tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72682161406790044712024-02-20T04:22:37.457-08:00Juan Brown's BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.comBlogger7925125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-87759478274910072492019-05-02T07:34:00.001-07:002019-05-02T07:34:23.158-07:00Only 48% of Restaurant Owners Feel Prepared to Capitalize on Future Mobile Innovations<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544342 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants.png" alt="Only 48% of Owners Feel Ready for Future Mobile Restaurant Technology" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-apps-for-restaurants-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>Mobile has become an integral part of the food and beverage industry. For restaurant owners, this <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/10/restaurant-technology-saves-money.html">technology</a> has introduced new levels of efficiency in front and backend operations. But according to a new survey by Oracle, only 48% of owners feel prepared to capitalize on future mobile innovations.</p>
<p>Another 62% also expressed doubt in their ability to keep up with the changes taking place in mobile technology. This is despite the fact they fully recognize the threat coming from competitors who have adopted mobile solutions. More than half (59%) said their company faces the threat of disruption from these competitors.</p>
<p>The data comes from two surveys carried by Oracle in the <a href="https://www.oracle.com/webfolder/s/assets/digibook/process-map/food_and_bev.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">food and beverage</a> and <a href="https://www.oracle.com/industries/hospitality/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hospitality</a> industries. The food and beverage survey is titled “Going Mobile: A Benchmark of Mobility Maturity in the Restaurant Industry.” And the hospitality survey is the “2019 Hospitality Benchmark Report Mobile Maturity Analysis.”</p>
<p>Both surveys looked into the challenges these industries face in adopting mobile technology and how they can benefit from them.</p>
<p>Simon de Montfort Walker, senior vice president and general manager for Oracle Food and Beverage, <a href="https://www.oracle.com/corporate/pressrelease/restaurants-feel-unprepared-for-mobile-future-042319.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> mobile has completely changed the segment.</p>
<p>In the press release, he went on to say businesses who don’t adopt the technology will not be relevant. Adding, “In order to remain relevant to a rapidly evolving audience, restaurants must act quickly to modernize their mobile strategy and offerings. Today, the experience a customer has <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/03/restaurant-ordering-system.html">ordering online</a> or from a kiosk can be just as essential as if they were ordering in the store.”</p>
<h3>How Can Restaurants Benefit from Mobile Technology?</h3>
<p>The study says there is a “clear and urgent need” for restaurants to adopt the right overall mobile technology. This includes front and back-end solutions with comprehensive systems.</p>
<p>Having these solutions is especially important for small businesses. Owners can drive higher ticket value, turn tables faster and generate more cross and upsell. The technology also improves the guest experience and help cut labor costs by introducing new levels of efficiency.</p>
<p>When it comes to cost, a good app can save a restaurant money on several different fronts. Owners said it saved time and money in hiring, monitoring stock to avoid waste, changing menu quickly, and more.</p>
<p>For 84% of the respondent, guest-facing apps have translated into lower labor costs. And 96% agreed a mobile inventory management app was responsible for saving them time and money.</p>
<h3>The Guest Experience</h3>
<p>With smartphones now in the hand of almost all adults, restaurant mobile apps are delivering a better dining experience. Customers are making reservations, ordering food, making payments, leaving reviews, and engaging with owners.</p>
<p>In the survey 86% of the owners said branded mobile apps increase the speed in which they deliver service. Faster service has translated into more customers being served, which in turn has increased revenue.</p>
<p>Ninety-three percent of owners also said the guest-facing apps promote loyalty, drive repeat business and improve the guest experience.</p>
<h3>The Survey</h3>
<p>Oracle carried out the survey with the participation of 279 leaders in the food and beverage industry during the summer of 2018. Seventy-one percent of the respondents are director level or higher and they use mobile technology in their organizations.</p>
<p>The restaurants were full-service, fast casual, and quick service establishments.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/mobile-restaurant-technology.html'>Only 48% of Restaurant Owners Feel Prepared to Capitalize on Future Mobile Innovations</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/mobile-restaurant-technology.html">Only 48% of Restaurant Owners Feel Prepared to Capitalize on Future Mobile Innovations</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-76084600753748257722019-05-02T06:05:00.001-07:002019-05-02T06:05:39.623-07:00How to Get an ATM in Your Store<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544063 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM.png" alt="How to Get an ATM in Your Store" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATM-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>Having an ATM in your store or business can be a major benefit. It may bring more people through the door, it ensures that you customers have access to cash if they need it to make a purchase, and it can even help you earn significant extra revenue.</p>
<p>However, getting an ATM set up at your location takes some work and careful research. And it’s not right for every business. ATMs are most beneficial in heavy traffic locations like malls or downtown shopping districts. It also has clear benefits for <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/08/cash-businesses.html">businesses that operate mainly in cash</a> or those that accept tips.</p>
<h2>How to Get an ATM</h2>
<p>If you think that your local business is a good fit for an ATM, read on for some tips.</p>
<h3>Choose the Model That Works for Your Business</h3>
<p>You have a few basic options when it comes to getting set up with an ATM. Some businesses qualify for what is called placement. This is when an ATM company sets up and maintains the machine in your store. This comes with little to no cost for your business. And you don’t need to worry about keeping it stocked or fixing it if anything goes wrong. However, you also don’t earn a portion of the fees collected from the machine. Additionally, this option is really only open to businesses that have a ton of foot traffic and are able to maintain a lot of usage. You’ll need to communicate with an ATM distributor in your area to determine what their specific qualifications are for this type of offering.</p>
<p>On the other end of the spectrum, you have the option of buying a machine, setting it up in your location and maintaining it on your own. This comes with a pretty significant startup cost. But you do get to keep all the fees that the machine collects. This option is best for those businesses that don’t qualify for placement and want to increase revenue over the long term.</p>
<p>Some ATM companies also offer a leasing or partnership option. This is basically a split between the other two options. You have to pay a leasing or renting fee to get the machine set up in your business. But it’s not as expensive upfront as buying. And you get to keep a portion of the fees collected — but not all of them. This may be a beneficial option for those that don’t qualify for placement and don’t have the capital to invest thousands in a new machine. It can also work for those who are thinking about buying but want to test the waters first.</p>
<h3>Calculate Your Potential Earnings</h3>
<p>According to ATM solutions provider <a href="http://www.nationalcash.com/statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Cash Systems</a>, the average ATM is used about 300 times per month. And ATM users spend between 20 and 25 percent more at convenience stores and similar businesses than others. So having an ATM at your business can certainly generate returns. But it’s up to you to determine just how much extra you can earn — and whether the initial cost is worth it.</p>
<p>If you have a high traffic business and qualify for placement, this part of the equation should be fairly simple since you may be able to get an ATM at little to no upfront cost. You can simply earn more for your business by allowing your customers to more easily access the cash they need.</p>
<p>If you are looking to buy or lease a machine. The calculations become a little more complicated. It’s first important to understand how many people come into your store daily. The more traffic you get, the more people are likely to use your ATM. However, if your business and the others around you also accept credit cards or other forms of payment, only a small percentage of people will actually use the machine on a daily basis. To get a better idea of how many customers you might be able to collect fees from on a daily basis, notice when people pay in cash, ask for cash back from a credit card purchase or ask where the nearest ATM is.</p>
<p>You also have a wide array of choices when it comes to the actual machine you purchase. Used models tend to start at around $2,000. But you can find higher end new models that cost nearly $10,000. You’ll need to factor in the purchase price and the cost of maintenance to determine how much you can make and whether or not buying a machine is really worthwhile for your business.</p>
<h3>Find the Best Model for Your Needs</h3>
<p>Aside from the cost, you also need to consider what features are important to you. Consider the screen type, aesthetics, vault size, and lock security. There are both new and used options available. To find options in your area, check out marketplaces like <a href="https://www.atmmarketplace.com/companies/directory/companies-by-category/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ATM Marketplace</a> or <a href="https://atmbrokerage.com/atm-machines-for-sale/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ATM brokerage</a>. Or try searching for vendors that service your area.</p>
<h3>Keep It Maintained</h3>
<p>If you buy or lease a machine, you’ll need to also maintain it over time. Have a system for keeping the vault stocked each day. And make sure you develop a relationship with an ATM service provider in your area so you know who to call if the machine experiences an error or breaks down.</p>
<p>You should also update your business listings online to make sure people know you have an ATM in your store. Customers often search for the nearest ATM online. So an accurate and up-to-date listing can potentially help you bring in some extra traffic.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/how-to-get-an-atm.html'>How to Get an ATM in Your Store</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/how-to-get-an-atm.html">How to Get an ATM in Your Store</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-82813369918409650772019-05-02T04:34:00.001-07:002019-05-02T04:34:20.639-07:00Attention Transportation Businesses: New CDL License Requirements You MUST Understand<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544070 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License.png" alt="What Your Business Needs to Know About the New CDL License Requirements" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Commercial-License-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>There are new rules coming into effect for entry level truck driver training (ELDT) in February 2020 that small businesses need to know about. The changes will affect drivers looking to get a <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/03/types-of-cdls.html">commercial license (CDL)</a> for the first time or when upgrading.</p>
<h2>New CDL License Requirements</h2>
<p>Small Business Trends contacted Fred Word, Executive Consultant at <a href="https://www.illinoissafetyconsultants.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Illinois Safety Consultants</a> to find out what your business needs to know about the new requirements.</p>
<h3>Why the Changes?</h3>
<p>The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (<em>FMCSA</em>) has implemented these changes which come into effect Feb 07, 2020. The changes were finalized in March 5 as a way to lessen the regulatory burdens on both applicants and training facilities. The FMCSA also claims these new <a href="https://stnonline.com/news/fmcsa-final-rule-released-on-cdls/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">streamlined rules</a> will cut classroom instruction an average of 27 hours per applicant.</p>
<p>These changes are also designed to help combat a chronic truck driver shortage in the United States.</p>
<h3>What Kinds of Commercial Vehicles Will Be Affected?</h3>
<p>“The New ELDT is a FMCSA minimum training requirement for brand new operators of commercial vehicles applying for a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time or upgrading a CDL.2,” Word wrote in an email.</p>
<p>Each class of the CDL has certain weight restrictions and allowances that match specific commercial vehicles. For example, a class A CDL is usually the one that’s assigned to tractor-trailers, flatbeds, tanker and livestock carrying vehicles.</p>
<p>A Class B CDL is usually the one that allows drivers behind the wheel of trucks like city buses, tour buses and courier vehicles.</p>
<p>A CDL2 allows a driver to operate a bus that has more than 24 passengers.</p>
<p>There’s a big exception that you should know about. You don’t need to reapply if you’ve already got you CDL before the compliance date comes into effect.</p>
<h3>What’s Going to Change?</h3>
<p>It all starts on Feb 7, 2020. That’s the first day when you won’t be able to apply for any kind of a commercial vehicle license until you’ve gone through the revamped course. It will include knowledge and behind the wheel training portions.</p>
