Direct Mail

So should you bother sending out Direct mail these days?
Firstly we should all be marketing and contacting prospective clients, rather than sitting
back and expecting clients to call you! Business is tough across many sectors and the
businesses that are proactive through marketing will be those most likely to survive and
prosper.

So with this in mind, why not purely email any special offers, promotions or
marketing information as surely this will save money! Well you should be emailing as this
is sometimes the most direct way to reach the correct person but your marketing should
be a mix of initiatives, not just one. So along with the emails and a good website, should
be a direct mail campaign - a well designed and printed piece of marketing literature that
lands on a buyers desk can be the most productive way to get your business noticed and
subsequently lead to an order being received! People still prefer to see, touch and feel
a printed item, rather than glance briefly on screen. Are you more likely to keep a nice
promotional card or leaflet if the content interests you or an email which can get lost along
with the many others that end up as spam?

Direct mail can still be the most productive way to get your Company noticed, so make sure
you know a great designer that will make the content look attractive and then a quality
printer who will ensure the final product looks professional!

www.imperialprinters.co.uk

Honeymoon Ideas In Africa

Few places in the world are as evocative and romantic for a honeymoon as Africa.  From the muted colours of dawn to the bright blue skies and baking sunshine of the day – to breath-taking oranges and reds of sunset, only to be replaced by pitch black night skies twinkling with bright stars and the Milky Way. Add to this sensory mix fresh air, the captivating sounds and smells of the bush, birdsong and beautiful scenery that ranges from endless sandy beaches to majestic mountains, from plains dotted with wildlife to lush Winelands  - not to mention tiny rural villages to cities like Cape Town, oozing culture, history and warm hospitality.  The perfect escape – under an African (honey)moon…. Here are a few special honeymoon offers to tempt even further!

Garonga Safari Camp - Limpopo Province, South Africa
Garonga is an exclusive 12-bed tented safari camp situated west of Kruger National Park in South Africa's Limpopo Province.  This lodge is so special that despite being an intimate bush camp, it was recently voted 2012 #1 All Inclusive Resort in the World by TripAdvisor with a perfect score from previous guests! Garonga’s holistic philosophy is to offer a ‘safari for the soul’ - an unhurried and intimate wildlife encounter with some of Africa’s big game (4 of the Big 5 excluding buffalo) but with the emphasis on relaxation. Romantic “musts” include the tree-house picnic, the bush bath for two under the stars and even a wildly romantic sleep-out on a deck in the bush!  There are two daily guided game drives and a bush walk  - but guests set their own pace at Garonga – so honeymooners might just opt for some chill-out time in their hammock on the private deck, to lounge around the pool – or be pampered at the bush sala/spa.
Garonga has a fantastic honeymoon package based on a minimum 4-night stay where the Couple will receive a 45 minute massage each, a complimentary bottle of Champagne on arrival plus complimentary return transfers (if required and worth about £140) to either Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa Airport. For shorter stays the same benefits apply, minus the road transfers.  The rate includes all meals, teas & coffees, game drives, bush walks, sleep-out excursions and bush baths. Soft drinks, house wines, local beers and spirits and laundry are also included - excellent value for money!

Garonga also has an incredible wedding package for an amazing ZAR7480 (around £580) including a wedding cake, wild flower bouquet, bottle of bubbly, bride & groom massages, a private dinner, decorations, a safari vehicle, the minister and all paperwork!  A lot of couples opt to exchange or renew their vows on the tree house deck which is spectacular.  (*2013 price quoted).

Medjumbe Private Island – Quirimbas, Mozambique
Located in Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago, Medjumbe Private Island is just 800 metres in length and 350 metres wide.  True decadence and pleasure await at this romantic and exclusive island getaway. Accommodation consists of 13 ensuite thatched chalets all centred around maximising the views – complete with outdoor showers, private sun decks, hammocks and plunge pools!  A perfect backdrop of endless white sand and translucent sea mesmerises all who visit, whilst the untouched marine environment allows for constant new discoveries, whether your passion is diving, fishing, snorkelling, or simply exploring unspoilt beaches. 

