Category: Small Business
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Have You Been Laid Off Because Of Coronavirus? Here Are 5 Income Earning Opportunities For You
Have you been recently fired from your job because of the Coronavirus problem? Are you looking to sustain yourself by earning during the lockdown period? Do you know of certain high-paying and profitable opportunities, which you can take up? With global economic losses crossing the $2 Trillion mark, Coronavirus is jeopardizing millions of livelihoods. According to financial experts, we are going to witness a period of global financial recession. In these testing times, we have two options in front of us- We can either mope or blame our destiny for all the bad that is happening. Or, We can put ourselves together, invoke our entrepreneurial spirit and work our way out of the problem. You might have heard the proverb, ‘when God closes a door, he opens a new window.’ In this article, we are going to open five windows for you. 5 ways to earn income during the Coronavirus lockdown: The List 1. Start a News Blog on Coronavirus or COVID 19- You do not need a flair for creative writing if you are looking to start a news blog. All you need to do is create a simple WordPress website for your news blog and start a social media page. Publish five to ten 500 word articles every day and see the traffic flowing. People are interested in knowing about everything related to the Coronavirus. This is a good time to look up government sources, Reuters and different news publications and collate them all in one place. Once you get decent site metrics and traffic, you can earn income through Ad displays, guest posting, and other ways. 2. Take up Cryptocurrency trading in a major way- Did you know that you could easily earn hundreds of dollars every week by just trading cryptocurrencies? With the rise of cryptocurrency trading platforms, you can easily become a trader. All you need to do is open account and start trading. The technologically advanced software of the platform is going to guide you when it comes to making the best trades. By investing a small sum of money, going for low-risk trades initially, you can become a seasoned and experienced cryptocurrency trader in no time. 3. Get paid by signing up for Surveys and Options Sites- There are many survey sites, businesses and companies, which pay up to $10 USD per survey. This is a great sum of money when you consider that you can easily do a minimum of five surveys per day. This is not only going to help you earn, but also explore new opportunities. Big businesses work with market research firms to find out about the opinions of consumers. By signing up to such platforms, becoming part of interviews and focus group discussions, you can earn close to $3000 USD per month. 4. Food or Grocery delivery agent in your neighborhood- Almost all nations around the world have exempted online companies from the lockdown. This means that these companies are hiring aggressively as more and more people are ordering things while sitting at home. If you have a bike, you can easily sign up with one of the major players in your neighborhood and start delivering to people. This is not only very profitable now, but also very humane. You are going to help someone get their medicines and other essentials on time. 5. Start your own Freelance Gig- If you are good at writing, start bidding for content writing jobs on freelance websites. If you are good at cooking, you can start your own food delivery gig. No matter what your passion, you can always make it into a fully income-generating opportunity. As more and more companies are looking to cut costs by firing people, they are not going to stop their operations altogether. Approach them as a freelancer and offer your services for an attractive fee. You will be surprised to see the results of your outreach. Conclusion In this article, we have listed five great income-earning opportunities for people who have been laid off because of the Coronavirus. All these opportunities do require time and effort. However, if you are able to do them right, you will see cash flowing into your account. Can you think of some similar opportunities to earn cash? Let us know in the comments section below. Read also: The Top Benefits of Using an Insurance Broker Is an online degree in business management worth it?
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5 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Manage Anxiety at Work
Anxiety is a common factor that one gets due to various experiences in life. Work anxiety is anxiety that occurs in the workplace due to various workloads. Work anxiety can cause negative effects both on the employees and the organizations in various ways. Work anxiety can also cause some disorders. Work anxiety can hinder one’s performance at work, relationships with colleagues at work. 5 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Manage Anxiety at Work Here are 5 simple ways to manage anxiety at work: 1. Get away from the computer: In today’s world, most people sit in front of the computer in order to finish their daily works without even blinking their eyes and moving around. This can increase the level of anxiety in an individual at the workplace. To avoid this, one should set a timer to oneself to get up from the place and walk around at least once in half an hour. This can help in reducing the level of stress in an individual at the workplace. 2. Communicate with the people: Communication in the workplace is a very important factor that can help in reducing anxiety. There should be someone to express one’s feelings related to the workplace. Anxiety gets relieved when one speaks it out. There are chances of anxiety getting worsened due to confusion or mixed emotions. So it is very important to have communication with the colleagues around you. One can also try self-improvement courses like those offered by Landmark Forum (formerly, Landmark Montreal) and others. 3. Don’t overthink stressors: Sometimes, one can increase one’s anxiety by thinking about stressors. Some of the jobs can cause more stress for people. Thinking more about stressors can increase the level of anxiety. One should think or change their way of routine which causes stress. There is no help to oneself in thinking about stressors. 4. Create a balanced schedule: If one gives too much value to what happens in the workplace then it can cause a lot of anxiety. To enable us to live a great life at the workplace then the working environment must be good enough for that. One should find a balanced schedule by analyzing one’s responsibilities, schedule, and daily tasks and try to find some healthy balance. 5. Take a deep breath: When one feels that the stress level has increased in one’s life then just meditate for 3 minutes or just take a deep breath and evaluate within yourself throughout the day. Taking a deep breath is one of the other ways that can help in reducing stress levels. It sends some signals to the brain when the anxiety level is high. Anxiety is the factor that will be present at each and every point in one’s life. Anxiety can be considered as an unpleasant emotion. It can be considered as an opportunity to have career growth in one’s life. Improving one’s relationships, improving communication, asking for assistance in the workplace can help in reducing anxiety without any difficulty. Work anxiety in one’s daily life can never help in enjoying one’s profession. Just try fighting against anxiety and keep treating oneself with respect. Read also: Effects of Anxiety on Heart Disease 7 Ways to Reduce Test Anxiety
