Filling in your 'business blanks'...

[Julie]

Hi everyone, I'd like to introduce myself...

I'm Julie Stanford. I've run my own businesses for over 20 years -- in graphic design and then as one of three founder directors of a manufacturing and export company, selling collectible giftware to the USA.

A few years ago, I decided I would like to publish a new sort of business book. It would tell you a little bit about everything you need to know to start and grow a business -- and then tell you where to go to find out more, when you are ready (and have the time!) to learn more.

Why would I spend so much time and energy doing that? Because over the years it took me ages to learn everything I needed to know and I wanted to make that process much quicker for other business owners. If you are interested, take a look -- I'm genuinely pleased to hear your thoughts and opinions.

I've joined the UK Business Forum board because I really enjoy running businesses and talking and discussing business with other people who are doing it too. No-one can understand the joys and trials of businesses like those who are in the thick of it. So, I look foward to sharing ideas and opinions with you, as we all work to build our businesses.

Thanks,
Julie

[Rob Holmes]

Hi Julie,

Welcome to UKBF - looks like an interesting book, the sort of thing I could have done with years ago when we were starting out.

Rob

[webit]

Julie. Welcome to the forum.

As a fellow 'Hoveite' do you have any involvement with Wired Sussex or the hub100?

David Croissant.

[Julie]

Hi Rob

Thanks for that -- and what you've said is intriguing for me because I wonder why people so often think it's aimed at startup businesses...

I originally produced the book after I'd been going for over 20 years, because I *still* didn't know how to do it all -- I was often too busy running the business to spend time working *on* it... a common problem, in my experience.

However, just like you most people believe the book is for startups -- until they read it. Then we get a whole new set of fans!: one of our most loyal readers has been running his business for 15 years and turns over £10million; another has over 80 staff (who keep pinching it so he has to buy yet another copy!); another has £4 million turnover, 10 staff and has being going for 8 years....

I wonder what I can do to bridge that perception gap? Do you have any ideas? I would be really interested to know what made you think it's only for early startups. All suggestions very gratefully received -- I've spent a long time on the book so I want to make sure my marketing is spot on.

Thanks,
Julie

[Julie]

Hi David

Great to hear from another Hove business!

Yes, I *do* know Wired Sussex -- although I don't go along to many of their events as we are a 'paper' publishing company. I have been involved with their Women in Media events though and I am very impressed with their services. They were really supportive last year when I published the Brighton and Hove edition of the Guide.

I'm not a member of the Hub 100, although I know quite a few of the people involved. I hear very good things about them. Are you a member?

Whereabouts are you based? I'm also (for my sins) Vice-President of the Brighton & Hove Chamber (which is much less dry than it sounds!) and our aim is to support local businesses with monthly training and business events. If you would like to come along as my guest to one of the evenings, let me know...

Thanks,
Julie

[Cornish Steve]

I wonder why people so often think it's aimed at startup businesses...

Julie,

I confess that I jumped to the same conclusion as Rob. Revisiting your website, however, it's clear that your book is appropriate for existing small businesses as well as for start-up companies.

So why did I jump to the conclusion that your book is aimed at new companies? Thinking about it, maybe it's a combination of three reasons:

1) I started my own company a year ago and we are just now launching our product. Since I am in start-up mode, I probably thought about your book in that light and just assumed. If this is the case, there's no problem with your marketing.

2) One of the three paragraphs on your home page relates specifically to new small businesses. There is no compensating paragraph that specifically mentions existing businesses. Since established business owners are included in your sights, you might want to add something specific for them on your home page.

3) In the US at least (I haven't lived in Britain for a while now), there are many books about starting your own business. Many of them include 'small business' in the title. In this case, it's guilt by association!

If your primary target market is existing business owners, I would be quite explicit about this at your website.

I wish you the very best with your venture.

[Rob Holmes]

what you've said is intriguing for me because I wonder why people so often think it's aimed at startup businesses...

Hi Julie,

I guess I read your line...

It would tell you a little bit about everything you need to know to start and grow a business

I did actually read your site before posting my welcome message and the general thrust was towards new businesses needing some advice to stop them failing in the first 3 years etc..

Hope this helps,

What I didn't read before was that you are in Hove :) I'm just over the border from you in Kent.

Rob

[Julie]

Thanks Rob and Steve for feeding back...

I think I'm going to have to look at the text on our site again. It's not a problem if the Guide is seen as a startup book -- but I really had people already in business in mind when I first planned the content (the first section is aimed at Startups; the other seven sections are for all small businesses).

Back to the keyboard it seems!

Julie

(Rob -- the word Matrixx conjures up steel, futuristic surroundings; not the 'garden of England'!)

[Rob Holmes]

Hi Julie,

I think some examples of content (with benefits) listed with their chapter and page nos would communicate the point well to your website visitors that your content is not just for startups.

That said I'm a great believer of niche selling and a book focused for startups is not a bad thing. Have you thought of getting involved with one of the banks? Or getting an article about your book in one of their email newsletters?

Rob

[webit]

Whereabouts are you based? I'm also (for my sins) Vice-President of the Brighton & Hove Chamber (which is much less dry than it sounds!) and our aim is to support local businesses with monthly training and business events. If you would like to come along as my guest to one of the evenings, let me know...

I live in Hove (having moved from London 2 years ago) and my business partner lives in Kensington. Webit.net, whilst being very real, exists as a virtual business spanning these locations with the registered office being in South London.

As a ‘fledgling’ business we have no current involvement in either the Hub100 or Wired Sussex while we focus on ironing out the issues on the webit.net platform and growing the business online. However we are looking at their sites over the coming months to see what they can offer, as well as what we can offer to them.

Thank you for your kind offer of attending a B&H Chamber of Commerce event as your guest, it is certainly something we would be interested in. Could you tell me a bit more about your organisation and its activities?

[Julie]

Have sent you a PM telling a bit more about the Brighton Chamber :)

Julie

[webit]

Julie Thanks. We're going to get in contact about it.

[top-click]

Hi Julie - I've just set up an office in Chichester - are we too far away to benefit from the Brighton & Hove Chamber - maybe we could set up office on the beach! - now that would be nice!

Welcome along
Rob

top-click

[Julie]

Hi Rob

We have members from further afield than the city -- you are welcome to come along as my guest to one of the evening training events to see if you like it. Alternatively, there is a Summer Business Breakfast at the Sussex County Cricket Ground this Friday morning: £12.50 for non-members. The speaker is talking about the power of personal branding. (I won't be at that event, but 50 other people will!)

Let me know if either option tempts you :D

Julie