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Author Archives: Jon Stow
Networking and participation
I have been involved with referral networking groups over a number of years. Generally they have been the breakfast meeting organizations which only one member for each category of business is permitted to join. Mostly they work well and a … Continue reading
Posted in marketing, networking
Tagged breakfast networking, business networking, Participation, referrals
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Telephone blues
As some of you may remember I think it is very important that the published telephone number of any business is answered in person by a human being. I tried to contact a couple of sole trader business advisers last … Continue reading
Posted in Business planning, Customer relations, Customer service, Sales
Tagged answer, Answering machine, Customer service, sales, Telephone, Voicemail
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How to get the right result in your service purchasing
We know what we want? It is easy to think we know what we want when buying in services, but we do need to check what our supplier thinks we have asked for. After all, if we buy a new … Continue reading
Posted in Business planning, management
Tagged business plan, management, planning, project management
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Wrapped-up people
Have you noticed how some people carry on in their own little world oblivious of their surroundings. They don’t see the sights and hear the sounds around them, or rather they see and don’t observe, and they hear but don’t … Continue reading
The Water Margin guide to business
The expression “small business” has many meanings. There is no way of knowing whether we mean a business with fifty employees or just one person on her or his own. What I am going to say apples to the … Continue reading
Posted in Business planning, Customer service, Sales
Tagged cooperation, Customer service, joint venture, networking
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Content marketing – it really works!
The marketers I am not a marketing guy. I am always keen on picking up new ideas of course, but I defer to others in advising businesses on marketing, and as you know, I know a lot of people who … Continue reading
Posted in Blogging, marketing, Sales
Tagged article, Blog, Content marketing, long tail, Niche market
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We can’t micro-manage our network or you can’t please all the people
As you all know I care very much about reputation – not just mine but those who I like and think should be more careful. So as far as I am concerned, I don’t like open criticism of other individuals, … Continue reading
Posted in Blogging, Business planning, Customer relations, marketing, networking, Social media
Tagged Chris Brogan, network, reputation, Social media
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Don’t follow your dream? You can if you plan it.
I am all in favour of dreams. I have them myself. The trouble is that as a tax and business adviser, I have come across a lot of shattered dreams. Life by the sea I was reminded of … Continue reading
Posted in Business planning, Start-up
Tagged Café, planning, practical, Research, small business
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Let another brain take the strain
Are you good at everything? I’m not. I doubt many people are. Do you like having to do everything in running your business: both the creative and the mundane? Of course what is mundane to some is interesting grist to … Continue reading
Posted in Business planning, management, networking, Start-up
Tagged profit, service, small business, subcontract
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Telephone warning for start-ups and all small businesses
When we start our shiny new businesses we are eager to get all the basic services in place, and these days that includes our telephone and broadband services. Read the small print It is tempting to choose the best price … Continue reading
Posted in Business planning, Customer relations
Tagged broadband, contract, OFCOM, telecoms, Telephone, unfair
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