The latest issue of the North Devon Business Alliance’s #ndevon magazine is now available online and in print. Articles in this issue focus on social media and Twitter.
Archive for All Blogs
NDBA #ndevon magazine available now!
Category: All Blogs, North Devon Business /
Tags: #ndevon, Alliance, articles, business, NDBA, North Devon, social media, twitter
Two Clients – Same Industry
I am sure there are plenty of businesses out there that have had this conflict – How do you successfully manage and keep happy two clients in exactly the same industry that cover exactly the same geographical area!
How do we do it?
We have a “Customer Care Standards” process in place.
This is where we make sure that no matter the industry the client works in, the service they require be is some telephone answering, web design or just to send a fax each client can expect from us the same level of excellent service and also utmost confidentially as any another client working with us.
Thinking this way and working this way is what I believe has helped us work with and also retain many clients that work in similar industries – trust I think is Key.
Have you had any situations similar to this – what do you do?
How can North Devon interact with the Heart of the South West LEP?
Have you heard of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW)?
HotSW supersedes the defunct South West England Regional Development Agency as the regional body representing business in North Devon. HotSW represents businesses across two counties: Devon and Somerset.
What does it do? Find out at heartofswlep.co.uk.
How can you participate? A number of local business groups, eg FSB, NDBA, COMBEbusiness, feed back to HotSW through the North Devon+ Business Support Network.
You can also interact directly through the HotSW online forum. To register visit forums.heartofswlep.co.uk.
Why is it important for North Devon? Most meetings and event are in South or Mid Devon so North Devon businesses have to make an extra special effort to attend. The online forum can be accessed by any business.
What issues does HotSW cover? Pretty much anything to do with business, eg infrastructure, transport links, broadband. It deals directly with government so if there are issues you want taken up, this is another route to achieve that.
HotSW will also lobby for funding for various project so it’s important that North Devon businesses are aware of what’s available and bid for them where appropriate.
Genuine referrals and testimonials
This week I’ve given some testimonials and recommended several North Devon businesses to others asking for recommendations. I don’t do this lightly.
I’m very happy to recommend businesses I have used or to suggest those who I believe offer a good service. I’m also very happy to give a testimonial to those businesses I have used who provide good service or products.
In my opinion, what makes these valuable is that these are individual recommendations, not anonymous ratings or unattributed comments. Also, they are not prompted by anyone else. I give recommendations and testimonials because they are deserved.
What matters to you when giving testimonials or receiving recommendations? What makes them useful?
Category: All Blogs, General Business, Networking /
Tags: businesses, North Devon, recommendations, referrals, testimonials
South West Office Supplies delivers the goods . . . in 1 hour 15 minutes
Yesterday I realised that I was running out of A4 laser printing paper. I have consciously reduced the amount I print and now proof on screen whenever I can. Paper stocks last longer so a rush on printing sometime catches me out.
I always order stationery and printer supplies through South West Office Supplies so when I saw them tweet, I tweeted that I needed to order two reams of paper. Imagine my surprise when 1 hour and 15 minutes later the paper was delivered to my door. What fantastic customer service from a great North Devon business!
I recommend South West Office Supplies for all stationery, printing, office and equipment supplies.
Category: All Blogs, Testimonial /
Tags: equipment, North Devon, office, printing, South West Office Supplies, stationery, supplies
