Twitter goes from Virtual to Reality at the Oxfordshire Tweet-up

Much has been written about the Oxfordshire Tweet-up held at Fallowfields Hotel on Monday 18th January, so I thought it was time I added my twopenn’orth.

The networking event was organised by Anthony Lloyd, owner of Fallowfields and passionate Twitter enthusiast, and Kevin O’Brien from Abingdon’s Web Power. It was thought to be the first large-scale business Tweet-up to be held in Oxfordshire and some 50 people attended.

So what was different about this event?  After all, it was just another networking meeting … right?  Wrong!  The atmosphere and the dynamics of the group were totally different to any other networking event I’ve been to.  Here was a roomful of complete strangers, greeting each other like old friends.  While most had never met in the flesh, relationships had already been forged in the virtual world of Twitter.  Newbury dentist Richard Charon, summed it up perfectly in his blog by referring to people as his ‘Twitter buddies’.

Supper at Fallowfields - picture courtesy of Tim Kirby

The Tweet-up would have been a real eye-opener to anyone who doubts the effectiveness of social networking.  There were no barriers, just a lot of positive networking, punctuated by much laughter and good humour. From a business perspective, it was a very positive experience for me and I went home feeling like I’d spent the evening at a great party!

This post wouldn’t be complete without mention of the fabulous supper laid on by Fallowfields.  Monday is the legendary ‘pie night’ at Fallowfields so we were treated to a choice of 3 delicious pies, aptly renamed for the occasion as ‘Tweetpies’!

I’m looking forward, like all the rest of my Twitter buddies, to the next Tweet-up and would like to thank Anthony and Kevin for making it all possible.

Oxfordshire Twitter meeting asks “Is there is dentist in the house?”

Instead of the usual ‘is there a doctor in the house’, the call was for a dentist at the first Oxfordshire and Berks ‘Tweet-up’, held last night (Monday 18 January) at Fallowfields Hotel, Kingston Bagpuize.  The event was the first large-scale business Twitter get-together to be held in the area and was attended by 50 local business people.

During supper, Newbury dentist and Twitter enthusiast Richard Charon, was called to the phone.  Karen-Louise Allen, one of the local radio Jack FM team who should have attended the event, had called to say she couldn’t make it.  She had accidentally swallowed a dental crown and was there a dentist in the house!  Karen-Louise wasn’t registered with a dentist and Richard’s Newbury practice was too far away.  However, a room full of business people skilled in networking, brought the power of Twitter to her rescue.  Members were asked for referrals for an Oxford dentist who would see Karen-Louise the next day.

Richard Charon comments, “People’s reaction to Karen’s mishap is typical of the Twitter community.  Everyone rallied round to help and in seconds we had the name of a possible Oxford dentist for Karen.  There was a lot of laughter and good humour, but that and helping other people is what Twitter is about.”

Twitter, the online social networking phenomenon, has a strong membership in Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.  The Tweet-up was the brainchild of Anthony Lloyd, owner of Fallowfields Hotel (http://www.fallowfields.com)   and Kevin O’Brien of Web Power (http://www.web-power.co.uk).  A dedicated online portal was created where Twitter

Fallowfields Dexter beef 'Twitter pie'

members could book their places.  With the viral nature of Twitter, news of the event spread quickly.  The meeting was held in the Fallowfields’ marquee and, after some informal networking, the guests sat down to enjoy supper, with a choice of three ‘Twitter Pies’ on the menu.

“I’m passionate about Twitter” said Anthony Lloyd, co-organiser of the Oxfordshire Tweet-up.  “This is the first Twitter get-together to be held in the county and it’s been a great success.  Not everyone who attended is a Twitter member, but I don’t think it will be long before they join.  It was good to see so many people who have only ever spoken on Twitter, greeting each other like old friends.  It is very positive for the business community.  Everyone is keen to meet up again and I think the Oxfordshire Tweet-up is set to become a regular event in the local business networking calendar.”

