Friday, April 20, 2007

Increasing Your Profits is a G.I.F.T

If you want to increase you business profits, you must accept your GIFT formula. The Formula: Combine Growing your “real” market with Investing in new product lines and by Freeing your revenue growth through pricing tactics along with Transforming your profit margins through expense and process changes.

Growing Your Real Market

Growing your “real” market starts by analyzing which clients your products have satisfied. Which are your best selling products? The only facts you have to forecast forward are your past orders. It’s amazing how infrequently small business people ignore their history even though they already have all the pertinent data in their sales, billing and service records.

“In our video business, my wife only purchased those movie genres which our customers would rent. One of my teenage employees helped me analyze the types of movies our customers were renting and which were barely breaking even. Using the results of our study, we increased our children’s titles and our ‘ horror flick’ inventory. Those are genres I don’t watch, but my customers did.”

Invest in New Product Lines

Where is your industry going? If you Invest in new product lines by focusing on the “future” rather than “now” you will be ahead of the curve. It is very easy to stay in your comfort zone, especially if you have competition. You are good at what you do but how can you move up? What can you offer to make your business standout in the crowd?

“Cheryl owned a towing and recovery company and she, like any other business owner, saw that her revenues were flat. Other towing businesses waited for the same “phone calls”, to help stranded vehicles, as she did, Intuitively she knew she needed more business than the work supplied from the local police departments and car dealerships.

I recommended she become a “Minority Supplier” and attempt to “contract” with large companies. We got responses from AT&T, J&J & UPS and several others; UPS became a client.”

Freeing Your Revenue Growth Through Your Pricing

Freeing your revenue growth through pricing tactics will help you grow your revenues. Most businesses in competitive markets are forced into charging what the competition charges. “Profits” can only be increased by eliminating costs. But I have a different question: Are you charging enough for your product or service? Many times businesses can increase prices on their existing and new product lines because they have demonstrated how superior their products are.

“Mary made and sold dolls as a "crafter" and charged what she thought the doll was worth, given her skills ( which she took for granted) and the cost of the materials and the market she targeted hr price, about $25.00 to $40.00 per doll.

After some’ pricing’ consultation,, Mary realized that she really fashioned “collectible dolls” using antique fabrics and using her artistic talents to create a unique product. She then targeting those collectors who sought uniquely crafted dolls created out of antique materials. One of her dolls sold for $1200. “ Freeing” her revenue growth.”

Transforming Your Profit Margins

Transform your profit margins through expense controls and process changes. There are ALWAYS expense savings and process efficiencies available within the framework of your business. The information/data is captured in your procedures, your accounting system, your customer database and your marketing and sales reports. If you don’t like crunching numbers, get someone to take a look. Use this data to change your procedures, manage expenses and increase your profits.

Jack in Florida owned a paper products ( napkins, place mats, paper plates) distribution company. He competed directly with two very large companies in the Fort Lauderdale area. His business demand had decreased over the past six months. The sales force seemed to be working, however, he was losing customers and profits started to drop.

Jack decided to visit his existing clients along with one of his salesman. At first the salesman balked at the “boss” wanting to go out on his route, but he finally agreed. They visited existing clients and others whom he had “lost”.

In two days Jack booked several new orders and retrieved one of his lost accounts. He realized he should be out “selling” and so, he hired his wife, who had been an executive secretary before they were married, to manage the office. He changed his process, reversed his profit drop.

Do you want to increase your profits?

Increasing Your Profits is a G.I.F.T.!! Your business profit will increase by combining G + I + F + T. Accept your GIFT!!
If you want to increase you business profits, you must accept your GIFT formula. The Formula: Combine Growing your “real” market with Investing in new product lines and by Freeing your revenue growth through pricing tactics along with Transforming your profit margins through expense and process changes.

Growing Your Real Market

Growing your “real” market starts by analyzing which clients your products have satisfied. Which are your best selling products? The only facts you have to forecast forward are your past orders. It’s amazing how infrequently small business people ignore their history even though they already have all the pertinent data in their sales, billing and service records.

“In our video business, my wife only purchased those movie genres which our customers would rent. One of my teenage employees helped me analyze the types of movies our customers were renting and which were barely breaking even. Using the results of our study, we increased our children’s titles and our ‘ horror flick’ inventory. Those are genres I don’t watch, but my customers did.”

Invest in New Product Lines

Where is your industry going? If you Invest in new product lines by focusing on the “future” rather than “now” you will be ahead of the curve. It is very easy to stay in your comfort zone, especially if you have competition. You are good at what you do but how can you move up? What can you offer to make your business standout in the crowd?

“Cheryl owned a towing and recovery company and she, like any other business owner, saw that her revenues were flat. Other towing businesses waited for the same “phone calls”, to help stranded vehicles, as she did, Intuitively she knew she needed more business than the work supplied from the local police departments and car dealerships.

I recommended she become a “Minority Supplier” and attempt to “contract” with large companies. We got responses from AT&T, J&J & UPS and several others; UPS became a client.”

Freeing Your Revenue Growth Through Your Pricing

Freeing your revenue growth through pricing tactics will help you grow your revenues. Most businesses in competitive markets are forced into charging what the competition charges. “Profits” can only be increased by eliminating costs. But I have a different question: Are you charging enough for your product or service? Many times businesses can increase prices on their existing and new product lines because they have demonstrated how superior their products are.

“Mary made and sold dolls as a "crafter" and charged what she thought the doll was worth, given her skills ( which she took for granted) and the cost of the materials and the market she targeted hr price, about $25.00 to $40.00 per doll.

After some’ pricing’ consultation,, Mary realized that she really fashioned “collectible dolls” using antique fabrics and using her artistic talents to create a unique product. She then targeting those collectors who sought uniquely crafted dolls created out of antique materials. One of her dolls sold for $1200. “ Freeing” her revenue growth.”

Transforming Your Profit Margins

Transform your profit margins through expense controls and process changes. There are ALWAYS expense savings and process efficiencies available within the framework of your business. The information/data is captured in your procedures, your accounting system, your customer database and your marketing and sales reports. If you don’t like crunching numbers, get someone to take a look. Use this data to change your procedures, manage expenses and increase your profits.

Jack in Florida owned a paper products ( napkins, place mats, paper plates) distribution company. He competed directly with two very large companies in the Fort Lauderdale area. His business demand had decreased over the past six months. The sales force seemed to be working, however, he was losing customers and profits started to drop.

Jack decided to visit his existing clients along with one of his salesman. At first the salesman balked at the “boss” wanting to go out on his route, but he finally agreed. They visited existing clients and others whom he had “lost”.

In two days Jack booked several new orders and retrieved one of his lost accounts. He realized he should be out “selling” and so, he hired his wife, who had been an executive secretary before they were married, to manage the office. He changed his process, reversed his profit drop.

Do you want to increase your profits?

Increasing Your Profits is a G.I.F.T.!! Your business profit will increase by combining G + I + F + T. Accept your GIFT!!