How to Make Money Selling Your Videos

How to Make Money Selling Your Videos

 

In the past six years, American adults have more than doubled the amount of digital video they watch, from an average of just 20 minutes a day in 2011 to well over an hour in 2015. By 2019, video is expected to account for 85 percent of all internet traffic in the U.S., with mobile devices increasingly used to stream content.

 

Sound impressive? It should. Video-streaming technology has given the average consumer far more power over their own entertainment and education than ever before. Rather than being at the behest of television networks, we can now pick and choose what we watch, when we watch it, and (crucially) how we watch it.

 

More and more businesses are seizing the opportunity to connect with their customers (both existing and prospective) through video. Not only can you use it as a means of communication and brand reinforcement, you can also generate significant revenue.

 

Video is a terrific way for businesses of all sizes to engage with customers, from international giants to small startups. Not only can you inform and educate viewers in a more personal, direct way than through text, it also requires less effort on the viewers part. Rather than wading through blocks of dense copy on your website, customers can simply sit back and absorb the information instead.

 

Sixty percent of people would rather watch a video than read, while video keeps visitors on your site for a longer period of time.

 

Video can also be as dynamic as you like, and employ various storytelling techniques, including visuals, graphics, animations, audio narration, split-screen (for showing multiple videos at the same time), and more. You can pack far, far more into a two-minute video than you can in a lengthy article – and your customers are more likely to watch it.

 

Of course, selling videos online is a challenge when so many free ones are available on YouTube, but it can be done.

 

How can you get started?

 

Know Who You’re Targeting

 

You should have a mission in mind for every video you produce. However, before you can set a specific goal, you have to know which demographic you’re actually aiming for.

 

Depending on your business, and your industry, you may have different types of customers. For example, if you manufacture tablets, you’ll cover a broad demographic, from college students and parents of young children to senior citizens. In this case, you could create videos on using tablets to research studies, setting-up safety features on your child’s tablet, or connecting with relatives across the globe.

 

These are just two examples, but they show how a firm grasp of your company’s customer-base can make sure you appeal to as many viewers as possible.

 

Establish a Payment Model

 

There is no one-size-fits-all payment model when selling videos online. You can offer your customers a variety of ways to pay to suit varying lifestyles and budgets, including:

 

• Subscriptions
• Rentals/Pay-Per-View
• One-Time Offers

 

For example, a business selling luxurious products or services is likely to have a wealthier customer-base. Paying for an annual subscription to all of your upcoming videos may be less of an imposition to such people. On the other hand, for companies catering to a broader range of people, a flexible payment model is crucial: you don’t want to out-price your target customers and chase them away to competitors.

 

Subscription models are incredibly common today, in a huge range of markets. Netflix, for example, allows members to enjoy unlimited access to a variety of films and series for a fixed monthly cost. Amazon offers a more flexible payment model, with customers free to pay an annual fee for access to various media, or they can choose to pay a one-time rental or purchase fee on videos.

 

Think about your customer-base, and what their spending habits tell you. Are they more likely to appreciate the sense of exclusivity a pricier one-off fee will bring, or would they prefer the freedom of pay-per-view or rentals?

 

Offer More Value Beyond Videos

 

Videos should be the foundation of your service, but you should offer customers more for their money. Businesses have a huge range of freedom when building a video distribution site, as they can expand on their material with diverse media.

 

For example, Zumba Front Row is the official fan-club for the global Zumba movement. It has thousands of members, who get exclusive access to recorded and live Zumba sessions and VIP events. However, beyond video, they also have access to resources on nutrition, discounts on clothing and the popular Zumba Cruise, as well as brand-new Zumba tracks.

 

Sites like YouTube, which focus primarily on videos, do not allow channels the same freedom to upload supplementary materials.

 

Other platforms, however, will.

 

PDFs, podcasts, eBooks, and more all add extra value to your package, offering customers who want to go deeper into your services the power to do so.

 

Provide Customers with Material Worth Their Money

 

Any business, in any sector, can use online video to engage with existing and prospective customers.

 

However, why should people be expected to pay for the same information they can find for free elsewhere? With so many free videos distributed online, you have to provide an in-depth, expert quality – whatever your business.

 

Let’s take another look at Zumba Front Row, to illustrate how fitness companies can make money selling videos online. While there are countless free dance tutorials available, Zumba Front Row is the real deal: it’s 100 percent official, with classes taught by experienced professionals (and, in some cases, the man who launched the Zumba movement himself).

 

This is information coming direct from experts, from people who live and breathe Zumba. You have to offer the same quality to your prospects.

 

Let’s say you want to sell videos based around home improvement, to support your chain of hardware stores. Simply providing brief, vague videos on putting up drywall or mending broken fences isn’t enough. You need to give expert demonstrations from multiple camera angles, with clear, crisp narration and slick editing. You need to make viewers feel as if they have personal access to the undisputed masters of the craft.

 

As with many aspects of business, you must put yourself in your customers’ shoes. What would make you want to pay to watch videos in an area that interested you? What would make one channel appeal more over another?

 

You also have to make sure your users enjoy unrestricted access to the videos they pay for, too. Whether they’re using a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet, your media should stream without interruption, without delay. Today’s consumers want convenience and flexibility. They want cross-device synchronicity. They want to access their media how they want, when they want, and where they want. It’s as simple as that.

 

Selling videos online may sound complicated, but if you invest enough time and effort, you can maximize your visibility, build a stronger bond with customers, and reinforce the value of your brand in a crowded marketplace.

 

 

Author Bio

PJ Taei is the founder of Uscreen, a leading video on demand platform perfect for monetizing any content type. Uscreen is one of today’s top platforms used to distribute any form of content to a global audience.

 

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/31/make-money-selling-videos/

Running Your Food Business: How to Go Above and Beyond Your Customer’s Expectations

Running Your Food Business: How to Go Above and Beyond Your Customer’s Expectations

When looking for ways to exceed customer expectations in your restaurant, the simple things are often overlooked. Going above and beyond your competition often starts with securing the foundations of your restaurant first, and then innovating in creative ways.

Stay Cool

Before you can be great you have to be good and a good restaurant needs friendly staff. Staff should smile and engage in small talk when appropriate, always attentive to the customer’s energy. If your customers are in a hurry and the line is long, chatting is obviously not as appropriate. But a friendly smile and courteous welcome is always well received.

Teach your employees to be in tune to your customers. For instance, people of an older generation might be used to a slower, more friendly style of service. However, younger people might have kids at school, might be on a break from work or otherwise just be in a hurry and they need to move quickly through your store. Teach your employees to pay attention to the needs of their customers and always wait until the customer is finished speaking to ensure that they feel respected.

Another nice thing employees can do, when possible, is refrain from putting callers on hold in general, especially if they’re angry.

Your staff should always remain calm and know to keep their cool. The little bit of extra time you spend with an employee to train them on how to handle situations, the more it will pay off for your and your business in the end.

Another policy employees should be trained on is to always repeat customer requests back to them to ensure accuracy to let them know that you’re listening. This makes the customer feel at ease and also will do more to improve waste at your business as less mistakes will be made overall.

Ask for Feedback

Customers will be far more likely to offer constructive feedback if the lines of communication are open and the response time is fast. Customer inquiries should be responded to promptly, especially if they are submitted online because people are likely to lose interest after a time and not wait for a reply. Don’t be afraid of seeking customer feedback. It may seem a bit scary at first but online surveys, in-restaurant guest cards or quick polls on social media can really help you to see what you are doing right and wrong – quickly. Remember – the information is only as valuable as what you do with it.

Just don’t make it a chore. Bureaucracy is not a fun part of any dining experience. Customers don’t want to feel like they’re working for you so make their visit in worthwhile for them. Treat them with kindness and show them you are glad they chose your restaurant. Remember, freebies and competitions are always a winner too. Be responsive to customer ideas and their feedback as you will find it a very valuable source of information. Thank customers for their suggestions on Facebook or yelp, and throw in a little shout out for fun: “new, thanks to the legendary jonny24!”.

