How House of Hannie Is Building a Profitable Instagram Following

Source: Shopify

Ever wonder how some brands manage to turn Instagram into such a profitable channel with an active and rapidly growing following?

Chris Jones is the entrepreneur behind House of Hannie, a collaboration between him and a designer to make and sell casual womenswear, which generates sales almost exclusively from Instagram. 

Hear Jones’ story of how he built his Instagram following from scratch and sold 60 products within 2 months.

Listen here.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/28/house-hannie-building-profitable-instagram-following/

Real-Time Marketing: How to Use Trending Moments to Reach a Larger Audience

Source: Shopify

I don’t care much for football. But I do care about this:

An average of 114.4 million American TV viewers watched the Super Bowl in 2015.

And that’s a conservative depiction of potential viewership when you consider how many people are going to stream the event this year and the flood of tweets that’ll come from those following along on Twitter.

It’s not just the Super Bowl—the Grammys, the Oscars, and other high-profile events all present great opportunities for brands to be part of big conversations.

But the reason you should follow these events, even if you’ve got no interest in them, is because they tend to produce some of the best opportunities for real-time marketing, or “moment marketing”, where brands race to position themselves to be part of the buzz as it happens.

Why are these events so good at creating viral conversations?

 

Read more here.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/28/real-time-marketing-use-trending-moments-reach-larger-audience/

JerkySpot.com: Delicious Jerky

Source: Shopify

 

Jerkyspot.com happen almost entirely by chance. I had been wanting to start an ecommerce store of my own, but didn’t know what I wanted to sell. The only reason I landed on jerky was because I decided if I got distracted and didn’t end up selling it, at least I could eat it.

We didn’t know a thing about the jerky business before we started. We started with one vendor and a few flavors. We chose a domain name in under 30 minutes (it was terrible). Original it was called Jerkynazis.com! We were thinking along the lines of the soup nazi from Seinfeld, others didn’t share our viewpoint. We decided to switch about 60 days in when we noticed vendors weren’t calling us back. It was all about making incremental forward progress and not getting stuck by having to make the perfect decision. We switched the name and everything worked out fine.

 

Read more here.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/28/jerkyspot-com-delicious-jerky/

How To Set Up A Successful Courier and Logistics Company

Setting Up a Successful Courier and Logistics Company

With the increase in trials for citizen deliveries in major towns and cities and the amount of online shopping that is carried out in the UK, it is no surprise that courier companies are a lucrative opportunity for starting up a business. With some proper planning and speaking to the right people for organization, you can acquire some knowledge about the industry prior to starting. We have put together a quick reference or a “how to” guide to help you on your way.

Make a plan

This should be fairly obvious to anyone starting any business, and it is worth bearing in mind that 70% of startups fail in the first year. This should be reason enough to motivate you. Since a large part of courier services rely on logistics, make sure you have really thought about how you plan to make your business stand out from competitors. How will you get parcels delivered? How will you guarantee safety? Will you offer services such as deliveries on evenings and weekends, and how will you go about this? The more thorough your planning and the more crisis management you can implement, the better chance you will have of making a success out of your business when the time comes to launch. You may consider using an aggregator like Whistl to start you off with getting work, and then develop a reputation through word of mouth.

Meet business advisors

Once you have put some thought into exactly how you want your business to look, then you can start meeting with advisors. Unless you have studied business, there are different angles to consider, such as accounting, marketing, and the legal side. Speak to as many professionals as possible so you have a strong, broad knowledge. If you are going to employ people, you may need to speak to an HR advisor too. At this stage, you will be thinking of advice about how much to charge and how to start up with the right equipment. Also, you will need to consider your monthly expenditure. You can then begin a forecast, which will help put your plan into action.

Hire employees and get started

Once you have the correct insurance in place, you can start employing people. Your couriers will need to be insured on their mode of transport, and they may need some training. To operate a courier and logistics business, you will need some permits and legal documents, which should all be in place for when you get your first orders in.

Try to have fun with it; starting a business can be really hard work, so it’s important that you enjoy it.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/28/setting-successful-courier-logistics-company/

Business Calls and Marketing at Christmas Time

Christmas is the busiest time of the year for many businesses, both online and offline. A survey recently conducted by Mediahawk (November 2016) showed that despite the increased popularity of online shopping, over 40% of the businesses asked revealed that they received between a 30-70% upsurge in phone calls over the Christmas period, resulting in up to a 40% increase in sales. This suggests that despite the popularity of online, many customers still prefer to make their transactions over the phone, particularly at Christmas.

This influx of sales also changes the way in which marketers plan their activity over the festive period. The survey showed that a surprising 70% of the businesses asked said that social media was their primary marketing channel over Christmas; however, many use four or more marketing channels during this time.

The infographic below shows the full results of the survey:

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/21/business-calls-marketing-christmas-time/

Can Outsourcing Your SEO Be The Key To Increased Sales?

Can Outsourcing Your SEO Be The Key To Increased Sales? 

In this digital age, SEO techniques are a “must” to master. Poorly updated SEO could cause your marketing efforts to be… well, close to useless. It’s no wonder the competition has become so intense.

A business thrives on effective SEO strategies to complement their online marketing efforts. Every website owner needs to ensure that their site has higher rankings than the competition on Search Engines, which is crucial to increase the visibility of a website. With improved visibility, you can drive traffic to your website and potentially convert visitors into customers. This could result in increased visibility, revenue, and sales.

But honestly, with complicated algorithms and the fast-paced rhythm of content marketing, who has the time and patience to dedicate to SEO? Especially when you’re trying to run a business! To implement and execute SEO strategies, you need a lot of tact, time and resources. It takes consistency, quality investment, and technical know-how to bring a high ROI.

To achieve this, the debate rages on. Should small businesses handle their SEO by themselves using mostly untrained staff or should they outsource it?

Here are a few reasons you might want to outsource to a professional SEO provider.

Better ROI

When you let professionals handle your SEO efforts, you assure a higher return rate on your investment. An effective SEO provider will take a critical look at your target market and make informed decisions within those guidelines.

Professionals will also integrate a range of SEO tools, combine resources and investments to bring out the best results for your business. SEO providers try several tactics such as link building, social bookmarking, blog posting, and on-page SEO to make sure that your business is visible to the right people. A professional SEO service provider knows how to attract your target audience to your website at the initial stages to increase your sales and return-on-investment.

 

Budget management

Implementing SEO strategies will require a bit of an investment up front. A SEO expert should work with you on your budget, understand it and work within a range that is comfortable for you.

SEO strategies fail when they are handled poorly and this can cost a lot of money. This can be due to something as simple as a regular update in a search engine’s algorithms. Only an expert who lives, breathes, and eats SEO can rapidly and accurately adapt to those changes. Outsourcing an SEO service provider will result in appropriate budget management and cost reduction of the project. Otherwise, you might not be able to keep up with the latest trends and techniques and waste a great deal of time and money.

Time

When SEO is outsourced to an expert, it gives you more time to do the things that bring you more revenue. While the professionals are implementing a superb marketing strategy for your business you can concentrate on hiring great people, ordering new product making new connections and so on. Similarly, using a SEO expert will also take the burden off your staff – who also have better things to do with their time.

Finally, using a professional SEO services provider will deliver the best results in a minimum amount of time. So if you are not an SEO expert yourself, or committed to staying up to date on all the the updates and changes, you may want to seek out and hire a professional to do it for you.

If you are looking for professional advice on effective SEO, visit SEO Services USA. They provide ethical, affordable and guaranteed SEO services to help your business grow and increase its visibility online.

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/19/outsourcing-seo-key-increasing-online-sales/

Let The Annuity Calculator Plan for Your Future

Let The Annuity Calculator Plan for Your Future

Most people work diligently their entire life to prepare for retirement.

