Managing a business with your iPhone has never been easier than with all the new features Apple has provided in the latest hardware and software updates for their line of iPhones. Browsing through the App Store you will find many apps that provide an easy to use interface along with the sleek and well-designed hardware features that can only be made by Apple. Other core features of the phone like voice recognition and the enhanced camera help change the way business is conducted in today’s mobile environment by allowing meetings to seem as if you were in the same room as each person. 

Going Remote – Facetime

As more people venture out to start a business, they want to make sure they maintain a solid device for communication when they are on the road and building their professional network. The iPhone 7 Plus’s dual camera system gets better and better with almost every new device release and when used with apps like the built-in Facetime or Go To Meeting, you can meet face to face with a client or employee anywhere that has a reliable T-Mobile network.

Hotspots for Mobile Access

One of the most useful iPhone features for on the go entrepreneurs is the Hotspot feature. Hotspots allow you to convert your phone into a wireless access point and connect your laptop to the internet via your phone when no Wi-Fi is available. This is key for those that always need to be connected and often find themselves out of their office giving important presentations. The ability to always be connected to your data, without having to ask the client for their Wi-Fi password is an invaluable time saver.

App Store

Another feature that sets the iPhone ahead of other smartphones on the market is the App Store. Running a business today often means relying on a multitude of different services for project management, accounting and keeping track of your clients and the Apple App Store is full of excellent business and productivity apps.

Apps like Freshbooks and Harvest can keep track of your invoices, timesheets, and expenses. While Asana and Trello manage your projects and keep track of all your due dates to make sure everything is completed on time. Using these apps means you can always have the latest information about your business operations in your pocket.

Hardware

In addition to the hardware built into the iPhone, there are a number of useful adaptors and connectors for different lines of business. For example, the Square credit card reader plugs directly into the headphone jack to provide a credit card reader that works on both traditional magnetic stripe cards and new chip cards to provide vendors and other professionals a way to accept credit card payments on the spot.

Bigger Screen and Better Resolution

The line between phones, tablets, and small laptops is becoming more unclear every day. New phones with larger screens like the iPhone 7 and 6 Plus offer consumers screens that are easier to use, cause less eye strain, and can display more information than their predecessors. Even the glass used to make the touchscreen has become more durable and resistant to scratches and cracks in more recent versions.

iPhones and Business Moving Forward

The past five years have seen mobile business explode at a rate that no one could have ever imagined with the iPhone leading the way. Facetime, Hotspots, professional apps, new hardware, and larger screens have all made it easier for business owners to change and improve how they conduct business in 2016 and beyond.

You should have confidence in your business and you might be surprised how far confidence can get you. Just think about what would happen if you shook hands with the right person at the correct level of grip. You could persuade them to invest in your company. You could make sure that your business gets the investment it needs to reach the next level. But, it’s important to distinguish between confidence and nonchalance. You shouldn’t just assume that your business is going to be a hit because it might not be. It certainly won’t happen if you’re not putting the work in. Then there are the disasters that could hit your business that you may not have even considered. All this leads to one important lesson. You need to hope for the best and always prepare for the worst.

Never Say It Won’t Happen To Me

Last year, thousands of businesses were hit with PI claims from disgruntled employees and even some clients. You might have been one of the lucky ones. In fact, it’s possible that you’ve never had to deal with a PI claim for a customer in your life. That’s absolutely fantastic but that doesn’t mean that you’re immune to this problem. Just because it hasn’t hit you yet doesn’t mean that it never will. Eventually, you could find that an accident causes an expensive lawsuit in your office. Particularly if you are running your business under the impression you’ll never have to deal with this issue. You won’t be watching for potential hazards. By knowing that it’s always a possibility, you will be taking the right steps.

You will hire health and safety officers who will check your office for problems on a regular basis. Due to this, you won’t be blindsided by a health and safety issue.

Always Have A Backup

If we’re still looking at the case of personal injuries, you might find that you do everything right. You hire health and safety officers, you check for hazards, and you train staff. Unfortunately, your business is still hit by a claim due to what was an almost completely unavoidable accident. What happens then? Well, you’ll be forced to pay damages and here lies the problem. Those damages could range between anything from a couple of thousand to half a million. Small business won’t be able to afford that type of unforeseen expense. That’s why you need to think about arranging insurance for your business.

You can use a service offered by companies like Ventiv Technology to do this. They specialise in working out risk and insurance for business owners. They will determine the chances of an issue occurring in your business. They will then make sure that you’re paying the cheapest possible cost for the maximum coverage.  

Don’t Forget About Theft

Credit Link

Theft and crime is a major problem for every industry across the world today. If your business is on the market, we guarantee at some point it will be targeted by a thief. These days, that means a cyber attack. When this happens, thieves aren’t targeting you. Instead, they are using you to indirectly hit your customers. They will use the information they steal from you to hit them with fraudulent attacks. If this happens, customers will eventually find out that you were the source. They won’t blame the criminals, they’ll blame you. You can’t afford to be blase about this potential disaster. You must make sure that your business is equipped with the latest security to prevent an attack like this taking down your company.

