tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796643875083080002024-02-19T04:43:30.770+00:00Mike Fosters A1 BlogThank you for visiting my blog. I do hope you find my blog interesting and informative. Why not follow me to hear my latest news first?Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.comBlogger368125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-91681698951795077932013-01-14T14:00:00.000+00:002013-01-14T14:00:01.166+00:00Test and Measure your marketing activitiesIn our experience, anything that you measure usually improves. Therefore we recommend that you test and measure your marketing activities to better understand what works, what needs a tweak and what does not work, so should not be repeated.<br />
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Many of our prospect meetings for A1 Marketing identifies that many business owners simply do not know which part of their marketing is working and what is not. It is common for all marketing activities to be viewed as one and no measure of how a new customer specifically finds you.<br />
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We recommend to measure your marketing activity to the level that you can tell for each new customer or sale, which part of your marketing worked.<br />
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Once you know this, you can then start to test different variations of that activity and then gradually improve this even further until your marketing becomes even more powerful and profitable. So for example, your last batch of new customers came from your Google Adword campaign, but by testing different alternative messages do you gain even more enquiries?<br />
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We suggest that you try and use codes or references, utilise online analytics and try specific landing pages for any online activity to get much closer to measuring your activity. <br />
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As a must, you need to ask each new customer how they found you and why they brought from you, but please ensure your questions drill down to find the true reason which may be the first reason they were interested in you and not the 5th time they saw your last marketing message or what actually made them make the contact to purchase?<br />
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Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-16443961953810453512013-01-08T17:37:00.001+00:002013-01-08T17:37:57.018+00:00Payroll - Real Time Information<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">HMRC is introducing a new way of reporting PAYE - called Real Time Information, or RTI. From April 2013, employers will be legally required to report PAYE in real time. This means that information about all PAYE payments needs to be submitted to HMRC online each time a payment is made as part of the payroll process, rather than at the end of the year as they are now. For more information, please see <a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/917/517/62065.aspx" target="_blank">www.hmrc.gov.uk/rti/index.htm</a> as there are also some actions to get ready for the start date to ensure your employee records are up to date and accurate.</span>Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-87775415132444845152013-01-08T12:30:00.000+00:002013-01-08T17:38:59.517+00:00A true key business influencerIf referrals are a key part of our clients marketing strategy, then we ask them to focus on their key business influencers. These are not contacts in their network that are 'nice to know', but people who are 'advocates' of their business and are willing to influence the success of the business with referrals or recommendations.<br />
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Many clients have a long list of contacts in their network, usually with the hope of obtaining a referral, so one activity we recommend is to rate your contacts from 1 to 5, with the following scale:<br />
<br />
1 - Nice to know and have in my network, but unlikely to refer in next 12 months<br />
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2 - Nice to know and possibly could refer in the next 12 months <br />
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3 - Good to know and may refer<br />
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4 - Great to know and is likely to refer with personal attention<br />
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5 - A 'KBI' who currently refers business.<br />
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If you can't score them, as not even nice to know, then remove them from you network! This simple exercise gives you focus for your limited resources. Diarise time to speak to and meet with your contacts rated 4 and 5.<br />
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It should also be your objective to move your contacts up the scale from 'nice to know' to 'referrer'. How you do this will be different for each individual, but a personal touch, knowing what is important to them and the application of focus will move your contacts closer to the desired 'KBI' status. <br />
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Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-75021638584590857852012-12-24T14:24:00.000+00:002012-12-24T14:24:00.241+00:00Merry ChristmasWe would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers and contacts a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. <br />
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Our best wishes to you for a successful 2013.<br />
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Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-34499610065279579992012-12-18T14:23:00.000+00:002012-12-18T14:23:00.064+00:00Bookkeeping software in the cloud or in your officeWe have just returned from the annual conference of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. Amongst the speakers were a number of bookkeeping software providers speaking about their product and the pro's and con's of cloud based software.<br />
<br />
<br />
The requirement will be different for each business and who in the business needs to use the accounts software and why. But two questions we would encourage you to consider before making a commitment in reaction to a sales message is:<br />
<br />
1. Does your accountant or any accountant easily support the new software and is it compatible to their system?<br />
<br />
2. Do you really need a cloud based / online accounts system? Especially if you are outsourcing your bookkeeping, as the information each day will only be as up to date as the last visit by your bookkeeper<br />
