Author: Nibletz Staff

Efficiency is key when it comes to running a successful business. No matter what line of work you are in, increasing efficiency will save you time and money. It will also help to ensure that you provide your customers with a better, more cost-effective service. If you’re a business owner with big ideas, here are some suggestions to help increase efficiency.

Make use of technology

Technology enables us to save manpower and money on a daily basis. There is now a technological solution for almost any problem you could imagine. Utilizing computer software, data management solutions and multimedia gadgets can increase productivity. These entities can also help to decrease costs in the office. Using machinery can cut costs and accelerate production in manufacturing and engineering. Everywhere you look, there are ways of reducing costs and boosting efficiency.

Many modern companies use innovative software to provide solutions for common business problems. Scheduling is one issue, which can be a nightmare. This is particularly true if you are using various firms or employing a mixture of agencies and individuals. Events scheduling software, for example, can be hugely beneficial when planning rotas. You can also use it sort out timesheets and invoices. You can save yourself a lot of time and hassle by inputting and analysing data on a computer.

Cut out the middle man

Do you deal directly with clients? Do you liaise with potential clients? Or do you pay somebody else to act as a middle man? If so, think about ways to remove the middle step and create a more streamlined system. Could you provide the service currently offered by that mediator or negotiator yourself? Or could you incorporate people with the relevant skills into your workforce?

Have a plan and stick to it

In business, you should never underestimate the importance of a plan. Before you embark on anything, it’s essential to prepare in advance. If you’re launching a new product, or you’re on a drive to attract new clients, do your research. Form a strategy and stick to it. If you start to stray and make things more complicated, this will affect your efficiency. When you’ve drawn up your plan of action, make sure that everyone is familiar with what it means and how it’s going to be implemented. If people are unsure about what they’re doing, they’ll take longer to do it. The outcome may also not be as good. Schedule regular meetings and make sure you’re running to time. If there are any issues, try and resolve them as quickly as possible. Encourage staff members to be open and honest. If they need help, they should feel comfortable asking for it.

Efficiency is incredibly important for any modern business. In order to compete with others, you need to provide the best possible service. Take these handy hints on board if you’re looking to propel your firm to the next level and cut costs. Use technology, be direct and be clear about what you’re doing and how you’re getting there. Make sure that everybody is on board and encourage constant communication.

Good auto repair garages are always in demand. People drive, and that means people experience breakdowns and problems with their car. So, there are plenty of opportunities for good business to succeed in this sector. Here’s how to set up an auto repair company the simple way.

Get Certified

First of all, your business, once it has been set up as a legal entity, should get certified. You might need training and to pass some kind of tests to get the right accreditation in your area. But it’s worth it. When people can see that you have been accredited by a leading industry body, they will take the business more seriously. Therefore, it will help the business to convince customers that your business is one that can be trusted and relied on to carry out work properly.

Hire Proficient Technicians

You’re going to need the right people working in your garage for it to be a success. So, make sure that you hire repair technicians and mechanics that know what they’re doing. There should be at least one or two people in the business who have plenty of industry experience to draw on. Then you can hire some younger people who can work alongside them. The good thing about hiring young people is that they are eager to learn, and they often have plenty of raw talent.

Plan the Finances

Every business, no matter what it does, has to pay close attention to finances. There are so many things that can go wrong for businesses that don’t exert tight control over their finances. So, planning your business’s finances is something that should be done before the business opens. This should form a large chunk of your business plan that is prepared by you in advance. And then once the business is up and running, it’s essential that the finances are monitored continually.

Find a Garage and the Right Equipment

To repair cars, the business needs to have a good garage that offers employees to work. It should also be somewhere that is easy to find and close to the road. If people can see the garage as they drive past, this will act as a marketing tool in itself. When you’ve found the right garage, you need to make sure that you have the right equipment. Having good lifts, the best plasma cutter, strong jacks and complete suspension testers is very important. You could buy second-hand equipment if you want to save some money.

Start Advertising

When all of the above has been taken care of, you need to start thinking about how you will advertise the business. Finding new customers is important. When you get them, you have to do everything possible to keep hold of them. Return custom is essential, and it can become the cornerstone of a successful auto repair company. But if people don’t like the service they get from your company, then people simply won’t come back next time they have a problem with their car.

