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Implement technology in a Finance firm: Everything you need to know

5/7/2022

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Image credit: Pexels from Pixabay
People don’t like change, regardless of how positive it might be for them. That couldn’t be seen more clearly than in the workplace. Employees want to turn up and do their jobs without needing to adapt. That makes implementing new technology in your finance company relatively difficult.

It doesn’t need to be nearly as complicated as you could seem, however. Once you know how to implement technology in a finance company, it seems much more straightforward. With a few particular steps, you shouldn’t have a problem seeing the various benefits that fintech offers your firm.

Benefits of technology in Finance
Speaking of benefits, you could wonder what these are. There are more than a few, many of which you mightn’t have thought of, making upgrading or adding technology more than attractive. Some of the most notable of these include:
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  • Better Customer Experience - Your customers will often prefer to do things digitally instead of needing to come to your premises. Naturally, technology lets them do so, which improves your customer service.
  • Cost Reduction - Fintech lets you get various duties done much faster than you could think, which reduces the labour needed for them, reducing your overall labour costs. You can also use technology to determine areas of improvement, which could end up reducing your costs even further.
  • Greater Efficiency - Technology lets your employees do their jobs better and to a higher standard, improving their overall efficiency. With the practical implications of this, you should see your employees doing more work with less effort. It’ll end up benefiting your business even further.

With the various benefits that technology offers finance, implementing into your financial firm may seem attractive. It’s easy to see why. With the potential problems that could come up, figuring out how to implement technology in a finance company can seem difficult.

Far from it. With a few particular steps, it’ll be easier than you think.

How to implement technology in a Finance company: 5 steps to take

1. Have an oversight team
Someone will need to oversee the implementation of any new technology. They’ll be responsible for planning out the entire process while making sure it goes smoothly. Putting together a team specifically for this is recommended, as it spreads the workload across several people.

With this approach, everything should go much smoother than you’d think, provided there’s consistent communication throughout. You could find that you don’t have an appropriate team to put together for this, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

Instead, you could hire an outside consultancy, such as
Liberty IT Consulting Group, for this. By doing so, you can take advantage of expertise and rest assured that the process goes as smoothly as possible. Though that involves an extra cost, the benefits will be worth it, especially in the long term.


2. Focus on what solves problems
With the potential benefits that technology offers financial firms, it’s tempting to get them so you can take advantage of these benefits. You shouldn’t dive straight in, however, as not all technology will be as beneficial to your company as others. Some will come much better recommended than others.

Focusing on any problems or issues your company has should be a priority. Where can your finance business get better? What, specifically, can be improved, and is there a technological solution that can address it? Answering these questions can better help you figure out which technology to use.


Once you do, you’ll see much greater benefits with your business. The impact of the software will be more obvious, especially long term. While that means spending time comparing options, the return on investment will be better worth it.


3. Work out the kinks
Once you’ve identified the technology you want to implement in your firm, you could be tempted to deploy it as quickly as possible. That mightn’t be an effective strategy. Instead, it could be better worth having a trial run with a limited number of employees to make sure it’s as effective for your business as you want.

Consider this a way to test the feasibility of the technology for your business. When you’re doing so, you can figure out how beneficial it will be. You can then use this to convince any potential nay-sayers that the technology is worth the cost of implementing it.


At the same time, you’ll end up figuring out if there are any kinks that need to be worked out before it’s deployed company-wide. Taking this approach makes sure there will be as few issues as possible once you’ve launched everything.

You can also use this to get feedback from your testers and find out what possible concerns employees may have, while letting you proactively address them. With a trial run, you can make sure the full deployment goes as smoothly as possible.

4. Upskill your staff
With any new tool you add to your company, you’ll need to make sure your employees can use it. While some of yours might already know how to do so, many of them mightn’t, so you’ll need to train them. You’ll need to go about this the right way to ensure everyone knows what they’re doing.

You’re not likely to see all of the benefits of the technology otherwise. You should aim for these training sessions to be as engaging as possible. When you’re planning this out, keep a few things in mind, namely:

  • Your employees may have different learning styles from each other, so they may need to be taught differently.
  • Asking for feedback lets you adjust training sessions to better suit your employees.
  • Making the training personal lets employees understand how the technology applies to their job and why they need to use it.

Once you’ve fully trained your staff in the technology, you can rest assured they can hit the ground running once it’s been deployed. You’ll have much fewer delays and problems to deal with once it’s been launched.


5. Launch your tech
Now that all of the above have been taken care of, it’s time to launch your tech. That doesn’t mean you’re done now that you’ve deployed it in your company. Despite how much testing you may have done beforehand, it’s possible that things can still go wrong. You’ll need to make sure everything’s going as expected.

That means monitoring your business as the technology is deployed and making sure it’s having the effect you thought it would. It’s possible that things could be slightly different from what you intended. If problems do come up - even minor ones - you’ll need to take care of them as early as possible.


Making them a priority from the start and learning from them will make sure you don’t make the same mistake again in the future. As overwhelming as this may seem, the problems that do come up should be relatively minor and be easy to tackle, especially if you’ve planned everything out effectively.


Technologies driving the Finance industry
Technology is a broad area, even when it relates specifically to tools that can be used in a financial firm.  More than a few types of tools are used across the finance industry, with each of these offering more than a few pros and cons.


It can be more than worth implementing each of them, as they’ll offer practical implications for your company. Some of the
more notable technologies driving the finance industry include:

  • FinTech - A shortening of ‘financial technology’, this refers to any technology specifically focused on financial tasks and services. You can typically find companies offering various FinTech related services to help you run your company more effectively.
  • BlockChain - Perhaps most closely associated with cryptocurrencies, the blockchain can be used for various financial tasks, with this boasting a potentially transformational effect on the entire finance industry. 
  • Digital Platforms - Digital platforms offer more than a few practical benefits when in use, such as letting customers pay for products or services through an app or on your website. Many of these are cloud-based, so you wouldn’t need to worry about them going down and interrupting operations.
  • Artificial Intelligence - Artificial intelligence has been going from strength to strength over the past decade or so. It’s becoming increasingly more used in the finance world, as it can be used for analysis, predictions, forecasts, and much more.

Combined with each of the above benefits, there’s no reason not to consider implementing technology in your finance firm. The various types of technology you can use offer their own pros and cons.

While they could take some time and effort to implement into your company, it’ll be more than worth the effort. 

How to implement technology in a Finance company: Wrapping up
If you don’t know how to implement technology in a finance company, you could think the process would be overwhelming. That doesn’t need to be the case, as it’s much easier than you’d expect, especially with the above steps. With the potential benefits on offer, there shouldn’t be anything getting in your way.
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Turning your DIY side hustle into a successful business: 5 steps to take

29/6/2022

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Image credit: Ivan Samkov from Pexels
If you love spending time on your DIY projects, you are certainly not alone! Seeing your creations coming to life and being appreciated by others can be a source of endless satisfaction, pride, and joy. And, if you have already turned your passion into a successful side hustle, the chances are that you have also improved your finances through your skills. 

After all, according to recent surveys, the average side hustler takes home an average of
£6,300 more a year!


But what if you are ready to take things to the next level and turn your passion into your main source of income? With the steps below, you can transform your side hustle into a profitable, successful business. 


Start outsourcing non-core tasks

As you begin to expand your operations, it is important to start considering the importance of relying on a team of experts. However, if you are just at the beginning of your journey towards founding a successful business, you might be operating on a shoestring. 

In this case, there are some non-core areas of your business that you can outsource to increase your chances of success. 
Some of the best tasks you should outsource and leave in the hands of experts include marketing, accounting, logistics, and shipping. Outsourcing these tasks can help you focus on your creations and ramp up production. 

Find suppliers you can trust

When handling a side hustle, you might have the time to source each individual item and choose every material. While in the beginning, hand-picking your supplies can give you a competitive edge, as your operations grow, you will need to find suppliers you can trust. 


For example, if you rely on
industrial adhesives to bring your DIY creations to life, you will need to find a supplier that keeps up the highest quality standards, delivers on time, and meets your specific needs. 