Sailing On An Uneasy Market Current

Image Source

The world economy is currently not as stable as it seems. At any point this year leading into the beginning of next, we could be hit with a recession. When this happens, customers stop buying and your business starts to struggle. Most owners make the mistake of not preparing for this type of occurrence. You don’t want to follow in their footsteps because it could ultimately spell doom for your business. Instead, we suggest that you always think about what would happen if demand slumped. By doing this, you can keep your costs under control. There’s another advantage to this of course. Your company will be more competitive on a market that is always changing and not usually for the better.

As you can see, there are multiple disasters that can hit your business and you must be prepared. Do not make the mistake of having too much confidence in your business.

There are a lot of things that a business needs to be successful. It needs a product. It needs capital and investment. It needs relevant technology. These are all incredibly important. But there’s one thing that a business needs more than just about anything else. A business needs people. Without people at the heart of it, working hard to make it as great as possible, a business is doomed to fail. The problem is that it’s not just a matter of getting anyone into your business. You need to find the right people for the right roles. But don’t forget that it goes beyond just hiring. With any luck, these people will be a part of your business for a long time to come. You can’t simply expect them to stay satisfied working in the same way forever without you making any extra effort for them. People need to be rewarded and appreciated for the hard work that they put in. If you take your employees for granted, that’s a pretty fast way to create an atmosphere of resentment. This will have an immediate effect on productivity. If people don’t care about what they’re doing, then why should they bother to put in their full effort? It’s absolutely crucial that you take care of your employees and make sure that they feel valued and important to the business. Here are just a few ways that you can care for your employees, for the good of them, you and your entire business.

Have their back

The most important thing that an employee needs from you is support. If they’re struggling in some way, they need to feel as though there’s someone there who’ll be able to help them. If an employee doesn’t feel like there’s anywhere they can go for help and support, they’ll be more likely to get discouraged. Create an environment where, instead of being afraid of the consequences, employees are happy to discuss any problems. This isn’t just limited to their work either. If an employing is having problems at home or with their health, then make sure that you let them know that you care and are concerned for their wellbeing. Likewise, if an employee raises an issue with someone else in the office, take that seriously. You should have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to harassment or inappropriate behavior. Make sure that employees know that there’s no issue that they can’t come to you with. This creates an environment of trust. And when there’s an environment of trust, a business works better for everyone. This also goes for clients or customers. The cliche might be “the customer is always right, ” but you should make sure that your employees are never put in a vulnerable position. If a client or customer is being rude or abusive, make sure that you step in to offer the employee your full support. Letting them know that they don’t have to deal with these problems alone can help them feel much more comfortable and confident at work. By the same token, make sure that you’re setting aside regular time to speak to them and make sure that they are happy and comfortable. A lot of employees might not feel comfortable coming to you out of nowhere. So setting up a dedicated time that they can be open about any problems they have can make an enormous difference.

Meet their needs

No two people are the same. Then why do we act like all office environments should be the same? Your employees are varied, unique, dynamic individuals. You should create a workplace that complements that. Don’t just shut them away in identical cubicles to sit and work in silence until the end of the day. Try to create an environment where they’re able to support each other and communicate. Open offices are a great way to do this. But also make sure that there are places that people can go if they need to work independently and quietly. By being more dynamic in the way you approach your employee’s needs, you’ll create an environment where they do the same. Do you have extroverted employees who work best in collaboration? Allow them to be in the center of things and communicate with their colleagues. Are some of your employees getting sick of sitting at a desk for hours at a time? Then why not offer them alternatives? Standing or kneeling desks are a fantastic option. And you can make sure they’re comfortable with floor mats like these that are new from Sky Solutions. Of course, if you wanted to create an even more active environment you could look into even more dynamic options. Yoga balls or treadmill desks are a fantastic way to stop your employees doing themselves damage sitting at a desk. Not only that but it helps them to stay fit and active in their body and their mind. Whatever the needs of your employees are, you should create a workplace that responds to those needs the best it can.

Be honest with them

One of the most frustrating things in the world for an employee is when their boss isn’t being straight with them. If there are changes coming up in the business or adjustments to the way people work, don’t keep them to yourself. Be as open and upfront with your employees as much as you possibly can. This might mean that you’ll sometimes have to be the bearer of bad news. But you employees will appreciate your honesty far more than if you kept them in the dark for extended periods of time. This is a great way to maintain an atmosphere of trust. If employees don’t feel like you’re being honest with them, any trust and goodwill that you had will go out of the window pretty quickly. Not only that but it helps to bridge that divide between employee and boss. Obviously there will always be a gap between you and your employees. But the last thing you want to do is create a environment where they feel like they’re below you. By being honest and upfront with your employees, you remind them that you’re on their side and that you’re there for them. Even if it’s difficult, make sure that you don’t keep things from your employees that you should be talking to them about. A difficult discussion early on is better than having to explain why you kept them in the dark further down the line.