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Note to Editors

Fallowfields (http://www.fallowfields.com) is a country house hotel in Kingston Bagpuize with over 300 years of history. Once the home of the Begum Aga Khan, Fallowfields offers luxury accommodation set in 12 acres of grounds.

The hotel boasts its own kitchen garden which supplies the restaurant with pesticide-free home-grown fruit and vegetables.  The hotel’s farm is home to Dexter cattle, rare-breed pigs, chickens and ducks which provide much of the meat on the restaurant’s menu.

Richard Charon (http://www.newburysmilemakers.com) is the Dental Practice Principal of Richard Charon at Newbury Smilemakers.  He specialises in treating anxious and phobic people using Dental Sedation techniques.  Richard also trains dentists in Dental Sedation in both Britain and Ireland.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Lloyd, Fallowfields Hotel
Tel: 01865 820416
Email: anthony@fallowfields.com

Joy McCarthy, WORD-right
Tel: 01608 642845
Email joy@word-right.co.uk

www.word-right.co.uk

Your CV – a marketing tool

If you are planning to start the new year with a change of career, there’s a good chance you’ll be sending out your CV to prospective employers.  But is your CV going to help or hinder you?

There is a great deal of theory on the subject of writing CVs.  Some say it shouldn’t be more than one page, others no more than two pages.  There’s advice on what to include and what to leave out, and so it goes on.  I’m going to climb on my soapbox here and say ‘Balderdash’!  Ultimately, a CV is a marketing tool: its purpose is to promote and sell a particular product.  In this case the product is—you.  CVs come in all shapes and sizes, and in many different formats.  A family friend was job-hunting recently and wasn’t getting interviews, never mind finding a job!  Her CV was a mess.  We gave it a bit of the WORD-right treatment and she took up her new position a few weeks later.

Imagine buying a new car, something a bit up-market, and you’re looking to spend £20 – £30K  or  more.  You want information. You’ll probably be given a well presented brochure, full of information about the car’s features, specifications, and benefits.  After all, you’re spending a lot of money, and you want to be sure you’ve got the right model.  Yet many people, when looking for a new job, expect the employer to be interested in a one page ‘brochure’ which gives them little information, and is generally printed on a scrappy piece of copy paper.  Your new employer will be spending a lot of money on your salary, and getting the right person is more important than getting the right car.  So when it comes to your CV, start thinking about yourself as a prestigious and expensive sports car, and market yourself accordingly.

Stand out in the crowd!

Let’s say I’ve just advertised a really peachy job, and within a few days have 50+ CVs on my desk.  Do I have the time (or the inclination) to read all these CVs?  Unlikely! So how do I make an informed decision about which applicants to shortlist?  I will probably scan the CVs and select the ones which look most interesting.  Therefore, it’s important to get your key information on the front page and create a good first impression.    You need a decent sized, easy to read font, good formatting, bullet points, and lots of white space here.  It will make your CV easier to scan, and if you’re applying for the right jobs, should help get you into the shortlist pile.

Blow your own trumpet!

Applying for a job is no time to be bashful.  You’ve got to sell yourself and all your skills and talents.  It’s a good idea to sit down and write a list of all your selling points.  For example, have you been made employee or student of the year at any time?  Have you received any commendations?  Are you involved in any charity work or did you run the London Marathon in record time?  These are all things which say a great deal about you and can be mentioned in your CV.  If you’ve got it—you need to flaunt it!

What to put in … and what to leave out?

Salary -  I would suggest leaving this out.  If it is asked for you, can always give the details in the covering letter.

Age or Date of Birth – This is a matter of personal preference.  Personally, I would leave it in, particularly as the legislation to prevent age discrimination came into force in October 2006.

Education – This depends on your age.  If the CV is for a younger person with little or no working background, it’s important to give this information.  For someone older, it’s not so relevant.

