Hi all,
Well, the first newsletter for 2012 has been put to bed. Originally when I was putting the business plan together for 2012 (yes, I do have business plan despite the chaotic appearance) the idea of having something to say each month was quite daunting. I have enough trouble keeping the blog and twitter up to date yet alone figuring out how to fill an entire newsletter with information about the business that would interest people enough so it doesnt immediately get sent to the dreaded spam folder.
On the other hand, it does work well in two regards- firstly it forces me to remain very transparent with the facilitators which is a key component of the business model I am using in Hale & Fun and allows them to see a side of the business that they may not normally see and who knows they may come up with some suggestions on how to improve it. Even the short interviews I have each month with new potential facilitators has been a virtual cornucopia of ideas and improvements on the business so I suspect the newsletter will also become an important resource in making sure the business remains reactive and flexible. The other regard in which it works well is that it means that at least once a month, I have to take stock of what I have achieved and what I have not achieved. I know there is the business plan with its own list of goals and tasks for each months but it is so easy to simply put those sort of lists off- with a business newsletter you are forced to be answerable to those you work with (hmm, I dont like the sounds of that- afterall, I am the boss!), to make sure that each month something is achieved- something of note- it keeps the business active and stops you from simply going through the motions!
Cheers
Daniel
Saturday 28 January 2012
Thursday 12 January 2012
Cold Calling
I am not a big fan of cold calling, both receiving them and having to actual conduct them. Unfortunately, as I am coming to realise they actually work quite well. This surprised me quite a bit, since when I get an unexpected call from someone asking me if I am happy with my long distance phone call service I usually try to get off the line as soon as possible. Consequentially I have to start wonder exactly what I am missing out on. I might actually listen next time.
But when on the other side of cold calling, the problem I find is the repetition- "Hello, my name is Daniel White and I would like to talk to you about the entertainment options you provide for your members". Seriously, I am starting to say it in my sleep. Still in this day and age, when everyone has a website, our mail boxes are stuff to the brink with junk mail - both electronic and snail mail, I suspect that there is something to be said about the old fashion voice on a telephone.
And as I said, it does end in some positive results. We have recently been getting quite a few requests for some computer orientated courses to be developed. Which is exactly the sort of way I want our potential clients to view Hale & Fun. As a one stop shop, a place where they don't just order off the rack but get tailor made courses. So the call has gone out to our growing group of quite able facilitators to develop and submit some computer orientated courses. The plan is to dazzle our potential clients by how well we can give them exactly what they ask for, after all customer service is paramount to a small business and we want the clients to know we are ready for whatever they throw at us.
But when on the other side of cold calling, the problem I find is the repetition- "Hello, my name is Daniel White and I would like to talk to you about the entertainment options you provide for your members". Seriously, I am starting to say it in my sleep. Still in this day and age, when everyone has a website, our mail boxes are stuff to the brink with junk mail - both electronic and snail mail, I suspect that there is something to be said about the old fashion voice on a telephone.
And as I said, it does end in some positive results. We have recently been getting quite a few requests for some computer orientated courses to be developed. Which is exactly the sort of way I want our potential clients to view Hale & Fun. As a one stop shop, a place where they don't just order off the rack but get tailor made courses. So the call has gone out to our growing group of quite able facilitators to develop and submit some computer orientated courses. The plan is to dazzle our potential clients by how well we can give them exactly what they ask for, after all customer service is paramount to a small business and we want the clients to know we are ready for whatever they throw at us.
Thursday 5 January 2012
Back n Business and ain't it fine!
Hi all,
Happy New Year. It is a brand new year and Hale & Fun is planning on hitting the ground running..Granted this is the first business blog posting for 2012 and it is already a week into the year but let us not discuss this factor.
Overall, the business is looking good. There is no denying that developing the strong foundation took longer than expected but overall we have adhered to our strong philosophy of excellence in teaching and learning and that is the important thing. The diary is rapidly filling up with meetings, discussion forums and presentations all over Sydney area as people become more aware of the potential of what we offer. By all accounts, 2012 will truly be the year of education and entertainment in the third age in Sydney and Hale & Fun is prime to ride that wave all the way to success.
But enough with the back patting and strangely convoluted sayings and metaphors and back to business!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)