<p>There is an emphasis on the knowledge aspect. Driver applicants need to score an 80% minimum on this part. On the other side of that coin, there is no minimum number of hours for training behind the wheel. However, if you’re thinking about getting your CDL, license you won’t be able to use a driving simulator to train.</p>
<h3>What’s the New Focus?</h3>
<p>“The knowledge portion will consist of over 30 course topics,” Word says. “Driver-trainees must demonstrate their understanding of the material by achieving an overall minimum score on the knowledge assessment.”</p>
<p>Your small business might use a training school to get your new hires up to speed. They need to be listed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registry. You’ll need to do a little extra homework here to make sure of that.</p>
<p>Word explains the reasons for the change.</p>
<p>“Training providers must record and report student hours spent behind the wheel to that administration.”</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/cdl-license-requirements.html'>Attention Transportation Businesses: New CDL License Requirements You MUST Understand</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/cdl-license-requirements.html">Attention Transportation Businesses: New CDL License Requirements You MUST Understand</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-17570706150529811552019-05-01T09:04:00.001-07:002019-05-01T09:04:21.808-07:0055% of Small Business Owners Would Pay for their Data in a Ransomware Attack<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543718 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom.png" alt="Ransomware Statistics: 55% of Small Business Owners Would Pay to Solve an Attack" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paying-Ransom-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>Businesses value their data so much more than half will pay cyber criminals to get it back. The <a href="https://www.appriver.com/about-us/news-releases/majority-of-smb-leaders-say-they-would-pay-ransom-to-have-stolen-data-returned/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AppRiver Cyberthreat Index</a> for Business Survey says 55% of small businesses will pay in the event of a ransomware attack.</p>
<p>And willingness to pay increases to 74% for larger small businesses. In fact, 39% say they will pay almost any price.</p>
<h3>Ransomware Statistics</h3>
<p>This is not surprising because the annual price of cybercrime is costing small businesses more with each passing year. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says the annual loss is now at almost <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/12/cost-of-a-cyber-attack-small-business.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">$80K or $79,841</a> on average. And the cost to the global economy for 2019 will hit more than $2 trillion.</p>
<p>However, 45% said they will not give in to the extortion of cybercriminals no matter how much the amount is. The position of the organizations greatly depends on their industry. And for those with extremely valuable data, getting their property back at all costs is not out of the question.</p>
<p>This has led companies to view cybersecurity as an off-balance sheet liability, which is what David Wagner, CEO of Zix Corp, the parent company of AppRiver said in the press release.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.appriver.com/about-us/news-releases/majority-of-smb-leaders-say-they-would-pay-ransom-to-have-stolen-data-returned/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wagner explained</a>, “Cybersecurity is no longer just a technology issue; it amounts to an off-balance sheet liability being carried by every company that isn’t adequately protected. Ransom scenarios, whether initiated through social media apps or any attack vector, have the potential to disrupt or destroy a business overnight.”</p>
<p>The urgency in Wagner’s statement is not hyperbole. Because 60% of small companies <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/01/cyber-security-statistics-small-business.html">go out of business</a> within six months after a cyber attack.</p>
<h3>Security Concerns</h3>
<p>According to 84% of the SMB executives in the survey, the use of social media apps and website in the workplace or on a business device is a concern. And not surprisingly Facebook leads the pack.</p>
<p>More than three in four or 77% of respondents said Facebook was a security risk in the workplace. An industry segment which is particularly concerned about the social media platform is telecom SMBs. A clear majority or 83% of all telecom leaders said Facebook was a potential security threat.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543720 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SMB-concern.png" alt="Ransomware Statistics: 55% of Small Business Owners Would Pay to Solve an Attack" width="850" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SMB-concern.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SMB-concern-150x99.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SMB-concern-768x506.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SMB-concern-300x198.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SMB-concern-660x435.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SMB-concern-620x408.png 620w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SMB-concern-310x205.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<p>As far as the other social media platforms, Pinterest faired better than all the others with only 3% saying it was a concern. Next was Linked in at 13% followed by Snapchat at 15%, WhatsApp at 18%, Instagram at 19%, YouTube at 20% and Twitter at 21%.</p>
<h3>Data Management</h3>
<p><a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/02/backups-provide-ransomware-protection.html">Ransomware attacks</a> work because cybercriminals hold valuable data hostage. The more value the data has for an organization, the more they are willing to pay for it.</p>
<p>According to AppRiver, businesses are continually at risk of cyber attacks because their files are in different locations with varying security levels.</p>
<p>In the survey, 48% said they have confidential business data across multiple locations. This includes everything from laptops to smartphones, tablets, and on network drives. And shockingly, 6% said they are too busy to know where their data was stored.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543719 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Stored-data.png" alt="Ransomware Statistics: 55% of Small Business Owners Would Pay to Solve an Attack" width="850" height="494" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Stored-data.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Stored-data-150x87.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Stored-data-768x446.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Stored-data-300x174.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Stored-data-660x384.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Stored-data-620x360.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<p>The segments which take the issue of data management seriously are financial services, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and government SMBs. They said their business data is located on their secured network and nowhere else.</p>
<h3>Being Ready for an Attack</h3>
<p>Security experts have been warning individuals and organizations about the dangers of cyber attacks for years. But for some reason, not everyone is heeding this advice.</p>
<p>For small businesses, the consequences are grave, which might explain why so many of them are paying the ransom. Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, Director of the University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity, said as much in the report.</p>
<p>“The high willingness to pay ransom demonstrates the importance of business data to these organizations, however, the growing apathy of threat fatigue could prove to be dangerous. The time is now to institute cyber readiness training, tools and policies.”</p>
<p>By implementing robust security policies, best practices, and strong governance, small businesses can protect themselves from ransomware and other cyber attacks.</p>
<h3>The Survey</h3>
<p>The AppRiver Q2 Cyberthreat Index for Business survey was carried out in April 2019. A total of 1,035 cybersecurity decision makers in SMBs took part in the national study. Over 80% of the participants were in leadership positions including CEO, president, owner, CTO or head of IT.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: AppRiver</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/ransomware-statistics-small-business.html'>55% of Small Business Owners Would Pay for their Data in a Ransomware Attack</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/ransomware-statistics-small-business.html">55% of Small Business Owners Would Pay for their Data in a Ransomware Attack</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-42948746978446980752019-05-01T07:39:00.001-07:002019-05-01T07:39:07.427-07:00Attention Retailers: Secrets of Good Customer Service Revealed<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544051 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service.png" alt="Why Does Great Retail Customer Service Matter?" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Retail-Customer-Service-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>If you’re a retailer, you don’t need me to tell you how competitive the industry has become. Providing great retail customer service has always been important to business owners who take pride in their work — but <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/things-customers-want-retail-stores.html">today, it can be a matter of business survival</a>.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://brpconsulting.com/download/2019-special-report-customer-loyalty/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BPR Consulting</a>, nearly two-thirds of shoppers will stop visiting a store after just one bad experience. Here’s why great retail customer service is so important.</p>
<h3>Great Customer Service Pays Off</h3>
<p>Customers are willing to pay for great customer service. More than two-thirds (68%) of consumers in a Gladly study say they would pay more for great service. How much more? One-third say they’d pay 1-9% more; 27% would pay 10-20% more and 8% are willing to pay over 20% more.</p>
<p>Consider two retailers widely touted for their great customer service: Zappos and Nordstrom. Both rarely have sales and aren’t known for low prices. Still, customers (including me) find it worth the extra expense to feel confident they’ll get amazing service every time.</p>
<h3>Customer Service Has A Ripple Effect</h3>
<p>Whether your retail store’s customer service is outstanding or horrifying, shoppers will hear about it via online reviews and social media. Some 91% of consumers aged 18 to 34 trust <a href="https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">online reviews</a> as much as personal recommendations, and 68% won’t use a business with less than a four-star review. In other words, even people who have never been to your store will form an opinion based on what they read online.</p>
<p>The good news: If they have a great customer experience, 80% of consumers will recommend your business to friends and family, and 40% will also share their story on social media. The bad news: If you provide bad customer service, 67% of consumers will actively dissuade others from patronizing your business, and 42% will spread the (bad) word on social media.</p>
<h2>Examples of Good Customer Service in Retail</h2>
<p>Great customer service means more than just delivering on your store’s promise. It means going above and beyond so that customers take note, are dazzled and remember what you did. Here are a few examples of what I mean:</p>
<h3>Tying One On</h3>
<p>A teenager went to Target looking for a clip-on tie to wear to a job interview. The store didn’t sell clip-ons, but employees Dennis Roberts and Cathy Scott didn’t say “We don’t carry those” and walk away. Instead, Scott found a regular tie, Roberts showed the teen how to tie it, and the pair of them coached the boy in interview skills like shaking hands and making eye contact. The <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2015/02/06/us/target-tie-teen-moment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">touching story went viral</a>.</p>
<h3>Shoe-storm</h3>
<p>Micah Solomon ordered a $200 pair of shoes from Nordstrom.com. The package was left out in the rain, ruining the footwear. Solomon was a regular Nordstrom shopper. When his salesperson heard about it, she told him, “I’m so incredibly sorry that happened, and I’m bringing over a brand-new pair of shoes — will you be home in 45 minutes?” What’s most amazing about this story (which Solomon shared on <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/micahsolomon/2014/03/15/the-nordstrom-two-part-customer-experience-formula-lessons-for-your-business/#66f1cf0f445f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Forbes</em></a>) is that the salesperson had absolutely nothing to do with that purchase — she just wanted to offer the outstanding service Nordstrom is known for.</p>
<h3>Merry Christmas</h3>
<p>An elderly man was snowed in around Christmas and another storm was coming. His daughter called local supermarkets to see if anyone could deliver some groceries to her stranded dad. Market after market said no — until <a href="https://www.livechatinc.com/blog/best-customer-service-stories/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trader Joe’s</a> said yes. In fact, the Trader Joe’s staff helped her select low-sodium items, told her there was no charge for the order, and delivered the items within 30 minutes. The kicker? Trader Joe’s doesn’t deliver.</p>
<h2>What You Can Do to Deliver Great Customer Service</h2>
<p>How can you deliver great customer service? It’s all about people — both your customers and your employees.</p>
<h3>Customers</h3>
<p>Nearly eight in 10 consumers in a <a href="https://brpconsulting.com/consumers-choose-retailers-that-offer-a-personalized-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BRP study</a> say being able to get personalized service from a salesperson in-store is a key factor in where they choose to shop. But personalization does more than that: 30% of respondents in an <a href="http://info.inmoment.com/rs/463-JAW-587/images/InMoment_Report_RetailTrends_Nov2017.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">InMoment</a> survey say personalized treatment is what transforms a plain old purchase into an “experience.”</p>