Show your appreciation

Consider just how obvious and easy this is, it’s shocking how many employers forget about it altogether. Don’t just leave your employees to get on with it and never let them know how much you appreciate them. Eventually they’re going to start to resent their work and by extension, you. It’s just human nature to want to be rewarded for a job well done. This doesn’t mean you need to offer a raise or a promotion every time someone completes a task. But if you do little things every now and then to let your employees know that their hard work is being acknowledged, it can make a big difference. Offer a small bonus near to the end of the year. Maybe set up small outings for your employees as a team building exercise. Not only with this offer them something fun and different to do, but will bring them closer as a team as well. Bring it down to an individual level as well. If an employee has really gone above and beyond the call of duty then make sure that’s recognised in some way. It could be anything, gift cards, bonuses, extra vacation days. It’s really up to you but whatever it is, make sure that they know how much you appreciate the extra work that they’ve put in.

It can be easy to slip into a habit of complacence where you start to take your employees for granted. The problem is that if you’re not taking care of your employees properly, they’re going to wonder why they should be doing the same. Unhappy, frustrated employees produce work that is shoddily done and half finished. I you want your employees to help your business run as successfully as possible then you need to make sure they’re well taken care of. Even just small things like this advice will make a massive difference to the attitude of your employees. They’ll feel more appreciated and much more likely to put in that extra amount of effort. Not because they have to, but because they want to. To borrow and adapt a fairly common phrase: take care of your employees and they’ll take care of you.

Cost control is extremely important for any business. But it’s especially important in a restaurant. Profit margins aren’t always astonishing, so keeping track of your costs is essential. If you’re starting up a restaurant, you have to take money-saving action as soon as possible. Check out these vital tips.

Choose your location wisely

A lot of restaurant owners fall at the first hurdle by picking an inopportune business location. You want to find somewhere busy, urban, and not too far away from competition. But that doesn’t mean you should pay extortionate fees to get the space. It also doesn’t mean you should just grab whatever is available.

Many have made the mistake of taking a retail space and converting it into a restaurant. This is an extremely expensive job. Put your focus on space that is ready for restaurant work! Don’t take this to mean that you should find an available restaurant that you have to do minimal work on. Be willing to buy such a space and make renovations that can save you money later.

Going green

Going green can save you lots of money in pretty much every industry you can name. The restaurant industry is no different. There are loads of things you can do that will help the environment and save you loads of money.

Using energy-efficient cooking technology is a good step, of course. Running the dishwasher only when it’s full – and with dishes that have been soaked first! – is also essential. Keeping an eye on the thermostat can help you save money on heating or air conditioning. (Plus, it will help you keep your customers comfortable!)

New supplies strategies

Getting supplies eats up a massive portion of your budget. You may not think there would be anything you can do about this, but there are plenty of changes you could make! A lot of business owners tend to buy from several vendors. This can cost more money than you actually need to be spending. See if you can consolidate your purchases to one or two vendors. If you streamline this process, you can save a lot of delivery costs.

The same thinking should go into the amount that you’re buying. Yes, you should be careful not to buy too many supplies, especially when it comes to food. This can result in things going to waste. But don’t assume that it’s smarter to buy in small portions from several vendors! Make sure you’re working with wholesale meat suppliers who can meet your demands.

Track your inventory

Employee theft in the restaurant industry is more common than you might think. That’s not exactly the happiest of facts, but it’s the truth. The reason it can happen is because so many restaurant owners don’t do inventory properly. So it can be very difficult to find out if food and drink is going missing!

Every year, dozens of physicians and specialists become dissatisfied with being one more part of the massive, corporate infrastructure of a hospital, and quit to start their own private clinic. While this can give you a closer and more rewarding relationship with your patients, keeping a private practice afloat certainly isn’t easy. Like running any business, you’re going to need to implement some highly effective marketing if you want your clinic to succeed. Here are a few simple tips for this.

Online Marketing

Yes, everyone needs to see a physician every now and then, and you’re going to have a pretty big demand for your services no matter where you set up your clinic. However, it’s nearly 2017 now, and any kind of business that doesn’t apply good online marketing practices will be doomed to fail. You’re going to need a professionally designed and maintained website, with a regularly updated blog so that you can keep in contact with the local community. A well-monitored social media presence is also essential for small medical practices.

