How new businesses can get new business

As experts in winning social care tenders, we are often approached by companies newly registered with CQC for advice on developing the business. Getting local authority business can be challenging, but it is possible for new home care businesses to succeed. 

1. Register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Registering with the CQC shows that your business meets the required standards of quality and safety.
2. Build a strong team of experienced and qualified staff. Local authorities will want to work with a home care business that has a team of experienced and qualified staff who can provide high-quality care to their residents.
3. Develop a strong marketing plan. Let potential customers know about your business and the services you offer. You can do this through a variety of channels, such as online advertising, print advertising, and word-of-mouth.
4. Attend local authority events. This is a great way to network with local decision-makers and learn about upcoming tender opportunities. Ask your local authority (and the neighbouring local authorities if they are close by) whether they have an open list that new providers can join to be able to deliver local authority funded care. Do the same with the NHS ICB in your area.
5. Stay up-to-date on tender requirements. Local authority tender requirements can vary, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest requirements. You can do this by subscribing to local authority newsletters or by attending provider workshops. Sign up to alerts from the tender portal your local authority uses.

Here are some additional tips that may be helpful for new home care businesses to network and get business from a variety of sources:

1. Identify your target market: Who are you trying to reach with your home care services? Are you targeting older adults, people with disabilities, or families with young children? Once you know who your target market is, you can tailor your marketing efforts to reach them.
2. Create a strong online presence: Your website is often the first impression potential customers will have of your business, so it’s important to make sure it’s well-designed and informative. You should also make sure your business is listed on online directories like Google My Business and Yelp.
3. Use social media: Social media is a great way to connect with potential customers and build relationships. Be sure to post regular updates about your services, as well as helpful tips and information about aging and caregiving.
4. Attend industry events: Attending industry events is a great way to network with other social care businesses and learn about new trends in the industry. You can also use these events to promote your own business and connect with potential customers.
5. Get involved in your community: Getting involved in your community is a great way to raise awareness of your home care services and build relationships with potential customers. You can volunteer at local organizations, sponsor community events, or donate to local charities.
6. Offer referral bonuses: Offering referral bonuses is a great way to encourage your current customers to spread the word about your business. This can help you reach new customers and grow your business.
7. Provide excellent customer service: Excellent customer service is essential for any business, but it’s especially important for social care businesses. When you provide excellent customer service, you’ll build trust and loyalty with your customers, and they’ll be more likely to recommend your business to others.

By following these tips, you can market your home care services and reach more potential customers. The local authority should never be your sole focus. Remember that when it comes to tenders you may want to get references from some private clients. Also, CQC will not inspect your service if you do not have any customers, which means you cannot get a rating and this is a minimum requirements for many social care tenders.

Winning a local authority tender can be a great way to get your business going and it is not impossible for new businesses to be successful in some tender exercises. However, tenders are not a quick fix to the problem of having no clients. Getting out and about within your community and letting people know what a great service you can offer is by far the best way of finding new business for your new business.