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Tools and Quizzes
>  Is Your Business Suited for Bartering?
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Quiz: Is Barter for You?

Bartering – conducting business through trades – is becoming an increasingly useful tool for small business owners looking for ways to increase their customer base, conserve cash, and otherwise enhance the bottom line. Is your business suited to this type of transaction? Answer these 10 questions to assess your barter-readiness.

 
1. Do you have excess scheduling capacity or inventory?
  yes no

2. Is your cash flow tight?
  yes no

3. Is your customers' cash flow tight?
  yes no

4. Are your services and goods suited only to companies in a particular industry?
  yes no

5. Do you regularly run promotional discounts or other similar activities?
  yes no

6. Do other businesses in your industry regularly engage in barter?
  yes no

7. Is there a certain time of the year when your business is slower than usual?
  yes no

8. Does your inventory or service have a long shelf life?
  yes no

9. Do you use referrals and word-of-mouth as primary marketing methods for your company?
  yes no

10. Do you feel you’ve lost valuable customers because they couldn’t afford your product or service?
  yes no

 

The views and opinions contained herein are not necessarily those of American Express and are intended as a reference and for informational purposes only. Please contact your attorney, accountant or other business professional for advice specific to your business.