Many old timers had no other options than social security; which is one of the best ways to prepare. Today, most employers provide their employees with 401k benefit options. But as employers, we don’t always have a laid out plan.

So what exactly is an annuity calculator and why might your company need one?

 

Annuity

Annuities are agreements to make payments over a specified period for a predetermined amount. Many life insurance companies use these contracts, when the payout is large. They are often used to ensure the contract owner they will not outlive their income.

Funds cannot be withdrawn, without penalties. To avoid penalties, many contract owners will wait until they are 59-1/2 years old, before they withdraw any funds from the account.

Buying Annuities

Investors can purchase annuity contracts outside or inside the IRA. In both cases, the investor must need to write a check to the annuity carrier. They are also available through the 1035 exchange, where a life insurance or endowment policy is transferred into an annuity policy, without penalties. Life insurance policies, such as universal, universal variable or whole can be interchanged into an annuity account.

Calculating Annuities

The calculator can provide investors with the precise payment that would deplete the fund in a specified time period, and the amount required to generate a predetermined payment. It can also find the number of years the investment will generate payments. Using the calculator is the best way to determine how much money you want to invest in an annuity contract. It can also help you form the right decision on whether or not to place an annuity within a retirement plan.

The calculator is available to everyone and is free to use. You can also change it as often as you feel necessary. Once you input the monetary values into the calculator, you will receive your results in both graph and written form complete with annual balances.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/19/let-annuity-calculator-plan-future/

FICC Business Loans & Your Business

FICC Business Loans & Your Business

Many years ago, the United States took actions to ensure that government securities and mortgage based securities could be settled systematically. In doing so, the government effectively created the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, or the FICC. The agency’s sole purpose is to deal with settlements, confirmations and deliveries of fixed income assets. This agency commonly offers loans to mortgage companies, investment managers, mutual fund traders, and commercial brands.

Before attempting to secure a loan with the FICC, it is essential you get informed with the process and then proceed with caution. This is true regardless of the loan type you’re interested in getting.

Let’s talk a little about how to keep yourself safe when borrowing money.

Always Shop Around

Foremost, it is pertinent to shop around as much as possible. Different lending agencies will offer much different terms. When evaluating each of your options, it is essential to look at the annual percentage rate. This will help you figure out precisely how much you will be required to pay during each payment term. One bank may attempt to entice you by insisting they offer the best rates, but you should not just take their word for it. Instead, carefully research every one of your options.

Consider PPI

PPI or payment protection insurance might have received a lot of criticism during the past few years, but it can still be thoroughly beneficial for many consumers. This insurance can provide you protection in the event you’re unable to make your payment on time. Again, shop around extensively until you find the best PPI provider with rates that are agreeable to you. Ask questions and make sure you are aware of any policy exclusions before you sign on the dotted line.

Always Look at Your Credit Rating

Before trying to secure any loan, it is essential to examine your current credit rating so you know what you are dealing with. A poor credit rating will ensure you will pay a higher interest rate. Get your credit report and take steps to fix erroneous information and pay absolutely everything on time in order to bring up your score. If it is possible to put off your loan until your score comes up, do so. If not, you may just have to live with paying a higher interest rate.

Don’t Be Afraid to Borrow More

Initially, it might seem like borrowing additional funds could put you in a detrimental situation. Keep in mind that there can also be benefits associated with taking out a larger FICC direct loan. Believe it or not, securing a much bigger loan will help to decrease the interest rate. By borrowing a tad bit more, you may be able to save money – but make sure this makes sense for your specific situation.

Overall

Securing a loan can be a big undertaking. Be sure to take your time, read the fine print and carefully research your options. With that…you can make the best decision possible for your business funding needs.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/19/heres-need-know-taking-ficc-loan-business/

InventHelp Can Help You Turn Your Idea Into A Business

InventHelp Can Help You Turn Your Idea into a Business

Some people are satisfied with the way things are. When they use a potato peeler, they don’t think, “How can I improve this gadget?” They just peel away, happy with what they have. In contrast, the inventive mind is continually trying to improve everything. What about a Wi-Fi operated vegetable peeler? How about shoes that tie themselves? Every day is filled with these ideas, but often, inquisitive minds do not pursue these inventions. That’s where InventHelp comes in. They specialize in making creative dreams a reality.

InventHelp sets a clear path for inventors

When people get a great idea, they often let it drop because they do not know what to do next. InventHelp, with its thirty years of experience, can aid in various ways. They can package the idea, help inventors find a patent lawyer, and send the idea to various companies for review. They lead each client through the process one step at a time, meaning that the average person can bring their ideas to life. People do not need to be rich or have their own industry connections when they use InventHelp.

InventHelp is not like other companies that may promise inventors the moon with delivering any tangible results. In fact, InventHelp has a database of over 8000 companies that are actively seeking new ideas and products. These companies provide necessary feedback on inventions that can either lead to sales or help inventors improve their ideas. In addition, the patent referrals they have provided clients have led to over 9000 patents, an astounding number. InventHelp is especially useful for people who feel overwhelmed by developing their idea.

InventHelp does not make wild promises

The chances that any one inventor will get wildly rich from an idea are slim. Of course, people do find success in varying degrees. For some bringing their idea to fruition is reward enough. Some inventions will earn their creator significant financial rewards. There are no guarantees for a person’s success, but there are no limits, either. InventHelp provides guidance and support to help make people’s creative dreams come true.

When some people see the InventHelp commercial, they may not realize that George Foreman is talking to them and not the scientist or engineer next door. When George put his name on a small grill, no one anticipated the wild success he would have. Millions upon millions of people have a Foreman grill in their homes. However, the actual inventor of the grill was not famous or even a genius. He was just a smart person with a good idea.

Whether someone is new at the game or has years of experience, InventHelp can be invaluable to their success. For those who have been sitting on such ideas as the non-bristle toothbrush or the morning coffee IV, InventHelp can help them get inventions off the drawing board and into production.

No one should give up on a good idea. Instead, they should call 1-800-INVENTION today. Greatness may knock on their door. It’s time to open that door and walk through to a brighter future.

 

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/19/inventhelp-can-help-turn-idea-business/

What You Need to Know About Unsecured Loans

What You Need to Know About Unsecured Loans

As a business-owner. you probably understand how erratic the economy can be. The truth is, no matter how great your business is today, there may be times when you need capital. Whether it is to get your through a slow period, open another location or finance some much needed new equipment, a loan might be your only option.

If that is your situation, it is important to know what an unsecured loan is and why it can be considered somewhat risky. Once you know that, you can make a plan to ensure all your monthly payments are made on time and make the best use of that financing.

 

What What Is An Unsecured Loan? 

You should realize that an unsecured loan can be substantially riskier to both the lender and borrower. This is because there is no collateral or nothing for the lender to “take” should you not make your payments. For this reason, lenders usually consider these loans to be risky and therefore they will increase the loan rates. Although it depends on the circumstances, it may be possible to borrow as much as one hundred thousand dollars through an unsecured loan. Currently, the APR could vary between 5 and 12 percent. The specifics will deviate from one lender to the next and one borrower to the next.

Types

Typically, there are several varieties of unsecured loans from Lainaaege. These loans will seem familiar as they’re commonly used by people from all around the world. Student loans are often classified as unsecured. Credit cards will also fit into this category. When using a credit card, the consumer borrows from the credit card company to complete their transaction. And they’re obligated to repay the loan at a later date. A line of credit and signature loan will also be considered an unsecured loan.

Who Should Opt For Unsecured Loans?

When it comes down to it, unsecured loans are not for everyone. However, they will be better for some consumers. This will depend solely on their assets and collateral. Other types of loans will require the consumer to put up some asset as collateral. This helps to protect the lender since they can always confiscate the asset to get their money back. Therefore, unsecured loans are best for consumers, who have few or no assets to put up. Nonetheless, it is essential to be cautious when getting any unsecured loan. Carefully research your options and make sure you get the lowest rates possible.

