ Category

  1. Engaged, content & shouting from the rooftops

    February 14, 2011 by Lesley

    Today is Valentines Day and partnerships are being created, celebrated and strengthened by acts of love, gifts, messages and more.

    I have been thinking about the values we put on relationships.  A marriage for example  brings happiness and stability to individuals, to families and to communities. But marriage, like anything else needs good care and maintenance if it is to last.

    In many places today some 40% or more of all marriages end in divorce. Is this because marriage is out of date? Could it be perhaps that marriages fail because the arrangement itself is faulty?

    A marriage deserves priority and only by sharing can people grow together.  A person who is primarily concerned with what he or she is getting from the marriage will never be truly happy, even if that individual remarries several times. In all honesty I think a marriage works only when each partner focuses more on giving than receiving.  As we grow our needs change,  to be able to adapt and to understand what our partner needs, feels or wants, is fundamental to a sustainable relationship.

    Why should relationships in business be any different?

    A person who feels they aren’t valued or important may move on, have an affair or file for divorce. They will probably confide in their closest friends and tell others of their bad experience.

    Online and social media give us the opportunity to learn what our customers prefer and want, and we are able to have conversations with them. By talking to them and asking questions we are taking an interest in them. They feel valued, important and involved.

    Rather than blasting marketing messages at them, and acting in a ‘controlling’ way, find out what they want and prefer to read and see. Work at the relationship, invest time in understanding your audience.

    A bit like a square peg in a round hole, old school marketing techniques don’t fit in a social space. Try not to see the likes of Twitter and Facebook as just another marketing tool, but as a way of getting to know your audience, serving your customers and developing customer loyalty.

    Share this on :


    Category B2C, Customer Service, Small Business, Social Media, Social Networking, new media | Tags: | 6 Comments

  2. The 6 Week Challenge

    September 6, 2010 by Lesley

    I am running some more 6 week Social Media courses.

    Why 6 weeks you ask.

    Ok, well this is not just about learning which buttons to press and how to link Twitter to your website or blog.

    This is about connecting, relationship building and trust.

    For those people who do not sit for the majority of their time in front of a pc, have the latest smart phone or tablet, then the online world can be a litle hard to navigate.

    If all you have done is ‘sell at’ and you don’t quite get the concept of ‘connecting with’ and relationship selling, then this course is designed for you.

    I started connecting and networking online in 1996. This was not work related. It doesn’t need to be. It is all about becoming known, liked and respected. Business comes second.

    I go out of my way to help and support others. I know that relationship building is at the heart of Social Media.

    During my course I help others to connect with the right sort of people, people with whom they can converse and build trust. Explaining the true meaning of advocacy and reciprocation,we look at what you can give and not what you can take.

    It works for me, and thousands of others.

    Come and learn which buttons to press, how to link your networks, what applications do what…..

    …….but more importantly……

    …..come and learn how to connect with meaning on the Social Web and begin an amazing journey and form the first of many relationships founded on trust and openness.

    A small and interactive group with lots to learn and even more to discuss…….

    ……I will even refund you your money if you don’t think it was worth it.

    I am confident this course will change the way you do business, for ever.

    6 week Social Media Course - click - for further details and how to book

    Share this on :


    Category B2B, Small Business, Social Media, Social Networking, new media | Tags: ,,,,,, | 16 Comments

  3. Calling all Trust Agents

    September 6, 2010 by Lesley

    I am a connector.

    I connect and I help others connect.

    I am totally sold on relationship selling.

    I am ‘my company’.

    I am the CEO, the manager, the admin lady, the receptionist, the coffee & tea maker, the cleaner, the girl Friday – I am…..Lesley Aveyard…..I am Conversation Matters.

    I have come across numerous Twitter accounts just recently, all being handled by a 3rd party company. The accounts look pretty much the same. Automated Tweets with little or no relevance to the fact that they are all micro businesses and that they are local.

    No dialogue, no conversation.

    One company sell bicycles and do great things. They’re approved and are part of the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme.  They are located extremely close to where the recent Sky Ride took place in Bradford. Their Tweets mention neither of these great points. Both of which could win them business.

    I spoke to this company, they said that Social Media was ‘sold’ to them as being too time consuming for them to manage themselves. They didn’t know or understand Twitter, but were sold the concept of increased website traffic and signed up for a 3 month deal.

    Small, back street businesses, usually family owned and going back in history are being mis-sold Social Media so others can make a fast ‘buck’.

    I did a little digging – the company ‘selling’ Social Media have no social footprint. In fact they have only 16 followers and tweet ‘get rich faster schemes’ on Twitter. That is about it.

    No dialogue, no conversation.

    Last week I wrote  Take care of your Online Reputation - the company that wrote the featured ‘Blog’ for a small local hotel is the same company I am talking about now.

