| Barter is not a new idea. It has, in fact, been | | | | might not be attainable any other way. And that |
| around seemingly forever. There is a good reason | | | | access to potential new customers provides you |
| for that. The act of bartering - exchanging goods | | | | with a resounding competitive advantage over |
| and services for goods and/or services- is | | | | other small companies offering the same products |
| generally beneficial to both parties. | | | | or services you provide. |
| Bartering often takes place between two | | | | · Barter Helps You Avoid Bad Debts. This |
| individuals (consumers), but it also frequently | | | | should be an obvious advantage. When you |
| occurs in a business-to-business environment. In | | | | access membership in a Barter Exchang e |
| fact, there are companies today that act as a | | | | company, you generally know, in advance of any |
| sort of clearinghouse for businesses that wish to | | | | transaction, if your bartering partners have the |
| engage in bartering. | | | | wherewithal to meet the payment requirements. |
| These barter exchange firms offer memberships, | | | | The chance that payment will not be forthcoming |
| primarily to small businesses, and the businesses | | | | is virtually non-existent. That should be comforting |
| that have obtained the memberships can then | | | | for you to know. |
| engage in bartering arrangements with other | | | | · Barter Provides You With Wholesale |
| members. It works for both parties because small | | | | Buying Power. There is a simple truth you need to |
| businesses are often strapped for cash and the | | | | know about companies that engage in bartering. It |
| bartering option offers them a viable alternative | | | | is this: the real cost of products you purchase or |
| and a realistic and sensible way to acquire a | | | | trade is actually the wholesale cost of the "barter |
| product or service that might not otherwise be | | | | dollars" you've earned for the transaction that |
| able to afford. | | | | took place through the Barter Exchange |
| It's worth noting that there are many benefits | | | | Company. That's a fact. |
| that accrue to businesses that engage in this type | | | | · Barter Simplifies Your Record keeping. |
| of enterprise. Equally important, there is little, if | | | | Companies, like yours, that use Barter Exchange |
| any, downside. Consider all of the positives. | | | | Companies enjoy an important added benefit: |
| · Barter Leads to Additional Sales. You | | | | more control and much better record keeping. |
| may ask yourself how that is possible since no | | | | Why? You have a virtual partner to help in the |
| real money exchanges hands in the barter | | | | recording of transactions - the Barter Exchange |
| transaction. However, successful bartering | | | | Company itself. |
| between businesses builds goodwill and a solid | | | | · Barter Helps in the Collection of |
| reputation for the bartering company. And that | | | | Receivables. This may be a big deal for you. Your |
| can lead to additional sales, at a later date, for the | | | | clients, probably small businesses, as well, may be |
| products and services the business offers that | | | | cash-poor from time to time. The same may be |
| have not been part of the bartering arrangement. | | | | true for you, of course. In either case, barter |
| The fact is sales increases do occur for | | | | gives you, or your clients, the added option of |
| companies that build trust through bartering. | | | | offering valuable goods or services in lieu of cash |
| · Barter Leads to Solid Referrals. It's true. | | | | as a way of settling a debt. Needless to say, this |
| Companies that enjoy successful bartering | | | | can enhance your receivables and help you keep |
| transactions with one another often tell others | | | | outstanding debt or unpaid bills off of your books. |
| about the positive experience. The referral may | | | | · Barter Can Help You Develop Employee |
| result in additional bartering, but it also may lead | | | | Incentives. Perhaps you think it's not possible. In |
| to new sales ... and, more importantly, new and | | | | that case, you would be wrong. Your membership |
| loyal customers. | | | | in a Barter Exchange Company can often put you |
| · Barter Helps Companies Move Excess | | | | in touch with other members whose services you |
| Inventory. This should come as no surprise. | | | | may covet, such as a dentist, for example ... or a |
| Companies that acquire memberships with a | | | | clothing retailer ... a jeweler ... or countless other |
| Barter Exchange organization open up a new and | | | | types of businesses. The use of barter will enable |
| potentially large customer base for themselves. | | | | you to provide your employees with valuable |
| That's because the Barter Exchange Company | | | | benefits -- like dental care - that costs you |
| provides access to other companies that were | | | | absolutely nothing. |
| previously unknown to the new member | | | | When you consider the broad array of |
| company and, therefore, not potential customers. | | | | advantages available to you (especially if you are |
| These new companies that become customers | | | | the owner of a small company), it makes darn |
| will, of course, purchase products and/or services | | | | good sense to make barter an essential part of |
| in addition to any barter arrangement they may | | | | your daily business operations. The fact is barter, |
| initially participate in. And that, of course, leads to | | | | when used judiciously, can help grow your small |
| reduced inventory. | | | | business even while you are probably |
| · Barter Helps Provide a Competitive | | | | under-financed. |
| Edge. Surely, you can understand how this might | | | | It may be an old idea, but for you, it's also a |
| happen. Once you become a member of a Barter | | | | great idea. And, while barter is generally best |
| Exchange company, you give yourself access to | | | | accomplish when you have a membership with a |
| dozens, perhaps hundreds, of new companies, | | | | Barter Exchange Company, it may also be |
| each of whom has the potential to become more | | | | possible to use barter with those companies with |
| than a barter exchange partner. In truth, your | | | | whom you already have a relationship. |
| connection to a Barter Exchange company | | | | If you believe barter fits in your future, consider |
| creates a kind of built-in prospect list for you that | | | | all the options and check each one out carefully. |