<p>Take advantage of loyalty apps and other tools to track shoppers’ purchasing habits and offer personalized discounts or products chosen just for them. InMoment found shoppers want store employees to recognize their past purchasing habits and know their loyalty program status.</p>
<h3>Employees</h3>
<p><a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2016/08/retail-sales-tips.html">Salespeople make or break the retail customer experience</a>. Positive experiences with staff increase consumers’ satisfaction by 33% overall; in the retail fashion niche, they increase satisfaction by 73%.</p>
<p>The great customer service stories above couldn’t have happened if employees were just “following the rules.” Train your salespeople, empower them to do what they think is right, and trust them to use their best judgement to make the customer happy. Only then will they go above and beyond to provide truly great retail customer service.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/retail-customer-service.html'>Attention Retailers: Secrets of Good Customer Service Revealed</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/retail-customer-service.html">Attention Retailers: Secrets of Good Customer Service Revealed</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-89005409300209800202019-05-01T06:04:00.001-07:002019-05-01T06:04:33.574-07:00In the Spotlight: How 121 Puts its Mark on Small Business Branding<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-539858 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1.jpg" alt="In the Spotlight: How Branding Service 121 Is Trying to Disrupt the Branding Game" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1.jpg 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-150x84.jpg 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-768x430.jpg 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-325x182.jpg 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-120x67.jpg 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-400x224.jpg 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-670x375.jpg 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-830x465.jpg 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-660x370.jpg 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-850x476.jpg 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francisco_Pic4-1-620x347.jpg 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>Branding isn’t just about picking out some design elements for your business and leaving it. <a href="https://www.121corp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">121</a> (pronounced one to one) USA LLC is one branding company that knows the importance of creating ongoing relationships with clients. The company offers day-to-day services and aims to respond to all client requests in a timely manner. Read more about the business and how it’s trying to disrupt the branding space in this week’s Small Business Spotlight.</p>
<h3>What the Business Does</h3>
<p>Offers day-to-day branding services for businesses.</p>
<p>President and CEO of 121 Francisco Serrano told Small Business Trends, “Our aim is to help you complete your brand’s objective, not to compete against your creative and strategic agencies. From design, digital adaptation and implementation to integrated production, 121 will work with you to grow your brand while giving you peace of mind.”</p>
<h3>Business Niche</h3>
<p>Delivering services quickly.</p>
<p>Serrano says, “121 provides the fastest response time in the industry (averaging between 35 to 50 percent faster than other agencies), giving companies across the globe a new way to execute their branding needs.”</p>
<iframe width="100%" height="478" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fQf-YuPZzgY?controls=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" scrolling="yes" class="iframe-class"></iframe>
<h3>How the Business Got Started</h3>
<p>To disrupt the branding industry.</p>
<p>Serrano founded the company 16 years ago. He wanted the company to become a leader in two key areas of the branding industry — responding to customer requests quickly and offering superior customer service.</p>
<h3>Biggest Win</h3>
<p>Building lasting relationships with clients.</p>
<p>Serrano says, “We have relationships that now days are 6 o 7 years long and this is no small thing in our industry.”</p>
<h3>Biggest Risk</h3>
<p>Standing out from the crowd.</p>
<p>Serrano explains, “Many creative agencies such as ours are very much involved in the pretty part of the business leaving aside the practical part of the client’s needs, and we found in that void our main gain and also a big risk because sometimes is very difficult to explain our scope.”</p>
<h3>How They’d Spend an Extra $100,000</h3>
<p>Improving the team.</p>
<p>Serrano mentioned that the company would be interested in finding new ways to develop talent, in order to improve the business from within.</p>
<iframe width="100%" height="478" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ozdq3mkA2v0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" scrolling="yes" class="iframe-class"></iframe>
<h3>Favorite Quote</h3>
<p>“Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.” — Edward de Bono</p>
<h3>Office Visitors</h3>
<p>Birds.</p>
<p>Serrano explains, “We have a birds nest on our office, no one brought it. They just came to stay one day and everyone was fine with it. They sing for us every once in a while and we have learned to deal with the occasional bird poop.”</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">* * * * *</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Find out more about the</em><em> </em><em><a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/small-business-spotlight">Small Biz Spotlight</a></em><em> </em><em>program</em></p>
<p><small><em>Image: 121, Francisco Serrano</em></small></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/branding-service-121.html'>In the Spotlight: How 121 Puts its Mark on Small Business Branding</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/branding-service-121.html">In the Spotlight: How 121 Puts its Mark on Small Business Branding</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-76506138524944684582019-05-01T04:34:00.001-07:002019-05-01T04:34:07.800-07:00Apply These 10 Techniques to Create the Perfect Work Schedule for Your Small Business Team<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544045 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule.png" alt="10 Tips for Creating the Perfect Work Schedule for Your Small Business Team" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Work-Schedule-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>Do you struggle with scheduling for your small businesses? You have must make sure all your shifts are covered. But you also need to optimize the schedule to ensure as many sales as possible. So you need to take tons of things into consideration. Then create the perfect employee schedule. And keep labor costs and time off requests in mind.</p>
<h2>Creating the Perfect Work Schedule</h2>
<p>Check out these 10 essential tips to help you create a schedule that works for your business and your team. They’ll help you create employee shifts for your small business</p>
<h3>Determine Your Staffing Needs</h3>
<p>Scheduling is a balance. You need to have enough employees there to handle the workload during each shift. But if you schedule too many, you could end up wasting time and money.</p>
<p>Jacey Mitchell, inbound marketing specialist for scheduling software <a href="https://www.shiftnote.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ShiftNote</a> said in an email to Small Business Trends, “When creating a schedule, it’s important to ensure you have enough staff to capture all available sales, but NOT have any wasted labor expense.”</p>
<h3>Analyze Sales Forecasts and Expenses</h3>
<p>In order to create that balance, you need to really dig into the numbers. You need to look at sales and income during each particular shift so you know how to optimize those opportunities. And you need to compare them to your labor costs during those shifts. Consider both past numbers and projections when making these decisions.</p>
<p>Mitchell says, “Planning in advance is crucial as well as looking over projected labor, scheduled labor, and last years sales.”</p>
<h3>Know Relevant Regulations</h3>
<p>Different states and local communities have different regulations when it comes to employee scheduling. For example, New York and a few other states have laws that require employers to pay employees who are “on call” for shifts. This could be especially pertinent to restaurants or cafes with outdoor seating, since their staffing needs may change with the weather.</p>
<p>You need to familiarize yourself with the regulations that are pertinent to your business so you can take those factors into account in your forecasting and scheduling. You want to remain compliant and also make decisions based on the most accurate data possible.</p>
<h3>Get Input from Your Team</h3>
<p>Mitchell says, “Of course, you also must be aware of employee availability and requests for time off to create your schedules correctly.”</p>
<p>It’s important to set up an actual system for employees to submit these requests so you or your management team who handles scheduling can access the information when they go to lay out shifts for the week.</p>
<h3>Give Team Members the Opportunity to Customize</h3>
<p>You should also have a system for employees to communicate with one another. This can let them switch shifts or make changes without requiring a ton of extra work from your management team. Tools like ShiftNote give you a forum for this type of communication.</p>
<p>Mitchell says, “ShiftNote gives employees more responsibility for shift swaps, RTO, and availability in order to make managers’ lives easier (all they have to do is approve changes).”</p>
<h3>Focus on High Volume Sales Times</h3>
<p>It’s also important to consider quality when it comes to your high volume sales shifts. Employees that tend to get positive results during those times should usually be given priority for those shifts.</p>
<p>Mitchell explains, “Always be prepared for high volume service times by putting your aces in their places and scheduling your team for success. The goal is to schedule your best staff for your best sales days and use slower sales days to cross train employees on other positions.”</p>
<h3>Increase Accountability</h3>
<p>It’s important to always keep an eye on sales numbers and other analytics to find out what’s working well and what’s not. Not only does this help you create more effective schedules over time, but it can also help you increase accountability among your team. If a particular shift leader or sales rep doesn’t do as well as others during a particular shift, it may be worth diving into the numbers or having a conversation to find out why.</p>
<h3>Use Templates</h3>
<p>Once you’ve created a schedule that seems to work for your team and your business, use it as a template for future schedules. You’ll always have to make adjustments, of course. But using it as a starting point can save you a ton of time through the years and give your team a sense of consistency.</p>
<h3>Gather Feedback</h3>
<p>You should also continue to gather feedback from employees periodically. This doesn’t just mean allowing them to submit requests for time off or shift changes. You should also survey them or speak with them on occasion to find out if they have input about what type of schedule would make them most effective. For example, some people may be at their most productive during early shifts, or others may have issues when scheduled for a day shift after a night shift. Learning these little intricacies can help you dramatically improve your scheduling over time.</p>
<h3>Find the Right Tool</h3>
<p>An employee scheduling software can make a huge difference in the efficiency of your scheduling process. ShiftNote is one option. But there are <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/04/employee-scheduling-software.html">plenty of tools</a> available.</p>
<p>Be sure to carefully evaluate your business’s specific needs and find a tool that includes every feature you use on a regular basis. Specifically, Mitchell recommends prioritizing communication features between employees and managers, as well as accountability features and sales and labor forecasting.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/work-schedule-small-business.html'>Apply These 10 Techniques to Create the Perfect Work Schedule for Your Small Business Team</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/work-schedule-small-business.html">Apply These 10 Techniques to Create the Perfect Work Schedule for Your Small Business Team</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-24602851222759763452019-05-01T03:09:00.001-07:002019-05-01T03:09:12.104-07:00Would You Let a Robot Fire Your Employees? Amazon Did, Report Says<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544077 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers.png" alt="Amazon Automated Firing System" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Robots-fire-amazon-workers-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p><a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/working-conditions-at-amazon.html">Amazon warehouse workers</a> are monitored by tracking systems that measure each employee’s productivity, issue warnings for workers that lag and fire those consistently behind, according to documents obtained by The Verge.</p>
<h3>Amazon Automated Firing System</h3>
<p>Amazon offers a base $15 an hour wage and its warehouses, called fulfillment <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/03/14/tucker-amazon-shannon-allen-suicide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">centers</a>, are often competitive to work at. The company is continuously replacing slow performing employees with new hires. An automated system tracks employees and gives pink slips to consistent underperformers, The Verge reported. An Amazon spokesperson told The Daily Caller News Foundation that no employee is fired without meeting with a supervisor.</p>
<p>Employee oversight is largely automated, though supervisors can always override the system as the need arises, Amazon told The Verge.</p>
