On a brighter note, we have seen an increase in business from outside of the US. Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa are using the internet to find the best sources for their needs. We welcome these inquiries, and have been pleased to ship many orders overseas.It is easier than ever to create export documents. Credit cards make the exchange of funds simple. Language barriers are easier to deal with through emails than by phone.
Is your business leaving possible sales untapped because you think it is"too hard" to export? My advice is to try one or two transactions. Use the same good business practices that you would use with your current customers. It is not necessary to make special policies for export orders. I am wagering that you will find that it was just as simple and just as profitable as any other sale.
On the same note, what other sales are you passing up? Think about sales to municipalities, colleges or universities, and government agencies. Many of the bulky formats that were once in use have been abandoned by these entities. Even the defense department has begun to use credit cards to purchase needed items with little paperwork.
Look over your advertising. Look over your website. Make certain that it is friendly to all that are in need of your product line. And when you get an email or a phone call from a non-customer, treat them the way you would like to be treated. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results.
I will be attending a local Tea Party in September. Payton will be staying home, but my wife is eager to let her congressmen know how unhappy she is with their recent votes.
I am sure that I am already on someone's watch list based on my gun ownership, internet browsing, and the emails I send to my representatives. But it is important to me to be counted as one of the millions of Americans that are shouting, "Stop messing with my country!" I love my country, but I am not happy with the direction we are heading. It is time to pull back from the socialist bent and go back to operating as a republic.
Jeff Kunkel
CJ Marketing
