Supporting Entrepreneurial Skills Matrix (SESM) - D5
This session looks at marketing strategy for the small business. Building upon basics of marketing this session focuses the planning towards the practical issues of distribution and identifying the key market for the new business.
How do I promote myself/ my company?
"I always take a portfolio around with me which has examples of all the projects I have completed up until now. This really helped me whilst attending a dinner set up by the university. I was able to show other entrepreneurs/ investors examples of my past work. The end result of this was being taken on a week's intensive training in entrepreneurship to silicon valley in America".
(Robert Goodman Yoga CD entrepreneur)
Where can I find the right people to aid the business?
"Sometimes you can fall into contact with the right people through friendships I recognised that my now business partner was excelling in his field and saw that he was a talented individual this led me to think about what skills I could add to the mix in a business context".
(Tom Savage Not for profit organisation)
"When I first started the business I couldn't afford to pay free lancers to translate for me. I asked around at university and a number of students were keen to work for me; to improve their own CV's.
I had run the business full time during the summer of my second year and the business had really taken off. However I realised that my university work load was going to increase and I didn't want the business to suffer by disappointing clients. I asked an old friend to become a partner.
As the business grew I had to recruit more people. I got involved with the 'Step project' its purpose is to help students find placements and jobs. The project paid for the extra resource and provided the company with a lump sum for taking part.
I also tried to recruit staff via the 'Quercus Project.' The purpose of the project was to place graduates from European countries into surrounding countries."
(Daniel Rajkumar translations)
How do you portray a professional image?
"I have always believed in the importance of projecting a professional image to clients. I wanted to create the impression of a large professional office rather than a room at university. I invested in a virtual office service provider. Virtual office provided a telephone and answer machine service and helped me to create the image I desired for the business."
(Daniel Rajkumar translations)
"I always meet potential clients and customers at hotels so they don't know I work out of my bedroom with all my PCs. They don't need to see my premises - not yet anyway. I am planning to get an office in a serviced building which basically means I rent a room and share the receptionists and public spaces and meeting rooms. Then I can grow as and when I can afford it without taking on high overheads. And I'd recommend not wearing a suit for all meetings - judge who your audience is suits can make a 22 year old look like a 12 year old trying to be older."
(Andy McCorkell Flannel Films)
