How To Expand Your Offering

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...grow your business inevitably there are numerous options to consider. One option would be to speak with your bank manager, but as we all know, these days they seem reluctant to lend money to SME's (despite the government spin) without personal guarantees.

One successful way that The Data Partnership has managed expansion is via outsourcing certain aspects of the company. It has meant that we can run a tight, lean ship consisting of minimal core, key employees rather than a massively expanding and ever increasing expensive workforce.

In addition to this, we have opened up an online...

...division to the business - 'DPOnline', which offers a more cost effective way of collecting data, a different target market and helps us develop a responsive email database. Online offerings can really set businesses apart from their competitors.

Communication with current and prospective clients

Honesty is the key with staff and with clients. Clients are always interested in what and how their key suppliers are doing as their success is contingent upon ours and vice verse.

If you manage clients' expectations, with for example the launch of a new product, by making them understand that it is in the early stages then they get on board with an understanding of slow but sustainable growth. The 'DPOnline' traffic was initially slow in the beginning and our clients understood this. They wanted to get on board early so that they didn't miss out on the opportunity. Whilst they may have been primarily disappointed with the volumes, they expected them and now that the full expansion is underway they are set to benefit from the trust they placed in us. A trust that only came about because of the honesty we displayed.