South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

Woking Events company picks up new business after taking Business Link advice

A business review ‘Health Check’ led to new business for Surrey based entertainment company Events Planner. The company, which laid off a member of staff at the end of 2008, has won two new corporate entertainment contracts thanks to a low-cost mail shot recommended by Business Link Adviser Ian Alexander.

The business’s owner, Paul Widdowson, met with Ian in January 2009. Together they completed a Business Action Plan which Paul has followed up on. Actions included: cost cutting measures; how to win new customers by updating the website and arranging better search engine optimisation; improving marketing; and opening up new customer driven product lines.

Paul explains, “Thanks to my Business Link Adviser, Ian Alexander, I have a clear business plan to help me take action to mitigate the effects of the downturn. At my business review ‘Health Check’ in January, we discussed ways to eliminate any wasted expenditure and improve current marketing activity such as the website.

"Already a low-cost mailing, suggested by Ian, has resulted in five summer entertainment bookings with two new corporate customers. I am confident that the company is in the best position possible to survive, and when things pick up, to grow.”

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