How Others Help Grow Your Business

We already discussed how participating in a mastermind group and marketing team can help you grow your business with almost no cost. Today I would like to share three others ways that other people will collaborate with you.

Some people doubt my claim that others will help them achieve their goals. I acknowledge that  not all people will selflessly share, collaborate, or serve others. I also maintain that a lot of people will help. I ask a simple question “Would you help someone if they asked, you knew that all they needed were a few ideas, and that it would not take too long?” Most people answer that they would help others.

So, if you and others will help others, why do you believe others will not help you?

Focus Groups of Current or Potential Clients

Focus provide one method for evaluating you product, service, or business. A focus group allows current or potential clients to share their answers to questions you prepare. Several organizations will help you run your focus group. You can learn more through

• Georgia Tech offers a wonderful PDF guiding you through the process
• George Silverman’s Marketing Secrets
• Chron.com
• Pragmatic Marketing
• Waterwiki

Study the web sites. Try setting up your own focus group.

Phone Long-Term Clients, Vendors & Others

You can also involve clients, vendors, and suppliers through simple, short email or phone surveys. You may use MonkeySurvey, Zoomerang, LinkedIn, or even Facebook to prepare and distribute your survey. None of the ones mentioned charge a fee. Phone calls receive better and higher quality responses, but take more time.

• Decide what you want to learn from your survey
• Keep your surveys short. Keep your survey to less than 5 minutes
• Mix your questions with multiple choice, yes/no, with only a few open ended ones
• Test your survey with a few clients first. Ask them for feedback on the survey.
• Edit it and test it again with the same group, and ask for more feedback
• Edit it and test it a third time with a new group of clients
• Then, send it to a good representation of your clients

Tours of Your Manufacturing Line

I know groups in several cities that host professional or business associations to hold monthly or quarterly luncheons in their facilities. The simple agenda follows this pattern:

• The host provides the meal, or everyone pays for or brings their own lunch
• The group takes a tour of the facility before the meal
• The hosts takes 10 minutes to ask questions, opinions, and feedback from the guests
• The group continues with a speaker, networking, or other activity

All of three of these processes cost almost no money. They involve other people to help you evaluate your business and brainstorm ideas. You would help others with their needs. They will help you with yours.

Join me on Thursday when we share several books that could help you improve your business