ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We think we make great wines - how can your company help us sell them?

Barclay & Company can write a marketing plan to fit your budget, help you define and select the distribution network that will work for your wines, create market-oriented sales strategies, assist with sales projections, conduct sales trainings and meetings, create target account lists, monitor depletions, and develop effective sales incentives.

With our proven track record of increased sales and distribution, we can create a customized, pro-active plan that specifies by product and region the "who, what, when, where, and how" to accomplish your priorities in the most efficient and economic manner possible.

Why do I need a marketing plan?

By creating a written statement of strategies based on your company's goals, the marketing plan defines wine market trends and your customer's wine buying needs, then combines your products, distribution channels, pricing, and promotion into a coordinated action plan that can help guide your future production decisions, growth potential, and profitability.

What can you do to help me with my new label?

Barclay & Company can assist in new label design to meet BATF and UPC guidelines, write product descriptions and back label copy, connect you with quality graphic artists and affordable printers, and develop innovative packaging that will meet bottling and shipping requirements.

How do I find the best way to ship my wine to my customers?

We have established, long-term working relationships with truck, rail, vessel, and air freight companies who specialize in shipping wine legally. Through our network of consolidation warehouses, co-ops, freight forwarders and professional carriers, we can match you with the right company that will offer dependable service, competitive rates, and frequent shipper discounts.

We can also guide you in developing direct wine clubs, coordinate partial consolidations, and assist in handling export documentation requirements.

Once I find a distributor, how I do I keep from "getting lost in their book," and make them pay more attention to selling MY wines?

Through constant communication with distributor staff, Barclay & Company can monitor depletion and inventory levels, provide you with key account lists, create targeted point-of-sale materials, and develop effective programming and incentives by market segment that will excite the sales team and keep their attention focused on your goals.

We don't have a large staff - how can you help keep us organized so things don't fall through the cracks?

With several years of winery administration experience, we can customize your organizational needs by helping you set up efficient bookkeeping, order processing and invoicing systems; tasting room and inventory controls; key customer and mailing lists;

and compliance reporting procedures. We can also help with winery computer and software selection, and provide you with easy-to-understand reports that track the information you need.

I hate being the bearer of bad news. Can you help me complain in a way to help me get results?

Yes. Even with the best intentions, sometimes market conditions and business patterns dictate changes in order for your winery to survive. Specializing in sales performance reviews and difficult correspondence, we can also help you through the uncomfortable process of vendor contract negotiations, claims, quality control issues, probationary status checks, and amicable separation agreements.

What about confidentiality?

Barclay & Company respects and understands the importance of proprietary information. We value your trust and confidence and will not disclose any information about your company's operations without your written consent.

How much will it cost me to hire you?

Based on your company's needs, Barclay & Company can provide services on an hourly, monthly, or special project basis to meet your budget.