Business Growth Strategy | Marketing & Sales

Marketing & Sales | Quick Guides

How to turn browsers into buyers

If you're getting plenty of visitors to your website but not many sales, you're not alone. Most websites convert visitors to customers at a very low rate, often less than 3 per cent. Here are seven tips to help.

Agents versus employees

A look at the pros and cons of using self-employed agents as opposed to employed sales reps.

Defining a PR strategy

PR is not the impenetrable science that many agencies would have you believe. It is possible to do your own PR, but first you need to be clear what you want to achieve.

Marketing & Sales | Analysis

How to grow your market share

Even when you can't grow your turnover or profits, you can still aim to take a larger slice of a shrinking market. We look at tactics to win business from powerful competitors.

Colouring your brand

The use of colour is a vital element in any branding or rebranding strategy. Roger Rundle, a director at communications agency The Team, analyses what different colour palettes say about the companies that use them.

Securing government contracts

The Glover review contains proposals to make it easier for growing companies to win government contracts. Mark Bailey, partner at law firm Speechly Bircham, asks if it will make a difference.

Marketing & Sales | Profiles

Sales strategies for tight times

The economic downturn has forced companies to change their sales strategies to stay in business. We talk to three CEOs about how they've adapted to tough trading conditions.

Building a brand: Hotel Chocolat

The story of Hotel Chocolat demonstrates that sometimes you need to ignore all the advice you get. Angus Thirlwell, the company's founder, reveals his recipe for branding success.

Fresh thinking: Graeme Dignan

Five years ago, creative guru Graeme Dignan set out to change the way he did business. Now, through a joint venture with Coca-Cola, he's establishing a business model all of his own.

Convenient Fuel Management From TOTALCard

TOTALCard, the ITM Fuel Card of the Year 2009, offers you a first-class, convenient fuel management service to drive down your Car, Van or Truck costs. Accepted at over 3000 sites nationwide, we offer varied pricing structures and credit agreements to improve your cash flow. To find out more and get an expert from TOTALCard to contact you please click here.

Do you want to increase revenue, save time and accelerate out of the downturn in 2010?

You are not alone if your resources have been scaled back and staff and business systems are feeling the strain. However, did you know that over 760,000 UK companies are harnessing the power and support of Sage to make a difference in their businesses? Download the free Sage Accelerate out of the Downturn whitepaper.

Compare public liability and business insurance quotes now

Compare quotes in minutes from leading insurers, including Zurich, Aviva, AXA and Hiscox. Tailor your cover levels with public & employer’s liability, business premises, professional indemnity or business interruption cover among others. Find out more now

Research

Creative businesses face ‘analysis gap’

From video games developers to firms of architects, creative businesses of all kinds struggle to get adequate financing due to a misconception that they cannot be analysed systematically, claims a new report. The study comes from the Centre for Creative Business (CCB), a joint venture between London Business School and University of the Arts London.

Directors' Pay AIM 2009

What should an AIM company pay its CEO or FD?
What should a non-executive director or chairman expect to be paid?
What benchmarks should AIM remuneration committee members be using when
setting pay?

Cash Shells Directory 2010

A comprehensive overview of cash shells on AIM and PLUS, companies that have become a significant feature on the market landscape.

12 Key Points to Consider When Selecting a Network Scanning Solution

Discover the 12 key points your company should consider before you evaluate and select a vulnerability assessment solution.

1Z0-040 Oracle Database 10G New Features for Administrators Practice Exam

Oracle 9i administrators can certify on Oracle 10G by passing this exam. The ExamForce 1Z0-040 Oracle Database 10G New Features for Administrators practice exam provides their unique triple testing mode to instantly set a baseline of your knowledge and focus your study where you need it most.

3 Minutes will make you Rethink Field Service â“ Video Overview

See how you can reinvent your field service operations with cutting edge solutions.

Free weekly growth strategies for your business

Growing your business? Read our free impartial, jargon-free guides and tips on IT, marketing, legal issues and HR. Find out more or sign up today.

Marketing & Sales

Analysis, quick guides, marketing strategy and business case studies. Profiles of successful marketers and sales projects. Sectors covered include: developing marketing strategies, PR, corporate identity, Internet search, web design, boosting sales and related channels.

Latest from Growth Strategies

Limiting your personal liability

No-one wants to think about insolvency, but just in case the worst does happen, you should take steps to protect yourself against going down with the business.

Get covered: employers’ liability insurance

In recent years we have seen a spike in the number of no-win-no-fee legal services being advertised on the television.

Creating a clear line of sight

As a business expands its workforce, it’s essential to maintain close working relationships, writes Martin Smith, an assessor from Investors in People.

China's rising star: opportunities in Shandong

With 17 bustling cities and a population of more than 94 million, Shandong province in eastern China offers British businesses a world of potential, writes Andrew Cahn, chief executive of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

Proving the concept

The UK continues to punch above its weight by producing innovative, world-class university spin-outs. GrowthBusiness talks to scientists, entrepreneurs and investors to find out how it's done.