Make it Personal

Give customers options: the freedom to choose so as to optimize their experience in accord with their preferences. Forcing people to pay separate bills for drinks purchased at the bar, or refusing to allow them to pay at the table, receive receipts by text or split checks by table is tedious. Guests won’t feel confident trying new menu items or mixing and matching them without knowing what they taste like, so it’s best to allow them to sample wine and beer.

Online reservations and ordering (delivery and pickup) are essential, especially to attract new customers who may just be ordering food in an unknown area with their friends, for example. Small touches, such as free things on birthdays, and general gratitude and personal attention make each guest’s experience uniquely memorable.

Introduce Variety

The more variety that is regularly introduced to the menu, the more frequently guests are encouraged to visit. Spicing up your menu should be done at least seasonally or quarterly. Major changes may take longer, but small additions (e.g. a new milkshake flavor) or changes (e.g. cycling dozens of flavors) should be incorporated into your inventory orders. This having been said, it is essential not to rush new offerings.

Take your time, order the right ingredients and have a worker taste a new item before releasing it. Resist the urge to cut corners or compromise on quality in any way, whether with cheaper ingredients or rushed food. Keep the storefront presentation at a high quality and maintain the best look for your workers, sourcing neat uniforms by Cherokee Uniforms or another well-established outlet.

Never be afraid to check out your successful competitors too. See what they are doing and be on the lookout for ways to improve. Never forget to keep asking yourself the question: what do I want from a dining, takeaway or other food experience? Or better: what would make me comfortable and confident in inviting my friends or family to enjoy a new place I’ve discovered? Does your restaurant work for everyone? How might a new couple, a group of sports fans, a couple of business people, or someone from another country experience your place? When you can’t confidently answer one of these questions, you’ll know it’s time to consider a change.

Lily Martin is at business school and enjoys sharing her new-found knowledge and ideas with an online audience, especially if it will help spark an idea and improve business for a small independent business owner.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/30/running-food-business-go-beyond-customers-expectations/

Billboards with a Heart: Choosing Professional Uniforms for Your Team

Billboards with a Heart: Choosing Professional Uniforms for Your Team

 

Do you want to say a lot of good things about your business without uttering a word? Consider upgrading your team uniforms. No, we’re not talking about your company softball team. Clean, crisp uniforms worn by your staff can convey a positive message to everyone who enters your office, clinic or practice.

 

Should your staff wear uniforms?

 

Bob Dobalina is a marketing director at a successful uniform distribution company in the heartland. When asked if uniforms increase client satisfaction and boost trust, he referred to a recent JD Power study that resulted in the conclusion that customers, clients and patients are more apt to frequent establishments where employees wear uniforms. Clean uniforms appear professional and convey a message of competence and knowledge. For this reason, any outfit that wishes to boost their credibility and client confidence ought to consider purchasing professional uniforms from Dickies Medical.

 

Study after study shows that uniforms offer positive benefits such as boosted business image, improved workplace security and an improved sense of team spirit and company pride. But that’s certainly not all. Clean, attractive uniforms provide functional benefits, too. Flame resistant uniforms serve to prevent employee injury due to electrical arcs and sudden fire. High visibility uniforms increase roadside safety for first responders and other teams that work outdoors. Food and healthcare workers in uniforms reduce their risk of cross-contamination threats.

 

Uniforms are an essential component of clinics, practices and places that serve food. If you manage a business that makes any sort of house calls, uniforms are at least as important. When a customer opens their door, they want to see a smiling employee wearing a clearly identifiable uniform. Makes sense, right?

 

How uniforms are like billboard advertising

 

Imagine for a moment that you’re driving down the road, bored and sitting in traffic and scanning the scenery on either side of the street. A billboard begins to come into view, and before you know it, it’s behind you. Still, you remember the message and you make a mental note. According to Scenic America, there may be close to 800,000 billboards alongside roadways today. In fact, billboard advertising is one of the most effective ways to display an important message to commuters and travelers each and every day.

 

The theory is you can convey that same sort of positive, memorable message and so much more when your employees, staff and faculty wear coordinating uniforms. Patients want to see their doctor in a freshly pressed, perfectly white coat. It makes them feel more confident in their physician’s ability to heal. Nurses may wear colorful prints that send an unspoken message of ‘feel better soon.’

 

A brief history of billboards and what makes them great

 

The earliest American billboard advertising consisted of colorful circus posters that first became popular in the 1830s. Designed and painted by New York artist Jared Bell, those nascent billboards measured more than 50 square feet. Before that time, public outdoor advertising generally comprised small signs attached to fences and buildings. Your business may have such signage today but you can increase customer confidence and build a better reputation when your staff dons crisp, clean uniforms.

 

The Outdoor Advertising Association of America explains that billboards have been around a whole lot longer than that. In fact, the OAAA says the first ‘billboard’ signs were constructed in ancient Egypt where towering stone obelisks touted the latest treaties and gave people a look at local laws.

 

Experts explain that a great billboard offers a quick message in six words or less. Drivers have but a second or two to read a billboard, so the shorter the message, the sweeter. A great billboard doesn’t ask for a direct response. This is to say that an effective billboard doesn’t require the viewer to remember a phone number or memorize a company address. The billboard makes a simple yet memorable statement and allows the passerby to continue on their way.

 

People who study such things say that a great billboard is noticeable, but never a distraction. And the more billboards you boast, the better. Uniforms are like that, too. If your entire staff wears coordinating uniforms that are clean and handsome, chances are your clients, customers and patients will leave your premises with a sense of confidence and a plan to return.

 

One more word about uniforms– employees are typically happy when they don’t have to worry about buying and maintaining a costly work wardrobe. When a worker has a clean uniform every day of the week, performance may improve.

 

Jade Whittaker runs her own beauty business. She has seen how looking after her team of employees, in turn, helps her to grow her business. She shares some of her business tips online for others to learn from, especially if they are just starting out.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/30/billboards-heart-choosing-professional-uniforms-team/

How To Attract & Retail Patients At Your Medical Practice

Attracting & Retaining Patients At Your Medical Practice

You’ve just opened a new private medical practice and you’re looking forward to meeting all your new patients. Of course, you want to make sure that you will see these patients again, so it’s very important to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Look professional: One of the first things that new patients will notice is the way your staff are dressed. For a clean and professional look, you should choose high-quality scrubs for all your healthcare staff. This makes patients feel confident because they can easily recognize members of staff in their professional capacity. Not all scrubs are made equal. It’s worth paying a little extra for scrubs that are comfortable and resilient. Whatever color combination or motif you are looking for you can find it from Careisma Scrubs.

Waiting room only: Your waiting room is just that, so make it as comfortable as possible for your patients. Paint the walls in subtle, soothing shades and use lighting that doesn’t glare. Make sure the temperature is ambient without being uncomfortably warm. Provide ergonomic seating such as chair wedges, specially shaped cushions or ball chairs. This will greatly help patients who have difficulty sitting in static positions. Mount a television on which you can show cable network or informative health videos if you choose.

Tailor your services: Offer medical services that cater to your target patient. For example, if your practice is focused on helping patients regain and maintain a healthy weight, you could host a weekly weight-loss support group. You could also offer monthly information meetings hosted by other healthcare professionals such as a nutritionist, fitness expert or yoga instructor talk about the services they provide.

Promote patient engagement: The idea of patient engagement stems from the realization that patients themselves are important stakeholders in their health care and can provide valuable input for helping improve the quality of health care practices. This means encouraging them to make choices about their health care and keeping them informed of the latest treatment options.

Make the most of technology: This will make scheduling appointments much easier. There are many HIPPA compliant software programs out there, which provide platforms for electronic medical records. They also have email encryption services, enabling you to answer patient queries by email as and when needed. You can also keep patients informed through social media.

Remain flexible: Aspects within the field of healthcare are constantly changing. New technologies are emerging at a rapid pace. Be prepared for changes in health insurance and reimbursement rates. Keep abreast of current and projected trends. A practice that can evolve with the times will be a popular and successful practice.

Bring in the cleaners: Take a good look at your waiting room and examination rooms. Are they really clean? Often the cleaning is included in the price, which also means you may only get the bare minimum. Hiring your own cleaning team might be a better option, so you can rest assured that the job is being done properly.