Marketing is easy, right? Wrong! So many businesses get their marketing strategy completely wrong. Plus, many more aren’t maximizing their assets either! Getting things right is crucial to business success. So, if you’re setting up a startup, or a long-time business owner, these two tips could help revolutionize your company! Check them out, and get implementing them today!  

Trade Shows

Trade shows are seriously great. Networking is a pivotal part of marketing. So, what better way to show off what your company does best than in an event hall full of your competition? Prove to the punters that you’re the best! That way, people will always side with you. Trade shows are also an excellent way to get your name out there. It’s like LinkedIn, but in person! You can make vital business to business relationships that could serve your company well in the future. Your best to exhibit something at your spot at a trade show, that way people will remember what they saw at your stand. Make sure that your branding is clear and stands out from the crowd too. Everything should stick to one color scheme and there should be a clear, profound logo to identify your brand with. Handing out items to punters is also a great marketing technique used at trade shows. Caps, stickers, badges, mugs, whatever you like, really! Wearables are probably the best solution because it is even more free marketing around the rest of the trade show hall. Lanyards are a great example of this. Getting punters with your logo around their neck is some serious marketing gains. Look no further than a company such as The Lanyard Factory. Their site can be found at lanyardsfactory.co.nz. Promotional and custom printed lanyards aplenty! What more could you need to steal the limelight at your company’s next visit to a trade show?

Twitter

Welcome to the digital age! If you don’t know the basics of Twitter, then here they are – seriousstartups.com/2016/06/01/internet-marketing-getting-to-grips-with-the-basics-of-twitter. Once you’ve mastered those, you can really get your company’s account up and running. It’s important to understand the workings of Twitter in order to lead your marketing strategy with it. It’s all well and good hiring an unpaid intern who lives on social media everyday. However, they’re not going to have the business acumen that you possess in order to get the job done properly. Hashtags are the best way to get your brand talked about online. So be sure to get thinking of something witty and clever to get your brand name circled around the ‘Twittersphere’. This article by Mashable about hashtags is a great read! Check it out, here – mashable.com/2012/09/09/twitter-hashtags-small-business. The best thing about social media marketing is that it’s free. So, it’s not eating up any of your budget! Handy…

So, if you’re intrigued by our two T’s to marketing, then get going with them today! Trade shows and Twitter are a surefire way to market your business success. So, what are you waiting for? Let us know how it went in the comments section below! 

Right now, things are going OK at your startup. Customers are arriving at a regular clip. Processes have been put in place, and they’re working well. You’re even starting to make a bit of money.

But you still wonder whether there’s any room for improvement. And, of course, there is. The following are all the little changes you can make that will have a big impact on your business.

Raising Prices

A lot of businesses fall into the trap of sticking to the prices they set when they started. They’re worried that if they raise prices, they’ll lose customers and lose business. But there’s a problem with this strategy. Startups that do this risk becoming less profitable. After all, everybody else is raising their prices, including your suppliers.

The best strategy is to prepare price rises in advance. If you are on a long-term contract with a supplier or investor, bake in price rises into your contract. This sort of thing is standard practice in most industries. And it’s just a reflection of the fact that inflation eats away at all business earnings unless prices go up.

Go Global

Startups are no longer limited to operating in their local area. They now have the ability, thanks to things like the internet and conference calls to go global. In fact, when you look at the facts, this is what most successful recent startups have done.

Just look at what companies like Uber and Airbnb have achieved. They leveraged cheap communication technologies to expand their businesses. And they built platforms that spanned the globe.

Love Your Mailing List

How do small businesses communicate with their clients these days? Mostly it’s through their mailing lists. Mailing lists are used for both promotions and company news. But how much is each address your mailing list really worth? You might not think all that much. But you can quickly work it out. Just take the revenue that you have received directly from email marketing. And then divide this by the number of email addresses you have in your mailing list. Most businesses come out with a number somewhere between $25 and $100. And that’s a lot of money.

To make the most of your mailing list, start managing it on a regular basis. Get clever about when you send out emails. And make sure that what you send is relevant to customers and exciting.