Invest in marketing

Marketing is a pain point for all new business owners: you want your business to be known and popular, but all you would want to focus on is your creations. While this is completely understandable, you don’t have to choose between marketing your business or finding the time to fulfil your existing orders. 


Instead, make sure to partner with an expert marketing team and allocate a consistent budget to deploy your marketing strategy.


Keep track of your finances

When transitioning from side hustle to a business, it is important not to leave behind your finances. Indeed, starting a business might require an initial investment and finance management. 


Don’t forget that poor cash flow forecasting is the main culprit behind
80% of business failures! If you are unsure about how to manage your finances, working with a specialised advisor or accountant can help. 


Continue improving your skills

The success of your DIY business purely relies on the quality and uniqueness of your creations. So, make sure to keep up your competitive edge by investing in yourself! Learning new techniques can help you stay ahead of the competition in the long run.

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Outsource these areas to boost your chances of success

29/6/2022

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Image credit: Austin Distel from Unsplash
You might be doing a disservice to both yourself and your company if you refuse to take advantage of the perks that come with outsourcing, which is a practice that is becoming increasingly popular year after year. This post examines five potential jobs that might be outsourced as a starting point for you if you are unclear whether or not you should do so.

Marketing
You will be able to devote more of your attention to other aspects of your company if you outsource your marketing, despite the fact that marketing is an essential component of every organization. It is easy for businesses to wind up with a web presence that is nothing more than a copy and paste job, what with keyword research, content review, on-page optimization, and internal linking. This kind of web presence does not generate engagement or conversions. When it comes to marketing, small business owners often lack the time, resources, and experience to handle all that goes into a successful SEO strategy. For this reason, outsourcing to a
top SEO agency might be an absolute necessity for these entrepreneurs.


Accounting 

The level of intricacy involved in operating a corporation can, at times, feel overwhelming; when this occurs, outsourcing becomes an absolutely necessary practice. The accounting function should be contracted out initially. When you outsource your accounting, you free up your time and energy to concentrate on the operational details of your business, its goods, or its services. When you outsource work, you may put your confidence in people who are highly skilled in a certain area. Your books will be kept in order by someone who knows what they are doing and possesses all of the essential abilities. This will free up your time so that you can focus on other aspects of your business that require more attention.


Cybersecurity
Every single company, regardless of its size, is susceptible to the dangers posed by cybersecurity attacks. Every day, a new danger comes to light, and in order to protect your company from being a victim, you need to make sure that your company is always up to speed on the most recent advances in this area. Regardless of the size of your company, you should consider making the investment necessary to get the services of a knowledgeable professional in this field.

Payroll

Payroll management is outside the capabilities of the vast majority of small enterprises, both in terms of resources and knowledge. You have a responsibility to ensure that your employees are paid appropriately, that you submit all relevant data, and that you comply with all laws and regulations. This activity calls for a great deal of focus and attention to detail, and it is frequently difficult. It is likely going to be in your best interest to outsource your payroll to a professional if you do not have the time or the abilities necessary to handle these responsibilities on your own.


Assistance to customers
Customer service is typically a significant focus for owners of smaller firms. It is possible that you spend hours upon hours talking to clients, replying to emails, and solving problems that arise. And although providing excellent customer service is very necessary, it may be quite time-consuming.

At this point, it may be beneficial to outsource one's customer service needs. Some businesses have customer service personnel on staff who are trained to handle issues and complaints brought out by customers. Because these reps are experts, they are aware of how to address these concerns in a way that will keep clients satisfied. They are also aware of what to do in the event that an issue emerges and are able to solve it in a way that does not require any participation from you.
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Accelerating growth: Tips to drive your Business forward

28/6/2022

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Growing a business is a challenge, but there are ways to accelerate expansion and drive your business forward. If you’re on a mission to go further, faster, here are some tips.

Modernize your marketing strategy
Marketing can be a hugely effective way to raise brand awareness and increase profits. Spending money on marketing is beneficial, but it doesn’t always guarantee success. If your marketing campaigns are not delivering results, or you think you could achieve more, it’s wise to review and refresh your strategy to optimize ROI. Consider seeking professional advice if you don’t have marketers on your team and use analytics. Streamline your strategy to focus on methods and channels that will reach the target audience and make sure the content and materials you share are relevant to your ideal customer. 

Marketing evolves constantly, and it’s important to be aware of the impact of new techniques and trends. If your business targets young people aged 16-35, for example, have you thought about increasing spending on social media marketing and working with influencers? Influencer marketing can boost sales quickly, but it’s important to choose the right influencers and draw up an agreement with commercial solicitors. The influencer should be relatable to your target audience and they should have an interest in your industry or field. It’s also essential to consider the type of content you produce and share. Studies suggest that videos are more likely to be shared than images and text. 

Outsource
Outsourcing can be beneficial for businesses across all industries. It offers an alternative to hiring and recruiting while enabling company owners to access skills they don’t have on their team. Look for opportunities to outsource time-consuming tasks and take advantage of skills and services you don’t have in-house. Outsourcing should help you improve your business performance and free up time for your core team. If you run a clothing store with an online shop, for example, you may decide to outsource digital marketing and logistics. If you own a medical or dental practice, you could outsource IT support, cleaning and marketing. 

Boost client retention rates
Attracting new customers will help you to expand your business, but it’s crucial to keep hold of loyal clients. Research shows that existing customers spend more and they also play an instrumental role in helping you to find new clients through referrals, recommendations and positive reviews. Boosting client retention rates will enhance your brand image and reputation, increase sales and help you grow your client base. You can improve retention rates by rewarding loyalty, offering exclusive access to perks and discounts for loyal customers and staying competitive. Use customer feedback to make improvements and keep an eye on your competitors to make sure that you offer your clients the best service. 

Many business owners dream of growing their company. If you’re eager to expand and you have ambitions to drive your business forward, modernize your marketing strategy, consider outsourcing and try to boost client retention rates. Keep up with marketing trends, use outsourcing to boost efficiency and improve performance, and focus on keeping hold of loyal customers as well as attracting new clients.
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You should take these steps for your company moving ahead

22/6/2022

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Being a business owner is a lucrative but demanding job. While some things are continually reviewed, analysed, and evaluated to see how we can expand the business, other things go unnoticed. Things like strengthening your relationships with customers could have a significant impact and produce results we never anticipated. The following are a few things you might want to consider doing for your business this year that might go unnoticed but will help you and your employees feel happier, healthier, and more inspired to work to make the business grow and succeed in the upcoming year. 

The vitality of retention 

Finding and onboarding new personnel takes a lot of time and effort for businesses with a
high staff turnover rate. They need to replace staff so regularly because they frequently treat their employees terribly once they have them. A company's capacity to retain personnel is crucial to its success. In addition to saving money on hiring and training employees, you may mould and progress employees within the company. that your employees actually care about the company, are dedicated to the brand, and want it to flourish. Someone might be employed for a straightforward job, like a call centre agent, but they might also be enrolled in marketing night school. 


Maintain a clean and safe workplace

There has been a lot of concern regarding workplace cleanliness because there are so many individuals in one place as a result of the pandemic. If your normal cleaners did a deep clean once every two weeks or once a month, it would be advantageous even if you already have cleaners on staff. In addition to all the other areas they usually ignore, this would allow them to clean the microwave and refrigerator. By doing this, you may ensure that any unwelcome bacteria or germs are kept out of your office. 


Increasing workplace productivity 

Any business can stand to gain something, and increasing production and efficiency is one of those chances. There are many other approaches you can use; for instance, did you know that happy people who enjoy their work are motivated to work harder? Maintain their happiness by providing them with minor prizes and incentives, and if they offer suggestions, consider them. You can also talk to your IT team; while they manage the servers and put out fires as they happen, they might be able to streamline some aspects of the business and come up with other ideas to make operations run more smoothly and efficiently. The solution is in your effort! 


Prepare yourself for every possibility
Running a business entails taking ownership of all outcomes, good or poor. The other people in the building, including the staff and customers, are under your care as well. Making sure you have things like a first aid pack and doing a risk assessment will be beneficial.