Be personable and polite: You should also be aware of how your members of staff interact with patients, and make sure they are being courteous at all time. Take some time to listen to how they answer patients’ questions. Do they listen carefully when a patient is speaking? Does the receptionist answer the phone in an appropriate manner? The behavior of your staff will significantly affect patient retention, so make sure it does so in a positive way.

Avoid clutter: Make sure counters in the exam rooms are tidy. Use containers to organize items that you need to have close to hand. Keep the waiting room tidy; keep magazines in a central location. Try to avoid taping paper signs on the walls of your practice. Patients gradually stop reading them if there are too many. If you do need to present some information, think about an electronic photo frame with a slideshow of messages.

Promote your practice: Make sure that the entrance to your practice is clearly marked so that new patients know that they’re in the right place. Put a welcome sign in the entrance so that patients are engaging with your marketing practices as soon as they walk through the door. Train your front desk staff to greet patients as they enter.

Setting up a new practice can initially be daunting, but don’t be put off. Visit other medical practices in your area and get a feel for how they are run. This will give you ideas of what to do and what not to do.

Daisy Bailey is a practitioner manager. Always seeking to be the best and create the best for patients and staff, Daisy shares her thoughts and tips on what must be done from decor to professionalism.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/30/attracting-retaining-patients-new-private-medical-practice/

Getting A Great Mortgage For The Self Employed

Everything You Need to Know About Self-Employed Mortgages

Getting a mortgage these days is difficult enough, but for the self-employed it can seem impossible to get on the property ladder.

Lenders are reluctant to offer any form of credit to individuals who work for themselves due to the financial uncertainty which typically comes with it. However, did you know that there are some companies out there who specialise in self-employed mortgages? So, if you are worrying about being turned down, it’s important you know there are lenders out there who can help.

Here’s a look at everything you need to know about getting a great, self-employed mortgage.

What options are available?

In the past, the self-employed had one main option when it came to getting a mortgage and that was the self-certified variety. However, after lenders started to really use them, these mortgages eventually were scrapped. So, what options are available to you now? The good news is self-employed people these days have access to much the same mortgages as anyone else. It’s what you need in order to be accepted which differs from standard mortgages.

All lenders are different, but the average lender offering self-employed mortgages will usually want to see a minimum of two years’ accounts. This is basically to prove your income and show you’ll be able to make the repayments on the mortgage. However, don’t despair if you don’t have two years’ worth of accounts to show. Some lenders, such as Saffron Building, accept just one year’s accounts, though they will require a few other things to prove you can afford the mortgage you’re applying for.

You’ll also potentially need to prove how much you’re expecting to earn over the next year. Of course, it also helps to have a great credit rating and a nice amount of cash on deposit.

Tips to improve your chances

While each lender is different, there are a few general tips you can follow to improve your chances of getting accepted for a self-employed mortgage.

First, if you have an accountant, part of their job is to try and save you a bit of money in taxes. Depending on what they do, this will make it more difficult for your potential lender to see your true income. Be sure you are at the ready to point out your operations, cash flow, actual expenses and so on so the lender can understand exactly how you are going to pay them back. After all, that is really what they care about.

Ideally, you’re also going to want to be able to show that both your income and profits are increasing – and that your business is poised to grow at a healthy rate in the  future. Make sure you have your tax returns, bank statements and operating reports ready to go to show the lender as he will be asking for them.

Overall, while it can be more difficult for self-employed individuals to get mortgages, these days there are numerous options available. Choosing a lender which specialises in self-employed mortgages is a good first step and being ready to support your case is the second. Doing this should improve your chances of being accepted dramatically.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/30/everything-need-know-self-employed-mortgages/

How to Fix Your Credit for Business Loans

How to Fix Your Credit for Business Loans

 

Many people today require a serious infusion of cash to jump-start their business dreams. Cash infusions come in many forms, with business loans representing the most common source of financing for a start-up company. Most traditional lenders, such as commercial banks, make 700 the minimum credit score for small businesses to receive consideration for loan approvals. What happens when your credit score falls below 700 and lenders are the only option for growing your small business?

The method for fixing your credit for business loans follows most of the time-tested measures you would take to fix your personal credit.

Factors that Influence Business Credit

Unlike established, large corporations that have strong credit ratings, lenders judge small business owners on the merits of personal credit ratings. Several factors come into play for small business owners that want to receive cash by receiving business loans.

Both your personal and any existing business credit scores you have will rank at the top of the list for factors that determine your business credit worthiness now or in the future. You can expect a judgment on your credit report to drive down your credit score. If you already have a business, the longer your business has operated profitably, the more likely a bank is to extend you business credit. Most lenders like to finance loans for businesses that have operated for at least 2 years. Annual will also revenue play an important role in determining business loan approval, as does small business cash flow. A lender is more likely to approve a small business loan if a business demonstrates a healthy cash flow. Finally, most lenders require some type of collateral, whether it’s a chunk of real estate or another type of hard asset.

How to Improve Your Credit Score

Since improving your credit score is the most important factor in obtaining a business loan, let’s review the ways you can push the credit score needle higher.

• Reduce Your Debt

Large amounts of debt damage the chances of consumers receiving personal loans. However, debt is the deal breaker for businesses in search of loans. Lenders like to throw around fancy words like liquidity, but all you need to know is lenders never lend money to businesses saddled with debt. How can you expect a lender to finance your business, when bank loan officers see most, if not all of your revenue goes towards paying off debt? Reduce your business debt and watch your loan approval chances increase. This also means stop applying for new credit lines.

• Closely Monitor Credit Report

The three major credit reporting bureaus-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion sometimes make reporting errors that negatively impact consumer credit scores. Review your monthly credit reports to ensure all of the information is correct. Contest any account reported that you never opened. More important, challenge a judgment on your credit report that goes back more than 10 years. According to credit reporting law, even a bankruptcy shouldn’t appear on your credit report if it happened more than 10 years ago. Minor credit blemishes should disappear on your credit report after seven years.

• Open a Secured Credit Card

Signing up for a secured credit card helps you move back up the credit score chart. Secured credit cards require deposits that lenders use as collateral to protect against defaults. You typically can only charge a maximum that equals your credit card deposit. After making consistent payments over the course of several months, most lenders increase your credit line, without asking for more deposit money. Eventually, your consistent payment record reflects in a higher credit score.

• Avoid Collections

You must resolve any credit disputes you have with credit card companies and other lending sources. Once a credit dispute moves to collections, credit reporting bureaus immediately slash your credit score. Lawsuits and credit judgments represent major blemishes that prevent you from securing a business loan. Do everything you can to prevent collections from ever happening in the first place.

Most business owners rely on loans either to start up an enterprise or expand operations. The fact that debt finances most small businesses means you need to take steps to fix your credit to obtain approval for a business loan. Remember too that little things that you might not think about, like such as closing a credit card account, can damage your credit score.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/30/fix-credit-business-loans/

How To Choose The Right Software For Your Business

How To Choose the Right Software for Your Business

If you having trouble finding the right software for your business, it’s likely you are not alone with this problem. It could be that there are a lack of options available to you and your particular business. Every organization is different, but commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software doesn’t always address the diversity and needs of your processes.

If you can’t find out-of-the-box software that suits your particular business needs, you have 3 options:

1. You can change the way you work to accommodate the new technology
2. You can customize the software to meet your business’ needs and processes
3. You can invest in custom software development that would be tailor-made to support your company, just the way you need it

There are many business processes that can benefit from custom software development. Even traditionally non-digital businesses use digital channels and automate processes with technology. For example, invoicing and accounting software is necessary for almost all businesses. These workflows are standard across most industries and organizations. Thus, there is little strategic value in those processes, so standard software is often sufficient. However, if you’re in the manufacturing industry, and your core business process differentiates you from your competitors, then it can be extremely valuable to have custom-designed software that supports the execution of those processes.

The goal is not simply to own custom software

Using custom software should improve your business. However, in some cases, simple changes to business operations are a reasonable option. In fact, many vendors build software with industrial best practices in mind, so tweaking your workflow might be a good idea. But sometimes, accommodating technology may lead to changes that are too radical, inconvenient, or would have a negative impact on your business.