Networking and Relationships with Other Professionals

Although some of them may be your competitors, keeping up a healthy relationship with other local doctors is essential for successfully marketing a new medical practice. When you have close professional relationships with other doctors in your area, you’ll ensure a healthy stream of referrals from them. Word-of-mouth and professional referrals are one of the most important components of marketing for medical professionals, especially when the market’s somewhat saturated in a particular area. There are many ways to network and build relationships when you’re running a private medical practice. Pitching medical columns to local newspapers and magazines can be pretty effective for getting your name heard by prospective patients. When it comes to reaching out to other doctors, think about joining a major medical organization, or participating in some kind of medical camp.

Patient Satisfaction

Because word of mouth referrals count for so much when you’re running a small clinic, patient satisfaction should be an important part of your marketing strategy. If your patients have an especially pleasant and helpful experience at your clinic, then they’re likely to send more patients to you. If they have a markedly bad experience, they’ll drive people away. It’s as simple as that. Make sure that your receptionists, nurses, physicians and anyone with a customer-facing role is provided with excellent customer service training, and that you’re keeping an eye on how these standards are being upheld in day-to-day practice. You should also make sure that your patient experience outside the clinic is up to scratch. These days, it’s pretty much the standard to have calls answered 24/7 for medical practices, as well as prompt responses through social media channels, and simple online systems for making, moving and canceling appointments. Customer satisfaction can pay off massively, so make it a big part of your overall marketing plan.

Hopefully the advice in this post has made your marketing feel a little less daunting. Cover these three elements, and you’ll get your clinic’s marketing off to a great start.

No matter what kind of business you are in charge of, you probably find that there are days when it all seems a bit much. This is as true for those with brand new startups as it is for those in charge of large corporations. All business owners would happily admit that running their business can sometimes take it out of them. But that doesn’t mean that it needs to be difficult in the long run. It is sensible to always be on the lookout for solutions with which to make running a business easier. In this article, we will look at some of those solutions and see how we can implement them in a modern business. Let’s take a look at how to make running a business considerably easier.

Data Mining

One of the most important acts in business is trying to determine what your customers really think about your company. This can be surprisingly difficult to discover. The trouble here is often that customers do not quite say the whole truth. Therefore, even if you ask them what they think of your business, you might not hear the truth. However, there are ways to discover what they really think, and knowing this can be surprisingly powerful if you want to get ahead. Data mining is one such method which you might want to make more of. Data mining is the process of asking for opinions anonymously, after a customer’s experience. This tends to be much more effective, and you can use the gathered information to improve your company.

Use The Latest Tech

Technology is always going to be a big part of any business. All businesses rely on the technology they use to a certain degree. This is only becoming truer by the day, so it is essential that your business is using the right technology from the start. Often, this means getting hold of the latest tech that you can find and employing it straight away. All kinds of businesses need to consider this in order to make the process of running a business easier. However, certain sectors are particularly prone to using technology in this way. The field of medicine is a particularly strong example. Medical businesses can benefit from using a modern telemedicine platform, as this will make things much easier.

Get Involved In Partnerships

Something that just about any small business can benefit from is partnerships. These are a great way of getting more resources into your business at an early stage. What’s more, it helps to keep the playing field in business more level. If your business is not yet in any partnerships, it might be a good idea to try and find some now. You might be surprised at what a hugely positive effective they can have on small businesses. The great thing is that they offer you the ability to be able to make use of the connections of larger companies, all without the usual cost. It is clear that the right partnerships can be one of the quickest ways to get a business up and running.

Managing cash flow is a challenge for all businesses.  It does not matter if you are an old-line industrial company or a tech startup, cash is king and you need to constantly manage your cash position to make sure you have enough money on hand to pay for operations.   If your cash outflows are more than your inflows, then trouble is soon to follow.  As such, here are some reasons why managing cash flow is important for your business.

Your Business Can’t Survive without Cash Inflows

Without cash inflows, your business will die.  I can’t state it any simpler than this. This is called negative cash flow and few companies have survived prolonged periods without money flowing in.

Cash inflow includes moneys from investments, interest income, sales, and loans.  Obviously, not all inflows are the same.  Cash inflows from investors or loans have strings attached must be repaid eventually.

Sales are the best form of cash inflows out there.  Think about it, your customers are giving you money and if your cash flows are properly structured then you will be able to hold on to some of that cash.  

However, there are times when sales are not enough.  Maybe you are growing too fast or your business is seasonal and there are times when sales drag to almost nothing.  Either way, you need to a plan to account for where your receivables are coming from.  This way you will know in advance when something is wrong or when you need to adjust further down the line.

You Should Watch Cash Outflows Like a Hawk

You guessed it, outflows cover the money you use to pay for raw materials, bills, loans, and even your investors.  If you want to achieve positive cash flow, then your outflows should be less than your inflows.  This is the best way to make sure you have enough cash on hand at all times.  

However, there are times when even positive cash flow is not enough.  Maybe there is an opportunity to gain more market share and you might need additional working capital.  At times like these, you might need to turn to investors or even a lender to get you the additional cash you need at the time.  