    I know the company offering Social Media services are not interested in how to do it right – I had a chat with them last week. They don’t really want to offer a service, they just want money in the bank. They take advantage of those that do not understand but are aware of the hype surrounding Social Media.

    I knew this would happen, just wasn’t sure when.

    It is hard to comprehend, for some of us, how small companies would accept and sign up to something like this without any ‘proof’ of what they could expect.

    Once these small companies see no increase in business or visibility they will question Social Media first, and the company providing it second. Otherwise they would have ‘shopped around’ in the first place and sought testimonials.

    These small companies could then tell other small companies that Social Media is not what it is cracked up to be.

    Do you care? I do.


    For those of you who haven’t already – please read Trust Agents by Chris Brogan & Julien Smith and pass it on to your friends.

    If only Trust Agents was to Social Media what ‘compliance’ is to Financial Services.

    What do you think?




    Share this on :


    Category Small Business, Social Media | Tags: ,, | 35 Comments

  4. Take Care of your Online Reputation

    August 27, 2010 by Lesley

    The published article below was written for a small, local family run hotel.

    Social Media is a brand new subject to a big percentage of UK small businesses.

    They don’t spend their time online. Many don’t even understand online.

    Some of them are being taken advantage of by those who see this as an opportunity to make a fast buck .

    Read it and tell me what you think

    I have highlighted a lot of the mistakes, maybe it should have been the whole page?

    Oh and I challenge you to read paragraph 2 without hyper-ventilating afterwards….

    The XXXXXX Hotel’s selection of rooms, Testimonials & Local Attractions-Perfect for buiness travellers

    Here is a blog about the rooms available at XXXXXXX in Bradford, Local Attractions and Client Testimonials.

    The XXXX Hotel is very popular for buisness travellers and local workers when they’re working on a local site or away from home. The hotel has a home from home feel given a personalised service which it exactly what you need when your away from your loved ones. And its ran by two friendly yet professional sisters who will always try their best to make your stay as comforting as possible.

    Its the little things which make a massive difference when your working away from home; like being able to change the channels in the lounge area so you don’t miss out on your favourite programs or after a long day your craving a delicious hearty English breakfast just ask one of the sisters and you could be there eating a bacon butty watching a bit of corrie……or football.

    The sisters at the XXXX will always try to accomodate your requirements. Please just ask :-)

    The hotellooks over the award winning XXXXXXX Park. For some beautiful pictures of XXXXXXX Park visit our facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    There is also pictures of the newly refurbished function room suitable for special occasions and corporate events. Visit out page today!

    Hotel rooms/Facilities and Prices

    The XXXXX Hotel comprises of 14 guestrooms located on 3 floors. All of these rooms have been individually decorated in both contemporary and traditional styles.

    All 14 individually designed en-suite rooms have flat screenLCD TVs with Freeview and tea and coffee making facilities so you can still watch your programs with a cup of tea……or coffee.

    Luxury Double – £79.50 with breakfast

    All Luxury Double ensuites have a comfortable double bed and a single day bed, flat screen TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The modern ensuites have both jacuzzi bath and shower facilities. A continental breakfast is included in the tariff.

    Double Ensuite – £59.50 with breakfast

    All Double Ensuites have a comfortable double bed, flat screen TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The modern ensuites have shower facilities. A contenintal breakfast is included in the tariff.

    Twin Ensuite – £59.50 with breakfast

    All Twin Ensuites have two comfortable single beds, flat screen TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The modern ensuites have shower facilities. A continental breakfast is included in the tariff.

    Double Ensuite – Single Occupancy – £49.50 with breakfast

    All Double Ensuites have a comfortable double bed, flat screen TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The modern ensuites have shower facilities. A continental breakfast is included in the tariff.

    Hotel Facilities in Brief:

    No. of rooms: 14
    - Hotel Non-Smoking Throughout
    - Car parking available onsite
    - Wi-Fi Available
    - Meeting Facilities
    - DVD Player
    - TV
    - Tea/Coffee making facilities in each room

    - Hairdryer in each room
    - Iron And Board In Each Room
    - Limited Hours Room Service
    - Interconnecting rooms available
    - Pets Allowed
    - Lift to all floors
    - Bar
    - Wake Up Call Available

    Business facilities :
    - Desk
    - Fax machine
    - Photocopier

    - Printer
    - Internet connection (wireless)

    Please visit our website for more information about facilties for each room.

    http://www.XXXXXXXco.uk/

    Client Testimonials

    XXXX XXXXXX – January 2010
    “This place is welcoming and has lovely rooms, spacious and wooden floors. Nice bathrooms although no heating in them – could do with heated towel rail at least to take edge off. We were there in the big freeze in ealry Jan and extra heating had been arranged. Very friendly people offering a family feel. Breakfast only continental unless you order specially but changed each day so pretty good. Would come back.”

