eBusiness.Life.Passion

A great sales letter

Firstly - apologies for the silence...simply put - my family is expecting a new baby any day and life has been hectic. That said - I just got this email from one of our suppliers and thought it was a great example of a sales letter/email to write to customers. My only suggestion would have been to mail-merge so it would have used my name instead of "tresured customer". But well done anyway James!

Dear Treasured Customers!

We have a promotion going on at work with HP. Basically I get money for every HP LASERJET MULTIFUNCTIONAL PRINTER (MFP) that I sell TODAY and im a quite a fan of money...! Sooooo...  If any of you want to order a HP LASERJET MFP today I will give you free delivery (TODAY ONLY)

You look after me and ill look after you wink wink...!

Just go onto www.misco.co.uk and put in HP MFP in the search box. Remember its only the LASERJET not inkjet MFP's

Here are a few of the lower priced one's:

128185    £122.99
Q71124    £189.99
109288    £263.99
128843    £299.99
122072    £369.99

I know you've all got your IT budget to burn by the end of the month, come on...throw it over here....!!!

BR

James Sullivan
Premier Account Manager
Misco (a division of Systemax Europe Ltd.)
Unit 1, Ferry Lane Industrial Estate
Wickford Way
Walthamstow
London E17 6HG

Direct Dial:+44 (0)870 729 7834
Fax:+44 (0)870 729 7659
jsul@misco.co.uk
www.misco.co.uk

Starting your own business?

It seems at the moment I am talking to a lot of people who want to set up a new business. Maybe it is the time of year – trying to fulfil those New Year resolutions. Maybe there is something in the water. Whatever the reason – I just seem to be having more of those discussions.

Beyond the usual discussions about cash flow being king and get a good accountant who can advise you on VAT, there are a few other things to think about:

1. You might be really good at what you do, but who will know about it? If you haven’t read it yet – read “The E-Myth” by Michael Gerber. It is such an eye opener of a book, and one that I have found to be true…many people are good at what they do – so want to start it as a business. So the accountant who works for another firm, sets up his own business. But remember – you have to sell your product, and you might be the best accountant in the world, but without sales – no one will use your services. How will you get sales in? Will you do it? You could hire someone? How will you get leads?
2. Don’t wait to sell your product. Microsoft, as far as I know, have never released a piece of software that wasn’t bug free! You don’t have to wait to until your product is perfect (unless it is medicine I guess) before you sell it. In fact, sell the idea of your product. Get a buyer for it before you spend money developing it if you can – it is a much better way.
3. You don’t need a website to sell. I know that I might be shooting myself in the foot by saying this, but a lot of people are now thinking, “right, I am setting up a business, what do I need? Business cards, letter-heads and a website…” Don’t get me wrong, I am happy to create the website for you, but you might not need it to start selling your product!
4. Watch Dragon’s Den. Getting mentored in business is such a great idea. You need help from someone who is experienced in business. Thank God I have some great mentors, people that have a lot more experience in business than me and have given me great help over the years. Don’t ask your mum to be your mentor or listen to their business advice if they haven’t run their own successful business – it might be well meaning but is it what you should be listening to?

Why you shouldn't use UPS

Today the UPS man arrived at my office with some software upgrades that I ordered from the States.

Now, when I was on the website ordering the upgrades (there was no download available), the only shipping option for me was UPS because I was outside the States - this already meant an increase in $30 in my shipping costs which I was annoyed about.

But the thing that really gets to me is UPS. The guy arrived and told me that this was cash-on-delivery parcel. I had to pay more money to them. Why? VAT (OK - no problem with that), but UPS charged me an £11 administration fee.

Not only did they charge me a fortune for the carriage - but I get an admin charge that I have to pay to take the delivery.

So my advice, forget UPS for your website, especially if you are shipping internationally. There is no way for your website to predict these charges that UPS make - but one thing is for sure - your customers will get annoyed.

You can have a great company with great customer service, but you have no control over what UPS guys does and what image that paints about your company. UPS are the link between you and your customer -- and for me, they cause a lot of frustration on my international orders.

Don't get me wrong, we use UPS a lot on orders in the UK. It is a great, fast and reliable service. But I would never use them when they would cause frustration to my customers.

For the software company, they should have offered a download alternative. That would have been quicker, cheaper and a lot less frustrating. It also means that I would be likely to come back.

