A look back over 2011 and forward to 2012

Hi followers, just a quick review of 2011 as we look forward to 2012.

Well 2011 certainly was an interesting year and I feel I must start with a big thank you to all of our existing customers who form an essential part of the business. Maintenance is of huge importance to ensure longevity of systems and is of course an important revenue stream for the company as are add-ons, extensions and alterations which are essential to ensure that systems continue to provide adequate cover when buildings are altered or extended.
Referrals from existing customers are always hugely appreciated and again I would like to thank those customers who have recommended us to others.
Generating new customers is essential for the survival of most companies and ours is no exception. In 2011 we continued to exhibit at many of Devon’s agricultural shows with our distinctive marquee attracting loads of visitors and many genuine enquiries per show. This is very much a long-term strategy and two new customers this autumn had visited our marquee in 2009, 10 & 11 before inviting us along to survey and quote.
In the last 12 months we have upgraded our website and set up Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin accounts and are looking to develop all of these throughout 2012.
Networking has also been ramped up throughout 2011 and, either as a company, or me individually, we are now affiliated to many organisations and groups including The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) with their First Friday breakfast networking meetings, Blackdown Hills Business Association (BHBA), Business Forum Mid Devon and the Mid Devon Network.
Adverting space has been taken in the Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) Planning Guide which is a tremendous resource that is sent out with all planning applications in Mid Devon and we have also embarked on a 6-month tester subscription with http://www.localtraders.com/ in the EX & TQ postal code areas.
Of course we should never rule out the classic channels for business generation and the good old fashioned telephone book was used by our final new customer of 2011. With a security installation on the 23rd December, Otter Brewery near Honiton Devon was our last job before our Christmas shutdown.

On a sadder note, the end of 2011 saw the retirement of our surveyor Alan Metcalfe after many years of faithful and loyal service both as a co-owner of the business and more laterly as an employee. Alan will be sadly missed and we of course wish him well for the future.

I’m sure that 2012 will be as difficult a year to predict as the last, however, we are well set to face and deal with all anticipated situations and are looking to increase market share and possibly take on another engineer if everything goes to plan.