how is everyones business coping with the recession? moral support thread

Lindseyf584

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

what type of business are you in ? maybe we can help... long shot i know, but you never know..

Hi Cooltrikerchick,

I am a commercial manager by trade so in general terms I write, negotiate and manage contracts can also deal with any procurement/sub-contracts.

Background is mostly defence and SC cleared stuff but also have lots of experience in IT and Telecoms.

Not sure people really need many contracts writing at the moment!

Also I don't think it is really the sort of business that can be easily marketed.

Happy for any suggestions

mamamoi

Hi There,

Have been reading this thread with interest and have got a few good tips about advertising our new SB, thank you! we are just in the (slow) process of starting up an alternative therapy business... me offering hypnobirthing courses and hubby offering hypnotherapy, NLP, life coaching, counselling etc. This is a side line to my hubbys full time job and part time uni and I'm on Maternity leave with 2 young kiddies at home so we don't have a huge amount of time to dedicate at the moment although we are doing what we can. Fortunately though, we do not have to rely on any income from the business as it is just a side line for now.

I have designed some posters and have been printing them at home to start with, but am finding that not many places have public notice boards anymore! Have tried drs surgeries, local library, health food shops, kiddies play places, sure start centres, antenatal clinic, and community centres. Any other suggestions?

I want to get some flyers printed up as a couple of the places I've failed to put up posters with have said that they will display leaflets for me. I have heard about free flyers on vistaprint as I have had a look around their site and can't see anything about this at the moment? I see the business cards etc but no flyers.

We are working on the website at the moment and i have checked out yell.com and gumtree etc. Will welcome any advice on other marketing ideas!

Thank you in advance!

Marg

I work in the packaging business and it is very hard because we 'the UK' aren't making 'things' any more so they don't need them packaged IYSWIM.

Every year, about this time, we've had at least one company 'go bust' on us but this last year we've had several during the year! So much so, that we are almost scared to give credit to anyone - even long standing well known compainies are going under.

It's not easy to chase for money when, if you give them a hard time over their debt to you, they may not buy again.....but Kez100 you really do need to get your customers pay you promptly otherwise you are just lending them money.

The constant press reports of how bad things are are making all the small businesses I deal with very nervous and the big ones are dragging their heels when payment is due. So we just plod on.......

thebaldwindowfitter

in regards to yell.com free business listing yesterday we recieved a letter from them asking us to ring customer services if we wanted a free listing in the new book for our area that was about to come out .this means free listing on yell.com plus free one line entry in yellow pages so more company exposure

STRESSED

Like So Many Of You I Am Struggling To Make A Living,45% Of Our Business Is Surplying Furniture & Wall Art To Show Homes So The Down Turn In The Building Trade Affects All Retail ,as A Small Retailer We Get No Help At All , In Our Area Alone 28 Small Business Havr Gone Under ,but We Are Still Trading

Marg

Stressed - Hope you are exploring your other markets? I often think how nice it would be if my house looked like a show home. I'm sure I'm not alone & some people will want to cheer themselves up now with new furniture & pictures so ADVERTISE on this basis. If you're only getting 1% return you may as well spend some & enjoy it.

heatherbelle_3

Some great ideas here
I run a children's party business and I have just been straightening up the accounts and I can see a definite difference from september onwards as per normal.
I need to step up my game and actively seek business now! Normally I have to turn people away as we are so booked! Feb is looking to be quiet but I had an ok Jan so I can see myself through easy enough. I need to use this quiet time though to publicise for March and beyond!

I have flyers I can give out so I plan to do this locally - I actually find it hard to get local business - normally further afield.
I want to send posters/flyers to church halls, community halls etc to put up on their noticeboards.
I need to redo all internet advertising - it has been a year so I need to keep it fresh

Any other ideas?

ccpd83

Ive recently been made redundant :-( from my dream job. Ive decided to try and start my own business, even in todays difficult climate.

I feel like ive got bi-polar.. some days im hyper and get loads done... and then others realisation sets in as to the amount of wok needed to set up your own company.

I dont feel sad abot loosing my job, in todays climate its happening to a lot of people and I kind of feel less guilty - if that makes sense. Despite having bills to pay, student loans to repay.

I guess all I can do is have faith in my ideas... work hard to get them off of the ground. Im trying to get as much done as possible before having to go to the bank to ask for a business loan etc.

Just wanted to share my thoughts with people who are in a similar position.

Wishing u all luck, Chris.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

ccpd83 wrote: »

Ive recently been made redundant :-( from my dream job. Ive decided to try and start my own business, even in todays difficult climate.

I feel like ive got bi-polar.. some days im hyper and get loads done... and then others realisation sets in as to the amount of wok needed to set up your own company.

I dont feel sad abot loosing my job, in todays climate its happening to a lot of people and I kind of feel less guilty - if that makes sense. Despite having bills to pay, student loans to repay.

I guess all I can do is have faith in my ideas... work hard to get them off of the ground. Im trying to get as much done as possible before having to go to the bank to ask for a business loan etc.

Just wanted to share my thoughts with people who are in a similar position.

Wishing u all luck, Chris.

if you have a good business idea... and plan well then it will be successfull.

be positive, and use yuor postive vibes to promote and get your business idea.

many a good business was started during recessions. so NEVER let the big R word stop you..

what type of business was you thinking of starting ? dont have to answere if you dont want to, but we might be able to give you some pointers etc

all i would say is be realistic with projective figures, allways edge on the consevative side... and factor in for the unseen costs . what i do when i do costings etc.. is allways add an amount for emergency costs... this covers anything that i have forgotten about etc.. that box of pens, celotape, that book case that will come in handy for storing things etc..( you know what i mean lol...)

The current climate hasnt hit my business at the moment... so i am extremely lucky... buy amybe in a few months it might hit my business, with people spending less, so i am actively looking for new customers/contacts NOW...

smoothie

Any way of running a free event and inviting people along, if not to hear you speak, to hear someone else? An expert from your industry if you think that will catch people's eye or more likely an expert on marketing or PR. Not only can you be the brains behind it all and promote your business to everyone when promoting the event but you might even get it in the paper.

There's something like the book of discounts mentioned above called Spotlight Book just come out in my area and seems to be doing really well for the businesses involved