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Basic Small Business Tips for Noobs Who Want to Start a Venture in 2020
Running a small business is probably one of the best ways you can earn money. However, it’s no secret that it entails a few things. You can start by looking at the current trends in the market. Find out more about your target market and industry competitors. What products or services are currently available in your area today? How can you compete with the existing offers? Another thing you need to focus on as a small business owner is learning how to manage your revenue, profits, losses, and expenses. Understanding basic accounting can work wonders for your business. It will guide you in making crucial decisions such as setting your budget for your monthly expenses, purchasing new equipment or hiring additional staff While you can hire a professional from companies such as www.gsmaccountants.co.uk, it still pays to have enough background in accounting. Try enrolling in basic accounting classes. You can also use other resources such as blogs, vlogs, and webinars. Secure and manage your funds Aside from having an accounting background and solid market research, you must have enough starting capital. While ideas can indeed drive a small business forward, it is still important to have substantial funding in order to get things done. You should have funding equivalent to six months of your estimated cost of operation. This will provide you with a security blanket in case you don’t earn enough money during the first few months of your business. Once you receive your funds, your next priority is to ensure that you manage them correctly. Allocate money for various aspects of your business such as your employee’s salary, store rentals, utilities, and equipment. Don’t forget to stick with the budget you created. Prepare the necessary documents To ensure that your business adheres to the local laws and regulations, see to it that you submit all the required documents. Also, check the requirements for business permits and other necessary certifications. Ask the local authorities or refer to small business consultants if you're not sure how to process the documents. Say no to procrastination Establishing a business is a very serious matter. Don’t lose sight of the important things such as maintaining your momentum. Look for ways you can motivate yourself and your team to move forward. Also, never procrastinate! Schedule your tasks and see to it that you complete them on schedule. If you have a hard time completing tasks, don’t hesitate to ask for help from other members of your team. Thousands of business-minded individuals try their luck at building their own companies. Some of the common types of businesses you can find today include online retail shops, brick and mortar stores, service-based startups, digital marketing consultancies and software development firms. Whatever type of small business you want to start, see to it that you have a clear set of goals. Also, use the tips and tricks enumerated above. These are super helpful in creating a successful business. Make the necessary adjustment to fit the needs and goals of your dream business. Read Also: Cost-Effective Custom Mobile Accessories Packaging for your Small Business How to Empower Your Small Business through Digital Marketing? What Are the Alternatives for Small Business Startup Loans?
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How To Sell A Small Business Without A Broker
Once you’re ready to sell your small business, hiring a business broker tops your list. An article from this perfectly defines the role of business brokers that is to act as “intermediaries between buyers and sellers of a business”. They are the equivalent of real estate brokers or agents who sell properties on behalf of property owners. Business brokers manage everything necessary to sell your small business, from planning to marketing to closing the deal. Some even assist during the transition process. Considering such an enormous task, enlisting a broker may seem the easiest and most convenient thing to do. However, their service comes with an outrageous fee, usually around 10% commission from the sale. This is certainly a huge cut from your profits. If you want to retain the full profit from the sale, you can opt to sell your small business sans middlemen. This is an excellent choice especially if you have previous experience selling a business, you know of prospective buyers, or you’re not in a hurry to sell-off. However, when you decide to sell your business on your own, you have to be ready for a tedious legwork. So, how do you go about the sale? Know your reason for selling the small business According to a business broker, the first thing that a buyer would want to know is why a business is being sold. For a business to attract a potential buyer, you need to have a good reason. Some of the common reasons are retirement, sudden changes in personal circumstances, illness or death, boredom, partnership disputes, and burnout. Prospective buyers find these as ‘attractive’ reasons to buy a business. It may be harder to sell a business if you tell the buyer that you’re selling the business due to its sorry financial state, persistent losses, lack of manpower, and changing market conditions and trends. Make your business easily marketable by timing your sale properly. Show positive attributes to make it more marketable such as a strong customer base, increased profitability, consistent good financials, well-defined business processes, and a good contract. Plan your sale Prepare your business at least two years ahead of the sale, especially if you won’t enlist a broker. Have an ample amount of time to improve your client base, business structure, and financial records. This will help improve the value of your business and make it more attractive to buyers. This should also help ease the transition process. Get your business appraised Once you’re ready to sell, you need to decide on the worth of your business. It is best to work with a professional business appraiser to get a proper valuation. Often, business owners become illogical when it comes to evaluating their own business. Some price is too low in an attempt to make it more marketable but end up losing on potential profit. Others price it too high hence making it unattractive to potential buyers. A business appraiser will evaluate your business to determine its worth. He then prepares a detailed explanation to give credibility to the proposed price. Prepare all documents Give time in preparing the design or sales package for your business. This document represents your business in the best possible light to