Eye 2 Eye – a 20:20 Maidstone business.

For more than 16 years, brothers Chirag and Manish Patel have proved that you needn’t have gone to Specsavers after all. Against the high street branding and million pound advertising campaigns, Eye 2 Eye clearly demonstrate that there is life in the world of Independent Optometrists – opticians to you and me.

Based in Allington on the outskirts of Maidstone, Eye 2 Eye draw patients from all over Kent, including Tunbridge Wells, West Malling, Sittingbourne and Ashford. So what makes people travel so far to have their eyes checked?

Healthy eyes are important to us all and a healthy eye is one that does more than simply see well.

We like to be healthy, to see well and to look good. It’s this trio of needs that, if satisfied at an affordable price, keeps the patient happy; willing to come back for their regular check up; and more than happy to recommend to friends.

Eye 2 Eye ticks all three boxes – the first being health. Having invested the Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT 500, Eye 2 Eye promise exceptional healthcare as well as sight testing expertise. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a technique for obtaining sub-surface images of translucent or opaque materials at a resolution equivalent to a low-power microscope. It is effectively ‘optical ultrasound’, imaging reflections from within tissue to provide cross-sectional images.

Within the range of non-invasive three-dimensional imaging techniques that have been introduced to the medical research community, OCT as an echo technique is similar to ultrasound imaging. Other medical imaging techniques such as computerized axial tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or positron emission tomography do not utilize the echo-location principle.

OK – to you and me that all means you get a thorough health check with immediate results showing on the operator’s screen in the form of a three dimensional colour cross-section of the minutest pathology of the eye. They can see, identify, diagnose and record even the slightest imperfections immediately and refer the patient accordingly.

So, patient peace of mind and great looking specs as well.

Despite not having the buying power of the high street brands, Eye 2 Eye know that seeing well and looking good are the two other boxes to be ticked for client  patient satisfaction – and they have. The range, the quality, the brands and the service are all second to none, yet, the prices are comparable.

So, it is quite clear how an optician such as Eye 2 Eye remains successfully independent. Success is down to Chirag and Manish Patel’s attitude to service and excellence  - their patients see well, look good and can rest assured that the health of their eyes is in good hands too.

For every successful business there’s always more to learn, more to do and more to achieve. To this end we look forward to seeing Chirag and Manish at intime PROFIT’s Foundation Seminar in Maidstone on 16^th January.


To find out more about intime PROFIT:

our One-to-One,

our Seminars and

our Marketing support services –

write to intime@intimeprofit.com or

call us on 08456 437 497.

www.intimeprofit.com

 

 

Three key steps to building an intime WEBSITE

Step 1. Listen

Too often a web designer tries to squeeze a client’s ROUND business ethos, message and service into their off-the-shelf (‘same as I did last time’) SQUARE website template.

They are making two fundamental mistakes here – one, hearing the client’s noise but not listening to their needs; and two, assuming the client knows what they want. The former is plain rude, whilst the latter is a lack of commercial / marketing / business experience.

Clients working with intime PROFIT – either attending Seminars; enjoying the business development attentions of a One-to-One relationship; or using intime’s Marketing services – is acknowledging that they want to make changes to grow their businesses faster and realise the trapped financial benefits (PROFIT) sooner.

We don’t make any assumptions. We listen and develop the brief ‘together’; we make suggestions, identify KSPs and USPs and refine the message.

Working together we clarify what we want to say, to whom and how.

Step 2. Style

Once we have decided what we want to say and to whom, we consider the stylistic package in which the message is to be wrapped.

The obvious ‘assumed’ route will be to synergise the corporate image already bonding the client’s business. But again, don’t assume. The site could well be or become a tactical sales tool for a specific product or service within the business portfolio rather than a cross-product corporate platform.

Because on line advertising can be so finely tuned in terms of its target and message; and because web design and build doesn’t have to cost the earth, smaller sites can have great tactical applications.

We can develop a series of tactical ‘squeeze pages’ or low pagination sites driven by a series of different Google Ad Campaigns to reach different on-line eyes and ears. Draw the prospect into the tactical site(s), capture their data and product interest, then draw them into the corporate family of products and services.

Visually, this is a live example of an image selling contemporary home and office interior design by encapsulating favourite artwork or images onto a linen background and personalising bedrooms and living / working areas in unique creativity and style – this is The Linen Backed Art Co:

This is a very different feel, image and message from the original business to business operation of PDD Mounting Co. This takes the production side of PDD to a new audience with concepts, visualised and written for an affluent ‘yummy mum’ and house proud, creative young family – both commercially viable, deliverable audiences.