<br />
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-90768149573543267602012-12-14T14:24:00.000+00:002012-12-14T14:24:00.177+00:00For all businesses with First AidersLate in 2010, the HSE announced that it strongly recommended that all first aiders should refresh their knowledge on an annual basis.<br />
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<br />
Our experience is that very few businesses are aware of this notice, as there was no formal notification to all businesses. Were you aware?<br />
<br />
The recommendation is to avoid the natural knowledge fade, as the certification is still valid for 3 years, and therefore keep the basic skills up to date. There was talk of making this compulsory, but much lobbying resulted in this just being a strong recommendations. However many consider a 'strong recommendation' by the HSE to be as good as a compulsory requirement!<br />
<br />
So we have developed 3 products to help your first aiders refresh their knowledge on a more flexible basis that attending annual training courses, whilst of course saving the cost of covering their position and travel expenses.<br />
<br />
Our DVD<br />
A cloud based version of the DVD<br />
An elearning version to provide greater administration and tracking (elearning room)<br />
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For more details, then please contact us at A1 First Aid.<br />
<br />
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-87290106566165799062012-12-12T14:22:00.000+00:002012-12-12T14:22:00.566+00:00The intelligence in your dataThere is no lack of data which we can use to analyse our business. If your business relies on online traffic, then we would suggest you have an understanding of a web analytics programme that provides data to suit your product or service and helps with the understanding of your underlying business. However, if you are not online or work as much offline, then what is your system for understanding your data? <br />
<br />
<br />
Data can tell us so much about our customers, suppliers and staff. For example, gaining an insight or profile of your ideal customer, trends, being able to predict your future sales patterns, knowing the point when a prospect changes from a cold to a warm lead, maximising your resources, testing a product launch or knowing the cost of your recruitment efforts, are to name a few. But how do we ensure we are measuring the right things. Owner of A1, Mike Foster, speaks on the topic of 'The top 5 numbers in your business'. This is not saying you can only have 5, but don't have too many focuses and more importantly know what activity truly drives the success of your business. <br />
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Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-61449398514741902472012-12-07T14:22:00.000+00:002012-12-07T14:22:00.658+00:00Google advertising - a step too far?We recommend the use of Google advertising, pay per click, to our clients if their business suits this medium, but has the latest addition to the Google income stream gone a step too far?<br />
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Were you aware that a competitor can now tag a sponsored advert onto your Google places listing? So your potential customers find your listing, thanks to your marketing efforts, but are shown an attached advert beneath it which will usually carry more benefit statements than your place contact listing will allow.<br />
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So is there a balance that Google should be considering? Many business owners are voicing their concerns that this is not perhaps the most professional approach, but, of course, it will drive income for Google so we guess it is here to stay. Some will be embarrassed to use it as it is so direct, but we have seen quite a bit of activity in this area over recent weeks with our customers placings.<br />
<br />
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-27021416261697827902012-11-28T09:49:00.000+00:002012-11-28T09:49:00.089+00:00The value to your organisation of different behaviourial stylesWe enjoy working with Thomas International as an accredited provider of the
personality and behavioural analysis reports, using D.I.S.C. profiling.
<br />
So what value to your organisation does someone who has a High D, I, S or C
profile provide?<br />Please read more from our recent blog to discover the value
to an organisation of someone who has a high dominant factor of:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://81.134.9.101/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/872/517/4455.aspx" target="_blank">D - Drive</a><br /><a href="https://81.134.9.101/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/872/517/4456.aspx" target="_blank">I - Influence</a><br /><a href="https://81.134.9.101/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/872/517/4457.aspx" target="_blank">S - Steadiness</a><br /><a href="https://81.134.9.101/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/872/517/4458.aspx" target="_blank">C - Compliance</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.entrepreneursmentor.co.uk/">www.entrepreneursmentor.co.uk</a> Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-23158154923749634972012-11-20T09:48:00.000+00:002012-11-20T09:48:00.857+00:00Creating and building trust<span style="color: black;">How often do you hear the phrase 'people buy
from people'. When we completed a research project into why people do buy from
people, then 'trust' was the most important factor required before a buyer
decides to buy from you or not.<br />Trust is much deeper than a gut feeling of
whether you will be ripped off or not, so what can we do to make ourselves more
trustworthy with our prospective customers?</span><br /><span style="color: black;">Deliver on your promises - perhaps obvious, but it is
where so many fail<br />Remove the risk - offer a guarantee and show your belief
in your product or service </span><br /><span style="color: black;">Position
yourself with authority, expertise and recognition<br />Have proof of delivery
such as testimonials, articles, awards and case studies<br />Tone down the selling
but still solve the problem</span>Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-47784892727700957942012-11-09T09:45:00.000+00:002012-11-09T09:45:00.289+00:00Focus on your ideal customer and resist trying to market to everyoneYou may argue that your product and service can be purchased by anyone, but if
you want to make the most of your marketing resources in terms of money and
time, then we suggest that you look to focus your activities on attracting your
ideal customer. So why?
