You may think this is the easy part, but looking at your business through someone else's eyes can be quite difficult. It is very tempting to describe your business only in terms of what you ‘do’ instead of what you ‘provide’ for your customers.

But what you provide can really set you apart from your competition so it's a worthwhile exercise.

Here are a couple of examples from businesses that have really thought about what they deliver.

A ‘Home Cleaning’ business that after a brainstorming session came up with:-

• Vacuum and shampoo carpets
• Clean ovens and fridges
• Strip wooden floors
• Polish wooden floors
• Cleaning windows - inside and out
• Clean guttering
• Spraying for insects
• Clean curtains
• Clean out all cupboards
• Washing and Ironing
• Dusting
• Clean and sanitize bathrooms and toilets
• Shopping
• Deep clean for people with allergies
• References and Security Clearance offered

An auto mechanic extended its services to provide

• Pre WOF checks
• WOF tests
• Safety checks before long journeys
• Tyre safety checks
• Servicing
• Valet (in conjunction with local valet firm)
• Diesel/Petrol/2-Stroke/Motorcycles (perhaps in conjunction with other businesses or individuals)
• Battery care
• Mag wheel repairs
• Payment by account, Credit card, cash, cheques, direct credit, payment plan
• Pick-up Service for those who work
• Extended hours for those that work
• Courtesy car
• Courteous, quality service


The more you offer, the more customers you are likely to get.

This forum would be a good place to start the brainstorming effort. Tell us what you do, and what you provide and let’s see what other people to come up with.

Go on! Give it a try…