Know your market

Hi Janie here again with another guest blog - thanks SIO for letting me revisit you.

When did you last ask your clients what they feel about your products, your staff, your service or your display at a show?  In business we all assume too much, as we often are scared to ask or it just never occurs to us.  Feedback forms or informal asks are not just for big business, they can be used by all.  

Does your website ask how they found you in a useful way?  I mean if you ask visitors how they found you and the only answer is 'in a magazine' how will you know which one you advertise in is driving most traffic.  We often pop codes into special offers to track this sort of activity but not everyday traffic.  Analytics can tell you on line to on line but not when some one picked up a magazine in the dentist or in WH Smiths and found you that way!  In the weeks ahead I will continue to bring you snippets of ideas of how you might get a deep insight into your clients not just a bit of an insight.

Unlocking the door on your customer's feelings might just save you a fortune in more than misplaced advertising.

Seek It Out: changing the world a stitch at a time

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Heat wave or Hurricane - half term blues....

One moment we are basking in the heat and next sloshing around in wellies.  Heating off, heating on, never sure what to do for the best.  Half term fun seriously limited by the weather which is a shame but not the end of the world.  A Seek It Out follower recently told me how she had fun with her house full of her & other's kids, all climbing the walls as all the outdoor activities were cancelled. Determined not to have the day spent in front of the TV or on the Xbox she decided to have a competition. Had to be simple and fun as she only had one other adult in the house to help plus a mixed group of kids.

Clear they had to use what they had at home, so T towels were the order of the day.  Out with the sewing machine (adults to be the machinists for the teams), the bits and bobs box (old ribbon, odd buttons, bits of gift wrapping etc.) and some fabric remnants. The kiddies were asked for ideas, adults worked out if they could make the item with what they had and then in teams of three they started project number one.  To make a simple tote bag from a T towel.  Each team was told to work on their own design and look, with some adult support but only when asked for.  Several hours and several cookie breaks later all bags were complete.  The differences were amazing considering everyone was in the same room. Competition was lively but healthy which made it all the more exciting.  There were three bags in total, one had long handles, the other two short.  One had an internal pocket with a button flap and another a bottle strap inside.  Colours varied, some using mixed T towel pieces for contrasting effect and so the variations went on. Their attention to detail was really good, helped by a practical briefing from the adults on how it needed to be strong and robust if a bag.

 

The kids were really chuffed with their efforts and keen for more, no one slinked off to the computer or TV.  In fact so keen they wanted to do something else, after much thought and more rummaging two more projects came out, TV remote tidy bags for sofa arms using from fabric remnants and decorated napkin rings using fabric and beads from a broken necklace.

Just shows when we are pushed we really are a clever bunch, pulling rabbits out of the hat without hardly a thought.  I have to add my pal is creative but she is no keen crafter, so this was a big deal but it worked a treat.  What could you do with your kids, a bake off or craft off?

Do not let the rain clouds spoil your fun. Remember we love to post great projects on our gallery.

Seek It Out: changing the world a stitch at a time

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