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black;">Your ideal customers usually make up most of
your profits</span>
<li><span style="color: black;">Working with ideal customers is much more
rewarding and enjoyable</span>
<li><span style="color: black;">You can concentrate your marketing efforts
more efficiently</span>
<li><span style="color: black;">You can better understand the need and how
you match your benefits </span>
<li><span style="color: black;">You will be able to better identify any
expectation gap</span>
<li><span style="color: black;">You can easily adapt as you know your
environment</span></li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</ul>
So the best ways to identify your 'ideal customer' is:<br />
<ol>
<li>Customer profiling - review the trends of your top 20% of customers
<li>Segmentation - use demographics, classifications, life cycles,
psychographics and contextual marketing to focus on your ideal prospect
<li>Market research - ask your ideal prospects, not your friends, some key
questions such as what they expect, where they are buying now, why, and how
often they buy.</li>
</li>
</li>
</ol>
<a href="http://www.a1-marketing.co.uk/">www.a1-marketing.co.uk</a><br />
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-27459265590903913762012-11-06T09:47:00.000+00:002012-11-06T09:47:00.723+00:00Mike Foster to speak again at this years ICB conference in LondonWe are pleased to announce that A1 owner, Mike Foster, will again be speaking at
the conference of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. Mike will speak at the
Savoy Place venue in London on the 7th November on the subject of growing a
business.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.a1financials.co.uk/">www.a1financials.co.uk</a> Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-5555545142997822832012-10-19T10:00:00.000+01:002012-10-19T10:00:02.329+01:00High C brings Compliance to the organisation<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We enjoy working with Thomas International as an accredited provider
of the personality and behavioural analysis reports, using D.I.S.C. profiling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what value to your organisation does someone who is High
C profile provide? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Compliance with exacting standards to avoid error, trouble or danger.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Concentrating on detail</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Operating under controlled circumstances</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being diplomatic with people</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Assessing trouble and risk</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enforcing quality and directives</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monitoring and controlling</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fault finding</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Analysing in depth</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Improving standards</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fact finding</div>
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-32723803865230496792012-10-16T10:00:00.000+01:002012-10-16T10:00:06.515+01:00High S brings Steadiness to the organisation<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We enjoy working with Thomas International as an accredited provider
of the personality and behavioural analysis reports, using D.I.S.C. profiling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what value to your organisation does someone who is High
S profile provide? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Steadiness in performing work to consistently produce in a predictable manner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Developing specialist skills</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Concentrating on the job in hand</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stabilising excited people</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Completing tasks thoroughly </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maintaining consistency</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Persistence</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Adhering to procedure</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Supporting others</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Providing a service</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Listening attentively</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-58486083243037880042012-10-10T10:00:00.000+01:002012-10-10T10:00:08.756+01:00High I brings Influencing to the organisation<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We enjoy working with Thomas International as an accredited provider
of the personality and behavioural analysis reports, using D.I.S.C. profiling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what value to your organisation does someone who is High
I profile provide? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The influencing of people to act positively and favourably.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Making favourable impressions<br />
Verbalisation<br />
Motivating people to act</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Generating enthusiasm</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Entertaining people</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Radiating optimism </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cultivating relationships</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gaining commitment</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Boosting morale</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Demonstrating concern for others</div>
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-32496497864530869572012-10-09T14:18:00.000+01:002012-10-09T14:18:00.182+01:00Customer aquisition - the challenges of the current climate<br />