What Will Be Considered?

When trying to get an unsecured loan, the lender will consider a handful of factors to determine your rates. Your credit score will be of paramount importance. Your debt load, income and the overall size of the loan will also be taken into consideration. Remember that a poor credit score may make it much more difficult to get a loan of this type because the bank/lender needs to be sure you will pay them back. Also, small loans are usually approved much more frequently than bigger loans. It is vital to remember that lenders take a big risk on unsecured loans. Therefore, they’ll follow strict protocols when attempting to determine whether you’re eligible.

So if you need money for your business and are seeking an unsecured line, keep in mind they are a bit riskier, you may pay a higher interest rate but they can make sense in many situations. Just make a very good plan of action to pay those loans back on time – every time.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/19/%ef%bb%bfwhat-need-know-unsecured-loans/

Electricians: Spend More Time Making Money and Less Time Trying to Find Work

Electricians: Spend More Time Making Money and Less Time Trying to Find Work

 

“I’m making 4 times what I used to make as a self employed electrician,”
– Damian Leahy

You heard right. FCF Fire and Electrical helps good electricians build great businesses. Their award-winning Franchising System is helping electricians achieve their goals of increased revenue for less work time. How? By specializing in the Fire Safety industry. This provides regular ongoing income streams from fire safety maintenance as opposed to living from contract to contract as an electrician.

History of FCF Fire & Electrical

Back in 2008, after working for a large multinational firm, Jacob Foster started FCF Fire and Electrical. The main driving force behind his decision to start the company was to provide affordable services to clients who were often overcharged by large multinationals.

The tremendous growth and success of the company’s local office in Hervey Bay compelled the company to come up with ways to service the needs of the highly demanding and rapidly growing market. All fingers pointed at franchising because it’s a proven business model. Franchising allows entrepreneurs to plug into a proven successful idea and system. Franchisees can focus on running their businesses, rather than coping to adjust midstream.

Benefits of becoming an FCF Fire Safety Franchise

Group Buying Power

Being part of the group makes a huge difference. And that includes the ability to gain wholesaler group discounts. FCF Fire and Electrical also looks at business insurance, car insurance, fuel accounts and more, which also translates to extra savings than an individual business.

Independence

FCF Fire and Electrical franchise incorporates training for both owners and staff. That means one can take time off while an office manager and field staff ensure your business continues to operate even without supervision. FCF Fire and Electrical helps you to be independent by having a team you can count on.

The franchise gains you immediate brand recognition so you can start your business right away. Becoming part of a trusted industry name builds instant trust with clients.

Business Administration

Live SimPRO software enables you to carry out administrative tasks and to schedule and track jobs from start to finish. Such innovative technology saves you plenty of time and money.

Income Maximization

The company also provides effective strategies for developing your own client base and repeat business.

FAQs

Are you suitable for the job?

The best FCF Fire and Electrical franchisee is one who is honest and has great work ethic. Focus and customer care are also critical as they come in handy when building and maintaining relationships with clients.

Do I need premises or hire staff?

Most franchisees start off at home, so with just enough space to store a few pieces of equipment such as fire extinguishers, logbooks, tags and any other things needed for day-to-day operations, you’re good to go. About a year into the business, it’s common to hire staff to meet the needs and demands of the growing business. With a team of about three or four, it’s advisable to move into official business premises.

What training is involved to become a Franchisee?

Being a franchisee involves a two-and-a-half-week comprehensive training that includes everything from the basics to sales invoicing. It also includes live training that equips you with the skills to push a product across. After training one also gets help from technical and field support.

How to Apply?

Application is easy. All you need is to contact the company, and they will forward out more information. Visit FCF Fire and Electrical and contact us today. There will be paperwork to complete and the company will then set up a meeting, either in person or via Skype.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/19/electricians-spend-time-making-money-less-time-trying-find-work/

Four Major Tips to Running a Business

Four Major Tips to Running a Business

 Owning and running a business obviously isn’t a walk in the park. Not all your business ideas – no matter how sure you are of them – will do well in the marketplace. You need to regularly keep your processes in check to keep your business afloat and successful, especially when there are competitors with more experience and resources than you.

Whether you manage a big or small business, you should always have plans A – Z for when things go awry. Many entrepreneurs have failed in keeping up with demands despite having the resources and experience so here are four major tips to help you keep your business running:

• Keep your service and/or product quality in check

Edwards Deming, the father of the quality movement, emphasized how a company’s commitment to quality has to come from the top. Unless you set quality as a non-negotiable goal, your employees will end up sacrificing it to meet monthly quotas or targets. Commit to meeting your monthly quality goals, track mistakes and correct them, invest in trainings and introduce new techniques to continuously work on keeping your quality high.

• Educate yourself and your staff

Investing in education and employee training will not only improve your service or product quality, it can also improve employee performance and increase employee satisfaction.For small businesses, even simple lunch-and-learns can reap positive results. You can also organize boot camps to address any weakness in your employee’s workplace skills. Lateral leadership programs, on the other hand, is a great way to get innovative ideas from your staff and increase employee engagement. Regardless of what type of training program you choose, it can benefit you, your workers, and your sales.

• Hire the right people

Your employees make the first impression to your customers – they set the tone to how your customers see you and your company. Bad employees can affect your sales and cost the company unwanted expenses because of negligence or simply, lack of care. While this may be common sense to most business owners, hiring the right people can be overlooked due to time constraints or lack of better judgement. Make sure to test every applicant on their skill, interview them to understand their personality and have them undergo all the necessary tests, like drug tests. For small businesses, you can cut down on costs by using online test sites or interview questions as well as use home drug testing kits which give instant lab results.

• Listen to your customers

You’ll be amazed at how easily some experienced entrepreneurs disregard what their customers have to say and prioritize what they have in mind. If your customer is unsatisfied with your service or how your product turned out, take the initiative to correct the issue. Don’t wait for a simple dissatisfaction to turn into a full-blown complaint.

Treat your business as if it is your home, never fail to make it feel cared for and make sure that the ones who are handling it are capable.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/19/four-major-tips-running-business/

Overhead Cranes Safety Regulations for Modern Industry Workers

Overhead Cranes Safety Regulations for Modern Industry Workers

The modern industry sectors such as construction, mining, manufacturing, and shipping have made the use of overhead cranes popular. Cranes are used in moving massive and heavy materials from one place to another with ease. The capacity of cranes varies, from 2 to 500 tons or even more, and they are available in different types. EOT cranes, single girder overhead cranes, Gantry cranes, and Jib cranes are some of the most common types making rounds in the modern industry. Today, such heavy-weight cranes have become indispensable, and they increase the productivity of any project.

If you are a construction site foreman or a crane operator, you need to understand that there are risks involved in operating an overhead crane. There are some safety protocols required for operating the cranes and for the workers.

Safety Regulations

Having proper knowledge of safety practices is crucial. Overhead cranes cannot be operated by just anyone, because you need to have a good knowledge of how to operate such integrated machine. Besides, safety aspect is something that cannot be ignored too.

For maximum utilization of the cranes, the workers need to be skilled and fully trained in their job. As these cranes are risky to use, the operators need to be well aware of their own duties and responsibilities. As a crane operator, you should bear in mind that any mistake on your part can put your life and the lives of other workers at risk. Therefore, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Crane operators should master the risks and potentials of hazards that can occur during operation.  Similarly, every worker on the construction site or in the factory should be made aware of the dangers posed by all sorts of malfunctions and mishaps when using a crane machine. When a crane gives out warning signals to alert people, everyone near the site should understand its implications.

Proper clothing is another factor that deserves due importance. Safety glasses and hardhat are two essentials that must be worn all time, especially if you are working on operation sites.