<p>“Amazon’s system tracks the rates of each individual associate’s productivity, and automatically generates any warnings or terminations regarding quality or productivity without input from supervisors,” documents <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/25/18516004/amazon-warehouse-fulfillment-centers-productivity-firing-terminations" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">obtained</a> by The Verge say.</p>
<p>From August 2017 to September 2018, roughly 300 workers at an <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/03/11/amazon-working-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Amazon</a> fulfillment center in Baltimore lost their jobs because of low productivity. The facility employs about 2,500 full-time employees, putting the turnover rate at about 10 percent annually.</p>
<p>If those numbers are similar across Amazon’s 75 North American fulfillment centers employing more than 125,000 workers, the company is replacing thousands of workers every year through their system of automated tracking.</p>
<p>“Who needs real human beings when you have Amazon? It’s one thing for Jeff Bezos and Amazon to use a ruthless business model to destroy jobs for profit, but it is surreal to think that any company could fire their own workers without any human involvement,” Perrone said Friday.</p>
<p>Amazon contested Perrone’s characterization of its business operations.</p>
<p>“It is absolutely not true that employees are terminated through an automatic system. We would never dismiss an employee without first ensuring that they had received our fullest support, including dedicated coaching to help them improve and additional training,” an Amazon spokesperson told TheDCNF in an email.</p>
<div id="dailycaller_inline3" class="ad" data-google-query-id="CL6T3NrW9eECFYQK4AodKf4J7A">
<div id="google_ads_iframe_/10519169/dailycaller_inline3_0__container__">“Since we’re a company that continues to grow, it’s our business objective to ensure long-term career development opportunities for our employees. Similar to many companies, we have performance expectations regardless of whether they are corporate or fulfillment center employees. We support people who do not perform to the levels expected of them with dedicated coaching to help them improve and be successful in their career at Amazon,” Amazon said.</div>
</div>
<p class="original_article_info"><em><small>Republished by permission. <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/04/26/amazon-automated-oversight-warehouse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Original here</a>.</small></em></p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/amazon-automated-firing-system.html'>Would You Let a Robot Fire Your Employees? Amazon Did, Report Says</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/05/amazon-automated-firing-system.html">Would You Let a Robot Fire Your Employees? Amazon Did, Report Says</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-68261451116104290552019-04-30T09:04:00.001-07:002019-04-30T09:04:39.876-07:0046% of Consumers Want to Deal with Ecommerce Issues through Email<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543715 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication.png" alt="Customer Service Channels Statistics" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Customer-Communication-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>How you respond to your customers is a good indicator of the long-term success of your business. And as more people shop online, this will entail addressing issues with eCommerce. This means making as many communication options as possible.</p>
<p>According to a report from <a href="https://www.sykes.com/retail/ecommerce-contact-ratings-2019/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sykes</a>, only 26% of eCommerce sites provide an email address. But almost half or 46% of consumers in the U.S. want to use email to resolve issues they might have. This data highlights the pain points customers face in resolving problems quickly.</p>
<p>If you don’t make yourself readily available on your site, customers will not enjoy their experience. And as data after data has shown, they will take their business elsewhere. In the U.S. <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2016/10/customer-retention-statistics.html">82% of consumers</a> stop doing business with a brand because of customer service.</p>
<p>The report provides insights into the importance of offering options users prefer for communicating. Providing more options and making them available is critically important because more consumers are using them, and they now expect it.</p>
<h3>So, What Customer Service Channels are Sites Offering?</h3>
<p>Better to ask, how many communication channels are there, and how many clicks away are they from the home page?</p>
<p>The report says 98% of eCommerce sites have a phone number listed, but it is 1.23 clicks away from the homepage. The number of clicks goes up to 1.4 for the 26% of sites who have an email address. This is followed by 2.05 clicks for 73% of sites with a live web chat, and 2.44 clicks for 64% who use a web form.</p>
<p>The graph shows the number of clicks for each communication channel.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543712 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Communication-Channel.png" alt="Customer Service Channels Statistics" width="850" height="210" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Communication-Channel.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Communication-Channel-150x37.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Communication-Channel-768x190.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Communication-Channel-300x74.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Communication-Channel-660x163.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Communication-Channel-620x153.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<p>When it comes to using social media, 91% of sites have their Facebook and Twitter links on the home page. But the amount of time it takes for a business to respond on Facebook varies greatly.</p>
<p>Close to 10% respond instantly on Facebook and less than 5% said within minutes. Another 8% said within an hour, followed by 28% within hours and a little over 30% said within a day.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543714 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Social.png" alt="Customer Service Channels Statistics" width="850" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Social.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Social-150x99.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Social-768x506.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Social-300x198.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Social-660x435.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Social-620x408.png 620w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Social-310x205.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<h3>What do Consumers Want?</h3>
<p>Sykes asked over 2,000 U.S. consumers which communication channel they would use if they have an issue while shopping online.</p>
<p>Phone and email took the top two spots with 51.7% and 46.2% respectively. The respondents said live web chat at 26.8%, web form at 27.2%, Facebook at 8.3%, and Twitter at 4.6%.</p>
<p>Here is what consumers prefer.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543711 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Prefference.png" alt="Customer Service Channels Statistics" width="850" height="280" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Prefference.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Prefference-150x49.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Prefference-768x253.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Prefference-300x99.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Prefference-660x217.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Prefference-620x204.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<p>The demographics which responded to this question revealed older users prefer the phone and younger users like social media.</p>
<p>Another obvious question is, why are <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/07/ecommerce-customer-service-ideas.html">eCommerce</a> sites not making their communications channels readily available?</p>
<p>The good news is the technologies are affordable and easy to deploy. And for small business owners, it is yet another way digital technology makes it possible to compete with large brands.</p>
<p>If you have an eCommerce site, ask your web developer about these communications options and make them easily accessible.</p>
<h3>Research and Survey Methodology</h3>
<p>Sykes researched the top 100 US eCommerce sites compiled from Similar Web’s 2018 Q1 Index and Alexa’s Top Shopping Sites. It then surveyed U.S. residents via Google Surveys in December 2018 and January 2019.</p>
<p>They were asked, “If you encountered a problem when shopping online, what methods of communication would you use to contact the store or retailer?”</p>
<p>The sites received a score based on each type of communication along with the response time.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/customer-service-channels.html'>46% of Consumers Want to Deal with Ecommerce Issues through Email</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/customer-service-channels.html">46% of Consumers Want to Deal with Ecommerce Issues through Email</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-80744305994139729252019-04-30T07:39:00.001-07:002019-04-30T07:39:12.298-07:00Lower Corporate Tax Rates Make C Corporations More Attractive to Small Businesses<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544042 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp.png" alt="With Lower Corporate tax rates, does a C Corporation make sense for my small business?" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/C-Corp-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>For years, experts (myself included) often advised startups and small businesses to consider the <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2015/11/sole-proprietor-to-llc.html">Limited Liability Company (LLC)</a>. The alternative C Corporation possessed less flexibility, ease of administration and tax advantages. However, changes in the tax law from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act now create a new potential for big tax savings. And they make the C Corporation a strong option for businesses of all sizes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>A full tax season has passed since the Tax Cuts and Job Act was enacted. So it’s time to take a new look at corporate structure. And to determine if the C Corporation structure is right for your business.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<h3><b>C Corporations, S Corporations, and LLCs – a brief overview</b></h3>
<p>Let’s look at the new tax implications. Start with some of the basics of a C Corporation. Then continue with S Corporations and LLC.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>A C Corporation exists as a type of company owned by shareholders. And an elected board of directors run it. But from a legal perspective, corporations are separate entities. And they can get sued and sue. Consider this important point. The corporation becomes responsible for legal and financial liability. And owners are often shielded from personal liability.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>In addition, corporations become separate tax payers. And they pay taxes at a corporate tax rate. But this leads to the commonly known “double taxation” issue with C Corporations. The IRS taxes income first at the corporate tax rate. And then taxes come out at the individual tax rate when dividends are distributed to shareholders.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Individual tax rates were cut in the 1980s. And the C Corporation structure hasn’t made much sense for smaller businesses since. So savvy business owners often created pass-through entities like S Corporations and LLCs where business income passes through to the individual’s tax return. In fact, the C Corporation offered little advantage to smaller businesses who weren’t going public or looking for venture capital funding.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>The two common pass-through entities are the S Corporation and LLC. An S Corporation is a C Corporation that has elected pass-through tax treatment with the IRS. Like the C Corporation, an S Corporation is owned by shareholders and run by a board of directors.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>An LLC is a different kind of entity. As the name implies, it helps shield owners from personal liability with the business (like a corporation). But, an LLC is much less complex to run and manage. With the corporation, you need to appoint a board of directors, hold an annual shareholders’ meeting and directors’ meetings, document key shareholder and director decisions, and file a separate corporate income tax return. For an LLC, you typically just need to file an Annual Report with the state.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<h3><b>Tax Law Changes Make the C Corporation more Attractive</b></h3>
<p>A major reduction in the C Corporation tax rate remains one of the big goals of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It dropped from 35% to 21%. This lower corporate tax rate combines with additional benefits of IRC 1202 to make the C Corporation particularly attractive for some businesses.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Haven’t heard of IRC 1202? You’re probably not alone. It’s a generous capital gains tax exemption that was championed by President Obama. But it didn’t receive much attention until the corporate tax rate was lowered. In essence, if you qualify for IRC 1202, you might be able to exclude 100% of the gain up to $10 million or 10 times your original investment. You need to hold the stock for five years and there are many other requirements too. To learn more about IRC 1202 here, I recommend <a href="https://www.frostbrowntodd.com/resources-the-21-percent-corporate-tax-rate-breathes-new-life-into-irc-paragraph-1202.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this post,</a> as well as talking to your tax advisor.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>With the lower corporate tax rate and IRC 1202, the C Corporation can now be extremely advantageous for the following scenario: you launch a business, expect to start smart small, make profits and plan to keep earnings within the company, and then cash out after holding the stock for five years or more.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<h3><b>What Business Structure is Right for Me?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></h3>
