Increasing Restaurant Visibility

I read an article recently that stated that 95% of independent restaurants don't have mobile sites a further 40% don't have online menu's. Thinking about this for a second, it is a startling statistic. We currently live in society of online shoppers, smartphone users, yet restaurant owners and publicans are not using the right mediums to appeal to the right audiences.

Is this because they don't know how to use this mechanic? Or is it because they don't have the necessarily time to facilitate the rewards it can bring. Someone would argue that this statistic could be false predicament, with many independents offering takeaway services, online presences may not be the right method whereas leaflet drops are key drivers in delivering their successes.  

As a consumer and a regular visitor to independent restaurants it still amazes me that some restaurants still don't have a website to generate an online presence. What presence they do have on their websites is through review sites such as TripAdvisor and this certainly leaves them open from all angles to criticism regarding service and more importantly performance. 

If the restaurant industry is continuing to suffer because of this new marketing theme, where does the future lie for these independents relying on new business for their success. With restaurant owners feeling the pinch already with rising supplier prices and budget increases with more and more independents closing doors on a daily basis the future looks bleak for restaurant owners. 

Branch Out or Link (ed) In.

With recent statistics published earlier Linkedin has by far become one of the most recognized networking sites on a global scale. Whether you are looking to connect with recent or old colleagues, discuss new business or the latest trends within a industry LinkedIn has several uses for the savvy professional. The networking site boasts a lot more for bright individuals looking to get that first step on to the job ladder, and LinkedIn could be that perfect resource to do so.. 

It has enjoyed a relative easy ride in terms of its market place, up until now. BranchOut an application built within Facebook has amassed over 25 million users since it launch in 2010. The platform similar to LinkedIn, allows users to see which of their Facebook friends (or friends of friends work at specific companies). It builds your connections from your existing friends. The platform allows you to search and apply for roles within a multiple of industries. To date it has more than 3 million job listings. The platform is also a great opportunity for the younger generation to get their first steps on to the job ladder through advertised internships or part time work. 

However as the platform is built within Facebook it does come with its own limitations. Largely and in my opinion people want to keep their social and work life separate. I tend to go on Facebook to see what my friends are up to or see latest pictures. On the other hand I use LinkedIn to discuss relevant business news, find new ideas and constantly look for new opportunities through new connections. 

On the other hand, whilst many recruiters scroll and look on Facebook to find a true in-depth picture to what you say you really are, it creates opportunities for recruiters rather than individuals to migrate to Branch Out. Telling your friends that you applied for a particular job may not be the best thing, if you were looking to keep it a secret. However many people share their status updates through Twitter on LinkedIn, without realizing that they are even doing so which could lead them into trouble with their employers. 

Branch Out will have to increase its pulling power for the savvy Linkedin user to migrate to its platform. At best I found the user interface a little clunky, this could be because the application is built on Facebook App's. It will be difficult to see how and where its user base will come from, if they can pull in a wealth of well known recruiters then people will be attracted to apply for jobs no one else may see. I still believe that people will want to keep their personal life private from their work life. Whilst this may take time, it will become increasingly easy for LinkedIn to poach ideas or even buy, due to the sheer size of their recent flotation. 

You never know I could be wrong. So watch this space........ 

The Art of Selling

Being in a sales role for a large nationwide wholesaler, I can think of a few things that allowed me to get this job, plenty of work experience, hard work and a never give up attitude.  My degree however taught me very little about the world of Sales and the skills required to sell and negotiate with customers.

The number of subjects you can study at University is endless from golf studies to David Beckham studies, whether these subjects are entirely relevant to your career paths never seems to be an issue. Sales is something that is naturally occurring within our daily lives, but many of us don't know truly understand how to handle put this in to practice in the workplace.

Natural Selling: Sales is one where we are involved in everyday life, but many of us just don't realise it

With many businesses under extraordinary pressure to deliver results and increase margins, sales technique is something that should be preached within all organisations. New business and business development is a highly crucial element in this volatile climate. Having a highly trained sales force plays to many strengths and also an opportunity to increase professionalism.

Then there is the theory of sales, is it something that can be taught? Everyone has a different sales technique depending on the product and the market you are selling in. There may not be one clear defined rule when persuading someone to buy something off you. This could be one of the reasons for the lack of content related to the art of sales & negotiating within my degree course.

The sales field is becoming increasingly complex, the switch from a more hard selling approach to a process of building and maintaining business relationships has become a household name in many organisations. With this change within the business environment it is more evident that soon to be graduates need to be taught how to sell and work within a sales environment.

The question then, does the art of selling fit well within the classroom? It is believed by those in the industry that sales requires practice and real life experiences to be successful. The theory behind however it is some thing that can be taught through workshops and sales training, I believe that if  these elements were included in the course content of a management degree they would complement many other modules such as entrepreneurship giving every graduate the foundations for their future career path.