potential buyers. It should include financial, operational and marketing information. If you are not comfortable with your communication skills, you can enlist the help of professional business writers. Financial documents are an important part of the sale process. Gather your books of account, financial statements, and tax returns for the past four years. Review these documents with an accountant. In addition, develop a list of assets that are being sold along with the business. Include other necessary documents such as lease agreements, supplier contracts, and contact lists. Prepare an information packet or operating manual that provides an overview of your business processes. In addition, you want to add photographs of your business, testimonials, case studies, and customer profiles. Highlight accomplishments and milestones to make it more marketable and command better-asking price. Prepare your business on-site Alongside the documentary preparations, you should also make your business site presentable. Check your physical store, production site, warehouse, and other related locations. You might need to have some areas repainted or redeveloped. Check if equipment or machinery needs to be replaced or fixed before the sale. Investing in such developments can help improve the asking price. It might sound cliché but first impressions last. An unkempt and dilapidated business site might turn off a potential buyer. It pays to invest in your physical asset as soon as you decide to sell on your own. Look for a buyer to sell your small business Finding a buyer is difficult, but it becomes doubly challenging if you don’t have a business broker. Unless you have a ready buyer, it may take several months to years before you can find the right buyer. The advantage of hiring a business broker is that they have wide networks and established marketing methods. If you are working solo, you will need to compensate for these services. There are listing sites dedicated to businesses-on-sale. You only need to pay a one-time fee and your business becomes available to potential buyers. You can also tap your networks. Perhaps, a friend or an acquaintance (or someone they know) is planning to buy a business. You can check your local business clubs or chambers. Visit online forums and social networks. Don’t limit your advertising methods. Final Thoughts As you can see, if you sell your small business without a broker is possible. It can even be advantageous if you play an active role in the sales and negotiation process. Quite obviously, business owners are more passionate to sell their business to the right buyers. Of course, you just have to remain rational and avoid getting your emotions to affect your decisions. As a final caution, if you have no experience selling and buying a business, you should consider working with a business broker or someone who has experience in this field. Better yet, you can check with your local chamber of commerce for assistance and counseling. Read Also: How to Boost Traffic to your Small Business Cost Effective Custom Mobile Accessories Packaging for your Small Business How To Empower Your Small Business through Digital Marketing? 4 Simple And Cheap Methods To Attract More Customers For Your Small Business
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Cost Effective Custom Mobile Accessories Packaging for your Small Business
Small businesses have to struggle hard to get their products and services desired attention. Limited budget for advertising and marketing often proves a hurdle for small enterprises to make a mark in the market. Product packaging is an element that can be effectively utilized for boosting branding efforts and connecting with a wider target audience. If you have a small mobile accessories manufacturing and retail business, utilize packaging for creating unique inkling for the items. You can make your retail store talk of the town by emphasizing product quality and inspiring packaging. Personalized product boxes designed with the view to make a brand’s vision known to the prospective buyers can work wonders for a small business. Custom printed mobile accessories packaging boxes with your logo and slogan will make shoppers remember your small retail outlet. Getting the boxes printed for various mobile accessories can be a pricey endeavor; you need to evaluate available printer options to choose one that provides you budgetary solutions. You shouldn’t be relying on a packaging service provider that is new in the industry and has hidden or extra charges for all the services. Make sure to do the search for the printing vendor meticulously before making a preference. Here are some tips that you can utilize for personalizing packaging! Product Boxes should be Insignia of your Brand You surely want to make the most of your packaging for creating distinguished inkling for your brand. When getting the boxes for mobile accessories customized, make sure to use all the branding essentials smartly on the packaging. The logo and a catchy tagline should be printed vividly on custom mobile accessories boxes. You can make your small mobile accessory outlet worth noticing by using the custom boxes to your advantage. The packaging should have your contact details like phone number, email ID and social media profile information to facilitate customers to communicate with you. Packaging should describe your USPs Smartly You can make your brand and offerings likable with prospective shoppers by describing unique selling points of your business smartly on the custom boxes. Details like what makes you a differentiating mobile accessory brand, what kind and quality of accessories you have and if your products are nominally priced and backed by warranty should be available on wholesale mobile accessories packaging boxes. Make sure to share only facts and not fabricated claims or promises on the packaging as it can impact your credibility. Perks of Using Customer Centric Mobile Accessories Boxes Brands that are concerned about the needs of their consumers end up winning over their loyalty and trust. You should offer comprehensive details about using an accessory on the boxes. Make a list of sought after user questions and answer them in fewer words on the packaging. This will enhance your brand’s image and customers will readily trust you for purchasing their desired mobile accessories. You can make the accessories for smartphones worth checking out for the customers by revamping the packaging design at regular intervals. Add a streak of uniqueness and creativity to packaging using interesting themes. You can promote various deals and offers through boxes for chargers, hands-free, and other accessories. Share all the vital features and price of an accessory prominently on the packaging to make it easier for the shoppers to take their product pick conveniently. Read Also: The Top Benefits Of Using An Insurance Broker Proven Vitamins Used In Energy Supplements How Customer Success Can Help Grow Your Business Why Should Retailers Use Pricing Tools For Their Businesses
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What Are the Alternatives for Small Business Startup Loans?