When a crane is under repair or in a non-functional state, it should never be used. Only when it has been certified by qualified people, you can make use of that crane, because safety is something that shouldn’t be ignored at any cost.

Audible warning signs emanating from cranes in motion should be given due attention. For that, every worker working in the on-site should be trained about crane warning signs and when to evacuate the sites. Therefore, you should always check the warning signal first to make sure it is working perfectly. You should also check the essential controls including the brakes before operating the machine.

Cranes have a certain load-carrying capacity and it should never go off beyond that point. No one should go beyond the carrying capacity of any overhead cranes.

In a nutshell, overhead cranes are risky to operate and only a desirable person should be allowed to work on it. Train the workers effectively and derive the best possible results.

Overhead cranes are constructive equipment for modern industry sectors and these basic safety rules will help you to operate the machine properly as well as care for the well0being of your workers. For high-quality overhead cranes, you should check out DGCRANE, a professional overhead crane manufacturer that builds and design for a wide variety of industry sectors.

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/15/overhead-cranes-safety-regulations-modern-industry-workers/

Jack Ma’s Empire of Success: A True Rags to Riches Story

JACK MA’S EMPIRE OF SUCCESS: A True Rags to Riches Story

Who is Jack Ma?

Jack Ma is a Chinese business magnate and is the founder & executive chairman of the online giant, Alibaba Group. Hailing from a humble background, he represents a true rags to riches story and is an inspiration to millions across the globe. He was born in the early 1960’s in communist China. After college, he was rejected for dozens of jobs but little did the world know that Ma would go on to build the largest online portal in the world.

Founding Alibaba

In 1999, Jack Ma together with 17 of his friends released their first marketplace, “Alibaba Online” from his flat with the goal of facilitating international trade for small and medium businesses based in China. After an initial struggle, Alibaba was able to secure investors and after stiff competition from e-commerce multinational, E-bay, in December 2001 the group achieved profitability. In November 2007, Alibaba was successfully listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Today the company has around 70,000 brands and with over 180 million buyers making it larger than both Amazon and E-bay combined. Under Jack Ma’s leadership, the group has been improving its revenue year after year from ¥6.6 billion in 2010 to ¥101.1 billion in the first quarter of 2016. In 2014, the online giant broke all time records as the largest IPO till date in history after it priced its offering at $68 a share and post overallotment option combined income rose to $25 billion.

The Jack Ma Factor

What Jack Ma has been able to achieve is incredible and been an inspiration to many other business minded individuals out there. It has been a proof that even in communist societies, entrepreneurs can succeed. And unlike most of the other successful Chinese entrepreneurs, Jack Ma never studied in the United States of America. And what’s even stunning about this man is that had no money, connections, and status whatsoever.

Back then the world looked nothing like it is today. In China, retail stores were rarely outside the big cities and transactions were only done face to face and in cash. As a result, Alibaba was faced with the uphill task of overcoming a century old tradition and showing buyers and sellers that the new virtual world could be trusted. That idea was revolutionary and ordinary people who didn’t have the means to do business back then were provided with the opportunity to. Results? The creation of millions of jobs both directly and indirectly for the Chinese people.

Kissing Success

The company has grown and now has multiple subsidiaries with Taobao, AliExpress among the major ones. The company has over 46,288 workers on its payroll with more than three-quarters of them being on a full-time basis. To sustain its growth, the group has diversified its services and now boasts a multitude of sites each with different functions. Not only that but also the company is actively penetrating newer markets.

Humbleness of the Business Tycoon

Despite all the success, Jack Ma has never forgotten his roots. The company has been on the forefront in fostering the Chinese economy and improving the living standards of the people. Small businesses have been able to get loans with a favorable default rate of 0.9%. This has been helpful to young people aiming to operate startups. Mr. Ma attributes his success to his persistence and self-belief in the face of several adversities as well as treating rejections. Over the years, he considered even his smallest failures as the best opportunities to propel his business mind to new heights. “We keep fighting. We keep changing ourselves. We don’t complain,” he once said.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/15/jack-mas-empire-success-true-rags-riches-story/

Is It Time For Physiotherapy In The Workplace?

There’s been a seismic shift over the past decade in employers understanding the benefits of occupational health for both the company and the employee. Health and wellbeing are already high on the corporate agenda. In these uncertain times, companies need their skilled and experienced staff to be at work more now than ever before.

The Integrated Benefits Institute says poor health costs the U.S. economy a whooping $576 billion a year. Of that amount, 39 percent, or $227 billion is from “lost productivity” from employee absenteeism due to illness or what researchers called “presentism” (when employees report to work but illness keeps them from performing at their best).  Here’s a link to their report and statement.

Some of the most frequently reported work-related illnesses result from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). In 2005, 107.7 million U.S. adults reported that they experienced a musculoskeletal disorder for three months or longer (i.e., the condition was chronic) at some point in the preceding year.

Along with the Society’s claim: “physiotherapy is clinically and cost-effectively keeping people at work or helping workers return promptly after sickness absence,” physiotherapy becomes an attractive investment for employers.

What are the most common work-related MSDs?

Musculoskeletal disorders can affect muscles, joints, and tendons in all parts of the body. Most MSDs develop over time. There are many injuries and disorders related to the movement (or lack of) of the body. Some of the commonest forms of MSDs seen in the workplace are:

• Muscle/tendon strain
• Tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon)
• Ligament sprain
• Tension Neck Syndrome (neck pain and stiffness with tenderness of the Trapezius muscle)
• Thoracic Outlet Compression (compression of nerves, arteries or veins between the lower neck to the armpit)
• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis (most common cause of shoulder pain caused by injury or inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder’s rotator cuff)
• Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Radial Tunnel Syndrome (elbow and forearm pain caused by pressure on the radial nerve)
• Digital Neuritis (common complaint in feet from excessive walking or driving, causing pain or numbness due to enlarged nerves)
• Trigger Finger/Thumb (a finger or thumb gets locked into place and can be painful)
• DeQuervain’s Syndrome (a painful inflammation of the tendons in the thumb that extends to the wrist)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (compression of the median nerve causes tingling, numbness and sometimes pain in the wrist and hand)
• Mechanical Back Syndrome (any form of back pain caused by placing abnormal stress and strain on the muscles of the vertebral column)
• Degenerative Disc Disease (damage or wear and tear to the discs in the back causing tingling, numbness, pain and sometimes difficulty walking)

What are the risk factors?

There are 4 main risk factors for developing a work-related MSD.

1. Fixed or constrained body positions
2. Continual repetition of movements
3. Force concentrated on small parts of the body, such as the hand or wrist
4. High task repetition with insufficient recovery time between movements

How does physiotherapy help?

Physiotherapists are experts in the treatment and prevention of a range of physical problems associated with different systems of the body. Physiotherapists help not only to solve problems; they also work to prevent future problems arising.

The primary aim of a physiotherapist is to ease pain and restore function, or with permanent injury, to lessen the effects of that injury.

A physiotherapist will tailor treatment according to the individual and the specific complaint. They use manual therapies such as stretching, mobilization and resistance training. They will generally recommend exercise programs such as muscle strengthening or posture re-training for recovery and to prevent a return of symptoms. Physiotherapists may also use TENS machines, laser therapy, and ultrasound to aid healing and reduce inflammation and pain.

As well as treating the individual, physiotherapists can also recommend changes to the work environment to prevent a repeat of the strain or injury–such as ergonomic and orthopedic chairs. Businesses can benefit enormously from physiotherapy services to deliver cost effective treatment, helping employees get back to work and maintain a productive, healthy workforce.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists concluded in their paper Physiotherapy Works: musculoskeletal disorders that “speedy” access to physiotherapy for people with MSDs is clinically and cost effective for the health service, for employers and society.

Isn’t it time your business makes the leap to invest in workplace physiotherapy?