Don’t Go Home Until The Invoices Are Done

Most startups wind up with a cash flow problem in the first couple of years. Yes, they’re doing business. But they haven’t yet got a lot of money in their bank account.

One of the biggest culprits is not processing invoices on time. For some reason, startups don’t view doing invoices as doing real work. But doing the invoices is just as essential for your business as providing a product or service.

The solution? Don’t go home until the invoices are done. And make sure that you make it easy for clients to pay.

Brand new businesses are of the utmost importance in terms of economy and unemployment.

They create new jobs, and new opportunities for people that otherwise would not have had any. They pump money back into our most valuable industries by purchasing raw goods, that then go on to serve a wider market.

In short, creating a startup is a fantastic idea. If you’re on this blog post – and this website in general – then it’s safe to assume you have an interest in them! Perhaps you’ve already begun generating ideas, and creating assets.

Whatever stage of the process you’re at, have a read through the following few steps to ensure you don’t fail at the first hurdle.

Adopt a fresh approach.

Business is all about creativity, passion and filling a gap in the market. If you aren’t unique enough to set yourself apart from the rest, why bother?

This doesn’t mean you have to create a product we’ve never seen before. You can absolutely enter an existing space – it’s all in the execution. Think of how many sports and shooter video games get released each year. They’re similar core concepts, but are executed differently.

This difference will largely be in your branding and marketing. For example, if there was already a food company aimed at kids and one aimed at adults, you could make one for seniors. Identify what the market needs, and supply it!

Register your trademarks.

Your business can’t defend itself, so it’s up to you! Everything from your logo to the product you sell counts as intellectual property, and you’ll need to register them.

Filing your property protects you from theft – trademark lawyer Xavier Morales will tell you it’s vital. Imagine you poured your heart and soul into building something, only for another company to swoop in and steal it from under your nose? Not cool.

Permits, insurance and licenses.

This all depends on the industry you enter, but you’ll need some basic things too. You’ll first need to register as a sole trader, so you can pay the right amounts of tax to the taxman.

You need licenses for pretty much everything these days, from music to alcohol and even a radio. You’ll need a basic business license, as well as a permit from the fire department if your company uses any flammable solutions.

There are dozens more – too many to rattle off here! Just make sure you read up on them so you know what’s what.

Build the right team.

There are many benefits of surrounding yourself with like minded people.

Success breeds success, and if your team is as heavily invested in the business as you are, you’ll go far. I’d start by recruiting people based on general skills rather than specific ones. The reason? Specific skills can be taught.

These skills include SEO, manufacturing, editing, anything relating to the operation of your company. General skills like team-building cannot be taught however, so your staff need them upfront.

Have you built a startup in the past? How did you get there? Let us know in the comments below!

The newest frontier of business and technology is to take yours mobile. There have been huge headways into how mobile devices affect business as of late. For businesses needing to make sure they accommodate the growing number of mobile uses. Then there are businesses and software developers who focus solely on delivering their products for mobile markets. It’s a big world of possibilities and one that online businesses shouldn’t miss out on. Just look at the huge advertisements on television for mobile apps nowadays if you’re not convinced.

Making it fit

The first thing that needs to be considered is how your business fits onto a phone. For a lot of businesses, this is relatively simple. It’s about adapting the same thing your website can deliver on a computer, but scaled to fit. Made more accessible and simpler is necessary to adapt to how people scroll and click on their phones. For ecommerce providers, it can mean having to go a bit more in depth. The bigger competitors are starting to find ways to introduce apps to their consumers. Finding ways to not only replicate the services they offer on computers. To make custom tailored experiences with the flexibility that app development allows for. This can often be a more versatile and dynamic process than users could get on a business’s website.

Making it safe

As it is quite new, there needs to be a certain focus on reliability and safety on mobile businesses. Particularly in relation to how old the audiences are when it comes to new technology. They’re not going to immediately trust that such devices are safe to do business on. We can’t blame them for that, either. Companies have shown a lack of care in making sure they’re protecting the data and finances of themselves and their customers. That’s why more businesses are using processes that require users to authenticate an ID. Besides deterring fraud, this kind of measure can speed up the process for the customer. They can skip lengthy log in processes and instead spend that important time interacting with the business and their services.