So – we built a home page delivering just that:

Step 3. Structure

Within structure we include functionality and navigation – what are we trying to do and how physically should the visitor understand and follow the click-to-action.

At launch stage this needs to be no more than a five page site – Home, Sleep, Work, Live and Share. Each page tells its own story and has its own call to action and contact details. You only need to land on the site to be able to ask for a free sample and more info … data captured … bring on the fulfilment CRM.

The curious visitor can see more on Sleep, Work and Live through clear, simple navigation (no fancy tricks, just tidy synergised design).

‘Share’ is a departure from the norm, replacing the Contact page with a platform to drive social networking, referral and Linen Backed Art ‘Friends’ interaction … creative sharing:

The Structure is simple (simplicity works). The Style follows and develops the creative opportunities offered to the affluent young family target market. The mechanics, package, content, function and message reflect the client’s developing business … because we listened.

To find out more about intime PROFIT:

our One-to-One,

our Seminars and

our Marketing support services –

write to intime@intimeprofit.com or

call us on 08456 437 497.

www.intimeprofit.com

 

 

Communication LOL – love or laughs?

Even the professional copy writer sometimes (often) sits and stares at the screen in utter frustration trying to extract the message from the keyboard in front of him or her. No matter how quickly you may dextrously skip across the keys, if you haven’t worked out:

 

a) what you want to say;

b) to whom you want to say it;

c) and through which medium you wish to deliver it 

…there really is no point even starting to say it.

 

Unless first you understand why, who and what your business is and how to articulate those key points; unless you really know and understand your key audience / market place and what they need to hear to confirm that you have what they need; and ultimately – unless you have a plan … you are frankly shouting in the wind LOL.

Many of us think we know what we want to say and just get on and say it. But, is our expression of our service proposition speaking the same language as that of our prospective customers. In many cases – particularly if our business is product led – we are so busy spouting the features of the XZ351 Colour Copy Printer, we forget to sell the benefits … it’s faster, quieter with easier ink changing access.

Are you so full of industry speak you miss what your audience wants to hear? And can you address their needs effectively through the media they’re most comfortable with and understand?

In short – is your LOL the same as their LOL?

Lots of Love – or laugh out loud.

Is the message representing your business in fact turning the road to corporate prosperity into a communications nightmare of orally challenged poverty? You may well be saying one thing when in fact what they hear is something quite different.

But, you don’t need to be a literary genius to get the corporate message right. Every singly person attending, enjoying, participating in and leaving intime PROFIT’s Dramatic Business Development Seminars is introduced to a series of simple, adaptable and deliverable techniques to Review, Plan and  Action a communication strategy that’s right for them.

It works – see what Steve has to say on the video: http://www.intimeprofit.com/seminars.php

Whether you are good with words or just good at what you do – we’ll help you build a series of presentational promises you will be so proud to deliver.

The Seminars also introduce the different platforms via which your brand new corporate benefits can be delivered to the future prosperity that is your prospect file. From the choices available to you we’ll help rationalise the opportunities and build an effective marketing and communications plan.

The Plan is crucial to any successful venture. To many of us, the confusion of opportunity is what stops us from moving forward … what to do first????

As an owner director of a business it’s very lonely at the top. Who do you turn to for feedback and advice? Where can you confidently put your hand up and ask for help and direction without losing face in front of your staff or being charged a fortune in front of your accountant?

If you want to know where to start, how to start, what to say and when … then join us and other like minded business owner directors on 14^th November in Maidstone. LOL!

YOUR FIRST SEMINAR EXPERIENCE IS FREE


To find out more about intime PROFIT:

our One-to-One,

our Seminars and

our Marketing support services –

write to intime@intimeprofit.com or

call us on 08456 437 497.

www.intimeprofit.com

 

The Changing Face of Business in Kent

Earlier this year the Kent Institute of Directors got a new Chairman in the face of Emma Liddiard who, like many business owners and managers in Kent wears two hats … at least.  By day, Emma is Managing Director of Heart FM (Kent), part of the Global Radio media business, which includes Classic FM, Capital and LBC; and by night, instead of just attending the many lively IoD events and functions across Kent, she chairs and heads responsibility for them.

