No Bull came about because I got fed up of all the over promised, over spec’d, bull**** that I see people suffer with. I’ve watched people be sold websites they didn’t need, pay four times more than they needed, and watched people struggle to get simple changes done to their site as it was too complicated (or expensive).
Hence, No Bull site. It may help to know a bit more about me, Jon Baker, and my thoughts. But, the basis of No Bull site is simply:
- Check we both get on.
- Discuss what you need, rather than making you buy more.
- Be very clear, upfront, what the price is and what you get for it.
- Deliver what you need, on time and help you get the most from it,
- Remain friends: you got what you wanted, delivered well, on time, at a good price and you may value ongoing advice, ideas and support.
About Jon Baker
After many years in corporate operations and marketing I become self employed in 2005, helping business owners to grow their businesses. That’s pretty much what I’ve been doing since, working in a couple of different niches on the way.
I’ve learnt a few things on the way, who I like working with, what I like and don’t like in business and most importantly what I want to achieve. Here’s a few other things I learnt.
- Websites: The owners of most small businesses don’t need expensive websites designed for much bigger businesses. They don’t need to be top of Google search, although Google needs to find them. Their sites are mainly used to check their credibility and keep in touch. The internet is not the main marketing channel for most small businesses; their good name, referrals and other activities are. If that’s you and you want a website, let’s talk. You may be different, in which case I’d love to talk too.
- Branding: People buy from you because they like you (and what you sell of course). Good branding shows who you and your business are, what you stand for and what type of people you like to work with. Your brand doesn’t have to be fancy, or expensive, but does need to represent you.
- Networking: Networking, in one way or another, remains one of the biggest marketing channels for most small businesses. That doesn’t just mean going to breakfast meetings, networking is about who you know. It’s something we can all do better and if you’re interested in my views on the networking you might like to buy my book “Ninja Networking”.
- Ego: Ego and inflated promises driven from arrogance or a unlimited self belief (I think that almost sounded polite) seem to get in the way of many small business transactions. It drives me mad. I’d happily chat about it, but let’s just say I don’t like people displaying egotistical behaviour and the impact it has on many others (and what they’re persuaded to buy).
- Your specialism: You may not be at the point in your business development where you want to be the word wide expert in xyz, but you most firm’s marketing is better where they specialise in a sector, or just have expertise in a sector. A sector might be about people, geography, what you do or something else. Being able to show your expertise and knowledge is important, or why would people buy from you? I’m happy to chat about this and you’ll see the book I wrote about it below.
- Scuba diving: How like to exercise and meditate. I’m lucky enough to live 300 metres from one of the most popular diving locations on the UK coast, and structure my time to ensure I make use of this fact. You don’t have to talk to me about the underwater world, but I’m always happy to.
- Paddle boarding: What better a way to chill at the end of the day, a gentle paddle across the bay in the setting sun. Then sit on the board, enjoy a quiet drink and paddle back.