Making it loud

If there’s something to be said for the mobile generation, it’s for the new ways they’ve found of being social. For a lot of owners, mobile phones aren’t so much devices for placing calls through. Rather, they can become platforms for managing a social media empire. Which is why businesses need to start understanding the importance of social media in terms of their applications and websites. Whether it’s a strong marketing campaign or incorporating social media right into the mobile storefronts they offer. You need to fight for the attention of customers in the mobile world.

Mobiles are a relatively new world when it comes to how we do our business. For that reason, you need to make sure consumers feel safe with your product. Not only does that mean security measures in place. It means crafting an experience that won’t give them bad memories of you.

For anyone just moving into it, business to business services (or B2B) can seem like a whole new world compared to dealing with consumers alone. The customer base is different; the customer knowledge is different. They tend to buy more in bulk or higher quantities. They also tend to stick with one service if they prove reliable. So, how do you get more of those incredibly valuable customers? We’ll be looking at that in the points below.

Your marketing

One of the biggest differences in dealing with B2B customers is the way that you need to market to them. For one, you need to find them on the social media networks they use. Whether it’s linked in or industry specific forums. You also need to alter your content in a big way. These are professional people with a professional investment in what they do. They’re likely to have a lot more knowledge on what they’re buying than the average consumer. Don’t be afraid to get into jargon when you’re in communication. If you have unique selling points that the average consumer might not understand, now’s the time to share them.

Finding leads

We’ve already mentioned the networks you can use to market to these customers. They also make a great way to generate leads. Whether it’s leaving comments on content or getting directly in touch with them. Be clear in why you’re communicating and what you have to offer to them. You need to demonstrate your value immediately. There are also quicker ways to build up these leads you can cultivate. For example, buying B2B leads, email lists and mailing lists at Lead Roster and similar sites. You can also build it through the networking connections you make as well. Those in your industry or related ones may have their own well cultivated leads. Getting into referral based partnerships with them can drastically improve your potential customer base.

Building your name

As we’ve already stressed, the average B2B customer knows a lot more about marketing and what they want than the average B2C customer. Not only in what a good service or product involves, but a good company. That’s why you need to be actively strengthening your brand in any way you can. Developing top notch content that demonstrates your knowledge. Putting credence into your name by offering consulting to other businesses as well as your usual services. Take any and every opportunity you can to demonstrate your knowledge. Sometimes you might even do it for free. Anything that makes it easier for a business to decide that you do have what it takes to help them.

The keys of dealing with B2B customers is knowing how to find them and how to communicate to them. A lot of their data is easily accessible, if you’re willing to pay or work for it. They also need a different kind of sell. They know how to spot authority, so you can’t be afraid to use your jargon and make your brand really shine.

So many startups fail in the first year. If yours is succeeding, you may be quite surprised. But that doesn’t mean you should sit back and relax. Basking in the glory of your survival can be saved for later. Right now, you need to work out how you’re going to make that transition from simple startup to thriving business. Growth won’t happen on its own. You need to make it happen.

Growing a business takes even more determination and effort than starting up. Now comes the time when all your charms and talents are put to the test. Raising money for your company is never easy. But as a newly emerging company, you have a huge task on your hands. Supporters of your business could come in all shapes and sizes. But their money is essential for you to reach the next level of success.

Picking the right time to push for growth is crucial. By now you should be gaining new customers and using CRM to keep them. Upselling and cross-selling are also important ways to increase the value of each customer. You may have started online selling stock from your home garage or using a drop shipper service. But the economy of scale suggests now is the time for you to take charge of you purchasing and logistics.

You may need to rent or buy warehouse space so you can take advantage of bulk buying. Racking should be set up to maximize the space you have. You’ll need more staff to manage picking, packaging, and administration. But all of this requires investment. So how do you know your idea and your business is good enough to attract those with the money?

Prove yourself. Keep your figures fresh and ready to present. Demonstrate your growth to date, and always have two or three projections for the next three to five years. Show that your customers are returning, and that you have a presence in the media. Now all you need is a positive presentation when you meet with your potential backers.