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/14/power-physiotherapy-workplace/

Six Pitfalls To Avoid When Renting Office Space

Six Office Renting Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Having the right office can make a huge difference to the success of a business. When you are looking for space, it is important to note there are several common pitfalls and mistakes businesses often make when choosing their space.

Here are six of them, and what you can do to avoid them, as advised by Lloyd Wells (an independent property writer working with London office renting specialist Stuart Neils).

1. Getting attached to your current office

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes you can make for deciding on your new office is not choosing a new office at all and sticking to your current place that is too small or inadequate in some other way. Too many businesses stay in their current office for far beyond the time it has outlived its usefulness. Whether you have outgrown your office or you need to make a move for other business reasons, you shouldn’t stick with your current office out of convenience.

While it might seem like a real pain to go through the hassle of moving, you may ultimately reap the rewards with an office that is more suited to your business needs. Having an office that isn’t fit for your requirements will cost you money through inefficiency and other problems.

2. Not researching the location thoroughly enough

One of the most common mistakes that businesses make when they come to choosing a new office is that they become blind to the details. One of the key places that this happens is when they find an office that has everything they need and at a great price. They then rent that office without doing proper diligence on whether everything about the workplace is ideal for them.

This often comes down to location. For example, if your business has a large number of staff who drive in to work, you need to ensure that the new office has enough car parking facilities. And if it doesn’t, then it surely needs to have public transport links so that staff can get there. You also need to remember that, if parking is a problem, it may lead to some people not being able to use public transport and having to leave the business. You need to carry out thorough research before you commit to your new office space.

3. Thinking short term

Unfortunately, many businesses make similar mistakes when they come to changing offices. This is often caused by the fact that companies will normally look to change their office only when it becomes impossible for them to work in their current workspace. This usually means that the current office is barely big enough for their current needs.

So when they move to a new office, they’ll opt for one that feels much larger, but in actuality it’s only a comfortable size for the current makeup of the business. This leaves no room for expansion, so then when the business continues to grow, they’re left with the same problem.

4. Forgetting about your budget

It can be the easiest thing in the world to find a beautiful office and then commit to it without truly considering the financial implications. If you overspend on your office, you can wipe out a large chunk of your profit. It’s vital you should set out a clear budget and stick to it no matter what. When you make that budget you need to take into account the financial benefits to moving to a better and larger office–so do your calculations carefully.

5. Not checking the terms of your lease properly

Renting an office requires a lot of paperwork. Unfortunately, that means that some businesses are not careful enough when they sign documents. This can leave you in a position where you have signed a lease that commits you to a certain length of time in the office or places a ridiculous requirement on the amount of notice you need to give before you can leave. Make sure you inspect and understand the terms of the lease before you sign it.

6. Choosing a new office at the last minute

As we mentioned before, not doing the proper research before you commit to renting a new office can be a very dangerous move. Too many companies realise late in the day they need new premises and then have to rush on the decision. Rushing leads to mistakes– it’s important that you give yourself time to do the planning beforehand.

Changing offices is a big decision you don’t want to have to do often. Minimise the problem by planning for the future–where do you see your business in two years’ time? Hopefully you can move to an office that will fulfill both your short term and long term needs.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/14/%ef%bb%bfsix-office-renting-pitfalls-avoid/

The Ultimate Guide to Start Your Own Snow Removal Service

The Ultimate Guide to Start Your Own Snow Removal Service

As we all know, little flakes can cause big trouble, which is why a snow removal service is always likely to be in demand from homes and businesses who need to avoid disruption and hazards where possible. Let’s be honest, most people would rather pay for snow removal than get up at 5 am in the freezing cold to shovel their own driveway or road.

If you are wondering how to get into this business and what type of equipment you need, clicking on snow plow installation Maryland will give you a real insight into the snowplow and salt spreader equipment you can use to set yourself up trading as a snow removal service. It’s not as complicated as you might think!

Plenty of opportunities

When you consider that some government transportation department budgets have been slashed to balance the books, there will be opportunities for independent snow removal contractors to take up the slack, when roads and pathways need clearing.

With winter setting in and a lack of government resources, this means that there will be plenty of snow that will need removing. These are just two factors that might persuade you to consider profiting from these scenarios by offering a much-needed service in your community and surrounding areas.

Getting started

Making sure you have the right equipment to do the job is obviously important, but you will also need to ensure that you have all the paperwork sorted too.

There are things you must have like like licensing and insurance. You might also need to arrange some financing options to buy the equipment you need so you can offer a broad range of services and be properly tooled up for the job.

Target audience

The services you are offering and who you will work for both make a difference to the equipment and resources you need to get organized.

If you are thinking of concentrating on serving local businesses, both large and small, it will mean you need snow plow equipment capable of clearing large spaces like parking lots, quickly and efficiently.

If you will serve homeowners who need help clearing driveways and surrounding areas, this will require a different set of equipment. Some items might crossover and be suitable in a variety of different applications, but the main thing is to decide who your target audience is likely to be and then work on getting yourself prepared with the right equipment to meet their needs.

 

Clearing a large area

If your priority is to clear a large area of snow quickly and efficiently, a snow plow will prove ideal.

Snow removal equipment is versatile to a certain extent and can be attached to your pickup truck, for instance. The angled blade will work to push snow off the road and clear a path that should then be suitable to use either for driving on or walking over.

Think about the terrain in your area and the likely candidates for your business service. This is important because snow plows are most proficient when they are deployed in flat areas, and you also have to make sure that the area is strong enough to support the weight of your truck and equipment.

Another positive aspect to having a snow plow attached to your truck, is maneuverability. The fact they are removable is good for flexibility and a range of options. You should be able to get around quickly, which is highly relevant when you consider that there will definitely be days where your phone probably won’t stop ringing and you need to get around to as many people, especially when the snow is falling heavily.

Other equipment

It is not just about snow plows! You will probably need to consider getting a snow blower and salt spreader, too.

A snow blower is a great tool. It’s easy to use and clears sidewalks and paths as you walk along with the unit. Try to evaluate the volume of snow you might need to clear with the unit, as this makes a difference to size of machine to get.

Salt spreaders are also an essential bit of equipment and it should be noted that they offer you the chance to provide a snow clearance service that should help to ensure that paths stay clearer for longer.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/14/%ef%bb%bfthe-ultimate-guide-start-snow-removal-service/

5 Compelling Reasons Why Your Website Needs a Blog

5 Compelling Reasons Why Your Website Needs a Blog

Having a credible and successful internet presence is key for any business in the digital age. There’s no doubt that you spent a considerable amount of effort on building your website, getting it to look and feel just right so that your products and services are showcased to best effect.

But do you have a blog on your website?

Wait – aren’t blogs just a bit of an indulgence? Does anyone actually read them? And what about the task of writing a weekly company update or pulling together some pearls of industry wisdom every month – who, frankly, has the time?

All valid concerns, of course, but you’re missing a huge opportunity if you’re letting them stop you. Let’s go back to basics with Sussex based specialists Artemis Marketing and explain why a regularly updated blog on your website is an essential business tool that reaps real rewards.

1. It’s an effective way to build customer relationships

A blog is a platform through which you can address your audience directly and more informally than on your main website. This gives your customers and potential customers the chance to engage with your brand in a more intimate way.

It’s a space where you can have a bit more fun with your brand and show the human side behind the logo. Tell your story – what makes you passionate about your industry? Rather than a faceless corporation intent on making money. People like to connect with people on a deeper level.

Blogs can also become interactive with the right voice behind – the ability for readers to comment or leave reviews on your post means that you can have a direct two-way conversation with individuals. It’s a more relaxed channel of communication that makes your company approachable, while the personal customer experience helps to develop public confidence in your brand.

2. It’s an excellent online marketing tool

Online marketing should be more than you simply telling your customers about your company’s products and services. A blog allows you to go into more detail about individual products, answer specific questions, react quickly to queries and generally offer brand reassurance.

