How to Approach companies for work?

[S90GAM]

Hello there, I hope someone can help me please,

I've recently started my own plumbing company which is going great on the domestic side, but would like to start doing contract work for other companies etc

Would like to know how I go about approaching these companies' i.e. builders, electrical contractors and other plumbing companies to see whether they have any work etc

How is the best way to go about this, as I am stuck as to what to write in a letter?

Any advice is most welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks

 

[TestAPlug]

Had a similar problem when I started out. I didnt ask for work, I went and asked what they expected from their sub contractors i.e. policies and procedures etc. I got a very warm response and within weeks (it cost a lot though!) I was on a level playing field with the big boys at half their costs. Find out what the market wants and play to their tune. Now 5 employees later and a decent salary behind me, I leave my toolbox in the workshop and delegate work. Keep prices realistic and keep all credentials up to date. KEV

 

[luvbusiness]

Phone them up... better than a letter...Give them a good sales patter and away you go

 

[luvbusiness]

Had a similar problem when I started out. I didnt ask for work, I went and asked what they expected from their sub contractors i.e. policies and procedures etc. I got a very warm response and within weeks (it cost a lot though!) I was on a level playing field with the big boys at half their costs. Find out what the market wants and play to their tune. Now 5 employees later and a decent salary behind me, I leave my toolbox in the workshop and delegate work. Keep prices realistic and keep all credentials up to date. KEV

Is it just Pat testing you do kev..Dint think there was too much money in that something like £1 per item tested

 

[S90GAM]

Thanks.

I would perfer to write to them or email them.

Any ideas as to what i write? completely stuck!

Thanks

 

[Green_Jelly]

Hi

I have worked with a number of building contractors; I think the first thing you should conisder is what size company you want to work with, how much work in terms of duration and value you can handle, and how you will offer your services i.e. contracting, maintenance, etc. Once you know these answers, you will be able to better understand what you need in place and the best way to contact your target audience.

For example, although the accreditations, policies, procedures etc that you have in place are important, they are also time consuming, costly and sometime less important to smaller contractors (although I would always recommend this is a short term solution rather than part of your business model).

Also, will you be only focused on working with businesses or will you be working with the general public too?

Let me know and I will be happy to give you a bit more advice.

Hope this helps to begin with though

Shari

 

[S90GAM]

Hi

I have worked with a number of building contractors; I think the first thing you should conisder is what size company you want to work with, how much work in terms of duration and value you can handle, and how you will offer your services i.e. contracting, maintenance, etc. Once you know these answers, you will be able to better understand what you need in place and the best way to contact your target audience.

For example, although the accreditations, policies, procedures etc that you have in place are important, they are also time consuming, costly and sometime less important to smaller contractors (although I would always recommend this is a short term solution rather than part of your business model).

Also, will you be only focused on working with businesses or will you be working with the general public too?

Let me know and I will be happy to give you a bit more advice.

Hope this helps to begin with though

Shari

i would be looking at working B2B only at the minute as there is more money in it.

I only have myself and 2 other employees so would be looking to work for smaller plumbing, electrical, building firms doing both contract and maintenance work

Just basically need to know what to write in a letter to them as i would just write complete rubbish and probably repeat myself a few times to try and put my point across.

thanks for the reply

 

[Green_Jelly]

Maybe you should start by looking at the people you want to contact and what they offer. Then you could maybe send them a letter to state the services you can offer which will reinforce what they already offer, as well as maybe letting them know what else you can offer so that they are able to expand their services also.

The standard letter will be like an expression of interest - introducing you as a company, the skills your company has and the things that make you unique - flexibility, reliabilty etc. It would also be useful if you could include some references too.

The main thing to cover in the letter is what you can offer that will benefit the company and add value to them overall. It is also best to make contact before the letter so you can get a contact and let them know to look out for the letter, and then to follow up the letter. If you could also do some design work to make it stand out more, that would make a huge difference to how professional the company comes across.

Hope this helps a bit more - let me know if you would like some help with this.

Shari

 

[S90GAM]

Hope this helps a bit more - let me know if you would like some help with this.

Shari

hi, would be great if you could. thanks

 

[luvbusiness]

s90gam

think what you mean is that you probably know what to say but not sure how to word it in a letter to ensure you get the job etc.I think the best thing to do is look in your area for someone that does secretarial services.Ive used someone like that many years ago when wasnt sure how to word my cover letter for when i sent my CV in.I had it in printed format and also had it in MS Word too so that the content of the letter stayed basically the same but just changed company name.

I,m sure if you explained that to someone local they could sort it for you.Might cost £30 £40 quid not sure but probably worth it.

 

[WJP]

Try to find out the name of the person who is responsible for making the decision at the company concerned. Companies pay more attention, I find, if there is a correctly addressed letter to an individual than one simply addressed to the company, or by job title.

 

[Deleted member 9840]

Hello there, I hope someone can help me please,

I’ve recently started my own plumbing company which is going great on the domestic side, but would like to start doing contract work for other companies etc

Would like to know how I go about approaching these companies’ i.e. builders, electrical contractors and other plumbing companies to see whether they have any work etc

How is the best way to go about this, as I am stuck as to what to write in a letter?

Any advice is most welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks

I went through this many moons ago, forget writing letters and sending e-mails. You really need to make personal contact.
If you are targeting M&E, FM and building companies up to £10m turnover your best bet is to ring them up and ask to speak to the chief. The chances are you will get to speak to the guy who was where your at 15 years ago. He/She will know where you are coming from and will understand your goals. They will help you out.
Leave the BS behind and tell the truth.
On the other hand if you are targeting the big boys (£500m+) be prepared to cook sock. You will be dealing with £45k contracts managers who are just looking to line their own pockets. You will spend your profit (credit card limit) on lap dancers, nose candy and back handers from the Screwfix catalogue, just to get an opportunity to submit a price. It really is a jobs for the boys closed shop.................or so my experience so far has revealed.

Good luck

Steve

 

[CKG]

On the other hand if you are targeting the big boys (£500m+) be prepared to cook sock. You will be dealing with £45k contracts managers who are just looking to line their own pockets. You will spend your profit (credit card limit) on lap dancers, nose candy and back handers from the Screwfix catalogue, just to get an opportunity to submit a price. It really is a jobs for the boys closed shop.................or so my experience so far has revealed.

I was covertly tapping up a boss at a mahoosive firm that does the same kind of work as my firm on how to break in with the big boys and he confirmed pretty much what you thought.

They had a company villa in Spain on a golf resort to ship the yes men off too.

 

[Deleted member 9840]

They had a company villa in Spain on a golf resort to ship the yes men off too.

Complete with Catholic virgins, Screwfix catalogues and tickets to The Nou Camp.

Steve

 

[AL Smith]

1. phone them up and ask for contact details
2. send a letter of introduction
3. follow up letter with a short telephone call
4. send another letter thanking them for their time etc
5. repeat steps 1 to 4 on a regular basis
6. send targeted email campaigns now and again.

In essence you're trying to get them to abandon their current surplier who they've used for years to then use you.

Good luck!

 

[S.A.Niaz traders]

I have same problem i am working import export i want to import salt made products like table lamp , decoration pieces from pakistan how can i reach ?

 

[WJP]

How can you reach who? And where are you importing to from Pakistan?