Small Business Matters

Making the most of craft events

At this time of year many businesses selling handmade goods or gift-related items are busy attending sales events. Emma Maudsley, the creative mind and hands behind SockMonkeyEmporium, gives her advice on preparing for and making the most of such events.

One of the most exciting parts of being a crafter is being able to get out and about at craft fairs. These could be as simple as a school fete or as complex as a major event at a historic house or football stadium. You can find information about events in your area through various internet sites - stick it in Google and see what comes up.
 
There is normally a fee involved in taking part; make sure you know what is being provided for you - the table is usually provided but not all events include chairs, especially if you need more than one. If you need access to electricity you should certainly ask the event organisers if you can be placed in a suitable space.

Also, be sure that the fee involved is a figure you feel you can afford. I have been offered tables at events ranging in price from £10 to £100 and I price it by monkeys - £10 is one monkey. If I don't feel I would sell more than 10 monkeys at an event then I certainly wouldn't be paying a £100 fee.

Preparation is everything

Prior to the event make sure you are organised. If you have Facebook and Twitter tell people where you are going to be.

Size doesn’t matter in the global marketplace

This post is written by Linda Kozlowski, Director of Global Marketing and Customer Experience for Alibaba.com. 

With many businesses feeling the impact of the current economic uncertainty, it’s no surprise that the outlook for 2012 is less than rosy. Without a positive change in economic conditions, many small and medium businesses, particularly those that operate with small teams and limited resources, could cease trading altogether. More than ever, reducing operating costs and driving revenues are essential to survival. It will be the savvy businesses who are willing to adapt their approach that will come out on top.  

Manufacturers: Organise your finances

In manufacturing, putting effective systems in place is key to running a successful business and having a central organisation system for your finances will help you run your company smoothly and efficiently. 

At-a-glance financial snapshots will enable your business to adapt its finances as bespoke projects develop and change.

Sherrie Richardson of RichCo Ltd uses QuickBooks to keep her business organised. She said: “If during the work, the amount has changed or we need to issue a credit. I find it easy to change the invoices." 

Having a central organisation system also saves you time dealing with customer queries as you can generate the relevant reports instantly.

Sherrie added: "If I need to check an old invoice for a customer because we completed a job years back, it's easy to look back at old financial information. And of course, this facility means you keep track of the company's overall financial health.” 

Check out this video of Sherrie to hear the rest of her story. 

Which financial features, tools or reports would help you run your business better?