The Small Business Think Tank

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Comment by Lindy Asimus on December 16, 2009 at 12:43pm

I'd love to see some "how-to" info on how to approach those design issues Kent. It really does make a difference to have an appealing and dynamic image associated with a business, but we don't always know how to achieve that.

I'm doing the Meetups thing too and enjoying the quality face time. What's a sellsheet?

Comment by kent on December 16, 2009 at 3:58am

Larger accounts have been cooling this year on new creative & marketing projects... the upside are our new clients and small business roll-outs.

Recent projects include Logo Design, Product Brochures, Direct Marketing [large postcards] Web Content/optimization, Newsletter Design [constant contact], Trade Advertising and Banner Ad designs.

We have also increased our focus on social marketing practices, predominantly on a local basis with added MeetUps and Sellsheets for quality face time.

And don't forget to check your Junk folder regularly...I have found prospect nuggets that would have otherwise gone unnoticed!

Comment by Alexander Pairin Kitingan on December 12, 2009 at 11:03am

continue to focus on executing the plans and keep moving forward with progress. each phase is providing better and better platform from which to market more effectively. the main thing is keeping the focus and whittling down the number of hanging projects to focus on the main ones that will drive me through the next phases. leverage is key.

Comment by John James O'Brien on December 12, 2009 at 6:08am

This year (and the latter part of 2008 re the financial crisis) has been an "annus horribilis" to lift a quote from our Queen. Two contracts that would have taken us from start-up to made it were vested with US-based companies. One had offices in seven countries, the other 13 locations in the Shanghai region alone...and we were "in". When the money vanished, so did the contracts and for a two person specialist consultancy, that's a nightmare. Adding to the mix, four operations on my eyes (with the dubious pleasure of experiencing public and private health care in three countries) and an inability to exercise, read much (= work) and the result is a LOT of reflection.

At this point, I have just re-patriated to Canada after seven years abroad with intent to remain active internationally, but without the extraordinary cost of maintaining bases in two Asian cities. I'll focus more on delivering services online and shift to SMEs and individuals instead of bigger firms where we typically compete with the Big 5 - never easy for a small outfit. I'll write the book that is a year behind schedule. I'll savour what remains, and try to put what is lost behind me. Also, I'll give more attention to my other business, possibly expanding that in ways that allow me to use my creative side more overtly. I'm already making more time to stop and enjoy the moment...and glad for that. I recommend it to all - but without the kick in the pants to get there!

Comment by Ayesha on December 12, 2009 at 2:19am

Business has been up & down, but I think things are looking up for next year. I've got a new marketing plan that I will be implementing shortly, which should generate some business. I also plan on collaborating with another business that will be mutually beneficial. All I know is that I will keep plugging on to be successful!

Comment by Cheryl Baumgartner CITRMS on December 12, 2009 at 1:24am

I am swamped working with a business partner on an account. We have to wade through 1000 potential clients. A lot of work but it's worth it. Of course all the new laws are driving this spike.

Comment by Howard Larson on December 12, 2009 at 12:44am

been an up and down year but closeing on a very positive note. I think I am closing on a major account that could in and of it self really double the size or the telemarketing side of my business and that is coming directly from facebook, with an old hish school friend reconecting after 30 some years. He now owns a printing company with 3 locations across the US.

Comment by Ashish Belagali on December 11, 2009 at 10:31pm

True... I've been missing the activity as well.

The year made me feel like I am in a university. It started with a hard lesson on how it feels when a customer vanishes without paying for work already done and a good payment stuck.

At the end of the lesson, there was a test too -- the test was about whether we stand in the face of adverse situation or lose nerve.

As per the grading system here, they never give out the grades; but we seem to have done well, given that rewards followed the test in the form of old customers returning with new projects and so on.

Now we have been handed over another course in the curriculum -- do we have what it takes to scale up quickly? I am working hard for that. Wish us luck!

Comment by Lindy Asimus on December 11, 2009 at 9:16pm

Okay long time since we saw some activity in this group. Time for a roll call.

What are you up to? Fill us in with your year so far. Let's see where we can make some DRAMATIC improvements for the year to come!

Comment by Lindy Asimus on October 6, 2009 at 2:52am

And remember - If you are on Twitter or Facebook, visit the groups for that and add your listing details so we can follow you.

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