If changing your processes to match new software is too disruptive, then it’s time to consider customizing an existing software solution. Not all ready-made software can be customized, and even if it can, in many cases, the changes may not be worth the cost. Furthermore, the final product may be cumbersome, and ultimately, disappointing.

Before committing to commission based,  custom-engineered software, there are some factors to consider.

1. ROI of Custom Software Engineering Services

While evaluating available software, you may find a vendor who meets your list of ‘must-have’ and ‘nice to have’ requirements. However, if you find yourself struggling to identify potential  service providers, don’t settle on a vendor out of frustration. Take the ROI into account before signing the contract with a vendor, since it’s important for your business to be able to benefit from your investments in the long run.

2. Time, Cost and Scope of Custom Software Development

There are 3 main factors to weigh when considering a packaged vs. bespoke software purchase, which are: cost, time, and scope.

First of all, you need to know what is financially feasible. It is wise to conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis of each system or vendor before making a choice. It’s also important to consider upfront and ongoing costs, as well as the long-term value and impact a system will have on your business. Then, you must take time into consideration and balance it with the cost against the scope of the project. Time concerns often drive businesses to make an investment in custom software — not just time-to-market or time-to-implement, but also the efficiency your company could gain with a tailored solution. By weighing budget, timeline, and scope against potential competitive advantages, you will be able to determine if you need custom software engineering services.

Types of Custom Software Engineering Services to Consider

Because no two businesses are alike, custom software engineering services are highly varied. There’s a custom software engineering service to meet your needs, whether you need to build a system from scratch, integrate existing systems, rescue a failing in-house project, or augment your own development and engineering staff.

• Software and app development can range from an on-premise to a web to a mobile solution for your business. For example, you might need an iPhone, or Android app for your field service agents. Or maybe you want to develop that as a SaaS solution to sell. Many custom software engineering firms can build both internal business software, as well as test, prototype, and build products on behalf of your company.

• Supplementary IT resources, which are often provided by software engineering firms. Whenever you have a short-term or one-off project that requires high-skilled engineers, you can use these services to augment your own IT team. Getting outside help can decrease start-up time and increase both productivity and quality of work. Some examples of additional IT resources you may want to hire on an as-needed basis include: a mobile developer, a game developer, a web developer, a Scrum master, etc.

• Project rescue is necessary when your software development project is in trouble. This is where software engineering firms can step in and analyze what went wrong, and report the best methodology to reduce additional time expenses and drive the project to completion.

• Enterprise solutions and integrations are complex, which is why custom ERP or CRM software may be necessary. In some cases, you may simply need a system integration. A custom software engineering services firm can address both enterprise needs.

• Ongoing support is sometimes needed after a project is completed. These services include application lifecycle management (development, maintenance, management, migration) as well as support and maintenance.

 

How to Choose Custom Software Engineering Services

It’s not so easy to choose a custom software engineering firm. Ideally, you should choose someone with whom you can form a long-term partnership in case any issues arise or you have future additional needs. When searching for software engineering services, here are some differentiators that will help you pinpoint what to look for when choosing your partner:

1. Programming Language: When selecting a service provider, find one with a wide-ranging experience in programming languages, or a team that specializes in the particular code you need, whether it’s PHP, JavaScript, etc.
2. Purpose:If you’re building an enterprise CRM, you’ll need a very different team from when you’re building a game. If your project is industry-specific or extremely specialized, you might want to consider choosing a niche service provider. That way, you’ll have a subject-matter expert on your side.
3. Business vs. Consumer: When designing software for consumers, you’ll need different knowledge and skill sets than the ones required when building a system for business users. These two projects are completely different, so it’s worth the effort to explore your options until you find a vendor with relevant experience.
4. Cloud or On-premise: How do you plan to deploy your software? What other applications do you need? Once you know how you implement your custom software, you will be able to narrow the market of service providers.
5. Add-on Services: What else does the firm offer, besides custom software development? Perhaps you may want to add IT consulting services to your project, to help you with security and risk management, or maybe you need data analysts and strategists to help you derive insights from your business data. Depending on the scope of your project and your own staff’s expertise, it won’t be a bad idea to find custom software engineering service providers that also offer complementary IT services.

As you become more and more familiar with the type of IT services you need, as well as additional specialty differentiators required for the project, you will significantly narrow down your list of service providers. It’s then up to you to put in your due diligence and check the track record of every service provider you’re considering.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/27/choose-right-software-business/

How Law Firms Generate Quality Business Leads

How Law Firms Generate Quality Business Leads

When generating leads in the legal sector, a regular stumbling block arises: which part of our marketing efforts and ultimately budget generated the quality leads/customers, and what generated low-quality leads? Once we can answer this question, we can start making better marketing decisions and spend funds in areas that generated the most profitable customers, subsequently, improving the bottom line.

Six months ago, we launched a new website in the medical negligence market (The Medical Negligence Experts). Behind the site, our industry-first technology platform sought to answer the question touched on in paragraph 1. As we built up data within our technology, unseen clarity and efficiencies filtered through our marketing team. The result of which has been that we can get more, higher value customers from our leads. Moreover, with the same budget, we can increase our number of customers by lowering our waste on low quality leads.

So how did law firms generate leads before? Regular digital marketing agencies are the usual approach; they will use the available data to meet a target cost per lead KPI. The problem with this approach is that these agencies can only follow half the story, which can lead to bad decisions for the business or firm. For instance, marketing activity may lead to a high volume of leads and the agency will believe that they are doing a great job. However, this activity may be generating low quality leads that are very unlikely to generate profitable customers. In turn, the agency will increase the share of the budget for this area of marketing, having a potential negative effect on the law firm’s bottom line.

So how does this new technology change the way in which law firms generate leads? Put quite simply, it follows the rest of the story. We built a system that connects our marketing activity with our CRM system. When a lead comes in either via our contact form or phone, the law firm will talk with them as they would normally and when the decision is made as to whether the lead is taken on or rejected, they update the CRM and then the CRM informs our technology of the lead info and its variable information. This way we can give a more accurate cost per customer figure, giving us competitive edge, in real time.

Over the last six months, after many conversations with our partner law firms on The Medical Negligence Experts and The Compensation Experts, we have found that this concept is correct. It gives us the clarity to ensure they make maximum profit on their investment. The resulting quality of the leads and cost per lead is something that the old, established CMCs simply cannot match. We predict that over time, more data will generate further improved results, and in turn – serving our partners even better.

 

 

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/27/industry-first-technology-changing-way-law-firms-generate-business/

Don’t Change What You Do – Change How You Do It

Article by: Freedom Matters

 

With the fireworks over and the hangovers subsided, resolution season is now officially in full swing. Each year, we take time to review our lives and decide which habits we hope to create or get rid of in order to live a more fulfilled life.

We pledge to exercise more, eat better, save more, be more productive, be less stressed, wake up earlier, stop procrastinating, and just generally achieve more. We pledge to be happier. Unfortunately, life is complicated and come February or March, our new routines are often abandoned and forgotten.

All of us are susceptible to losing our determination and motivation. So this year, maybe it’s time to try something different. Instead of changing what you’re doing, change how you’re doing it.

At Freedom, we believe in productivity and making positive changes, but too often we set ourselves up for failure with lofty goals, or unrealistic expectations of our time, energy, and motivation. Instead of always trying to do more, add more, and be more – this year, try to focus on being present, accepting, and mindful of what you already have. For example, instead of trying to wake up earlier to have more hours in your day, maybe you need to change the way you’re using the hours you already have.

 

click here to read full article

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/25/dont-change-change/

Keep Your Staff Motivated Through a Long Sales Incentive

Keep Your Staff Motivated Through a Long Sales Incentive

 

A sales incentive can sometimes go on for weeks, or even months, at a time. Events and incentive provider, Corporate Rewards, explains how you can keep staff engaged throughout even the longest sales incentives.

 

Outline the goal

It is important that your entire sales team is aware of what they are working towards, highlighting what they stand to gain from performing well in a sales incentive.

This could be a travel trip, vouchers, or other prizes. The key to keeping a sales team engaged and motivated is reiterating that it is something they could achieve.