While the initial payment will represent a cash inflow, remember that you will have matching cash outflows to pay for that investment or loan.  As such, you want to make sure that your cash flow plan takes into the account of repaying any investors or loans.

Get a Plan

Managing cash flow does not happen by itself.  You need to have a plan to manage cash flow and that plan needs to include how you will balance cash inflows and outflows.  If the balance is correct, then you will achieve positive cash flow.

When making a plan, you need to start with your baseline. This is an old consultant’s trick.  It basically means looking at past performance to model where you are today and, importantly, where you are likely to go tomorrow.  From there you can identify which corrective actions will have the biggest impact on your cash flow.  

If you are just starting your business, then you won’t have much of a baseline to go off of, but don’t worry.  Having a cash flow plan in place from day one is important as it will help you highlight which steps you need to take to ensure you make the most of the cash you have on hand.  

Looking Ahead

Being a startup is not easy.  You have to simultaneously find customers and investors and there is never enough of both.  The constant struggle often means that business fundamentals get lost in the shuffle.  But having a plan and treating every dollar as a precious resource will serve you well.  So, get a plan and make it happen.

Managing cash flow is important.  You can be profitable, but if your cash flow is not right then you are bound to run into trouble.  Look at your cash inflows and your cash outflows and then come up with a plan.  If you are a startup, then don’t worry about past performance.  Begin with your projection and make corrections as you go.  The most important thing is that you are paying attention to your cash flow to make sure you don’t run out of cash.

Looking into your options for an entrepreneurial endeavor? Don’t know whether to buy a franchise or to launch your own brand? Our friends over at www.findmyworkspace.com share insights to help you decide!

Going into business is a major life-changing decision. Before you start, there are so many questions that you need to ask yourself.

• What is your reason for going into business?
• What kind of industry are you interested in?
• Where does your expertise lie?
• What kinds of products and market do you have experience in?
• Do you have a location in mind?
• Who is your ideal customer?
• What will be your unique selling proposition?
• Do you have the necessary resources (time, money, skills) to get the business started?
• Do you have a list of prospective suppliers?
• Who are your competitors?
• How will you market your business?
• Will you be the one to manage your business or will you hire a manager?

When you have the answers to the above questions, it will be easier for you to decide which type of business is better suited for you, your strengths and your goals.

So should you start a franchise or put up your own business? A closer look at the ABC’s of the two business models can help you decide:

Autonomy / Ownership

In a franchise, you do not own the name / brand of your business. You are only granted a license to use the franchisor’s brand name and operating systems. In exchange for your investment, you benefit from the efficiencies and stability of a well-established system perfected by the parent company.

In an independent ownership, you build your business from the ground up. All decisions on the brand name, products and services, and operating systems fall on your shoulders. You can be as creative and flexible as you want to be in adjusting to your market’s needs and trends.

The main differentiating factor in this aspect is: security and stability of an established franchise system versus absolute autonomy on the process, details and direction of your business organization.

Brand

The most valuable thing that you are buying with a franchise is the brand name. It takes years and millions of dollars to build a strong brand. With a well-known brand, reliability and familiarity have already been embedded in the consumers’ minds. Customers expect that your products are exactly the same in appearance, price, taste, quality as in the branch five blocks away.

When you start your own independent venture, you have to proactively cultivate the brand. A new brand is highly unlikely to enjoy the prestige and recognition of long-standing brands. However, you have the power to develop your brand’s image to truly embody yourself and your vision. You can also inject a lot of homegrown flavor into your brand- something that your target market might appreciate.

Which advantage is more important to you? A strong and established brand image versus a brand that reflects who you are and where it started.  

Costs

Apart from the initial investments in securing your license and setting up the operating system, there are ongoing royalties to be paid for a franchise business. Royalties may be a fixed amount or a certain percentage of your sales. Franchisors may also require certain details such as a minimum size for your store, minimum number of employees and number of operating hours per day.

Independent business owners have the upper hand in deciding how much money to put into their business. There is the option of starting smaller and then expanding as you go along or vice versa. Needless to say, owners are in full control of their business earnings, sales data and operating hours.

Ask yourself: are you willing to shell out an ongoing maintenance fee for your business (in exchange for several benefits) or would you rather maximize your earnings and invest them back to the business?

Direction

A good franchise package includes initial training for you and your employees; and continuous support. An even better package includes periodic trainings and workshops, as well as regular get-togethers with your fellow franchisees. You can be part of a team with a common goal of growing your business brand. Your mother company’s direction is communicated clearly and you just have to lead your team towards your goals and targets.

Independent business owners take complete responsibility on their organization’s objectives. From creating a business plan to the actual implementation, to tracking of the results, to addressing all problems and revising strategies, if needed- your business building and entrepreneurial mindset are fully optimized. It takes a lot more thinking and work, compared to a franchise business set-up. However, you can set goals which are more personal for you and your team.  