Moving on up often means moving out of your original premises. So many people start businesses from home to save on the massive overheads of an office or factory building. Renting often requires signing a long lease and paying taxes and rates. However, every contract should be up for negotiation. Shorten the terms, reduce the costs, and only make the move if you’re sure your business will benefit.

Be wary of changes to the economy and regulations that may affect your business in the future. You may be doing well right now, but threats exist, and you need to preempt them. Understanding your competitors can help you identify what in the marketplace affects them. And how will they affect you?

If you’re certain now is the time to make a big move, then get ready for the next roller coaster ride! It can be nerve-wracking to make a big change and a big investment. But if the continued growth of your business depends on it, then now could be the perfect time to move your company and operations to a new home.

The production line that your business operates will have a big impact on efficiency and productivity. If it’s slow and inefficient, then the same could become true for the entire business. So, here are some top tips to help you improve your production line.

Man the Production Line Carefully

The way you choose to man the production line will have a big impact on its overall success. Research shows that it’s best to have the most productive and fast workers in the middle of the line. This is where the hardest work is done and the part of the line at which mistakes can have a huge impact. Having the slowest workers at the beginning and end of the line is good because their slowness has less of an impact there. You will have to monitor speed and performance to work out which employees are best at which part of the production line process though.

Use the Best Machinery

The machinery that you use to keep your production line active is very important too. When the machinery is old and slow, then it will slow down the work that you’re trying to get done. So, if you are looking for a way to speed up your production line, then it might be a good idea to look at the machinery you use. It could be time to upgrade it and invest in some better items that will keep everything moving at pace. The roller conveyor by CSL is one of the latest products that is being used by companies that operate production lines.

Keep Workers Motivated

One of the biggest challenges you will find when running your production line is keeping workers motivated. It’s a repetitive job, so it’s easy for people to lose interest and motivation. And that’s a bad thing for your business as well as them. If they are not fully focused on the job at hand, then the job will not be done as well as it could be. Production output will lower, and you will make less money month after month. Therefore, this is not a problem that can be ignored. Working towards a common goal, switching roles and giving bonuses are always of trying to motivate them. It’s in your own interests to find ways to keep everyone motivated and interested in their work.

Remove Defective Items from the Line

There needs to be a controlled testing process in position on your production line. If the line is long and complex, there might need to be testing procedures at various stages. This allows items that are defective or wrong to be removed from the line and thrown away. This means that you can actually make the whole line more efficient because defective items are removed quickly. If they stayed on the line for longer, extra resources would be unnecessarily spent on them. Obviously, the kind of testing that you put in place will depend on the kind of items that you are trying to manufacture. But some kind of testing will benefit all production lines.

2016 is an incredibly exciting time to be a new entrepreneur. Increased accessibility to the internet, along with the success of businesses like Etsy, has made it easier than ever to kick off your business. If you’ve got a product which you can’t wait to release, then you could be making your first sales a few hours from now. Don’t think that success is going to fall in your lap though! There are a lot of common mistakes people make when getting started in ecommerce. Here are some of the major ones to avoid.

First of all, don’t neglect to staff your operation. Okay, modern times have made it much easier to make it as a sole trader. Sure, being a one-man band is pretty good for creatives and consultants. However, most ecommerce businesses can’t be operated by one person. Sure, you might be able to stay on top of it in your opening period. However, once your orders start picking up, you’ll quickly find it hard to keep on top of your demand. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with taking baby steps. However, you should have at least one friend who can commit to the business to make sure you’re not over-working yourself. If you spread yourself too thin, you’ll begin skipping on the quality of your products, and damage your reputation.

A poorly designed website is another huge mistake you need to avoid. There are a lot of factors to consider here, but the most important is probably your user interface. Read anything on how to increase eCommerce conversion rates, and this will come up again and again. If your website’s design is confusing, then you’ll only serve to make your bounce rate completely horrific. I get it, designing a website for your business is fun. However, you should always try to keep the customer’s experience in mind. Make sure the navigation is easy to understand, and the information on all the pages isn’t presented clearly. Otherwise, your target audience won’t be impressed! Having your site mobile-optimised is also a very important thing to consider. These days, mobile devices are an increasingly popular choice for people browsing the web. If you don’t use responsive web design, you’ll be cheating yourself out of business from a massive demographic of shoppers.

