Feb

22

Start-Up Money, Get Organized, How to Donate

Filed Under Donation Requests, Money, Organize Your Workspace | Leave a Comment

IN THE MARKET FOR MONEY

Years ago, American Express and the Women’s Basketball League sponsored a small business contest. A gift basket designer, located about 30 minutes from my office, won the top prize of cash and a computer. I think about her good fortune every time I ride past her thriving location.

Wednesday’s newsletter reminds you that well-funded corporations continue to sponsor contests and other events that benefit your business. Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks, is running one now. Have you entered?

WELL OILED BUNCH OF BASKETS

A client called me to place an order. I grabbed an order form from a drawer directly under the phone. When the order was written on paper, I placed it on the front of a shelf above my worktable, similar to the way restaurant orders are positioned. That’s when I knew I had a good sales system in place.

This article shares more ways to ensure that your business is in working order, saving you lots of time and lowering your stress. If you’re disorganized, let these tips get you under control.

DONATION OR DUMPSTER?

Your inventory houses many products. Now that it’s 2009, is it time to clear out old goods that are too dated and dingy to sell? Some items may qualify as donations.

Click to read this story, which helps you decide how to discard items that clog your shelves and creative success. It’s time to dump it for good.

Aug

6

Mega Tips for the Mega Sale

Filed Under Organize Your Workspace, Sales-Increasing Strategies | 4 Comments

This morning you enter your office and find a mega order waiting for you. A new client wants 500 gift baskets made and delivered to a local conference center. How can you complete this order on time, satisfy and client, and ensure that you’re ready for the next big sale?

Many designers turn to high school juniors and seniors or college students for help. They are full of energy and eager to get the job done.

Contact a high school or college counselor. Tell him how many students are needed, time length for the project, and per hour salary for the task. Salaries, on average, range from $7 to $10 per hour, depending on duties.

Set up your workspace in a well ventilated area with lots of room for busy hands. Determine which duties can be completed by the students and which tasks are suited for you.

You’re delivering the gift baskets, so it may be best to rent a small truck since most cars and personal vans are incapable of handling the load. You’ll only need the truck for several hours, which will keep the cost to a minimum.

Be sure to collect a minimum 50 percent deposit to cover the cost for products, salaries, trash disposal, and truck rental.

Keep meticulous notes about the project, including what worked and what didn’t.

Also list the names of the best students, keeping the information in a file to contact them again through the school’s counselor, and get their home telephone numbers in case the next mega order arrives during the Christmas break or the following summer.

This plan is crucial to grow your business. Get ready – Christmas is coming, and so are the mega orders.

How to Find Holiday Help provides more insight to prepare you for the big event.

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