Provide feedback and updates

Throughout an incentive, you need to keep staff informed of progress towards targets, time left on the incentive, and update on performance.

Keeping staff aware of how they are progressing throughout an incentive can either be a motivating factor if they are doing well. Or in the case they aren’t performing or reaching targets, it becomes an opportunity to reassess and provide additional training and guidance.

This can help to keep overall performance on track and solve any underlying issues in terms of poor performance.

It can be easy to introduce an incentive to your team and have them immediately forget about it while carrying out their other work and day to day tasks. Frequent updates, even as a part of a daily briefing for example, allows you to keep the incentive front of mind with staff and remind them of the targets they have and the potential prize if they succeed.

Maintain momentum

Over a longer incentive, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain momentum. In a retail environment, for example, if an incentive runs for a number of weeks it might be worth launching smaller internal challenges to maintain enthusiasm and use short term goals to build towards something larger.

For example, if the main incentive is based on sales of a particular product, you could see who has sold the most over a weekly period and give that staff member a small reward.

This helps to provide a more immediate focus, which, especially in a busy retail environment, helps keep the goal of the main incentive in mind. The smaller internal incentives help retain focus while still keeping staff working towards a final end goal.

Another way to maintain momentum is to provide a means to visualize the end goal. Set up a board in the staff room that allows staff to view progress, the targets they have to achieve, and the team’s overall progress or standings in the incentive.

Providing frequent information to staff about an incentive, looking at their performances, and charting progress are all ways to ensure the incentive runs smoothly. And also provide a perfect way to help ensure that momentum and enthusiasm towards a sales incentive doesn’t wane, driving your staff or sales teams towards success.

 

What are you doing in your business to keep your staff motivated? Let us know!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/25/keep-staff-motivated-long-sales-incentive/

5 Ways to Streamline Your Business Website

5 Ways to Streamline Your Business Website

Creating a streamlined user journey is the most important part of a successful website. Your site needs to allow your customers and potential clients to go from A-B with ease and minimal roadblocks.

Unnecessary steps, pages and processes can all prevent site visitors from turning into conversions. It’s important to keep in mind what you need from your users and make your on-site goals as easy to achieve as possible. This means making your products easy to find and clearly labelled, making contact forms short and to the point and keeping main landing pages to a minimum.

There are plenty of ways to streamline your user journey to give you a higher chance of conversion. More often than not, the answer is just to simplify the site, removing features that add no value to the user, such as the points below.

 

Simplifying contact and inquiry forms

If your main source of conversion is through inquiry or contact forms on your site, and your conversion rate just isn’t increasing, you may have overcomplicated things.

Forms should be straightforward and quick for users to complete, the faster the form is to fill out, the higher the conversion will be. It’s also a good idea to either provide the very basic fields e.g. name and email address, or clear and precise instructions on how to fill out the form and what will happen with the data once it is submitted.

Analyzing users behavior flow

Keeping up to date with your site data through Google Analytics is the key to keeping on top of user behaviours. GA can show you how your users move through your site and which pages have the highest drop off rate.

This data can help you identify any roadblocks in your user journey and highlight any pages that may need to be re-looked at and changed in order to allow users to pass through smoothly. If you are not using GA to analyze your user date you will want to begin doing so right away.

Conducting user research

User research should be conducted before the start of any web design. It’s important to know what your users objectives and goals are, so that you can adjust the UX design accordingly.

User research can help you create a website that is designed for your customers and helps you see the results you need for your business. It can be time consuming, which is why it is often overlooked. However, a UX design agency like USIO, can help you conduct thorough research and help you to correlate the data, so you can use it in the most efficient way.

Simplifying the navigation

When a site visitor lands on your site, they want to be able to find what they are looking for within the first few seconds, if not less. A convoluted navigation will confuse your users and make them click off your site, in order to go and find the information/products they need on a competitor site. People today are in such a hurry and looking for something fast. Make sure they get that with your website.

Stripping back landing pages

Optimising your site for your keywords is important in order to appear high in searches, however creating a landing page simply to get your keywords on the site, isn’t always user friendly.

Landing pages should perfectly marry SEO with UX design, and any landing pages created should not only be optimised, but also provide relevant information for your users.

Your user should always be at the forefront of your UX design. Your site visitors are your customers, so treat your website as if it were a shop front. What would you want people to be able to see as soon as they enter? And how would people move around? As soon as you start to put your user first, you’ll start to see the effect on your overall conversions. So go ahead and make a plan to streamline your business website and watch your conversions get better and better!

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/25/5-ways-streamline-user-journey-business-website/

3 Reasons Why A Business Loan Is Good For Your Start-Up

3 Reasons Why A Business  Loan Is Good For Your Start-Up

If you are only getting started in business, financing could be your biggest dilemma. Even if you have the best business idea that you are certain will turn into cash, without capital it can be impossible to get it started. Of course, you have probably read somewhere that something like 90% start-ups fail, but don’t let that deter you. Most times a business will fail from lack of capital so get a handle on that and be a member of the 10% that succeed club.

Equity or Debt?

The dilemma for new business owners is whether to seek a loan or start with their own savings. The tricky thing about choosing equity is that it might not be an option. You probably have some money set aside, but is it your child’s college fund? If it is, do you want to gamble with those funds? The only other options left are to pursue small business loans, or bring in a venture capitalist. The following are our thoughts on what the better option for your business might be:

• Diluted Ownership

If you let an investor in on your plan, they will certainly demand a percentage of the investment. You might have few options on the amount of control you keep, but you will have to make it worth their while since you really need their investment. In the end, it is possible to conclude that your business will not be your own.

While you may benefit from the experience of the investor, especially if they have been in your line of business before, you will not be making all the decisions for your business. This may cause you to stray from what you originally envisioned for your company. This may be a problem for you or you may think nothing of it. Only you can decide what is right for you.

• Commitment

With an investor relationship, it is possible it will be based solely on the bottom line. If they happen to lose interest in your business, or find it’s not growing fast enough, they might decide to get out of it to find a more challenging and profitable venture. They might even sell their interest to another party and now you can find yourself in business with someone else.

With small business loans things are quite different. You do not take on an investor not do you give up your profits. The relationship is solely based on you repaying what you owe them. As long as you fulfill your monthly obligations, all will be well.  You retain full ownership and decision-making responsibility for your business.

• The Risks

With an equity investor who is interested in growth (of course, they are) you are likely to make expansion plans sooner than you had imagined. This is not a bad idea. The only concern arises when they want to get out of the investment.

As the business grows, the cash requirements become bigger, and you may be unable to pick up from where they left if they decide to. You will be at their mercy to keep the newly expanded business, and they may take advantage by seeking a significant share in what was originally yours. Even though the business is growing, you end up losing control to your investment partner.

So What Do You Do? 

While equity investors provide you with the capital you need without demanding it back, they also become part of your business. On the other hand, small business loans only require you to make scheduled payments. You retail control of your business with all the decision making and so on. Our advice to you is this: If your company is generating stable cash flow and can pay a business loan, a business loan is most likely the type of financing you will want to look into. However, if you have an idea, not much capital and do not mind taking on an equity partner (and possibly giving up some control), you may want to take on an investing partner. Only you know what your business concept is and what the right type of situation that will work for you will be. We hope knowing a bit of the differences will help you get started – no matter what way you decide to go.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/25/3-reasons-business-loan-good-start/

How to Become a Successful Solopreneur

How to Become a Successful Solopreneur

Perhaps the most sought after kind of freedom is business autonomy. More and more people are risking everything to go “solo.” I mean, who wouldn’t want to be their own boss? You set your own hours, enjoy all the profits, and most of all, there is no boss breathing down your neck all day. But of course, this is no mean feat. As a lone wolf, you lack the support and amity that comes along with being part of a team. Being short of an extra pair of hands to share the workload could take its toll. To make it work, you need to be financially smart and determined. Luckily for you, I have discovered a few tricks you can use to get ahead.

