Small Business: Industry: Consulting & services
Mary Hardenbergh, Northville, Mich.
I run a a temporary staffing company. Clients often want to hire my consultant for the position we are temporarily filling. What is an appropriate "finder's fee" that should be charged to the client, considering they are taking one of my independent contractors?
Scott Everett, Synxe Solutions, Flower Mound, Texas
I have recently started an IT consulting firm in a potentially uncompetetive market. How can I acquire small and medium size business clients? Cold calling just seems too pressure-filled and most clients are immune to those old techniques.
Suresh, Duarte, Calif.
I have an offshore call center in India. I am currently serving four clients with exceptional service. They have been outsourcing their orders and customer-service operations to us for the past three years. I expanded my operation but I don't know how to increase my client base. I purchase potential client leads from different vendor sites, but the leads are not that effective. Any idea on how we can increase our client base?
Tips for turning leads into sales.
Tony Manci, Nashville
I run a small, two-year-old consulting business and have the opportunity to place a flyer in each participant’s package at a state annual conference for my industry. There will be about 225 attendees – 85% of whom are potential clients. What should I put on the flyer? Read more…
Wiley Wynn Jr., Mobile, Ala.
My two partners and I own a window cleaning/pressure washing company. Next year we plan to split up and begin business in other locations. Do we need a new tax ID number since we will be in different locations and if so, how do we go about getting it?
Michael Andrews, Integricy.com, Groton, N.Y.
My company is trying to get funding; however, we are still waiting – and have been for six months. We only need about $500K to start, and our projections for years five and six are over $18 million, which we are being told is way too low. Why do I keep getting rejection letters from hundreds of firms that keep saying they only fund $1 million or more?
Ask FSB's experts advise an inmate looking to launch a business upon his release.
Darren Montville, Collins Correctional Facility, Collins, N.Y.
I, along with my father, would like to open a restaurant and catering company. I was wondering if you could give me as much advice as possible about small businesses, restaurants, catering, etc. I have plenty of great ideas that I believe will bring me investors and customers, but I need information. I don’t want to fail at my business, and I’m eager to do well. Read more…
Ricky, Orlando, Fla.
I am looking to buy an out-of-state business. The company currently handles hotels and transportation bookings for airline crews and a few corporations. I would like to open an office in my hometown and focus on the film industry and engineering companies who have extended stays in many cities. How can I expand the category of business? What should I expect with this challenge?
A staffing agency turns to Ask FSB for growth resources.
Scott Zimmer, AAA Labor, Minneapolis, Minn.
I purchased a 52-year-old industrial staffing agency. Where can I find affordable assistance to help structure the company for growth? There is very little help available for staffing agencies. Read more…
Cassie Mariol, New Philadelphia, Ohio
I started a janitorial service, Complete Janitorial Solutions, and my sister joined me as an equal partner. In January, I told her I would like to get out of the business in six months. In February, my sister formed a new enterprise under her own name, contacted all of our clients, and told them I was planning on quitting the cleaning business. She then asked them to terminate any contracts with Complete Janitorial Solutions and sign new ones with her. The only compensation offered for my financial setback was a 2000 Astro van. Am I in any legal position to ask for compensation? What kind of severance am I entitled to? When we became incorporated, we never wrote up any legal documents stating what would happen in this case. Read more…
