Hows business

[Flanners]

Evening guys, Just wandering how many people have some kind of business plan or stratergy? what works for you? I know a lot of people use rated people, my hammer, etc. We don't personally but if it works for people then its something we may consider? We have recently grown our business, not massively but enough to be looking at different ways of generating business. Im just sat having a beer in the garden and thought it may be an interesting topic. Also my return button on my keypad isn't working so excuse the layout of this message!!

 

[SimonJohns]

IMO business plans are for mugs. How can you plan a business that depends on your level of service and experience

I could write a plan for a business. Doesn't mean it's going to work

I'm trying it ATM. Trying to make money that is.

I have no plan

But if I get it right ill be a millionaire

If I get it wrong ill be bankrupt

If I'd of planned it. I'd never of done it

 

[Flanners]

Horses for courses Simon! That's why I asked.

majority of people running a business would disagree but if it works for you fair play to you!!

 

[SimonG]

SimonJ has hit it on the head. Supply and demand. You can't supply if there's no demand. It's ensuring you have demand, and also demand at the right price.

 

[lame plumber]

just be reliable, advertise locally, keep advertising in down times when the rest dont and youll get work, dont extend your overdraft beyond what you can pay back, kick the hell out of staff that dont work and praise the ones that do.

 

[Killy Bing]

Also where there is a demand, there is competition. that is won by experience, competency and then our prices.

i'm shot in the foot with showing my experience as I'm 21 and look about 5! However talk to me for five minutes and my competency shows though luckily.
prices.... Well a few quid less than most guys for a moment.

I just find be reliable, polite, go the extra mile, make it look like some things are freebies and listen to the customer. I haven't advertised yet as i don't have my gas quals awarded

a plan in this industry is useless, you're trying to sell a very dynamic demand based product with a huge amount of competition.
but an ongoing marketing strategy is a better thing to look into!

 

[SimonG]

Customer recommendations.

Went to look at a non functioning shower for somebody just moved in. Got my number from her next door neighbour along with a list of other 'good' tradesman. So fitting a new mixer shower as an urgent job and price up complete bathroom refurb and price up stripping out storage heaters and full heating system.

 

[Howsie]

People buy from people in our game. Work on that and you won't fail.

 

[DaveTidy]

I was talking about this with my brother last night and some guys we know drew up a business plan of how they were going to set up but analysed how they were going to get work and put dates to everything so they actually did it.

We looked at different trades last night and were amazed at how many guys we know don't have a website presence and were moaning to us that they don't have any / or very little work.

In this day and age if someone wants a gas engineer they'd probably type in 'Gas Engineer London' and if you don't come up at least by the top of page 2 you're not getting noticed.

I'm not saying you have to have one if you have a great reputation and in a smaller area but if you want to break into other peoples areas, have little work or want to expand you really should have one.

As for a business plan, we were always told if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. Many people do it ot of their heads and are very successful but I've met a lot of people who did it out of their heads and went down missing basic stuff as they miss the financial management out.