Tips for Success - Grassroots Business Development

Generating good relationships for customer loyalty

Let’s look at the great marketing tools that some retailers use:

Loyalty card – loyalty program where you redeem for cash or merchandise based on your dollars spent.
Newsletters with specials and online ordering ability.
Free delivery to your door with minimum purchase.
Coupons with newsletters to be used with minimum purchases.
Bring your used ink cartridges in to the store for them to dispose of.
Bin set up for donation of school supplies.
Survey number for chance to win shopping spree for answering a few questions.

The loyalty card is great for shoppers like me who like to maximize their purchasing power. I love a bargain and getting discount coupons for my next purchases so I shop where I get the best price on things and get a return for my loyalty.

Newsletters with flyers let you know what you can wait a few days to buy. Most people I know don’t consistently get flyers delivered to their homes anymore, so it’s nice to quickly have a look online without having the extra paper to recycle.

Online ordering is a great tool for me because it saves me the time of driving to the store and hauling the purchases around. It is especially nice when the weather is more conducive to staying indoors.

Coupons are like tax free income if you use them. Who couldn’t use an extra 10 or 15 dollars off?

Eco friendly options are great and when you don’t have to make a special trip to drop off your used ink cartridges that makes it even better. Drop off the old stuff and then do your shopping. No fuss – no muss.

Setting up the school supply bin in the store is a win-win situation. It benefits the low income families who already have to pay school fees in September and have to stretch their dollars even further to get all of the supplies necessary for the school year. The donor can drop off the supplies without leaving the store. Customers are more likely to purchase supplies at that location (more sales for supplies). The vendor leaves a good impression with its customers when they show they care about the welfare of the community.

Not many people enjoy doing surveys but will do them if there is something in it for them. The store learns about customer shopping practices, how their associates are performing, and the lucky winner of the draw gets free shopping. The shopping spree is more cost effective, than hiring a company to do phone surveys and likely more productive.

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Tip #9

Tips for Organizing Company Golf Tournaments

Choosing a Venue

Start checking well in advance of your planned date. Things to consider when looking are:

· Cost – what is the green fee and golf cart rental in comparison with others?

· Proximity – since so many golf courses are available that are within the city or just on the outskirts, look for some place that is easy to get to.

· Degree of difficulty- obviously you don’t want to choose a course that designed more for pro’s than novice golfers.

· BBQ facility – if one is available at the golf course at a reasonable cost, this is the most practical. If a staff member is hosting the BBQ make sure that the meal preparation is shared and the clean up is not left to the host/hostess.

· Past experience – if you have already been to a venue that worked well, get quotes and available times from them.

Getting Good Prizes for event

Letting your suppliers know well in advance that you will be having a tournament gives them an opportunity to arrange for donations. The suppliers that you purchase the most from will likely be interested in helping out. You might even consider inviting some of your favourite sales reps to the event. A thank you note after receiving the prizes or after the event is also in order.

Setting up Teams

Things to consider:

· Make sure that there are only 2 novice golfers on one team to keep the game moving and make it more fun for all.

· Team up spouses together if possible to make it more comfortable for those who don’t know other staff members.

· Match up golfers that will get along well.

Mulligan’s

Selling mulligan’s can help offset the cost of the tournament and tickets sold can also be used as draw tickets for prizes. Some rules limit the use of mulligan’s and/or the amount used per person. This is entirely your choice as the organizer of the event.

Registration:

Make sure the registration deadline is clear, as well as paying entrance fees having been paid prior to the event. You will need to confirm the number of golfers expected with the golf course at least a week before the tournament unless you have made other arrangements.

Handouts

Prior to the event, all golfers should have the rules and tee off times. Some golf courses also have dress codes so the golfers should be aware of what is acceptable to wear for the event. If you have some extra tees, golf balls, and markers to hand out before the game it makes for a good tournament. For hot days, some bottled water is also a good idea.

Tips for New comers

Know which golf ball you are playing with. This saves picking up another golfer’s ball and some unpleasantness with more serious golfers. Coloured balls are easier to spot if you are able to get some.

Talking is great but not when someone else is taking a shot.

Stay behind golfers for your own safety and on your own fairway. If you here someone shouting “Fore!” make sure that you are not in the path of the incoming golf ball.

If your golf ball is lost don’t spend a lot of time looking for it. You will hold up the golfers behind you unnecessarily.

Replace divots on the course.

Use the receptacles on the course for garbage and empty containers.

Carry some toilet paper with you in case the out house has run out.

Bringing your own alcoholic beverages to a golf course is frowned on by the golf club.

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