Starbucks is a favorite destination for coffee lovers, and the passion for a good cup of java was the foundation for this hot company that began in 1971 as a small shop in Seattle聮s Pike Place Market. Once established Cheap Cardinals Jerseys , Starbucks began adding new products, like the signature Frappucino, to reel in customers. Patrons can also purchase fresh beans, mugs, candy, coffee brewing equipment Wholesale Pat Tillman Jersey , gift cards, and music CDs, or indulge in the one of the tasty ice cream flavors from the new retail product line. There are currently 4593 company-owned locations and an additional 2158 licensed Starbucks locations, proving that thoughtfully planned revenue streams can catapult a company into phenomenal success.
eBay began in 1995 as a forum for swapping Pez dispensers and has morphed into an on-line giant reaching more than 135 million users. To achieve its record growth, the company expanded its product categories to include everything from office supplies, sports memorabilia Wholesale T. J. Logan Jersey , and music to real estate, automobiles, and concert tickets. More than 1.4 billion items were listed for sale in 2004. Acquisitions of PayPal, an online payment processing service, eLance, a directory of freelance service providers Wholesale Chad Williams Jersey , and several other companies have also helped eBay grow in record proportions. Ebay has sites in more than twenty countries, serves up a popular storefront program, hosts user conferences, and continues to grow the customer base through an affiliates program.
Home Depot crafted its niche by offering customers a large variety of products when the doors opened in 1978. Now over 1800 stores strong and with a selection of over 40,000 building materials and lawn and garden products, the home improvement giant has expanded its offerings to include installation services Wholesale Markus Golden Jersey , how-to workshops, home delivery, tool rental, truck rental, and a popular series of books.
A Call to Action
So how can a small operation achieve even a fraction of the success experienced by the big companies? By emulating their business models.
If sales are flat or simply not growing fast enough at your company, consider how you can build on the foundation. Ask yourself these questions:
*What products or services would my existing customer base like to see?
*What products or services could lure in new clients?
*What products or services are being offered by my competitors?
*How can I implement my new offerings?
*How will the new offerings affect my bottom line?
Here are ten ideas to consider:
1. Offer consulting services in your area of expertise.