Honeymooners staying 5 nights at Medjumbe Private Island, the ultimate tropical island paradise, enjoy 50% off the bride’s accommodation for 4 nights, and the fifth night free.  This offer can be used in conjunction with their best available rates.  Rani also offers romantic treats for the bride and groom to make sure their honeymoon is unforgettable.  The best gift for the best honeymoon ever!

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards - Franschhoek, South Africa

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards combines the best of the Cape Winelands with luxurious 5-star accommodation, fine wines, gourmet cuisine and some of the best views in Franschhoek – often referred to as “the French Quarter".   Honeymooners can enjoy romantic picnics in the vineyards, cellar tours, long walks and horse riding - not to mention relaxing in one of the most romantic settings imaginable. They also offer spa treatments.   All rooms in this boutique hotel are spacious with king sized beds – but the expansive Cap Classique Suites are perfect for honeymooners seeking the ultimate indulgence as they each have a large private terrace and plunge pool for the ultimate in romantic seclusion.

Mont Rochelle’s “Honeymoon Special” is an exceptional gift to newlyweds, offering the bride accommodation at a 50% reduced rate, per booking for two people sharing for a minimum of three nights, including full English breakfast daily and a room upgrade when availability allows.

Alternatively, the “Honeymoon Hideaway” package offers couples 3 nights of luxury from R18 000 (around £1,375) for two people sharing. This superb offer comprises luxury accommodation in a plush Pinotage Suite, with a delicious full English Breakfast each morning; and a 5-course Degustation dinner for two at Mange Tout, paired with Mont Rochelle wines on the night of arrival; as well as lunch at the Country Kitchen on a day of choice.  Special romantic touches include fresh fruit and flowers, handmade truffles and a bottle of French champagne waiting in the suite on arrival. Adding to the experience is a sensuous Couple’s Massage (45 minutes), as well as an hour’s exclusive use of the Wellness Centre with its Jacuzzi and Sauna.  Rounding off this perfect honeymoon package, is a cellar tour and wine tasting of Mont Rochelle’s wines, plus a ‘Best of the Winelands’ Private Wine Tour, which includes a hearty lunch on one of the surrounding wine estates.

Steenberg Hotel – Constantia, Cape Town South Africa

Steenberg is synonymous with exquisite hospitality, wine, golf, spa and history  - ideally situated a mere 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town. A historic wine farm on the foothills of the magnificent Stone Mountain, provides the setting for this gracious boutique hotel.  It's a beautiful destination... combining the peace and serenity of exquisite accommodation amongst vineyards with an award winning winery, an 18-hole championship golf course and a luxury spa. With a choice of dining experiences Steenberg is the ideal honeymoon hideaway!

Steenberg has a great honeymoon package based on couples staying 2 nights in a Standard Luxury Room including some romantic extras such as a special surprise Honeymoon turndown on the 1st evening, breakfast daily, a bubbly tasting including a canapé selection for two at the exclusive “Gorgeous by Graham Beck” cap classique bar followed by a 3 course set menu dinner in Catharina’s Restaurant, a wine tasting and cellar tour at the Steenberg Winery followed by a picnic or tapas at Bistro Sixteen82, as well as complimentary transfers to restaurants and shops within a 5km radius.

Motswari Private Game Reserve – Timbavati, South Africa

“Arrive as a visitor and leave as a friend.” Set deep in the Timbavati, Motswari Game Reserve promises rich game viewing as its boundary with the famous Kruger National Park is open allowing for the free flow of animals. The Timbavati is also known for its unusual white lions.

Motswari has been in operation for over 30 years and is one of the original traditional game lodges, which guarantees an authentic safari experience with bush as far as the eye can see and simple luxuries that don’t intrude on your experience. Nature is unaffected by man’s need to shape his environment and Motswari, a  family-owned reserve, prides itself on its conservation values, exquisite cuisine, award-winning wines and luxurious accommodation. With 150 kilometres of wide horizons and untamed wilderness, Motswari is an unforgettable experience – perfect for honeymooners!

2013 Honeymoon Early Bird Offer – Book your honeymoon before 28 Feb 2013 for travel throughout 2013 to qualify for Motswari’s Early Bird Special whereby the Bride pays just 50% of the daily accommodation rate, based on a minimum 3 night stay.  The honeymoon package also includes a private dinner on the veranda and a bottle of sparkling wine.

Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa – Bazaruto Island, Mozambique

Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa is that dreamy, tropical island paradise surrounded by palm trees, white sand and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean you might have always dreamed about for your honeymoon! Located on Bazaruto Island off the coast of Mozambique, this idyllic island resort is the perfect base from which to soak up the sun, totally relax and wind down after your big day – and experience some of the world's best diving and fishing, indulge in an array of water sports, or simply relax in your luxury beach chalet.

Honeymooners are in for a treat at Indigo Bay with sparkling wine in their room on arrival, an authentic dhow cruise to look forward to, honeymoon surprise gifts, romantic turndowns and a complimentary Spa Rasul treatment for two.  On top of this, if staying a minimum of 4 nights, the bride receives 50% discount off her accommodation in a standard beach chalet with standard includes. Not applicable in Honeymoon beach chalet and Villas.  Please note the dhow cruise is non-private, so there may be other guests onboard. 

The Southern Dream – Selous Game Reserve and Zanzibar, Tanzania

Vast, pristine and largely undiscovered, the spectacular Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania is a World Heritage Site and the largest expanse of game reserve in Africa. Covering 55,000 square kilometres of rolling savannah, lakes, rivers and deltas, it is four times the size of the Serengeti and larger than Switzerland. Home to the largest concentrations of elephants in the world, this unique wildlife arena also boasts some of the most exclusive and pioneering boating safaris that Africa has to offer.  Combine this amazing safari with an island escape and head off to the exotic Spice Island of Zanzibar.  The Zanzibar Serena Inn is idyllically situated on the sea-front of ancient Stone Town, and flanked by an exotic mix of sultan's palaces, Portuguese forts, ancient dhow harbours, and bright bazaars, and is a haven of tranquillity and opulence amongst the bustle of one of Africa's most ancient and most enchanting towns.  Not to be missed for honeymooners is a day trip to Serena’s private Mangapwani Beach Club to relax on the beach and enjoy their amazing seafood barbeque feast!

The Package includes:
3 nights full board accommodation, including beverages (a selection of fine wines, spirits and soft drinks) at Selous Luxury Camp or Mivumo River Lodge
Domestic Flights – Dar es Salaam/ Selous / Zanzibar / Dar es Salaam
Return airstrip transfers from Steiglers Airstrip.
2 Game Drives per day
Transport in a 4 x 4 WD Safari Cruiser.
2 nights accommodation on half board basis at Zanzibar Serena Inn.
Return airport transfers at Zanzibar
Guided Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar
The Package excludes the international flights to Dar es Salaam, Airport departures taxes, Game reserve entry and concession fees of USD50.00 and USD25.00 /person /day respectively as well as Night Drives in the Selous.

The Blue Train – South Africa

The Blue Train is an all inclusive luxury rail cruise, showcasing some of South Africa's most spectacular scenery. Guests are pampered on-board whilst travelling the 27 hour overnight journey between Cape Town and Pretoria.   By day elegant private suites provide generous lounges, changing, as night falls, into subtly lit en-suite bedrooms with butler service. The Blue Train has been voted The World’s Leading Luxury Train at the World Travel Awards no less than 8 times including the last 3 consecutive years – with a nomination to retain its title in the 2012 Awards. 

The Blue Train boasts a club car, non-smoking lounge and, at times, an amazing observation car.   Dinner is an elegant affair in the dining car, complimented by fine cuisine and award winning South African wines.  The Blue Train is an icon of South Africa and a journey of a lifetime for discerning travellers.  Perfect for honeymooners!

When better to do it than on your honeymoon?  The butlers make sure they spoil honeymooners on board with sparkling wine, rose petals and gifts.

Contact your local independent travel agent who will work with you to ensure your honeymoon or special occasion is organisd to perfection.

The World of Transport Travel would be delighted to assist you with your travel requirements for these or anywhere in the world. Please email us with your needs, along with travel dates.

How Independent Travel Agencies Can Help Small Businesses

In this modern age of the Internet and the ability to make bookings on-line, it is all too easy to make your travel arrangements via the various websites available.

However, there are times when an itinerary involves talking to a human being & this is where the Internet can lose its appeal. Also, you may require advice that a computer just cannot offer.