Reasons for Leaving -  Again I would suggest leaving this one out.  It is a frequent interview question, so if they want to know—let them ask!

References – Forget them!  They’re not necessary for a CV.  If you get a job offer, you may be asked to provide referees, but it is very unlikely they will be taken up simply from a CV.

Outside interests -  Don’t forget to list your outside interests and hobbies, but don’t just write ‘sports’ or ‘reading’.  Tell your prospective employer more.  If you play football or netball, you’re likely to be a good team member.  If you coach mini rugby or volunteer your services to a local charity, include it in your CV.  All these things present you as a ‘well-rounded’ person and set you apart from your competitors.

Presentation

Let’s just go back to the mountain of CVs sitting on someone’s desk.  You want your CV to be looked at, so good presentation is vital.

• Never fold up your CV or squash it into a small envelope, instead invest in some good quality A4 sized envelopes.
• Use a good quality paper.
• If possible, insert it in a folder of some sort. There are some professional-looking folders about if you shop around.  Do be sure to check the application details first.  They occasionally ask for the CV not to be bound.  In this case they may need to make photocopies for internal distribution.
• Be adventurous—think about using coloured paper!  This might depend on the type of job you’re looking for, but it will make your CV stand out from the others.  Using coloured paper can be quite acceptable if you’re in a creative industry, for example, marketing or graphic design.  On the other hand if you’re an accountant, it might not go down so well!  (Many years ago I was short-listed for the position of Editor of a Yachting Magazine.  I knew little about editing in those days, and still know nothing about yachts!  I can only assume it was the pink paper and black folder which did the trick!)

Finally, good luck with your job search and do add a comment to let us know how you get on.

Tadmarton Products responds to turkey crisis for 2,000 of London’s homeless

Tadmarton Products

Banbury-based meat wholesaler Tadmarton Products http://www.tadmartonproducts.co.uk), has helped save 2,000 Christmas dinners by donating turkey joints to Crisis, the national charity which supports homeless and vulnerably housed people.

Crisis urgently needed enough turkey joints to provide a festive meal for over 2,000 homeless people at its 9 London centres, after the original donor dropped out at the 11^th hour.  Despite countless phone calls and pleas for help, the charity were having no success in finding a new donor.  Without the turkey, the 2,000 people expected at the Crisis Centres wouldn’t have the warm, safe Christmas which we take for granted.

In desperation, the Crisis team turned to Google and an Internet search for ‘turkey wholesalers’ found Tadmarton Products’ website.  A phone call later, and turkey was back on the Crisis Christmas dinner menu.

Tadmarton’s managing director Mike Mourant, offered to donate half of the turkey and provide the remainder at cost price, if a second sponsor could be found.  Within a few hours, a London Clearing House agreed to fund the cost of the remaining meat, and the Crisis Christmas meal was saved.  The boneless turkey joints will be delivered by Tadmarton Products next week for distribution to the London Crisis Centres.

Lynnette Murad, Crisis Resource Executive says, “We’re extremely grateful to Tadmarton Products.  Through their generosity, 2,000 homeless and vulnerably housed people will now be able to enjoy a delicious Christmas meal at our London centres.”

Tadmarton Products has a strong philosophy when it comes to charitable donations.  Mike Mourant, the company’s MD comments, “We believe in giving something back to the community which supports our business.  We take our Christmas meals for granted and it is sobering to think of vulnerable people going hungry on Christmas Day.  Tadmarton is delighted to be able to help such an important cause.  Crisis is doing a wonderful job and we hope the charity’s guests enjoy their day.”

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Notes to Editors

Tadmarton Products is a wholesale supplier of fresh and frozen meat and poultry to independent butchers, retail and catering establishments.  The family-owned company, which is based in Banbury, employs a team of more than 30 staff and was established in the late 1960s.