<p>Without factoring in all the specifics of your individual situation, it’s impossible for an article to provide a definitive answer on which business structure is right for you. With that said, there are a few things to consider…</p>
<p><i>Do you need to live off your business’ profits each year?</i> If so, taking money out of the corporation will trigger dividend taxes – and therefore, business profits will essentially be taxed twice. If you are planning to put the business profits in your own pocket each year, a pass-through entity, like the S Corporation or LLC, might be better.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><i>Are you planning on keeping your business “forever”?</i> Keep in mind that capital gains taxes are erased at death, so if you’re never planning to sell your business, you may not need to bother with a C Corporation/IRC 1202.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><i>Are you looking to keep things as simple as possible?</i> As I mentioned before, running a C Corporation or S Corporation requires more regulations and paperwork than an LLC. If you form a C Corporation/S Corporation, be ready to spend more time keeping track of tax, business and financial records.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><i>Do you plan on holding the business for at least five years and then sell?</i> If so, the C Corporation could be very advantageous – particularly if you will be keeping profits within the business until cashing out.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><i>Are you concerned about your personal liability?</i> One of the key reasons to form an LLC or Corporation has always been the ability to minimize the personal liability and protect the personal assets of business owners from things that happen in the business. This holds true whether you form a C Corporation, S Corporation or LLC.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<h3><b>How to Incorporate</b></h3>
<p>If you are interested in forming a C Corporation, it might be easier than you think. Follow these steps…</p>
<ol>
<li>Choose an available business name for your state</li>
<li>Appoint the corporation’s directors</li>
<li>Register the C Corporation with the state, and draft and file your Articles of Incorporation. You can do this yourself or have an online legal filing service handle it for you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li>Issue stock certificates to the initial shareholders</li>
<li>Obtain the necessary local permits and business licenses</li>
<li>Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS</li>
</ol>
<p>If you have an existing business that’s currently structured as a pass-through S Corporation or LLC, you may decide it’s now more advantageous to operate as a C Corporation. If you’re an S Corporation, it’s an easy change to make. With majority shareholder consent, an S Corporation may revoke its S Corp election with the IRS (depending on timing, the revocation may retroactively apply for the whole tax year, or you may need to split the tax year between S Corp status and C Corp).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>If you’re an LLC and want to restructure as a C Corporation, your state may allow a statutory conversion, which is a streamlined process. An alternative route is to create a C Corporation and then merge your LLC with the C Corp. This involves a bit more paperwork — but in some cases, the tax savings could be worth it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>The bottom line is your business structure doesn’t have to be set in stone. With the current changes to the tax law, this could be a good time to think about your business structure of a new or existing business.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/c-corporation-small-business.html'>Lower Corporate Tax Rates Make C Corporations More Attractive to Small Businesses</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-79484316362602916002019-04-30T06:10:00.001-07:002019-04-30T06:10:17.235-07:00Apply These Steps to Determine the Value of Your Small Business<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544040 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth.png" alt="How to Determine the Value of a Small Business and Why It's Important" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-much-is-your-business-worth-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>You want to know the value of your small business. And this starts with an up-to-date valuation. Even if you don’t plan to sell immediately.</p>
<p>Small Business Trends spoke with Mark Zyla. And Zyla acts as Managing Director of business valuation and forensic accounting at <a href="http://www.acuitasinc.com/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Acuitas</a>, Inc.</p>
<p>He explains what small business owners use these for. And he also speaks about what goes into one.</p>
<h3>Face the Challenges</h3>
<p>Zyla highlights some challenges small business owners face.</p>
<p>“Small business owners are usually part of the management team,” he says. “ That means there can be a mingling of the cash flows marked as a salary and return on investment.”</p>
<h3>Clearly Differentiate</h3>
<p>That means the smaller business needs to differentiate between labor and investment. And that usually does not become the case with bigger enterprises.</p>
<p>The differences between valuing smaller businesses and bigger ones don’t end there. Because the capital and tax structures often differ too. So valuing your small business might challenge you more than you think.</p>
<h3>Examine Three Approaches</h3>
<p>Basically three different <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2016/05/business-valuation-calculators.html">ways to value your small business</a> exist.</p>
<p>You base the income approach on the cash flow the business generates. But studying the transactions of competitor’s works as well. That’s a good way to see what the market bears.</p>
<p>“The third, which isn’t used as broadly is called the cost approach,” Zyla says. This is the cost of putting together all the assets of any particular business.</p>
<h3>Consider Goodwill</h3>
<p>If you’re going to sell your business, you need to consider goodwill. This is an intangible asset. It includes factors like the value of an SMB’s brand name and the customer base.</p>
<p>Even things like good employee relations and proprietary technology can be included.</p>
<p>Once again, small businesses need to be careful here.</p>
<h3>Develop Successors</h3>
<p>“It’s important to be able to distinguish between goodwill that’s attached to the person and the business itself” Zyla says.</p>
<p>He adds the value of your business gets bumped when you can develop successors internally.</p>
<p>In other words, it’s a good idea to ensure the value of your business’ goodwill doesn’t hinge on just one person.</p>
<h3>Look at Regular Updates</h3>
<p>Even if you’re not selling, regular updates matter so you can stay on top of your present valuation. This kind of exercise is important to bankers and lenders. It helps if a small business is looking to attract investors too.</p>
<h3>Stay on Top</h3>
<p>Staying on top of the differences between your assets and liabilities is a good practice.</p>
<p>“These also show that you’re on track for increasing value over time,” Zyla says.</p>
<h3> Considerable Intangibles</h3>
<p>Intangibles vary from business to business. But proprietary technology like software or processes make up one example. And a highly trained workforce makes another.</p>
<p>Recognized trade names in certain communities are examples too.</p>
<p>Zyla supplies an excellent example for SMBs with a good track record.</p>
<h3>Establish Relationships</h3>
<p>“If you have established relationships with customers. They return because they know the quality of your services and products. That enhances the value of your business.”</p>
<p>That means someone buying your company doesn’t need to find new customers.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/how-to-determine-the-value-of-a-small-business.html'>Apply These Steps to Determine the Value of Your Small Business</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/how-to-determine-the-value-of-a-small-business.html">Apply These Steps to Determine the Value of Your Small Business</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-60894102610215564542019-04-30T04:39:00.001-07:002019-04-30T04:39:06.833-07:00Making These 3 Mistakes Can Cause Employee Disengagement in Your Business<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544029 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees.png" alt="3 Mistakes Business Leaders Make that Result in Employee Disengagement" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Disingated-employees-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>According to a report published by Gallup last summer, <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/241649/employee-engagement-rise.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">only 34%</a> of employees in the US are actively “engaged” with their jobs. This is an improvement from figures recorded earlier, but it still means that about two-thirds of employees are disengaged.</p>
<p>These are worrisome statistics all businesses should seriously consider. After all, between absenteeism, employee churn and contagious lackluster motivation levels, disengaged employees are estimated to cost companies in America between <a href="https://www.conference-board.org/dna-engagement2017/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">$450 and $550 billion per year</a>.</p>
<h3>Start with a Well Thought Out Plan</h3>
<p>If businesses leaders are serious about increasing their revenues, they’re going to need a well-planned-out approach to curbing employee disengagement.</p>
<p>All too often, when businesses realize that employee engagement is low, the blame is pointed back at the employees themselves, and nothing is done about it. This is a huge mistake — leaders need to know better and take more responsibility than that.</p>
<p>So, if employee engagement is down at your organization, it is time for the leadership to do their bit in boosting it by correcting previous mistakes that caused it.</p>
<h2>Reasons for Employee Disengagement</h2>
<p>Here are the usual culprits from leaders that lead to employee disengagement.</p>
<h3>1. Neglecting Proper Communication With Employees</h3>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.iabc.com/about-us/governance/iabcreports/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">data from</a> the International Association of Business Communicators, poor communication skills among managers is the top barrier to improved information flow in organizations. If your employees find that their leaders don’t recognize their achievements, don’t provide clear directions, don’t care about their lives outside of work and have no idea how to offer constructive criticism, then why should they aim to deliver their best work?</p>
<p>The most important thing to do is to regularly thank and congratulate employees for their efforts. Make sure you do this both for individual employees and for the team as a whole.</p>
<p>Also spend ample amount of time having real, meaningful conversations with your employees. Ask them about their lives outside of their work and if everything’s alright. This will make a huge difference.</p>
<p>Make sure that plenty of additional channels of communication are open and available. Face-to-face talks might be the best, but some of your employees would likely prefer communicating through an online channel.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544033 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image2.png" alt="3 Mistakes Business Leaders Make that Result in Employee Disengagement" width="850" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image2.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image2-150x99.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image2-768x506.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image2-300x198.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image2-660x435.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image2-620x408.png 620w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image2-310x205.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<p>When managers are <a href="https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236570/employees-lot-managers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">more open and approachable</a>, it has a positive effect on employee engagement.</p>
<p>Someone who understands the importance of building a culture and properly communicating with his employees is Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh. He <a href="https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-things-tony-hsieh-does-that-you-can-dotomorrow" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">communicates with them</a> through personalized email updates, all-hands meetings and informal team gatherings. Here’s a comment (recommendation) an employee left on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyhsieh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tony’s Linkedin page</a>.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544032 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image3.png" alt="3 Mistakes Business Leaders Make that Result in Employee Disengagement" width="850" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image3.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image3-150x99.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image3-768x506.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image3-300x198.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image3-660x435.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image3-620x408.png 620w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image3-310x205.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<p>This level of dedication towards his employees has helped Tony build an engaged workforce that generates over <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/danpontefract/2015/05/11/what-is-happening-at-zappos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">$2 billion annually and was acquired for $1.2 billion</a>. Leaders and managers at companies of all sizes must make a note of this.</p>
