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| Original Message Added : 16 Oct 2008 I'm trying to get into the insurance repair side of things but I'm finding it difficult to get a contact to pass on my details to. I also have an idea about teaching my trade to people who are self building. Any help would be appreciated.
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| Reply : 18 Oct 2008 I ask because I don't have any names to pass on to you and, really, getting a contact in insurance or anywhere else really boils down to who you know. If you are a member of a business networking organisation, do you know who the connector(s) is in the group? Connectors really like knowing lots of peole (to a fault some times!) and they are only too pleased to show this off to people asking them if they know a person does X! If the local connector doesn't know who to speak to, he probably knows someone who knows. If you aren't a member of a business networking organisation, then I do recommend joining one. Membership will give you access not necessarily to clients, but to people who know clients. I appreciate your business is well established and you have built up a good reputation and I certainly recommend asking clients and exclients for referrals. But if you're essentially moving into the business to business market (by working with insurance companies), you need a different set of friends. On teaching plastering: I recommend the much underrated Business Link. They should be able to give you advice, particularly around whether you or your course need accreditation and, if so, what. Once you're sorted out with them, they could become a source of leads as businesses needing training often go to them for suppliers. I doubt this applies to individuals self building, but here an appropriate Google search (eg on "self build skills") should generate lots of avenues of research. You may not be aware that the government has launched the Skills pledge, an initiative designed to persuade employers to train their staff. I really can't give you precise information about how this might apply to your business (I'm still finding out how it applies to mine!) but it's worth raising if you meet Business Link. |
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| Reply : 19 Oct 2008 Their Knowledge. Their Guidance and support. Their TIME (i.e. them to do the job for them.) Chances are 90-100% of your revenue is coming from only 1/3rd of your business. (Exchanging your time for money.) You need to investigate monetising or productising your knowledge. You've been a master of your craft for a long time. You know all the tricks of the trade. You know all the best ways to do things and things to avoid. PEOPLE WILL PAY YOU TO LEARN THESE THINGS. You could write a book, ebook. Produce an audio, video or audio podcast. A CD or DVD You can sell these via your website, or give them as "closing tools", "thankyous" or "openers" to get in the doors of businesses you want to work with. The Governments National Procurement Strategy is trying to encourage more small SMEs to do more business with their local authority, get on approved suppliers lists, and bid for tenders. Do not proclude yourself from these opportunities as many of your competitors already do. You are not too small. The government legislation is changing to help small businesses like you WIN BIGGER BUSINESS. Think about which local authority or public sector approved supplier lists you can put your self on. Hope that helps. Regards Fraser |
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.jpg&maxW=50&maxH=50&action=crop "Fraser J. Hay")