It’s an informal medium that encourages people to freely express their opinions, which makes it perfect for market testing and trialing. When people engage on your blog posts, it allows you to collect valuable customer feedback and check the pulse of the market to see if your business is on trend and on target.

If your blog is managed successfully, it can easily become the most popular part of your website, eagerly read by existing and potential customers and widening your client base. Perhaps think of it as your online magazine, interactive customer services and PR department all rolled into one.

3. It gives you original content to share on social media

Every company’s digital marketing strategy incorporates an element of social media activity. However, when it comes to posting Facebook or LinkedIn updates or sharing content via Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest, many businesses find that they are stuck for content ideas. That’s where your blog can help.

Think of your blog as a little gold mine of unique, business relevant content that is perfect for sharing across all your social media platforms. To post, say, a Facebook update, invite the reader to click the link to the original blog post on your website, which has the added bonus of attracting traffic back to exactly where you want it.

In addition, the more your blog posts are shared online, the more natural backlinks will be pointing to your site. It’s a win/win situation.

4. It establishes you as a thought leader in your field

Sharing your valuable industry knowledge and expertise through the medium of a regular and consistently well-written blog will help to position you as an authority in your business sector. Customers, competitors, and employees will all be able to see that the company is a credible source of information that keeps up with the latest industry developments.

Respected, relevant content is eminently shareable on the web within business circles as well as outside – which is exactly where you want to be. What more could you possibly wish for than for your reputation to grow, while generating a plethora of free and targeted traffic to your website? It’s virtuous circle that you simply cannot afford to miss.

5. It’s great for your company’s SEO strategy

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, blogs are a very useful way to help optimize your website. Many people think of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) as a technical discipline involving tinkering with metadata and URLs, however, Google really likes to see fresh, good quality and regularly updated content, and this is one of the most effective ways to improve your website’s Google search rankings.

Most typical business websites tend to be static – they contain all the usual pages and necessary information, but they’re updated only infrequently when that content becomes outdated. But what is the easiest way to have a constant stream of rich, relevant content added to your website? You’ve guessed it – a well-written blog updated regularly!

What’s more, using new, relevant keywords in your blog titles and blog posts means that you can be ranked for those keywords. Google indexes new content on updated blogs and also picks up the context of the website’s content to generate more traffic.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/12/5-compelling-reasons-website-needs-blog/

25 Best Habits to Have in Life

Source: Entrepreneur.com

We are creatures of habit. Everything we think, say and do is a result of deep-seated habits etched into our minds through years and years of repitious behavior. Those very same habits either help to propel us forward or to hinder our progress in life. In fact, the state and quality of our lives right now is a direct reflection of our daily habits.

Habits are an undeniably powerful part of life. They’re an integral part of the underlying behavioral psychology that shapes the direction of our lives. They’re so integral that a study determined that approximately 45 percent of everything we do on a daily basis is driven by our habits.

Parting ways with our bad habits and replacing them with good habits is by no means a simple task. It takes commitment, willpower and an unwavering desire to overcome our seemingly natural tendencies to think, feel, speak and act in a certain way.

 

Read more here.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/09/25-best-habits-life/

The 7 Biggest Content Marketing Trends of 2017

As you might have guessed, Content Marketing will be at the center of our e-commerce efforts this year, too.

Why did this form of marketing become so crucial over the last few years? It’s the art of engaging with your audience on a deeper level. You can do so by presenting them content that’s relevant to their interests, values, and opinions. Well-executed content marketing is a great way for your brand to ditch the “advertisement vibe”, which we all know can make consumers feel uneasy.

The good news is that we’re getting better at generating content marketing, according to Forbes. Few!

As usual, this time of year calls for seeking out for next year’s trends. Here’s what marketers predict for 2017.

Customer Engagement & Personalization
The online world can get noisy; everyone has a voice and a story to tell. More and more users are enrolling on social media, so more and more businesses are following. Personalizing your content and engaging with your viewers is what will set your brand apart from the rest.

Adapt to your niche, try to pique their interests and start conversations! It shows your audience you care and humanizes your brand.

Visual and Video Content
We all scroll down beautiful Instagram feeds or watch YouTube videos such as vlogs, news updates, recipes under 2 minutes, sports replays, funny videos, DYIs, movie trailers, music videos…

Accompany your content with images or videos. It peaks viewer’s interests and captures their attention while getting your message across instantly. Black-on-white text just isn’t that appealing anymore… Whether you plan on launching a product, sharing tips, customer experiences, or simply engaging with your audience in the new year, make sure to add visual content.

Mobile Friendliness
Google says 61% of users are unlikely to return to a mobile site they had trouble accessing and 40% visit a competitor’s site instead. Mobile email opens have grown by 180% in the last three years.

Considering we’re almost in 2017, consumers have no patience for non-mobile friendly emails, websites, and blogs. It’s a MUST for businesses to adapt to mobile devices. We reach most of our audiences on mobile devices through Social Media and email marketing, after all. What’s the point of having a captivating post showcasing your product on Facebook if it leads to a frustrating purchasing experience when on a mobile device?

Facebook LIVE Broadcast
Broadcasting live events on Facebook permits you to connect in real-time with your audience.  Plus, the viewers get to see the people behind your business, and not just the logo. There are no edits, cuts, or captions on live events which makes your business look very real and transparent.

User Generated
More than ever, consumers look at fellow consumers to inform their purchasing decisions:
– 90% of consumers read online reviews before even visiting a website,
– 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations,
– 72% of consumers will take actions ONLY after reading a positive review.

User-generated content builds your brand’s credibility while creating a strong sense of trust with your consumers. It’s also a great way to engage and showcase your audience’s love for your product.

Influencer Marketing
“Influencer Marketing” is the next best thing after user-generated content. Consumers strongly value their favorite online personalities’ opinion.

True, sending PR packages to influencers might not seem appealing considering the gamble of the process. But, if your product reaches the right Influencer, the outcome can be powerful. They could showcase and recommend your product to hundreds, thousands, and sometimes even millions of their followers.

Native Marketing
Native Marketing, previously known as Sponsored Marketing, is one of the original forms of marketing. It’s been around a while, because it’s effective. A few years back, businesses were spending 80% on content creation, while only 20% on content promotion. This method is turning around. Now, advertisers focus on the quality of the content instead of the quantity and back it up with muscles.

You can reach out to Influencers, events, artists, and different causes you support for Sponsorship opportunities.

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/09/7-biggest-content-marketing-trends-2017/

How To Ensure Your Startup’s Survival

How To Ensure Your Startup’s Survival

You are just getting started with the plans to build your business into the next big thing. The enthusiasm with which every startup commences is palpable. Every founder has a solution they plan to offer the world to fix a want or a need somewhere. With that said, it is important to note the statistics on startups can be bleak. Statistics report as many as 90 percent of them failing in their first year of operation. With numbers like that, it is critical you have a great business plan, marketing strategy and adequate cash so that your business will be one that thrives and soars!

No one but you will be responsible for the success of your business. It important you know that going in. You will have to work longer and harder than you ever have before to make a go of it. But when you do, imagine how wonderful your success will feel.

One of the biggest hurdles to starting a new business can be start up capital. Not only will you need start up cash, but you will also need adequate working capital along the way. There might be some decisions that call for instant cash (like large orders) or emergency cash if a piece of equipment breaks down. Let’s hope you get an urgent need to fill an order that could potentially land your business a solid, long-term contract. If you don’t have the money at hand, the potential to miss out is high. One suggestion might be to take out a quick cash loan to help you fulfill the order.

How You Can Stay Ahead of Competition

Brand loyalty is a major determinant for how your company will survive. Around 83 percent of customers say that their trust for a brand is what keeps them loyal. So how can you establish trust and loyalty with your customers?