Tadmarton supplies around 4,000 tonnes of meat products, from case to pallet quantities, each year.  Tadmarton’s main distribution area is currently 16 counties around the Midlands and South East of England.  The company supplies an extensive range of products which includes:

• Whole chicken and turkey
• Chicken portions
• Game

• Lamb
• Pork and bacon
• Beef

The company boasts its own cutting room, chilled and frozen storage, and a fleet of 8 vehicles at its Oxfordshire base.

Tadmarton Products also provides support to Toybox (http://www.toyboxcharity.org.uk) helping street children in Latin America, and the Oxfordshire-based Leadenporch Trust (http://www.leadenporchtrust.org.uk).

Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. We are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. Our innovative education, employment, housing and well-being services address individual needs and help homeless people to transform their lives. We measure our success and can demonstrate tangible results and value for money. We are determined campaigners, working to prevent people from becoming homeless and advocating solutions informed by research and our direct experience.  We have ambitious plans for the future and are committed to help more people in more places across the UK. We know we won’t end homelessness overnight or on our own. But we take a lead, collaborate with others and together make change happen. For more, see www.crisis.org.uk

Crisis Christmas

•   At Christmas we provide companionship and support to alleviate loneliness and isolation and help people to take their first steps out of homelessness.

•   We welcome nearly 2000 guests in nine centres across London.  Our residential centres provide accommodation for rough sleepers, and people with specific needs such as women and those with dependency issues.

•   For the vulnerably housed, we run specialist day centres, which are based in schools and colleges, providing an inspirational environment. Across all our centres guests can benefit from 20 different services, learning opportunities, vital medical help, housing and job advice.

•   We link our guests up to year-round services and encourage them to come to Crisis services in the New Year so we can continue to provide opportunities that will help them transform their lives.

•   With over 8000 volunteers, Crisis Christmas is the largest volunteer led event in the UK.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Mourant

Managing director, Tadmarton Products

Tel: 01295 672480

Mob: 07711 859578

mike@tadmartonproducts.co.uk

http://www.tadmartonproducts.co.uk

Garry Lemon, Senior Press Officer, Crisis

0207 426 3880

Garry.lemon@crisis.org.uk

The difference between price and cost!

The difference between price and cost is something which many people find confusing.  The temptation is to think they are one and the same, yet there is a very significant difference.

Think about this in terms of customer service … we recently heard of a shop which refused a refund on a pair of trainers bought as a Christmas present.  Unfortunately, the shopper bought the wrong trainers by mistake and the shop didn’t stock the correct ones.  She had the receipt and took them back the next day in mint condition.  The shop offered the customer a credit note, but refused to refund the price of the trainers.  What they didn’t take into consideration was the cost of their refusal!

I don’t know the price of the trainers, but lets assume it was in the region of £100.  By making the refund the shop would have lost one sale, valued at a price of £100.  But as a result … our shopper went home feeling incensed. She proceeded to tell the world about the poor service she’d received and spread the word using Twitter, the social media site.

So if the price was £100, what was the cost?  The viral effect of Twitter means within a matter of minutes thousands of people were told about that shop’s poor service.  The cost was the damage to the shop’s reputation and a loss of sales over the year’s peak trading period.  The potential cost to that business could run into thousands and thousands of pounds … and that’s the difference between price and cost!

Think too about price and cost when it comes to outsourcing.  WORD-right has recently engaged the services of a lovely lady to manage our bookkeeping.  She charges an hourly rate (the price) which we pay monthly.  So what is the cost to our business?  None –it is actually saving us money!  We are saving time because she is far more knowledgeable and efficient than we are.  By having the bookkeeping done professionally, we will reduce our accountant’s fees and our time is freed up to do the things we do best, which means an increase in our productivity and ultimately, our income.

A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to hear Nicola Cairncross speak at a networking event at Blenheim Palace.  Her philosophy was simple … if you’ve got the time but not the money … do it yourself.  But if you don’t have the time … outsource it.  It will save you money in the long run … a lot like price and cost!

