Monday, June 9, 2014

Marketing keys for success!


 A few random thoughts about the value of advertizing in a competitive marketplace.

In order to survive in a highly competitive market, a small business needs to use most every trick in the trade in order to survive. No where is this more true than in the restaurant industry where eatery's can be stacked check to jowl even in small towns, such as I find myself in. Forsyth Missouri has a population of something like 1300. It's small by most small town standards and is basically laid out on one highway – Hwy160. From one end to the other, is not much above 4 miles and most of the ten eateries are all situated along about a one mile distance.

Of course, all these venues stay competitive price-wise within the framework of like establishments. The two fast food joints watch each other price points as does the two meat houses, two American, two Asian and two specialty houses. Each sub group offers up a unique eating experience to be sure, but the shear numbers (10 establishments) crammed so close together mean that garnering the money from a particular diners pocket will be challenging!

What sets each establishment apart and either make the more or less attractive, in my mind, is as follows:
  1. Good signage – are they easy to spot from the road!
  2. Cleanliness – are there any rumors of disease?
  3. Ambiance – how the venue makes you feel when you enter!
  4. Service – are they fast to get and create your order?
  5. Parking – can you find a spot during typical rush times?
  6. Menu – does the venue offer a wide choice of food?
  7. Prices – is the place affordable?
  8. Longevity – Has the venue been around for some time?
  9. Amenities – does the venue have something extra like a bar, specials, wifi or a drive thru?
  10. Advertising – What media channels does the venue employ to garner business?
This last item in the list is, to my mind, one of the most important and yet most often abused of anything else on the list! Some establishment do everything right with the exception that the advertising of their presence really sucks! The five channels that are realistically available to them (TV is not for most) would typically include:
  1. Word of mouth – Getting people to talk about an establishment is very effective!
  2. Radio – Expensive, but also effective over the long haul!
  3. Local newspaper – Helps to announce, maintain interest, promote specials, etc.
  4. Flyers – Time consuming and marginal in overall effectiveness.
  5. The Internet (web pages, Facebook, Blogs, etc.) - Can make or break a venue, in my view.
Very few of the local establishments make use of all five outlets or exploit them to full advantage. To my mind, the one that comes closest is Fat Daddy's, followed closely behind by Charlie's and perhaps the Mug. All three are visible on the Internet and use Facebook extensively. What about Sonic and McDonald's? I don't really like to count national chains as they are in a whole different ballpark when compared to the small business owner – even when they are individually owned they typically have access to a very well run advertising machine!

Today's eating crowd is a whole lot more techno-savy than they were even just a few years prior. Even grandpa and grandma jump on the net, without nary a thought, when they want to check out a new or exiting eatery. In today's very fast paced and hi tech world, a well maintained Facebook, web page or blog can sell what you got for literally pennies a day! In additional, establishments that actively promote the collection of Email addresses have a ready made method of communication without resort to expensive snail mail! After all, one email blast to a thousand customers costs exactly zilch! 

Disclaimer: I'm sure there are many other aspects to helping a business succeed. The ones presented here were off the top of my aging head!

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Friday, June 6, 2014

Candidates for August 5th Republican primary election in Taney County!


The ballot is set for the August 5th Republican primary election in Taney County. Candidate filing closed Tuesday evening. Several contested races will appear on the ballot.

Incumbent Tony Williams is running unopposed for Associate Circuit Judge, Division 1. In Division 2, four candidates have filed for judge, including Eric Eighmy, Bob Paulson, Tim Davis and Michele Wilson.

Four candidates are running for Circuit Clerk, including Reba Retell, James Holvick, Beth Wyman and Scott Starrett.

Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell has re-filed for his position, and is not facing a running opponent.

Incumbent Ron Houseman has re-filed for Presiding Commissioner, and is facing a challenge from Mike Scofield.

Sheila Wyatt is running unopposed for re-election as Taney County Collector.

Incumbent Robert Dixon is facing a challenge from Josh Smith for the office of Recorder of Deeds.

Former County Assessor James Strahan has filed for County Clerk. He will appear on the ballot along with incumbent Donna Neeley.

County Auditor Rick Findley has filed for re-election, and is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

This information was provided by KRZK radio webpage.The candidates who are in bold type are the ones this author intends to vote for.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Hills & Hollows Gardens now closed!

Forsyth MO - Located at 20130 US Hwy 160 near the intersection of Hwy 160-76 and just across from the Taney Center is a small greenhouse called Hill and Hollow Gardens. It's run by a nice lady by the name of Rachael and is open just about every day of the week during regular business hours.

I stopped in on a lark to see what was being offered and saw that there was a good selection of both vegetables as well as flowering plants and herbs! I was also amazed to see other cars pulling in while I was there, so the establishment was fairly busy. I'm guessing there are a lot of folks who are itching to get something planted in the ground even though it is very early April.
While there, I noticed a selection of tomatoes I was not familiar with called MarGlobe. Evidently they are a well know heirloom variety that offers a good old fashioned tomato taste! Each four pack was priced at just $2 and so I bought a tray of those as well as a 4-pack of Better Boy tomatoes which are a variety I've grown before. I was also pleased to find that Rachael accepts all forms of payment including visa, debit, checks and cash.

If you get a chance, make it a point to stop by and take advantage of plants that are just the right size for early transplanting. Update: I believe they are now closed for the season and will be returning next year!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Charlie's endless cup of coffee dilemma!

Let's see now, the word dilemma means the following according to some dictionaries:

'a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, esp. equally undesirable ones.'

That could well describe the current situation at Charlie's Ribs Steak and Ale located in Forsyth Missouri where a program whereby patrons could buy a plastic mug and get an endless cup of coffee for a buck has come to an end. Or, has it??

The plastic mug pictured above used to be available for something like $7 at this very popular eatery and it afforded the purchaser the ability to get free refills of coffee for only about a dollar. However, starting in January 2014, there has been a severe shortage of coffee beans which has meant the prices have doubled due in large part to a continuing drought in Brazil! So, without further ado, the owner pulled these cups from display and is no longer offering them for sale. However, that still leaves a small group of customers who eat there on a regular basis and who still have their mugs! The question on their minds is whether the deal they made when they originally bought their mugs is still good?

As one of those customers who owns a mug, I will be anxious to find out for myself....



Saturday, March 15, 2014

The entrepreneurial spirit is not dead! Yet!

I stopped, recently, at a booth located in from of the Country Mart in Forsyth and bought a cross from a young lady who had informed me that God had saved her from a life of drug addition!

It's good to see that the entrepreneurial spirit has not been completely destroyed by our government. At least not yet!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Charlie's egg, hash brown and toast breakfast!

A good, nutritional breakfast starts any day off on the right foot. Today, I stopped at a local eatery for just such a meal!

Charlie's Steak-Ribs and Ale is located in Forsyth Missouri on Highway 160 just across from City Hall. They serve up a full menu breakfast including their menu item #1 selection, aka eggs, hash browns and toast. At just $3.49 (effective price as of this post), I feel this is a real meal deal.

Service at this establishment is brisk and professional. I love the relaxed ambiance and how clean everything is. Charlie's also features a full service bar, takeouts as well as lunch and dinner service. You can reach them at (417) 546-2011.

One word of caution: If you order anything other than scrambled eggs, they will hit you with a fifty cent extra charge! That's a 14% increase in the cost of this meal!