    XXXXX X  – January 2010
    “I stayed at the XXXXX Hotel over the Christmas period whilst visiting family in the vicinity. the staff were friendly, polite, warm and welcoming. I had a lovely room, overlooking XXXXXXX Park. the bathroom hand bedrooms had clearly been recently restored/refurbished and were all impressive. The whole place felt like a lot of time and effort and thought had been invested into it and I hope the venture will prove a success. I would definitely stay at this hotel again. ”

    XXXXX  X – December 2009
    “Fantastic Hotel, very friendly welcome and during whole stay. Food is excellent, room was great, a very high standard all round.”

    X  XXXX – October 2009
    “The XXXX has been completely renovated and beautifully done. The bedroom i stayed in (room 101) has stylish wooden furniture of obvious quality and was large and airy and sypathetically redecorated in a modern style without taking away from the original character.
    The ensuite bathroom is modern and stylish with a corner shower suite. The r bedrooms and bathrooms have underfloor heating and the bedroom has oak flooring with stylish tiling on the bathroom floor.”

    X  XXXXXX – October 2009
    “The XXXX is a wonderful hotel and I highly recommend it. I spend over 150 nights per year in hotels and I’m quite hard to please. It’s a beautiful boutique style hotel overlooking the very picturesque XXXXXXX Park. The staff are genuinely friendly and helpful and the newly refurbished rooms are lovely. Incredible value for money.”

    Local Attractions

    The XXXX  hotel is over looking XXXXXXX Park which was recently voted The Best Park in Britain. The Famous XXXXXXX Hall which is also in the park boasts amazing exhibitions from month to month. Bradfordis renowned for it’s famous Literary Sister’s – The Brontes. The Alhambra Theatre and St George’s Hall is 1 mile from the hotel which have world famous performances on throughout the year. On the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dalesand the hotel is approximatley 1.7 miles from Bradford City centre and ideally located for Bradford theatres and National Media Museum.

    Nearby activities and local events:
    - Hollywood Bowl
    - Cineworld cinema
    - IMAX cinema
    - Casino
    - Shipley Golf Club
    - Bradford Markets

    - Bradford Mela
    - Bradford Film Festival
    - Bradford Animation Festival

    Nearby points of interest:
    - Bradford Theatres
    - National Media Museum
    - Saltaire World Heritage Site
    - Haworth Village
    - Cartwright Hall
    - Lister Park
    - Shipley Glen
    - Keighley and Worth Valley Steam Railway

    I hope you found this information helpful in choosing somewhere to stay or visit when you come to Bradford.

    Please don’t forget to ‘like’ us on facebook to receive updates on events, offers, news etc.

    http://www.facebook.com/search/XXXXXXXXX

    Follow us on twitter for news on events in Bradford and Yorkshire!

    http://twitter.com/XXXXXX

    Hope to see you soon!!!

    The XXXXXX

    Unimaginative, poorly written and showing not an ounce of pride.

    There will be more, next time, about this subject – please subscribe to my feed, I would love you to join in this debate.

    Lesley

    Share this on :


    Category B2B, Small Business, Social Media | Tags: , | 7 Comments

  5. Do you Predict or React

    August 12, 2010 by Lesley

    If like me, you are a fan of the TV show Mary Queen of Shops, starring Mary Portas, you may have noticed a recurring trend amongst the shop keepers and shop owners she reaches to out to help.

    They do and sell what they want, rather than what their customers want.

    This trait is typical not only of small shops, but businesses of all sizes and from all sectors.

    We talk about ‘listening’ and ‘monitoring’ and understanding our customer. But how many of us do this?

    The question on everyone’s lips is ‘how can we win more business’ and what can we do to increase sales.

    The answer my friends, is right under your nose.

    Let’s take a look at the local high street green grocer. He sells fruit and vegetables, and has often to compete with the supermarkets.

    The trade he receives is not necessarily ‘loyal’ trade, people may go there when they have an immediate need and it isn’t convenient to shop elswhere and get to the supermarket.

    Tap into this! Ask people what they would like to see on your shelves. Offer what they want, not what you like. Make it an experience to visit your shop. Understand your products, but more importantly, understand your customer.

    Stop looking for new customers until you have managed to satisfy the ones you still have.

    Ask them to fill in a questionnaire, or tick boxes on a sheet to tell you what they like to buy. Create an online community so you maintain regular contact with them. With over 500 million active users a Facebook page can be an excellent way of doing this.

    Once you know your leading lines, then you can start to be a little bolder.

    Seasonal products with less demand can be turned into leading lines for a short period if you help your customers discover these by giving out recipes and suggestions.

    Have a tasting session or create a competition. Become innovative.

    Your customers arent you.

    Don’t predict what they may want to buy, react to feedback and opinions and give you.

    Your customers shouldn’t need to ‘fit’ your products, your products should ‘fit’ your customer.

    Share this on :


    Category B2C, Customer Service, Small Business | Tags: ,, | 7 Comments

Older Entries