| David Cassidy |
The Business Expansion and Retention Projects final presentation of the Helper marketing seminar was conducted on May 23 for local business owners.
Several local business owners were able to take advantage of this educational opportunity.
Subjects that were covered and discussed include:
•Financial tools
•Growth Models
•Web as a tool
•Sources for help
•Inventory control
The seminar is in place to help business owners build a successful, profitable and stable business plan. By making owners aware that a clear vision of how to approach the market is essential to having success within the current business climate.
According to seminar literature, a good positioning statement such as ” 7-up the uncola” can significantly impact total sales. A single, clear, concise statement which tells the costumer or client specifically “what’s in it for them.”
Using the Internet can be an invaluable source for advertisement and sales.
Having a web page can help reach prospective clients and help expand business beyond the local business area.
The cost of building a website is minimal when compared to the profitable impact it can have for total business sales.
According to the presentation, a business owner has several options on how to go about building a website, from professional technicians to college students training in the business or computer graphics field.
Either way the net is an effective and affordable way to boost business profits.
The seminar stresses that owners should set a budget for their marketing department and any related expenditures. Keeping updated budget records and financial records is critical.
Cash flow planning is also a very important part of planning for success.
Literature indicates business owners will need to look at things such as: the dates for expected payments; dates payments are due; calculate available funds and identify cash flow gaps so as to avoid any payment delays or problems.
According to research presented, one of the main causes of small business failure is not keeping accurate financial statements current. Owners need to always have a financial statement for all sales and profits. Whether using cash register tape or receipts, a business must have daily profits recorded in a financial log or journal.
BEAR partners plan on continuing education such as the series of marketing classes in Helper.
It is their mission to expand and retain business within the local economy.