It’s your choice: Do you feel more comfortable with ongoing support from more experienced business practitioners? Or are you confident that you can gracefully manage your entire business operations?

Recently, some franchisors have started evaluating their system and packages. Some companies are now offering more flexibility and leeway for franchise owners to introduce their own methods to the business. This encourages learning between the mother company and the franchise owners and addresses possible problems with lack of decision-making power for entrepreneurs.

With the surge of knowledge and information available at our fingertips, independent business owners can get advice from more experienced businessmen, consultants and support groups in running their organization. There are also more cost-savvy but very effective options in promoting your brand- through social media, blogging and search engines.

Starting your business venture is exciting and challenging. Be ready to commit your time, heart and hard work into it. Regardless of which type of business you choose to go into, you are the most important key to the success of your organization!  

Are you getting the most out of the opportunities Facebook can bring to your business? The social media platform is one of the biggest in the world, and there are getting on for 2 billion active users there. While you won’t appeal to every last user, there is still plenty of opportunities to use the platform to your advantage. In today’s guide, we’re going to explore a few ways you can make your business stand out on Facebook and give yourself a competitive edge. Let’s get started right away.

The importance of tone

First of all, it’s important to understand that your Facebook page represents your business. It is essential that your posts and updates always reflect your company culture and is consistent with your overall tone of voice. There is an element of informality on social media, of course, and it’s OK to be more casual than you might be in a letter. But, don’t forget that it is not an excuse for being unprofessional. Be interesting, humorous, inviting, and welcoming. But most of all, be honest, truthful, and professional.

The importance of image

It can be hard to appear like a leader in your field when you don’t have any followers. According to www.buycheapfollowersfast.com/facebook/, increasing your fan count can enhance your image. People will see that others are interacting with your brand and will be more likely to follow suit. So, your first step towards standing out is to be incredibly active in attracting new followers and give people a reason to Like your page and posts. Competitions, giveaways, and other special offers can be an enticing to consumers, so have a think and see what you can come up with.

The importance of interaction

Facebook is a social platform, which means you have to interact with others. The idea is to start conversations and promote engagement with your brand – but it works both ways. If people respond to your posts, reply to them – never leave their comments ignored.

The importance of images

Facebook is an increasingly visual medium. Posts with images tend to be more fruitful and popular than those without. According towww.socialmediaexaminer.com/visual-social-media-with-donna-moritz/, there are a few reasons why. First, people process image quicker than text. A good picture can also underline your message, and hammer home your points. So, ensure that you include images with all your posts. Not only do people interact more with posts that have images, but they are also more likely to share them.

The importance of value

Never use your Facebook page for the sole purpose of promoting your business. If you aren’t giving people value and sharing informative information, you will just turn people off. As a rule, a third of your posts should be promotional. The rest should be a healthy mix of helpful posts and sharing of other, curated content.

OK, so that’s all we have time for right now. With a little hard work and dedication, you can turn your Facebook page into a goldmine for sales and prospects. Let us know your thoughts on how to make your Facebook business pages stand out.

The minute you walk into a space, the office culture should be clear. How the materials, colors, and finishes work together create your brand image, which is why designing your office is so important. The goal is to curate a space that’s both comfortable for your employees and impressive to your visitors.

When people walk into your home, they have an idea of who you are. The same should be said for your business. How you utilize your space, whether it’s your personal workspace or an entire office, is very telling. Here are four simple steps to branding your office:

1. Choose colors that reflect the brand.

The right colors will really accentuate who you are as a company and bring out the energy you want to project. Certain colors evoke specific emotions. For example, blues symbolize trust and loyalty; yellow, orange, and red are associated with high energy; green is representative growth and freshness; white represents purity and cleanliness. However, too much of anything can have an adverse effect.

Choosing the right color is more important than you think, and visitors aren’t the only people who will feel the brand based on your color choices. Consider the people who are in the office on a day-to-day basis. A University of Texas study found that color can have a direct impact on productivity. Beige, grey, and all-white offices have been linked to sadness and depression, particularly in women. Low wavelength colors like blue and green improve focus and efficiency. Psychologists often view yellow as optimism and is linked with innovation. A great color picking program and matching tool like Pantone will help you narrow in on the perfect color (the system has been used to choose famous colors like Tiffany blue and Minions yellow, and Target red).

2. Use proper signage.

When visiting an office space, one of the first things you see is the office signage — an introduction to the space. This isn’t something you should skimp out on. Signage should show the company name and/or logo. Thankfully, there are endless options for entryway office signage. A sleek stainless steel or frosted glass sign could evoke minimalism, while a large, colorful, raised letter sign could be bold and powerful. Be sure that your signage matches with the rest of the office and company branding.

