It is always useful to see what other people get out of attending an event. Eilidh Milnes got the following from this week's Let's Talk... More Profit in Crewe.
"Here's a selection of notes I jotted down in his comprehensive course brochure:
1. Hope is not an option (when linked to future profits)
2. Many businesses neglect marketing
3. Practical common sense profitability tactics
4. The Law of the vital few
5. The Law of the trivial many
6. Win the battle of the mind of the customer
7. 78% of people trust recommendations"
RELEVANT LINKS
Eilidh Milnes - her blog
Let's Talk... More Profit - 12 more events in the current series
56 comments:
THE MESSAGE IS STOP PISSING AROUND, STUPID.
BEV
PS IS EILIDH AN ANAGRAM?
Is Mrs Fat Club out there? What did she think of the event?
CH
The power of twitter... putting prices up for me and sacking two pain in the a*** customers.
Jon
Ha Ha Mrs Fat Club. Insult or Flattery?
Bev I have been many things including a virus and never got through to the client till I called him - not been an anagram for a while. Eilidh is Scottish Gaelic for 'Helen.'
Have your prices gone up? Mine have!
EILIDH/HELEN
PRICES ARE ON THE WAY UP
BEV
Put prices up, do customer survey, apply the 80:20. Action time.
Terry (Cambridge)
Sorry to re-comment. Jut found my earlier comments on an earlier posting and will tell you (in capitals what has happened)
After Cambridge...
The decisions are: prices on Top 10 products UP 3% on 1st Dec (letter going out on Monday). LETTER DONE AND AL NEW CLIENTS ARE PAYING THE NEW PRICES - NO BAD REACTION YET
Other product prices UP by 5% on average. Dog product prices up 15% or being killed. I don't believe that this will destroy our business. DONE. 10 PRODUCTS KILLED!
Calling Top 10 suppliers (as well as bank, accountant, IT support, interim FD, business coach, landlord, all utilities) and negotiating better long-term value (Monday). DONE: ALL (INCL ACCOUNTANT!) BUT NOT LANDLORD HAVE AGREED A BETTER PRICED PACKAGE FOR US. AVERAGE 5-6% SAVING AND BETTER PAYMENT TERMS (I WAS SHOCKED)
Have spoken to employee Mrs X and will meet again next week. DONE - SHE AGREES TO GET HERSELF SORTED OR LEAVE (RELIEF)
The weekend starts here. (IT DID)
TERRY
after sheffield:
split customers gold, silver, bronze and chase the gold
pete
Didn't attend this series but delegates normally come away enthused with "can do" enthusiam.
Robert's key messages (for me) are: action, pricing, why should people buy from you?
Meawhile the event is a great client acquistion tool for Barclays and for the Business Link both of whom present themselves well. Dare I say the hated phrase a win-win-win!!
A heads-up to all concerned and everyone should be proud to be associated with it. (Barclays have no idea what an asset they have in RC - shame!)
Jim
BL
Barclays: better than I expected
Craven: better than I expected
Audience: some excellent contacts made - good networking
I saw: a very good event - lots of activity and business taking place.
I heard: a really first-rate speaker.
I say this despite my general cynicism
Steve
This I wrote after Rob's seminar in Sheffield:
I'm a firm believer in action too.
I've been 'acting' since the meeting, and have emailed most of the people
I met and had business cards from.
Hopefully we're talking about making 2-3 new films for new clients as a
result of the networking, and about becoming a content supplier for
another contact I met over there.
I'm also going to raise the cost of some of our services as soon as my
new website is up and running and I can streamline the cost rise with
the new launch.
So that means more customers + more income. All good! I like
networking, especially in the daytime. I look to go for as many of
these events as makes sense, that time allows.
Rob Speranza
I found the event really useful and thought provoking. In fact so thought provoking that I put into action my top three take-aways and have seen a positive effect on my business already. Thank you Barclays for inviting me and looking after me. Thank you Robert Craven for making me take action.
Make decisons now. Put prices up. Deal with under-performers. Be honest, not polite. Talk to my suppliers. Follow up leads and ask for the business.
Gary (after More Profit)
PS don't get the twitter references. Twitter is (still) for losers.
PPS Fat Club?
PPS Louise is great.
Hello Mrs Fat Club here!
Affectionately named by Robert in the seminar!
I run the Weight Loss Challenge across the UK - class's to inspire and educate people to change their health. www.btheweightuwant.com
Robert was excellent - really first class. Learnt loads, applied some changes already, more to come.
