“Betty worked at a a bakery of a large supermarket in Arconpark for twelve years. Three years ago she resigned and started her own enterprise, Jankies’s Bakery, in Vanderbijlpark. The enterprise is located in a small building near the taxi rank. Her product range consists mostly of commuters and people who are working In the immediate vicinity of the enterprise.
Betty’s product became well-known in the area. Local shops and businesses started to order bread and pastry from her. They encouraged her to include products such as homemade sandwiches, “votkoeks” and confectionery in her product range and suggested that she consider catering for small functions in the area. Betty did that on a trial basis and it was such a success that she started to do it on a full time basis.
Questions
1.list and explain five creative methods that Betty used to identify her business.
1. Building a strong product reputation: Betty focused on producing high-quality products that became well-known in the area. This reputation helped her gain the trust and loyalty of her customers, leading to word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat business.
2. Collaborating with local shops and businesses: Betty actively engaged with other businesses in the area, supplying them with her bakery products. This not only helped her expand her customer base but also allowed her to build strong business relationships and gain valuable feedback and suggestions.
3. Expanding product range based on customer feedback: Betty took the initiative to listen to her customers' suggestions and feedback. By including additional products such as homemade sandwiches, "votkoeks," and confectionery, she met her customers' demands and diversified her offerings to cater to a wider range of preferences.
4. Trial and error approach: Rather than immediately jumping into catering for small functions, Betty first tested the waters on a trial basis. This allowed her to assess the feasibility, profitability, and customer response to such services. Only after confirming its success did she decide to offer catering on a full-time basis.
5. Targeting a specific customer base: Betty recognized that her immediate vicinity, which consisted mostly of commuters and nearby workers, had a strong demand for her bakery products. By focusing on this target market, she was able to efficiently meet their needs and maximize her profitability in a specific niche.