I'm back...

Hi, there

The Expo, I would say, was successful even though it was quiet and the expected numbers did not attend. I've put some feedback on my site, plus some pics - click here to view: http://easterngifts.co.za/homemakers-expo-a-46.html

Let me know what you think.

Regards,
M.

I'll be quiet...

...for the next week or so. I'm doing the Homemakers Expo in PE this weekend, so will not have time to update my blogs. However, I do look forward to giving you some feedback on the Expo and to uploading some pic's of my stand.
If you are in PE, please do come and visit - it'll be great to have you there.
Regards,
M.

Give Some Love, Make More Profit!

Give Some Love, Make More Profit!

Hi, there

I’ve come across this article that was e-mailed to me this morning – all about “Word of Mouth” marketing and building relationships. Happy reading…

Regards,
M.

P.S. Its by Brian Walsh from entrepreneur.co.za

Today I want to talk aboutrelationship and word of mouth marketing. Since I started researching and presenting Master Marketer, I have realised that most entrepreneurs use word of mouth as their primary means of marketing. The thing is that word of mouth happens (both in the negative and the positive) even if you are not actively working at it. And many entrepreneurs are so involved with selling that they forget about how important relationship-building is, and the impact word of mouth has, whether positive or negative. So I thought I would share a simple principle with you today.

The quality of your relationships is directly related to the success, or lack of success, of your business. It is essential to understand these relationships, and work hard at ensuring you develop and maintain the best possible relationships. This relates to your suppliers, your staff and your clients. The big mistake that many entrepreneurs make is to focus only on pushing a sale through, and thereafter, not being too concerned about these clients at all. This is such a short-sighted approach with potentially far-reaching, detrimental effects for your business.

There are three primary stages of building relationships with people, including clients. Let me explain these:

1. The first stage is initial contact where we have the opportunity to attract a client.
2. Next comes the rapport stage, which is where we establish a common ground conducive to making the client want to buy from us. (These first two stages are what most entrepreneurs focus on, although many don't fully understand the rapport concept.)
3. The third stage is arguably the most important. It is the trust stage, and this is often not effectively pursued by many entrepreneurs. This stage can usually only really develop after a client has made an initial ‘test’ purchase from you - it is once you’ve proven the value you offer via your product, service or both, that the trust stage can unfold fully. Once trust is established, clients will be likely to come back for more purchases, and refer others to you. This stage is what can really separate successful entrepreneurs from the many who continue to struggle.

I refer to this trust stage as giving some love. When we act with love, people sense that we care about what we are doing, the quality of the product or service we’re selling, about the outcome of customer satisfaction, and they sense that they can trust us. When you concentrate only on pushing a sale through, consider that you are doing serious damage by not evolving your relationships to the trust stage –it is during the trust stage that clients become loyal supporters bringing regular business, and spreading positive word of mouth. Think about it...and then go and give some love.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Brian Walsh
Founder and CEO of Entrepreneur.co.za

Newsletter - October 2007

Good day,

We have plenty to share with you this month, as well as the wonderful news that for all the PE folk, Eastern Gifts and Things cc is proud to announce that we will - once again - have a stand at the Homemakers Expo at the Feather Market Centre next weekend. Do come and join us for what I am sure will be a wonderful festival!!

And before we get to the good stuff, just a reminder that our competition to win a R350.00 gift voucher is still running. All you have to do is sign up for our monthly newsletter and you could stand a chance to win this gift voucher. The competition closes 15 November 2007, so why not encourage your family, friends and colleagues to sign up as well? Simply follow the link to sign up: http://easterngifts.co.za/newsletter.php

I am not sure if you're aware of this, but Christmas is just on two months away. Well, 67 days to be exact. And my best friend yesterday informed me that she has already completed ALL her Christmas shopping. Now, I'm not sure how many of you will be as efficient as she is, or will wait till the last minute like most of us do, but allow me to share some excellent gift ideas from Eastern Gifts and Things cc (not only do we offer excellent gift ideas, but the chance to do all your Christmas shopping in the comfort from your home or office and we will take care of the rest).