Working on sorting the underperformers, putting together a mastermind group and improving our follow up system. Thanks Barclays and Robert for a thought provoking and very postive business networking event.
After London, Norman here (joke).
Yes my audio logo/elevator pitch has been dreadful. It needs to be compelling.
My point: we employ 25 and if I can't present the business clearly then what hope have the rest of the team? And I think that the whole team to be able explain what we do for our benefit as well as the benefit of the customers!
Mark
Hello! Mrs Lemonade here [so called by Robert at the recent Cambridge event].
My list of actions too was small, neat but compelling coming out of the seminar. A few tiny actions can have a massive difference.
Thanks Robert for another great event [and thanks Barclays too]
Claire Martinsen [aka Mrs Lemonade]
Breckland Orchard
www.brecklandorchard.co.uk
Middlesboro: Made me realise to think outside the box re current clients & keeping in contact with them. Thnak you to barclays and to Robert. TS
The event pushes boundaries, challenges assumptions and helps businesses. First class.
A real event where businesses talk to each other. Adding real value to businesses and no doubt Barclays client base.
Not the usual banal, transmission-based, mediocrity. Barclays need to capitalise on this.
Do not be fooled that vanity seminars (bigger speaker, bigger stage, bigger budget) will do anything more than boost the ego of your directors. Not seen Louise but Robert and Kiki are real. Real ROI for everyone.
Madge
Anonymous/Madge and Barclays
To quote you Madge:
"Not the usual banal, transmission-based, mediocrity. Barclays need to capitalise on this."
Too right.
The event is under-promoted [such a word?]. My event scored a 10 out of 10 yet the PR and so on has been light. This should not be a 'best-kept secret'!
Barclays should be grateful to have such a star. The bland alternative would be too predictable and obvious (think Business Link).
Here is a bank that is trying to be different. Hurray [Read RC on the subject: why should people bother to buy from you if you are the same as the competition?].
So for Barclays:
- association with RC: what a privilege
- quality of event: the best I have attended for years
- quality of content: spot-on
Actions for Barclays:
- get the PR machine going
- you are sitting on a goldmine: who wouldn't buy from a bank that does this kind of thing [RC: "Ask for the business!" Remember.]
- do not lose the challenge and passion that RC brings
- stop being so complacent!
- see what Bev Cooper's comments were above.
Seize The Day! The sweet, sweet irony is that Barclays just need to listen to the man and do what he says. LISTEN.
Mark
The potential is enormous.
Madge
Madge and Mark
Back to the question, please.
I heard "Take Action, Be Brave, Be Decisive, Create a Board of Advisers around you". This has been a week of action. So, thanks to Barclays and to Robert.
Bev
Madge - Pete here.
I sent some business colleagues to see Louise at Newbury Race Course(?). She was great, according to them: challenging and providing a real 'value for money' event. The feedback was 100% unanimous that she is a star. Praise indeed! So well done Robert Craven in finding another presenter who is not a Mini-Me. She is doing events in Bracknell and Ashford - sounds like you should sign up.
Pete
RE Middlesboro event:
Greatly enjoyed your presentation yesterday.
In particular: I felt there was even greater clarity regarding the basic principles:
1. first sort out the financials - get the model right, then increase volume, then lower overheads.
2. work on not in the business - get others to do it
3. raving fans
Julian Rowe
www.businesssupportfinder.co.uk
Eilidh's blog says:
Let’s Talk More Profit Seminar at Crewe Hall...
Here's a selection of notes
1. Hope is not an option (when linked to future profits)
2. Many businesses neglect marketing
3. Practical common sense profitability tactics
4. The Law of the vital few
5. The Law of the trivial many
6. Win the battle of the mind of the customer
7. 78% of people trust recommendations.
The full blog entry including flattering remarks can be seen at
http://www.eilidhmilnes.com/BlogRetrieve.aspx?BlogID=3294&PostID=91854
Robert
Re: Brighter Marketing, I found the event fascinating and from it I found 2 new customers and wealth of contacts. Well worth attending.
Some more thoughts are at
http://www.bmsnet.co.uk/blog/?p=27
The main thing that stood out for me though was the return on investment the average business achieves from different types of marketing activity undertaken. Often the least expensive options provide the highest returns.
The top 3 methods of getting new business are face to face meetings, networking events and referrals from others. All 3 of these options are at the cheap end of marketing activity.