“Brilliant” and “Ingenious” BallKaddie Becoming the Corporate Gift of Choice for Golfers

The BallKaddie - the unique golf ball dispenser

BallKaddie, the unique device which allows golfers to carry and access their balls at the touch of a fingertip, is receiving international acclaim.

This ingenious device, which was launched at the London Golf Show earlier this year, was also enthusiastically received at the Munich Golf Show in September.

Aphrodite Hills Resort, one of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious golf and leisure resorts, has been quick to realise BallKaddie’s potential. This award-winning sports complex, which is located near Paphos, on the Southern coast of Cyprus, has chosen BallKaddie as a branded gift for its discerning visitors.  Stocks of BallKaddie are also available for sale in the resort’s Pro Shop.

Aphrodite Hills logo

Andreas Vasiliou, Aphrodite Hills Resort’s UK based director commented, “BallKaddie is proving to be the ideal corporate gift. It is a top quality, affordable product, and that’s important to us. As well as helping us promote the Aphrodite brand, it’s something practical our guests will be able to use for years to come. The level of sales in our Pro Shop is clearly demonstrating that BallKaddie is well on its way to becoming an essential golfing accessory for golfers of all abilities.”

Since its launch in April 2009, there has been a great deal of media interest in the BallKaddie. It has been featured on Sky Sports channels 1, 2 and 3. BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey hailed it as “brilliant”.  Further information on media coverage of BallKaddie can be found at http://www.ballkaddie.com/press.htm.

Tony Read, inventor and Managing Director of BallKaddie Ltd said, “Golfers across Europe have embraced the BallKaddie concept. We’re now getting ready for the North American launch in January 2010. Because golf tournaments are such popular corporate sporting events, we’re getting a large number of enquiries from companies and organisations looking for branded gifts. Having only launched BallKaddie in Europe a few months ago, we’re delighted to see it is already a success at such a prestigious golfing venue as Aphrodite Hills.”

The BallKaddie is available to buy online at http://www.ballkaddie.com, priced at £12.49 + post and packaging. Corporate or wholesale enquiries, including bespoke branding, can be sent by email.

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Notes to Editors

BallKaddie is the invention of British businessman, Tony Read, himself a keen golfer. The concept was originally part of a radical new golf bag design. When the golf ball dispenser attracted a great deal of interest at the PGA Merchandise Show, it was decided to develop BallKaddie as a stand-alone product.

Today BallKaddie Ltd is part of the Business Car Contracts Group, headed by Managing Director, Tony Read. World-wide patents are pending.

For more information, please contact:

Tony Read, Managing Director, BallKaddie Ltd

Tel: from UK :0871 200 2417

Non-UK: 0044 1444 471000

Email: sales@ballkaddie.com

Website: http://www.ballkaddie.com

Surge in gold prices benefits the charity sector

Raising money for charity with Gold Parties

With the huge surge in the price of gold during 2009, many charity fundraisers are cashing in on this lucrative market by organising ‘Gold Parties’ and ‘Pot of Gold’ appeals.

North London-based gold traders, YourGoldParty Ltd (http://www.yourgoldparty.co.uk) is seeing a substantial increase in the number of charities taking advantage of this simple fundraising concept.

Gold Parties work in a similar way to Tupperware or Ann Summers parties, with one significant difference.  The guests at the parties go away with money in their pockets rather than being asked to spend it.  When organised as a charity fundraiser, the benefiting good cause is paid 10% commission on the total amount of all the gold bought at the event.  In addition, a referral commission is also paid if additional parties are booked as a result.

Many enterprising fundraisers are taking the opportunity to host gold parties as part of ‘double-fundraisers’.  These events include ‘pamper days’ and clothes and accessory sales.  The guests sell their gold for cash and go on to spend some of their gains on beauty treatments or new clothes.

As well as organising gold parties, charities are cashing in on the high gold prices by organising ‘Pot of Gold’ appeals.  Most people have broken earrings, cufflinks or chains lying about, which they don’t know what to do with.  While it isn’t worth the time and effort for an individual to sell an odd earring, by organising collections, charities can reap the benefits of the high gold prices.

