It’s not surprising to see a significant shift of practices when it comes to business networking. The world has adopted new ways to network that are no longer limited to face-to-face interactions. For a long time, business owners have attended meetings, events, and Trade Shows to expand their contact base. Today, thanks to fast-paced technology, online networking sites have become common in the realm of making business connections. You can connect with countless individuals in the click of a button. However, the question is, are these virtual connections as valuable as personal interactions? Could they even be more valuable? Read on to find out more about the difference between online networking and in-person networking, and how you can use both to your advantage.

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Topics: small business, attract new customers, save cash, build business networks, business blog, increase sales, business needs, networking, trade dollars

The most basic way that businesses make a profit is to sell their goods and services. To do so first requires that businesses provide a good or service, then to market that product and make sales. However, there are two very different channels that businesses can sell through. Selling directly to consumers, or “business-to-consumer” (B2C) marketing, is an entirely different operation than selling directly to other businesses (“business-to-business”, or B2B).

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Topics: build business networks, increase sales, business needs, networking, trade dollars, marketing

Business networking is an essential growth strategy to scale up your business and create a real impact on your bottom line. Finding a supportive network can help you find true value in your work, as you help your customers with your products and services, while making authentic connections.

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Topics: small business, attract new customers, save cash, build business networks, increase sales, networking, trade dollars

Research shows conclusively that your existing customers are your best chance at increasing your overall sales. Closing a deal with a potential new customer is tricky and doesn’t actually happen all that often—even if your sales team are virtuosos of the craft. Statistically speaking, you’re much more likely to find success selling additional products and services. That’s where upselling and cross-selling come in. Unfortunately, people hear a lot about these kinds of tactics, and it’s easy for them to switch off if you take a poor approach. What exactly are these tactics, and how can you employ them effectively?

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Topics: strategy, buyer demand, expand your product line, small business, attract new customers, branding, unrealised potential, increase sales, business needs, customer loyalty

Understanding the financial health of your business can be an extremely overwhelming task to get your head around. Unless you have a passion for figures then it’s an area that can cause a lot of frustration and stress. You may have a handle on your profit and loss statement, but are you able to look deeper and really see how your business is going?

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Topics: attract new customers, save cash, build business networks, business blog, increase sales, trade dollars

As a small business owner, consistent, constant marketing plays a big part in making sure your audience knows you, what you offer and what makes you unique. It would be great to simply open the door to your business every day and wait for the customers to roll on in. In reality, we know that doesn’t happen without a LOT of effort.

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Topics: increase profit, small business, market research, attract new customers, save cash, build business networks, content marketing, unrealised potential, increase sales, business needs, networking, trade dollars

To increase business profits, you don’t need to allot a huge portion of your company’s budget. Even the best planned marketing campaigns can fail. Every facet of business decision-making, including one’s marketing strategy, almost always involves risks, and a positive turnout isn’t 100% guaranteed. As market behaviour continuously changes, investing in large, high-cost campaigns don’t always translate to increased sales. Thankfully, there are ways in which your business can achieve maximum profitability minus the costly investment. Here, we talk about low-cost effective strategies, which can pave the way for business growth.

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Topics: attract new customers, save cash, build business networks, content marketing, unrealised potential, increase sales

Did you know that the ancient concept of bartering goods/services is still relevant in this age of digital money? Yes, as amazing as it may seem, trading your products in exchange for what you need or would otherwise have purchased in cash can be the ultimate business tactic. Not only do you attract new customers in the process, but you also increase the profitability of your business, managing stock more effectively and participating in a supportive network of other businesses. What’s more, a healthy barter relationship can serve as a perfect opportunity to turn your bartering members of today into the paying clients of tomorrow. After all, opportunities for extra income shouldn’t be passed up!

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Topics: attract new customers, save cash, build business networks, unrealised potential, increase sales, networking

Most business marketing efforts are split between the competing goals of customer acquisition and customer retention. While new customers translate directly to more business, and greater opportunities for expansion, every business still needs its share of loyal customers to remain afloat. Establishing customer retention as an integral part of your larger marketing strategy is important for the long-term success of your business. Even big corporations rely on their customer loyalty strategies for their business to run smoothly! Find out some of the perks of having loyal customers for your business.

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Topics: attract new customers, save cash, increase sales, business needs, networking, customer loyalty

Bartercard’s cashless currency is becoming a popular choice for employers to incentivise their employees, rewarding additional bonuses and providing staff gifts. You might think Bartercard’s benefits can only be used to get more customers, but in fact they can also be used to incentivise performance within your talented team! Continue reading to learn why more and more New Zealand businesses are turning to Bartercard to supplement their workers’ compensation.

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Topics: small business, increase sales, business needs, rewarding staff, trade dollars