Quick Responses To Consumers

Present day consumers don’t have the patience to wait for you. They only give you minutes before they dismiss you for lack of response – on social media for example. They are only too happy to move on to your competition who is only too willing to shower them with attention. Just a few bad mentions on social media can place you on a downward trend that is difficult to rectify. So be sure your site is running well, you are answering customers quickly, responding on social media and overall running your business well.

Stock Up

Few things irk customers as much as not having a product when they want it. If you are going to grow your brand, you need to be stocked up at all times. No one will give your site a third chance if they visit twice and find that your best sellers are out of stock. Your suppliers should be reliable and able to fill your orders. Remember, if cash is your problem, quick cash loans do not require any form of security and they make decent amounts of money available to you at short notice. So when your credit cards or business lines won’t cut it, check out quick cash loans. There is never an excuse for running out of inventory.

Timely Delivery

Customers will shop online and expect delivery within the timeline agreed upon. Best practice dictates that you deliver the goods within that time or communicate if there are glitches likely to hinder you from fulfilling your end of the bargain. When you go quiet and fail to get the goods in the agreed time, you could lose a valuable client and you don’t want that.

Bottom Line

When your brand earns customer loyalty, your customers will be faithful to you for a long time. Your reputation at the beginning can determine your future. To build a strong brand, begin with a smart plan, good business procedures and access to capital…any way you can get it.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/08/build-strong-brand-ensure-startup-survival/

3 Smart Startup Business Tips You Need to Know

3 Smart Startup Business Tips You Need to Know

The business landscape in this day and age resembles anything but a box. With the popular culture favoring novelties of any kind (see: Deconstructed coffee and rainbow bagels – by God!), you might have to break a few rules to win over a culture that feeds off of innovation. If you’re looking to take your startup to the next level, follow these unconventional guidelines.

Tip 1: Promote on Unlikely Platforms

If you’re a B2B company, social media would probably be the last option on your list of marketing strategies. It makes sense that most B2B companies would overlook the consumer-filled realm of social media, since their target audience is supposedly inactive on such informal platforms… Right?

Not quite, actually. The companies you’re reaching out to might not be active on social media per se, but what do you think their employees and executives are doing when they go on breaks or clock out? These people probably check their phones for Facebook and Instagram notifications, just like you. In short, your audience is on social media. They’re just active on an individual level.

So, how can your B2B company capitalize on this? Get yourself on social media and build relationships with your clients through creative videos, giveaways, and sale promotions. Trail-blaze ideas that traditional B2B companies wouldn’t even consider. Remember, we live in a society that rewards creative innovation. Those who are afraid of breaking the rules will be fencing themselves out from a valuable and personal marketing outlet.

Tip 2: Recreate What You Hate

While conducting research on your competitors, try to absorb both the good and the bad. Too many new companies try to emulate the good but quickly dispose of the bad. Your competitors’ flaws aren’t just there to boost your ego, they’re key to your financial success. Pay the most attention to what you don’t like about your competitors’ platforms and then reinvent a better way to do it on yours. Soon, you will be set apart from your competitors for all the right reasons.

Tip 3: Cater to the Kids

Rumbling beneath the cheerful aria of popular culture are the groans of stubborn old-timers who will absolutely refuse to cater to millennials. Listen, technology is evolving at an exponential rate. We can either evolve with it or die. The companies that fall into the stubborn refusal to change will inevitably become obsolete.

The winning factors in this generation are always going to be novelty and convenience. If you choose to have one but not the other, then a fresher, more innovative startup will do what you refused to do. Even when you’re tempted think that there couldn’t possibly be a more convenient approach to handling your product, challenge yourself to think harder. Millennials or not, the entire developed world has experienced a complete paradigm shift in the way we receive information. Rather than condemning this new bias towards convenience, challenge yourself to rise to the occasion and cater to your customers in ways that other companies haughtily ignore.

Remember, you’re not confined within the four walls of a box. Due to the age of the internet, the mass market is much more complex and challenging than it was just two decades ago. You’re not dealing with a mere box. You’re inside a dodecahedron, with 12 faces, 20 vertices, and more than just a hint of edge. If you push yourself to think outside of this contemporary frame, you will indeed conquer the startup market.

Nothing is off limits.

About the Author

Anh is a Copywriter for the cloud call platform, Phonexa [www.phonexa.com]. She specializes in writing about SEO marketing strategies, business trends, and other up-and-coming topics in digital marketing and technology.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/07/smart-startup-tips/

4 Reasons To Hire A Web Designer For Your Business

4 Reasons To Hire A Web Designer For Your Business

With a digital presence becoming almost mandatory to succeed in modern day marketing, hiring a website designer to build out a digital representation can be the fastest way for you to hit the ground running with your new business.

Creativity

Not all of us are the most creative in our industry – or even very creative at all for that matter. You also will have to think about how your website is going to look years down the line. Is it going to maintain the most modern common web practices? Probably not, if you design it yourself. New functionality is important to visitors as it shows that the website is reliable and modern. Even with a small vision of what you want your website to look like, the agency you hire can take that vision, enhance it, and bring something to life that you will be proud of.

Experience in multiple development areas

One of the main things that come to mind when visiting a website is: Does it have a mobile site? Mobile responsiveness is very important in design these days. Your users may be out & about, mention your website to a friend, and need to show it to them right there. Now, if your website doesn’t work, do you think you’re going to get new business? There’s a 50-50 chance that you lose one of them right there. Being skilled with software applications, plugins, code, and the latest in web practices isn’t something that can be picked up at night.

One thing that tends to happen with coders & designers is being stuck on a way to implement a new design feature. If you hit a roadblock, not only does your design stall, your business stalls because all of your focus will be on that. Consider bringing your design to someone who has experience in these matters and can put time into making sure they don’t happen.

Direction

A website’s design has a flow, theme, and a proper structure. You have to put together a strategy to take your website into the final stages of its design. Normal progress is built out through several steps, which typically flow in this order: strategy, design, build, test, and launch. These 5 steps cover everything from research to testing out the features of the website live.

Cost-effectiveness

If you’re looking for a specific feature and cannot figure out how to create it without buying a plugin; this would be an example of why hiring a designer who handles this thing on a regular basis would be a good idea. Instead of wasting your time with Craigslist designers who masquerade as talented designers, consider hiring a professional agency. Are you making a website to get your businesses name out there right? Don’t be afraid to contact one and start discussing details with them, most of them do offer free consultation.

While looking for an agency to build your website, keep in mind that experience and how the agency communicates with their clients will reflect upon how your website turns out.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/06/4-reasons-hire-web-designer-business/

How To Turn Your Negative Reviews Into Lifelong Customers

Source: Shopify

Negative reviews are scary.

Whether you’re just starting out or already on your way, seeing a negative online review pop up for your business can feel like a death sentence. However, with the right approach, you can easily turn your bad reviews into opportunities to attract loyal customers.

In this post, we’ll take a look at how you can respond to negative reviews, prevent them from happening in the future, and build a glowing online reputation for your business that will keep customers coming back again and again. From Facebook comments to product reviews, we’ve put together a toolkit that will help you handle even the trickiest online situations.

With 97% of consumers worldwide saying that customer service is an important factor when it comes to brand loyalty, successfully dealing with customer feedback is more important than ever.

So, let’s take a look at how you can conquer the world of negative reviews and build a community of dedicated loyalists.

 

Read more here.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/04/turn-negative-reviews-lifelong-customers-2/

How To Determine The Value Of A Business To Buy or Sell

When you need to calculate the valuation of a business for yourself of your investors or when you are in the process of selling your business, make sure you’re performing the right calculations to determine a real business valuation. There really is no single way to determine what a business is worth but there are several things you can analyze and review to measure performance, profitability, and a good value for the enterprise.