Moving your company ahead looks different for different companies like branding yourself in the right way with branded vending trays, taking on new staff or outsourcing work to experts.
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4 steps to creating a profitable and automated e-commerce store

21/6/2022

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​There are a lot of perks to having an automated eCommerce store. Not only can it be more profitable, but it can also require less maintenance in the long run. If you're looking to create an automated eCommerce store, there are four steps you'll need to follow: choosing the right platform, setting up your products, automating your sales process, and setting up your shipping. In this blog post, we'll walk you through each step so you can create a successful and profitable automated eCommerce store!

1) Choose the right platform:
The first step to creating an automated eCommerce store is choosing the right platform. You'll want to
choose a user-friendly platform with all the features you need and integrate with any other software you might be using. There are a lot of great eCommerce platforms out there, so take your time to research which one will work best for you and your business.


Some popular eCommerce platforms include Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce. These platforms are an excellent option for those looking for an all-in-one solution. They handle everything from hosting to payments to security, so you can focus on running your business. Plus, it's easy to use, even if you're not a tech-savvy person.


2) Sell desirable products:

The next step is to choose the products you want to sell. Again, this might seem like a no-brainer, but it's essential to take some time to think about what products will be most profitable and
desirable to your target market. You'll also want to ensure that the products you choose can easily be shipped and stored.


Once you've chosen the products you want to sell, it's time to set up your store! This is where you'll add your product information, photos, prices, etc. Make sure everything is clear and easy for customers to find. If your store is difficult to navigate, potential customers will likely leave and never return.


3) Invest in storage solutions for your Business

After you've set up your store and added all your products, it's time to start thinking about how you will fulfill orders - one option is to look at partitioning units from
psllimited.co.uk. However, this is also where automation comes in. You'll want to find a way to automate your sales process so that orders are placed, processed, and shipped without you having to lift a finger.


One option is to use an eCommerce fulfillment service. These services will pick, pack, and ship your orders for you. They can even handle returns and customer service issues. This is an excellent option if you don't have the time or resources to do it yourself.


4) Automate repetitive tasks from the start:

Another option is to use eCommerce automation software. This type of software will automate all the repetitive tasks in your sales process, from placing orders to processing payments. This can save you time and money in the long run, so it's worth considering if you're serious about automating your eCommerce store.


There are many great options out there, so do your research and find the one that's right for you. These are just a few things to remember when creating an automated eCommerce store. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to having a successful and profitable business! 

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Learning to let go as a business leader

18/6/2022

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Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio: from Pexels
If you’re a business leader, it can be easy to try and do everything yourself. You want to be in control, you want to know everything that’s going on, and you want to have the opportunity to double check everything before it goes live. And when you’re a new business leader, trying to run all of these areas can wear you down and turn you off of business for life! It’s why most business leaders need to learn to let go, and that’s what this post is here to help with.

Allow your employees to take initiative

Your employees deserve a chance to shine, don’t you think? So why not take a step back and allow them to take some initiative and solve a problem or two without your input? Let their natural skills and talents win through; it’s one of the best ways to spot the knowledge gaps in your company, as well as see who’s deserving of a promotion and all its benefits. 


Focus on your work/ life balance

Once you’ve got a bit of free time on your side, you can start to focus on what you need to do outside of work. You can approach that
work/life balance in a healthier way; that’s crucial to living a long and happy life, and no longer will you need to dedicate so much of yourself to your business. You’ve built it to a place where it can function without you, which is always a good sign for longevity, and you should try to embrace that for the future. 


Find use in outsourcing

Outsourcing your tasks to companies and professional freelancers who know what they’re doing is a great way to conquer your seeming inability to delegate things out. You get a little taste of just how much good work can come your way even when you’re not in control, and you get some free time to focus your attention elsewhere. All in all it’s a pretty good cocktail! So call in some
commercial cleaning services, sign a contract with an accountant to see to the books once a month, and regularly comb through portfolios to find the next great talent to work for you.


Become a mentor

If you’ve got good experience in running a business, why not turn your hand to becoming a mentor? You’ve got all the right employees in the right places, you know how to spot a good outsourcing contact, and you understand what it takes to build a company, right down to the tiny details. And that’s invaluable information that other would-be business leaders would love to have. You can make your own course, write a book, or even become a consultant for hire - it's a great way to take your name and brand to the next profitable level! 


Letting go is necessary as a business leader; you’ve got a lot on your plate, and you can’t juggle it all. It’s a strength to be able to delegate!

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Effective ways to reduce workplace distractions

17/6/2022

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Research shows that the average employee is interrupted every 3 minutes or 50 to 60 times daily. Unfortunately, most of these interruptions are unimportant and offer no value to the company. The worst part is that workplace distractions and disruptions are not only making employees less productive but also significantly contributing to workplace stress, according to experts. This can be a major barrier to business progress. So, how can business owners reduce workplace disruption and improve productivity? Here are four effective ways. 

1. Reduce office noise levels

Workplace ambiance noise, especially in open office spaces, is pretty common. Everyday working practices generate noise which builds up quickly as the day progresses. While many workers may be used to workplace noise, studies have shown that it diminishes productivity. Identifying and tackling the major contributing factors is a good way to reduce office noise. For example, are there too many short meetings? Put an end to them. Are the photocopy machines too noisy? Get them serviced. Do people move about too much? Is the busy street noise flooding the office space? Make acoustic upgrades to your office space. For example, you can take advantage of the acoustic properties of fire rated windows to seal off outside noise and create a working space with minimal sound disruptions. 

2. Encourage your workers to set task time limits

Email notifications, social media alerts, several calls, and coffee breaks— all these tiny distractions can quickly add up to eat out a chunk of your employees’ work time. One way to limit these disruptions or their effect is to encourage your workers to set time limits on their tasks. That will help them focus on a task until it’s completed before attending to anything else. For example, if a task should take an hour to complete, you can encourage your worker to turn off all notifications on the phone during that period until they complete their task. This approach will also help your workers use their time efficiently. 

3. Balance employee collaboration and privacy
The traditional office setup with privacy cubicles appears to be fading away, as many businesses are opting for more open workspaces to enhance collaboration and ideas sharing. But both office setups have their flaws. A traditional office space with cubicles can create cramped spaces, and an open workspace comes with many distractions. The trick is to balance both office setups to promote employee collaboration while offering privacy when needed. Your office setup can have spaces for group work and meetings. But there should also be privacy cubicles for those who need to complete concentration to work. 

4. Let your employees decide where they want to work
Not every task needs to be conducted in the office space, especially not when there are too many disruptions at work. Depending on the nature of assigned tasks, allow your workers to choose where they want to work, especially if the work can be done remotely. If someone finds more focus working from home or in a coffee shop, give them that flexibility, as long as it guarantees better results and increased productivity. 
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Make the most of business events to grow your network

15/6/2022

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Image credit: Austin Distel from Unsplash
Attending business events can be a fantastic tool to boost your career and chances of reaching new clients. Indeed, from trading shows to workshops, events can help you gather like-minded professionals who share the same values and interests. So, as a professional, if you are going to build a powerful network, your priority is to attend top quality events. 

​How does one recognize a valuable event? More often than not, the list of attendants and the activity schedule can provide insightful clues into what you can expect. Additionally, it can be a good idea to consider the event organizers. Indeed, professional organizers such as www.catalystevents.com.au have a long experience in running successful events for a variety of organizations. Therefore, you can trust a seasoned organizer with activity planning, service management, and attendant comfort and safety. Chances are that other participants and visitors will be suitable interlocutors to grow your professional network. 

Don't be your own enemy
Networking can be challenging. But, as a rule of thumb, the most successful networkers are those who do not let social and professional fears stand in their way. Indeed, being afraid of reaching out and meeting new people doesn't just affect your ability to network. It can also make you more likely to be overlooked by recruiters or managers because people tend to remember those they interacted with. 

