Event Suppliers: They Can Make Or Break An Event

 

You have to be careful when you are trying to plan a great event. You need to make sure that you are using the right vendors that are there to help you.  There are many different people out there that want to take your money and you need to make sure that you are protecting yourself your clients and your event if you decide to use them.

Planning the perfect event for any reason is something that anyone wants to do.  It is not always easy, however it is something that you have to take seriously because you will want to make sure that you are getting the most for your money. You want to get the most for your money, but yet still put on a great event.

Shop around for prices on what you need. For example, if you need fifty table clothes, don't get them at the first store that you come to, call at least three suppliers and ask their prices on that same item.

That item could be just £1 cheaper at another store, and shipped free, compared to paying £1 more for each table clothe and to have to pay shipping as well.

Look for items that you can reuse at other events. For example, go back to the back to the table clothe order. Will you be able to launder the items, cheap, and reuse them again at another event? This is a good idea is you are going to be an event planner or put on a lot of different events in the next few months or years.  Continued Below.....

Event Planning Continued.....

While it could be a little more costly up front instead of using paper, you have to look at the number of times you can use these table clothes, and the price you would pay each time if you were to use paper. Remember, savy affairs and events are not the place for paper anyway, so you might end up buying paper table clothes for four events, and then still have to purchase those linens for another event.

A supplier can make or break your event, just by not showing up. You need to keep a list of supplies, that are local so that just in case you find your supplier doesn't ship or doesn't show, you can purchase what you need, without waiting. You always need a backup plan. For example, the 125 paper table clothes you orders online that are blue and green, can you get them anywhere else locally, within fifty miles, even if it costs more?

If your supplier doesn't show, or doesn't ship and it is the day of the event, you need to send someone to your backup, and get what you need. Don't let anyone hold you up from being successful.

Hold people to their contracts, to what you ordered. If you ordered 100 green cloth napkins and 40 black napkins for centre pieces, and your shipped the products but in backwards amounts, call the supplier. Tell them you want a big discount or you are going to refuse to accept the shipment. Make your point known. If you have to put up with items that are wrong, then get a discount; get money back on the overall deal. Make it or break it, that is all a name of the game. You can be strong with vendors, remember you are paying their bill and you don't have to pay for what is right. Make the vendor or supplier work for your money.

You should avoid vendors and suppliers who are always running late. Avoid suppliers that do not deliver what you order, and in the quantities that you always order. Keep a running list of suppliers that will put you on top of everything from forks, to tables, to food, to lighting and candles. Always know where you bought the item last, and at least one other supplier for that item so your events will 'go off' without a hitch.

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Coaches and Consultants: Should You Work For Free?

There are separate, yet equally valid points to consider in the working for free issue. Many people believe that working for free is sometimes essential to the start up and or growth of a company. This group of people says that working for free allows your skills and your name to get out there, and establishes you more as experienced in your field. It can also be an excellent way to generate word of mouth about your business, just as many startup companies give away free samples.

In the beginning, you may need to work for free, either as an intern in a company or as a volunteer. These can be valuable ways to gain experience and connections. Many writers work for free, in order to build up their ‘clips’ and gain a name for themselves. Working for free can be a good marketing tool.

Others believe that you should not give away your services for free. This may set a bad precedent. People often ascribe a value to certain things, and the value they base on things can often be based on the amount they paid for them.

Another argument is that it becomes difficult to start charging for services – it’s hard to go from a free or very inexpensive service to a service that actually charges your market value, and people you had counted on as clients may leave. Thus, there are those who say you should start out charging your set rate.

If you feel a need to give away your services, perhaps because your business is as an event planner and you haven’t got enough references, you can always have your services auctioned off for a charity. This can make it clear: you normally charge, but in this instance, you are donating your fee to a charity. This is also good for the charity.

Whether or not you work for free is your own decision.

Working for free is something to consider as part of an overall business plan and marketing campaign, and thus, the decision and the factors affecting the decision will be different for each coach or consultant. If you choose to give away your services for free, be sure you have a plan for when you are going to start charging.