Maximize on vouchers and discount codes

No matter the trade you dabble in, I hope you’ll agree it pays to be financially smart. And what better way to do that than making the most of vouchers and discounts? It doesn’t matter whether your business is service or goods oriented- I bet there’s a purchase you need to make online, right? Maybe you are a freelance writer in need of a laptop upgrade or a cosmetic specialist in need of a new stock of products.  Before you go splurging all your money on expensive gear, be sure to look at websites like promocodewatch that advertise price cuts for different products. By capitalizing on this, you maintain more cash in your pocket.

Stick to the script

Seeing as you are the sole decision-maker with no one to answer to, it’s easy to fall astray. This can be detrimental to your business. Have a list of short-term and long-term goals and execute plans that focus on these missions. Have a weekly to-do list and be brutal when prioritizing what is critical and what isn’t. Set up specific times of day that you will work and don’t splurge on big ticket items like new cars until you are very sure you can afford them. Your new business will need cash so make sure you plan out your cash flow needs and stick to your plan.

Focus on cash flow and customers. Make sure issues relating to these two should always take precedence. The tasks should also marry in terms of impact and effort. The tasks that require little effort while generating most impact are a no-brainer. It’s best you handle them first. Sometimes you won’t want to focus on one or the other but do it first and get it out of the way – before you do anything else. That way you make sure you get it done.

Do away with the drudge

As your business picks up its pace, you may begin to need a second or third set of hands. I bet you have a backlog of time-consuming low levels tasks with no time to do them, right? It doesn’t matter whether its laundry and cleaning or book keeping, it’s easy to find reasonably priced labor these days. Just outsource it to a freelancer on a short-term basis.  Make use of sites like Task Rabbit, Upwork, or PeoplePerHour.

Get paid on time

Late payments are one of the biggest problems for any solopreneur. It will destabilize your cash flow system and have you chaseing after clients when you have better things to do. Make sure you avoid any of this by setting your terms in writing before you begin any work and invoicing regularly and on a timely basis.

I hope these tips help guide you on your way to a very successful solopreneur enterprise.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/25/become-successful-solopreneur/

The Benefits of Providing Employees With Ergonomic Workstations – Especially In The Medical Field

The Benefits of Providing Employees With Ergonomic Workstations – Especially In The Medical Field

As the population continues to age, it’s easy to imagine the influx of private and public funds that will soon be spent in the healthcare industry to meet the rising number of patients that are soon to follow. And while you might think that the focus will simply be to build more hospitals (in truth, it’s estimated that in the decade between 2004 and 2014, roughly $200 billion was spent on new hospital construction in the U.S. alone), there’s quite a bit of evidence that seems to link the quality of patient care to, of all things, the interior design of the medical facility. The impact is so surprisingly significant that it’s prompting decision makers to rethink the way in which our medical facilities are built.

Reducing Harm Caused By Medical Errors

It might seem shocking to learn that almost 100,000 people die each year due to medical errors that occur within American hospitals. Sobering as that figure might be, the fact that these deaths are largely preventable make the statistic all the more lamentable.

At The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute located in Detroit, MI, administrators noted a significant drop in the medical errors that occurred at their facility once they allocated more space for their medication rooms, and re-evaluated the way they stored their medical supplies. Interestingly, something as simple as the re-purposing of physical space played a role in saving lives at this hospital.

Healthcare Environments Affect Staff Effectiveness

The mentality shift that has occurred in the industry that views hospitals as a place to provide healing as opposed to simply providing treatment, has had the side benefit of boosting the morale and efficacy of the staff that works in these facilities. So much so that new nursing graduates are increasingly planting roots rather than looking for a new placement a year or two down the line.

Conventionally, the state of hospitals is one that seemed to negatively affect patients and staff alike by fostering:

• Feelings of anxiety, depression, and anger
• Increased blood pressure, higher levels of stress hormones, as well as compromised immune system function
• Exhaustion

It goes without saying that it’d be difficult for patients to focus on getting better when faced with the host of negative emotions and physical changes that can occur just being in the hospital – it’s arguably worse when these effects are found in the doctors and nurses that treat them.

If the physical environment of a hospital is one that contributes to the staff’s exhaustion and other physical and mental conditions, patient health can also be compromised as the staff is much more likely to have a reduced capacity for things like attention to detail when administering medications or performing medical procedures. For this reason, modern architecture and design of medical facilities consider the health and well-being of those providing the healing in addition to those that are there to receive it.

How?

For starters, improvements in indoor air quality. A well-designed ventilation system (when combined with other sanitary practices) have shown to reduce the transmittal of infections between patients and staff alike in hospitals.

Better lighting, too, can alleviate negative psychological effects; that’s why modern facilities tend to make better use of natural light both in patient rooms and in communal areas.

Sound absorbing ceramic tiles that are used to lower the levels of sound pollution between rooms helps to lower stress levels. This expedites the healing process in patients and reduces the number of distraction sources for the staff. While patients claimed a greater satisfaction in the quality of care they received, they also exhibited lower blood pressure and were less likely to be re-hospitalized after they were released. Staff also reported that they felt more rested after the installation of soundproofing tiles.

Workstations are also being redesigned in order to be more ergonomic; adjustable height workstations and other modular office furniture are much more likely to be spotted in a new medical facility.

Finally, modern hospitals are being designed in a way that allows staff to excel at their jobs. Strange as it may sound, they weren’t always set up for success. Consider the nurses’ station. A hub of activity and interaction between staff, patients, and their families, a not inconsiderable number of errors would occur while updating charts, filing medication orders, etc. By designing and building a workstation around the work that needs to take place in that location, fewer errors tend to occur.

You might wonder what hospital design has to do with your business? Rest assured that providing ergonomic workstations in any office or business environment can benefit your business, productivity, safety and employee morale as well.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/25/evidence-based-hospital-design-fits-nurses-doctors-together/

Tools To Grow Your Sales Sky High

Tools To Grow Your Sales Sky High 

Looking for a fast, popular, easy yet effective way to do better marketing and make your sales go sky-high? Cloud based tools are the answer! Much like the way technology has changed the entire structure of our lives, Cloud tools have transformed the way a company can go about marketing their products and services on the internet. Many organizations are increasingly using cloud technology for their products and services to reach out to every customer and user in a convenient way through a digital experience that is integrated and helps in advertising.

The “Cloud” has become a huge buzz in technology today and is being used by every business big and small to help them with marketing in a creative, low cost and effective way. It is easy to implement and helps you manage with less help from IT resources. If you have a small business and are trying to manage with very little resources, switch to cloud technology now and run your business smoothly.

There are many categories into which Cloud marketing can be divided. The ones considered most popular of them are social media (such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.), website marketing, virtual events, document storage, and CRM and marketing automation. Manage your business better and without spending much money by using the following cloud based tools:

Hubspot:

Founded in 2006 and launched in December 2007, Hubspot is a marketing software company which helps various companies get more customers by attracting potential buyers in a subtle and natural way. It helps your business transform and change the marketing style from outbound to inbound lead generation calls. It is the best tool if you are looking for an indirect and yet effective marketing approach. Using Hubspot, you can build a library of personalized email templates and sales content that you can access right from your inbox and also see useful metrics on which email templates and content are getting opened and clicked.

This tool is best for:

• Small scale entrepreneurs
• Subtle yet effective campaigning
• Integrated tracking of prospective customers

 

 

Marketo:

This cloud based marketing tool helps businesses of all kinds and sizes to develop and maintain an engaging relationship with their customers in a powerful and easy way. You can improve your marketing accountability and drive revenues using this tool. Turn your business dream into a reality and look up Marketo today to set up free of cost and also get a free trial!

This tool is best for:

• Customer engagement marketing
• Real time customization
• Market automation and management

 

Sales Fusion:

This is one cloud based tool that will help your business get a modern and innovate approach towards marketing. Using data-driven strategies and making use of component that are technically inclined does not usually prove helpful and feasible to small businesses with less resources and small budgets. In such a scenario, Sales Fusion will help businesses to attract prospects and improve communications, which, in turn, helps businesses succeed and continuously keep improving in various areas. Sales Fusion is built by marketers, for marketers, and creates customized digital conversations. Convey your message to the right department at the right time by choosing Sales Fusion today.

