By Micheal Wamwita
On the quest to grow my business, I have embarked on a road trip to Southern province; the mission is to create distribution points for my start up business in 5 major towns. It's my longest drive from Lusaka to Livingstone.
Here are two important strategies to draw from my journey:-
Strategy 1. Never make your moves public before you get a good market share for your products and services. I have not posted my new start up business here yet. It remains a secret. It can't be told even to you my dear friends, until I have a good market share and first mover advantage. Telling too quickly would give away your competitive advantage. Don't tell, too early. However, you can share with potential partners and investors.
Strategy 2. This point is the killer guys. To grow your business into a million kwacha business, you need distributors. You can't do it alone. Sale your product and service at a discount to people who can resale on ur behalf. For example: Imagine how much trade kings would make if they decided to be selling fruiticana by themselves? Example 2: We all love bread for our breakfast, yet we have never met the bread manufacturer, we buy it daily from there distributors and retailers e.g grocery stores and tuntemba. Another good example is Avon perfumes. They don't even have a local office here. Yet it's one of the most popular perfume brands.
This brings me to one biggest business mistake made by Farmers; they want to be producers, distributors and retailers. Aikona man. This mode is unreliable. Create distribution Channels.Without distributors, the two follies are likely to happen i) the market will determine the price for you. When supply exceeds demand you will incur possible losses. (ii) when people start to copy your business idea, you are likely going to face stiff competition because you have not molded your business. Distribution channels will Mold your business to be resilient and sustainable. like a house with poor foundation, your business is likely going to be short lived without distribution channels.
Make use of the tuntembas, grocery stores, pharmacies, mini marts or any shops around your area. Make them your distributor and retailer.
Good luck on your quest to grow your business.
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