<h3>2. Having an Inferior Personal Brand</h3>
<p>Many leaders make the mistake of believing that the only thing that contributes to effective leadership is their activity at work. But it’s also super important to realize that their online presence matters too. The average person spends <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/article/361587/tech-addiction-by-the-numbers-how-much-time-we-spend-online" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">5.9 hours per day online</a>. A lot of this time is spent using social networks. They do this even <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/07/29/this-is-how-much-time-employees-spend-slacking-off/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">while at work</a>.</p>
<p>It is very likely that your employees are following you and are reading your updates. This is why the manner in which you conduct yourself on the internet has such a huge influence on how much your employees respect you. If you develop a personal brand as a leader in your industry, your employees will look up to you and the company you contribute to.</p>
<p>So pay close attention to the brand image you project on your social media channels. And build your presence on more professional social networks like Twitter, Medium, Linkedin and AngelList. Expressing thought leadership through blogging or a holistic content marketing strategy can help too.</p>
<p>An example of a leader who understands the importance of building a presence through thought leadership online is Dharmesh Shah. Many people already know that he is a founder of HubSpot, and he’s projected his tech and marketing expertise through articles <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/3971/inbound-marketing-strategy-why-seo-is-better-than-ppc.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">like these</a> on the HubSpot blog.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544031 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image4.png" alt="3 Mistakes Business Leaders Make that Result in Employee Disengagement" width="850" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image4.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image4-150x99.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image4-768x506.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image4-300x198.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image4-660x435.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image4-620x408.png 620w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image4-310x205.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<h3>Projecting Your Personal Brand</h3>
<p>Shah has also projected his expertise as a founder who cares about creating companies with engaged employees and a good culture through <a href="http://www.onstartups.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">his OnStartups blog</a>. He regularly speaks at conferences and has authored a number of well-received books. Shah also adds to his personal brand by explaining his areas of expertise <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dharmesh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">on his Linkedin account</a>, which is something every business leader can do, regardless of company size and level of influence.</p>
<p>This type of activity can help keep your current workforce engaged, while also helping your company easily attract more engaged employees.</p>
<p>Another way to easily display your personal brand and expertise online is by using a site like Crunchbase, an authoritative directory of leaders and companies that are active in startup ecosystems. Here you can list things like the social networks you are active on, the recent press coverage you have received and more. Your employees and potential employees are likely active on Crunchbase.</p>
<p>For example, let’s take a look at <a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/person/russ-ruffino" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Russ Ruffino’s Crunchbase profile</a>. Ruffino doesn’t have anywhere near the name recognition that Dharmesh Shah has, but by maintaining an active profile, he makes a strong impression.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544030 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image5.png" alt="3 Mistakes Business Leaders Make that Result in Employee Disengagement" width="850" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image5.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image5-150x99.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image5-768x506.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image5-300x198.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image5-660x435.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image5-620x408.png 620w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image5-310x205.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<h3>Getting a High CB Rank</h3>
<p>Here people can see that he has a relatively high “CB Rank” on the site, in the top percentile. They can see that he is the founder of the company Clients on Demand, which also has a good rank on Crunchbase. On his profile, you will find links to his website where you can access his articles, podcasts, videos and interviews. There are also links to social networks like Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. When people view his website and social networks, it strengthens his brand identity.</p>
<p>If you scroll down further on his Crunchbase page, you can see the recent publications that Ruffino has been featured on. This includes top sites like Entrepreneur and International Business Times.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544034 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image6.png" alt="3 Mistakes Business Leaders Make that Result in Employee Disengagement" width="850" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image6.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image6-150x99.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image6-768x506.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image6-300x198.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image6-660x435.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image6-620x408.png 620w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image6-310x205.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<p>All this content shows people that he is a leader in the client acquisition niche. A vibrant, dynamically updated digital footprint like this can go a long way towards improving team engagement, as his current employees will feel proud to work for him.</p>
<h3>3. Failing to Actively Develop Leaders</h3>
<p>Some <a href="https://www.execu-search.com/employer-resources/ebook/2018-hiring-outlook" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">46% of employees</a> feel that their own leadership skills aren’t being developed. This is a huge mistake, as businesses need to take steps to spot and develop new leaders within the company. If employees show leadership potential, it is the job of current managers in the company to mentor them and improve their skillsets.</p>
<p>When you <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2015/07/skills-needed-to-be-a-great-leader.html">groom leaders</a> from within your company, it makes the job of the managers easier, as it helps to give people a greater sense of investment in the company. It will also help you keep some of your best talent around for longer, as <a href="https://www.getbridge.com/news/press-releases/millennials-are-most-likely-stay-loyal-jobs-development-opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">67% of employees</a> say they would leave a position if it lacks avenues for leadership development.</p>
<p>So, get your managers to keep an eye out for the natural leaders present within your company. It’s a lot cheaper, easier and less risky to hone top leaders within your company and promote them as managers than to hire strangers from outside.</p>
<p>Here are a few things you can do to develop online leaders.</p>
<p><strong>1. Conduct tests</strong>. Before you begin developing leaders, it is important to figure out who shows the strongest potential. So make sure all your new employees complete assessments.<br />
<strong>2. Offer training</strong>. Purchase courses, webinars and conduct workshops on leadership that will help these employees develop their leadership skills further.<br />
<strong>3. Turn current leaders into mentors</strong>. Get your leaders on board with mentoring these employees by sharing their own tips and experience on the subject.</p>
<p>Taking these three steps will ensure you build leaders for the future.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>These are three common mistakes leaders make that result in employee disengagement. Address them, and you will likely notice a boost in morale, collaboration and even revenue.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/employee-disengagement.html'>Making These 3 Mistakes Can Cause Employee Disengagement in Your Business</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/employee-disengagement.html">Making These 3 Mistakes Can Cause Employee Disengagement in Your Business</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-21961129400789861112019-04-30T03:09:00.001-07:002019-04-30T03:09:14.318-07:00The Secret Guide to Adding New Income Streams to Your Business<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-544026 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income.png" alt="Ways to Add New Income Streams for Your Small Business" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Add-new-income-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p><a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/02/types-of-self-employment.html">When you’re self-employed</a>, increasing business is a constant effort. Normally, you’ll do this by growing your main business. But you can also do it by adding income streams, from sources not directly related to your main business.</p>
<p>Usually those income streams will mostly provide additional revenue. But sometimes they can even be used to increase your primary business.</p>
<h2>New Income Streams</h2>
<p>Let’s take a look at a few ways to make that happen.</p>
<h3>Start a Blog For Your Business</h3>
<p>So much of today’s business takes place on the Internet. One of the best ways to increase your income is by positioning yourself as an authority in your field. You can do this by starting a blog related to your business.</p>
<p><strong>The basic idea is to become a preferred information source for customers.</strong> In most cases, when people go to the web they’re not looking to buy something. <em>They’re looking for information.</em> And while it may seem as if providing information will hurt your business, it can actually have the opposite effect.</p>
<p>By providing a steady stream of information related to your product line on your blog, you position yourself as an expert. That builds trust. When customers and clients are ready to make a purchase, there’s an excellent chance they’ll buy from you.</p>
<p>Fortunately, you can build a blog easily and inexpensively. In fact, if you use <a href="https://due.com/blog/build-basic-wordpress-site-five-minutes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WordPress</a> – which is the most popular blog platform – to <a href="https://www.goodfinancialcents.com/how-to-start-a-blog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">start</a> your blog for free.</p>
<h3>Make Instructional YouTube Videos on Your Specialization</h3>
<p>In a real way, this is taking the blog idea to the next level. A lot of people are visual learners, and videos are a preferred way of gathering information. You can create simple instructional videos and place them on YouTube.</p>
<p>The videos can be specific to your business, and work to drive customers to it, or you can make videos about whatever you have expertise in.</p>
<p>Videos can earn money in two ways. First, they can drive customers to your business. They’re commonly used by businesses to bring prospects to the business website, where they make purchases.</p>
<p>But videos can also be used to generate revenue on their own. This can be done by adding advertising to the videos, like Google Adsense, or by direct selling specific products from each video.</p>
<p>It’s easier to create videos than you might think. There are even videos on YouTube showing you how to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj49zz_PmSs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">create</a> YouTube videos.</p>
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fj49zz_PmSs" width="100%" height="478" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" scrolling="yes" class="iframe-class"></iframe>
<p>This is becoming another common way businesses are increasing their income.</p>
<h3>Sell Related Products for Adding Income Streams</h3>
<p>You can often add additional income streams by selling products related to your current product line. This is another common business strategy. For example, if you have a business selling organic food, you can add selling organic cookbooks, or books on how to grow your own organic food.</p>
<p>This will also help to create the “one-stop shop” that makes the business more valuable to its customer base. And since the add-on products are related to your main business, it won’t be like stepping out of your comfort zone.</p>
<h3>Set Up Dedicated Websites for Specific Products</h3>
<p>Most businesses today have a website up and running. But it’s usually designed as something like an online store, to sell the entire line of products and services.</p>
<p>You can move to the next level by creating websites dedicated to specific products. If you have one or more product lines that are particularly important to your business, you can increase sales by creating a dedicated website for each.</p>
<p>This can be a benefit because you’re zeroing in on the specific product, eliminating the clutter that crowds multi-line business websites.</p>