We have gifts that cater for all tastes and all occasions, and we will deliver anywhere in the country.

Just some ideas:

These beautiful, handmade doorstops are an ideal and unique gift.

This beautiful cow door stop retails for R65.00. The beautiful pig door stop (seen below) also retails for R65.00.

If you're looking for something a little larger, why not try this Fat Striped Cat Door Stop. This door stop is 24 x 14 x 48 cm and retails for R165.00 (see picture below).

Yes, we do cater for everyone and every occassion - and we will pack it, wrap it and deliver it - anywhere in South Africa.

This beautiful chess set is handmade and depicts the English and the Zulu's warring. This handmade chess set as a four to six week delivery time and retails for R425.00.

Another idea for Christmas is

This elephant CD holder is also handmade and is very stylish - suited to anyone's home. The elephant CD holder can hold 10 CD's a side and retails for R475.00 (size: 35.5 x 20 x 24 cm).
Are you looking for a gift for the person in your life who is a cat lover? Well, we have a stunning range of cat figurines perfectly suited to this need. Our catch-all is a stunning gift idea - not only will it hold all your mail, post, but also has place for your keys, plus comes set to be fitted to any wall. The size is 16 x 7.5 x 65 cm and this elegantly made cat-figurine catch-all retails for R365.00.

In addition to the above, we also have a beautiful range of Christmas decorations, from snowmen napkin rings, to angels to Father Christmas - all handmade and not available on the retail market.

Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you in anyway.

Remember, we pack it, wrap it and deliver it - anywhere in South Africa.

For all your home decor, kitchenware and gifting requirements - log onto www.easterngifts.co.za.

Regards,
THE EASTERN GIFTS TEAM

Homemakers Expo (25-28 Oct 2007)

Hi, there

Just to let everyone know that Eastern Gifts and Things cc will have a stand at the Homemakers Expo in Port Elizabeth at the Feathermarket Centre from 25 to 28 October 2007. We will at stand LP163 - do come and visit us!!!

Remember, we are still running the competition to win a R350.00 gift voucher - simply by signing up for our newsletter: http://easterngifts.co.za/newsletter.php?osCsid=11da80d33d0bc29a698a1524e59927b6. Competition closes 15 November 2007.

Regards,
M.

Forest Hill, Port Elizabeth, RSA

Hi, there

I am looking for any and all information on Forest Hill, Port Elizabeth, South Africa - particularly relating to the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. Does anyone have any idea on where I can get more information or does anyone have any information for me???

I am particularly looking for information on the Nel, Swartz, Palmer & Woolard families that lived there during these three decades.

Any information, references, research suggestions, etc can be e-mailed direct to me on info@easterngifts.co.za.

Thanks so much,

Regards,
M.

I think...

Morning,

Well, I think that I may just actually be enjoying this whole cooking thing afterall. And here I thought I was a modern girl, staying away from the kitchen and wearing shoes…

I just thought I’d share my new recipe with you - made last night for some friends who all thoroughly enjoyed it: http://easterngifts.co.za/chicken-mkaddam-souiri-a-41.html. This delicious Moroccan Tagine recipe was followed by Almond cookies (also a Moroccan delicacy) and delicious coffee. Not too shabby! Yes, I know, you are all wondering what the big deal is - well, the big deal is this: I have always hated cooking.

Now, I find myself thoroughly enjoying it. Preparation is easy - cooking is easy - clean up is easy. And you do actually (believe it or not) get tired of fast food after a while;)

For the Almond cookie recipe: http://easterngifts.co.za/almond-clove-cookies-a-42.html.

Enjoy!!! Anyway, a delicious meal and a few bottles of wine later, we were ready to head for bed!



Try the recipes and let me know what you think. There is plenty of information available on the site regarding Moroccan recipes and cooking.

Regards,
M.

P.S. Don’t forget our competition - win a R350.00 gift voucher simply by registering for the newsletter on our site. You could use the R350.00 towards a Tagine (just an idea…)