topic Re: Business related question in Community Chat

Business related question

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:21:42 GMT

DH and I own a small business, we deal with business and industry and some retail.

Recently we found out one of the companies we deal with has been sold and is moving out of the area. They are a good customer when it comes to revenue....we would like to try and make up that revenue difference, or at least a portion of it.

What I want to do is reach out to a company that we do quite a bit of work for, and inquire if they have additional work they could send our way. I don't know how to word the request that does not sound unprofessional.

If someone could get me started, I think I can put a professional sounding letter together, just need a starting point...if you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

thanks,

Re: Business related question

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:28:58 GMT

"To better serve our valued customers, we are expanding operations."

Re: Business related question

qualitygal — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:29:40 GMT

I don't know...

Dear ..........

Due to recent circumstances we have found ourselves to be able to offer you more time should you have additional work we could do for you. Blah blah blah.

Re: Business related question

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:34:24 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
DH and I own a small business, we deal with business and industry and some retail.

Recently we found out one of the companies we deal with has been sold and is moving out of the area. They are a good customer when it comes to revenue....we would like to try and make up that revenue difference, or at least a portion of it.

What I want to do is reach out to a company that we do quite a bit of work for, and inquire if they have additional work they could send our way. I don't know how to word the request that does not sound unprofessional.

If someone could get me started, I think I can put a professional sounding letter together, just need a starting point...if you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

thanks,

@Mom2Dogs

I'm not clear on what type of services/products you offer, but I assume you have contact people at the companies you do business with .... right? A human you talk to at least now and then?

My first thought would be to do a little research on the companies you work with now, and see where you could make suggestions for further services ... and how you could save them money.

(Personally, I don't like the hat-in-hand concept of asking for more business, unless there's a benefit for them ... like saving them more money somehow).

Hopefully my not knowing what you do, and making vague suggestions, still gives you some food for thought.

Re: Business related question

ThinkingOutLoud — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:40:26 GMT

Hmmm - People respond well to compliments and being part of a successful team. Maybe something like, "We really appreciate your business and have enjoyed our working relationship. We wanted to reach out and mention that we're available to help you with more of your business needs. We look forward to hearing from you and working on additional projects to reach mutually beneficial and satisfactory means."

Hope you can make up the difference for your business. Good luck!

Re: Business related question

We rescue cats — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:44:18 GMT

@Mom2Dogs Are all the employees being retained? If not I would try talking to any that you know well. I think that once a vendor finds out what the customer's hot buttons are it might create an in road for a change.

Do you have a contact with whom you have a good relationship that you can talk to? We reach out to contacts at our existing business clients and ask what we can do to expand earn more of their business. What are we doing right is good to know but what could we do better is even more important.

Without knowing your business it's difficult to recommend specifics. But I really think human contact is so important. Who do you know inside those doors?

Re: Business related question

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:46:22 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 To answer your question, yes I have a contact in purchasing, we have a good relationship, and yes it makes sense that if more business came our way, it would be a cost savings to them.

Re: Business related question

Lakelife62 — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:47:17 GMT

Chat GPT will write the letter for you and all you have to do is customizeit. We use it all the time in my business/industry.

Re: Business related question

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:50:29 GMT

@We rescue cats The company that is being sold, will totally close up the factory and move to another state...and yes I have a good relationship with the purchasing agent at the company I am thinking about trying to get additional work from.

Several business we do work with have sold over the last 40+years we have been in business...the particular company that has been sold is the 1st one to sell and completely shut down, we have been fortunate in that regard.

Re: Business related question

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:57:05 GMT

@Lakelife62 Thanks, never thought of that.

Re: Business related question

Lakelife62 — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 19:07:47 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Lakelife62 Thanks, never thought of that.

So easy. Too easy! Once you use it once, you'll use it all the time! Good luck. I hope you get the additional sales from your good customers!

Re: Business related question

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 19:22:48 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 To answer your question, yes I have a contact in purchasing, we have a good relationship, and yes it makes sense that if more business came our way, it would be a cost savings to them.

@Mom2Dogs

Then just make specific suggestions how much money you can save them, and how.

OR ... if they're nearby, take them to lunch and at some point brainstorm for what you might be able to help with, or what they are currently unhappy with from other vendors.

Re: Business related question

leefarrelll — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 19:34:32 GMT

I am not good in this kind of things, good luck with other comments.

Re: Business related question

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 21:14:32 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 It's impossible to forcast what we can save them, since we are not privy to their current costs.

Re: Business related question

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 22:22:39 GMT

@monicakm That a good way to think about it, thank you!

Re: Business related question

Lakelife62 — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 14:27:57 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

For giggles, i used your words in your op and put it into Chat GPT. Here's what came back:

Subject: Opportunity for Additional Work

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. We've greatly appreciated our partnership with [Their Company Name] over the years and are proud of the work we've accomplished together.

As we continue to look for ways to grow and support our team, we wanted to reach out to express our interest in taking on any additional projects or work that you may have available. We are confident that our deep understanding of your needs and our proven track record of delivering high-quality results could bring even more value to your company.

Please keep us in mind for any future opportunities where we can further support [Their Company Name]. We are eager to discuss how we can continue to contribute to your success.

Thank you for your continued trust in us.

Best regards,

Re: Business related question

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 21:30:20 GMT

@Lakelife62 Nice letter, thank you. With a tweak or two the letter will sound like I wrote it!

Re: Business related question

Melzie — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 19:02:01 GMT

One thing a teacher told me m-a-n-y years ago in a business communications class was to always find a way to say things in a positive way even if it's a negative situaiton. I agree with another poster who wasn't a fan of the hat-in-hand approach. Whatever you write should sound positive and definitely not needy. Personally, I don't think anything should be said about losing a customer no matter how innocent the reason. I would leave that left unsaid and maybe treat it as a cold call.

I just went on line and typed in "cold call openings." Maybe if you look through the different options you might find some ideas on how to start and what to say.

Good luck!