<p><strong>This is also another way of positioning your business or product in the expert status category.</strong> You’ll be able to dedicate the entire website to the single product, making it easier to emphasize its value and benefits. And once again, when people come to the web, they’re looking for information, typically about a specific product. Your dedicated website will give them just that.</p>
<p>It might also make it easier to specialize your search engine optimization, enabling you to draw more people to the dedicated website. You can be more specific with your keywords and audience targeting.</p>
<p>You can then link back to your primary website, or create links between your individual product websites.</p>
<h3>Add Affiliate Marketing to Your Existing Product Lines</h3>
<p>If you have a website or blog, or you’re creating business-related YouTube videos, you might also look into affiliate marketing.</p>
<p>This is a different way of adding additional product lines. Instead of carrying the products directly in your business, you’re instead acting as a lead generation source for other businesses that carry those products.</p>
<p>Literally thousands of companies today are offering affiliate programs. You can even go through a general affiliate program, like CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction), where you can find hundreds of companies.</p>
<p>But you can also approach individual companies. Many will pay you a percentage of each sale that’s generated by your website, blog or video. You can generate the leads either by having advertisements for those products on your website, blog, or video, or you can even write reviews or endorsements of the affiliate products.</p>
<p>This will help to generate additional revenue for your business, but without you having to maintain inventory or fill orders. Due to special coding in the web links, you will be paid a commission when a customer leaving your site goes to another and makes a purchase. It’ll all happen automatically.</p>
<h3>Adding Full-on Passive Income Sources</h3>
<p>It’s probably just about everyone’s dream — not just business owners — to have passive income sources. You know what I’m referring to, the kinds of revenue sources that produce income without any effort on your part.</p>
<p>The perfect example is interest on savings. Unfortunately, as we all know, interest rates on savings are pitifully low. It may qualify as passive income, but it’s not much income at that.</p>
<p>If you have money to invest, that isn’t earning much in the way of interest income, but you’re concerned about investing too heavily in the stock market, there are some alternatives.</p>
<p>Some passive income <a href="https://due.com/blog/4-financial-habits-that-build-personal-wealth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sources</a> I’ve found to be the most generous are these three.</p>
<p><strong>1. Peer-to-peer Lending</strong></p>
<p>Websites like Lending Club and Prosper enable you to invest money in loans taken by other people. If you know much about banking, then you know the same bank that pays you 1% interest on your savings, will charge you 10% on a loan.</p>
<p>Peer-to-peer lending puts you in a banker position. But instead of earning 1% on your investment, you earn something much closer to 10%. That’s because you’re acting as a direct lender, with no “middleman” involved in the process. It’s one of the very best passive income sources available.</p>
<p><strong>2. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)</strong></p>
<p>A lot of people would love to invest in real estate – we’ve all seen the get-rich-quick in real estate infomercials. But most of us are also well aware of the challenges it involves. Still, you can <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jrose/2018/04/18/real-estate-investing-without-buying-property/#239e8a711496" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">invest</a> in real estate – especially commercial real estate – through REITs. These are something like mutual funds for commercial real estate, but they pay a steady income.</p>
<p>One of the advantages is that they are legally required to pay 90% of their revenues in dividends to their shareholders. In fact, the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/ad/reits_10_2.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">average return on REITs has been around 10%. What’s more, since they’re publicly traded funds, you can sell your position anytime you want.</a></p>
<p>This is an excellent way to earn income from real estate while you’re busy tending to your main business.</p>
<p><strong>3. Become a Silent Business Partner</strong></p>
<p>Do you know someone who’s running a successful business, and looking to grow? Think about becoming a silent partner to that person. By making an investment in his or her business, you can take an ownership share in the company, entitling you to a pro rata share of the profits.</p>
<p>It’s much like investing in stocks, except you’re investing in a private business. Of course, you’ll have to make sure it’s all nice and legal, complete with contracts. But it’s another way of increasing your income without disturbing your regular business, and without any additional effort on your part.</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts on Adding New Income Streams When You’re Self-employed</h2>
<p>As you can see, increasing <a href="https://due.com/blog/how-to-build-time-off-into-your-business-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">business</a> income doesn’t necessarily mean doing something radical – like buying a new building, or acquiring a competitor. It’s possible to increase your income, and even dramatically, by creating multiple income sources.</p>
<p>If you’re self-employed, you’re actually in a unique position to do this. The strategies above can easily be blended into an existing business of just about any type. All you need to do is adjust the specific tactics to your particular business.</p>
<p>With some creativity, and a little bit of cash, you’ll be able to do just that</p>
<p class="original_article_info"><em><small>Republished by permission. <a href="https://due.com/blog/adding-income-streams-when-youre-self-employed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Original here</a></small></em></p>
<p><em><small>Image: Due.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/new-income-streams.html'>The Secret Guide to Adding New Income Streams to Your Business</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/new-income-streams.html">The Secret Guide to Adding New Income Streams to Your Business</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-83723877322959823622019-04-29T09:05:00.001-07:002019-04-29T09:05:20.915-07:004 Creative Ways To Save Money for your Small Business<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543268 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money.png" alt="4 Creative Ways To Save Money" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Save-money-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>You may call me “Captain Obvious.” But I will point out one of the most important factors in growing a small business. Make sure you are saving as much as possible when purchasing goods and services for your company. Now you may think everyone should know this. But many entrepreneurs aren’t sure how to maximize their spend. And don’t know how to ensure they are buying the type of resources their companies require.</p>
<h2>Creative Ways To Save Money</h2>
<p>This article will give you some easy tips that will help you <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2015/10/save-your-small-business-money.html">save money</a>. When you follow these guidelines, you will have a better cash flow that you can use to invest in other areas of your business.</p>
<h3>Use Comparison Sites</h3>
<p>Choosing which products and services to purchase for your business can be tough. Depending on your industry, there are likely many different resources you might need to keep your business running efficiently, and each of these items come with different pricing, quality, and service levels. Determining which one is right for your business can be quite taxing at times.</p>
<p>One of the ways small business owners can streamline the process is to <a href="https://moneypug.co.uk/blog/how-comparsion-websites-effect-market-performance-in-the-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">use comparison sites</a> that do much of the work for you. They gather the data and the relevant facts of each product and packages them in a way that is easy to understand. In this way, entrepreneurs can take advantage of better pricing and quality without having to spend an inordinate amount of time to discover the right products.</p>
<h3>Barter With Other Businesses</h3>
<p>As a growing business, <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2009/05/new-bartering-service-free-for-small-businesses.html">bartering</a> is both a fantastic skill to utilize and a great way to save on cash. Other local small businesses are in the same position you are—trying to scrimp and save at every corner. Bartering services is a great way to assist both organizations.</p>
<p>For example, if you are a mechanic and you require plumbing repairs in your office, you could offer auto or appliance services in exchange for them. When you are in need of a service, always try to barter before offering to pay—you may not always succeed, but there’s no harm in trying!</p>
<h3>Don’t Buy New Office Equipment</h3>
<p>When you’re in need of office materials, there’s no shame in exploring your options. It makes sense to buy gently <a href="http://classifieds.usatoday.com/blog/marketplace/buy-used-office-equipment-startup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">used</a> equipment when you have the option and bandwidth to do so. New technology, printers, desks, and other daily-use supplies are perfect items to purchase used.</p>
<p>Look at your local newspaper or neighborhood Facebook pages for going out of business sales — these will often have all the furnishings you’ll need to stock your entire office on a budget. In many cases, the used equipment may be just as serviceable as if you had purchased it brand new.</p>
<h3>Outsource As Much As Possible</h3>
<p>Employees are essential to getting work done, but employee costs—from salaries to office space to insurance—can be the biggest chunk of a small business’s budget. Georgette Pascale, owner of PR Firm Pascale Communications, chooses to keep her full-time staff to a minimum and outsources work to independent contractors for the work that her staff cannot cover as needed.</p>
<p>Deborah Sweeney, CEO of My Corporation Business Services, Inc., uses the same method by hiring consultants as needed; Sweeney maintains that she can not only negotiate a lower rate with consultants, but that her business benefits from their more varied experience in their fields of expertise.</p>
<h3>Money Saved Is Money Earned</h3>
<p>Making sure that your business is being smart with the way it spends its money is essential to your success. The better you are at preventing unnecessary spend, the easier it will be to grow your business and earn more profit.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/creative-ways-to-save-money.html'>4 Creative Ways To Save Money for your Small Business</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/creative-ways-to-save-money.html">4 Creative Ways To Save Money for your Small Business</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-1968341276902312132019-04-29T07:39:00.001-07:002019-04-29T07:39:11.790-07:00How To Create Content For the Finance Niche<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543376 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche.png" alt="Financial Content Marketing" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finance-Niche-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>Whether you’re a one-man army running a personal brand or a cog in a giant corporate wheel, you’re aware that content marketing is all the rage nowadays. More than <a href="https://hostingfacts.com/internet-facts-stats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4 million</a> blog posts go live on the internet every day, with niches ranging from general health and technology to risible <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseamarshall/meows" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cat facts</a>.</p>
<p>So, standing out in this sea of content by investing considerable time and effort in creating high quality, valuable content may seem like a daunting (or even futile) task. Still, according to HubSpot, businesses that blog are able to acquire 67% more leads than the ones who don’t.</p>
<p>And for those wondering, this includes the “boring” niches like finance as well. Even finance professionals have their favorite financial blogs where they can’t stand to miss a single post.</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly then, almost every business, big or small, has jumped on the <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/01/what-is-content-marketing.html">content marketing</a> bandwagon by simply having a “Blog” section on their website where they publish a few paragraphs every once in a while and call it a day.</p>
<h3>Content Marketing is About to Change</h3>
<p>That won’t work. At least not in 2019.</p>
<p>Coming back to the finance niche, the savviest of firms that proffer “financial services” – banks, brokerages, internet startups, financial advisors, credit unions, alternative lenders, etc. – are empowering their websites, digital campaigns and consumer outreach with content marketing.</p>
<p>And there is a demand for real-time financial information, people swear by customer data security and look for guidance on all things finance. Websites like <a href="https://stockhead.com.au/resources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">StockHead</a> & <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MoneyControl</a> consistently produce relevant and important finance related information which helps their reader base immensely.</p>
<p>Financial content marketing is there to fulfill this demand.</p>
<p>As of now, 45 percent of financial services marketers claim that their content marketing is carried out on an “ad hoc” basis. Thus, there’s still much room for improvement for companies striving to outperform their rivals and reinforce relationships with their customers.</p>
