How's business?

[Tara_Sencia]

I've been hearing that the North East is the wort hit area in the recession, how is everyone finding things at the moment?

I have had a terrible first half but looks like things are s l o w l y picking up

 

[demo7]

Things are really bad for me, i'm not even getting any calls for insurance work, which is odd. New website, leaflets, van sign wrote, advertising further afield, but still nowt!! Slowly running out of money and idea's. I've only had a few recommendations also, which usually i get quite a lot.

 

[iboxsecurity]

its terrible so many businesses are struggling ive had a few friends who have had to recently close down their companies - wishing and hoping non of the people on here have to do that!

 

[Tara_Sencia]

its terrible so many businesses are struggling ive had a few friends who have had to recently close down their companies - wishing and hoping non of the people on here have to do that!

I've heard of so many businesses closing - We have actually helped a few companies who were struggling because of the fact we can provide staff on "try before you buy" and the financial contribution we then make to their wages which I was very pleased about but apart from these and a few other companies who have either expanded or been bought out it seems to be pretty much doom and gloom companies closing or laying off staff. The candidates we get on our programe are from JobCentrePlus and we are getting more and more people because of all the redundancies.

Any good news stories out there?

 

[stephen72]

i have been finding it really difficult.I set up my bookkeeping and payroll business in February and have not been able to get any clients despite loads of calls and advertising.It just seems as though people don't want the service.I don't really know what more i can do to get any clients.

 

[downsouth]

Things are really bad for me, i'm not even getting any calls for insurance work, which is odd. New website, leaflets, van sign wrote, advertising further afield, but still nowt!! Slowly running out of money and idea's. I've only had a few recommendations also, which usually i get quite a lot.

Dont know if you've thought of it, but what about partnering up with another trade business??

Couple of friends cover all the trades between them and involve each other in jobs now etc

 

[Eagle]

^ Good idea - agree to cross-promote.

 

[Blush]

we are doing fine, increasing hours shortly for one member of staff and taking on more staff in september.The siz weeks are traditionally quiet in our business so would be foolish to take extra staff until september.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Going rather well for me! Not to rub it in or anything...

Cross-promoting is a very good idea; it makes great use of a dwindling prospect base.

 

[iboxsecurity]

Same here, we are doing pretty well despite the economy. But still cross promoting is something we have always adopted with certain clients. We offer web design, hosting and bespoke software development - anyone thinking they could offer this to their customers and want to cross promote drop me a PM.

 

[Tara_Sencia]

we are doing fine, increasing hours shortly for one member of staff and taking on more staff in september.The siz weeks are traditionally quiet in our business so would be foolish to take extra staff until september.

That's brilliant! if theres anything I can help you with, with regards to staff in September just PM me and I'll give you all the deatils about work trials and wage subsidies.

 

[James@dial-green]

Hi Tara,

Im James,

Suprisingly december 08 up to the present has been manic for me.
I think it's mainly the industry im in, and a recent change of direction to line of products im dealing with.

Regards

James

 

[Tregeor]

Jan to March were excellent for me but then May and June were very quiet but so far July is looking good. Just back from Newcastle after visiting a client who wanted a Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney and I have several appointments booked for the rest of the month.
My tip would be not to stop looking for work if you are busy. I did that in the first three months of the year and then paid the price in May and June when I relalised I had few appointments!! You are so pleased with yourself when you have a lot of work that you let the marketing and ringing around prospects slide, which of course then results in quiet patches.
I am also spending money in the hope that it will bring in new clients. £570 to BNI last week (though my gut feeling is that this will be money well spent) Plus a colleague from a different part of the country has given me his advertisements that have done well for him so I'll be shelling out to put those in the press soon.
On the whole there is a steady stream of people who want Wills it is just a question of identifying them and getting the appointment.
Trevor
Wills, Trusts, Probate in Northumberland and all areas south to the Tees!

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

I do believe my influx of clients is due to the nature of my business too. Some business owners are understanding that professionally written sales copy can convert more of their existing prospects and visitors at a higher rate, resulting in more sales.

The cost compared to increased marketing is minor and on-top of that, any future marketing will yield better results sales-wise.

Isn't a necessity service, but it sure does work well in a recession.

 

[Blush]

That's brilliant! if theres anything I can help you with, with regards to staff in September just PM me and I'll give you all the deatils about work trials and wage subsidies.

Thanks but because of the type of shop I run I need staff who knwo dance inside out and you usually find them and it will more than likelybe dancers themselves or mums wh children dance who i will be lookign for.Recruitment isn't an issue.I also spoke to someone from sencia explaining why I wouldn't use sencia, nothing personal, more to do with my 'other ' job . I know only too well about worktrials but unless I open in another town won't be using them

 

[Tara_Sencia]

Hi Tara,

Im James,

Suprisingly december 08 up to the present has been manic for me.
I think it's mainly the industry im in, and a recent change of direction to line of products im dealing with.

Regards

James[/quote]

Hi James,

Glad to hear things are going well for you - not something I'm hearing enough of these days!

What is it that you do?

T

 

[Tara_Sencia]

Jan to March were excellent for me but then May and June were very quiet but so far July is looking good. Just back from Newcastle after visiting a client who wanted a Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney and I have several appointments booked for the rest of the month.
My tip would be not to stop looking for work if you are busy. I did that in the first three months of the year and then paid the price in May and June when I relalised I had few appointments!! You are so pleased with yourself when you have a lot of work that you let the marketing and ringing around prospects slide, which of course then results in quiet patches.
I am also spending money in the hope that it will bring in new clients. £570 to BNI last week (though my gut feeling is that this will be money well spent) Plus a colleague from a different part of the country has given me his advertisements that have done well for him so I'll be shelling out to put those in the press soon.
On the whole there is a steady stream of people who want Wills it is just a question of identifying them and getting the appointment.
Trevor
Wills, Trusts, Probate in Northumberland and all areas south to the Tees!

Brilliant advice! I have also made this mistake - I think most people are. Have learnt my lesson now and even when we are manic I still look for new contacts because you never know when things could drop off.

 

[Tara_Sencia]

Thanks but because of the type of shop I run I need staff who knwo dance inside out and you usually find them and it will more than likelybe dancers themselves or mums wh children dance who i will be lookign for.Recruitment isn't an issue.I also spoke to someone from sencia explaining why I wouldn't use sencia, nothing personal, more to do with my 'other ' job . I know only too well about worktrials but unless I open in another town won't be using them

No problem, glad to hear your recruitment is sorted

 

[James@dial-green]

Hi Tara,

Im in the telecoms industry, we'r a bit different to the run of the mill comms company tho. As a business we make more electricity than we use, which makes us better than carbon neutral and the most environmentally friendly supplier in the UK. we are the prefrered supplier for the scottish chamber of commerce and have a guarantee that if we are unable to save potential customer money we'l write them a cheque for £250.

So really my job is made very easy,

couldn't ask more.

Simply the very best product and service i have dealt with.

regards

James
0800 2800 030