RELATED: 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE BUYING A BUSINESS

Here are some important tips for valuing a business:

Using the Asset Approach

This valuation method takes a closer look at the assets and liabilities of the business. The ultimate question you ask with this approach is how much would it cost to create this business and produce the same benefits. The business value is the difference between assets and liabilities. You could review balance sheets but also look beyond ‘recorded’ assets to determine how much the business delivers. For example, a business that offers a unique service or has introduced a new product to a highly-receptive market will have a higher value than a business that simply has more assets than liabilities. The asset approach can serve as a baseline valuation method.

Valuing a Business with a Market Approach

With this approach, you would rely on a number of signs in the marketplace to determine what the business is worth. You might compare the business to similar businesses in the same market and find out how much other business sell for. Ultimately, you would be able to determine the business’s fair market value based on what the buyer is willing to pay for the business. You will be working solely with monetary value figures and using market data to construct realistic sales prices for your business.

Income Approach to Valuing Your Business

Using this valuation method means you will be focusing solely on the economic benefit of running the business. This is not based on money that has been earned already but what the expected earnings are in the future. This can be a riskier method because there is no guarantee that the business will earn that amount or close to it. However, you can make some realistic estimates based on past history and determine what the potential earnings may be with some basic formulas. Many small business owners use the business valuation by direct capitalization method or the discounting method when working with income values.

The capitalization method involves dividing expected earnings by the capitalization rate. The discounting method involves projecting business income for a few years and then determining the discount rate. You can then determine what the business is worth at the end of the projection period.

It is a good idea for any small business owner to learn how to read income statements and work closely with an accountant or financial professional to accurately determine the value of assets and liabilities. You could also hire a professional to perform a valuation as a third-party. These professionals will be able to provide detailed reports but it is important to remember that most of the results may be entirely subjective, based on the nature of the business.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/03/tips-valuing-business/

The Many Benefits of Having a Business Credit Card

The Many Benefits of Having a Business Credit Card

As a small business owner, you probably receive applications and offers for business credit cards on a regular basis. But you may have wondered whether getting one is the right solution for your business and how they differ from other forms of credit. However, business credit cards are the most popular source of funding in the US.

Credit cards provide your business with a short-term solution to your financing needs. When used correctly, they can also increase your purchasing power by improving your credit rating. Use them incorrectly and they can have a detrimental effect on your business’s finances, which is why they need to be carefully managed.

Below you’ll find some helpful advice about business credit cards and how they can benefit you:

What Are They?

When you find a credit card that’s right for your business you’ll be provided with a set credit limit that will allow you to withdraw cash and make purchases. Just like a personal credit card, there’s an interest charge that comes into play when the bill isn’t paid in full each month. These types of credit cards are available through your current bank but it’s always worth shopping around to find the best deals and offers available. This card from Chase is an option for small businesses.

How Do They Differ from a Line of Credit?

Compared to the traditional line of credit, many people favor business credit cards because they are a great alternative with many points and perks. It is important to note that there are also some significant differences.

The first big difference is that a line of credit provides you with a fixed amount whereas a credit card will provide you with a revolving amount. This means that when you’re using your credit card you can keep borrowing up to your credit limit so long as you pay off your bill each month. With a line of credit, you’ll only be able to use the available credit once and when you’ve paid this off you’ll need to reapply for another loan.

Other important differences include the amount of interest you’re charged and the amount of money you can access. Most lines of credit will provide you with larger amounts of financing than a credit card, which is why they’re a more viable option if you need help with a significant investment, e.g. purchasing new equipment for your company. They’ll also have a lower rate of interest, costing you less over time (if you don’t pay off your credit card each month).

A credit card however won’t require any collateral unlike most lines of credit, so you won’t have to secure an asset against them to get the credit. Instead, you’ll be held personally responsible for paying your credit card bills.

The Advantages of a Business Credit Card

Here are just some of the reasons why you should consider applying for a business credit card:

You can qualify easily – If you don’t have a good or established credit history, it can be easier for you to apply for a credit card than a line of credit or a loan from the bank.

They’re more convenient – For financial convenience, credit cards are a must-have because you can quickly and easily access your funds to make a cash withdrawal or purchase, which is much easier than trying to find your checkbook or spare cash.

They provide you with a financial cushion – If sales are low or your business is running low on cash, credit cards provide you with that much-needed financial cushion to make important purchases.

You can make online purchases – As a lot of business move online, credit cards enable you to make a purchase through online vendors, providing you with added convenience and security.

They help your account’s team – Not only will you receive a monthly statement for your credit but you’ll also be offered online tools that are great for helping your account’s team manage your business’s finances. You’ll even be provided with a year-end summary that will help your bookkeeper to manage your expenses, categorizing them and tracking them in order to provide you with an accurate budget for the year ahead. It’s also a great way of monitoring employee spending if they have access to business credit cards.

You’ll get rewards – A lot of credit card companies offer businesses rewards for using their cards, including air miles, discounts and even cash back.

You’ll build up your credit rating – By using your business credit card responsibly, you’ll build up your credit rating, which is essential for the success of your business as it will help you to secure bigger loans with lower interest rates in the future.

Zachary Cook is a small business owner who writes about all manner of business topics relevant to today’s small business owner. From starting up to growing and perhaps even selling.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/03/money-matters-many-benefits-business-credit-card-2/

Are You Skilled Enough to Carry Money?

Are You Skilled Enough to Carry Money?

 

As business owners, we try to do it all. From morning to night, we run around trying to meet every clientand check off as many tasks on of our to-do list as possible. When we stop and think about it, most of these things include moving money in and out of our pockets: grabbing a coffee in the morning, paying lunch to a customer, making bank deposits…going all way back to the reason we’re in business. For this sole purpose, we keep a stack of cash in our pockets, in our bank accounts and also in our safes at home.

In this era, our finances are our obsessions;  we know that we cannot survive unfortunate events if we do not have enough money, and none of us want past due bills and to pile ourselves up in debts. Thus, the need for keeping our saving and earning secured becomes the prime motive of our lives. We leave no efforts undone for provisioning top-tier security for this asset and also tend to seek the help of professionals in the event.

As business-owners, having cash on hand is highly important to fulfill our daily tasks, and we all understand the importance of its security. Thesafety of your cash takes the highest priority, especially when it is put into transit.

Now that the cash in transitservices are becoming highly popular and are providing significantly efficient services, it is time to move past all your worries and hand over this task to professional organizations.

These organizations are trained to keep your money in transit completely safe. While money and valuables are in the course of delivery, it is in avulnerable stateunless it is under the supervision of a trained professional. One thing that should be given a due consideration here is the possibility of occurrence of theft and that only a highly trained professional can thoroughly assess such a threat.

Or even in less extreme situations; imagine being out with a bag of your hard-earned money on your way to the bank and suddenly you get stuck in the heavy rains. As an untrained delivery personnel, you might not be able to handle this situation. From theft to uncertain weather conditions, there are many reasons why your money should be guarded.

One of the tips and tricks that an expert learns in order to keep your money in transit completely safe is to blend in with the crowd. Why is it so important? This means that you will not be able to differentiate the person that is carrying loads of money from the person who is driving a truck full of newspapers.

The delivery man is a given a vehicle that doesn’t have any symbol or logo printed on it to avoid any unwanted attention. Besides, the delivery van that is being used contains all necessary instruments to curb all thepotential threats – all under the duty of professionals who was thoroughly trained to manipulate said equipment.

Not all of us carry the skills that a professional working with transit company possesses – after all, most of us never had such elaborate training on safety, extreme situations and self-defense. Instead of jumping into the threat yourself, let a skillful person do it for you. This way, no matter what the situation unravels to, your cash be will be delivered safely. Opting for professional services will increase the safety of your money while it’s on the move, and guarantee it’s delivery.

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2016/12/02/skilled-enough-carry-money/