Just Keep Going

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Thirty odd months ago when I joined Hive I never knew lessons learned on here would be used outside in the real world. In many ways certain things replicate the real world and some of those have been instrumental getting through a difficult year business wise.

Over the last year I have been put through the grinder as things have not been straight forward with obstacles and challenges at every turn. Hive taught me to continue on no matter how difficult things might be and to try harder. Starting from scratch on Hive is not easy as it takes commitment, time, being consistent and more importantly self belief.

I started off my business last year having teamed up with my friend and business partner expanding his business in Johannesburg 500 km away from his factory in Durban. He has been in the packaging industry for 15 years and is established and doing very well. I came in with experience using his products plus I am a natural salesman who can talk the hind legs off a donkey.

I have many contacts in so many different fields, but never wanted to use them straight away. This year I have had no choice especially with the lock down period forcing me to stay at home and become a little more creative in my business tactics.

Our business up until March when the lock down started was doing well, but could have been doing a lot better if we are honest with each other. My style of selling and building the relationship takes time but then the account is solid and cannot be lost as soon as you get it. In this industry it is cut throat and customers will leave you for the smallest margins. My thought process is to be so strong foundation wise those customers will have the decency to talk to me first if the account is under threat.

This happened in January when one of my big customers stayed with me even though he didn't have to. Another supplier came in with a cheaper price than what we were offering and managed to keep 50 percent of the account. This actually suited us as we had been looking at away of getting rid of certain lines that weren't profitable due to transport costs. They still order in excess of 30 tons of pallet wrap per month which is the equivalent of two large truck loads.

This week one of the 3 accounts I have been chasing over the lock down agreed to meet in order to get the negotiating underway so we can supply from January. I am on the same page with them as no one changes suppliers over these seasonal months ever. What is crucial though is they are an essential business that stays open even under a strict lock down period.

The one thing Hive has taught me is to continue no matter what as at some point circumstances do change. I know many others would have moved on trying to get business elsewhere and forgetting about it. That I just can't do as I believe in myself and the product and know how much effort has gone into this already.

There is one more of the 3 accounts I have been targeting and have put more effort than any other account that being over 2 years of work. I just can't let that go and we have agreed to work out the details in December for supply in the new year. This is different though as the numbers are that big and could be a job just on it's own. The time spent on this will be worth it once it happens and will cherish every month we are supplying.

Staying positive no matter what and trying new angles by thinking differently as every person you are dealing with has different needs. This has been a massive learning curve understanding what you are capable of against odds stacked against you. This account knows I am serious as I have been consistent with my actions phoning every week for over 2 years. The woman I am dealing with ignored me for a huge chunk of that time yet I still continued by popping an email if she didn't answer her phone. We laugh about it now when we have our weekly chats and there is a solid business bond now as she understands who I am and how I can help.

I believe if one perseveres with something long enough you will achieve what you are after. You may not find the answer immediately, but you will find a way to achieve it somehow and it may take some creative thinking. Read and write posts on Hive and believe it or not you will think differently within a year as you need to be creative every day.

This year hasn't been a write off and could turn out to be a brilliant one for business after all. Staying positive when everyone around you is all doom and gloom could be the answer as whoever you meet or talk to will remember you first over everyone else.