This tool is best for:

• Building better customer relations
• Amateur or budding businessmen
• Maintain healthy competition

 

 

Pardot:

A marketing tool which is easy to use, Pardot, with its B2B Marketing Automation solution offered by Salesforce, will help your business management, marketing and sales team to increase efficiency and bring in more revenue. Pardot was founded in 2007 by David Cummings and Adam Blitzer. This cloud based tool allows marketing departments to conceptualize, deploy, and manage digital marketing campaigns from one centralized and fully loaded platform. With its global services and its focus on innovation and generating revenue goals, Pardot makes it customers feel secure and confident that they will always be on the cutting edge of marketing technology.

This tool is best for:

• Setting a standardized quality
• Tracking and converting leads
• Solidifying both customer and peer relationships

 

 Act-On:

Act-On is a marketing automation company for fast-growing businesses. From demand generation to brand awareness, to retention and customer loyalty, the Act-On technology enables marketers to usher inpositive business outcomes. This cloud based tool gives simple solution to complex solutions, and helps your business expand and grow. Act-On offers a platform where you can tie various programs of your business together generate maximum return on investments in the marketing sector.

This tool is best for:

• Robust and ambitious enterprises
• Effective market management
• Email marketing

 

 

Infusionsoft:

Infusionsoft was found in 2001 and is in the lead today when it comes to providing a software to help small businesses with their marketing and sales processes. This cloud based tool accelerates small business growth with technology, marketing strategy, sales push, and a think tank of industry leaders, business process owners, coaches, and mentors. If your business is in need of a new lead or if you want to make sales faster, Infusionsoft provides one platform for you from where you can manage your departments and campaigns and makes tasks such as follow-up (which can be a bit tedious and repetitive) in much easier and convenient ways.

This tool is best for:

• Saving on costs
• Supporting small and medium scale enterprises
• Sharing and dependable storage options

 

 OutMarket:

Looking for a cloud based tool that will provide you with a simple solution to out market your competition and help facilitate the growth of your business? Then OutMarket is the answer for you! OutMarket provides a platform where you can manage various things for your business such as managing social media, email marketing, press outreach etc., easily and conveniently. Choose this marketing automation software to fulfill all your business needs and achieve best results!

This tool is best for:

• Fighting intense competition
• Managing multiple tasks at once
• Sharing the word about your business

 

 LeadSquared:

LeadSquared provides you with sales insights, marketing insights, and lead management index to help your business grow. By associating yourself and your business with LeadSquared, you can get clear and helpful insights about your campaigns, lead sources and understand what product offerings or sales offering can help your business. With LeadSquared’s capture automation, you can increase the traffic on your website and attract people using emails or through online campaigns.

This tool is best for:

• Gathering market information
• Develop insights for better planning
• Converting leads to sales

 

Oracle Eloqua:

This cloud-based tool is the easiest and most powerful marketing automation software that can be used by companies and businesses of all types and sizes. It aligns marketing and sales processes to boost revenue performance. With services and facilities such as the Eloqua AppCloud, you can reach your customers and your partners in an easy manner improve your sales through better communication. Connect with Oracle Eloqua now and social media marketing and insightful marketing and sales analysis on a single marketing platform.

This tool is best for:

• Non-technical business people
• Entrepreneurs who multitask
• Venturing out onto a global platform

Feel free to use this list and grow your business the way you have always dreamed of.

 

 

 

 

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/24/cloud-based-tools-can-help-manage-marketing-sales-better/

Best Lawyer Options For A Business Bankruptcy

Best Lawyer Options For A Business Bankruptcy

With the economic crisis in full swing, a great number of business and homeowners are being forced to decide whether to restructure their finances by filing for bankruptcy or change their investment patterns.

Bankruptcy attorneys at Chang & Diamond, APC are fully dedicated to providing their clients with accurate and reliable information about bankruptcy, as well as offering professional counsel and top-level legal representation.

Top-Notch Representation

Chang & Diamond attorneys provide invaluable insight into the bankruptcy process, as well as reliable legal advice to clients regarding bankruptcy, foreclosure, and workouts. They serve the San Diego and Riverside Counties of California. Their main goal is to assist clients in restructuring their debt by thorough planning and superior legal representation.

Chang & Diamond, APC, delivers premier customer service to every client. They strive to give you peace of mind when you need it most. Their goal is to help you get back on your feet as fast as possible and focus on your business.

Every client is treated with the utmost professionalism and respect and initial consultations are free of charge so you have nothing to lose. Additionally, they can accommodate non-English-speaking clients with their Spanish-speaking team.

Thorough and Informative

Your lawyer should be willing to spend time with you and explain the complex bankruptcy process in detail. That way you can make an informed decision that works to your benefit. Education on the bankruptcy process and different types of bankruptcy filings is a vital part of the service so be sure the lawyer you choose will help you with that.

Accessible and Considerate

In addition to Chang & Diamond’s main offices, they have a number of satellite offices, where you can meet with experienced bankruptcy lawyers for an in-person consultation. All services are conveniently accessible throughout San Diego and Riverside Counties. In addition, we maintain the highest standard for all services in all areas we serve.

Their attorneys are considerate, discrete and always there to answer your questions or dispel any doubts you may have, in person or via phone or email.

Experienced and Knowledgeable

Look for a law firm that offers a team of highly knowledgeable bankruptcy lawyers with a comprehensive knowledge of the law. They should possess a vast practical experience in dealing with a variety of different cases of bankruptcy. Their attorneys should be able to draw on previous experience and a myriad of cases to provide their clients with successful outcomes. So don’t be afraid to ask questions about experience, track records, performance and so on.

For aggressive legal representation, feel free to call Chang & Diamond, APC for a free consultation. They tell us all their efforts are directed at representing your best interests. They will put their knowledge, professional skills and experience to work for you. They also help to dispelling the myths of bankruptcy and help clients regain their peace of mind. Let their attorneys help you make the first step towards a debt-free future. You can contact Chang & Diamond, APC at 619.312-4900 or through their online form to schedule a free initial consultation.

If you are not in CA, not to worry. A simple google search of “business bankruptcy attorneys” in your area should give you a few resources to connect with right away.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/24/best-lawyer-options-dealing-business-bankruptcy/

4 Ways To Keep Your Business Secure in 2017

4 Ways to Keep Your Business Secure in 2017

Cloud technology has made it possible for companies to lower their expenses and increase productivity. A lot of businesses, however, still struggle to keep their information and applications secure. If you’re concerned about your business, follow these four ways to improve its cloud security in 2017.

1. Choose Higher Encryption Standards

Encryption makes it possible for you and your customers to transfer sensitive information without giving access to anyone else. At their cores, all encryption tools use algorithms to make data indecipherable. Some tools, however, work much better than others. You can typically expect to get better protection from newly developed tools that use advanced algorithms.

If your business sells software as a service, then you need to make sure it has the highest level of encryption available to your industry. Without excellent encryption, you put your customers in jeopardy. You also put your company’s reputation at risk. It only takes one mistake before customers lose faith in your ability to protect them.

2. Follow FITARA Guidelines

The federal government has created a list of guidelines that can help improve the cloud security. While these guidelines were developed to benefit federal agencies, adopting the standards can improve the cloud security of private companies.

Research shows that about 84 percent of IT professionals believe that the steps outlined in the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) will make federal IT more efficient. With such a high level of optimism, it makes sense for you to follow similar rules.

3. Require Multi-Factor Authentications

Image via Flickr by nSeika

A lot of cloud applications only require users to enter passcodes. Once a person enters the right passcode, he or she has full access to the application’s features.

Unfortunately, a one-step authentication process will not keep out talented hackers who know how to use software and social engineering to guess passcodes. Multi-factor authentications offer a more robust gateway because they require users to enter several pieces of information. Each step that you add makes it harder for unauthorized people to bypass your company’s cloud security.

You have several options when choosing extra factors. Some good options include:

 

• Asking several questions before allowing access
• Only giving access to specific devices
• Limiting access to people in certain locations
• Using hardware (such as dongles) that transmit security information to apps

 

4. Limit Access to Employees Who Need It

Every employee working for your company may need some access to cloud-based applications. Few of them, however, need access to sensitive data. Limiting the security clearance of most employees will make it easier for you to keep information private. Instead of giving everyone the same access, you create a handful of profiles that have more privileges than others.