3. Your furniture and fixings should match your brand.

Furniture is a great foundation for branding and is really the meat of your office. One of the first brand-based decisions you’ll make is between traditional and modern furniture. If you want to present your company as being forward-looking, innovative and fun, there are a plethora of you can choose from: minimalist glass tables, sleek mesh seats, breakout furniture. If your brand values a more traditional approach, opt for conventional furnishing, like wooden tables and leather chairs. Sleek, modern furniture would work great for a tech business or a business that requires high levels of collaboration.

If you have a distinct product or service, bring it to the forefront and highlight it. We recommend taking a look at office design blogs and using their images as inspiration. Pinterest is also a great platform to help narrow down your ideas — a simple search of “office design” will yield thousands of results. If you know the type of decor that you want, but can’t figure out how to bring to life, type in a search term like “sleek office design.” Working with a third party design company will also help bring more ideas to the table based on what you hope the office will evoke for your brand.

4. Think about creativity boosters.

Whether your business is a dental office or an advertising firm, it could benefit from some creativity. Creativity comes in all forms: an employee could come up with a new filing system for a dental office while another just created an award-winning ad campaign at an advertising firm. One way to inject creativity into the office is to have more open spaces — which is proven to increase collaboration and connection and help empower your team. Another idea is to to create a breakout space that allows your employees to take a break, come together, and socialize.

Bringing some nature into the office can also work wonders for your overall aesthetic. According to a study conducted by England’s University of Exeter, employees with a small plant on their desk were 47 percent more creative and 40 percent more productive.

As a business owner, you should always be looking for ways to expand your company. One of the key steps owners often take is to start selling and marketing on the international market. Rather than simply selling their product in the local region, they make the most of the global demand. But before you put your business on the world market, there are a few lessons that you need to learn.

Demand May Not Be There

You must keep your ego in check when you think about expanding your company. It would be foolish to believe that you already have a built-in market for your product overseas. You probably don’t and instead you’ll need to research whether there is a demand there. If there isn’t, you going to have a pour a lot of money into a marketing campaign.

Competition Is Fierce

Of course, you may need a strong marketing push anyway. You might not realize that when you enter the global market, you’re already facing heated competition. Indeed, there is probably already someone in the new region offering the same product as you or one that is quite similar. You will have to work hard to gain the upper hand.

You’ll Need To Evolve

Demand will differ depending on where you are selling to. For instance, in certain parts of the world, healthy food is more popular. That hasn’t stopped Mcdonald’s and other major brands thriving there, though. They just had to change how they marketed their products and even the type of products that they were offering consumers. You can see below in the infographic the way the international market can shape an already existing business model.

Infographic Produced By Pepperdine University

According to a survey done by the Australian Bureau of statistics (ABS), more than 6.6 million  Australians were born overseas. That means that almost half of all Australians were either born overseas or have a parent who was. We are a nation of migrants and that makes the companies operating here very flexible by being diverse in the workforce they hire. When you want to hire remote or overseas workers, you have to be ready to face the challenges that come with dealing with them.  

However, they can prove to be an incredible asset to your company’s expansion and rapid growth. Internet has made it quite easy for companies to hire remote or overseas workers. The easy flow of communication and commerce has made it easier, convenient and very cost effective. It has empowered companies to consider the benefits of hiring top talent from anywhere in the world without being restricted by geographic boundaries.

When you want to hire an overseas employee, here are five important things that you will need to consider and get done before you do so.

• Delegate Tasks Before Virtual Outsourcing

Before hiring a new overseas worker, think and evaluate if you really need one. You may find that your employees are overworked and overwhelmed with responsibilities, a dilemma that can easily be solved by the delegation of tasks to minimize management and supervision. In the end, you may find out that there was no need for relying on an overseas hire. A quick re-structuring can increase your operational efficiency and help you reduce redundancies without bringing an overseas worker on the team.

• Look Far and Wide When Looking for Experts in a Field

In the past, there were just a handful of companies and platforms that provided the opportunity for companies to hire overseas employees. However, that situation has completely changed. Now, you can cast your net really wide to find the best talent for a job. You can use online portals to review a candidate’s resume and application materials as well as their portfolios before making a decision.

• Think About More than Just Hourly Rates

Before you decide on your compensation package, you will need to evaluate each remote worker’s skill set and level of expertise. Think about it; you might be attracted to an international worker who is bidding to work at $5/hour. In comparison with an Australian who is charging you $40/hour, this may seem like an obvious choice. However, if English is not their first language, the task that could have taken an hour to complete may take five hours to do so. Check the candidate’s full employment package before you decide to hire them.

• Think About Communication Channels and Time

Overseas workers shouldn’t have an “Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind” place in your business. Avoid any internal and external miscommunications and ensure that all the team members are on the same page. This will help avoid any disruptions in your business and decrease employee satisfaction. Daily status updates, weekly standup meetings, internal chats and calls to facilitate conversations among team members and regular employee meet-ups can reinforce communication between regular and remote workers.

