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Casual Articles - The Home Field Advantage
Let’s face it; leads are the lifeblood of any business. Without them, any business struggles and will eventually withers away. For this reason, it’s vitally important that your business have a system in place for capturing leads on a consistent basis.Now, there are many ways to go about acquiring leads and millions upon millions of dollars are spent annually in the hopes of doing just that. Unfortunately, many of those millions of dollars are being wasted on inefficient and ineffective lead generation methods.As a small business, every resource is valuable. This means you don’t have the luxury of wasting even a single dollar on ineffective methods of generating qualified leads. So how do you go about determining what’s effective and what’s a waste?Here are 5 critical elements to remember when creating your lead generation systems. Include these elements and you’re certain to have a system that consistently generates quality leads efficiently and effectively. 1. Don’t Waste Any BulletsThis is the most common as well as the most costly mistake made by most businesses. You see, a large majority of businesses spend their marketing dollars on things such as yellow pages ads, newspaper ads, radio spots, or other mass media methods.The problem with these methods is that for the cost per lead is so high because they use a shotgun approach in trying to reach your target market. While they do have a high ‘circulation’ number, the majority are not at all interested or qualified in what you have to offer.A better use of those marketing dollars would be to invest in creating a highly targeted mailing list and direct mail campaign that you’re certain will be sent to prospects that are both interested and qualified to purchase what you have to offer. That way you know your spending dollars on ONLY those that could potentially be
Given disconnect between local development groups and their customers, it’s not surprising that some site selectors may shortchange the retention factor. Like Dangerfield’s signature complaint, retention doesn’t get any respect – and it may be undervalued as a competitive factor in the site selection process.
The Signs of Business Retention Supportive Community
So, how can you determine if a community is serious about the business of business retention? One indicator is the status of the retention program. Retention s
Warehouse management is the technique of supervising the receiving, handling, storing, moving, packaging, and distributing of materials in and around the warehouse. They deal in finished goods and involve functions such as cross-reference lists and warehouse master records. On the other hand, there are other tasks such as allocation of the goods, transfer in process, safety of stock, acquiring statistics by location, and safety of stock, also maneuvered by the warehouse management. To supervise all the above functions, a warehouse manager is appointed, who is required to record and supervise deliveries and pickups, keep an account of the tracking systems, loading and unloading supplies and other materials. Amongst all the responsibilities, distribution of necessary stock to required places at accurate times is the most important task of the warehouse manager.Warehouse managers must have appropriate knowledge of inventory measures and control, warehousing systems, material storage, unloading and loading techniques and mathematical knowledge. The warehouse management is an essential constituent and deals in effective distribution chain management system solutions. Today the term warehouse management also deals in accounting systems, transportation management, light manufacturing, and order manufacturing - apart from the traditional role of storage and delivery. Warehouse management systems (WMS) help to increase correctness by reducing the cost of labor and achieving greater ability to serve the consumers.WMS, however, does not serve greater storage capacity or inventory decrease, and may not affect leading factors such as lot sizing, demand variability, and guide times. Various developed enterprises have emerged in the field of warehouse management, which provide software for development solutions that help manufacturing and distribution industries.Various guidelines r
After a six-month national search, your firm has developed a short list of three highly competitive sites for your client’s new manufacturing facility. You’ve had helicopter tours of Greenfield sites and met with local government and economic development officials. You’ve gathered information on available workforce, historic weather patterns and school systems. You’ve been placed on the ‘rubber chicken’ circuit, treated to local cuisine as part of each community’s efforts to wine, dine and attract your client.
Each site meets the basic criteria for your client, a major multi-national food products company. While incentives for each vary, the differences are offset by the unique attributes that each community offers, making the situation basically a toss-up. So, which location do you recommend?
Before you answer, here’s one more question.
Have you considered how the community works for its business retention? If you’re wondering about the relevance of this question to an attraction project, here’s the same question expressed differently. Are you going to entrust your client to a community that places a long term value on its business base – or one that’s constantly looking for the next big win? After all, a site consultant’s reputation rests on how well the recommended community works for the client in the long run, not how good it looks on paper when the location is announced.
Business Development Strategy - Playing at Home
Sports teams know the importance of the home field advantage, especially at playoff times. Playing in familiar confines in front of a friendly, supportive crowd can be the difference between a win and a loss – and even a championship season.
