| Online Shopping and the High Street | |
| By Howard Graham on11/01/2008 08:08 | |
| Christmas 2007 has seen another major rise in the statistics for internet shopping both in terms of the number of transactions and the amount of money spent. The Times recently reported that over £50 billion was spent online and reported on a study suggesting that 50% of all retail spending would be conducted online by 2018. As someone actively involved in the internet online market place, this is further evidence that our business model is a good one. However, it does lead me to wonder where this might all end. Are we heading towards a world where there will be empty retail property all over our high streets and if so, what impact will that have on commercial property prices and even employment levels. ... |  | |
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| How much do you leave on the table? | |
| By Howard Graham on10/01/2008 07:21 | |
| Many years ago, I went on a series of courses that shaped much of my business thinking. One of the concepts that I was introduced to was the suggestion that many people leave revenue and profit (on the table). Examples of this might be giving away something for nothing that has a value and could be charged for or charging too little for something that your customer would be happy to pay more for. It also covers the area where there are opportunities to earn revenue that you simply don’t spot. Yesterday, this happened to me. Here at the Made Simple Group, we have a monthly marketing/business strategy meeting at which 5 or 6 of us sit around the table for most of the day, plied with food and drink, and brainstorm our way through an agenda. The idea is to catch up and review action ... | | |
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| Welcome to my Blog | |
| By Howard Graham on09/01/2008 11:52 | |
| Hi My name is Howard Graham Welcome to my Blog. As some of you will know, I am the founder and Chief Executive of the Made Simple Group. Some years ago, as a partner in Westbury, a firm of Chartered Accountants, I found myself constantly being asked for assistance for small businesses. The idea for the Made Simple business came while I sat on an Easyjet flight to Spain – a rather transparent form of plagiarism – I apologise. Anyway, over the last few years, we have introduced varying business services aimed at our community which we have tried to keep as simple as possible both in terms of the provision of the service and the prices we c ... | | |
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| Apple | |
| By Howard Graham on31/12/2007 16:15 | |
| My son had his iPod stolen recently and after making the appropriate insurance claim (a whole other story) we went to an Apple store to buy him a replacement. Now it’s well known that Apple products are highly regarded with regard to their design features and of course the new iPhone is creating much noise and significant sales. However, what particularly impressed me was how much thought, time and planning has gone into ensuring that the customers experience within the store is so pleasurable. This starts from the general layout, the products on display, the ability to use them at will and marvel at their splendour. However, there are a number of other areas which enhance the experience namely: 1. The staff are just superb. They are all so happy, helpful, intell ... | | |
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| My Name | |
| By Howard Graham on30/12/2007 16:16 | |
| I’ve got a lot to thank my parents for and I am sure (hope) that I remind them of this continually. However, there is one thing that perhaps they didn’t think through so carefully and that was the name they gave me. Whilst I myself don’t really have a problem with the name, it would seem that many others do. I have one of those names that seem to cause confusion to others. My forename and surname are completely interchangeable. Unlike Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard or Kylie Minogue, but the same as John Terry or even David Cameron, my forename and surname can easily be swapped. However, you don’t see any of the latter list having that problem, or at least not as far as I am aware. Yet, at least 3 times a week, I receive an email from someone referring to me as Graham and from time to time people even say it to my face. &nbs ... | | |
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