WHY THE FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES?

[Karan]:  I'm often asked why we include the Federation of Small Businesses logo on all our stationery, signage and vehicle livery etc - how could it possibly be relevent or interesting to our customers and potential customers?

The short answer is: peace of mind.  Even before the British (and global) economy went down the toilet, and many companies subsequently went out of business, there was always the Watchdog and Rogue Trader television programmes, warning the public of the perils involved in dealing with the extra cheap cash-in-hand bodgit fraternity.

Now the economy has gone down the toilet, the public are rightly concerned about who to trust with their money and hard earned savings.  As IKD has been established almost 18 years, we enjoy a great deal of repeat business, or word-of-mouth recommendations from our existing customers, so our potential new customers already have peace of mind when they contact us.  But what about the people who find us on Google or The Yellow Pages - how can they be sure we're not going to run off with their deposit, or go bankrupt before we can install all that we've promised?

Ian and I completely understand these concerns.  Let's not forget that we have to pay for high value items and services too, and we are just as concerned about loosing our money as the next person.  We had to find a way of both differentiating ourselves from the bogus bodgit merchants, and assuring new potential customers that their money and investment was safe with us. 

So, in 2007 IKD applied to join The Federation of Small Businesses who interviewed us thoroughly, vetted our business systems and practices, and finally accepted us into the fold.  The benefits for our customers now is that they have a guarantee and a means of getting their money back or a dispute managed, should anything untoward happen.  Now I can assure you that all is well at IKD; that we're looking forward to our next 18 years in business, not to mention our exciting growth and development plans.  I can also assure you that we are honest and have absolutely no intention of doing the dirty with your money - but looking at this from your perspective; I would say that wouldn't I?

This is why we've put our money where our mouth is.  It's not cheap or easy to join The Federation of Small Businesses, but it does give our customers peace of mind, and it helps to differentiate IKD from the Bodgit & Scarper merchants.  We take our sales, service and hard earned reputation very seriously, and nothing is going to jeopardise that.  If belonging to the FSB - and Guild of Master Craftsmen for that matter - is what it's going to take to make our (potential) customers happy and reassured, then that is what we'll do.

So, this is why we advertise our FSB membership wherever possible; to tell everyone that they'll have peace of mind, a cast iron guarantee and added value when they invite IKD to refurbish their homes.

Click here for more information about The Federation of Small Businesses