The home field advantage is not limited to sports. It is relevant to the site selection process, especially in a competitive global economy where every advantage, large or small, is important. How a community treats the businesses already located there could be a harbinger of things to come for your client. When a location is finally selected and the decision announced local government and economic development leaders will be your client’s best friend during these exciting early days of the relationship. Their eager-to-please attitude reflects your client’s status as the new kid in town.
Now, let’s fast forward three years. What happens when the excitement dies down? When there’s a bigger, newer kid in town? Or when global conditions present unforeseen challenges for your client? Will local government and economic development leaders be as supportive as they once were? Or, have they focused their energies on attraction prospects, virtually ignoring the companies already in town?
These are questions relevant to the site selection process. These are questions that impact the long-term satisfaction of your client with the location that you ultimately recommend.
Rodney Dangerfield and Economic Development
If you, as a site selector or corporate real estate professional, haven’t considered the ‘retention factor,’ don’t be surprised. The quiet, behind-the-scenes work to retain and grow an existing company seldom generates the headlines or top story status that an attraction prospect does. It’s nitty-gritty, in-the-trenches economic development work, usually not very visible, appreciated or valued – but entirely necessary.
For just these reasons, Randy Welker, the business retention manager for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, characterizes business retention as the ‘Rodney Dangerfield’ of economic development when compared to other economic development activities.
While colorful, the description has more than the ring of truth to it. In fact, when compared to business attraction and incubation efforts, retention is often overlooked in many communities. According to research conducted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), economic development professionals claim to focus primarily on business retention in their daily activities. Yet, other studies of private sector firms reveal that local companies perceive recruitment – not retention – as the primary function of local economic development groups.
Business Retention and Business Development in the Eyes of Expert
As Phil Phillips, Manager of Business Retention and Expansion for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce puts it “Retention is priority #1 in any economic development organization’s mission statement, but often slips to #2 in their work plan and virtually disappears in day to day agency activities. This is a classic case of the ‘urgent’ forcing out the ‘important’. We have all had site selectors demand reams of information from us on nearly impossible timetables. What economic developer has ever had an existing business call to demand the developer come out to do an existing business survey IMMEDIATELY?”
Given disconnect between local development groups and their customers, it’s not surprising that some site selectors may shortchange the retention factor. Like Dangerfield’s signature complaint, retention doesn’t get any respect – and it may be undervalued as a competitive factor in the site selection process.
The Signs of Business Retention Supportive Community
So, how can you determine if a community is serious about the business of business retention? One indicator is the status of the retention program. Retention s
As a consultant, I’m always trying to find ways to provide better service to my clients along with delivering more value for what they pay me. Whether it is a little piece of advice that helps in an area on the periphery of the services I provide or connecting a client with a resource totally unrelated, the focus is always on giving the customer what they need. That got me to thinking about what the customer could do in return to ensure a win-win relationship with consultants or any service provider.Here are five unquestionable ways to becoming a great client:Pay Your Bill on Time Admittedly, this is overstating the obvious, but it’s no fun for service providers to have to chase down payment for services rendered. If you deliver a product or service on time and to spec, you expect to get paid on time, right? Why would you want to make someone do something you wouldn’t do yourself? Paying your bill on time eliminates stress for both parties so do both parties a favor by being on time with your payments.Don’t Question Methodologies When you walk into a restaurant, you typically do so with the expectation of receiving quality food cooked appropriately. It’s doubtful that you question the methodologies for preparing your order. The same concept applies to consultants and service providers. If you seek outside assistance, let those professionals do what they do best. After-all, that’s what you hired them to do isn’t it?Listen to Your Consultant’s Advice Consultants wear many different hats and stay up to date on many aspects of business which qualifies them to solve many problems. If you seek advice, have the guts to really listen versus dismissing it as inapplicable to your particular situation. You might just solve a problem or improve things more rapidly along with deepening a relationship in the process.O
Business Development Strategy - Playing at Home
Sports teams know the importance of the home field advantage, especially at playoff times. Playing in familiar confines in front of a friendly, supportive crowd can be the difference between a win and a loss – and even a championship season.
The home field advantage is not limited to sports. It is relevant to the site selection process, especially in a competitive global economy where every advantage, large or small, is important. How a community treats the businesses already located there could be a harbinger of things to come for your client. When a location is finally selected and the decision announced local government and economic development leaders will be your client’s best friend during these exciting early days of the relationship. Their eager-to-please attitude reflects your client’s status as the new kid in town.