When I spoke to Emma last week, her drive and passion for both hats was evident from the start.

Emma’s 17 years in the media have developed an enviable portfolio of experience and business contacts through Kent, the South East and beyond.

“As the MD of Heart Kent I have enjoyed growing my network of business colleagues throughout many businesses and organisations across the county. I lead by example, encouraging strong relationships both internally and externally whilst mentoring and coaching on a daily basis.”

 

Emma puts much of her success and responsibility for a £6 million turnover down to the strength of understanding of local and national corporate matters that she builds through networking – as well as the skill and enthusiasm of a great team.

Much of this corporate interaction was effected rubbing shoulders (and, indeed sharing a glass or two) with fellow members of the IoD. Now, she is Chairman of IoD Kent, which is one of the most active regions with over 1,500 members.

"Since becoming a member of the IoD, I have discovered many, many advantages of being part of this network and feel passionate about sharing these with more people in Kent. I am introducing many new people to the IoD and having a wonderful time doing it – it is a misunderstood and under rated organisation as far as I am concerned and Kent does it so well.”

I was keen to know just why nearly half of the membership was made up of Chairmen, CEOs and Managing Directors and Emma was equally keen to explain. Many enjoy the ‘national’ membership benefits including their fabulous Pall Mall address that’s available to members when in town, meeting and greeting clients and colleagues in central comfort.

Some of the smaller businesses (because 40% of members employ 25 or fewer staff) access the panel of business experts for advice and guidance on management, employment and financial matters.

But for the vast majority it’s the opportunity to meet and mix with like minded people at on or many of the 70 plus events hosted by IoD Kent each year.

As well as business forums covering subjects such as Finance, Charities and International Business there are many social gatherings which have recently included: the Built Kent Environment event; the AMM at Chatham Historic Dockyard; committee meetings; and the amazing Rochester Cathedral Event with the London Welsh Male Voice Choir.

 

I think that instead of the Institute of Directors perhaps IoD could stand for Ideas on Demand because there seems to me so many opportunities available for business owners and Directors to listen to and adopt fresh approaches to lead, manage and market their businesses.

And, of course, that’s one of the key benefits attributed to intime PROFIT. Whether a delegate at intime SEMINARS or a client using our One-to-One business development partnerships, there’s no shortage of fresh ideas to revitalise stale marketing activity, drive sales and build longer term profitability from relations with existing clients and prospects

 

Emma was particularly interested in intime PROFIT’s third service which turns ideas into action – intime

MARKETING. It’s one thing going away with lists of exciting new strategies in your notebook or tablet

and another to actually turn the thoughts into deeds, putting them to work for your business. It may be

that you don’t have time and it may be that you don’t have or have access to the marketing resources

needed to action them.

 

But this no longer matters. Intime PROFIT’s marketing services help turn your marketing strategy into a workable plan; detailing the action and budgets needed to deliver each element; then the exciting bit … we make it happen. With intime MARKETING, whatever size your business, you now have an instant Marketing Department with full on line and print design resources, copywriting, web design, mailing and e-mail management just one call away.

 

Thank you Emma, very much for your time and your interest and yes, the IoD may seem out of reach to many but it’s not - we recommend it to anyone who’s serious about business in Kent.

 

Call, mail, view and start making a difference today:

 

To find out more about intime PROFIT:

our One-to-One,

our Seminars and

our Marketing support services –

 

write to intime@intimeprofit.com or

call us on 08456 437 497.

www.intimeprofit.com

 

 

 

Back to School on September 12th

What a summer it’s been – the sun shone and temperatures soared in England; economies rallied in Europe; bad light stopped play with just 21 runs left to make; Kate & Wills had a baby; China’s under water, California’s on fire and Syria’s under siege. Phew what a scorcher!

 

 So now it’s back to normal, back to work and back to school as intime PROFIT’s Dramatic Business Growth Seminars begin again on 12^th September.

 

It has been a long summer and feels like a lifetime since we last gathered around our host’s boardroom table to listen to and share techniques and experiences to help our businesses grow.

Around the table on September 12th there will be some who have been to several intime Seminars and others who’ll be there for the first time. This doesn’t matter – in fact it’s a bonus as it refreshes the discussions and revitalises our opportunities to network with like-minded local business owners.

 

If you haven’t already received one of these (below), there’ll be one in your in tray very soon. This is your invitation to reserve one of just ten seats at the next intime PROFIT Seminar…

 

… What’s more, there are three (just 3) FREE places available at each Seminar and this is your invitation to secure one of those.

