Sales expertise needed

[Robert Humphreys]

I need help to expand the sales side of my company

I am not sure if this is the right way to go finding some help

I design and manufacture domestic Bathroom fittings mirrors/ cabinets/ accessories etc and supply into the UK market at distributor and retailer level (I also sell a small amount into Europe)

I work more or less alone.........and have to accept the fact that I need to ask for some help

has any one any ideas or can any one offer me help in any way

Regards

Robert

[jamieclick]

Try gregs2769 (joe gregory), he may be able to help as he is looking into sales for me. He has made a post just before yours, 'sales'

Hope this helps :)

[telemax]

Hi Robert

Are you looking to keep expanding into more distributors and Retailers or to the end customer?

Regards

Jonathan

[DirectorsChair]

Hi Robert
I don't know if I can help you. But if you want to chat things over on the telephone or through the internet I am willing to have a go.

Being on your own is very hard, as time runs away and there are so many things a small business owner has to do on a daily basis just to survive. Therefore I can understand your frustration.

If you do get about and meet people with an interest in your business, when the opportunity arises, you could mention the fact that you could use some help and see how they react. Don't be specific, if they seem interested, invite them to meet you in a local pub or restaurant and have a relaxing hour with them to see how you get along with them.

Does your industry have a journal or website in which you could place a small advert? Maybe if you wrote a brief message on the back of your business card like 'Looking for some sales help' and handed it to everyone at a business breakfast meeting, if you belong to one, may help.

The thing is don't keep it to yourself, and don't be so reluctant to talk to people and ask for help. This site may bring up the right person if you keep asking. Certainly if you make up your mind to really go in search of that someone, it will make a difference to your attitude and outcome if you imagine what that person will look like and their mannerisms. What would you say to them, and expect to hear back from them? Can you pay them a salary or want them to work on commission?

I am not asking for answers to any of these questions. just suggesting that you think positively and seriously about the person you really want. If you don't smoke, you certainly don't 't want someone who does. Likewise, if you are a pessimist you don't want someone with the same temperament to hold 'pity parties' with when things get tough!

Hope this helps. So many small business people are in your situation Robert. So take heart and move on. Standing still isn't an option for you.

Wish you success

[jamesschmidth]

outsource it to a call center in Pakistan, India or phillipines as they are good at it.. and you can boost up your sales with your cost cut down to atleast 50-55%... let me know if you need any help

[PERSPEXfiona]

There's some great advice here Robert. With your candour I'm sure you'll find plenty of offers of help, and if you're looking to recruit a sales team to work on commission you should find it easier now than ever - albeit it's really critical to get the right people on board.

Your post suggests it's manpower you need at the moment, but you don't mention how you've managed to build up your sales until now... Would you say you're good at sales yourself? Do you enjoy it?

If your business has been established for some time, can you make repeat sales from your previous satisfied customers (much easier than attracting new sales), possibly by offering a special time limited promotion? Is there a single product that continues to sell well even in a recession? What is your most profitable product or method of doing business? Can you do more of that? Consider who your most profitable customers have been and how you found them originally.

I don't know if you do much in the way of free PR but can you use this to help increase sales and keep your business in the mind of your prospective customers? In a recession it's important for small businesses to find creative and cost effective ways of letting customers know they're still trading.

I do hope you find the solution that's right for your business, whether it's recruiting a sales team or strengthening your existing sales activities.

All the best.

Fiona.