A Reminder....

I feel sure that most businesses in the UK found the last quarter pretty heavy going. With reference to the playwright Jim Cartwright, the first three months of the year was a little like walking through raw meat in high heels.

Today's GDP figures show that the UK's economy grew by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2011, avoiding the so-called double-dip recession. That, in spite of the dreadful December weather and the anticipated dread of financial cut-backs.

The Chancellor is still exercising caution, and warns that "we are not out of the woods yet".

Now seems a good time, therefore, to remind you that we have a few schemes and events aimed at helping the small business to look forward with optimism and make the most of any market activity.

Free Marketing Review

We are offering any small business a free review of their current marketing activity. All you need to do is complete a short questionnaire, and we will provide a report that gives a n objective overview of your current marketing activity and makes suggestions and recommendations for other activities that may wish to try or improve. No catch here; simply a third-party look at what you are doing and what you could improve without wasting money.

The questionnaire can be found at http://www.argentrammedia.com/questionnaire

One-to-One Start-Up Consultation

From a logistical persepctive, we can only provide this free service to Kent-based businesses.

You may have a really good idea for a new business, and be very good at what you do, but very few would-be entrepreneurs have all the experience and confidence they need to get up and running. We have been there, and we know what is expected and what needs to be done.

Whilst there are some very good sources of advice, such as Business Link, sometimes it helps for an individual to sit down and get some personal, impartial advice that takes into account all the skills and shortcomings of each individual. We know that you can't be great at everything, and we aim to guide you through some of the pitfalls.

Simply give us a call, and we will arrange a free 30 minute face-to-face chat that should give you more confidence and some additional knowledge to get you up and running.

Call Lorraine Baker on 01580 761000.

Marketing in a Difficult Economy - Seminar

On Wednesday 18th May, we are holding a seminar in the beautiful surroundings of the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent.

The seminar runs from 09:00 - 11:00, and is aimed at any small business who wants to ensure that they are getting the best out of their marketing activities. Marketing has changed dramatically in recent months, as the emphasis is very much on in-bound activities rather than the traditional, interruptive methods such as telesales/telemarketing, email blasts and mailshots. Engagement, customer-service and customer loyalty are top of the tree, and you need to explore the many new ways of ensuring that your marketing messages get seen by the right people. Without accepting that marketing strategy is changing forever, you run the risk of having your market share pared down to critical levels.

There is a charge for the seminar of £15.00 + VAT per head, and this includes breakfast. Two speakers will present their insights into cost-effective new marketing methods that could make the difference between your company success or failure.

For booking information, please contact Lorraine on 01580 761000 or email lorraine@argenttrammedia.com