Using gold as a fundraiser is becoming popular with local fundraising committees, and individuals who are undertaking charity treks.  Oxfordshire’s Deb Hunt (http://www.twin-peaks.co.uk), one of a team of four women trekking up Kilimanjaro in September 2010 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer comments, “The gold party was a fantastic fundraiser for our appeal.  It was absolutely minimal effort with a high gain, and that’s without the ongoing referral commission.”

YourGoldParty MD Howard Levy says, “The charity sector is embracing the idea of gold parties and gold appeals.  With the high price of gold, there is a lot of money to be made.  It’s another form of recycling … a bit like raising money from toner cartridges or the old milk bottle tops … except it is considerably more lucrative.  We’re expecting a huge demand before and after the Christmas period.  It’s a time when people want more cash in their pockets, especially in a recession, and charities are making the most of it.”

Charity fundraisers who would like to know more about organising gold parties or Pot of Gold appeals can contact Howard Levy on 0800 112 3185 or by email at info@yourgoldparty.co.uk.

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Notes to Editors

Based in North London, YourGoldParty is an gold trader with more than 20 years’ experience. The company helps set up gold parties across England for both private individuals and charities.

The company buys gold at parties and can arrange private buying appointments for charities operating gold appeals.

For more information, please contact:

Howard Levy
Managing Director of YourGoldParty
Tel: 07973 348547
Email: info@yourgoldparty.co.uk

http://www.yourgoldparty.co.uk

Customer service and the art of communication

I read an interesting blog this morning entitled ‘Customer service key to Christmas’.  It was music to my ears!  Is good service more important than discounted prices?  Yes – every time.  Of course we all like to get a bargain, but if a lower price means the level of service is compromised, it’s not a good deal.  In my opinion, communication is the key to great customer service.  What’s more, it doesn’t cost a lot in terms of time or money, but the rewards are huge.

As the executor of a will, I’ve recently had dealings with a fairly large firm of solicitors.  If you were to look at this company’s website and listen to the recorded phone messages, you’d probably be delighted to hear that I, as a client, am the most important person in the world.  At least that’s the theory … until it comes to communicating with me, that is.  My emails have gone unanswered and phone calls unreturned.  Eventually I couldn’t take any more and I made a complaint.  After a couple of letters, the gist of the senior partner’s reply was … ‘it wasn’t their policy to communicate because it cost too much money!’

How many small businesses can afford to take that sort of attitude? WORD-right certainly can’t.   Will I be recommending that firm of solicitors to anyone?  Not in a million years!  Will I be telling everyone about the poor service?  Of course I will!

It doesn’t take too much imagination to work out that, if your client, customer or prospect sends an enquiry, it’s because they need information … ignore it at your peril.  If you don’t respond and at least try to provide the answers, they’ll pretty soon find someone who will.  And that someone might just be your competitor.

Imagine this scenario … you’ve just walked into a restaurant or a café.  You find a table and sit down.  If, after 15 minutes nobody has acknowledged your presence, let alone given you a menu or taken a drinks order, what will you do?  It’s likely you’ll make a fuss or walk out, and you’ll tell everyone who’ll listen about the appalling service.

On the other hand, providing you’re welcomed with a smile … told they are very busy so there might be a delay in fulfilling your order … you’ll sit there quite happily.  In fact, if they keep communicating with you and perhaps offer you a complimentary glass or two of wine, there’s a good chance you’ll wait for hours and still rave about the service!

Communication doesn’t cost a lot.  If you haven’t got time to answer that email in depth, at least acknowledge it.  Send a reply saying you’ll answer fully after lunch or the next day … and be sure you do!  If you’ve promised to phone someone back at a given time, make that call.  If you haven’t yet got the information they want, at least phone and tell them so.  That way, you’ve fulfilled your promise, the client knows they are not forgotten, and you’ve bought yourself some time.  Apart from being good practice, it’s just common courtesy.

