Credit Crunch – Learning lessons from history

In the last recession many families substituted the main income by becoming taxi drivers. Now the world has moved on but the problem is the same.

With the increase in household bills, a rise in mortgages payments and the explosion in the price of petrol, virtually every family is starting to feel the pain of the credit crunch. At the same time,because most people are cutting back, many income streams, maybe even the job of the main bread- winner, is becoming less secure.

It is no surprise then that many families are seeking new ways to balance the books. After a while you realise you can only cut so much out of the budget, before you have to look for new ways to increase the amount of money coming in.

Here is where the history lesson comes in – the taxi driver can become the courier in today’s market of home delivery, Internet services and house moves. No “knowledge” is required as in London black cabs, no HGV or PSV licence needed. How difficult can that be?

Kevin and Sarah Arrow have got together with Linda Mattacks to produce a series of three E-Books for would be couriers. Book 1 tells you how to start up, book 2 shows you how to grow your business and book 3 is all about you and your brand image.

Book 1 is written by Kevin Arrow and plots the course for anyone wanting a career in this fast growing profession. Based on sound economics, life experiences and a practical “know how” this book is a “How to go about it” for any driver who wants to get in to the courier business.

He puts his experience on the line and lays it out for you. Since starting out working for a multi national courier company in the mid 90s, and a life long fan of every thing green, he now owns and runs Arrow Light Haulage, one the few green courier services in the country.

The first book in this series drives home best practice, acceptable behaviour, and time saving tools to make you; your van and that all-important parcel arrive at your destination in one piece. It includes everything you ever wanted to know about obscure time saving and fuel efficiencies; the best sat navigation for the job. It tells you how to work with your client, the best web sites to get freelance work and even how to set up your business, what is required to open a business bank account and how the family can support you whilst you are on the road.

Based in Essex, Arrow does everything a courier company should do. It uses green fuel, the drivers are encouraged to keep to the speed limits to save fuel, and the clients are enticed with carbon-offset proposals.

So what does book 2 do then? Whether we have been in business for generations or are first starting out, we all have one thing in common. It doesn’t matter what you sell or how you make your money, this problem is as old as the oldest profession in the world. We need more customers.

Book 2 tells you how to quickly establish yourself and grow your business. You could provide one of the best courier services in the country but that doesn’t help if it’s a well-kept secret. And you’re unlikely to have, or want to spend, a lot of money promoting your business when it’s just starting out.

As in book 1, the Arrows have enlisted people who run their own business practicing what they preach and Linda Mattacks of CoZo is no exception. Linda runs a company that specialises in helping owners of small businesses to develop their own skills to do just that:

With over 25 years’ experience in sales training, market research and direct marketing, Linda has produced a “How to win, keep and grow customers” E-book that’s equally of use to courier start ups, young companies and established firms alike. It explains how you can not only survive but also thrive in a tough market – without overtly selling.

Book 2 shows you how to get yourself and your company known for all the right reasons to the right people – those who could become your customers and those who could introduce customers to you. And keep your customers once they “come on board”.

When you finally close books 1 and 2 and read through the notes you made, you realise that unlike most self help books, there is important information on every page including how to avoid known hazards and take advantage of profitable opportunities.

Forget the rude, aggressive “man in the rusty white van” that stamps all over the road. With these two books you’re moving into a completely different league.

And the best bit – Like any trilogy you have to wait for book three, which is all about you and how to live your business. It’s about personal brand image.

In summary Book 1 is about starting a courier business. Book 2 is shows you how to grow your business and Book 3 is all about you.

These books are not books of dreams. They have been written from the experiences of LUCK –

Labouring Under Correct Knowledge.

Credits
Kevin and Sarah Arrow – Arrowlighthaulage.co.uk. 01375 643 897
Linda Mattacks – Sellingforbusiness.co.uk 020 7209 1284
David Edwards – Bigriverlife.com