genek
01-17-2014, 07:48 PM
I HAVE BEEN HELPING SOME SHOP BOTTERS THIS WEEK WITH SALES SUGGESTIONS AND INVENTORY CONTROL.
I run Quick Books. I know there are other good book keeping programs out there, I just find Quick Books easier than some of the other.
Quick books keeps track of what it cost me to make my product, it lets me know when I am low of a item.
it tracks my customers purchases, and shows me which items are my best movers.
I do the invoice and it will deduct inventory from my list. Each Friday I check the inventory to see what I am low of or what I will need to make the following week. This keeps me from being to low on a item to be able to fill a customers order. Product that moves supper fast I will double the inventory so that it gives me time to make other products with out running out. Friday is also when I pull wood for next weeks runs. At this time I check the moisture of the wood and if it is ok it is put into positions to start processing Monday. Monday, I process the wood and start cutting out product. As I replenish that product I add the amount back into quick books. This way as I pull orders I know if I have enough to fill my order or not. inventory control is very important in doing wholesale business.
Customers want their product shipped on time and when they need it.
If you do not have build up inventory you are always fighting fires.
It is much cheaper and less work setting up to run one product till you reach a level that will allow you to use out of that bin for several months than to make each product as the order comes in. As ones wholesale orders increase ones inventory needs to also increase to keep up with the orders.
Currently most of my product levels are set to 100 with some products at 150 to 500. We wholesale right at 500 honey dippers per month. So I need to maintain at least that. I pull and ship on Thursday. I use this time to also clean up the shop and do any needed maintenance.
We are coming up on our first three shows of the year. I will need to double my inventory to accommodate two of the shows. I know how busy I will be at the KY Market and the Indiana show should do better since most of our product will never have been seen their. My normal inventory levels of 100 must be at 200 levels by March 1.
Shows that I know are huge product movers I normally will gear up to have extra product this way I do not run out or get to low as to have to make my customers wait on product.
Customers want their product shipped in a timely manner, they will wait sometimes but most will start looking for someone else to provide them the same product if you make a habit of being late on shipments. Customers will stay with someone who delivers on time when they promise even if someone comes along with a lower price.
customer relationship is very important learn your customers, know their names, their birthday etc. send Christmas, birthday cards etc. They like you being loyal and thoughtful and will reward you with better spots in their store and more orders.
Treat each customer like they are the only customer that you have and as if your whole life depends on them being happy.
I run Quick Books. I know there are other good book keeping programs out there, I just find Quick Books easier than some of the other.
Quick books keeps track of what it cost me to make my product, it lets me know when I am low of a item.
it tracks my customers purchases, and shows me which items are my best movers.
I do the invoice and it will deduct inventory from my list. Each Friday I check the inventory to see what I am low of or what I will need to make the following week. This keeps me from being to low on a item to be able to fill a customers order. Product that moves supper fast I will double the inventory so that it gives me time to make other products with out running out. Friday is also when I pull wood for next weeks runs. At this time I check the moisture of the wood and if it is ok it is put into positions to start processing Monday. Monday, I process the wood and start cutting out product. As I replenish that product I add the amount back into quick books. This way as I pull orders I know if I have enough to fill my order or not. inventory control is very important in doing wholesale business.
Customers want their product shipped on time and when they need it.
If you do not have build up inventory you are always fighting fires.
It is much cheaper and less work setting up to run one product till you reach a level that will allow you to use out of that bin for several months than to make each product as the order comes in. As ones wholesale orders increase ones inventory needs to also increase to keep up with the orders.
Currently most of my product levels are set to 100 with some products at 150 to 500. We wholesale right at 500 honey dippers per month. So I need to maintain at least that. I pull and ship on Thursday. I use this time to also clean up the shop and do any needed maintenance.
We are coming up on our first three shows of the year. I will need to double my inventory to accommodate two of the shows. I know how busy I will be at the KY Market and the Indiana show should do better since most of our product will never have been seen their. My normal inventory levels of 100 must be at 200 levels by March 1.
Shows that I know are huge product movers I normally will gear up to have extra product this way I do not run out or get to low as to have to make my customers wait on product.
Customers want their product shipped in a timely manner, they will wait sometimes but most will start looking for someone else to provide them the same product if you make a habit of being late on shipments. Customers will stay with someone who delivers on time when they promise even if someone comes along with a lower price.
customer relationship is very important learn your customers, know their names, their birthday etc. send Christmas, birthday cards etc. They like you being loyal and thoughtful and will reward you with better spots in their store and more orders.
Treat each customer like they are the only customer that you have and as if your whole life depends on them being happy.