Perhaps let clients know that the first session is free, and after that, it is your regular price per session.

The choice of whether or not to do work for free is just one of the many decisions you will make in becoming a coach or a consultant. Be sure to choose a path which you will enjoy and find fulfilling.

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Looking around the web this week I was thinking a lot about the different types of business that one can start and I found an interesting book covering 'How to Start a Wedding Planning Business'. I’ve added it below for you to check out yourself. Just make sure when you’re done, you bookmark this site and come back soon as we are always adding new information.

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Looking around the web this week I was thinking a lot on how to get into the importing business and came across this article by Chris Malta & Robin Cowie. I found it extremely informative and gives a great overview.

It made me realise how important it is to do some research before making some serious errors and costing a lot of money. I’ve pasted this article on 'How To Break Into Importing' below for you to check out for yourself. .

In spite of its tremendous profit potential, many online retailers shy away from importing inventory. You may have ruled out this product sourcing method as overly complicated or problematic. But by writing it off all together, you miss out on some amazing deals and innovative products that you won't find any other way.

A Novel Strategy

According to Peter Zapf, of SmartChinaSourcing.com and GlobalSources.com, it was for this very reason that his company created their sister web site, GlobalSourcesDirect.com, which essentially acts as an overseas wholesaler. They buy and warehouse large volumes of product directly from numerous Chinese manufacturers, and place them on their web site. You can purchase those products in much smaller quantities, and have them shipped directly to your home, office, or warehouse. Explains Zapf, "We wanted to eliminate the complexities and the red tape that keep new resellers from experiencing the benefits of importing. This site makes beginning simple – we take care of all the details."

Removing the Fear Factor

The bottom line is that you can enter the world of international sourcing without dealing with a lot of the hassles and challenges. GlobalSourcesDirect.com handles the more difficult aspects of importing for you:

• Large minimum orders. With GlobalSourcesDirect.com, you can place an order as small as a single carton, which greatly reduces your investment risk.

• Long lead times. Many overseas manufacturers don't source the materials to make your products until you actually place an order, so it may take thirty to ninety days just for the manufacturing. Here, however, the products are already made and ready to ship, greatly reducing your lead time.

• Quality control. You don't have to hire a third party to conduct an independent inspection of your products prior to shipment. When merchandise arrives at their Hong Kong warehouse, the team at GlobalSourcesDirect.com will examine it before they ever place it on their site. And if by some chance, your products should arrive in an unsatisfactory condition, they'll also handle the replacement or refund.

• Intellectual property rights. Again, GlobalSourcesDirect.com will review a product to ensure that there are no IP violations and that all necessary certifications and permissions are in place, saving you the trouble.

• Negotiation. You're not communicating directly with the manufacturer, so negotiation, cultural and language barriers are never an issue.

• Payment. You can pay with PayPal or credit card, just like any other shopping web site, so you don't have to worry about international currency rates or how to get your payment to your supplier.

• International clearance. You don't have to track down logistical providers and negotiate delivery rates, or deal with Customs regulations. GlobalSourcesDirect.com has the shipping power to negotiate better international rates than you could as an individual retailer, and they'll make sure that you're in compliance with Customs.

The idea behind the site is to make importing as easy and painless as possible, allowing you to get a feel for the process and test out internationally manufactured products. Advises Zapf, "Importing can seem incredibly intimidating, but GlobalSourcesDirect.com removes the fear factor. We let you try it out and get your feet wet. As you build confidence, you can graduate to working directly with overseas manufacturers and suppliers. It's well worth putting forth that effort and getting started, because you have such a fantastic opportunity for high returns.

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BIOGRAPHY: Product Sourcing Radio is Created and Hosted by Chris Malta and Robin Cowie of WorldwideBrands.com, Home of the Internet's Largest Source of Genuine, Factory-Direct Wholesalers for online sellers.