 

The Seminars are led by David Mack, though it is the delegates’ participation that really adds value to the debate as we share insight, experience and methodology that WILL help our businesses grow. As well as David, we hear from three keynote speakers. Matters Financial are introduced by Tim Levey of Reeves; Legal affairs are covered by sector specialists from Whitehead Monckton; and Sales & Marketing skills are presented by a Partner of intime PROFIT.

 

In this coming Seminar we will be looking at Sales. Not just how you can increase sales but how to increase the profitability, frequency and gross value of those sales. Many businesses think that once a new customer or client is ‘written up’ – that’s it, job done, move on to the next. By developing a fuller professional relationship with your customers (and prospects – don’t forget a prospect is simply a client in waiting) the value and reward from that relationship grows too.

 

For this to work we help you to improve your communication skills and introduce a suite of different methods of delivering the messages you’ll learn to write. We will show you how to turn your features into benefits and how to highlight and articulate those benefits to best effect.

 

Change is a great contributor to success.

Henry Ford said: “if you always do what you’ve always done – you get the results you’ve always got.”

If you are working in your business and it is not growing at the rate you feel it should and you are not enjoying the profits and financial benefits you feel you ought – then something has to change.

 

This is the ideal opportunity to take just a little time out from working IN your business to join others who will help you to work ON it.

The boardroom at Reeves in Chatham Maritime will be full of great ideas on 12^th September. Come along and take some of those ideas away with you. They will inspire you and help you to introduce even a few changes that really will make the difference to your business.

 

 

Ask yourself three questions:

 
Do I own or am I responsible for running a business in Kent?
Does the success of that business reflect in the quality of my life and livelihood?
Do I want to improve the quality of my life?

If the answer is YES to even one of those questions, then join us and a small group of others who’ve also said yes (particularly to the third one) and start changing your fortunes from 12^th September.

 

 

Call, mail, view and start making a difference today:

 

To find out more about intime PROFIT:

our One-to-One,

our Seminars and

our Marketing support services –

write to intime@intimeprofit.com or

call us on 08456 437 497.

www.intimeprofit.com

 

 

 

Give me stout hearts with ‘Perfect Pitch’

Kentish business has proved many times that when a few stout hearted entrepreneurial men and women get together to share views and support development ideals - success thrives.

Kent is a veritable warren of networking groups who gather at often unearthly hours of the morning to meet and exchange current business concerns. To mix metaphors – they level opportunistic playing fields to create a common song sheet from which they all can sing.

And no better a song sheet could there possibly be than that supported by the IoD in collaboration with Clive Emson and Rochester Cathedral (applauded by intime PROFIT) to present the London Welsh Male Voice Choir in concert at Rochester Cathedral on Saturday 29^th June (conceptually pictured below).

Based on themes originating in Welsh Valleys, rehearsed tirelessly in London, ‘Working Man’ and ‘Stout Hearted Men’ are just two of LWMVC’s rousing harmonies to be enjoyed in Rochester’s iconic cathedral on the banks of the Medway from 19.00 on 29^th.

Where The Medway was said to have been the dividing / deciding factor between Men (and Women) of Kent and Kentish Man (and Maiden), it was also the crucial conduit to create, support and drive trade in the region.

‘Stout Hearted Men’ is one of the choral components of the operetta The New Moon, a collaboration of the music of Sigmund Romberg and the lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II.

This begs the question – can nothing succeed without help, support, collaboration, advice – a corporate shoulder to cry on or understanding pat on the back?

Well, Gilbert had Sullivan and Benjamin Britten had the voice of his beloved Peter Pears.

If you have a great day at the office, is there somebody back at home who truly understands the passion and emotion of your business. Conversely, if you are on a negative spiral, who do you turn to for support and guidance?

In Kent, there is a resource to which business owners and managers can turn. It’s one that understands the draining emotions of business management and offers guidance to and through the components of business growth. That’s what the businesses of Kent with whom we already work seem to think.

 

Sharing thoughts at the intime PROFIT Seminar

These business owners have sought and found solace in talking with an intime PROFIT Partner through a series of One-to-One meetings; they may have joined like minded people at our Business Growth Seminars; or perhaps they use our Marketing support services.

