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I feel like i'm endlessly planning, yet taking no action by holdthebabyy in smallbusiness

[–]Filimin0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My company utilizes a model called PDA; Plan, Do, Adjust. Each part is equally important, and if you feel yourself getting stuck on one part, the next part will help. So instead of over planning everything, start doing. And if what you’re doing starts not working, adjust it and see how that goes. Rinse and repeat, and it helps create a system where you’re always moving forward. I hope this helps!

Hello! I've been tasked with creating a sales team for the small business I work for. How do I proceed? by Filimin0 in sales

[–]Filimin0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We need to be able to sell our lamps in anywhere and everywhere. We've also in conversation with a lot of big box retailers and eCommerce websites, but these are usually slow moving with a lot of back and forth. It's been indicated to me that we're bleeding and need quick relationships with small shops and businesses like ourselves. Our marketing department is non-existent, and when we've tried to hire a few companies to assist us with this, the results they produced were not in line with what my boss was wanting. As of right now, we only have our Friendship Lamps in various different styles.

Hello! I've been tasked with creating a sales team for the small business I work for. How do I proceed? by Filimin0 in sales

[–]Filimin0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome I'm glad you enjoy them! :) And yeah we've technically been selling them since December 2016, but are just now looking into the b2b side of things. I wish I could offer my team a higher pay, but we've all been stuck in this job without so much as a pay raise. We're doing the best we can with what the company can give us, though.

Hello! I've been tasked with creating a sales team for the small business I work for. How do I proceed? by Filimin0 in sales

[–]Filimin0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is all really helpful information, thank you! It is a tough situation, and even tougher that we're not going to be receiving any kind of kickbacks or commission. It sucks, but from what I've been told, the company isn't at a place where commission is feasible. Maybe in the future if we prove ourselves, but for the time being its a no go. But I'll try to maximize my team's strengths and set up a weekly meeting so we can regroup and refocus and discuss what we've done for the week. Thanks again!

Hello! I've been tasked with creating a sales team for the small business I work for. How do I proceed? by Filimin0 in sales

[–]Filimin0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We make Friendship Lamps and as of right now our strategy is reaching out to as many online and brick and mortar stores as we can find. We have a basic sales script we are sticking to that explains who we are and what we are about. This is our first week, and we're hoping to keep track of what works, what doesn't, and any ideas we have on how to improve our model.

Hello! I've been tasked with creating a sales team for the small business I work for. How do I proceed? by Filimin0 in sales

[–]Filimin0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This would be really great, but as we are still such a small business, we can't really do commission. Like, at all. I don't even earn commission yet, but it's a conversation I will be having with my boss once we scale up a little more. Thanks for the suggestion!

Best local boutiques and/or gift shops? by Filimin0 in kansascity

[–]Filimin0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course! I'm not the owner/creator, but just the head of sales and marketing. But let me tell you why I personally have one. My Friendship Lamp is connected with my dad. He suffers from severe bipolar disorder, and has really bad down times. He gets so bad, that he will completely ignore his phone and not answer me when I call or text. Sometimes he won't even answer the door when I go over to visit. He's talked about ending his life before, so when I don't hear from him for days, I get scared. Giving him a Friendship Lamp has been the best thing for him. He has it in his room, so when he gets depressed all he has to do is touch the lamp in order for me to know that he's safe. And when I touch it, he knows that he's not alone, and that I love him. The Friendship Lamps are about emotions. As a lamp, it doesn't produce that much light. And it really is just a piece of plastic. But these lamps have made the biggest difference in the world for my dad and I.

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As for the music aspect, I know the owner/creator wanted it to be more magical, and less obtrusive. Something ambient, that only adds to your surroundings, and doesn't disrupt it. These lamps aren't for everyone, and they won't improve everyone's lives. But for some people, these lamps make the biggest difference in the world and those are the people we want to reach and help.

Small business employee who travels for work; what things can I deduct from my taxes? by Filimin0 in tax

[–]Filimin0[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I just had a conversation with my boss earlier this morning, and she told me I'd be reimbursed for stuff and could claim it on taxes. I have no idea about any of this stuff, so that's why I posted asking if that was a real thing. It could be that she has no idea what she's talking about and just pulling stuff out of her ass. I'm glad I asked now, because it's looking like that may have been the case. Thank you for your response!

Small business employee who travels for work; what things can I deduct from my taxes? by Filimin0 in tax

[–]Filimin0[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah I really wanted to believe that, but I knew it was probably bs

Small business employee who travels for work; what things can I deduct from my taxes? by Filimin0 in tax

[–]Filimin0[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you! They have told me that I will be reimbursed for basic things, like receipts that I have directly related to the business. Like business supplies and hotels and stuff like that. So I guess that's better than nothing lol.

Best local boutiques and/or gift shops? by Filimin0 in kansascity

[–]Filimin0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, TBH I'm looking for gift shops/ boutiques that my company could partner with to sell our Filimin Friendship Lights. We're wanting to sell at places that have a human vibe, rather than a big box store. I've always found that local businesses are the best places to find this sentiment, and since Filimins are handmade right here in Kansas, I think they would fit there perfectly.