Time for Positive Thinking

It would be the easiest thing in the world for the small business owner to believe everything they read or hear in the press, and be convinced that we are heading for some horrific double-dip recession. 

This way of thinking has got to stop.

If you look behind the stories, or take the time to discover the positive approaches being taken by organisations across the UK, in spite of the doom-laden perspective taken by the media, then you will see that we are in a position to launch this decade of the entrepreneur!

In the past fortnight, I have seen the positive results of thinking outside the box, and looking for the opportunities out there:

Vince Moran, Chief Operating Officer views the abolition of his quango, British Waterways as "great news" and he views the long-term future of the organisation, with new charitable status as "fantastic".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11541497

Staff at a hospital in Hampshire have been actively involved in looking for ways to save money within their departments, and the creative thinking has already cut overheads by not inconsiderable amounts:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-11540473

So, how can the small business make the most of the opportunities that do exist?

1. Think about where you are spending money, and if you cannot see a return on your investment, think again;

2. Don't stop marketing. It has always been said that you need to market your way out of a recession, and never a truer word has been said. This does not mean that you have to increase your marketing spend. On the contrary, as I said above, be creative. Just because you have always advertised in the Yellow Pages, ask yourself if you are really getting business as a result. Try something new: is your website really working for you? Does it collect data, or really sell your products and services? Could you generate additional income by selling products online? Are you in touch with your existing customers often enough, and are they remaining loyal to you in a financial climate where it pays to shop around?

3. Network. Go back to basic principles of providing excellent customer service. Social Media is the perfect way to do this online, without the need for you to leave your office! Listen to what potential clients and customers want from businesses like yours, react and then let them know what you do. Share your successes, talk about your business and offer help where it is requested. If you have not started to embrace Social Media and the many routes to market it offers, then you are missing out!

Little things can make all the difference.  Above all, please BE POSITIVE. Ignore the negative news. We all know that the country has no money, there are uncertainties and we will all have to be watch the pennies, but let us for once believe in our collective futures. As small business owners, we all started up with a belief in our products and services. We just need to share those beliefs, have the strength of our own convictions and get our message out there in front of our clients and customers.

Argent Ram Media provide a range of multi-media marketing solutions for small, medium and large businesses and companies. Please contact us for further information - 0845 009 5396.

http://www.argentrammedia.com/

ian@argentrammedia.com