UKBF reccomends list?

[Real World Hypnotherapy]

Hello UKBFers

Just an idea I have had, this has probably come up time and time again but I will give it a shot anyway.

I am currently going through the process of being nominated as a certain new business's website, for being the recommended printer (and a fine choice!). I thought that this could work on here to and UKBF could recommend a web designer, printer, lawyer, t-shirt printer etc etc.

This would help newbies choose who to go with, plus the recommended people can use the UKBF logo on their website which in turn would cause more traffic to this site.

That, or can we have a directory on this site? Where it lists all the web designers, printers etc etc?

It's sunny today :) Jo Blythe got it wrong, but I will let her off as she is my favourite weather girl.

Matt, MK Printing

[Coding Monkey]

The directory option was mentioned before.

I don't think there should be only 1 company known for 1 area. We do corporate branding, but so does Creacom, and they do great work. We do programming, yet so does Creospace, and they can probably handle different types of work than ourselves and will no doubt be better in other areas. Personality will come a lot into it, and so will budget, maybe location and so forth. If you only give them once choice, and the recommended company doesn't match their criteria, where do they go?

[Magsite]

They are loads of people on this forum doing great stuff.

It would be a shame only to show one for each topic.

I would support a directory that rotated

Lisa

[dcraigdc]

The directory option was mentioned before.

I don't think there should be only 1 company known for 1 area. We do corporate branding, but so does Creacom, and they do great work. We do programming, yet so does Creospace, and they can probably handle different types of work than ourselves and will no doubt be better in other areas. Personality will come a lot into it, and so will budget, maybe location and so forth. If you only give them once choice, and the recommended company doesn't match their criteria, where do they go?

Probably a good idea to head over to TheOnlineDirectory.co.uk once it's got a few more cats huh Mac!?

[Plastics Dave]

The problem with a directory of reccomendations is that you will be considered responsible for that unusual occurance when something goes wrong with goods or services from your approved supplier.
Unless you have time to vet and approve how can you reccomend ?.
Dave

[creospace]

I think just stick with the organic operations of this forum, I prefere partnering with companies and I'm open to ideas from my peers as well as other industries.

I wholey believe that working together can achieve so much more.

[WakingDragon]

I think that it would change the nature of the forum to have any number of recommendations. You could have an alphabetical directory of services but it would probably have to be free to work in the spirit of the forum. And that would obviously entail more work for Ozzy et al.

Is it not just more likely to get filled with companies that do not even use the forums but see it as a low cost way to punt their stuff?

[kartel]

What about us newbie Companies who yet to prove we are good enough. and deserve a recommendation. we offer some things that creacom do but dont do networking. We mainly concentrate on design. all I am asking is give us small guys a chance too hehe

[creacom]

Wow guys our company name is being brought up a lot here and Im not even involved in the conversation !

Just for the record, CreaCom is still a bit of a newbie too. We have been going for 1 year now. Although my business partner and I between us have 18 years experience !

To give my two pence while im here......I dont think the list is a great idea and it has been discussed before. What I do think is that there could be a better organised members list that is seperated into the category of business.

But then again, its Ozzys forum and I am certain that he has thought all of this through.

Jacqui :D

[creospace]

Whilst everyone deserves a chance kartel you have to prove your worth and you won't get it handed on a plate.

Building relationships here has taken a long time and whilst there is no pecking order people have to understand that you can't just turn up and expect business be handed on a plate.

If business is won then it should be by proving your worth by helping and building relationships but by a list or spamming the site or even by posting offers. Ok we all do it but the fruit should come from the relationship.

Rant over people.

Gary

[creacom]

we offer some things that creacom do but dont do networking. We mainly concentrate on design.

Not going to stray off topic here but :

We focus 110% on design Kartel. That doesnt stop us from networking, advertsing or marketing. You can be the best designer in the world, but if you dont have clients then where will it get you ?

Jacqui :D

[Juvanescence]

You can be the best designer in the world, but if you dont have clients then where will it get you ?

I have to agree 100% there.

I offer many different services, but due to the fact I am not an active networker many people do not know of my full range...

[Coding Monkey]

Agreed with Gary and Jacqui.

Also, if there is only 1 person in that area, how does that benefit anyone? For example, trademarks. I'm sure Crossguard is fantastic, and he certainly posts with knowledge on the subject, yet there's no competition for him, so by default he would be the recommended legal advisor on trademarks. It would go back to the new members idea of basically 'bullying' other people to change a company, so if Crossguard did something wrong (not that I'm saying to a lawyer that they would ;)) then do they get removed from the list, or can we threaten to have them removed if they don't do how we envisage they should perform their job?

