How Old is YOUR Business?

[JohnsonandJohnson]

Just fascinated to find out how long your business has been running?

If 5 years and over, have you had to adopt new strategies in order to retain customers, have you found your business to be more automated compared to when you first started?

Has modern technology; for example Apps, and Social Networks impacted on your business success?

If 10 years and over, would you say traditional business methods still work within a technology based business world?

Do you feel that you are stronger today, than you were 5 years ago? (With reference to 10 year old businesses).

I apologise if this sounds like a market research questionnaire, it isn't meant to be.

I just wanted to obtain some values and opinions with reference to technology making us less personal or more personal, when engaging in new business.

And has your business reverted back to traditional models of business development due to the cost of implementing technology?

Thank you for all those who participate.

 

[Connexions]

iwebshop 2 years now, but we merged with a larger telecoms/IT/web company this year. A company going 20 years.

What we found (as i also worked for this larger company 8 years) was that by 5 years you have a large customer base you should be able to at least break even with from repeat custom. New customers by some advertising but mainly by word of mouth.

 

[dirtmaster]

will be 11 years in january started it when i was 17.... giving away my age there lol

 

[Minuteman Press]

13 years (I bought the company four years ago).

Never stopped re-analysing marketing strategy and processes - daily! If yu don't change, you die.

Fighting complacency and not accepting adequate is key.

Look at what your competitors are doing - cherry pick the best bits that offer best marketing ROI, then do loads more (and some of them will work!).

Peter

 

[Wholesale-Suppliers]

I am running my business from last 7 years but the ups and downs I am facing from last 3 years really putting me down :-(

 

[jane p]

our shop has been established since 1983.

 

[chiggs]

Just coming up to our 5th birthday. The last couple of years has been hard, because I supply my own products to smaller independent shops (baby & nursery/greeting cards/gifts) and they have been squeezed recently- I have lost a lot of stockists to closures.

I've used social media, particularly forums, from the start, but as sites such as Facebook and Twitter have grown, I've jumped on the bandwagons and have found new customers (retail and wholesale) using these.

 

[Blagger]

Been going since late 2005 and growing very slowly. Definetly feel in a stronger position today than before, but always trying to move forward. Happy the way it is so far.