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Archive for July, 2009

Economic Changes & Your Small Business

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Make sure that you are aware of what it is that brings you the most income for your business and concentrate on that aspect. When times are lean take care of what is working for you. It does not mean you stop your marketing campaign or cease any focus on other aspects of your business but more that you maintain focus on your current earning potential. If necessary find a way you can monitor or check through previous months to evaluate where your top income source is coming from. Also look at why that particular area is more profitable than other areas and if you can incorporate changes to your other lines or services to get them increasing your profits as well.

Ensure that you are giving excellent service to your current existing customers and long term customers. This of course depends on the type of business or service you provide. But retaining customers, for any business is an important aspect of your future earnings. It is usually much easier to keep your existing customers happy than it is to use all your focus on obtaining new customers. You of course must have a balance between customer retention and obtaining new customers but don’t let the ones you already have get away.

If there are any opportunities to make any of your daily functions automated then you should consider these options. Perhaps there are computer systems or programs that can increase your efficiency on a day to day routine allowing you more free time to focus on your customers.

Any items in your business that require replacing or updating consider how much benefit the cost you will outlay will improve your business. If you can continue on with your current inventory of equipment without further outlay then you should try to do so as long as you can. Of course required repairs and maintenance must be considered carefully as ignoring problems can lead to eventual breakdown of the items concerned therefore ensuring you must purchase new goods.

Some things a small business can easily consider for cost cutting is attempting to reduce the business outgoings on a monthly basis. Be careful to ensure that you are not cutting costs in the wrong areas. For example if you reduce the prices of your services you need to establish the number of new clients you need to obtain to cover that cost reduction and beware that if the economy suddenly kicks back into life you will be in a position where you have to go up with your prices again so fluctuating too much will only cause upset customers.


Another consideration is perhaps making your employees into contractors to your business. That will put the onus for any legal or tax issues to be handled directly by the staff themselves. Be careful with this aspect as well as if you upset those staff you may find you end up with no employees at all so make sure this is something you consider as a last resort. You want to retain your employees if you can indeed afford it however when things get really tight you could consider this option.

There are many other options you can consider to reduce costs for your small business and the above is just a small idea of what quickly comes to mind. You know your business and what is required but sometimes we forget to take a long hard look at what we are doing. If you are doing OK now it is better to consider the question of a down turn in income before it actually happens so that you are prepared for any eventual changes to the way your business can operate. Not everything, especially the economy, can be under your control so take stock of your company – perhaps even literally!

Freight Forwarding Basics

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Freight forwarding services are typically used by companies that deal with international import and export activities. The freight forwarding company is a third party – it doesn’t ship the cargo itself. However, the freight forwarder acts as a professional intermediary between the client and the transportation services. Shipping various products between countries and territories usually involves a multitude of carriers, requirements and legal documentation. The freight forwarding services is specialized in handling the great amount of logistics this intricate process requires, helping the client ship goods securely and quickly.

Major companies and corporations greatly depend on professional freight forwarders in their import and export activities. The freight forwarding company guarantees that a certain cargo reaches the proper destination upon an agreed date. Furthermore, turning to the services of a freight forwarder is practically the only way you can be certain that your products arrive at the specified destination in good condition. These days, it’s virtually impossible for a company to ship goods at an adequate price without a forwarder. Freight forwarding companies have an established long-term relationship with carriers of all kinds and will obtain the best deals in the least amount of time. The freight forwarder of your choice will practically negotiate the most advantageous price possible with a reliable carrier, helping you make hassle-free transactions worldwide.

Choosing the right freight forwarding company is very important if you want maximum efficiency and reasonable costs. Your main priority is making sure the goods arrive when promised to their destination and in perfect condition. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you do your research before selecting a freight forwarding service. For instance, you can run a background check on companies that interest you – find out just how long they’ve been in business, their references and any relevant lawsuits. Another good way of choosing a reliable freight forwarder is by asking for recommendations from someone you know who has already has some experience with forwarding services.

These days, being able to ship goods internationally is at the root of any successful business. Freight forwarding companies have a single purpose in mind: to help your company deliver products to wherever it is necessary in the least amount of time possible. A good freight forwarding company will have reasonable costs and will guarantee that your goods arrive at the specified date.

At K INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT CO., INC., you can read more about their extensive freight forwarding services. They are a full-service freight forwarder based in New York City, the heart of American international commerce. Their location allows same-day access to most of the steamship lines, airlines and letter of credit departments at financial institutions. They have an extensive network of overseas agents with whom they work directly, giving them a global reach. The more complicated the transaction, the more help they can provide. They handle everything from door to door.


Hired by either side to a transaction, they help bridge the gap between suppliers and buyers. They offer logistical expertise for project cargo, including containers and oversized break-bulk shipping. For those unfamiliar with letters of credit, they offer consulting assistance and direct negotiation to obtain payment.

Rather than passing you from department to department as your shipment progresses, they assign each customer to a dedicated employee who will be your primary point of contact throughout the entire transaction. Management has over 35 years of experience, and many clients have been with them for over a decade, since their inception. Quality Customer Service is not just a slogan, it’s a philosophy they put into practice. And you don’t need to take their word for it – references for commercial enterprises are available upon request. Please consider them for your import and export needs.