An investment can yield fruits or fail. There are so many risks involved when starting businesses and investors will always wish for the best. Small business startup loans are essential for your business to grow smoothly. However, where there is a less risky option, no one would hesitate to consider it. This is especially the case when it comes to financing startups. Small business investors may be reluctant to review the loan options for good reasons. For example, a loan is an obligation that has to be obeyed. If the investment does not yield profits, the owner must repay using other alternatives. In many cases, these loans have very high interest rates, and the total cost of borrowing may be too expensive for small investors. It is imperative to reduce the risks involved in borrowing funds, especially for startups. You come to think of the adverse effects a loan may have on your financial profile, and it becomes necessary to consider alternative options for financing your venture. Let us examine the scenario portrayed earlier. If the investment fails to be successful, it means the business cannot repay the loan. If you do not have alternative ways of settling the debt, you will default. As a result, your credit score will be negatively affected, and this reduces the chances of securing other loans in the future. Suppose you do not default but repay late, your credit history will still be damaged. Because of all these risks, it is important to consider alternatives for small business startup loans. Alternatives for Small Business Startup Loans: Alternative small business loans are more flexible with good credit requirements. Statistics show many small businesses are turning to alternative financing. As a business person, you will be confronted by situations that demand instant funding. Even though bank loans are perceived as the best solution in such cases, the truth is banks are often unwilling to offer loans to startups. That is why many are checking legit online loans like Instant Loan for fast-approval financial loans. Still, your venture might not meet the conditions required by banks, and if you are not careful, you may not salvage your business situation. You can turn to your retirement funds, dispose of a personal asset, or use your credit cards. Develop proper plans that can work well in your favor. While these options may help, several alternative funding options salvage the conditions in the best way ever. The following are some of the best alternative options for startups: Asset-based lending: In this arrangement, the asset you intend to purchase is held as collateral for the funds borrowed. Put differently; the lender becomes the owner of the asset until you repay the final payment. The two standard options in this category of financing include leasing and hire purchase. Business Angels: These are very wealthy and experienced individuals in the community who are often willing to invest in new businesses. They usually have prior understanding of how the industry operates and this is a significant factor in their decisions to invest in new ventures. The main problem with this type of financing is matching investors with small business owners seeking finances. The only ways the two can connect is through friends, family members, and business networks. The best thing with business angels is that they never seek control or management positions in the firm. They only perform advisory roles, and it is expected that they are consulted. Venture capitalists: If the risks involved are too high, the best alternative financing option is venture capital. It is always perceived as early phase sponsoring of new and young firms with the potential of growing quickly. Unlike business angels, venture capitalists are supposed to be involved in the management of the business. They always take some shares in the business. Their primary interest, though, is on the business growth and would be glad to see new small firms grow and become large. Nevertheless, venture capitalists do not finance all small businesses. They have criteria for determining which firm to fund. The following are some of the things they look for in a business before funding it: The quality of management Efficient corporate management Suitable investment structured. Venture capital can be the best way of financing startups. However, it comes at a cost because new investments always have high risks. If you do not want to lose part of your independence or shares in the business, then do not consider this option. Venture capitalists always aim at harvesting long-term financial gains. They may opt to harvest after a period of 5-10 years after making the original investment. Small business startup loans can make things complicated for your business. Family and friends: If other options are not applicable, you can always turn to family members and friends. Your parents brought you up and seeing you successful will make them happy. If your business is worth their trust, they can willingly invest in it. The good thing here is that parents will not push you the same way bank will if you delay payments. However, to maintain a healthy family relationship, respect your obligation and try to repay the loan on time. Do not put your family and friends into too many risks. Let them know all the risks the business faces before they decide to invest in it. The major problem with this option is that parents and friends will always feel they have to be consulted when it comes to spending because they loaned you. Crowdfunding: This is one of the best and common way of financing new ventures. It involves sourcing funds from friends, clients, family, and personal investors through an online platform. You give your idea to a large number of people, and you will probably find someone willing to finance your venture. It is often referred to as online fundraising and has helped many startups successfully. Small business Startup loans can make things easier for your business. Grants: Although it is hard to qualify for these types of funding, they are very beneficial because one will not have to repay them. They are usually provided by the government, though recently some small business associations provide individual grants. Conclusion: These six alternatives for small business startup loans discussed in this blog. Consider first the options that you will not be required to repay such as grants. If you need a substantial initial capital, you can go for venture capital and business angels. Whichever option you take, you will be better off than someone using bank loan options. Read Also: Benefits Of NBFC Business Loans 6 Top CRM For Small Businesses In 2019 6 Loan Mistakes Every Business Owner Must Avoid What Entrepreneurs With Bad Credit Need To Know Before Applying For A Loan? What Is The Future Of Digital Marketing In Regards To Shaping Up Small And Large Businesses?