Making different levels of security not only helps prevent security leaks but makes it easier for you to find out who released sensitive information.

Your business needs the cloud to succeed, so you can’t let security concerns limit your technology. As long as you use the latest security standards, you should find that you can keep your company and customers safe.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/24/4-ways-improve-businesss-cloud-security-2017/

Car Title Loans: An Industry Full of Myths

Car title loans: An industry full of myths

It’s proving to be one of the most helpful sources of finance for a lot of people, but at the same time the car title loans industry is clouded at best. It’s an industry which tends to attract headlines and misconceptions – many of which paint it in a completely inaccurate light.

Particularly with the emergence of online car title loans, the situation has become even more complex. It’s for this reason that we have scoured the industry and pulled out some of the most common myths that exist, as we look at them in detail through the course of this page.

Myth #1 – You need to give your car up to take advantage of one of these loans

We’ll start with one of the most ridiculous misconceptions of the lot, but one which probably happens to be one of the most common as well.

A lot of people are under the impression that you have to give up your vehicle when you get your car title loan – so you are effectively without it for the duration.

Well, let’s put an end to this thinking. You will always keep your car, provided you keep up with the monthly repayments. The point of one of these loans is almost lost if you were to give it up; it would probably hinder your work, and you’d be in an even worse financial predicament.

Myth #2 – Lenders are desperately trying to claim your vehicle

Again, this is a common one; most people think lenders are the complete “bad guys.” Sure, they’re in this business to make a profit, but don’t for a moment think that they’d rather you default so they claim your vehicle.

The costs involved in claiming a vehicle are much higher than most of us realize, and it’s much more efficient for them to receive regular repayments. Ultimately, they will try and help you if you do get into difficulties – the alternative is far too expensive for them and is often left as a last resort.

Myth #4 – You need good credit to obtain one

One of the big advantages of these loans is that you don’t need a great credit rating to take one out. Little else needs to be said about this point apart from due to the fact your vehicle is acting as collateral, it’s a completely false story. The vehicle acts as protection for lenders and this eases the lending restrictions significantly.

Myth #3 – Car title loans are given to anyone

At the same time, following on from the last point, another misconception that absolutely anyone can obtain this type of loan. True, the rules are much more relaxed, but you will still have to satisfy certain terms and the market is still regulated. Like with any form of finance, there is always a degree of caution and you will still have to prove that your car title loan is going to be an affordable payment for you.

So if you need a little business capital and are thinking about vehicle title loans, now you have a bit more information to help you find your way.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/24/car-title-loans-industry-full-myths/

5 Ways To Improve Employee’s Productivity

5 Ways to Improve Your Employee’s Productivity

As soon as employees start their 8-hour day, it’s a given that many issues can arise. If you are running a business, and you want to ensure your employees are happy, comfortable and working for the best interest of your business, there are some things you can do to help. The following article lists a few.

Experts at Race Furniture also have some great ideas and tips for you to create a more productive office space.

1. Office Temperature:

Keep your employees comfortable. It sounds silly but it can really be a very big deal for your employees. If you own a business and you have many employees, you will find that everyone has a different comfort level. Some people will always be cold and others will be warm and that is just a fact of life. One thing you can do, when you are renting office space, talk to the landlord about the heating system. As you are doing your build out, that is the time when you want to discuss and perhaps improve the location and amount of temperature controls, the placement of vents, and the possibility of allowing several employees or just one office manager to be in charge of office temperature.

For offices with sunny windows, you might need to provide shades, fans, etc.

 

2. Physical Comfort

As your employees will spend a large proportion of their day sitting at their desks, make sure you create a comfortable environment for them. This will ensure they are healthy, happy, and productive.

You don’t have to break the bank either, just make sure you take the time you research options that are designed for health and comfort. There are used office furniture stores everywhere so do a google search near you and see if you cant save some money on some good quality furniture.

3. Restore privacy

Open work spaces became a hugely popular tactic in the ’90s to increase collaboration. However, some studies have shown that open workspaces can actually be counterproductive. Although we understand it’s not financially feasible to give your employees their own office, it’s important you have an office that allows employees some quiet, privacy and the ability to focus. Having a dedicated area specifically for focusing can deter the employees who insist on talking about last night’s football game.

4. Streamline your office

As a business owner, especially when you are starting out, a small space might be all you can afford. Be sure you set things up in an efficient way and be creative and do things like Stacking Chairs when you are not using them and pull them all out when you have a meeting, visitors, etc. Can the conference room also be the lunch room with strict rules to keep it clean and a scheduler for meetings so it is kept open and available when needed for important client meetings. Can you rent a storage space to keep extra furniture and files if you are short on space?

Most employees don’t feel productive in offices set up with little focus. Make sure the space you set up functions well for your employees and offers them a convenient and usable work space with printers, adequate office supplies and so on. It’s probably worthwhile to do some creative brainstorming to figure out the different ways you can streamline the office

If you are a business owner you already know that a team of productive employees is essential to any business, especially when you are starting out. You must rely on the people you hire to work productively in order to grow your company and take it to the next level. While you might not start out thinking about the comfort level of your staff, it is a critical element to your success and worth planning for. Making sure you implement these strategies and more will help create a happier, more productive working environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/20/5-hacks-improve-office-environment/

Simple House Flip Ideas To Make You Money

The real estate market seems to be humming again and many people are looking at home improvement and flipping houses as a way of generating some serious cash again. Read on for tips on how to flip houses to improve your cash flow AND your quality of life.

 

1. Kitchen Improvement

 

The kitchen is the life center of the house so naturally it deserves some significant attention.

 

If you have bought an old home and you’ve decided to improve the kitchen, then the improvements should match the existing style. If the house is ranch style, you might think about a country kitchen instead of ultra modern which might look a bit off. Start off by checking out kitchen improvement magazines. Look for ways to do a remodel without spending too much cash if possible. Can you paint the cabinets instead of changing them out? Are new counter tops perhaps all you need to brighten up that kitchen? You would be surprised at just how much some updated lighting, new cabinet doors and hardware and a new floor can do to update a kitchen on a budget.

Keep in mind that painting might be all you need to do. Most kitchen remodels can cost from $2,500 to $50,000, sometimes even more. However, you can change the style of your kitchen completely by changing the paint color. Choose a modern color and repaint the room before deciding whether you need to make any other changes.

 

Low-VOC paint is eco-friendly and it doesn’t contain any dangerous chemicals that other paints do.

 

Replace the old appliances with Energy Star-rated ones in order to save money and protect the environment.

 

2. Bathroom Improvement

 

Updating the bathrooms and even adding additional bathrooms (if you have the space and budget) can dramatically increase the value of a home. Again, new lighting, tile, cabinetry and flooring can do wonders on improving the value of a home and making someone really want to live there.

 

3. New Windows

 

New windows are not inexpensive but you can save approximately $500 a year in heating and cooling costs by replacing old windows with energy-efficient styles. Make sure you potential purchasers know the windows are new and energy efficient and will save them money year after year. Doing this will certainly add value to your property. And if you are going to be living in the house instead of selling it, know that you will eventually recoup up to 70% of your investment just by your energy savings over time.

 

4. Build a Deck

 

Did you know that one simple deck addition can increase the value of your home significantly? People love them and they make a house twice as attractive to buyers than houses that have no outdoor seating area. The cost can vary from anywhere between $1,200 and $10,000, but it all depends on how large the deck in and the type of material you use.

 

6. Regular Maintenance

 

Make sure that you maintain the house by keeping paint from peeling, cleaning out gutters, eliminating dirt and mold from unwanted areas and so on. You should also replace any rotten wood and clean the ventilation ducks regularly. Potential buyers will love a home that is well maintained and pay attention to the smallest details, so it’s important you present them with a clean and well maintained home.

 

So if you are thinking about creating equity in a house you own or one you plan to buy and flip, follow the steps above to prepare the home to sell. As you can see, you can easily and inexpensively remodel a home, while increasing its value at the same time. If you need advice or the services of seasoned home improvement experts, visit choosechi.com

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/01/18/home-improvement-ideas-increase-value-home/