Comments on: Micro Business, Recession and Exporting.

By: Franky Espejo

Franky Espejo — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 02:10:53 +0000

Micro businesses will be able to receive great benefits if they wil be able to come up with a reliable and profitable strategies.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:13:20 +0000

I agree to what Chris mentioned above. Put alongside companies up to and beyond 10 years old, micro businesses set up less than a year ago have been impacted least by the credit crunch, the best anticipated earnings and are the most optimistic for the future.

On the whole, despite the negative financial climate, two-thirds of contributors reported that their business income has either stayed the same, slowed a little or in some instances has even increased.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:07:15 +0000

In my opinion, working in and with micro businesses is a sensible and profitable thing to do during times of economic instability, while new businesses are also succeeding with companies set up in the last year doing far better than their older counterparts.

By: Leaflet Distribution

Leaflet Distribution — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:22:02 +0000

Chris made some great points above, very valid about keeping costs low, the lower they are the less you have to turn through to make a profit. So many people think working for yourself will be the great route to a perfect life, I bet Chris will aggree, success can only come through endless hard work, and certainly not a 40 hour week !

By: Henry Baker

Henry Baker — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:13:56 +0000

You’ve got a great point and the good news is that exporting in many industries has neve been easier.

Even just identifying parts of a business which can offer exported goods can provide a much needed lifeline for small businesses.

From experience I’ve found that selling into the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many parts of Europe requires the tweaking of any sound marketing system to create a return, new contacts and open up a ‘whole new world’.

A great way to test is of course using internet marketing.

I have some further tools which may be of use here:

http://www.recessionslayer.co.uk

By: Chris Blower

Chris Blower — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:21:44 +0000

I started trading in a public house only nine month ago. In hynsight everyone would agree it would be one of the worst industries at the worst time to begin a business. However, while others are closing all around me on a daily basis I have been able to survive with a few simple steps.
1. Keep overheads to a minimum, review and change your suppliers if there not giving you the best value for money and service.
2. Promote your value for money. Cheapest isn’t the best. Defend your prices in terms of value for money to your customers and then get them to do it for you to potential new customers.
3. Extend your value for money by keeping your customers informed I use an email newsletter to great effect.
4. Work harder but still give yourself a time out day where you are not on site and can’t be contacted. you’ll be amazed at what great ideas you have and how much you can get done when you step away for a bit.

I wish you all the best
Chris !

By: Kevin Baker

Kevin Baker — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:04:50 +0000

Stefan you said “Well as so often the is nothing you can do about this alone..” There are three specific area’s you can concentrate upon:
1. Strategy to uplift sales
2. Move confirmed sales, faster through the business
3. Reduce costs.

Tackling these issues requires an immediate cultural shift within the organisation. Ensure the whole team is informed of the adversity and buys into the three goals. Take advantage of the many hidden wins that exist during a tough climate which includes the opportunity to get everyone really focused, pointing in the same direction, which will naturally lead to achieving productivity.
Good luck!

By: Stefan Töpfer

Stefan Töpfer — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:50:35 +0000

Thank you all for this great discussion.

As I mentioned in my post, Zana Network specialize in exporting – not only for US small business – and can help with advice and grants.

If you want to export you can always sell in your own currency, this will minimize the risk Robert is talking about. Other options are export insurance – google it.

Stefan

By: Robert Moore

Robert Moore — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:14:18 +0000

Exporting for small businesses is a risky strategy. Most notably because of exchange rate risk which makes it hard to budget.

By: Dan Ider

Dan Ider — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:40:31 +0000

Julian, maybe you should look for other markets to exports to also. It looks like art is your niche. You might want to make an information product that tells artists how to sell to the US market, it creates another revenue stream.
Then promote this product with articles using Artemis Pro. I hope that helps to alleviate any money problems.