Neglecting the security of your payments is another mistake. This could drive your business into the ground faster than you’d believe! Ask any business owner about the drawbacks of selling online, and they’re sure to mention the security risks tied to it. From credit card fraud to email addresses being used by spammers, if your customers know you’re not tight on security, they won’t consider coming back. When you go out of your way to make sure your ecommerce site is secure, it will preserve your credibility as a business. when your customers trust you, they’ll have more reason to recommend you, and your business will continue to grow. Your web design company will probably throw in some basic security with their service. However, after that you should be looking into more precautions you can use. A Security Sockets Layer, for example, will encrypt your customers’ credit card numbers. This will ensure that they’re not stolen by hackers.

Finally, not being transparent enough. Sure, buying products from an outlet several miles away allows customers to shop from their own homes. However, it also means that it’s not as easy to trust the business you’re dealing with. If your business lacks transparency, then it will make this kind of hesitation even worse. One of the biggest mistakes you can make here is making it hard for your customers to contact you. You should have a contact number or email clearly displayed on all of your web pages. Failing that, have a nice, big “Contact Us” button somewhere in the borders. Although they can be obvious or irritating at times, customers will want to ask questions about your products, their orders and so forth. If they can’t figure out how to do this, they’ll feel like your business is less trustworthy, and will leave your site disgruntled. Disgruntled customers lead to a damaged reputation which leads to a failing business. If your contact info isn’t accessible, you’ll only be shooting yourself in the foot. The worst possible thing you can do is neglect to post any information at all!

Avoid these four mistakes, and there’ll be nothing slowing down your ecommerce business. After establishing yourself, it’s up to you to keep up with innovations, and out-do your competitors!

More and more women need greater flexibility in their lives. The want more independence and complete control of their careers. That’s why the idea of a home business can be so appealing. Many of us have given working from home a go. While it doesn’t suit some, for others it was a real eye-opener. Juggling family life and a high-flying career is never going to be easy. But having both at home certainly makes a difference.

Starting a home business of your own is another matter, though. You’re not able to take a sick day when you need a break or the kids are poorly. The success of the entire business rests on your shoulders, at least in the beginning. But it gives you the power and the control in your role. You set your hours, and you decide the tasks you want to do. Best of all, you get to decide how you do it with no boss breathing down your neck.

Start with a website. You can find information about the best website builder for small business and start-ups like you online. Even if you’re not planning to sell or take orders online, you need a good site. It should detail what you do, how you do it, and why you’re the best choice for your target customers. Add some contact details, customer feedback, photos and anything else you think will attract people to your site.

Next you need to do some marketing. There is no need to pay anything for this. Instead, use social media to let people know you’re ready to help them. Find people that are interested in the service you provide and Friend them. Check out the groups and join the ones that are most relevant. Write some blog articles for your website. These will help the search engine bots find you and list you higher up the results. Publish something new at least once per week.

As orders start to come in, you may find life gets pretty busy. You started this home business to avoid the strict routines and restrictions of the workplace. But you may need to commit some blocks of time within business hours to better service your customers. If you are good at focussing on tasks, there is no reason why you can’t multitask and juggle your home and work responsibilities. However, it is important you have a designated workspace and secure cabinets if you are handling customer data.

When the business starts to take off, you may soon face the dilemma of hiring another person. There are many ways to approach this. You can always outsource for your requirements. This can avoid you having to worry about employment laws, recruiting, or training. Some businesses won’t work with you if you’re not formally registered as a company. Now is the time to consider going from self-employed to company Director.

Starting your own business from home only takes a good idea and a little hard work. It’s not always easy, but there are plenty of other women in your situation who will be glad to offer kind words of advice. Start small, and who knows where you’ll get to.

Getting a start-up up and running is pretty hard, no matter who you are or the kind of business you want to build. However, there are certain things you can do to make the whole process easier. One of these things is forming a partnership. When you have a good working partnership with another firm, all kinds of factors can start to pick up. Here are some great advice for finding your business’s perfect partner.