Practice your lines
It can be awkward to introduce yourself at an event. But you can work on your introduction line to make your first move easier. Introducing yourself by name only may not be sufficient. Instead, you may need to set up the context, so people can easily build a connection. For instance, you could comment on a specific conference you attended with other participants and ask about their opinions. Alternatively, you can also state your name and company before explaining what you want to achieve from the event. Context makes you unforgettable and can bring you and your interlocutors closer.

Have a confidence booster with you
Whether you call it your feel-good item or your lucky charm, we all need a mood booster. It goes without saying that meeting new people can be daunting. So, you may feel more confident if you take something that puts a smile on your lips, whether it is the tie your kids got you for your latest birthday or a sweet note your partner left for you.

Be knowledgeable about the event and its participants
How do you know who you should talk to when attending an event? It can be a good idea to do your homework and carefully research each participant if the list is public. You can check company names and team profiles to recognize people. 
You can also consider LinkedIn research, so you can identify the most valuable contacts to talk to. It will also make it a lot easier to remember people's names and engage in conversations when you already have a good idea of their needs and interests. 

Networking can significantly benefit your career, helping you meet potential clients, future partners, or even employers. A solid network can open the doors to many unexpected opportunities. Yet, you need to seize the chance to turn event attendance into a networking sport that delivers career growth!
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How to create the wow factor for your in-store marketing campaigns

4/6/2022

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Image credit: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
A great first impression in business doesn't guarantee conversions. But it will certainly give your company a better shot at success. Therefore, creating the wow factor when building your marketing strategies should be king.

While this concept can go a long way to unlocking the full potential of your website, it should also ring true for in-store items. Here are some of the easiest and most effective ways to make it happen.

Get visual
Fancy animations and video marketing have delivered the wow factor for many years. However, the growing accessibility for SMEs means that your business cannot afford to ignore it. Teaming up with Projection Mapping Specialists will allow you to design ultra modern displays. From building walls to ornaments and non-flat surfaces, any object can become a part of the immersive experience.

Aside from using tech to its potential, it shows a commitment to detail and an ability to push boundaries. From impressing existing clients to winning new leads, it is the perfect starting point for your revamped marketing ideas.
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Image credit: Rodger Shija from Pixabay
Introduce VR and AR
Virtual reality and augmented reality have become major marketing aspects in recent years. In fact, there were many companies that used it heavily throughout the pandemic. It can now play a significant role for modern in-store experience across many sectors. It could show customers how different products would look on them, or how a hairstyle would influence their look. They are just two of many, many examples.

People love modern tech, and the use of VR and AR can create a wow factor for anyone who hasn’t used it before. It can speed up your processes while creating additional data capture points. In turn, this will help you tailor ongoing user experiences.

Use mobile POS terminals
Nobody wants to line up for ages in your store, especially when holding a promotional event. It was true in 2019, and feels even more significant in the post-pandemic era. Adding a mobile POS terminal adds versatility. And it allows staff members to deliver a convenient and personalised service to individuals. This gives them the VIP treatment time and time again while also accepting a wide range of payment types.

It may seem like a simple suggestion, but it has a massive impact on the consumer experience. When added to the opportunities to use this to improve trade shows and other events, ignoring it would be naive.

Choose the best packaging
Modern tech and modern features can impress customers as they visit your store. However, loving the brand counts for nothing if they don’t love the products too. Appreciating the importance of packaging design can have a huge influence on your sales figures. Selecting the right colour schemes, using eye-catching text, and using greener materials are all good options. It means products will stand out in third-party outlets.

Interacting with the packaging and opening a product is a central part of the consumer experience. As such, it can lead to increased loyalty for increased customer lifetime values. And that will leave you saying ‘wow’ too.
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How to set up your new office for comfort and success

3/6/2022

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Are you an entrepreneur with a start-up frame of mind? If you are preparing to create the company of your dreams and open a brick and mortar establishment, there are a few things you will need to do before you officially open up shop.

Furnish the office
After securing your company’s new location, it is time to outfit it with Office Furniture. The easiest way to obtain everything you need is to find one store that can provide you with the essentials to work well. Partnering with a company that offers Planning and Design services means you will have professional space planning options at your fingertips. They will guide you in designing and setting up the office to maximize or renovate the existing floor plan. They also offer architectural design changes as appropriate, so you are not just moving into the new building, it will be designed with your dreams in mind.

Some furniture that you will need right away are:

  • Desks
  • Desk chairs
  • Conference table
  • Conference Chairs
  • Reception area for staff and customers
  • Overhead lighting
  • Task lighting
  • Breakroom
  • Filing cabinets
  • Storage cabinets
  • Comfortable area to bounce ideas off of each other
  • Client meeting space

When furnishing your office, buy furniture that will last for years and stand up to daily use. Quality furniture is worth the investment because you will not have to waste money and time by buying it twice.

Keep things clean
You probably will not have the time to clean. Hiring a professional cleaning company is an effective way to ensure everything is done right. Here is a video from a cleaning service offering information on their best practices.

​Decorate the space

Adding artwork and other aesthetics to your new office space is a fun part of the process when starting a new company. You can do almost anything you want to reflect the vision of the company that you want the world to see. Let the design process follow your personality. Incorporate the company’s logo and colours into the layout scheme. This will serve to solidify the brand’s name and unique details within the staff and customers’ perceptions. 

Add potted plants of varying types and sizes. Select varieties that are easy to care for and will survive in whatever lighting is available. Assign someone to water the plants as part of their work responsibilities. Brown, wilted, and abandoned plants may reflect poorly and connote an air of neglect.

Provide sustenance
Being at work all day means a lot of things. It can equate to uninterrupted hours of productivity. Perhaps it equals deeper relationships with co-workers. One thing that time at work certainly means is making sure you and your team are well fed. 

Offer an assortment of teas and biscuits for the requisite tea time. Consider investing in an espresso or coffee machine. The availability of healthy snacks will leave your employees feeling good about themselves without the unfortunate sugar crash that will inevitably occur from eating junk food.​​
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​Be excited about your new endeavour. You have worked hard. Get ready to welcome new employees and customers into your office and show the world what you can do.
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3 ways to keep your employees safe at work

3/6/2022

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When you are an employer, you have a lot of responsibilities toward your employees. You need to make sure they have all the right equipment, for example, and that they understand the training that you are offering. You need to ensure that they are representing your business in the way you want them to. Plus, you need to keep them safe at work; everyone has the right to have a safe day of work and go home at the end of it. Read on to find out how this can be done.

Assess the environment
In order to understand the risks that might be present, you need to carry out a risk assessment within your workplace. This includes all the warehouse areas and yards as well as office spaces and vehicles. 


To do this, you should literally walk around the business with a notepad and pen, making notes of anything that could cause an accident or be dangerous in some way. This might be loose cabling, vehicles with keys left in them, piles of paper stacked up near a doorway, a blocked-up fire exit, or a door that doesn’t lock properly. Make notes of all of this and then fix each issue as quickly as possible to ensure that the working environment is safe. 


If you have a lot of machinery, this job can become more difficult; you may need
machinery-specific risk assessment training from ST&L to help you understand how to do the work properly, and this is very important. 


Get expert advice 

Just because you are the boss that doesn’t mean you automatically know how to keep your employees safe. You will have some idea of how it will work and of what you should do, but you might not have all the information you need or know quite how to implement your ideas. This is why asking for advice is a great idea. 


You can speak to a business mentor if you have one. They will have been in this situation, and they will know what it takes to keep your employees safe; listen to what they have to say and implement what you can. If you don’t have a mentor, there are other places to go for advice. You might try an online forum, for example, where employees can ask for and give advice. Or search online to get some ideas of what you can do to help. 


If you’re not sure about something, ask. You can’t be
an effective leader if you don’t have the answers yourself.


Create a welcoming work environment 

Finally, it’s not just about ‘being’ safe that is important (although this is, of course, vital); it is also about ‘feeling’ safe. When you create a welcoming work environment, that sense of safety and comfort will follow, making your employees happy to be working for you, and much more productive too. 