Now, let’s fast forward three years. What happens when the excitement dies down? When there’s a bigger, newer kid in town? Or when global conditions present unforeseen challenges for your client? Will local government and economic development leaders be as supportive as they once were? Or, have they focused their energies on attraction prospects, virtually ignoring the companies already in town?
These are questions relevant to the site selection process. These are questions that impact the long-term satisfaction of your client with the location that you ultimately recommend.
Rodney Dangerfield and Economic Development
If you, as a site selector or corporate real estate professional, haven’t considered the ‘retention factor,’ don’t be surprised. The quiet, behind-the-scenes work to retain and grow an existing company seldom generates the headlines or top story status that an attraction prospect does. It’s nitty-gritty, in-the-trenches economic development work, usually not very visible, appreciated or valued – but entirely necessary.
For just these reasons, Randy Welker, the business retention manager for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, characterizes business retention as the ‘Rodney Dangerfield’ of economic development when compared to other economic development activities.
While colorful, the description has more than the ring of truth to it. In fact, when compared to business attraction and incubation efforts, retention is often overlooked in many communities. According to research conducted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), economic development professionals claim to focus primarily on business retention in their daily activities. Yet, other studies of private sector firms reveal that local companies perceive recruitment – not retention – as the primary function of local economic development groups.
Business Retention and Business Development in the Eyes of Expert
As Phil Phillips, Manager of Business Retention and Expansion for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce puts it “Retention is priority #1 in any economic development organization’s mission statement, but often slips to #2 in their work plan and virtually disappears in day to day agency activities. This is a classic case of the ‘urgent’ forcing out the ‘important’. We have all had site selectors demand reams of information from us on nearly impossible timetables. What economic developer has ever had an existing business call to demand the developer come out to do an existing business survey IMMEDIATELY?”
Given disconnect between local development groups and their customers, it’s not surprising that some site selectors may shortchange the retention factor. Like Dangerfield’s signature complaint, retention doesn’t get any respect – and it may be undervalued as a competitive factor in the site selection process.
The Signs of Business Retention Supportive Community
So, how can you determine if a community is serious about the business of business retention? One indicator is the status of the retention program. Retention s
IntroductionThe state of Gujarat in India, popularly known as the ‘Manchester Of the East’, has a rich heritage of textile crafts. The arid region of Kutchh is the richest in the state in terms of cultural heritage. However, there are several other parts of the state which specialize in some form of textile craft or the other. In this article, we have outlined some of the traditional textile crafts of this beautiful state and have attempted to analyze the scope of these crafts.BandhniThe craft of ‘Tie & Dye’, typically known as ‘Bandhni’ or ‘Bandhej’ in Gujarat is practiced in several areas of the state. The term ‘Bandhni’ is derived from the Hindi word ‘Bandhan’, this means ‘tying’. Bandhni from Jamnagar, Anjar and Bhuj are particularly renowned. The Bandhnis from these areas differ from those of other regions in terms of designs and craftsmanship. In Jamnagar, Bandhni work is done on a special type of silky material. Initially, Bandhni work was done only on sarees. Later on, Bandhni salwar kameezes began to be produced. Nowadays, there are many items available in Bandhni, ranging from blouses and scarves to bedsheets and ties. Usually, Bandhni is done in bright colors such as red, green and black. Handmade colors were used earlier; but the scenario has changed now. The traditional patterns used in Bandhnis are dots, squares, waves and stripes. Bandhni is generally done on cotton, silk or satin material. The communities of Muslim Khatris in Kutchh have been doing Bandhni work since generations.View Full Article
Now, let’s fast forward three years. What happens when the excitement dies down? When there’s a bigger, newer kid in town? Or when global conditions present unforeseen challenges for your client? Will local government and economic development leaders be as supportive as they once were? Or, have they focused their energies on attraction prospects, virtually ignoring the companies already in town?
These are questions relevant to the site selection process. These are questions that impact the long-term satisfaction of your client with the location that you ultimately recommend.
Rodney Dangerfield and Economic Development
If you, as a site selector or corporate real estate professional, haven’t considered the ‘retention factor,’ don’t be surprised. The quiet, behind-the-scenes work to retain and grow an existing company seldom generates the headlines or top story status that an attraction prospect does. It’s nitty-gritty, in-the-trenches economic development work, usually not very visible, appreciated or valued – but entirely necessary.
