Cleaning companies
and cleaning contractors
have to work under extremely tight margins with
cleaning companies in London
being one of the toughest areas, so how can you stand above your
competitors?
More than ever before, customers expect better products and services. So how can you meet their higher expectations?
Take a look at what you have. How well are you meeting the needs of existing customers? Assess changes in your sector. Tough times inspire ingenious thinking and there are bound to have been changes during the recession. Has technology moved on? Have people changed their sales and marketing techniques? What new trends are emerging? Talk to customers and suppliers and subscribe to industry magazines and newsletters to find out what’s going on in your sector.
Think how to expand your existing offer. You don’t need to make wholesale changes it may just be a matter of tweaking what you have. Should you introduce a premium range of products or services. Perhaps you should think about complementary products or even diversifying into a new area.
Complement and diversify. Many firms have survived the recession by offering related products and services or by diversifying into new areas.
Offer added value to customers. If funds are tight, think about offering new added-value services rather than investing in fresh stock or equipment. Create new partnerships. Opportunities to build new relationships often arise as markets change. Why not consider a joint venture or partnership with another business that serves a slightly different market? This could be mutually beneficial as the recovery takes hold and consumer confidence returns.
Reconsider how you sell and whom you sell to. It may not be your product or service that is holding you back, but your approach to sales and marketing. Market pressure often inspires innovation so think about how the Nintendo Game DS was rebranded for older users whilst other manufacturers introduced devices that were more appealing to younger users in the games market. This clever move has extended its market reach and longevity. Could your offer be repackaged for a completely new market?
8. Ask customers and suppliers what they think. Before making any changes, find out whether your customers and suppliers think you’re doing the right thing. If you need more stock, equipment or services, can you work out a deal with suppliers? Does your revamped offer actually meet customers’ needs and would they be prepared to pay for it? Have a trial period and pay attention to feedback.
Open up new sales channels. A key way to improve your offer without actually changing it is to make it easier and more convenient to find and to buy. If you can sell online, then do so; attend fairs and shows if appropriate; explore third-party sales opportunities, such as retail outlets and franchising; recruit a sales agent to investigate and open up new territories, including overseas. In short, explore all the possibilities that might help you reach the most customers in the most cost-effective ways.
Create an ongoing feedback process. However and wherever you sell, ensure your customers have the opportunity to rate and comment on the standards of your goods and services. Make sure you have a short customer satisfaction survey at the point of sale and make customers feel comfortable telling you what they think. Listen and respond to feedback and use it to improve your offer.
More than ever before, customers expect better products and services. So how can you meet their higher expectations?
Take a look at what you have. How well are you meeting the needs of existing customers? Assess changes in your sector. Tough times inspire ingenious thinking and there are bound to have been changes during the recession. Has technology moved on? Have people changed their sales and marketing techniques? What new trends are emerging? Talk to customers and suppliers and subscribe to industry magazines and newsletters to find out what’s going on in your sector.
Think how to expand your existing offer. You don’t need to make wholesale changes it may just be a matter of tweaking what you have. Should you introduce a premium range of products or services. Perhaps you should think about complementary products or even diversifying into a new area.
Complement and diversify. Many firms have survived the recession by offering related products and services or by diversifying into new areas.
Offer added value to customers. If funds are tight, think about offering new added-value services rather than investing in fresh stock or equipment. Create new partnerships. Opportunities to build new relationships often arise as markets change. Why not consider a joint venture or partnership with another business that serves a slightly different market? This could be mutually beneficial as the recovery takes hold and consumer confidence returns.
Reconsider how you sell and whom you sell to. It may not be your product or service that is holding you back, but your approach to sales and marketing. Market pressure often inspires innovation so think about how the Nintendo Game DS was rebranded for older users whilst other manufacturers introduced devices that were more appealing to younger users in the games market. This clever move has extended its market reach and longevity. Could your offer be repackaged for a completely new market?
8. Ask customers and suppliers what they think. Before making any changes, find out whether your customers and suppliers think you’re doing the right thing. If you need more stock, equipment or services, can you work out a deal with suppliers? Does your revamped offer actually meet customers’ needs and would they be prepared to pay for it? Have a trial period and pay attention to feedback.
Open up new sales channels. A key way to improve your offer without actually changing it is to make it easier and more convenient to find and to buy. If you can sell online, then do so; attend fairs and shows if appropriate; explore third-party sales opportunities, such as retail outlets and franchising; recruit a sales agent to investigate and open up new territories, including overseas. In short, explore all the possibilities that might help you reach the most customers in the most cost-effective ways.
Create an ongoing feedback process. However and wherever you sell, ensure your customers have the opportunity to rate and comment on the standards of your goods and services. Make sure you have a short customer satisfaction survey at the point of sale and make customers feel comfortable telling you what they think. Listen and respond to feedback and use it to improve your offer.
ICS Cleaning are an office cleaning company in the UK, we use independent health and safety consultants to ensure we are up to date with current legislation : we invest a great deal in selecting the right staff, ensuring they have excellent ongoing training and support, meaning we can deliver excellent cleaning standards day in day out and remain one of the UK's leading cleaning companies
- www.ics-online.co.uk
If you are interested in our eco friendly office cleaning services visit our ICS Office Cleaners or