Seminars offer a friendly environment at which just 15 or so people can either sit back and listen to the speakers and other delegates, or participate as much as they want – opening up to problems, sharing ideas, discussing the pro’s and con’s of this approach or that.

There is no single solution. If there were, we’d all have bought that book and be millionaires … this time next year Rodney ! Whether you take the Del Boy approach or that of Simon Sinek, there’s always something of value to learn.

 

But of course, the whole moral of this story is that it’s not one or the other that is right or wrong, but the collaborative efforts of a room full of stout hearted business minds as, last month for instance, they consider the wisdom of Simon Sinek’s ‘Start with a WHY’.

This relatively simple business philosophy became a pivotal moment for last month’s attendees. Here’s a snippet of what Simon’s WHY is all about. Take a look and you’ll understand why pens were scribbling and light bulbs were metaphorically sparking across the Whitehead Monckton Boardroom:

This was part of a presentation on creating an Elevator Pitch, a succinct introduction to you, the business owner / manager as you are given a 60 second platform to win corporate hearts and minds.

It’s a powerful tool, particularly if you frequent or are about to enter the world of Kentish Networking.

Intime PROFIT Seminars offer the opportunity to network, but also equips you with the tools, techniques and confidence to network profitably. The structure and formality of a textbook Elevator Pitch may be right for some and perhaps right for others – just not in an Elevator.

 

Simon Sinek’s pivotal WHY helps us to understand WHY it is customers and clients do business with us. In understanding this and discussing the strengths and weaknesses in the context of our own businesses, we truly get to understand our own WHY, our own corporate raisons d’êtres.

Seminar exercises then help delegates to communicate this, verbally, casually, formally, in writing, in an advert, a website, an e-mail and even a tweet.

Like Romberg and Hammerstein; Gilbert and Sullivan; Britten and Pears – intime PROFIT and you collaborate, draft and rehearse our corporate songs until we too find ‘perfect pitch’.

For your chance to tune up to a ‘perfect pitch’ and discover more tools, techniques, ideas and skills to help grow your own business – join us at the next intime PROFIT Seminar on Thursday 11^th July in this month’s host Boardroom at Duncan Lawrie in Wrotham. If you are joining us for the first time remember, your first Seminar is FREE.

PLEASE NOTE: you can not just turn up. Please call / e-mail to request your place. Places are limited and if you secure an invitation but find subsequently you can’t attend, please do call so that your invitation may be taken up by someone else.

To secure your invitation to intime PROFIT’s Dramatic Business Growth Seminar at:

Duncan Lawrie (pictured left),

Wrotham, Kent

From: 10.00 to 17.00 (includes lunch),

On: 11^th July 2013,

Please call 08456 437 497

Or e-mail intime@intimeprofit.com

To find out more about intime PROFIT:

our One-to-One,

our Seminars and

our Marketing support services –

write to intime@intimeprofit.com or

call us on 08456 437 497.

www.intimeprofit.com

 

 

 

Are you entitled to a FREE Seminar Day?

This is a quick addition to our normal blog stories to remind you about this month’s Dramatic Business Growth Seminar.

We’re holding your place at

Montague House for your

FREE Seminar Day on 9^th May.

Regular attendees have all had the benefit of their free Seminar Day and return regularly to enjoy more pearls of business growth wisdom.

What form does the day take?

This is an interactive Seminar for 10 to 15 people of like minded owners and managers of diverse businesses across Kent. We gather monthly in a host’s boardroom for a 10.00 o’clock start and are away by 5.00. We network over coffee, lunch and tea to share as well as listen to thought provoking experiences.

What’s the agenda?

This varies month on month with each day stimulating fresh thought and energy. The seminar leader runs the day’s informative, practical and pragmatic agenda, delivering and developing sometimes familiar but overlooked though more often fresh and inspired ideas, techniques and processes to grow a profitable business. The day is punctuated by practical interaction and professional keynote contributions on business law and finance. Remember, YOUR first Seminar is FREE (unconditionally).

What’s the point?

Well the bottom line is ultimately down to you and how much you want or need to grow your business and unlock the hidden profitability within it. If you want to generate and convert increasing numbers of enquiries and to turn more of these to profitable business sales and / or relations, then the intime PROFIT Dramatic Business Growth Seminars will equip you with the tools, the plan and the passion to go back to your desk and make it happen.

To confirm your FREE place please

call 08456 437 497

or mail intime@intimeprofit.com.

www.intimeprofit.com