Trade and Bartering Can Increase Sales

To trade, barter, deal means to buy and sell; negotiate, bargain, exchange;
arrange, transact, or create a pact. Recent statistics show The National Trade Association, the largest retail barter company in the world, facilitates more than 50 billion in trade deals annually. Trade and bartering are used
by businesses to save money and foster relationships between companies.
Bartering exists when a business takes their excess products or services
and converts them into assets.Women entrepreneurs should consider
trading, bartering and deal making with other women entrepreneurs in order to
create more profitable and collaborative relationships for their business. Below is Women TIES wisdom on how to trade, barter or make deals with other women entrepreneurs.

Create An Inventory Of Assets - Before you can trade or barter you need to know what you have to offer. Take inventory of your product and analyze excess supplies or products you could trade. Create a list of your services and
analyze time effective services you could barter. Then create a list of services or products your business needs. This gives you the starting point you need to begin to barter, trade or deal.

Create A Partnership List - In order to barter or trade you need to create relationships with like-minded companies or businesses with beneficial products and services. Start by taking a look at the Women TIES directory
and create a list of other women owned businesses you could barter or trade with in 2007. Think of companies within your field. Think of companies with products or services you need.

Make the Connection - Create an introductory letter discussing your intent.
Follow-up with a phone call to investigate further interest from prospective businesses. Meet and discuss benefits of a trade relationship. Put your trade goals in writing. Create a simple agreement and have it signed by both business owners.

In entrepreneurial spirit, Tracy Higginbotham

Customer Service Essentials

During high school I worked at Friendly's as a waitress. It was during that time that I learned the importance of customer service. Our store was in a competition to win a national award as "the best Friendly's in America."
My boss was determined to achieve this honor so stringent customer service policies were announced, practiced and perfected since winning this award was based solely on exceptional customer service. We did in fact win the award and I not only walked away with $200 in free Friendly money, which helped feed me when I was a freshman in College, it also taught me invaluable customer service policies which have served me well as an entrepreneur.

Many business owners are educated in their profession, schooled in the latest technologies, and advanced in networking, but we forget that exceptional customer service is the most important entrepreneurial activity which
keeps us afloat, sets us apart from our competition, and leads us to financial success. Below is Women TIES wisdom on customer service for you and your business.

Deliver On Your Promise and Give More Than What's Expected - A smart business person delivers on their promise of providing the services and products they guaranteed their clients when they made the sale. Are you doing all that you promised? Not only do wise entrepreneurs deliver what is promised,
they go beyond what is expected. Are there ways you can add value to your business by going beyond what is expected for your clients?

Ask Your Clients For their Input - Don't assume because you've had a long-time client that they'll return to your business tomorrow. There is constant advertising, networking, and solicitations occurring every day. The best way to keep your customers happy is to make sure you are giving them what they expect and need. When was the last time you asked your clients this question:
"Is there anything I'm not doing that I could be doing to serve you better?"

Understand Why A Client Leaves - Clients come and go, it's a natural part of business. When you lose a client, do you understand why? As hard as it is to ask the question, it's essential in understanding whether or not you need to improve your customer service policies. When a client leaves make sure you ask why, implement changes based on their reasons, and improve services immediately for your current clients.

In entrepreneurial spirit, Tracy Higginbotham

Testimonials Can Aid in Marketing

As women we are not use to singing our own praises. We can compliment our children, husbands, families, business associates and best friends very easily,
but when it is time to give ourselves and our businesses accolades it is difficult. It's a proven fact that testimonials from valued clients, associates, and vendors
are powerful in aiding corporate sales. Yet testimonials are one of the most underused resource when creating a marketing message. We can talk at lengths about our fantastic corporate services and products, but when someone else provides a valuable testimonial and backs what we are saying it's more believable to the consumer. Here are some Women TIES tips for using testimonials to help your business grow.

Testimonial Basics: A written testimonial should be phrased to showcase a benefit of doing business with your company. A testimonial should have a more specific than general message. An impactful testimonial should cause the reader to want to take action with your company right away.

Where to Use Them: Testimonials can be used in various marketing pieces:
websites, brochures, sales packets, and press kits.Testimonials can be effective when you are trying to close a deal with a major client. A one page testimonial insert can be part of a proposal packet.

Securing Testimonials: Create a list of your top ten customers, the ones who believe in your business 100%, and set a time to see them over coffee or lunch. Explain to them your interest in using client testimonials in your new marketing strategy and ask them if they'd provide a testimonial. Be prepared to give them some guidance on what type of testimonial you're looking for. End the meeting by providing them with an idea or lead for their business as a small token for their time in helping you.

In entrepreneurial spirit, Tracy Higginbotham