Today confirmed something that I have been thinking for a while - I will stop buying stuff internationally from companies that use UPS whilst they continue to make these charges without my agreement.

Make sure your customers are not doing the same.

Using time better

So over the last two days, I will have spent a combined time of 11 hours in my car. That is a lot of time to listen to the radio.

I am a big fan of using time as best as I can, after all, I can't get it back. In the car, I like to listen to CD's that develop me or encourage me to grow or think about things.

In the hotel room, rather than watch TV I think about what I have heard in the car as well as any challenges that we are facing at the time.

There are no distractions. No kids. No TV. It is great time if you use it right. On this trip, I have made plans about a number of things, including a new business that we are setting up and revamping the marketing of our web design business.

No doubt when I get back to the office, I will do the usual and walk in to the office, saying, "right lads, I have had some ideas...". These must be words that my staff hate. "Matt has been thinking again..."

Still, that is why I am the boss...I take the time to think about the company. When you have a few minutes to yourself, or even a few hours - make sure that you are you getting the most from the minutes and hours that you have. Your business will thank you.

Nothing beats the face to face

I spent 5 hours driving today. Eventually I reach my hotel room and get changed and freshen up for my meeting with my clients.

The meeting lasted about an hour.

It cost my company a lot of money for me to attend this meeting, but do you know what, even with technology like it is -- you still can't beat the face-to-face meetings with your clients. Sure it might cost more and it might be an inconvenience. But my experience is often that it is worth it.

I am not talking about visiting them just for the sake of visiting them, but hold a meeting with a purpose for you and your clients.

I am not a big fan of being away from my family. I can't wait to get back. But how much business would we generate if the we, "the boss", spent a few days every few months visiting our customers and taking them out to lunch?

For me - the answer is a lot.

What NOT to do when things go wrong, by Duchy Holidays

OK - here is my rant. It is not something that I want to specifically use this blog for...but occasionally I feel the need to blow a little steam.

Since my post about Audi (no comment from them yet) - things have been quite quiet. But today is a little different.

This morning I should have had a phone call. A simple phone call. It didn't happen. Here's the problem.

England's tactics and my business

I am sure that I will not be the only one to post their comments on the England game last night…but I thought I would use this opportunity none-the-less.

What a difference a year makes! Last year, England suffered their heaviest defeat in 25 years, losing 4-1 against Denmark. It was a disaster. A nightmare. It should never have happened.

Then the world cup. Well, the less said the better. We should have done better – and everyone knew it. We had the talent but we lacked passion, courage and leadership.

Yet with pretty much the same team used last year and in the world cup, a year later the team was transformed. It worked like it should. We had passion, pace and a winning score line.

I know it was only a friendly – but hey, with England we need to enjoy this whilst we can!

Sometimes business can be a bit like England. It should work. It should be better, much better. So what can I learn from this?

See if you can solve this mystery

OK, so I have mentioned Seth a few times recently. I guess this is because I enjoy reading his books at the moment...and on his blog, he is offering the chance to talk to him (click here for more info). Unfortunately - I am on holiday but you might fancy a chat yourself...

...to do this though, you need to get his new book. See if you too can spot the mistake in the title though...maybe this was all a secret ploy?

On Seth's blog - the link on the left talks about 183 rants. Click the website of the book (www.smallis.com) and the bookcover says 183 rants. Scroll down and the text says 193 rants (10 more!).

Goto Amazon.com and and it tells me that it is 193 rants...

Yet got to Amazon.co.uk and it tells me that it is 183 rants...

The plot thinkens...if anyone knows knows why (an accident? A secret ploy? Do we have to read the book to find out? Clever marketing?) - please let the rest of us know.

Sometimes looking down is the best thing to do

I was listening to a CD in the car last night on the way home from work. The speaker was talking about vision, ie. goals - have a clearly defined goal, a dream with a deadline. A plan of what you want to do and when you want it done by.

I am all for this. Have a plan. Have a goal. They are worthwhile things to do. Have a vision (because with out one, according to Proverbs, us, our businesses etc will all perish).

Sometimes though we think too much about the future at the expense of what is happening today.

Why people buy?

I was reading Seth's blog today, and read his lotion and potions blog (see below), and it reminded me of that rather useful expression:

People buy with emotion and justify with fact.