By dealing with an independent travel agent, you will find an array of services available to you, which allows you to book everything in one place, from a flight, accommodation & car hire, to conference facilities, airport car parking, and a whole range of other services besides. The agency should also be able to arrange entry visas in to countries, for business and leisure purposes.

You also get to deal with a specialist team, thus avoiding the need to deal with call centres, which are often located in other countries, whose staff sometimes know little of where you want to go. In addition, you get pushed around trying to find out who you spoke to last time.

When choosing an independent agency you get expert assistance, and the means of booking all your travel needs through once central source. You may well be offered corporate rates for car rental, accommodation and other ancillary products, depending upon your business needs and requirements. In other words, a one-stop-travel shop for everything you require.

Your travel agent will nurture you and ensure you get the best service they can possibly offer. They are also there in the event of any issues that may arise, and many offer an out-of-hours service and weekend cover. Above all, they offer human intervention as and when needed, as well as a friendly voice to talk to.

When purchasing a flight, or a package combining accommodation, flights and other products, you are fully protected by ATOL cover. This means that in the event that the airline, or supplier, ceases trading, before or during your travels, you will be protected.

If you have a member of staff who is constantly on the phone or trawling the Internet trying to sort out your travel needs, this can often lead them to being unproductive as they are wasting time on something that an agent can do in a short space of time. Should you be doing it all yourself, you’ll understand how long it all takes & you often end up with not enough hours in the day for anything else.

Therefore, another advantage of using an independent agent is the fact that you can save money by allowing others in your company to do the job they are supposed to.

An agent can also source, where applicable, different options for the same itinerary, thus offering you different pricing and therefore cost savings. If you want a flight in Economy, Premium Economy, Business or First Class, providing the airline offers these cabins, they will be able to offer you prices.

All in all, you save time, money and above all, the hassle of making numerous calls and/or searches, by using one source.

By placing trust in your agent, you will build up an excellent working relationship which should go on for many years.

So when you next think travel, contact an independent travel agent, who will be only too pleased to assist you with your travel needs. Happy & Safe Travelling!.

The Many Ways Virtual Assistants Can Help Small Businesses

Ideas For Outsourcing Your Social Media Online

Social media, as a business tool, is a relatively new phenomenon. As little as five years ago when Facebook first started to enter our lives few businesspeople really looked at it as an opportunity to spread the word about their products or services. However, when social media is used thoughtfully and carefully by the entrepreneur it can make a considerable difference to the way that people perceive the organisation. Yet still, most small business owners do not understand how to approach the subject. They don't know how to use the potential, or to figure out whether they should choose one particular outlet over another. When this type of confusion is evident, the result is predictable. Nothing is done and an opportunity goes to waste.

This is the perfect solution for a virtual assistant. Outsourcing your social media online is one of the most astute things you can do and a core component of any relationship that you have with your VA.

1. Facebook.

Facebook is at the centre of anything to do with social media. It has swiftly become an essential part of many people's lives. It's a place that a lot of people visit not only every day but several times each day. A business can – and should – have a dedicated Facebook page. Your virtual assistant can create one using some very sophisticated tools and technology these days. It can be branded so that it appears very similar to your actual website. Here, however, you will be able to interact with friends, new prospects and can gain exponential exposure by proactively working to establish your organisation as the expert in your field.

3. Twitter.

If Facebook is the king of social media, Twitter is the crown prince. This is essentially a micro-blogging platform. Here again the VA brands a business page carefully so that it has the appearance of your website and other marketing collateral. Your virtual assistant will work to engage with people who are by definition also interested in the area within which you operate. By constantly keeping in touch with pertinent news, information, updates and advice, an organisation that uses Twitter can be at the forefront of the social media scene.

These two solutions represent just the beginning of the story when it comes to social media and business opportunities.

Does your business have Tweet-cred !

Make a Great First Impression

So what would a business need a photographer for? well that will vary a bit with the type of business, but every business in the 21st century needs to be, at least, telling the world they exist and who they are. The simplest and easiest (and cheapest…) way to start is social media:  Linked In, Twitter, FaceBook…

So what's the first thing a possible client will see if they look at your profile in one of those? that's right, a picture! about the size of a postage stamp, but a picture none the less, and one with a very important role, creating that vital first impression.