• Think about Legal and Tax Obligations Beforehand

This will depend on whether you use a third party or an independent contractor to hire your remote employee or whether you hire them directly. This will differ according to the terms you hired them under and you may have to deal with a number of tax and legal obligations accordingly. You might also want to consider sourcing skilled professionals from overseas, in this case, it is worth getting advice from a qualified migration agent to ensure all the legal elements.

Being in control of your finances and accounts is a critical part of being a business owner. However, so many new startups get things wrong. It might be that they make mistakes – and draw attention from the IRS. But it also might be because they are overcome with fear of doing something wrong, and don’t claim taxes back on the things they should. As you can see, there is a delicate balance to strike. But there are also a few guidelines that can help you run better books, and save you time and money at the same time. Let’s take a closer look.

Use an accountant

Want to know the biggest – and the best – secret of accurate, tax-efficient bookkeeping? Just hire an accountant. Many startups avoid doing so, just to save a little money. But hiring an accounting expert is not a cost – it’s an investment. The amount of money they will save you will far outweigh that which they charge. Get in touch with a nearby firm, and ask them if they have experience in your industry. Find the right company, and it will save you an awful lot of money. And, of course, the time it takes you away from your critical business activities.

Use software

If you don’t want to use an accountant, try some software. There are plenty of options out there, which will help you keep your books in perfect condition, and IRS investigation-proof. Bear in mind that it can take some time to learn how to use your preferred software, and you might still need a bookkeeper on board. However, with software, they should be able to complete their work faster, meaning a smaller monthly charge.

Open a business bank account

When you are a startup, setting up a business account is likely to be one of the last things on your mind. It’s far easier to use your personal account, after all. Or is it? Well, at first, it might do, but when it comes to doing your taxes, it can end up being a nightmare. It is essential, then, to separate your business and personal accounts. Your accountant or bookkeeper will love you, and so will the IRS should they ever come knocking.

Receipt solutions

Receipts can be the bane of every business. You buy something with company cash, and when tax filing day comes around, you can’t find it anywhere. So, instead of using the traditional method of filing your receipts, why not take pictures of them? You can use apps like Evernote to take photos, and file away, safely, on the cloud. It’s simple, easy, and you should never have a problem tracking your receipts.

Track your mileage automatically

Finally, how much time do you waste tracking your business mileage? And why are you still entering details into your accounts when you can use a tracking app to do it for you? There are plenty of applications out there, so take a look at what you can find and get started as soon as possible. It should save you a significant amount of time.

Hope this has helped – feel free to leave some of your suggestions in the comments!

Expressing your gratitude at the end of a successful sale to your customers for their trust is an ethical business practice. However, you can add to the significance of a simple ‘thanks’ and make it even more special through small incentives and giveaways that would make a cherry on top and add to your overall service value and customer experience.

Customers love to be surprised, and there’s no better way than your branded merchandize to satiate their craving for surprise and keep them happy, loyal, and bound to your brand.

Here are some interesting gift ideas that do not go too heavy on your business budget and surprise your customers in a happy and pleasant way. Read on.

1.Customized Notepad Fridge Magnets

Fridge magnets are a thing of the past. Miniature, magnetic notepads are the new fad.  They look cool, trendy and make a smart gift option for your customer to stick on their refrigerators and jot down the mini minor bits they need to remember every day. These customized and branded notepad fridge magnets would make a good brand reminder, every now and then, whenever your customers cast a look on that, thus increasing your brand recall.

2.Inflatable Pool Toys

The squishy, mushy inflatable pool toys, whether it is a swimming tube or duck-shaped floats would instantly cheer up your customers and their kids. Not only they are pocket friendly and cute, they would also make a subtle reminder for your brand and increase your brand recall when your customers are away on their holidays on a beach or having some splashy fun time swimming in a pool.

3.Australian Soccer Ball

Your soccer-fan customers would love to have it as an added bonus with their purchase. A hand sewn soccer ball, tailored to perfection and an emblem of the craftsman’s finesse, printed all over in the glorious Australian flag would make an ideal gift option during those thrilling Australian Soccer League seasons or on the occasion of the National Day. It would also create a strong association with your brand in the minds of the customer.  

4.Notebook Drink Bottles and Protein Shakers

Customized mugs and glasses do make a good gift choice but not as good as these notebook drink bottles and customized protein shakers. They are trendy, unique and would sure catch the attention and interest of your customers. Not only that, they would also make a good promotional tool, speaking about your brand wherever your customers take them, through the brand name and logo printed on them.

5.Branded and Customized Glow Sticks

Glow sticks are an uber cool option for business giveaways. Used in a variety of ways, they are an instant tool to light up your special occasions, be it a birthday, a rock concert, a raving adventure or as an essential survival tool for your hiking and trekking trips. You can get these glow sticks printed and customized with your brand name and logo and your customer would sure want to drop in again to get more of these as a bonus on each purchase.