The Wholesale Forums

[MichaelUK]

All rite guys, just wanting to get these questions answered so i can go ahead and proceed with the designing and production of my business cards. Here it goes...

1. When a company participates in buying and selling on various different scales, is that know generally as 'trading'? Im wanting to know if that’s the appropriate name to use for this division of my company. For clothing i use huddstar clothing, for the buying selling of good etc i was planning to use huddstar trading. Or are there other words?

2. Im wanting these business cards to use at the fairs and trade shows which i will be attending within the next few months. What is the essential information for these cards and what do you believe makes a good effective card. Phone/Fax/Email/Company name/Logo, should there be a slogan etc? Should my name be on there or isn’t that needed? Anything else?

Thanks again for all the assistance guys, sorry if the questions seem silly, but I’m a tight sod and want to get everything right before I hand over my penny's

[Cholera]

My take on it....but please remember, mine is just one of many opinions, and possibly not the most qualified [there are members here, who seem much more than perfectly qualified ]

1] Yes, in general when you buy and sell a variety of products or, perhaps, just a few [usually in bulk; but it can be applied to small amounts too] it is safe to say that you are 'general trading' [or simply, 'trading'] in the sense that your area of trade is non-specific, not focussed on one area of specialisation EG textiles, videos, computers etc. I seem to recall this used to be entitled 'Commodity Trading' though NOT in the fiscal markets sense of commodities, of course.

[my own company, though publishing as the core of our business, does a fair bit of 'spot' trading with varied amounts of stock being bought and sold etc etc].

My thoughts are...why be specific about being a general trader in the NAME of the company? Why not specify your business area, in a tagline on your card? That way, witha good business name....when your business changes direction, no need to change the company name, just the tagline.

For example, why not simply calll the company 'HuddStar' with a tagline "Traders in all commodities" [something more lyrical of course!]?

When you find a specific area that brings the bacon home....no need to change the company name, just change the tagline. People will recall the brand [HuddStar] long after the product/tagline are forgotten.

2] I'd put the usual suspects...compan name, tagline, personal name, biz address, tel, fax, mob, www, email

The number one rule is this, though: Try to change those details RARELY. Do NOT chop and change the mob number, for example. People will accept and make note of the 'odd' change of details here and there but frequent changes of email or www? Forget it. Tel? Fax? You'll drive people MAD! No reason to make'em mad, keep 'em sweet and be on the same number for many years at a time or longer!

I hand you over to my colleagues, who are FAR better at this advice game than me.
Though I hope that above planted a germ or two!

Mike

[MichaelUK]

These cards would be specifically produced for when im at fairs trying to trade with people in the coming months. So i think getting 250 produced with huddstar* trading on is a safe enough bet, i do like the idea of a slogan and just using 'huddstar*' but im really stuck with what the slogan would be. Can any of you guys think of any? "Global Trading Solutions" or "Global Trading Specialists" they sound a bit common and cheesy dont they.

I won’t be changing my numbers or anything mate, had this current one for 5 years now, ever since my first contract. Is it better to include the office phone number or my mobile, or both?

Thanks for your reply Mike.

P.S : This is a little logo idea I had, obviously I’m a rookie, the design company will enhance it, just want you to see what I’m trying to achieve with the name.

[Pete]

If you are talking about going as an attendee at the shows, trying to source suppliers, here's my take on it and I've been to many.

First, most shows of any size now issue barcoded badges. The vendors just scan your badge and that's it. They don't bother with cards.

You may talk to a particular person with whom you would like some follow up. In that case, giving your card may have some benefit. But, keep in mind that the vendor may bring in reps from all over and the person you are talking with actually covers Mongolia.

I feel like being as specific as you can be helps with the cards. If you are going to a clothing show have the card or registration read Huddstar Hoodies, or something like that. An electronics show Huddstar Electronics, etc.

You can run these off on your own color printer and have an acceptable card. The truth is that few are going to put a face to the card, you're just another name in their contact database. Someone selling home decorating goods will be more liable to followup if you go as Huddstar Interiors than as Huddstar Holdings.

Simply answer the phones Huddstar, have your fax send line say Huddstar, etc. No need to be too specific and you can get by with most anything.
.

[cbeebies]

Originally Posted by MichaelUK

All rite guys, just wanting to get these questions answered so i can go ahead and proceed with the designing and production of my business cards. Here it goes...

1. When a company participates in buying and selling on various different scales, is that know generally as 'trading'? Im wanting to know if that’s the appropriate name to use for this division of my company. For clothing i use huddstar clothing, for the buying selling of good etc i was planning to use huddstar trading. Or are there other words?

2. Im wanting these business cards to use at the fairs and trade shows which i will be attending within the next few months. What is the essential information for these cards and what do you believe makes a good effective card. Phone/Fax/Email/Company name/Logo, should there be a slogan etc? Should my name be on there or isn’t that needed? Anything else?

Thanks again for all the assistance guys, sorry if the questions seem silly, but I’m a tight sod and want to get everything right before I hand over my penny's

The business card should reflect the real information of your company name, address, phone/fax No. website, email box,etc. Not a company name you imaged or faked. It must be a company registered.

No need slogan, unless you're a big company.

The simple, the better.

[MichaelUK]

I have always been told by my accountant that i dont need to register my company name until i wish to be a limited company. I am registered with the bank as a business and have declared my tax's two years in a row with no problems at all. Will I run into any problems?

[greedyboy]

No problems whatsoever.

[Cholera]

You're a 'sole trader' in the eyes of UK Law, and that's good enough for most people.
If your TURNOVER is less than the current VAT threshold, you will not need to worry about registering for VAT either.

There comes a time when, if your business is going to flourish, that you will need to:
Consider starting a limited company [there are many advantages ...and a few disadvantages...including tax benefits and liability should anything go tits up]
Consider registering for VAT[compulsory once you reach a certain turnover, voluntary until then]...as you can then start reclaiming all the VAT yopu expend in your purchases.

However, for now...concentrate on building the business, get the clients, get the orders and the rest will follow [if you keep your eye on the ball, that is...it's easy to get lost in all the paperwork, reports, accounts etc].

I trade with lots of sole traders, and they are easier to deal with than mega-corporations, believe me, so you have an USP working for you on SOME of your deals [others may not see it like this, of course].

Keep asking questions....that's the proper way to do things, so you're proceeding nicely, as far as I can see. There's a LOT of serious business knowledge here at TWF, you have access to some mighty fine insight and experience. Nobody will be upset at you asking pertinenet and valid questions, we'll all learn from the answers :O)

Mike

[greedyboy]

Although discussed many times before, you can register for VAT from day one. In some cases it can benefit your business proposition and profability being registered, especially if you are dealing b2b.