Apr 24 2020

PROTRADE United

Business Development, Marketing, Sales

How to Win More of the Business You Want!

How to Win More of the Business You Want! What business are you in? What are you in the business of? This is not a trick. In fact, this is ‘the’ most important question to know the answer to, when looking to increase your sales conversion rate. When asked this question, most will answer: Service? [&...

Apr 30 2019

PROTRADE United

Business Development, Financial, Marketing

Managing Your Business in an Economic Slowdown

If you pay attention to current media and economic commentaries, you will hear opinions of a slowdown or correction in the economy, particularly within construction and related trades. Have you prepared yourself for this correction after four years of continuous double-digit growth? The reality is, ...

Dec 14 2018

PROTRADE United

Business Development, Financial, Marketing, Sales

Increase your Prices

Jul 04 2018

PROTRADE United

Business Development, Client Retention, Marketing, Sales

7 Warning Signs You Have a Difficult Customer

If you have been in business for a while, you may have unfortunately had to deal with a difficult customer that refuses to pay, drags the job out so that it eventually becomes unprofitable, or keeps you up at night because of the way they behave and treat you personally. Every trade or construction ...

Feb 07 2018

PROTRADE United

Business Development, Marketing, Sales

7 Unexpected Ways to Differentiate from the Competition

7 Unexpected Ways to Differentiate from the Competition Some may feel that we have to do the big things in business in order to stand out from the crowd; to make a difference. However, in my experience I have found that it is the little things that we do on a consistent basis that are […]

May 23 2017

PROTRADE United

Financial, Marketing, Sales

The difference between ‘gross margin’ and ‘mark-up’

The difference between gross margin and mark-up A mistake in the use of these terms can lead to price setting that is substantially too high or low, resulting in lost sales or lost profits, respectively. The difference between margin and mark-up is that margin is sales minus the cost of goods sold, ...

May 11 2017

PROTRADE United

Business Development, Financial, Marketing

How to Calculate your Financial Break-even Point

How to Calculate your Financial Break-even Point Many business owners do not understand the importance of the break-even point and how it can be calculated. The break-even point is the point at which the business covers its costs and thus breaks even. This allows you to discover exactly how much you...

Feb 09 2017

PROTRADE United

Business Development, Marketing, Sales

How to Attract and Convert Quality Leads

How to Attract and Convert Quality Leads What does your value proposition tell future customers? It’s important to begin by observing that your brand and your value proposition are very tightly related. In other words: your brand (logo, designs, language choice etc) expresses indicators about your b...

Jan 12 2017

PROTRADE United

Business Development, Marketing, Sales

How to Win More Business in 2017

How to Win More Business in 2017 With a new year just kicking off, business owners are excited by the prospect of what 2017 has in store. Hopefully, you will have set some time aside by now and created your financial goals. Regardless of what industry you’re in, if you are looking to turn a [&hellip...

Jun 02 2016

PROTRADE United

Business Development, Client Retention, Marketing

Developing your Customer Avatar

Developing your Customer Avatar We’ve spoken about knowing your ideal customer and by now you may have a good idea of your target market; age range, economic status, etc, however there is still a vagueness here that may allow you to stray from your marketing objectives- you drew these lines for a re...

May 26 2016

PROTRADE United

Client Retention, Marketing, Sales

Customer Retention & Referrals

Customer Retention & Referrals Investing money in your marketing to bring in new customers is one thing, but are you utilising the client base you already have? Remember you have already laid the groundwork and overcome the toughest challenge; these customers already know you, like you (with ho...

May 19 2016

PROTRADE United

Marketing, Sales, Time Management

Ensure a Return on your Marketing Investment

Ensure a Return on your Marketing Investment Every lead you acquire in your business has a cost. As a small business owner you have 3 main resources with which to invest into attracting a new potential customer. These are: Money, Time and Energy If a marketing activity does not cost you much financi...