lots of tasty blog posts
Would you wear your jim jams on TV?
I listened to a great podcast recently by Kevin Bath, founder of JimJam Spreads It was a really honest and interesting account of the business journey right from where the idea came from, to securing and managing listings in supermarkets – including the highs and the lows. But what struck me most was when…
How to launch a successful food business in 10 easy steps
Despite having recently shared a Guardian article about how 7 in 10 food businesses fail in their first year, and how food entrepreneurs work up to 16 hours a day, in the last couple of months I have had a record number of new food businesses contacting me seeking help and support. Helping start-up food…
How to convert your leads into customers after a food trade show
You’ve spent months preparing for your first trade show, you’ve created a great stand, fantastic marketing material, you’ve dazzled and spoken to numerous people about your food or drink product during the show, you’ve packed up and are finally heading back to HQ – exhausted! But don’t be fooled into thinking that’s the show over…
3 key steps to getting your food or drink product listed in farm shops and delis
1. Plan carefully. It is really easy to get over-enthusiastic and start approaching farm shops and delis before you are ready to sell. Here’s a quick check-list of the things you need to make sure you have in place to help you sell your food or drink product to the farm shop and deli managers: Costings…
How to sell more to your current customers
In the pursuit of new business, your current customers can often get overlooked. Not only is it important to look after your current customers to ensure they remain loyal to you and that you support them so that their sales grow; don’t forget, that current customers can also be a source of additional income. So,…
Buy British Trend Gives UK Food Producers a Boost
Following on from my visit to The Great British Exchange in the beautiful countryside just outside Harrogate – a town buzzing with independent delis and gift stores, I’m delighted to introduce a guest blog from Matthew Hopkins, Managing Director of The Great British Exchange who talks about the growing trend of buying British and what…
Do you suffer from “email reluctance”?
When you meet someone and they give you their phone number and ask you to phone them – the likelihood is you will. If a relative asks you to send them some photos of your children – you do. If someone asks you to send them a postcard from you holiday – you will. But…
The true teacher is the learner…..
I have been doing a lot of 1-2-1 coaching which I absolutely love – it gives me time to work with food and drink producers over a period of time and really help them to achieve their goals. Seeing businesses grow and gain the listings they have been chasing for a long time definitely has…
Top 10 Tips for a Successful Food or Drink Crowdfunding Campaign
I have recently been working with a few clients who have been looking into crowdfunding so I thought I would share a few tips to help other food and drink producers who may be thinking of this route to raise much-needed funds for their business to grow. I hope you find them useful. Spend time…
Is your packaging attracting the consumer or confusing them?
Recently a friend did the following selective attention test on me. Some of you may know it already – if not give it a go! You may be surprised at the results. If like me you were so focused on what you had been asked to do that you missed the obvious – don’t worry,…
How to Turn Your Leads into Customers
Many people are great at planning for food and drink exhibitions, sparkle on the stand – but then wonder a couple of months down the line why they haven’t got lots of new customers? The issue being that understandably you are exhausted after an exhibition, probably have lots of stuff to catch up on when…
It’s how you describe it that sells it……
I’m currently working with some Canadian clients who are looking to export their food and drink products into the UK. We have had lots of discussions about the differences between consumers and packaging and also brand names that don’t translate well to the UK market (despite having the same language!) I’ve also spent a large…
Review: Authentic Mexican Sauces from Laterra Artisan Harvest
With Cinco De Mayo – a Mexican festival full of colour, vibrancy and Mexican food and drink- just a couple of weeks away it is perfect timing to publish this review on the Laterra Artisan Harvest range of Mexican sauces and marinades. There are 11 products in the range including marinades and sauces and a…
How to make your sales dreams become a reality
I have been doing more 1-2-1 coaching for food clients this year – which I absolutely love. It is so rewarding to be able to work closely with food businesses to help them achieve the growth they are looking for. At the beginning of January I asked one particular client to tell me what their…
Looking after your current customers
You’ve probably heard it said many a time that keeping a current customer is much easier than gaining a new customer. Whilst I’m sure everyone is aware of this, it still surprises me at how much time and energy is invested in gaining new customers, but often almost no time or little time is devoted…