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6 Top CRM for Small Businesses in 2019
Growing your small business in a cost-effective way that increases your brand awareness and attracts more customers is no easy feat. According to a Statistic Brain study, the failure rate for all companies across the US after 5 years is over 50%. So how do you make sure you don't fail? By ensuring your customers are happy, of course. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems allow you to collect data about your customer's interactions with your business. Read on to learn about the top CRM for small businesses. Why Use a CRM? Customer Relationship Management systems are a great way to analyze data from various channels. Channels include your business's website, social media channels, customer support logs, and feedback reviews. CRM let you see what your customers like about your business's products and/or services. CRM also allows you to address any customer concerns and better your products/services. The success of a business, particularly a small business, relies on its customers. That's why CRM systems are one of the most essential business tools you need in order to grow your business. Top CRM for Small Businesses: Find out everything you need to know about CRMs by learning more about the pros and cons of CRM for small businesses. We've compiled a list of 6 of the best CRM solutions for small businesses, check it out now: 1. Salesforce: Salesforce offers an affordable package whilst still including all of the essential product's great features. Salesforce is easy to use and includes key features such as: Lead generation Contact and opportunity management Sales forecasting Workflow automation Salesforce is ideal for small businesses who want an affordable CRM. 2. HubSpot: Be sure to add HubSpot to your list of must-have small business tools. The free version of HubSpot offers CRM solutions for small businesses and includes: Learning guides Invoice template generators Email signature generators Marketing plan template generators HubSpot offers a great package for independent contractors and/or small businesses. 3. Agile CRM: Up next in our top CRM software solution that your business needs are Agile CRM. Agile CRM allows you to: Store details about 10,000 companies or contacts Receive support for tracking emails Set lead scoring and custom deal milestones Access builder tools for forms, email templates, and website landing pages Monitor social media Agile CRM is great for small and big-sized businesses that want a whole range of customer relationship management tools. 4. Zoho CRM: The multi-channel online CRM, Zoho CRM can collect data from your emails, calls, live chats, and social media channels. It is popular amongst small businesses because of it: Is easy to use Offers real-time analytics and notifications for every customer Allows you to assign individual targets for your team Features the option to build and automate your sales processes Zoho Marketplace also ensures that you can increase your business functionality by offering various extensions that can be added to your CRM dashboard. 5. Streak: If you are looking to implement a CRM system that is easy to use, you need to get a Streak. Streak can be installed and added as an extension on your Gmail. Streak CRM for Gmail features: Easy collaboration options (with the ability to easily share contacts and files) Webhook API access Mail merge Ability to manage deals The streak is ideal for small business owners who are new to the world of CRM and need an easy to use platform to help grow their business. 6. Insightly: Insightly is great for small businesses because it is an affordable CRM that offers a range of features, such as: Storage space of 10gb send up to 2,500 mass emails a day detailed reports and analysis options API access and the ability to import 25,000 records per session. Insightly can be used by big, medium, and small-sized businesses who are looking for a tool that offers a range of features to better understand their customers. 7. Freshsales: Freshsales is a full-fledged sales CRM software for businesses that range from startups to enterprises. With Freshsales you don't need multiple tools to drive sales anymore. The major advantages of choosing Freshsales are below Simple UI with powerful features Detailed overview of leads & customers Configurable dashboards and reports Great integrations It also offers a free forever plan for unlimited users with basic contact management and a built-in phone system. The Right CRM Software for You: When choosing from our list of the top CRM for small businesses list, make sure you know what you want from your CRM. If you want a more basic, low-cost CRM then opt for one that is free or cheaper. Or if you want one that has all the trimmings and helps you understand and analyze all parts of your business, then opt for one that has more features. Discover more of the latest technology news now. Read Also: CRMDialer: A Zoho Alternative What You Need To Know When Outsourcing SEO Custom Standup Pouches For Small Businesses 7 Ways Technology Can Help In Customer Management And Sales 5 Critical Branding Tips To Attract New Clients To Your Auto Parts Shop 3 Encryption Trends And How They Make Communication More Secure Why An Automated Sales CRM Platform Is What Your Business Needs To Take Off
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5 Critical Branding Tips to Attract New Clients to Your Auto Parts Shop
Building a brand is hard work. You have to really understand your business, your market, and your customers. Then you have to learn all the new social media tricks while keeping your traditional customers happy. Thankfully, getting started doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here are 5 branding tips to help you establish your auto part shop's brand. Basic Branding Tips: Start here before checking out the actionable steps. Before making any branding decisions make sure you have a clear vision of who you are and what you do. We know, we know, it should be obvious that an auto body shop fixes cars right? The trick is conveying that in your branding strategy. Make sure you know exactly what image you want your brand to present. 1. Know Your Existing Brand: When most small businesses set out to build a brand they forget that they already have one. Your reputation with customers, suppliers, and the local community is the foundation of your branding efforts. Ask regulars what they like about the way you do things. Get people to join your mailing or emailing list with each purchase. This lets you find out what the community already thinks about you and shapes your branding efforts going forward. 