The current financial climate brings many
challenges in running our businesses. Not more so than with our marketing
efforts to aquire new customers.<br />
Three big challenges presented in this climate are (1) The prospects reluctance
to spend more money (2) It's more expensive as a result to recruit each
customer and (3) Your pricing will see much more pressure.<br />
So how are you proactively approaching these challenges? Those that are not and
think it is business as usual are those we are seeing hit hard with recruitment
and revenue both down.<br />
Consider your value proposition, know and target your ideal customers and
position your offering with benefits different to your price points.<br />
<br />
www.a1-marketing.co.uk<br />
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-9370772669942758102012-10-08T10:30:00.000+01:002012-10-08T10:30:00.998+01:00High D brings Drive to the organisation<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We enjoy working with Thomas International as an accredited provider
of the personality and behavioural analysis reports, using D.I.S.C. profiling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what value to your organisation does someone who is High
D profile provide? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drive to accomplish results in spite of opposition or antagonistic circumstances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting results<br />
Expediting action<br />
Accepting challenge<br />
Venturing into the unknown<br />
Making decisions<br />
Questioning status quo<br />
Trouble shooting<br />
Challenges self and others<br />
Assuming authority<br />
Creating instant solutions</div>
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-46908747028129773422012-10-04T14:17:00.000+01:002012-10-04T14:17:00.229+01:00Optimise your marketing<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When
working with our clients in A1 Marketing, we first establish what they are
doing well and optimise this activity before introducing too many activities
into the marketing mix.<br />
Yes, often you need to have a diverse approach to the market considering all
forms of marketing that are most approriate for your market place and
communicating consistently. However if you do something well and it gets
results, we would recommend that you maximise this area first and do really
well before moving onto a new area of activity.<br />
Too often we see business owners trying anything and everything, but not doing
one thing especially well. So take a marketing activity, review the successes
and areas for development, improve, systemise into your everyday work as if a
daily habit, then test and measure your future outcomes.<br />
So, for example, having a web site will cost you the same to set up whether you
drive traffic to this or not.<br />
Take advertising. It may be working, but could it give you an even better
return? Is the headline a hook? Does the copy read well? What is your
effective call to action?<br />
So, optimise what you do before trying too many new activities</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">www.a1-marketing.co.uk</span>Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-33593995503233964272012-10-01T14:19:00.001+01:002012-10-01T14:19:08.029+01:00Some articles worth a read?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are links to a few articles published recently that
you may find of interest:<br />
<a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/856/517/4326.aspx" target="_blank">Tony Robbins - Why we do what we do</a><br />
<a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/856/517/4327.aspx" target="_blank">VAT Tips for small businesses</a><br />
<a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/856/517/4328.aspx" target="_blank">Government funding available for small businesses by Sage</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
May we also encourage you to follow and read our
Blogs and Papers......<br /><a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/856/517/4330.aspx" target="_blank">The Business Start up Adviser Blog</a><br />
<a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/856/517/4331.aspx" target="_blank">The A1 Weekly</a><br />
<a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/856/517/4332.aspx" target="_blank">The Start Up Adviser paper</a><br />
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-24704314770424932912012-09-26T21:38:00.000+01:002012-09-26T21:38:00.547+01:00Real Time Information for your Payroll<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Are
you preparing for the changes that are looming for your payroll? From April
2013, although for many this will be later, the government are introducing the
plans for real time information. This will involve you submitting your payroll
payment information as at the actual pay date (e.g. weekly, 4 weekly, monthly
etc) and not waiting until the year end. It will also have to include every
person you employ, even if you currently do not include them on your payroll
due to their circumstances.<br />
The concept is so the real time information can improve the current benefits
system.<br />
If you are using Payroll software, such as Sage, then keep an eye out for their
news to ensure it is updated to meet the RTI requirements.<br />
For more information, <a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/839/517/3929.aspx" target="_blank">please see the HMRC web site</a></span>Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-69241302984743753192012-09-20T10:30:00.000+01:002012-09-20T10:30:01.624+01:00Sage reporting and tips<br />
Do you have the need to print the same reports
each month from Sage? For example for your management information do you print
the profit & loss, balance sheet, debtors, trial balance etc?<br />
If so, then look to set up Batch Reporting, where you can select those reports
you desire and from one set of selection criteria you will produce all these
reports. To set up, go to tools / batch reporting.<br />
Speed up you your inputting on Sage by using the
