Educate and motivate your sales teams
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Lynda Ward |
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Suppliers and manufacturers need to continue to educate and motivate their sales people to cope with the challenges of increasing competition in every sector. That's the view of recruitment specialist Lynda Ward.
"There are many challenges facing the industry so everyone needs to work hard at providing good products and services," said Lynda, who runs Pet Trade Solutions.
"The challenge facing pet retailers will be competition from grocery multiples while for some suppliers rising prices from sources in China will affect margins.
"I think it will be another tough year, particularly for food manufacturers with middle-range products - the best place to be at present is at the top or the bottom end of the market.
"Quality will remain the key. All consumers want cost effectiveness but also demand high quality for their spend."
But Lynda thinks there are plenty of reasons for being optmistic.
"There are opportunities afforded to manufacturers by expanding overseas markets," added Lynda. "And I'm particularly excited to see the growth of those pet businesses which have worked hard and been resourceful enough to overcome the problems caused by the recession."
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