So what should that picture be of? well it could be a logo, and if you have an established brand and a recognizable logo that could be the way to go. If not, if you are a small business, just starting, then the first thing to consider is that people buy from people!

So now what do you think the picture should be of? Yes? you! so have you got a great, business like, picture that will still hold its impact when reduced to a thumbnail? then you are good to go…

In the more likely scenario, you will be one of the majority who say… but I look terrible in pictures… I’m thin/fat/balding/wrinkled/got big ears/wonky eyes/flat hair/pimples etc etc etc, you name I’ve heard it!

So what are you going to do about it? well, the same as you do for any other aspect of your business that needs to be done right, accounts, design, building work, branding, HR, IT and so on, you hire a professional!

 This is one I prepared earlier, Personal trainer Alex Kenchington of AOK Fitness, are you going to do what he tells you? I am…

Mobile data just got easier - and cheaper!

With the introduction of FileMaker Pro 12.0 to the desktop, FileMaker have also released new versions of thier Mobile Apps for iPad and iPhone, FileMaker Go.
Previously available at business app pricing of around £10 for the iPhone version and £24 for the iPad, they are now available free, but of course you have to have a copy of FileMaker Pro to make them work.
But that is no bad thing, as with the latest version there are lots of free templates to help you create great looking databases to manage your customers, orders, invoicing, meetings - in fact more or less anything you can think of.
FileMaker is relativeley easy to use as database managment products go, and by turning on network sharing and tweaking your firewall to allow internet access you can easily make all your data available anywhere you have an internet connection on your mobile device.
With FileMaker Pro costing just £219 for a single user that allows up to 5 connections on the free mobile app you could easily transform the way your business works with a bit of lateral thinking and a small software investment.
Of course if you want an all singing and dancing solution that can become the cornerstone of the way that you work you may need to involve a specialist like me, but that may not be as expensive as you think either!

Is your high street store open?

Marketing is a key activity for every business, telling your target customer base who you are and what you have to offer is critical to its success.
Organisations market themselves via numerous means, web sites, brochures, flyers and publication adverts, all with the aim to get people to contact them.

A scenario

You open your local paper and a large advert announces a new shop is opening in your high street and has an array of products that really interest and excite you.

You set aside next weekend to go and see what this company has to offer

But when you get there no one answers the door, you try ringing the phone number but it rings continually or is engaged, you try again a little later and you are able to leave a message, but after a couple of days nobody returns your call.

How many times would you go back to that shop?
Well over 95% of the people I ask such a question, respond with “Never”
So why do so many businesses act in a similar vein to this high street shop, its clear what the future holds.

How many companies know the following in a day or a week

• How many calls were received in a day/ week
• How many were answered
• How many rang off without talking to someone or leaving a message
• How are you able to capture the details of the people who did ring off and call them back
• How much is each missed opportunity worth

A clear telecoms strategy is as critical to any business as its marketing strategy
And the cost to implement a credible solution?

Well it can be significantly cheaper!

iPad - does my business need one?

Now that that Apple have released the 3rd version of the iPad more and more businesses are taking them seriously as business tools. For those businesses who are unsure about the value of a tablet such as the iPad for their organisation here is a recap on why I am using one and would now not be without it.
Last year we were trying to find a good mobile solution for a customer who wanted anywhere access to their FileMaker database. We had already tried to synchronise data via exchange server out to their mobile phone (iPhone based) network of users with some success, but the data was limited to contact information and they really wanted to see job status and invoices etc. on their customer base. After a bit of digging I found a great little App called FM Touch available for both iPhone and iPad (take note FileMaker - one licence for both devices) and after a bit of testing on my iPhone produced a great working system for iPad that synchronises across both wireless and 3G networks to the master database in the office. Here is an example of just one of the screens. They are able to list out active and inactive jobs and drill down to the details of each one.

Having found this app, and of course buying an iPad to develop on (because now I had my business case) I also found a great little RDP client that enables me to link to my PC (and client machines too) straight from the iPad. I no longer have to take my laptop with me everywhere to be able to provide remote support.

To top it off, I splashed out on Keynote and a VGA adaptor which means I'm now able to access data, provide support and present new ideas with a few swift finger movements.
If anyone out there needs a business case for buying an iPad then I hope this little insight will help.