To do this, you need to provide them with everything they need to do their job and ensure they are comfortable –
ergonomic furniture, plenty of breaks, natural light, the right temperature, and a separate break room for snacks and time out are all important.
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Why small Businesses should be outsourcing their IT services

2/6/2022

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Businesses need to be digitally savvy in today’s digital world to stay ahead of the curve. That means having access to reliable IT services to keep your business running smoothly and efficiently. But for many small businesses, handling the day-to-day technology needs on their own can be a challenge. Outsourcing your IT services is one way to get the assistance you need while also streamlining internal processes and reducing costs. Here are some reasons you should consider outsourcing your IT services if you’re operating a small business.

Cost-effective

One of the most significant advantages of outsourcing your IT services is that it is cost-effective. While it may not be an option for larger organisations, it’s great for small businesses on a tight budget. When you outsource your IT services to professionals such as
OnPlatinum IT, you can select from a range of service-level agreements (SLAs), which will help to ensure predictability and consistency in your costs. You can also negotiate service-level agreements tailored to your needs and budget. And outsourcing your IT services doesn’t mean you have to hire an in-house team to manage these services for you. 


Frees up time

Outsourcing IT services can be a time- and energy-saving solution for many businesses. If you outsource your IT support, you don’t have to worry about hiring and retaining qualified staffers or training them on best practices. Contracted experts can also help you achieve maximum efficiency by using best practices and tools that work for your company. Outsourcing can also give you access to 24/7 support, which can help you avoid costly downtime and keep customers happy. 


One example of how outsourcing can free up your time and energy is in the area of cloud computing. If your business needs access to servers and other technology tools, but you don’t want to manage those systems internally, consider outsourcing them to a cloud service provider.
Cloud computing providers can help you quickly and easily access the tech tools you need.


Manage risks and disasters

Another advantage of outsourcing your IT services is that it can help increase security for your business. IT support providers can help you identify and mitigate
security risks and vulnerabilities. They also have access to tools and resources that a small business might not be able to attain on its own. For example, an outside firm has access to software and tools that can help you monitor your network for potential threats and vulnerabilities. It can also help you implement security protocols to protect your data and systems from malicious attacks.


Increased efficiency

Another advantage of outsourcing your IT services is
increasing efficiency throughout your business. This can be especially helpful in growing companies, which need a reliable technology infrastructure to support their growth. Outsourcing your IT services can put you in touch with a team of experts who can help you navigate new technologies as you grow and scale your business. By partnering with an outside firm, you can access top-of-the-line technologies and services that would be cost-prohibitive to implement internally. These technologies can help your business operate more efficiently while also reducing costs.

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Providing your clients further longevity & value

29/5/2022

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As a business, there are various ways you can develop your ability to remain competitive, and to use that competitiveness to defend and grow your market share. Even in local areas, this can make a difference, because after all, there are only ever a select number of clients and people you can serve, even if that number does grow from time to time.

A local construction company, for instance, may only serve a select area, and with thousands of other firms trying to gain a piece of the pie, we need to position ourselves in a manner that allows us to grow and become that first choice.

This not only means ensuring that the value we provide is industry-leading for our area, but innovative, and with an eye to the future. That last point is quite important, because it’s also essential for firms to think about how their client longevity will encourage return business. This means, in effect, that we need to not only consider how to start the relationship, but how to solidify it with appropriate long-term planning. In this post, we’ll discuss three measures to help you with exactly that:

Aftercare programs
An aftercare program is an important measure to take, because it might be that work
conducted needs extra maintenance ahead of time. Renovation and construction experts will often provide one or two follow up visits or a grace period for any maintenance to be resolved after the fact, even after payment has been received. Aftercare can help clients trust that you won’t leave them high and dry in the future - instead it will encourage them to value the relationship and use your services once more.


Warranties

It’s good to place
warranties on your work if possible. This way, the aftercare program might last for longer if paid for, or perhaps a guaranteed lifespan of how long a client can use a given service or product when installed will help them choose you over another firm. This is why many firms opt to use better processes and products, like voidformer when installing foundations in order to remove the chance of ground shear, because it allows them to offer longer warranties and happier long-term residents. Clients notice when you’ve gone out of your way to perform an excellent, long-lasting job.


Proprietary, essential services

In some cases, services will align with certain companies in order to provide top of the line provisions that are less likely to be found elsewhere, perhaps for a discount. Perhaps you’re a contractor that installs excellent double glazing windows for a firm that has specific requirements for their carriers - but this is worth doing because of the reputation of such proprietary products. It might be that within your industry, you can offer a specific duty of care thanks to that. It can help differentiate you as a brand, and allow you to become the kind of service used by people looking for a particular and trusted outcome that works - not only relying on your reputation, but the storied understanding of a proven product.


With this advice, we believe you’ll be able to provide your clients further longevity and value going forward.

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How to win at social media: A guide to dominating your competition

27/5/2022

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Social media is a game of numbers. The more followers you have, the more visible your company will be. The more people talk about you, the more visibility you’ll get. The more views and likes you get on each post, the more people will want to follow you. All of these metrics make up your social media strategy and whether or not it’s working.  

​This blog post will go over everything you need to know about how to win at social media so that your business isn’t left in the dust.

Decide on your objective
Starting your own
business is overwhelming. And the same can be said for social media. That’s why it helps to break it down into manageable chunks. Before you dive into creating a successful social media strategy, you first need to decide on your objective. What do you want your social media strategy to do for your business? Is it for customer acquisition? Or do you want it to drive brand awareness? Maybe you just want it to drive website traffic. Once you have decided on your objective, build a strategy around it.


Create a successful social media strategy

After you’ve decided on your objective, you can create a successful social media strategy. First and foremost, you need to determine which social media platforms your target audience is on. If it’s Facebook, contacting a
Facebook Ads Agency will help you the most. 


Then, you need to decide how much time you want to be spending on each platform. If you’re spending too much time on one platform, it’ll be detrimental to your business. There are tons of different metrics that you’re going to want to be monitoring with each social media platform.


Be where your audience Is

One of the most important parts of any successful social media strategy is being where your customers are. If you’re not where your target audience is, you’re not going to make any real impact with your company. And it’s not just about finding the right social media platform but also the right type of content on these platforms. You need to create share-worthy content that people want to talk about, which drives brand awareness.


Create content that drives awareness

To create content that drives awareness and engagement, you need to ensure that your content resonates with your target audience. The best way to do this is by creating personas for your target audience. Once you have these personas created, you can then brainstorm ideas for content that these personas would actually want to engage with. And this doesn’t only apply to one type of content. You need to create a variety of content so that each piece compliments the other. 


Plan out your content calendar

If you want to have a successful social media strategy, you need to
have a content calendar in place. You need to know what type of content you’re going to be posting at what times and on which platforms. This ensures that you’re not just posting content willy-nilly and not over-posting. When creating your content calendar, you need to ensure that you’re not over-posting on any one platform. If you’re posting too often, your posts will not get the attention they deserve. 


Establish partnerships with Influencers

For many businesses, social media is all about numbers. One way to make sure your numbers are as high as possible is to establish partnerships with influencers. If you can work with an influencer to create content that further promotes your brand, you’ll have a better chance of increasing your visibility. Just make sure that the content that you create with this influencer further promotes your brand. If it doesn’t, it won’t help your visibility at all.


Don’t forget to measure everything

One of the most essential parts of a successful social media strategy is
keeping track of the metrics. You need to know how many likes, comments, shares, and views your content receives. You also need to know how many people click through to your website. And how many are engaging with your posts. You can then adjust your strategy if needed by keeping track of these metrics. By measuring everything, you’ll be able to make your social media strategy even more successful. 