For just these reasons, Randy Welker, the business retention manager for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, characterizes business retention as the ‘Rodney Dangerfield’ of economic development when compared to other economic development activities.
While colorful, the description has more than the ring of truth to it. In fact, when compared to business attraction and incubation efforts, retention is often overlooked in many communities. According to research conducted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), economic development professionals claim to focus primarily on business retention in their daily activities. Yet, other studies of private sector firms reveal that local companies perceive recruitment – not retention – as the primary function of local economic development groups.
Business Retention and Business Development in the Eyes of Expert
As Phil Phillips, Manager of Business Retention and Expansion for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce puts it “Retention is priority #1 in any economic development organization’s mission statement, but often slips to #2 in their work plan and virtually disappears in day to day agency activities. This is a classic case of the ‘urgent’ forcing out the ‘important’. We have all had site selectors demand reams of information from us on nearly impossible timetables. What economic developer has ever had an existing business call to demand the developer come out to do an existing business survey IMMEDIATELY?”
Given disconnect between local development groups and their customers, it’s not surprising that some site selectors may shortchange the retention factor. Like Dangerfield’s signature complaint, retention doesn’t get any respect – and it may be undervalued as a competitive factor in the site selection process.
The Signs of Business Retention Supportive Community
So, how can you determine if a community is serious about the business of business retention? One indicator is the status of the retention program. Retention s
As an international centre of business, the City of London hosts countless business events and conventions at any given time of the year. Moreover, many UK and worldwide business’ headquarters are based in London, prompting routine and special business meetings to take place in the city. Consequently, the city of London is well practiced at catering to the business industry and providing its fleeting business commuters with the best accommodation and business facilities available.Certainly, one thing that London's business travellers will never have trouble finding is suitable accommodation. And whilst hotels which cater specifically to business travellers can be found all across the city, an increasing number of these travellers are choosing to stay in London's various airport hotels - and with good reason, as there are various benefits to staying in an airport hotel while on your business trip to London.For instance, on arriving in London, you won’t have to endure another leg of your journey in an effort to wade through the hectic London traffic to reach your hotel. Moreover, airport hotels usually have shuttle services from the airport, so you and your luggage can be comfortably and conveniently transported to your accommodation. And on departing from London, you won’t have to withstand any rush to make your flight, because you’ll be right around the corner from the airport. In addition, because so many business travellers already stay in airport hotels, they are particularly well equipped to cater to both business individuals and parties. For example, conference rooms and a frequent shuttle service to the city's business districts are usually offered. However, London's airport hotels are also fully equipped with parking and car hire contacts - so you can choose to rent a car and commute to the city centre instead.If you frequently travel to London on business, why
For just these reasons, Randy Welker, the business retention manager for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, characterizes business retention as the ‘Rodney Dangerfield’ of economic development when compared to other economic development activities.
While colorful, the description has more than the ring of truth to it. In fact, when compared to business attraction and incubation efforts, retention is often overlooked in many communities. According to research conducted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), economic development professionals claim to focus primarily on business retention in their daily activities. Yet, other studies of private sector firms reveal that local companies perceive recruitment – not retention – as the primary function of local economic development groups.
Business Retention and Business Development in the Eyes of Expert
As Phil Phillips, Manager of Business Retention and Expansion for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce puts it “Retention is priority #1 in any economic development organization’s mission statement, but often slips to #2 in their work plan and virtually disappears in day to day agency activities. This is a classic case of the ‘urgent’ forcing out the ‘important’. We have all had site selectors demand reams of information from us on nearly impossible timetables. What economic developer has ever had an existing business call to demand the developer come out to do an existing business survey IMMEDIATELY?”
Given disconnect between local development groups and their customers, it’s not surprising that some site selectors may shortchange the retention factor. Like Dangerfield’s signature complaint, retention doesn’t get any respect – and it may be undervalued as a competitive factor in the site selection process.
