8 Powerful Ways to use Barter

1. Focus on ways to save money.

Get a list of current expenses and ask three simple questions: 1. Can we do without this completely? 2. Can we acquire this on a trade basis? 3. Or, if on a cash basis, can we obtain it on the outside on an "as needed" basis for less than it now costs to do it in-house? Little changes mean a lot. Consider Bob Crandall of American Airlines, the man who once saved the airline $80,000 a year by putting one olive instead of two in salads.

2. Understand that your products and services are another form of currency to be used in your company's marketing, purchasing, and financing efforts.

3. Pare down debt or interest pay­ments through barter.

Approaching your cred­itors and suggesting payment (or par­tial payment) in goods/services/trade dollars is a smart way to pare down debt.

4. Use barter whenever you can in your marketing efforts.

Look to establish joint ventures with other non-competitive companies. Share the cost of marketing your products/ser­vices, i.e., you place advertising (on trade) and have your partner pay their share in cash. And utilize the $12 bil­lion in co-op funds available from the nation's manufacturers. Work out "trades" with proven performers where they are rewarded later on for their efforts.

5. Keep your focus on your pre­ sent clients and on increasing.

6. Increase your personal contact via the telephone.

It saves time and is an inexpensive way to reach out to others. Leveraging, via com­munication, is your ability to per­suade people to do things for you that they had no intention of doing until you asked them. Always fol­low-up by telephone after mailing your brochures.

7. Fully utilize the services of the IMS broker.

8. Re-organize.

You can do so by cleaning out files, servicing equipment, upgrading or redecorating work areas, making a technical improvement in products & services, redesigning your sales letters, or cre­ating a slide presentation. All of these can be done through the services of IMS Barter.