And finally, if you have got it wrong and someone complains, hold your hand up … admit you’ve got it wrong and do something to put it right.  Good communication skills will help you win new business, increase your professional standing, and most importantly … keep your existing clients and customers coming back for more.

Plan to communicate

The old adage says ‘few businesses plan to fail, but many fail to plan’.  I’ve got a different take on this.  In my experience it’s more like ‘most businesses plan to communicate … but how many actually do?

As copywriters and marketers, we try to look at the bigger picture.  We could write you the best direct mail letter or website copy in the world, but if there are gaps in your marketing activity, you need more than just good copy.  And when we are out talking to people, the most common problem is the failure to communicate … “but I don’t have enough hours in the day” … or “I send Christmas cards every year” … or “well, I keep meaning to send a newsletter”, to name but a few of the excuses!

It might just be my opinion, but I think the success of many a business can be put down to its levels of communication.  For so many people, actually getting in touch with existing customers or prospects is shelved in favour of the quest for new sales.  But it is often said it takes 5 times as much effort (not to mention cost) to make a new sale than it does to make a repeat one.

Think of your customer and prospect base as a bucket of water.  You need to keep the bucket full, but inevitably it’s got a hole.  As fast as you can put new sales in the top, the old ones are pouring out the bottom.  While you’re never going to keep every customer or client for ever, you can stop some of the leakage.  All it takes to plug the hole is a bit of communication.

Communicating with your customers needn’t take long.  It doesn’t have to be a major exercise, or cost a lot of money.  So how can you keep in touch and make sure your company name and profile is the one which is in the fore-front of their minds?

• Pick up the phone … as BT once said ‘It’s good to talk’.  A quick call now and again could result in a sales opportunity
• Send an email … just a quick ‘how are you’ or ‘I thought you might be interested to hear …’ could make all the difference
• Run a newsletter campaign.  It isn’t rocket science and it doesn’t need to be expensive.  Systems such as Constant Contact are efficient and low-cost.
• Think about PR – it helps you communicate with a much wider market
• Send text messages.  You can do it yourself or use an online texting service.

If you’re one of the countless companies which hasn’t quite got round to developing the art of communication, why not give it a try.  You don’t need a fancy CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system – just a bit of organisation.  If you’re going to make phone calls, a good old-fashioned card index is as good as anything.

However you manage it, remember: by staying in touch with your business contacts, you’ll find it much easier to keep that bucket full!

Sainsbury’s Chipping Norton Opening Hours – a community service!

Sainsburys Chipping Norton - opening day

One of the most frequent searches which brings people to this blog is ‘Sainsburys Chipping Norton opening hours’.  This is because WORD-right blogged about the opening of the new store (previously Somerfield) in the spring of 2009.

So for all those local shoppers in search of information, Sainsbury’s Chipping Norton opening times are:

• Monday to Saturday – 7am – 9pm

• Sunday  -  10.30am – 4.30pm

This does conflicts with the information online, which states the opening hours are 7am – 11pm.  But having just visited the Chippy store, a huge banner in the car park advertises the opening hours, as above.

If you want to look at the Sainsbury’s online information, first you’ll have to visit the main website and insert the postcode in the store location finder.  From there you’ll have to follow a link for more information.

Sainsbury’s kindly tells us it has an ATM (cashpoint), the number of spaces in the car park, and what it sells … all useful stuff … but when is the store open?  Oh yes!  Cunningly hidden on the bottom left  under the title ‘Main’ (main what?), you’ll find the list of opening times!

It would seem Chipping Norton isn’t buzzing with activity late at night.  A fact, I imagine which prompted the change in opening times.

But of course, as we live and work in the beautiful Oxfordshire town of Chipping Norton,  we’re delighted to help our fellow residents where we can, and hope this information is useful!