[WakingDragon]

I think kartel has rather proved my point. This forum is surely about freely exchanging ideas and experience. There is a danger that it may become a distribution channel if the directory is introduced.

Anyway - doesn't the tenders section cover that? people are genuinely offering work. We have had some good quotes from it - I can't imagine that I would need more than that.

[creacom]

I agree. The tenders section works fine from what I can see.

Jacqui

[kartel]

Whats this pick on Kartel day hehe. I agree with whats said and yes Reliant has to prove its worth in the business world. and I do not expect handout's I have been working hard the last too weeks on my Marketing plan and it seems to be working. You do not see a portfolio yet as most of our site's are unfinished or not started yet. give us a chance we only 2 weeks old.

All I was suggesting is that if you did have a list is have everyone on it rather than just a select few. that way us newbie's will get noticed. but I know that we wont get any new work from it. but just want our name out there to be seen. our time will come .

[creacom]

Well I agree with you Kartel. I dont think there should be a select few and I think all the problems that it would generate have been listed above.

Its important that all the businesses on here are given equal status and I think that for the moment that is how it is.

Best of luck with your marketing plan.

Jacqui :D

[kartel]

Ty jacqui .. :) I love this place as it gives everyone an equal place to share thoughts and idea's

regards kartel

[Jayne]

I think either all or nothing!

Some of the newer member contribute more than some of the older ones and some of the newer ones have really great businesses too, so length of time has no relevance here.

Jayne

[WakingDragon]

totally.

Kartel - I wasn't having a go mate :)

Your response was totally fine - it just illustrates some of the problems with the directory idea - i.e. UKBF is no longer a place to share and learn but rather a place to sell and spin.

The tenders section allows all to offer services where they are genuinely needed.

[Rob Holmes]

I think members that need jobs doing and want to use someone from UKBF have 2 options...

1. Choose someone they know from UKBF

2. Post in the tenders / jobs forum and invite approaches.

Both work well - I would say that sometimes I would have liked to have a searchable list of people and their products if I can't remember the member - but the list (IMHO) should include everyone that wants to be included rather than just one for each category.

Rob

[fastfences]

Lists, lists, lists.

If members are frequenting the forum for its very purpose, and that is the interchange of information, they will know who offers what and at what price, and they will know the special offers and everyone's product base.

If we need to know more, we need merely click on the 'member's profile.'

Where is the credibility in being 'endorsed' by someone we've never met or even done a job for? :evil:
Cheers, Nigel

[bwglaw]

There is more than one lawyer on this forum and each specialise in their own areas - the list would be endless!


Jonathan

[kartel]

Its ok Waking no Offence taken. but i think arguement has been resolved hehe. no Directory ;)

[MarkPearson]

I was about to suggest, why does someone not start the www.ukbusinessdirectory.co.uk ??

[DarrenC]

I think just stick with the organic operations of this forum, I prefere partnering with companies and I'm open to ideas from my peers as well as other industries.

I wholey believe that working together can achieve so much more.


I agree.

I've learnt tons from many of the members on this forum - one thing I have learnt is that I only have one pair of hands, and tendering various services out to experts will help me build the business.

You can tell from peoples responses how experienced and knowledgeable they are in a given subject.

Darren

[ebonybailey]

Instead of a recommended list UKBF could have a daily frontpage promotion.

Every day a member can have there services promoted to show the quality of members within UKBF so everyone gets a go if you have been on here for more than a month, it should be free and you should have to sign up if you want a turn.
Just a thought.

[DarrenC]

Remember, that we aren't all marketing, web design and graphic design companies :)

[ebonybailey]

What's your point Darren?

you would have an opportunity to promote what you do, I don't understand your argument

[Ozzy]

Hi Folks,
The purpose for UKBF is to try and maintain some form of independance from any one organisation, so will never recommend any one member as being the preferred choice for anything.

Ofcourse, when I answer a question on here such as someone looking for a Tradmark service as mentioned above, I would also recommend Crossguard on here because he is the most active member on here who deals with Trademarks... I don't know if there is anyone else on here who does it or not. If there is another trademark attorney on here, then they are missing out by not being an active member.

The bottom line is that if these forums were to start recommending people for whatever reason, then what incentive does that person have to become an active member of this community? Become a member of the community and mix with everone on here, they will get to know you, and in turn you will find yourself (like Crossguard) being recommended in your absense.

Ofcouse, the banner advertising is different :)

[easyasit]

an obvious example of ozzys comment is Mark Pearson of Roses by Design. Now this man is always mentioned in one way shape or form :-)

Also, Hansongroup, now lets be honest where would we be without him?

So i think we already do this in a way

Plus loads of others, apologies for leaving anyone out

Al