tab and arrow keys, but also the F keys, such as:<br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">F6 – Repeats the row above<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Shift + F6 - Repeats the row above but adds
1<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">F7 – Inserts a row<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">F8 –Deletes a row<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">F9 – Nets down VAT<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Shift and tab goes back one field<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
Does it frustrate you that Sage never opens on the
screens you desire? Take a look at the Tools / Options and view tab, to
specifiy which page opens for the different modules in Sage.<br />
Do you get frustrated by posting a journal the
wrong way, then the latest versions have the 'reversal' option.<br />
Do you have customers that are also suppliers and
they settle their account using Contra's? See the Tools / Contra's to save some
time and confusion.<br />
Other time saving uses of Sage include the use of
'Bank Recurring Entries' and 'Memorise'. You can memorise journals, payments,
receipts and even invoice templates that are repetitive for you.<br />
<br />
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-38702557011025501272012-09-19T10:30:00.000+01:002012-09-19T10:30:03.120+01:00Create a multi step sales processMuch research is telling us that our prospective customers are unlikely to buy from the first or even second time that they touch us. Some research is pointing towards between 5 and 7 touches before the prospect will buy. Obviously this will be different for different sectors, but it does tell us that we can no longer rely on the first or second contact, which is when most people give up.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our own research tells us that most people give up after one follow up to an initial meeting or telephone conversation. However can we encourage you to have a 'Multi Step Sales Process' to build a relationship with your prospect and respect that they may not be ready to buy immediately.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So firstly have excellent methods of generating leads and the collection of a prospects contact details. Then create a systemised approach to contacting your prospect at least 5 times with information that can help them with their problem or need and ensure that these touches are not solely your sales messages.</div>
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<div>
The objective of your communications should be to remind them you are here, what you have to offer, how you can solve their problem or reduce their pain and answer their need.</div>
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<div>
You can use email marketing systems, like our InTouch software, to create Autoresponder campaigns that simply send emails one after each other at a specified time. However remember different people will engage in different ways, so mix up your emails and include direct mail and telephone plus perhaps a face to face meeting to build that relationship and engagement with you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.a1-marketing.co.uk/">www.a1-marketing.co.uk</a></div>
<div>
</div>
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-86145849789625639982012-09-17T11:00:00.000+01:002012-09-17T11:00:01.944+01:00The Oxford Marketing Conference<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This
years Oxford Marketing Conference in Oxford will be on <strong>Tuesday 17th
October</strong> at Oxford Thames Four Pilllars Hotel. For more information,
please see <a href="http://www.oxfordmarketingconference.co.uk/">www.oxfordmarketingconference.co.uk</a> </span>Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-25057174643835479152012-09-14T10:00:00.000+01:002012-09-14T10:00:04.651+01:00Marketing at low cost<br />
In the current climate, we are all looking at the
best ways to market our business with no direct cost to our budgets. Here
are our top 7 ways to market your business on a small budget.<br />
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Build relationships with your existing
customers and network of contacts and ask for business<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Go networking, but where your ideal
customer, or those that also touch them, meets<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Public speaking to increase your profile
with a qualified audience<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Press coverage by sharing your story, your
knowledge, expertise and niche<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Have an upselling strategy to maximise your
customers 'buying mode' at the point of purchase<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Email more, but not just newsletters, more
personal communication and offers<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Joint ventures with like minded businesses
and naturally increase your sales force<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div>
www.a1-marketing.co.uk</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279664387508308000.post-72954804531022962832012-09-07T10:00:00.000+01:002012-09-07T10:00:08.264+01:00New A1 Web Sites<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We are really pleased to have recently launched new web sites for</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
A1 Financials <a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/839/517/3930.aspx" target="_blank">www.a1financials.co.uk</a><br />
A1 First Aid <a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/839/517/3931.aspx" target="_blank">www.a1-first-aid.co.uk</a><br />
A1 Marketing <a href="http://a1group.yourcrm.co.uk/app/e/l/507/839/517/3932.aspx" target="_blank">www.a1-marketing.co.uk</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />Mike Foster A1 Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292099045461152968noreply@blogger.com0