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Winning all the battles: How small Business owners can really stay productive

26/5/2022

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Small business owners have it tough, they don't just have to wear many hats, but they have to fight the biggest battle of all: the Battle Against Time, every single day. Productivity is one of those things that everybody has an opinion on, but as a small business owner, when there's so much to do and never enough time to do it in, what does it really take to ensure that you are doing everything properly?
​

Streamline your tasks
The topic of streamlining can cover so many different areas. Streamlining can be technical, for example, a piece of software that can be designed by the Claris Filemaker Pro service to ensure that everything has a very solid process. On the other hand, streamlining can be down to the individual's perception of tasks. For example, learning how to do things in a certain order to make sure that they are optimising their time effectively. Whatever it takes, when you start to streamline your tasks, you've got to remember the end goal. Because while doing something in a different order may not necessarily make it easier, actively streamlining your tasks can be effective, just as long as you know the best approach for your needs and goals.

Work smart, not hard
This age-old adage is something we've all got to remember. You can do tasks in a logical order, but you don't have to. It's also important to look at the things where you are particularly weak and find ways to outsource them. A very good example is if you are a slow typer; instead of typing, you can invest in a
dictation program that will help you to reel off emails and potentially quadruple your productivity. If you find yourself typing email after email, especially when it comes to firefighting complaining customers, this can make life a lot easier. It's also important to remember that when you are sending emails, roughly 80% will contain very similar information, so having a collection of templates will also help.


Remove distractions 
Distractions are one of the biggest obstacles. Everybody has their own distractions, whether it's social media or just not being able to focus. There are plenty of ways to learn how to focus, but you've also got to look at the distractions that you just cannot remove from your life, for example, if you need to have your email on in case of someone messaging you. But this is where discipline can make a big difference.

Complete the biggest challenges first
If you cannot remove distractions effectively, you've got to get up before everybody else does! If you really want to
grow your business and you’ve got a mountain of challenges ahead of you, you've got to complete the biggest ones first. This doesn't just give you a sense of achievement, but will also give you a better opportunity to work more effectively later on, and smaller tasks that require less energy can be done with ease. 


Being productive as a small business owner doesn't just involve finding the right tools and techniques, but also about winning the battle against ourselves!​
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What to consider when you need Business insurance

24/5/2022

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Choosing the right insurance policy for your small business is very important. This is especially true if you are in an industry where accidents are prone to happen and you are likely to need coverage at some point. 

There are many things to consider when deciding on the type of insurance policy that is right for your business. 

However, at the end of the day, you want to make sure that you have the correct coverage for any liabilities that you may acquire. Here is a closer look at what you need to consider when selecting small business insurance.

The legalities
Depending on where your business is located and the industry in which you find yourself, you may be required to have insurance. 

This is especially true if you are financing your business with loans from lenders. They will often want to see that you have some kind of liability insurance to protect your business and your assets.

You may even need to show that you have liability coverage if you want to rent a commercial space. Your landlord may require that you have insurance and cover third-party lawsuits.

Choose insurance wisely
When selecting insurance you need to make sure that you understand your industry's risk. 

A construction worker needs to worry about the safety of the construction site and even the structure that they are building. You can select owner builder insurance for this.

A restaurant owner on the other hand needs to worry about coverage in case somebody gets sick from eating their food and decides to sue them.

The bottom line is that you need to evaluate the risk associated with the industry that you are in. This will help you choose the right type of liability insurance for your business.

Understand your rates
Insurance rates will vary based on your industry. Before you select insurance coverage you need to know how your industry will affect your rates. Other things that may affect the rate of coverage are the size of your business and the number of employees that you have. 

The years of experience you have in the business can also count towards how high or low your insurance rates are. The good news is that there are some things you can do to help reduce the rates that you pay.

To reduce the cost of your insurance you can have firm security measures in place for your business. Ensure that your workers have a safe environment and install fire suppression systems on the premises. All of this will make your business look less risky to an insurance company and reduce your insurance rates.

Get insured
Getting the right insurance coverage for your business is never simple. However, there are some steps you can take to make sure that you understand the coverage that you need for your business. 

Take a close look at what you are likely to be liable for in your industry and then speak with your insurance provider about the coverage that you can get. 

Make sure that you make your business attractive to potential insurers by putting security and safety measures in place.
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7 areas to outsource to streamline your Business

23/5/2022

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As a business owner, you’ll want to make sure your company is running as effectively as possible. That’s often more difficult than many non-business owners think. With the wealth of factors that need to be considered and various strategies you can use, it’s easy to see why it can feel overwhelming.
​
It doesn’t need to be as difficult as that, however. By outsourcing key areas, you can make things much simpler for you and your employees. It’s worth diving into what outsourcing is and how you can use outsourcing to streamline your business.

Why should a Business outsource tasks?
Despite it being a common practice, many small business owners might wonder why they should outsource any duties. Not only will they see it as an added expense, but they’ll be forced to trust someone outside of the company to perform important duties. That can make it seem like a negative.


Far from it. It can help you streamline your business more than you’d expect. It also offers a
host of additional benefits, including:

  • Reduce your operating costs.
  • Free up employee time to concentrate on other areas.
  • Gain access to expertise in a particular area.
  • Reduce time needed to perform various tasks.
With the multiple benefits outsourcing offers, it can be quite an attractive practice. If you’re considering outsourcing various duties, it’s worth focusing on a few particular areas. Doing so will help you streamline your business more than you’d think.

7 Areas To Outsource To Streamline Your Business

 
1. IT

Business IT support
has been a popular area to outsource for quite some time, especially among small businesses. Establishing and managing an IT network, even a small-scale one, can be an expensive and complicated process.


With how necessary it can be, however, it’s something you’ll need to take care of. By outsourcing, you can ensure that any issues - if they pop up - will be addressed quickly and effectively.


It’ll also ensure your network is secure and efficient.


2. Sales
Like IT, your company mightn’t have the budget to hire enough sales employees to establish a high-quality funnel that generates leads and converts them. When you’re starting a business, this process is essential to generating your initial revenue.


Should you not have enough funds, it could seem as though you’re in a catch-22 situation. By outsourcing the initial stages of this, you can establish your sales funnel much faster and with a smaller investment.


You can then use this revenue to streamline your business even further.


3. Marketing

When you’re launching and growing your business, marketing is a necessity. Nobody will buy from your company if you don’t know it’s there. Advertising your company can be a complicated process and it could prove costly if you don’t know what you’re doing.


By outsourcing to a marketing agency, you’ll have a much lower cost per lead, which increases your overall return on investment. Your overall marketing strategies should also be higher-quality, thanks to the agency’s expertise.


It’ll also help you
avoid notable marketing mistakes.


4. Accounting

Accounting is one of the most common areas to outsource to help streamline your business. Many entrepreneurs, especially small business owners, aren’t financial experts, although running a company often needs this to ensure everything goes smoothly.


Working with an accounting firm ensures you can do this. You can rest on their expertise to ensure that your finances are taken care of. At the same time, they can offer you advice to further improve and streamline your company.


Though a decent cost, you’ll save much more money by taking this approach.


5. Manufacturing

If you make products, then you’ll need a manufacturing facility to make sure you can scale up your business. That’s an expensive proposition, especially for small businesses, and can be too large of a hurdle for many to overcome.


You can avoid it completely
by outsourcing your manufacturing. While this could mean paying a premium per product, it’ll be a more affordable cost as your company grows. Though you may want to invest in your own manufacturing facility in time, outsourcing initially is a recommended option.


6. Shipping & Logistics

Speaking of manufacturing, the next step in the process is to ship your products, either to you or directly to your customer. That can be a time-intensive and costly process, especially if you’re trying to set up your own logistics network.


Outsourcing this as much as possible will not only save you time and money, but it could ensure products are delivered much faster. It should also make sure they’re safer during the shipping process. If you run an eCommerce store, this is especially recommended.


One of the main advantages of this is that you can have products manufactured and shipped without doing anything yourself. That could be enough to reduce your costs and ensure you don’t need to pay for warehousing.

7. Human Resources
Quite a few entrepreneurs are surprised to hear they can outsource their human resources. It’s a distinct possibility, however, especially when it comes to hiring and onboarding employees. As these are often the most time-intensive and expensive parts of the process, outsourcing it saves you a lot of time and money.


Recruitment firms also take care of writing and advertising your posts, alongside the interview process. Choosing this option means you’ll save a significant amount of time with the process. As you’ll be consulted throughout the process, you can also ensure you hire the right employees for your needs.


