Answer these 6 questions and your customers will love you!

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Seamus Parfrey

The following 6 truths on dealing with customers that goes right to the essence of what is most important in dealing with them were recently published by Forbes and can be applied by any business. “1. People love to feel appreciated: What are you doing, to show them your appreciation?” Letting your customers know you appreciate them is especially meaningful when it’s personal. Sending out holiday cards to all your customers isn’t a bad thing, but it can feel kind of rote. There are other ways to let clients know you appreciate them that feel much […]

How To Approach Business Meetings

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Michelle Bolger

It can be difficult to get the most out of business meetings. When you are busy they can feel like an additional time pressure you could do without and at other times they can be frustrating and leave you feeling like nothing has been accomplished. Below is a list of ways to ensure your meeting is efficient and productive: Start and finish on time – if needs be appoint someone to keep an eye on the time. A lot of business meeting can run a lot longer due to time wasted simply waiting around for the meeting […]

West Point Military Problem Solving Process

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Seamus Parfrey

West Point, the famed U.S. military educational academy, has distilled the problem solving process into a beautifully simple process with seven guidelines to stay rational. This process is drilled into the military so that in times of extreme stress they have a proven process they can rely on. You must: Recognise and Define the Problem. Gather Facts and Make Assumptions. Define End States and Establish Criteria. Develop Possible Solutions. Analyse and Compare Possible Solutions. Select and Implement Solution. Analyse Solution for Effectiveness. Simple, effective and useful. PDF

How to Improve What Matters Most With the 80/20 Rule

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Noel Murphy

A problem many of us have is too many measures and, consequently, too much to improve. We need to prioritise, but we somehow don’t do it well enough. Here’s a method to focus on what really matters most, that has over 116 years of proof that it works… In 1897, over a century ago, an Italian economist called Vilfredo Pareto made the discovery that 80% of the wealth of a population was owned by 20% of that population. The Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule, is a pattern of predictable imbalance that keeps popping up in all […]

How to Save on Printing Costs

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Seamus Parfrey

Very simply just use compatible ink and toner cartridges. For over the past two years we have used compatible cartridges and have experienced no problems or loss of quality with our printed materials. The price differences can be substantial. For personal printers the ink cartridge costs us €5 whereas the average shop price is about €11 – 120% higher. For shared printers the toner cartridge costs us €80 whereas the average shop price is about €210 –210% higher. The above comparisons exclude VAT. Feel free to call John Lane of JDC Media Europe Limited on (083) […]

15 Marketing Tips for Business

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Noel Murphy

1.Set daily marketing actions. 2.Get testimonials and use them. 3.Ask for referrals immediately after a great performance. 4.Always carry business cards. 5.Treat mistakes as opportunities. 6.WOW existing customers. 7.Network always everywhere. 8.Contact ex customers. 9.Market a new product/service to existing customers. 10.Analyse what is working and do more of it. 11.Surprise your best customers. 12.Sell an additional product/service when a sale is made. 13.Link up with non-competing businesses with similar clients. 14.Send regular emails to clients and prospects. 15.Set specific exclusive offers (e.g. Solicitors, Farmers, Restaurants). PDF

Parfrey Murphy

Business Growth Specialists
and Tax Consultants

Category Archives: Business Tips