2. Clarity Is Key: You can have the best, most viral campaign ever and it won't do you any good if people don't know what it's actually for. Make sure any move you make is clear on what your business is. That doesn't mean you need a broken car in every picture. Just be clear in any logos, names, and promotional materials what your business is and what it does. 3. Produce and Display Value: No matter what your business does you have to produce value. That's the only reason people will use your services. Be certain that a value approach drives your small business branding strategy. Don't just go for attention-grabbing techniques. Try to embody the core principles and benefit you bring to customers. Let them know why and how you'll work hard to help them with their problems. A great start would be explaining the long term benefits of high-quality parts. 4. Get Online: No one would accuse an auto parts shop of being a startup. That doesn't mean you can't use the newest customer engagement tools to your advantage. Create profiles for your shop on social media. Find a few hashtags that work for your business and use them strategically. Building a brand takes time and requires you to learn new techniques. Check out sites like https://www.ultrex.com.au/brand/subaru/ for good examples. 5. Always be Scaling: A lot of people slow down once their brand is established. This is a mistake. Creating a brand is just the first step in your business' journey to prosperity. You need to make that brand work for you and your goals. Once you've built your brand image you're perfectly placed to scale. Add in new programs that leverage your existing customer base and brand recognition, such as: Referral programs Giveaways Local sponsorships Email list marketing You want to seamlessly combine old school local business practices with the wonders of modern media. Don't Be Afraid to Try: Establishing a brand from nothing is nerve-wracking. As long as you follow the best branding tips available it can be easier than you think. For more useful branding and small business tips, check out our other articles here. Read Also: 5 Tools That Can Help You Get Your Business Organized How We Could Be Able To Get Benefits From The Outdoor Marketing 4 Simple And Cheap Methods To Attract More Customers For Your Small Business
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Custom Standup Pouches for Small Businesses
In 2018, the number of businesses that were using standup pouches increased by a high percentage. The custom printed pouches offer more to small businesses when it comes to convenience, affordability among other many other features. Gone are the days when businesses ignore the importance of proper packaging, small businesses are now investing more money into the packaging. The businesses that benefit the most from stand-up pouches are the companies dealing in food and beverage. Unlike the big companies, medium-sized and small companies can't sell a lot of merchandise in the retail stores. Due to this low sales return, many small businesses will focus more on cutting costs, and one of the sectors that suffer the most is the packaging. A small business owner will find it more affordable to use paper bags to pack their items. To add a little twist to the packaging, they will add a simple label on the packaging to brand their product. However, with time as the number of consumers grows, this form of packaging no longer seems like a feasible idea for your company. Your production quantity has to increase, and you have to adopt a new packaging strategy. Your old packaging style will be subjected to errors like wrong labeling or the paper bags getting torn and the products getting damaged. These simple mistakes within a short time start to bring losses in the production which cannot be ignored. At this juncture, most small businesses have no option but to adopt the custom stand-up pouches. What Are The Options Available With Stand-Up Pouches? Stand up pouches come with plenty of options, that a small business can utilize to make sure they deliver the best services in packaging their products. In addition to that, they come as a cost-effective option especially if you are a startup company. The standup pouches can be used in packing a wide variety of products. Compared to the ordinary paper bags, the standup pouches can withstand any form of roughness without getting damaged. The standup pouches cannot experience other challenges faced by paper bags like wrong labeling since they have the option of the company printing their label on the pouches. Label pasting or printing can be done anywhere and is also very cost-effective; you have a wide variety of printing options for your label. Depending on your production supply you can consider label pasting or label printing. The challenge with label pasting is that it is not very efficient when dealing with a large stockpile. Label printing offers a more attractive option. A small business can opt for custom printed standup pouches. The custom printed pouches are also cost-effective in the long run. What Are The Printing Options Businesses Can Consider? There are several printing options small businesses can consider. The printing options are high quality and offer flexible packaging options especially with food and beverage products. The printing of one’s product details has many advantages: it’s a useful visual marketing strategy, the printing of the brand in beautiful colors and letters increases the attractiveness of the packaging of your product, improved brand awareness, and lastly increased sales. Small businesses benefit from reduced cost in production by adapting standup pouches since the bags are very affordable. They are cheap and have low minimum run. If you compare the cost of a folded cartoon and that of standup pouches that are customized, you will find that the standup pouches are way cheaper. Since they are more reliable when it comes to protection of the product, then you don’t have to worry about your products getting damaged in storage or during transportation. The space used in storage when you sue the standup pouches is less compared to the other packaging options used by other companies. When picking your standup pouch design, it’s essential for your team to answer the following questions: 1. What kind of product is your small business producing and selling: How delicate is your product, what is the size of your product and what are the materials used in making your product? Simple facts like the perishability of product and the shelf life will play an important role in picking the best standup pouch design for your product. Each product has some logistics that must be taken into consideration when designing its packaging. 