You can lean on the agency’s expertise when you’re doing so to make sure you know how to evaluate potential employees. You’ll get a host of benefits without any of the risks.


Areas To Outsource To Streamline Your Business: Wrapping Up

You can outsource quite a few areas to streamline your business. With the various benefits that the practice offers, there are more than a few reasons to consider it. Focusing on a few key areas, such as those outlined above, outsourcing will have a much larger impact than you’d expect.


There shouldn’t be anything stopping you from outsourcing and streamlining your business.

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How to personalize your marketing messages for maximum impact

19/5/2022

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​Did you know that personalising your marketing messages can increase your response rate by 50%? It's true! In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to personalise your marketing messages to have maximum impact on your target audience.

Collect as much data as possible
The first step in personalising your marketing messages is to collect as much data as possible about your target audience. This data can include information like demographics, interests, and purchase history. You can collect data by conducting surveys, doing market research, or using customer relationship management (
CRM) software.


Segment your audience

The first step to personalising your marketing messages is to
segment your audience. You can more easily identify their specific needs and desires by segmenting your target market. This will allow you to create targeted messages that are more likely to resonate with each customer.


There are several different ways that you can segment your audience. Some standard methods include:


-Demographic information such as age, gender, location, and income level

-Psychographic information such as interests, lifestyle, and values
-Behavioural information such as purchase history, web browsing behaviour, and email engagement

Identify unique content for each persona

Now that you have segmented your audience, it's time to identify unique content for each
persona. This content should be relevant to their needs and interests. It should also be tailored to the different stages of the buyer's journey. For example, you might send a different message to someone just starting their research than you would to someone ready to make a purchase.


Create customised messages

With so much competition out there, it's more important than ever to make sure your marketing messages are personalised. Here are a few tips to get you started:

- First, think about your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? What do they care about?
- Once you know who you're targeting, craft a message that speaks to their specific needs and interests.
- Finally, don't be afraid to get creative! There are endless ways to personalise your marketing messages, so have fun with it and experiment until you find what works best for you and your business.

Turn To The Professionals for Help

When personalising your marketing messages, it's essential to seek professional help. A
full service marketing agency can assist you in creating custom content that resonates with your target audience. They will also have the necessary tools and resources to properly track and measure the success of your personalised marketing campaign.


Test, Test, Test

The final step in personalising your marketing messages is to test, test, test. Send out different versions of your message to different audience segments and see which ones have the best response rate. Then, you can fine-tune your notifications until you find the perfect mix that will have maximum impact on your target audience.


In conclusion, personalising your marketing messages is a great way to ensure that you reach your target audience in the most effective way possible. Seek out professional help, test different versions of your message, and fine-tune until you find the perfect mix. Doing so will help you achieve maximum impact with your marketing campaigns.

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5 dangerous maintenance checks that every Business needs to do

19/5/2022

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​Maintaining your business is essential for keeping it running smoothly and avoiding costly repairs or replacements. Unfortunately, many business owners don't realise the importance of routine maintenance until something goes wrong. By then, it's often too late. This blog post will discuss five dangerous maintenance checks that every business should perform regularly!

1) Electrical system
The first dangerous maintenance check is on your business's electrical system. If you don't regularly inspect and maintain your electrical system, severe problems like fires or power outages can lead. These can not only be costly to repair, but they can also put your employees and customers at risk. So make sure to have a qualified electrician inspect your system every year and make any necessary repairs or upgrades. 


This includes
electrical rewiring, upgrading to a higher voltage, or simply replacing old or damaged wiring.


2) Plumbing 

Another dangerous maintenance check is on your business's plumbing. If you have leaks or other problems with your plumbing, it can cause extensive damage to your property. If the water is contaminated, it can also create health hazards for your employees and customers. Be sure to have a professional plumber inspect your system regularly and make any necessary repairs.


This may include fixing leaks, repairing or replacing pipes, or adding new fixtures.


3) HVAC

The last dangerous maintenance check is on your business's HVAC system. If you don't properly maintain your HVAC system, it can lead to several problems, including poor air quality, excessive dust and pollen, and even
mould growth. These can all be costly to fix and can also pose a serious health risk to your employees and customers. Be sure to have a qualified HVAC technician inspect your system regularly and make any necessary repairs or upgrades.

This may include cleaning the ductwork, replacing filters, or servicing the unit itself.

4) Safety 

As a business owner, it's your responsibility to ensure that your workplace is safe for your employees. This includes performing routine safety checks and making any necessary repairs or upgrades. Some things you should check for include trip hazards, loose handrails, and damaged flooring. You should also make sure that all of your fire extinguishers are up to date and in working order.


5) Roof: 
The final maintenance check on our list is your business's roof. If you don't regularly inspect and maintain your roof, it can lead to serious problems like leaks or collapse. These can be very costly to repair, so catching any potential problems early is essential. Be sure to have a professional roofer inspect your roof at least once a year and make any necessary repairs.

This may include patching holes, replacing damaged shingles, or adding new flashing around chimneys or vents.


By performing these dangerous maintenance checks on a regular basis, you can avoid costly repairs or even disasters. So don't wait until something goes wrong - start maintaining your business today. 

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Landing page tips we know you're going to love

13/5/2022

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Image credit: Unknown
A landing page is a critical part of any website. It is often referred to as a destination page or a lead capture page. No matter what you call it, there is no denying that it is one of the most important parts of your online presence when it comes to generating leads and driving sales. However, to achieve these goals, your landing page needs to be expertly constructed, and there are a number of different elements it needs to consist of. These are as follows…

Simple design
- There is only one place to begin, and this is with the actual design of the landing page. If you stay abreast of industry trends or you even look at the different types of websites that are popular at the moment, you will have noticed that minimalistic web design has certainly taken over. This simple style of web design is effective because it packs a powerful punch and ensures that your brand image does not get confused. This is a necessity!


Trust signals
- Not only does your website need to have a simple design, but it also needs to contain different trust signals. What is a trust signal? This could be anything from customer reviews to security badges. It is anything that indicates to potential customers that your website and consequently your business is one to be trusted.


Quick page load speed
- Aside from the two elements that have been mentioned above, your website also needs to be quick to load. If your landing page is slow, you can be certain that potential customers will simply hit the back button and look elsewhere. There are so many studies that have shown that bounce rates increase dramatically with every second longer a website takes to load.


A strong Call to Action
- A strong CTA is another necessity for any type of landing page. Working with the best SEO company you can develop compelling content like this. Your CTA must be evident from the moment someone lands on the landing page. This must be the first thing that their eyes divert to. Colour is a powerful tool in this regard. For example, you can use the colour red to create a sense of urgency and to encourage people to take action. However, you also need to be careful and make sure the colours you choose fits in with your brand image. 


As you can see, there are a number of important ingredients that your landing page needs to have. If you make sure your landing page consists of all of the elements that have been mentioned above, you can go a very long way to ensuring that it not only looks good but that it operates well too and achieves the leads and conversions you are looking to achieve. 

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3 commonly overlooked factors when you're starting a Business

12/5/2022

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Image credit: Start Up Stock Photos
When you’re starting a business, you’ll have numerous things to juggle. Between registering your company, hiring employees, managing vendors, and marketing your business, you’ll have a lot to handle. That could lead to you overlooking a few things, many of which could be essential.

These could be as vital to your company as everything else; you’ll need to get them done and sorted at some point. As a result, you could end up needing to do more than you’d thought at the last minute, causing a lot of stress.

You’ll want to avoid that, making it worth getting each of the below done as early as possible a recommended path when you’re starting a business.

3 things you might overlook when starting a Business

1. Office essentials
When many entrepreneurs start a business, they focus on the big things, like equipment, employees, and business registration. They can overlook their office essentials. There are more of these than you could be aware of, including:
  • Heating and Cooling Equipment
  • Stationary
  • Desks and Chairs
  • Computers
  • Printers

Many of these can be more affordable than you’d think. You can get heating and cooling equipment easily with air conditioner hire, for example, which is also the case for many of the other pieces of office equipment.

