Some opinions please... 'One man band' marketing...

[detchibe]

Hi everyone, just seeking a few opinions.

A little background - I have a Limited company doing IT support. Clients range from 2 machines to 50 machines, mainly businesses and a few schools, on a variety of payments (some on retainers, some on ad-hoc). Company is just myself (and mother doing the book-keeping ) I have a handful of sub contractors that I use depending on jobs - larger structured cabling, installations, etc. Holiday (very infrequent!) cover is arranged between a couple of trusted individuals.

For the past 3 years I've been marketing the business as a 'small family run business' - which it is - but when on the initial meeting with prospective clients some seem a bit put off that it is 'just me', effectively a one man band.

The consideration is this. Would you be more likely to approach a 'small family run business', or 'Joe Bloggs from JB Consulting Ltd'? - bearing in mind the type of client that I am trying to attract. Not going for massive corporations here!

Personally, I'm really in two minds about this. I think people would warm towards the 'one man band' in that they know they're always going to talk to the same person (which I think is important, especially in IT Support), but obviously raises concerns regarding the individual being on holiday, off due to illness, etc. Marketing it as a family run business I think would imply that availability isn't an issue due to better staffing (misleading?), but I think immediately loses some of the personal touch.

Just looking for some thoughts on this, sorry if I've been a bit garbled as I've got so many thoughts running around my head and just trying to get them all on paper with some coherence is a bit of an issue

Thanks in advance,

Nik

[TooLateForAName]

You may get individuals warming to the one man band idea, but any person or company that is looking at significant costs or other impact from failed IT is not going to be impressed by the idea that they won't get support if you are busy/sick/holiday/etc.

[RichBurley]

To me, Joe Bloggs from JB Consulting Ltd also sounds like a one man band. It depends whether the effort in setting up a corporate type business will really result in a lot of new business for you? How many jobs have you lost, that you put down to the image of your size?

[KevF]

I have dealt with large companies and small one man band businesses and what is more important to me is that when I need them, they get out and sort the issues out quickly and with a decent first fix rate.

If you can do that as a one man business then great. I tend to choose the business that I find personable, efficient and well priced.

A family run business doesnt point to a one man band IMHO and, where possible, I tend to deal with local companies with good reputations.

I know I am biased Nik, but I have used a good few local IT companies in the past and find you easy to deal with and reliable.

Kev

[siscar]

'family run' is never a good term in my opinion. To me it implies people put into posts because they are family and not because they are any good.

[Four Cofffee]

siscar said:

'family run' is never a good term in my opinion. To me it implies people put into posts because they are family and not because they are any good.

Unless you are a foster carer?

[Frimley111R]

LOL at 'family run' being a negative. The family run business I work for turns over £12m+ and is a market leader (bcmscorporate.com)

'Family run' can be a strong positive but you need to make sure you're not perceived as being small, i.e. you or you and your wife, etc.

[vincenz]

Nik: I am an engineer who contracts out alot of work on varying projects.
I use all varying size of companies from large firms like of Durr, Eisenmann to small local firms depending on the size / turn around of the job.

When I think of the local firms I am eager to keep them in work as they have build up a good personal relationship with me and I like to give them what I can, they usually turn things round pretty quick, but for some of the bigger jobs I think 'thats probably too big for them' so I don't give them an RFQ.

If they came to me and asked could they quote on particular jobs I would give them a fair crack of the whip, i'm not too fussed how they come across i.e. large/small firm in my opinion its all reflected in how much their quote is.

Hope this helps.