2. What is your target market? Who will be buying your product: Understanding the nature of your target market and their preferences is very important? For instance, the packaging you use when designing the packaging for men’s’ products will be fairly different than those used for those on women’s’ products. When surveying your potential clients, special things like age, sex, preferences, culture and religious boundaries have to be taken into great consideration. The ability to fully understand your customer will give you an idea of what packaging to use that they will find very attractive. If you are targeting the older generation, you will consider using larger texts in your printing, while a target market that is more affluent will want something that is classier and more luxurious. 3. How will your client buy your product: will the product be purchased in a retail store or online? Products that will be sold online don’t face the same stiff competition from similar products like the goods that are sold in a retail store. If you are products will be sold online then you don’t need to have extra space in the packaging as this will make the product to rattle a lot, or it will bend when being transported. If your products will be sold on the shelves of a boutique, then the packaging needs to eye-catching and cute. After answering these questions, you will have the opportunity to come up with different ideas on the ideal packaging to use. Product packaging is a practical tool since with the proper packaging you will be able to tell a story of your product. This means your story needs to very engaging, sensual, and awakens all the senses in a potential buyer. With the above questions fully answered your team will get a chance to come up with a packaging that will not only secure the product but also sell it to the current and potential buyers. Read Also: Building A Brand For Your Small Business 5 Ways To Reduce The Packaging Cost In Your Business
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Ready to Take the Leap into Self-Employment? Here’s How to Set up an Awesome Home Office
Working from a home office can be amazing. A study showed that 3.9 million Americans have gone the way of a home office. It can help you have a work-life balance, and you don't have to commute anywhere. Dress codes are flexible too. To maximize your efficiency, you need an awesome home office. Here are some helpful tips to make sure you create a space that inspires you to work. Where Will You Have Your Office? Decide what part of your home you will work in. For some, there aren't many options, so it's off to the sofa or kitchen table for work. For others, there is that perfect space that will minimize outside distractions, and let you move around freely. Plan Your Awesome Home Office: Now you need to plan how to make your space comfortable. If you live in an area where it gets cold, you want to be able to work without shivering. This is where you should consider your options for window coverings and flooring. Painting, flooring, and the structures in your space are the canvas for a home office that will serve you best. Before you move anything in, see what you want to change first. Prepare Your Seat: It goes without saying that you need to be able to sit comfortably while you do your best work. A quality office chair with multiple adjustments, like the ones at winc.com.au, will allow you to find that sweet spot where you can focus for hours without any aches. Have Good Lighting: Set up your work area close to a window. You want to get your daily share of vitamin D from natural light. It will help your mood, and will also look great. Don't stop there. You need a few more lamps so that you can read and use other parts of your workspace when the sun isn't shining. Plan Against Clutter: How much time do you spend per year searching for papers? You can plan to prevent that. Having stacks of books and paper around your desk will hamper your productivity. Your things have to go somewhere, so decide how you will store them. Perhaps you have another room for that. What will you use for storage? A file cabinet or some modern looking boxes on a shelf? If you have a lot of wires in your office, add cord holder under your desk and minimize how many extension cords you need. Walking into a tidy home office setup feels great. It's only one of the secrets of a productive home office. Add Some Comfort: You don't need to do all work at a desk. Sometimes you need a space where you move, stretch, and have some time to think. A sitting area is great to have if your space allows for it. Thinking about adding in a soft chair, leather ottoman, coffee table, rugs, and lamps. With a space like this, you will be happy to take a thinking break or invite clients over. Personalize Your Space: Now you can put your own special touch on your home office. Designer posters, personal photos, or one differently painted focus wall are only a few ways you can start to achieve this. Do you have a style you love, but it's not right for your entire home? Your home office could be the place for that. Remember to cater to you first. If you like your space, you'll work better in it. The Perfect Office Setup: There is no one solution, but by knowing yourself and how you work, you can fit these tips into an awesome home office that suits your style. If you're starting to work from home this year, check out our small business section for more helpful posts. Read Also: Necessary Spaces To Include In Building Your Office 6 Techniques To Improve Your Work-From-Home Career
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The Need to Settle End of Tenancy Issues Before Leaving