Click Here for more FREE E-Biz & Product Sourcing info!

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Ideas For Small Business : Small Business Success Secret

Having ideas for a small business is one thing but he real secret to small business success has nothing to do with technology tools, the internet or anything like that.  In fact, it isn’t even a real secret.  It has been around since man started to communicate. It’s WORDS!

Words carry enormous power.  They can make you laugh hysterically, or destroy a relationship or friendship.  Words have more power in them than any other tool at your disposal.

Effective use of words, especially in business, means skyrocketing sales, satisfied clients, happy employees, and a profitable and secure future.  Yet, less than 1% of small entrepreneur businesses use words with full power.

The power of words can be learned and used effectively by anyone, and when this power is harnessed there’s nothing on this earth that can stop you.  This art of using words is what is called copy writing.  It makes or breaks your sales and advertising material.

One of the ways an “amateur” copywriter who is writing for his own product or business can beat the experienced pro is by infusing the sales letter or ad with his own, honest, intense enthusiasm.  When doing selling in print, enthusiasm is just as important as in face-to-face selling.

This is why you can’t just sit down and write an ad “on command”, like you can sit down and do bookkeeping.  You have to work up some enthusiasm for the job and the proposition you’re putting across.

Once I have my ideas for small business I’m going to write an ad or some other sales material the first thing in the morning, as I often do, I try to set my subconscious mind working on that job before I go to bed the night before.  Sometimes I wake up with the “big idea” that I need, other times I at least wake up with ideas and a readiness to write them and pick and choose.

Don’t force yourself to “grind out” direct-response copy when you really don’t feel like it because the result will be flat and mechanical.  It may be technically correct with a headline, subheads, bullet points, an offer, etc., but it will lack spirit and enthusiasm.

The person who is genuinely enthusiastic about what he/she is selling definitely has an advantage.  That’s why the freelance pro copywriter should always download as much of the pitch from the product’s most enthusiastic salesperson as possible. Then transfer it to paper and shape and mold it to perfection.

Over the years, the work I’ve done for clients and ad agencies has proven that the most successful work was for clients that were passionate and enthusiastic about what they sell.  So before you tackle that next ad for your large or small business, make sure you’re as enthusiastic about it as you want your clients to be.
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Best Business Ideas : Can You Sell Ideas to Others?

No matter what type of business you’re in or what position you hold, you must be able to sell your best business ideas to others.

Whether they be home business ideas or small business ideas, if you’re the owner, then you have to sell your ideas to your employees or your board of directors.  If you’re an employee of a business then you must be able to sell your ideas to your boss, your company, or your clients.  It seems that in this life, no matter whether it’s in business, relationships, or parenthood you had better be adept at selling your ideas to others.

It isn’t hard to master this procedure but it takes practice.  The first and most important rule of thumb is to remember that one’s credibility and power to make the desired changes must be earned.  Here are some specific points to remember:

Be absolutely positive that you understand every aspect related to your proposal.  If there are obstacles within your organisation to your idea, find a way around them before you make your suggestions.  Then when they are raised, you can come up with a solution.

Know who or what sections of your business may be affected negatively by your idea.  Then find a way to modify it so that the organisation can get all or most of the benefits without any parties getting hurt.Be aware of your own credibility.  Often, it’s the presenter more than what is presented that is judged.Limit the number of suggestions made. 

This will increase your credibility if you’ve prioritised your business ideas before trying to sell them. When you want to be taken seriously, you must use the rules for developing influence.  The Four Rs; Role, Respect, Relationships, and Rhetoric.

Make sure your role is that of a clear advocate.  Gain the respect you need through hard work and dedication to your responsibilities.  Form alliances that are based on mutual respect and hard work.  Finally, know exactly what you are proposing and all the implications of your idea.

The ability to sell your best business ideas to others is a valuable asset to your life and understanding how it’s done is easy.  No matter whether you’re dealing with your peers, your business, your children, or your significant other – your ability to sell your idea will be used so hone this tool well.

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