First of all, find a non-competitor who shares your target audience. The easiest way to found a beneficial partnership is through your target market. Uber, one of the most notable start-ups in recent years, managed to grow exponentially through its strategic partnerships. Starwood Hotels and Carnegie Mellon are just a couple. These companies combined their resources and synched up their services for a single target audience. This is the ideal you should be striving for. If your company manufacturers tents, then try to target an outdoor gear store. If you run an interior design service, partner up with a paint company. If both of you can share a target market, without robbing each other of any business, you’ve got all the makings of a brilliant partnership.

My next tip is to make sure both business’s needs are addressed. Both you and your partner will have your own selfish reasons for agreeing to the partnership. You’re both hungry for more capital, obviously. One of you might want more expertise, networking opportunities, or anything else out of the arrangement. If both parties’ expectations aren’t met, then the partnership can quickly become strained. Every business owner’s experience and aims will be different. From the moment you begin discussing the idea, make sure you and your prospect are putting all your cards on the table. Every move you make within the partnership should acknowledge the needs of both you and your partner. Neglect this, and things will go stale faster than you’d believe.

Finally, be sure to identify the strengths in your prospective partner. It’s a grave mistake for a new business owner to think that any partnership is a good partnership. If your prospect isn’t bringing anything to the table, then you should shut down the negotiations straight away. Do a lot of research into any business you’re thinking of approaching. This might sound like bad form, but I can’t stress how important it is. I probably don’t have to tell you that it’s not hard to fake professionalism! Look at some independent reviews of the business, run a business credit check, and don’t be afraid to pry when you’re talking to the CEO. If you ever feel like one business would be carrying the other, then you could probably find a better partnership. The partnership you form should be mutually beneficial, and never parasitic!

There you have my best tips on forming a business partnership. Like personal relationships, all partnerships have their ups and downs. However, if you stumble upon a keeper, there’ll be no limits to where your business can go.

If you’re launching a startup business, you may be searching for a perfect base. Here are some suggestions to help you find somewhere that works without breaking the bank.

Choosing the right location

Location is everything for some businesses, but it doesn’t always have to be a priority. Think about your company, the workforce and your relationship with the wider community. If you plan to have a small team, which is office-based, location may not be all that important. Do you have a direct marketing business, for example? Do you expect to have members of staff coming and going? If so, you’ll need to think about transport links. Location is also an important consideration if your business involves transport, logistics or production. If you don’t have specific requirements, look for office or warehouse space, which offers value for money.

Once you’ve decided on a location, think about the space you require. Do you just require office space? Will you need workshops or meeting rooms? Do you need parking?

Cost may also be a factor, which affects your choice. If there are various contenders involved, weigh up the pros and cons of each before you make a final decision. Don’t forget to add costs of equipment and technology into your overall budget. If you break the bank with lease fees, you’ll have less money available for appliances, gadgets and furnishings.

Designing your office space

Once you’ve found the right premise, you can start thinking about how you plan to use it. To save money, you wish to think about industrial leasing, rather than buying equipment. Draw up a list of priority investments and think about the design. Look for inspiration online. Do you want to something ultra-modern and a little quirky? Or are you eager to keep costs down and stick to the essentials in the beginning?

When you’re planning your new office, think about how you can best use the space available. Do you want an open plan layout? Or would you rather have a series of individual rooms? Do you need seminar or meeting rooms? Will you be inviting clients or potential investors to your office? Or is your business predominantly online?

Investing in technology

If you have a startup, which relies on the latest technology, it’s best to invest in high-quality items whenever possible. You want to stand out from the crowd and offer an efficient service. In order to compete with other firms, you’ll have to be at the top of your game from day one. Shop around for the best prices and consider buying in bulk.

When you start a business, there’s a lot to think about. Choosing a base is important for many reasons, and there may be various considerations to bear in mind. Think about location, cost and flexibility and go for something, which suits your business. If you don’t need all the mod cons and a central location, look out of town. This is likely to save you a lot of money. If you’re trying to stay ahead of the game in an industry, such as digital marketing, invest in the best to ensure that you can compete from the outset.