How do we use communication tools to communicate or stay in touch with our clients? In this morning’s networking breakfast the theme was how we are using phone, skype face to face and more to open and maintain communications with clients. A great subject, so I wanted to share my thoughts and get your feedback as well. First up this varies depending on what business you’re in, location and your business model. Over the counter and one-on-one appointments are still the foundation of many businesses, and catching up with clients and prospective clients (and peers as well) at networking events is a great way of expanding your reach in the local business area and finding reliable local suppliers. Apart from face to face meetings and networking events I receive most of my communications through:
Plus there’s
And lets not forget Google +, reply and the comments area to our Blogs and the comments or communications section on your YouTube channel if you have one. So there’s 19 different ways we can initiate or communicate with our clients and prospective clients. "If you’re only allowing one or two ways for customer’s to contact your business you’re definitely missing out on some business opportunities." Geoff Moller Here’s six tips for better communication with clients and prospective clients:
Thank you for listening. I’d love your feedback or opinion on today’s topic, if you have have a different opinion please share, I’d love to hear from you. Please feel welcome to join me on: Facebook - www.facebook.com/Geoff.Moller2 LinkedIn - http://au.linkedin.com/in/geoffmoller Twitter - www.twitter.com/GeoffMoller Skype ID: geoff.moller2
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Company A starts and builds up a successful online e-commerce store selling 'Product X' but only registers a ‘.com’ name and doesn’t bother to apply for a trademark. Company B also in the same industry in Australia creates a product called Product A, which happens to be almost exactly the same name as Company A, in other words ‘Company A’ becomes the product name of their new range of products called ‘Product A’. Company B then registers an Australian domain name (.com.au) for their new product range now called ‘Product A’ and then proceeds to sell their range of products or redirect people to their ‘Company B’ be website. Company A notices is that their sales have dropped off significantly to the point where they need to investigate what’s happening then discover Product A being sold by Company B and the fact that Company B has registered the various domain names for their new product line, Company A complains to auDA that the domain name is the same as their company name for Company A, auDA refuses to take action because the domain name is linked substantially to their new product range, or now well-established product range, company A sees a lawyer who tells them to take action against a Company B for passing themselves off as Company A promising Company A litigation is the best way to go and that they can get the offending website and product range shutdown. The problem is Company B did not pass themselves off as Company A but has a product called Product A, and therein lies the problem. If Company A had of taken the trouble to register a Trademark for their company name and products it would not be such a problem but now Company B is well established in the marketplace with their product range ‘Product A’. The story is still ongoing and it will be very expensive for both parties, I’m not involved but from what I’m seeing and although Company A has now applied for a trademark the horse has bolted, it may be too late to win the battle, but you never know. Whichever way it turns out it will be expensive. The moral of the story is if you have a brand, product or range of services that bring in your income and you want to protect it the best way to do that is to own a registered trademark around that brand, logo or business name. I’m a management consultant and primarily help people with their IP strategies and apply for Trademarks to protect their brands. Note: .au Domain Administration Ltd (auDA) is the policy authority and industry self-regulatory body for the .au domain space.
In this presentation I interview Chantelle Mader from Country Smart Business Solutions about the unique challenges of selling to country businesses. Chanelle’s business was named ‘Streetsmart Business Advisor of the Year’ in 2010! and she has spent some 22 years in the trenches helping country business owners, so she knows her stuff. Developing an impressive network of many of Australia’s top business speakers as friends, she often pulls on their expertise in helping clients with an amazing array of business problems. Country Smart’s uniqueness nationally makes it the only business education company that focuses solely on rural and regional Australia helping business owners who sell to the farming market. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I have. Some of the topics covered:
Top tips discussed:
Chantelle’s contact details: Chantelle Mader Country Smart Business Solutions http://www.countrysmartbusiness.com.au/ PO Box 4001, BUNBURY EAST WA 6230 Phone: 1300 667 153 About Geoff Moller: Geoff is a management consultant and Intellectual Property (IP) Professional working with Trademarks. geoff@geoffmoller.com David Reading has maintained an entrepreneurial career since launching the Parity Group in Sydney in 1978. He was appointed as a Divisional General Manager for Unisys Australia when it was formed in 1986. David began his career studying mechanical engineering at Kings College London and started his business life working on IBM Mini computers (well not so mini really), before emigrating to Australia in 1973. His business became only the second company in Australia to offer contract labour to the computer industry quickly building to 150 contractors. The company participated in the 1983 launch of the IBM personal computer in Australia, becoming the largest supplier in NSW before expanding to all State capitals and employing 160 staff. Riding the technology wave David survived the DOT COM crash and shares the importance of embracing change and changing business models when necessary. Best Lessons from David’s past
Top Tips Say NO more often
Constantly explore opportunities for change
Have a business that is operating in a growth market
Be wary of Cost Reduction to build profit
Never run out of money
Operate to a 90 day planning cycle
David's contact details: David Reading Mobile: 0411 608 517 Email: david@teamsunshine.com.au http://teamsunshine.com.au/ About Geoff Moller: Geoff is a management consultant, business adviser, and a trademarks and IP professional. geoff@geoffmoller.com |
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Management Consulting, Business Strategist, Trademarks and IP. Archives
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