Small businesses usually rent a small office space given the number of employees who need to work in the same place. If you decided to rent a small office in a popular commercial establishment, you could sign a lease for about a year. Once the contract is over, you can decide to continue it or not. After a year, if your business has already grown drastically, and you intend to hire more employees to join you, it does not make sense to stay in the same place. You need to find a bigger office where you can successfully conduct all your operations. Before you leave the current office, you need to deal with the end of tenancy issues. You don't want to have problems with the owner of the space and not get your deposit back. Read the contract: You need to go through the agreement again to determine what you need to do as your tenancy is about to end. You might have to inform the landlord a month or so in advance that you don't intend to continue your lease. There might also be other stipulations you need to be familiar with before you decide to pursue the next steps. Deal with repair issues: A part of the contract is to keep the place in good condition. Some contracts might have clauses about damage due to wear and tear, which is perfectly fine. However, there might be other severe damage that you need to repair before you leave. Otherwise, the landlord could charge the amount to your deposit, and you won’t get it back in full. Clean the office: If you intend to leave soon, you need to start looking for a new place at least three months in advance. You will then have enough time to ask your employees to pack their stuff and move to the new office. If they will be busy packing their things, you can’t expect them to deal with general cleaning too. Besides, they are also doing their regular job while moving. You need professional cleaners like the ones at www.twinkleclean.co to do the job. They will make sure that the place will look as good as new. When the landlord checks the site, it will feel like no one rented and used it. If you feel satisfied with the services provided by the cleaning company you choose, you can partner with them again when you move to your new office. Pay any outstanding bills: you won't leave, you need to settle all your bills. You might still have packing them to pay. Tell your employees to do the same if they borrowed something from nearby establishments. You don’t want to start in a new office elsewhere with issues still unresolved in your old office. Once you finish doing all these things, you will be ready for a fresh start. Keep in mind everything that you do when you leave the old office since you might go through the same process again in the future when your new lease expires. Read Also: Necessary Spaces To Include In Building Your Office Choosing Open Office Space Vs Cubicle Office Space
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8 Tried and Tested Secrets of a Productive Home Office
Whether you are an entrepreneur or you run your own business from home, or you are simply doing your office work, offices in the home are more than just a simple working space. Not only it gives you the freedom to work with ease, but it’s also a place where your work productivity depends upon. You can also transform your garage into your Productive home office. You can use the garage space for your office creation. If you are in a home and want space to not affect your productivity, here are some of the tips to help you: Different Tips You Can Follow For Creating Productive Home office There are different tips and tricks you can apply for creating your Productive home office. In this article, you will get the complete details of it. Try to follow some key tips that can work well in your favor. Do not make your choices in grey as it can defame your dreams. Do not make things more complicated for yourself. 1. Be A Mouse Find a nook and start working. Be it a corner of your room, or the divided study, find the space that makes you feel comfortable while working. Also, make sure that the place doesn’t amalgamate with noisy rooms. Busy rooms make the worst space to work, so find a distraction-free space where you can focus. 2. Declutter Space Although it's obvious to see extra pens and papers swimming on your desk, they can detract from your work and can hamper your productivity. Let your space think so that you can work peacefully. Allot different space to everything with your working device only on the table. 3. Segregated Log House If you have kids at home who constantly keep you nagging between your work, you surely need an individual workspace. While a study would be fine, kids can invade that too. However, you can construct a small log home to work in peace. You can even go for a log cabin kit if you don’t wish to build a complete house. 4. Green Can Help Make your workspace look appealing by bringing some outdoors into your space. A plant on the desk or floor is the perfect way to add a fresh feel to space. This will also give you a break from the screen when needed and will look pleasing to the eyes. You can add a small cactus or a succulent if you are not a fan of huge planters and pots. 5. Comfort Is Important Don’t create such an environment as you are napping, but you can incorporate something comfortable to relax during breaks. Since it’s hard to be focused by constantly straining to see screens, good and comfortable seating will prevent your fatigue and will increase productivity. Invest in a good office chair or a couch. If you are tired of seating too long, have a standing table in one corner. Things like small cushions, anti-glare screens and more can up your comfort level allowing you to stay focused during work. 6. Lighting Maximize work by incorporating good lighting to boost energy and also to reduce eye strain. If possible, increase natural light and let the fresh air come in. If it's impossible to bring natural light, use bright white bulbs to make the room look brighter. 7. Color Color can make a huge difference to your productivity, so use it smartly. While soft hues can give you soothing effects, yellow hues aim to increase creativity and induce a feeling of relaxation. So choose the colors that suit your personality and bring them into your productive home office. You can also add colors through accent wall painting or can paint the entire space. 8. Scents Also Work The key to staying active all day is a nice smelling room, and that means incorporating scents. You can use peppermint to add freshness and to energize the space. Also, peppermint can help you concentrate on your work. If peppermint is not your smell, use citrus scents to de-stress and to uplift mood. Diffused candles and essential oil diffusers are also a great way to make your scented game strong and your room refreshing. Well, it’s no secret that the office environment plays a major role in your product. However, the above tips can also help you to create a productive home office. Final Take Away Hence, these are some of the factors that you have to take care of while you want to build your own productive home office space that is essential for your business. Try to make things work well in your favor as it is one of the crucial aspects for your business to encounter at your end. Work well in all the aspects that can help you to achieve your business objectives in the right way and in a short span of time. Read Also : 8 Ways You Can Improve Safety In A Workplace Exploring A Full-Time Remote Working Opportunity The Best Pro Tips For Setting Up An Awesome Home Office
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