The Signs of Business Retention Supportive Community
So, how can you determine if a community is serious about the business of business retention? One indicator is the status of the retention program. Retention s
If you're looking to grow your business, then a BLOG is a great tool to add to your tool chest. In this article we will discuss BLOG basics and how you can use them in your business.1. What's a BLOG?What's a BLOG you ask? Well, let me tell you. According to Wikipedia.com:A blog (short for web log) is a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order [newest entries are at the top].So, its really just an online journal or diary that is written by anyone who wants to tell the world what's on their mind. (Side note: When I say "the world" I really mean it, so be careful what you write.)Ok, so how can this help you grow your business? Great question. To understand the answer you have to know just a bit about how search engines work.2. BLOGs and Search EnginesSearch engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN and all the others use what they call "spiders." Spiders are software programs that "crawl" the internet looking for new content, and rank it based on its contents and its relevance to a certain topic. This is all done by some very complex math, but the important thing you need to know is that if you write often and/or discuss topics that are getting searched online a lot (i.e. topics in the news), the search engines will consider your site "relevant" and if you include "key words" (popular search terms) in your content, that you know your potential customers are searching for, there is a much better chance that they will actually be able to find you.So to recap, my 3 Principles of BLOGging for Search Engines are:1) Write Often 2) Write Relevant 3) Write Using Key Words3. What makes a good BLOG?This is a rhetorical question. The only thing that really matters is the opinion of the audience you are trying to reach. So here are a few tips that wi
Given disconnect between local development groups and their customers, it’s not surprising that some site selectors may shortchange the retention factor. Like Dangerfield’s signature complaint, retention doesn’t get any respect – and it may be undervalued as a competitive factor in the site selection process.
The Signs of Business Retention Supportive Community
So, how can you determine if a community is serious about the business of business retention? One indicator is the status of the retention program. Retention should not be viewed as a short-term, one-time, feel-good blitz. It should be a formal, ongoing program that is an integral part of the overall economic development strategy. It should be aggressively marketed and have a recognizable brand name such as The Team Pennsylvania Business Calling Program in the Keystone State; DC Connects in Washington D.C. and Business First! in Dayton and Montgomery County OH.
Another indicator is the type of outreach with the customer – i.e., the CEO or business owner in the community’s key industry clusters. While outreach often takes the form of phone, mail or fax surveys, programs that emphasize face-to-face dialogue with business owners take retention to a higher level. These meetings provide an opportunity for relationship building that a phone, fax or mail survey cannot provide. It permits an in-depth discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing the firm, especially if the owner is interested in available programs and resources.
Causes of Failure of Business Retention Plan
Outreach is virtually meaningless unless the community has assembled a cohesive team of service providers who are ready to respond to requests for assistance. One of the biggest failures of existing retention programs is the inability of local economic development groups to work together on behalf of the customer – whether it’s retention or recruitment. One site selector notes that he can determine the level of cooperation among local government and economic development groups within 10 minutes of arriving in a community.
The common theme of the nation’s best retention programs is that existing customers are the foundation of economic growth. This is consistent with studies that indicate up to 80% of local job growth is generated by the companies already located in the community. The best retention programs rely on human interaction to build relationships with valued customers – as demonstrated by those programs focusing on face-to-face meetings with business owners and committed, enthusiastic local development groups who work together to benefit the business community.
The best retention programs don’t wait for the phones to ring. Instead, these programs put local development officials on the street, systematically meeting with businesses on a regular basis. They strive to build relationships with CEOs, understand their challenges, seek their opinions about the business climate and link them to resources. In a nutshell, communities that value their businesses take a proactive, formal and systematic approach to business retention. These communities are ideal candidate for your clients who are looking for a competitive location today that will remain a competitive and supportive location tomorrow.
A Competitive Edge in Omaha
While many local development groups ‘talk’ retention, some communities practice it religiously. Omaha NE is one community that recognizes the distinct connection between their retention and recruitment activities.
A systematic retention program has been an integral part of the ‘Target Omaha’ economic development strategy since 1994. Each year, over 300 firms in strategic industry clusters are visited including:
• Large firms that have the most employees and set the pace for the economy.
• Basic wealth generating companies that bring dollars into the community such as
• manufacturing, distribution, and business and professional services including
• teleservices and insurance, two important local clusters.
• Fast growing firms.
• Technology-based firms.
These firms are visited by Target Omaha ‘Ambassadors” who link business owners to available resources when needed. They also take the pulse of the business climate by asking CEOs for their views and opinions on a variety of factors impacting their businesses. This gives Omaha development officials a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the local business climate and the challenges facing local firms. Officials can also measure the impact of efforts to address these issues by tracking changes in ratings over time.
The Target Omaha retention effort is led by a site selector turned economic development guru. Formerly a Vice President for The Fantus Company in Chicago, Phil Phillips has been the Manager of Business Retention and Expansion for the Greater Omaha Chamber
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