Think about where your last 10 customers came from. I’m willing to bet the majority came from the above methods or derivatives of them. How many came from more expensive marketing exercises like advertising in Yellow Pages, trade papers or a radio campaign?
from Steve Wright
Three things about this workshop that resonated with me were:
1. Scoring your Business. You score your business on 3 fronts. will look after itself. Obvious
2. Tactics to increase your profitability. There are 5 ways.
3. Networking
More info at the blog at
http://www.performancecoachingandtraining.co.uk/blog/lets-talk-more-profits/
Thank you all for fascinating insights into what it is like from the other side of the stage.
Robert
Great event - spoke to someone else this morning who said that Robert carries the whole event so well ! Great stuff - 80:20 !!
N
I was putting up our prices until the recession kicked in and then I stopped. It now feels that the time is right to start increasing them again to bring them in line with the rest of the country. Everything I've read and heard has told me to put up prices but it's very hard in practice and has been the subject of much discussion.
It was a combination of a book I'd read the night before (Jeffrey Gittomer) and your seminar that really put it into perspective.
Arrived nervous. We professional service firms don't do marketing. Shouldn't need to. In the old days the work would come to us. Now it is not so easy. Harder work. Met a PR man who was also struggling - his specialist industry has dried up so he must diversify. On reflection I need to do the same. Somehow I must find a way to get out there more. Selling yourself is never easy. Time to move on. Also met a solicitor worrying about Tesco Law. Difficult to be optimistic. Also met a man who had just sold his business. Lucky old him. I am afraid that it is going to get worse before it gets better.
Sorry to sound so negative. I am new at this Twitter thing.
The best thing since ages. Seen Robert. Seen the Preparing for Growing one as well. No contest in my opinion. We all want action-based stuff. The high concept is pleasant to listen to BUT it is all about ACTION not words. What next? Even More Profit? Where does this Business Club thing fit into the whole picture? Do Barclays sponsor this as well?
Theo
You and I seem to be answering a different question. We should not be comparing events but talking about what WE get. Whatever.
For me the issue is also about action. What I liked about RC is the action bias. (Hence my scary and defensive support of him. Am I stalker?)
So Robert (going off the point again), what is the relationship between all the RC and DC stuff and The Business Club?
Madge
Madge etc
I also attended both (RC and RC - Rene and Robert). Don't want to get into comparing the relative events cos difficult to compare.
The original question was "What did I take away?"
From Robert I got a sense of action and purpose which was needed. Loved the flymo business review. Also the three (or four) ways to grow the business. His message was "Take Action, Now" (the candle) and that's about it. What did I take away and do: Prices have gone up. Elevator Pitch sorted. Bank appointment discussed.
From Rene I got a sense of comfort - professional, slick. Nice to hear his views, the panel discussion was poor. His message was "See the upside". What did I take away and do: difficult to quantify.
Interesting to read the other comments. Not sure if this helps or adds.
Tracy
RE The Club
- The Club is delivered by The Directors' Centre (led by Robert Craven). It aims to show ambitious business the tools they need to grow their businesses.
It will never replace the effectiveness of a face-to-face interaction. It will, however, point people in the right direction. Remember my focus is on action and results!
Robert
RE RC vs RC comments
I am embarrassed to say that some postings read like secret messages to Barclays. Thanks for 'working' on my behalf and the feedback is always useful but I have no need or intention of using the blog as a campaign machine in my relationship with Barclays.
Trust this is taken in the tone that it is intended. Any problems then email me direct on rc@directorscentre.com
Meanwhile keep the comments rolling.
Robert
Thw whole point of attending an event is to get something out of it. Going along and simply expecting it to work is not good enough.
Too many people just expect to attend the workshop and for it to help the business. This is a nonsense.
You need to attend and be clear about what you want from the event. Most people have no expectations and go away, surprise, surprise with low outcomes.
Come on, demand more and take more out.
Bill
PS There are plenty of excellent Business Link events avaialable but people don't take them seriously because they are free to attend. These cost money and should really be charged at real prices - then you might take them more seriously.
Just seen this.
Well the answer is sweet nothing from most events.
Full of fancy powerpoints and people more interested in themselves. How many are worth attending? One in ten maybe.
What do you get? sweet nothing.
If you 've seen one, you've seen them all.
Save the money, go elsewhere. Buy a book.
Sweeping generalisations here?
Robert
Most people just don't get maximum benefit from attending events. They need to think about the wonderful opprotuntiy they offer and not squander it!
This is very personal. Most peopel get very little - too obsessed with themselves to step back. Too pre-occuppied to listen properly to other people. Too stupid to understand what has value and what does not.
A zen approach may be the answer?
