In what ways we can enhance our business and beat the competitor.?

Question

I am a business owner in Graphic Design & Printing Industry. Other competitors grab the market by decreasing the price, Price war. Can i have any ideas to help me to gain back the clients, to enhance and turn to profit. I really apppreciate with any comments for me, thank a lots.

Weillin, Malaysia.

Answer 1

1) Only hire people who LOVE to do that work.
You don't want people who will just show up. You can sell more product than your competitors at the SAME price if your product is better quality.

2) Use Linux-based design and implementation programs.
Many many many Linux-based systems are now MUCH BETTER than Microsoft-based systems. That is the big secret. Microsoft advertises and charges you THOUSANDS of dollars for a LIMITED LICENSE to use their software. Linux doesn't advertise, but is FREE and you can even MODIFY it. If you pay a little now to switch to and train in Linux, you will find HUGE returns later on. Better security, better stability, low cost.

3) Provide certain clients with specialized discounts.
That is correct. When dealing with dissatisfied customers, make your competition look bad. Use that chance to do a job for free or a greatly reduced price. You lose money, but you gain business in the long run. The food industry has been doing this practice for years and years.

4) Advertise
It doesn't matter how much you charge. If you are known first and seen most, you are more likely to get the business.

5) NEVER be dishonest.
Once someone knows you have done something wrong, you have just lost a customer.

6) Give out free samples.
This practice is not just for shampoo anymore! Why not send out examples of what you do? Why not provide samples of some of your best work for review?

7) Make bulk work cheaper.
Again, the more business someone does with you at one time, the less they should pay. This gives you much work and more customers.

8) Reduce a salary of an EXECUTIVE.
Yes!!! Don't reduce the salary of the designers. They will be less likely to work and less loyal. The quality of work will go down. Change has to start from the top and benefit the company FIRST. Then, once the business runs better, the executive can have a raise.

9) Expand your markets.
Get out there. Find a place that is in need of your services and get there before anyone else does.

10) Finally, find a client whose needs are very difficult.
Why? Because once you can learn to adapt to anyone's needs, you will have the expertise to tackle any job AND you EXCLUDE your competition who can't handle that particular market. Hardship and difficulties are OPPORTUNITIES, not limiters.

I hope that helps!
Jon

Answer 2

Weillim,
You need extra sauces of income. It is called Stacked Income.
Take a look through this and you will see what I mean.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Would you like fries with that?"

We've all heard those words before, haven't we?

You've placed your order and you're waiting for the total.

"Would you like fries with that?"

Over the years those six little words have generated billions of dollars in
sales (and profits) for the owners of McDonald's restaurants all over the world.

You're buying a new refrigerator and the salesman is filling out the paperwork.

"Would you like the extended warranty?"

Those are just two everyday examples of Stacked Income in the offline world.

You've already purchased something, and now you're being offered an add-on
product or service that you may also want.

Those add-on products and services are a HUGE source of additional profits
for offline businesses.

Why? Because it costs money to get a customer, but those add-on sales
require no additional cost and almost no effort at all, so they're extremely
profitable.

They allow the business to stack additional sales (and additional incomes)
on top of the primary purchase and MAKE MORE MONEY WITHOUT DOING
ANY ADDITIONAL WORK!

So why aren't you using Stacked Income in your online business?

More Information here http://www.pabsco.com/StIn.htm

Gil Pahlow

G. J. Pahlow
Queanbeyan,
N.S.W. 2620 AUSTRALIA.

Answer 3

Shorten your lead-time. Price wars usually create havoc (as you already know). Read up on the concept of lean manufacturing, and apply those principles. I'm working with a printing company in Utah doing this very thing. We're on track to reduce lead-time by 50-60%, and we'll use that as a competitive weapon.