Gifting to Grow Your Business - How Important Is It?

The year-end Holidays come and go and businesses get snowed under with year end gifts from their clients. In some ways, gifts at year end all seem to be lumped together in the client's mind. The new trend is to find year-round cost effective ways to thank your clients.

Did you know that when companies are doing well they don't thank their customers? When things are slow, companies start to court their customers .... sometimes that's too late.

You need to keep your name in front of your customer constantly. Gifting is one way to do this. It does not have to be elaborate. Small gifts (what gift basket professionals call "warm call gifts") would be a perfect way to keep your name in front of your customer. Make gifting a year round, not year-end time to say thank you for their business. This will help secure your relationship with your customers and get referrals.

Attitudes for D.A.T.I.N.G. your customer:

DAZZLE your customer!

ANTICIPATE their needs!

TREAT them the way you want to be treated.

INNOVATE in every area of your business including your policies.

NUTURE the relationship with your internal customers (employees/vendors/suppliers) so that everyone can satisfy your external customers.

GUARANTEE that you stay in business by following these simple rules.

This article was written by Patricia Desiderio, founder and owner of Patty's Gifts and Baskets LLC, a corporate gift consulting firm. Patricia writes articles for various organizations on business topics for small businesses. Contact information at: http://www.pattysgiftsandbasketsrus.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Desiderio

Why Business Networking? It Really Works!

Everyone loses customers: ownership changes, changing business plans, personnel changes and many more! In any given year if you are planning for growth you may grow, or have zero growth, or even shrink but one thing is certain - if you didn't go after new business you will be in a less advantageous position. New customers are your life blood and can be expensive to get. Cold Calling, Advertising Campaigns, and Mailings are expensive and require not only money but many sales hours and the return on investment is not usually very high. What can we do to find and get these new customers?

"What About Networking?" Networking is a cost effective way to obtain new clients and growing your business. The first thing you need to do is schedule at least two networking events a week. Next is getting out of your comfort zone. When attending a networking event, always sit with individuals you have never met before. It forces you to mingle, meet someone new and a possible potential new clients.

Here are some tips:

1. Bring plenty of business cards - keep them handy - wear a blazer or pants with pockets. Put your cards in your right pocket. When you obtain the other person's card put it in your left pocket. It is very distracting digging in your purse for your cards. You look "unorganized". Follow up about a week later with a postcard or an E Mail to keep your name in front of the new contact.

2. Eye contact is critical. You know how you feel when someone is talking to you and looking around. Don't look past the person. And don't forget the 3-minute rule (don't be too long winded). After that you lose the other person's attention!

3. Your name tag is your best friend; it introduces you to everyone. We usually shake with our right hand. Put your name tag on the left so it is visible.

4. Last but not least - and certainly very important - Dress for Success. Image is everything! You are on stage with networking. The first 30 seconds someone sees you are very important and you want to make a great impression.

Networking does work! You can meet 90% of your clients this way! Now, get out there and network!! It is essential to your business!! Your business success could depend on it!!

This article was written by Patricia Desiderio, founder and owner of Patty's Gifts and Baskets LLC, a corporate gift consulting firm. Patricia writes articles for various organizations on business topics for small businesses.

Contact information at: http://www.pattysgiftsandbasketsrus.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Desiderio

Strategic Business Alliance - Ten Reasons Why

1. More Variety - You will be able to offer your customers a larger variety of of products and services.

2. A bigger Sales Force - The number of sales people will increase when you form this alliance. You will spend less time on hiring new employees and still increase your sales force.

3. More Marketing Dollars - Your marketing and advertising budget will increase and both businesses will share the marketing and advertising costs. You will add products and services to your existing customer base.

4. Batch Products - You can increase your sales and profits by combining products with your strategic partners. Adding new products and services will help you increase your profits.

5. A bigger Work Force - Your business will gain a larger number of skilled professionals. This will help you grow your business faster.

6. Beat your Competition - You will be selling to a larger target
audience, thus beat your competition by selling more products and services. You will increase your existing customer base.

7. Add Credibility - You will exchange endorsements with your alliance partners thus adding credibility with your existing customers and potential new customers.

8. Faster Growth Path - You can expand your business at a faster pace. You will develop new products and services because of the larger sales force.

9. Problem Solving Partner - You will solve your customer's problems faster with the larger base of customer service people. You will learn from your alliance partner how to improve your customer service.

10. A Think Tank - You will have a larger number of people to bounce ideas off of and have a sounding board to solve problems and gain new ideas to grow your business.

This article was written by Patricia Desiderio, founder and owner of Patty's Gifts and Baskets LLC, a corporate gift consulting firm. Patricia writes articles for various organizations on business topics for small lbusinesses. Contact information at: http://www.pattysgiftsandbasketsrus.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Desiderio