The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Mapping path to success
A FIFE-BASED entrepreneur reckons his new online tool can help salesmen and women meet demanding targets by improving the support they are offered in the field.
Kirkcaldy’s Bruce Hamilton, who has worked with the likes of Rank Xerox, Canon, Telewest and Microgen during a 35-year career in the industry, launched his web-based application in May.
The sales coach and mentor designed his application with the aim of helping small and medium businesses to increase their sales and boost their bottom line.
SalesMap promises its users a structure selling process to follow, and features a step-by-step guide, online guides and tips, and tried and tested techniques — all at the touch of the button.
The software also allows managers and owners to monitor performance, identify sales trends and make forecasts.
Mr Hamilton said his innovation would increase employees’selling capabilities.
“I’ve worked for national and international companies who have money to throw at training their sales teams, but for SMEs the sales department is one of the first to have its budget cut when times get tough,” he said.
“Sending an employee out into the field without training or a support network will ultimately cost a company more as that person is unlikely to reach their targets.
“SalesMap provides SMEs with an affordable sales support mechanism that helps users understand the processes and structures of selling, improves efficiency, confidence and ultimately increases their ability to sell.”
The new application was developed with the help of funds and advice secured through Business Gateway in Fife.
“Selling is intuitive to me, but I understand the value of second opinions so turned to the experts at Business Gateway Fife for their thoughts on the product’s viability and functionality,” Mr Hamilton added.
“Having a sounding board was extremely helpful, and the funding I secured through Business Gateway allowed me to bring SalesMap to market earlier than anticipated.”
A number of businesses have already signed up to trial the product, while Fifebased website design company Internet Creation Ltd has already bought the solution as it aims to expand its reach through franchising the business globally.
Commercial director Ian Paltiel said: “Support is key if a franchise is to be suc- cessful, and that is why we have made SalesMap an integral part of the package we offer.”
He added: “Already we are in talks with potential franchises in Scotland, England and South America which could see my business — and SalesMap — go global before the end of the year.” G4S SUFFERED another 6% drop in its share price, meaning the group has now seen more than £700m wiped off its value since lastWednesday.
Further revelations in relation to the Libor-fixing scandal also contributed to another lacklustre session for the London market, with the FTSE 100 Index closing 33.3 points lower at 5,629.1.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat as the London market closed, amid disappointment that US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke failed to give any indication that more stimulus measures were imminent.
Building supplies firm Wolseley was one of the biggest fallers in the top flight after it said it was exploring strategic options for the future of its business in France.
With this likely to mean a big one-off accounting charge, shares fell 45p to 2,283p.