Richard
Just attended Bath event. Stupendous. Brilliant to see Mr C using an accountant no less as an example of how good a business can be. Quite right. A stroke of pure genius. If he can use a PSF as an exemplar of legendary customer service then this leads the way for all PSFs in the room. I bet the accountants and solicitors in the room just loved him for this. Are they paying him? (joke).
Phil
Thank you for referring me to this posting on the blog.
I was also at Bath. I am an accountant.
Yes, if he can eulogise about accountants then he can do it about any business. This was a true eye-opener.
Have always seen us as just another accountant but now realise that we can actually be someone. We can be proud of what we can do and most of all we seperate ourselves quite easily. We are not the same as the rest and we have been way too shy for way too long.
Seeing how we add value (through the customers' eyes) is a magnificent way of being able to recreate the business so that we too can be passionate about what we do.
Feels like freedom.
NoName for obvious reasons.
But it is all about doing it. At the end of the day the one thing that matters is the results.
Thank you for referring me to this posting on the blog.
I was also at Bath. I am an accountant.
Yes, if he can eulogise about accountants then he can do it about any business. This was a true eye-opener.
Have always seen us as just another accountant but now realise that we can actually be someone. We can be proud of what we can do and most of all we seperate ourselves quite easily. We are not the same as the rest and we have been way too shy for way too long.
Seeing how we add value (through the customers' eyes) is a magnificent way of being able to recreate the business so that we too can be passionate about what we do.
Feels like freedom.
NoName for obvious reasons.
Sorry to sound so negative. I am new at this Twitter thing.
I was putting up our prices until the recession kicked in and then I stopped. It now feels that the time is right to start increasing them again to bring them in line with the rest of the country. Everything I've read and heard has told me to put up prices but it's very hard in practice and has been the subject of much discussion.
It was a combination of a book I'd read the night before (Jeffrey Gittomer) and your seminar that really put it into perspective.
Great event - spoke to someone else this morning who said that Robert carries the whole event so well ! Great stuff - 80:20 !!
N
Some more thoughts are at
http://www.bmsnet.co.uk/blog/?p=27
The main thing that stood out for me though was the return on investment the average business achieves from different types of marketing activity undertaken. Often the least expensive options provide the highest returns.
The top 3 methods of getting new business are face to face meetings, networking events and referrals from others. All 3 of these options are at the cheap end of marketing activity.
Think about where your last 10 customers came from. I’m willing to bet the majority came from the above methods or derivatives of them. How many came from more expensive marketing exercises like advertising in Yellow Pages, trade papers or a radio campaign?
from Steve Wright
Madge - Pete here.
I sent some business colleagues to see Louise at Newbury Race Course(?). She was great, according to them: challenging and providing a real 'value for money' event. The feedback was 100% unanimous that she is a star. Praise indeed! So well done Robert Craven in finding another presenter who is not a Mini-Me. She is doing events in Bracknell and Ashford - sounds like you should sign up.
Pete
Hello! Mrs Lemonade here [so called by Robert at the recent Cambridge event].
My list of actions too was small, neat but compelling coming out of the seminar. A few tiny actions can have a massive difference.
Thanks Robert for another great event [and thanks Barclays too]
Claire Martinsen [aka Mrs Lemonade]
Breckland Orchard
www.brecklandorchard.co.uk
Make decisons now. Put prices up. Deal with under-performers. Be honest, not polite. Talk to my suppliers. Follow up leads and ask for the business.
Gary (after More Profit)
PS don't get the twitter references. Twitter is (still) for losers.
PPS Fat Club?
PPS Louise is great.
This I wrote after Rob's seminar in Sheffield:
I'm a firm believer in action too.
I've been 'acting' since the meeting, and have emailed most of the people
I met and had business cards from.
Hopefully we're talking about making 2-3 new films for new clients as a
result of the networking, and about becoming a content supplier for
another contact I met over there.
I'm also going to raise the cost of some of our services as soon as my
new website is up and running and I can streamline the cost rise with
the new launch.
So that means more customers + more income. All good! I like
networking, especially in the daytime. I look to go for as many of
these events as makes sense, that time allows.
Rob Speranza
Didn't attend this series but delegates normally come away enthused with "can do" enthusiam.
Robert's key messages (for me) are: action, pricing, why should people buy from you?
Meawhile the event is a great client acquistion tool for Barclays and for the Business Link both of whom present themselves well. Dare I say the hated phrase a win-win-win!!
A heads-up to all concerned and everyone should be proud to be associated with it. (Barclays have no idea what an asset they have in RC - shame!)
Jim
BL
EILIDH/HELEN
PRICES ARE ON THE WAY UP
BEV
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