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Horace

:j:j:j Only one assignment left to do...its more than half written, the other one was written this morning (only 2 pages) but it has gone:D

skintjenny

hi all
havent been on here for aaaaaaaaages and have just spent time catching up and reading though all the threads- youve been busy
just a couple of things:

with marketing, something that ive found really helpful to focus my attention was the mention of a lovely lady named AIDA

AIDA stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, Action... the basic premise is that you need to make a customer aware of your product 4 times before they will have moved from attention (noticing it) to action (buying it!). so for example someone picks up one of horaces cards in their florist, then they're flicking though a wedding magazine and see her advert at the back, then someone mentions to them that they met this great wedding planner at a networking event -horace! who are they most likely to pick?

sorry if im preaching to the converted, and i hope you dont mind me using you as an example horace, but just thought i'd share as its been really helpful for me to understand marketing

the other thing i wanted to share, in regards to late payment; has anyone ever tried this company?

http://paymentchicken.com/

lol!

skintjenny

so anyway, my update.
am STRESSED! signed a lease on this property last tuesday and have been in cleaning and trying to sort things out, but didnt realise what a huge job it is, theres no way i can get it all done on my own. My friends are saying things like 'you should get people to volunteer and help you' but when i actually ask for help they are all too busy... hmmm

also, i had a meeting with my bank manager before i signed the lease saying he thought i would easily be able to get a £10000 overdraft to start up, went back today and he looked through my business plan and said, 'i really doubt you'll get one, you should never have signed the lease, what were you thinking?'

ARGH! i know my business will work but i really need start up capital and was banking on getting this overdraft (yes i now realise how stupid it was to sign a lease without funding in place) dont know what to dooooo stressing stressing!

sorry

Purpleroses

good luck with the last assigment H!

Lol that's funny skintjenny don't think any business would want someone dress up as a chicken in their reception area! hehe! We now use our curiour to get a cheque before delivering the parcels to clients who tend to take a while to pay which has been a huge help!

Horace

Jenny, I hope you reminded your bank manager of his weasley words when you went to see him?

As for friends...it they won't volunteer bribe them instead - cook up a bowl of chilli, its amazing what folks will do for a free feed.

I don't mind you using me as an example either - I have just been offered an advert in the next 3 issues of the magazine for £87 plus VAT each plus 5% discount for early payment:cool:

I have spent the day making calls - I may be changing banks too seeing as Lloyds TSB still havent sent me an application form in large print despite my asking 4 times for the thing, if they can't be bothered then neither can I:rolleyes: I don't really want to use Natwest but I get a special deal as I am on start up membership with the chamber of commerce.

I am gradually ticking things off my to do list:j Well, its lunchtime and I am starving...have a great day all.

skintjenny

Thanks Horace, am feeling less stressed now. I did at the time remind bank manager of his words, he totally denied it and said he couldn't didnt even make that decision, it goes to a credit underwriter... grrr
The bank that I am dealing with is Natwest... other than this bank manager though I have found them quite good, the people on the front desk are always really helpful... plus i also get the chamber of commerce 3 year deal!
Anywho, I had two friends drop round unexpectedly just after I posted and they have offered to come round and help tomorrow and at other times, they are also going to round up all avaliable mates to help.... and told me off for coming in at 5am to take up the carpet tiles (It needed doing!)
Does anyone have any pointers for merchant accounts and card machine hire?
And any pointers for raising start up capital? I phoned my business mentor who suggested I apply for a load of personal credit cards?! This is my last resort but I dont think I have a very high credit score as have never borrowed before (apart from student loan and over draft hee hee)

hows the very last assignment going horace? just think... a few more words and you'll be free of it forever!

Horace

The assignment is getting there - its window is closed at the mo as I have spent a lot of time on the phone. With my chamber membership, I get a cardnet machine with Natwest (can't remember if I have to pay for it though).

Well, I am having a meeting on Friday morning with a nice man from Natwest, I rang up Lloyds TSB again and told them that I was thinking about changing banks as they don't seem to want my custom. I dared to point out that by persistently failing to send me a form in large print that they were discriminating against me as a visually impaired person (the silly man, said get a friend to fill in the form for you:rolleyes:) He tried to say that they have never sent the form as requested and seems to think that I should stay with them. I don't really want to change banks as it is inconvenient to go to Natwest but if they can't be bothered to send forms when requested then what is the point of staying with them?

I have just had the washing machine repair man phone me - he is coming round tomorrow - he is going to charge £19.50 to look at the machine and then £39 for any parts which is rather cheap plus he comes on recommendation:D

Janny - at least your friends have seen the light and offered to help.

skintjenny

Horace wrote: »

Jenny - at least your friends have seen the light and offered to help.

Yeah thats true- sorry for being such a mopey stress head earlier on, i think it just all got too much for a moment! still, my usual optimism is now returning to full capacity, it'll work itself out

Horace

We all have mopey stress times Jenny, its how we bounce back that tells us how well we can cope

If you were near me, I'd offer myself, I am good at getting wallpaper off, sanding woodwork, digging gardens etc.

skintjenny

i know just felt bad when it was my first time back on the thread in aaaages and i was just wingeing at you all!
nevermind, things can only get better