July/August 2007

Welcome to the latest issue of Nutraceutical News from IFS.  In this issue you'll find our Client Profile featuring Symbion^TM, a super-probiotic dietary supplement for the maintenance and healthy balance of the digestive system.  As for our other columns, we explain the best way to keep your customers' trust in our Fulfillment Notes section.  In our Marketing column, we discuss ways to increase your marketing efforts without a large budget, and in the Customer Service Corner we talk about the importance of the individual customer.

For more information about the content found here or about any of our products and services, you can always visit our website, www.ifssolutions.com.  To share your feedback about this newsletter, please click here.  To unsubscribe, please use the link at the end of this issue.

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Client Profile: Symbion^TM
• Fulfillment Notes: A Service Your Customers Can Trust
• Marketing: Begin Marketing NOW!
• Customer Service Corner: Keep Your Customers Coming Back
• About IFS: For More Information, Contact Us

As unpleasant as it is to talk about, if you suffer from Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS) you know it's even more unpleasant to experience.  An estimated 50 to 60 million people in the United States suffer from IBS with symptoms including diarrhea, constipation, alternating gas, bloating, and nausea.

To address this issue, recent studies have shown that probiotics can help cure the syndrome, as you may remember from the last IFS ezine.  As a quick reminder, probiotics are the opposite of antibiotics.  They are the natural, beneficial, live microbial (bacteria) supplement known to maintain intestinal balance.

Anyone can find probiotics in soured milk products - such as yogurt and cottage cheese - to hopefully help cure their IBS, but it rarely does the trick.  It is just not powerful enough or the right combination of "friendly" live bacteria.  Fortunately, a new company by the name of Pharmabiotix, Inc. has come out with a unique, patent pending formula that takes probiotics to a much higher level.  This formula named Symbion^TM is unlike that of any other probiotic used against IBS.

Symbion^TM, a super-probiotic dietary supplement just now being introduced by Pharmabiotix, is composed of three individual "friendly" bacteria in a capsule form.  This unique probiotic combination produces a powerful action to normalize and maintain the gut micro-flora.  It also repairs the damaged immune system from Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) which was recently determined to be the cause of the many functional illnesses including IBS and Fibromyalgia (FMS).

Sufferers of IBS, FMS and other SIBO related illnesses have shown great success using the unique probiotic formula of Symbion^TM to reverse their numerous symptoms (see web site: Symbionforlife.com) and thus re-gain and maintain their lost quality of life.  It is remarkable how quickly some people have recovered from their symptoms after using the product.

After perfecting Symbion^TM, Pharmabiotix needed to find a fulfillment center that could properly take care of its product.  After researching several companies, Innovative Fulfillment Solutions (IFS) quickly became a leading candidate.

Symbion knew it had found its partner the moment company executives visited IFS and met with Keith Milburn.  They recognized that Keith's integrity and IFS' happy employees meant IFS would take great care of Symbion's products and customers.

Symbion^TM became available to the public in July 2007 and is manufactured under cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) conditions in the United States, in accordance with the very latest changes in FDA regulations.

When it comes to your customers-new or returning-developing and maintaining their trust is extremely important.  Of course, people do make an occasional purchase from companies they don't trust, however they tend to be just that - one-time purchases.

A major factor that could send a customer packing before they even settle in is late delivery.  You need to properly communicate with your customers and let them know what your "standard" shipping is.  Do you ship their items a few days after you receive the order?  How long does your process take?

Another issue you must put into consideration is your location in comparison to the recipient.  If your fulfillment is being done on the west coast and the customer is on the east coast, shipping costs will be more expensive and/or your shipment will take longer to get to its destination.

At IFS, we value our client's trust and loyalty.  We do our best to make sure that both our clients and their customers understand our dedication to on-time and accurate shipping.  We work hard to ship 99 percent of all orders the same day we receive them.  Our location is also a major benefit to our process as our facility is in the very center of the U.S., allowing us to offer the lowest shipment costs.

Once you have gained the trust of your customers, it's important you work hard to preserve it.  Things happen, orders get messed up and shipments get delayed, but you have to make sure your customers know you are on top of the problem.  Give them a reason to become long-term customers, not just one-time purchasers.

When it comes to small businesses, a marketing budget is usually pretty limited at best.  Plus, the time it takes to develop a marketing plan seems non-existent.  What's important to remember is it doesn't always take a lot of money to establish a good marketing position and-although the time may seem like a waste-the outcome is almost always well worth it.

In fact, some of the best marketing efforts-especially for business-to-business marketers-can be integrated into your everyday activities. Here are some examples:

• Invite someone to lunch:  You have to eat, right?  Why not take five minutes to pick up the phone and invite a client or prospect to lunch.  Over a casual lunch you can ask for input and/or constructive criticism about your products and/or services.  Talking often with people who are actually your target audience can wield extremely valuable insight for future marketing efforts.
• Make it fun:  Although golf may be the staple "business sport," it doesn't have to be the only one.  Find a shared interest between you and a client or customer like tennis, biking or running.  You can still spend quality time talking business without the stiffness of an office and a suit.
• Stay in touch:  When you come across an interesting article in a newspaper or magazine, think of four or five people you can share it with.  Add a short note like, "just thought you would be interested in this."  Most of the time, you can even find a printed article online, and send it along as an email.  Current and prospective clients will appreciate you thinking of them.
• Meet someone new:  There are business people just like you everywhere you look; standing next to you in line at the coffee shop or sitting next to you on an airplane.  When you find yourself striking up a conversation with a complete stranger, be sure to properly introduce yourself, find out what they do and, if appropriate, trade business cards.  You'd be surprised how often interactions like these lead to positive business connections.

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities for you to expand your marketing efforts throughout your normal business day.  You can start by setting small goals such as holding yourself accountable for contacting 10 customers or potential customers each week, whether it's for a lunch meeting or to simply follow up and say hello.  Remember, you're not the only one out there who doesn't have time or money for a full blown marketing campaign, so keep your ears and eyes open for your next great business connection.

One of the biggest problems in today's business world is misperceiving the value of a single customer.  Putting all of your focus on the product or service you offer makes it easy to ignore the most important component: those who are paying for it.

Think of each customer as a specific individual who is solely keeping your business afloat and be sure your employees have the same mentality.  The following steps can help you make sure your customer service is sending the right message:

• Employee Customer Service:  You can't expect low wages, minimal benefits, and zero training to persuade employees to be top notch.  Your employees will take care of your customers as long as you are taking care of them.
• The Golden Rule:  You've heard the saying, "treat others as you would like to be treated."  It's no different in business.  Attitudes are contagious and if you treat your employees with courtesy and respect, they will also be courteous and respectful of your customers.
• Go the Extra Mile:  When customers feel important, they're more connected to your company on an emotional level.  Keep in touch with your customers and show your appreciation for their business by sending a thank-you note in a shipment or including a coupon for their next order.  Customers large and small will be less likely to cut the ties and go to a competitor.
• Just Ask:  If you're wondering what your customers' think of you, just ask them!  Include "How are we doing?" pre-stamped postcards in their packages or have them sent randomly to their homes.  If customers feel strongly one way or the other, they'll most likely take the time to fill it out.

You may have hundreds or thousands of customers but to them there is only one "you."  Start thinking like a customer and ask yourself how you would like to be treated.  You'll keep them coming back.

IFS is a world class, full service fulfillment operation with a track record of success. A woman-owned business, we proudly serve some of the country's most respected corporations. With a special expertise in the fulfillment of nutraceuticals, we can help you run your nutraceuticals business more efficiently and more cost effectively.