How to Take Advantage of the Challenging Economy to Bake a Better Tomorrow

Your customers have a choice.

We see it every day.  In the news,  at the store,  filling up at the pump - reminders of the recession that's taken hold around us.  Unemployment is up, consumer confidence is down, and the global economy is struggling. To say that the financial climate is 'grey' is putting it nicely!

Admittedly, businesses everywhere are feeling the pinch.  For many of them, the first reaction is to cut spending any way they can.  Bakeries, pastry shops, bagel stores and pizzerias alike are all looking for ways to save. 

Unfortunately,  recessions are fueled by fear;  and that can lead to poor decision making.  While it may be both necessary and wise to trim the proverbial "fat" from your business, doing so with only short term benefits in mind can be detrimental.  What question should you really be asking yourself right now?

“Do I plan to be in business 5 years from now?”

If the answer to this question is "Yes!", then here are some things you can do in these troubled times to help ensure a brighter and more prosperous future!

Give Your Front-end a Facelift

If you run a retail operation, take advantage of these slow traffic days to give your front-end a makeover!   A fresh coat of paint, maybe some new lighting and updated decor can all be done on a budget, and they can go a long way to making  a huge impression. 

Think outside the box as well.  If  you're struggling with old refrigerated displays that keep shutting down on you, updating it may be just what you need.  Not only will a new display units be aesthetically pleasing to your customers, but more efficient models may actually save you on maintenance and energy costs over time.

Remember, if you're store looks like it's going out of business, then your customers may assume that you are.  A fresh look can show your customers that you care about your shop and their experience when they come to visit.  Make it a pleasant one, and they'll keep coming back for more!

Update Your Marketing Programs

Unfortunately, marketing dollars are usually the first casualty in a recession.  However,  the down-time of a sluggish economy gives you a great opportunity to review and revamp a lot of your existing material.  Pull out some of those old ads of yours and see if you can't reuse some of them.  Just like your store front, a little update can go a long way.

Take advantage of all of the opportunity that the Internet has to offer as well.  A well designed and informative website can go a long way toward getting you good placement in the search engines.  Social media sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are free, and they are a great way to build your network and communicate with your customers.  Even pay-per-click campaigns like Google Adwords or Microsoft Advertising (via Bing.com) can offer you great exposure at a very reasonable price.

Keep in mind that the everyone is feeling the heat in today's economy.   That means that media outlets and design houses are out there vying for work, too - and that could mean big savings for you.  Price out  things like website redesigns, print ads, flyers, even TV and radio spots.   Shop them around a little bit and you might be pleasantly surprised at the deals you can find!

Replace Old Production Equipment

Cash flow is tight and fuel costs are on the rise.  That old, inefficient  equipment you have running in the back may be bleeding you dry - and you may not even realize it. Efficiency is the key to profitability, and cost effective, quality equipment will save you time and money in repairs, maintenance and excessive labor fees .

Consider this; bakers all around the country are finding that a fuel efficient deck oven can save more in fuel costs than the lease payment itself,  and can even return money to their bottom line!  That money that can be used to offset the increased cost of ingredients and other expenses. In addition, because there are no moving parts and no boiler to sustain, maintenance costs and related downtime are held to a bare minimum.

A new cookie depositor can offer substantial savings as well.  It's ease of use and highly efficient design can do the work of three people at significantly less expense.  Even consider something as simple and affordable as a new divider/rounder that will help you increase productivity and maintain consistency throughout your production process.

The truth is that customer satisfaction is essential to your businesses survival.  New equipment will give you the quality and consistency you need to keep your customers coming back for more.

Get Out There!

Network, network, network!  Get out in front of your customers and let them know you're there!

If you're a wholesale operation, take advantage of some down time to get out of your facility and go visit existing customers - or even pop in on some new ones.  Sometimes all you need to do is stop in and shake hands, and your customer will remember the effort you made.

If you own a retail location, don't be an absentee owner.  Make sure you're in your store front interacting with your customers.  Talk to them, find out what they like or don't like about your operation.  Also, consider participating in local community events.  Donating some food or your time is a great way to network with new and existing customers - and free food will certainly make them remember you!

Conclusion

These troubled economic times are scary for sure; but for those of us willing to work for it, opportunity can still be found all around us.  Give your store a facelift and leave a lasting impression with your customers.  Take advantage of competitive pricing to update obsolete marketing material.  Replace old bakery equipment and save big on fuel, labor and maintenance costs.  Most importantly, get involved with your customers.  Remember that your customers have a choice.  Be sure to give them reason to choose you!

About Empire Bakery Equipment

Empire has been America's leading Bakery Equipment supplier  since 1977.  We supply successful bakeries all across the country with spiral mixers, deck & rack ovens  and a complete selection of production equipment.  We feel that the greatest measure of our success is your success!

Visit us online at http://www.empirebake.com,  or call 1-800-878-4070 to speak with representative today!

Which Cookie Machine is Right For Me?

With so many varieties available, it's no wonder America loves cookies! For so many bake shops around the country, cookie production has become a very profitable revenue stream. Now you want a piece of the action - but where to start? Choosing the right cookie production equipment may seem like a daunting task, but by answering just a few simple questions, you can easily resolve your cookie confusion and take the first steps toward profitability.

What type of cookie do you plan to produce?
Cookie production has nothing if not diversity! Drop Cookie Machines, (also known as Spritz Cookie Machines), deposit cookie dough through a round or shaped depositing head. These heads can be Stationary, Rotary or Multilevel - giving you an almost endless selection of sizes and shapes. Wire-cut Cookie Depositors extrude your dough through a pre-formed mould, then cut the cookie to the desired thickness with a wire. For a rolled or stamped cookie such as a shortbread biscuit, a Rotary Moulder Cookie Machine would be the ideal choice. Finally, if you're planning to work with a batter to make cupcakes, muffins, or sheet cakes - a Fluid Depositor may be high on your priority list. Whichever cookie type fits your plans best, it's important to identify it early so that you can select your equipment accordingly.

How many different cookie types would you like to carry?
Once you have a handle on the types of cookies you have to choose from, it's time to decide how many different types you'd like to make. Do you want to focus solely on Stationary Drop Cookies, or will you want to make Multilevel Drop Cookies as well? Do you need a Wire-cut Cookie Machine, or maybe you want the flexibility to do it all. Whatever your choice, be sure to look for equipment that will fit your needs.

What sort of production volume are you considering?
Knowing your production capacity is important before you speak to anyone about a new Cookie Machine. Are you looking to produce 1000 cookies a day or 10,000? Purchasing more machine than you need is a waste of your time and resources. Inversely, purchasing too small of a machine will just lead to quality loss and inevitable equipment replacement. Both mistakes will only wind up costing you money. Be sure you keep your long-term goals in mind when making your cookie machine investment.

Whether you're looking to expand your existing production, or simply add to it - choosing the proper equipment is key. The right cookie production equipment can increase your efficiency without sacrificing the quality of your product; saving you time and money while still giving your customers the excellence they've grown to expect from you.

Empire Bakery Equipment offers a wide range of Cookie Depositors for every space and budget. We are certain to have a system that will meet your every production need! Please visit our website at http://www.empirebake.com/ for specific product information and to see video of our Cookie Equipment in action. Contact Us Today to have one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff select the equipment that is right for you!

1-800-878-4070 • info@empirebake.com