While you’ll need to pay a decent upfront cost for your office essentials, they’ll let you run your business smoothly.

2. Support system
When you’re starting a business, it’s easy to overlook how stressful it is and how much of an impact it can have on you. It’ll be more than you’d think. You’ll need to have a support system in place to help you with this.

Nobody launches a successful business by themselves; they’ll have a team of people behind them, whether they admit it or not. That can range from friends and family to a high-quality executive team that implements your vision.

Be sure to have this as early as possible; it’s also worth having them in place before you properly start and grow your company.

3. Mentorship
If you’re a first-time entrepreneur, then the process can seem overwhelmingly complicated. Getting help with it doesn’t have to mean hiring a legal professional or an employee. You can also get a mentor; someone that’s been through the process before.

When you’re looking for one, look for a successful entrepreneur that’s been through a similar path to the one you’re embarking on. They should’ve come from a similar background and achieved success; that way, they can  give you more personalized advice you can follow.

While it can take time to find a mentor, it’s more than worth the effort.

Things you might overlook when starting a Business: Wrapping up
There are a considerable few things you could overlook when starting a business, many of which can be vital to the process. As such, you could find yourself rushing around trying to get them sorted at the last minute.


It’s worth getting them done as early as you can. With how commonly overlooked they are, however, missing them can be easy. Focusing on the above should help avoid that.
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It's time to refresh your brand

12/5/2022

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Image credit: Lukas from Pexels
When was the last time you gave your brand the once over and decided that it was working for you? A brand is a concept that you come up with when you first start out in business, but it doesn't mean that you are stuck with that brand forever. You need to remember that as an iconic brand, you want to stand out and engage with your customers in the right way. Refreshing it is the smartest thing that you can do if you are looking for a way to reemerge into the sector. 

The problem is that most business leaders are unsure when the best time to rebrand really is. When do you take a step back and decide that the time for change is now? There are things that you have to consider, from trying to plan this rebrand yourself to using a company like TRAFFICON to help you out. The more you know about branding, the better, so here are some questions that you should be asking yourself before you go for it.

  1. Does your brand seem updated to you? Has it been a long time since you brand your business? The chances are that your business brand fits another decade. For a business that’s been around for a while, you might look a little dated. 
  2. Is your brand representing you? You need your brand to reflect your customer message, and it’s not, then you should think about this. Look at your brand from another perspective and you’ll see whether you need an update.
  3. Are you standing out? Any company concerned about their marketing and their brand has to align themselves with their message and outshine the competition at the same time. Over time, the competition will grow and this means that it’ll be harder to stand out. You want to ensure that consumers are able to identify you and not get confused.
  4. Too complex? If your brand is too complex, you need to dial it down and make it easier for your customer base to understand you. New colors and shapes to your typography and even to your brand image can be a refreshing way to simplify things, which should be the goal. 
  5. Has there been internal shifts? One of the best reasons to change your brand is that your internal company has shifted. Your new brand image could really help to reflect the new changes made. When there is new management taking over, you need to show that things have changed and reflect it visually for both your customers and your internal staff.
  6. Are you attracting the right audience? You’ll know pretty fast whether your business is attracting the right people to it. Your numbers will make a difference and you need to make sure that your brand is speaking to the needs of those you are aiming for. If the current look isn't working for you, then you need to look at realignment. This will matter in the future of your business, and you can make a difference.
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The importance of proper hazardous goods transport for your Business

9/5/2022

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It's no secret that businesses need to take precautions when it comes to transporting hazardous materials. These substances can be dangerous to people and the environment, but they can also be costly to clean up if there is an accident. For this reason, businesses need to have a plan in place for the safe transport of hazardous goods.

What are Hazardous Goods, and why are they essential to transport safely
Hazardous goods are materials that can pose a danger to people, property or the environment if not handled correctly. These items can include anything from flammable liquids to corrosive chemicals. Therefore, businesses must take measures to transport these materials safely and securely.

There are several reasons why hazardous goods transport is so important:
  1. It is crucial for the safety of everyone involved. Accidents can occur if these materials are not handled properly, resulting in severe injury or even death.
  2. It is vital to protect the environment. Transporting hazardous materials can damage ecosystems and pollute water supplies if not done correctly.
  3. It is also essential to protect your business from potential liability.

If there is an accident involving hazardous materials, your business could be held responsible and be required to pay for clean-up costs.

Some common examples of Hazardous Products that Businesses need to be aware of include:
• Flammable liquids: These can easily ignite and cause a fire.
• Corrosive chemicals: These can damage skin and other materials.
• Toxic substances: These can be harmful if ingested or inhaled.
• Radioactive materials: These can be dangerous if not handled correctly.

How can Businesses ensure the safe transport of Hazardous Goods
There are several steps that businesses can take to ensure the safe transport of hazardous goods. 

  1. Firstly, it is crucial to have a clear and comprehensive plan in place. This plan should outline the procedures for packing, loading and unloading the materials and what to do in the event of an accident. 
  2. Secondly, it is vital to use the proper packaging and labelling when transporting these materials. This will help ensure that they are handled correctly and avoid any confusion. 
  3. Finally, it is also crucial to use experienced and qualified personnel when transporting hazardous goods. This will help to reduce the risk of accidents and ensure that the materials are handled correctly.

​What are the consequences of not transporting Hazardous Goods safely?

There are a number of consequences that businesses can face if they do not transport hazardous goods safely. 
  1. Firstly, they may be liable for any accidents or damage that occurs. This could result in costly lawsuits and damages awards. 
  2. Secondly, their insurance premiums may increase due to the increased risk. 
  3. Finally, their reputation could suffer if news of an accident reached the public. This could lead to a loss of customers and clients and difficulties in attracting new ones.

In conclusion
Hazardous goods transport is an essential part of any business. By taking the necessary precautions, companies can ensure the safety of their employees, customers and the environment. Failure to do so could result in severe consequences, including liability for accidents, damage to property and an increase in insurance premiums. Therefore, businesses must take the time to plan for the safe transport of these materials.
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The Ultimate Marketing guide For Dentists

29/4/2022

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Image credit: Reto Gerber from Pixabay
The dental sector is always going to be high in demand, especially when you consider the aging population. However, there are more and more dental clinics, so you need to do everything in your power to stand out from the crowd and ensure that people choose your dental practice over the rest. So, with that being said, let’s take a look at some marketing tips and tricks to consider:

  • Project a professional brand image - There is only one place to begin, and this is by making sure that your dental clinic has a professional brand image. After all, when you look for a new dentist, you want someone you can trust and have confidence in. The way that you achieve this is by inspiring people with your brand image. This needs to be present in everything you do, from the way your website looks to the marketing material you use when sending emails and letters to people. Also, make sure that there are trust symbols on your website as well. 

  • Market any unique services you provide - Another piece of advice that we have for you is to make sure that you advertise anything that sets your business apart. For example, if you offer Invisalign, as well as traditional braces, this is something you should market and educate people about. It is about empowering people with the information they need in order to end up choosing your business.

  • Make the most of social proof - Aside from the points that we have mentioned above, social proof is imperative when it comes to marketing your business today. Social proof involves the likes of customer reviews. It is all about other people championing your business for you, rather than you marketing it yourself. After all, you are going to be more likely to believe what other people have to say about a business rather than simply believing the sales pitch you have written yourself. Therefore, make sure you encourage people to leave reviews. Video testimonials and photographs can work well too. 

  • Connect with people on social media - Last but not least, we highly recommend that you use social media to your benefit. Social media presents huge opportunities for businesses, yet it is something that a lot of dentists are failing to make the most of today. The great thing about social media is that you connect closely with customers - closer than you ever have been able to before. You can also show off your personality as well. However, it is vital to make sure that you are consistent with your brand image and that you are respectful of people. Plus, you need to engage; do not simply post an endless array of promotional messages that plug your website. 

So there you have it: everything you need to know about marketing if you run a dental office. We hope the tips and advice that we have provided you with above will help you to reach more customers and take your dental clinic to new heights. ​
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