<h2>Financial Content Marketing Tips</h2>
<p>You need a result-oriented content marketing strategy if you are to see a positive ROI from all your content efforts. While there are no hard and fast set of rules, here are a few pointers that’ll help create a reliable strategy, especially for the finance niche.</p>
<h3>Make Content Consistent and Useful</h3>
<p>The first step to win at the content marketing game is a proper game plan. As mentioned before, people seek advice on financial matters all the time. For content marketers, it means delivering high quality, useful content on a consistent basis.</p>
<p>So, create a <a href="https://coschedule.com/blog/annual-content-calendar-template/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">content calendar</a> that not only ensures you deliver content regularly, but makes you brainstorm all the topics and ideas and put them down right from the off. Also, try to make sure that whatever content you create is absolutely invaluable to your audience. No subjective fluff. For example, <a href="https://rockstarfinance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rockstar Finance</a>, a blog focussed on personal finance, has every blog post targeted at helping the audience save money or make money. They post daily without fail, and with intriguing titles that catch your attention.</p>
<h3>Understand Your Target Audience</h3>
<p>Do you know precisely who your target audience is? What information are they searching for? Creating content for the wrong audience would lead to a huge waste of time and resources.</p>
<p>Finance itself is a very broad niche. Narrow it down and focus your efforts on creating content relevant to the services you offer. That allows you to place the desired call-to-action (CTA) at the end of each post so your readers can easily take the next steps.</p>
<p>Also, use Google’s <a href="https://ads.google.com/intl/en_in/home/tools/keyword-planner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Keyword Planner</a> to capture and optimize for the right keywords in each post.</p>
<h3>Curate and Collaborate</h3>
<p>Going at it alone is certainly not your best bet. Even if you post twice a day, every single day, odds of getting the desired visibility (and eventual conversions) are negligible, especially if you’re starting from scratch.</p>
<p>Collaborating with other marketers and bloggers by guest posting is one of the most effective ways to grow your brand and gain new audiences. Moreover, it will boost your search engine <a href="https://backlinko.com/the-definitive-guide-to-guest-blogging" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">rankings</a> and organic visibility too.</p>
<p>So, apart from planning and posting regular content on your own website, you must regularly contribute content to other high authority websites which is crucial for long-term success. Consider the same example of Rockstar Finance, they routinely submit guest posts to the big guns like Business Insider and The Financial Diet which in turn establishes their own authority on the internet.</p>
<p>And it is a two-way street., they don’t write original content every day. They curate it from other bloggers and allow guest posting. It leads to a win-win for both the guest blogger and Rockstar Finance.</p>
<h3>Promote Aggressively</h3>
<p>Planning and writing great content is just half the battle. Getting all that content in front of the audience is where most content marketers fail.</p>
<p>There are many ways to promote your content: social media, blogger outreach, email marketing, and paid. Figure out which is best for you. If your audience is people seeking advice on personal finance, then building an email list and creating a dedicated Facebook page might be the way to go.</p>
<p>People need an incentive to subscribe to your email newsletter. Offering exclusive content such as a free email course is one way to obtain their valuable email addresses.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you are a relatively big business with a substantial marketing budget, paid promotions are also worth considering. Paid promotions are not limited to search advertising and paid social media campaigns, but also <a href="https://www.singlegrain.com/content-marketing-strategy-2/guide-influencer-marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">influencer marketing</a>.</p>
<p>Influencer marketing in the finance sector is quite interesting. While fashion brands are able to leverage the huge social following of celebrities, it’s usually the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrettwissman/2018/03/02/micro-influencers-the-marketing-force-of-the-future/#2205a4676707" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">micro-influencers</a> that can make a huge positive impact for the finance firms. Micro-influencers generally have a following of 10,000 or less, but they cover extremely niche topics and as a result, have a more loyal fanbase. They are relatively much less expensive and using them can be great for boosting brand awareness.</p>
<h3>Measure Results</h3>
<p>Measuring the performance of your content from time to time is crucial in order to continually improve your efforts. While doing so may seem challenging at first, it gets easier once you <a href="https://www.searchenginejournal.com/content-marketing-kpis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">clearly and correctly</a> define all the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and track them with an analytics tool like Google Analytics.</p>
<h2>Wrapping Up</h2>
<p>Financial content marketing isn’t completely disparate from other types of industry-specific marketing ventures. However, the fundamental difference is how protective the customers are as compared to other business sectors they like to read about.</p>
<p>We all use banking apps, invest through online platforms, and rely on web advice for helpful financial information. So, getting your content marketing right can significantly improve your business.</p>
<p>The margin for error is much smaller. Inaccurate web copy could mean <a href="https://contentworks.agency/financial-services-new-gdpr-rules/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">regulatory noncompliance</a>, and poor user experience can negatively impact your brand. Thus, marketing with authority, intent and, above all, consumer trust in mind is key.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/financial-content-marketing.html'>How To Create Content For the Finance Niche</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/financial-content-marketing.html">How To Create Content For the Finance Niche</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-19786747004790479792019-04-29T06:04:00.001-07:002019-04-29T06:04:37.422-07:00Improve your Small Business’s FICO Score: 12 Things You Should Know<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543253 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score.png" alt="How to Improve Your FICO Score" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FICO-score-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>A FICO score remains important for small businesses. Because it helps these businesses get loans. But a recent webinar revealed more. “Financial Innovation and FICO Score: What Does it Mean for Small Business” examined what goes into the FICO score. And it looks at how your FICO score can be improved.</p>
<h2>How to Improve Your FICO Score</h2>
<p>Check out these 10 things a small business can do to improve its FICO score. Remember, good FICO scores range from 750 to over 800. While a FICO score of 250 won’t cut it.</p>
<h3>Know What’s Included</h3>
<p>FICO scores draw from records of repayments. The <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/01/business-credit-reporting-agencies.html">credit bureau</a> keeps records of how good you’ve been at repaying money. Collection information and hard credit inquiries get recorded too.</p>
<h3>Know What’s Not Included</h3>
<p>Age, address, employment, income and gender aren’t included.</p>
<p>“Income is the largest myth people feel is included into the score,” said Joanne Gaskin. Gaskin serves as Vice President of Scores and Analytics at FICO.</p>
<h3>Check Out your Industry-specific FICO Score</h3>
<p>The higher your score, the less risk you present. That means you’ll qualify for more money. And this industry-specific score goes up to 900.</p>
<p>If you fit into certain industries, you will qualify for a better number. These include businesses using credit products like mortgage loans. But credit card businesses and the auto industry are included too.</p>
<h3>Watch Outstanding Credit Card Debt</h3>
<p>FICO looks at credit card utilization carefully. This means the amount being used on cards. Futhermore, FICO looks at the big picture. And it gauges use across all your credit cards.</p>
<p>Likewise, your business spending should remain well below the limits. It also helps making more than minimum payments.</p>
<h3>Monitor Your Installment Loans</h3>
<p>Small business owners and sole proprietors may pay on numerous loans. You might have a home business and a mortgage. And paying down these improves your score.</p>
<h3>Don’t Open Too Many New Accounts</h3>
<p>“The average number of months that an account has been opened is a key variable for a FICO score,” Gaskin says.</p>
<p>So resist opening a bunch of new credit accounts at once. You’ll find it tempting for a start up. But it could cost you a good rating.</p>
<h3>Watch Your Credit Mix</h3>
<p>Lenders also look at all the loans you have. Having a good mix here lowers your risk. Having a few different types of loans improves your FICO credit score.</p>
<h3>Get Errors Fixed</h3>
<p>You may get a blemished credit report through no fault of your own. Credit bureaus make mistakes after all. So see these credit bureaus correct any outdated or incorrect information.</p>
<h3>Try the FICO Small Business Scoring Service</h3>
<p>This tool automates the approval process. And it offers a base line scoring model lenders can use to make decisions quicker. And the <a href="https://www.fico.com/en/products/fico-small-business-scoring-service" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SBSS</a> uses cloud based services.</p>
<p>Polish up your credit score using other tips listed above. Then use the SBSS to speed things up even more.</p>
<h3>Take Advantage of the UltraFICO Score</h3>
<p>This tool works for folks who don’t have enough credit history to generate a regular FICO score. It covers the 53 million consumers who don’t have a credit score. UltraFICO operates as pilot project now. But company officials expect a full launch by year’s end.</p>
<h3>Understand How the Score Works</h3>
<p>“This is information that would be permissioned by the consumer,” Gaskin says. The company models this credit score on tools like checking accounts.</p>
<p>Millennial small business owners and recent immigrants can take advantage of this. And they can use this UltraFICO Score to allow more access to credit.</p>
<h3>Remember this One Statistic</h3>
<p>Finally, remember one last statistic regarding your FICO score. And this explains why it’s important to take the score more seriously.</p>
<p>“These scores are used on more than 90% of the credit decisions made by lenders,” said Gaskin.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/how-to-improve-your-fico-score.html'>Improve your Small Business’s FICO Score: 12 Things You Should Know</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/how-to-improve-your-fico-score.html">Improve your Small Business’s FICO Score: 12 Things You Should Know</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-61798472693212891442019-04-29T04:36:00.001-07:002019-04-29T04:36:22.593-07:00How to Make Changes in B2B Sales – by Going Back to Basics<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543546 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy.png" alt="B2B Sales Trends" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New-B2B-sales-strategy-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>Sales remain the number one <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/10/biggest-challenges-for-small-business-owners.html">thing small business owners struggle with</a> in their companies. Many don’t like to do it. Because they feel afraid. Or they think they don’t have the skills. Or they believe they must become the pushy used car salesman. Popular culture has depicted this figure so negatively.</p>
<p>On this week’s <a href="https://barrymoltz.com/2019/04/530-small-business-radio-show/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Small Business Radio Show</a>, Andy Paul of <a href="https://www.thesaleshouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Sales House</a> discusses how B2B sales is changing, but not the way most people think. He explains that we are going back to the way sales used to be on a very personal level. In the past, many sales professionals have spent too much time relying or hiding behind mass automation tools instead of talking to prospects on a personal level.</p>
<h3>B2B Sales Trends</h3>
<p>To be successful in B2B sales, Andy discusses that you need to engage someone personally to help them make a decision. Being curious about their business is the best path to build trust. Being service minded in an authentic way will help close the sale. Andy emphasizes that tools should be used to facilitate relationships, not to avoid direct contact with prospects. They can be effective as reminders about key prospect information and to set appointments.</p>
<p>Andy believes that small business owners can get better at sales by not thinking about it as something they are forcing on a customer, but instead helping them make a good purchase decision. Build a relationship by being interested in the prospect and stop trying to immediately pitch them your product. Be passionate about how you can help their company. If they are not interested now, that is acceptable and tell them you will be back when they need help.</p>
<p>Too many times, sales gets over complicated and can overwhelm people. Andy stresses that to avoid this you need to be very clear on your company’s mission. When you hit road blocks, don’ take it personally. Look at each day as a new opportunity to meet people and learn about the issues they face in their organization. Andy suggests doing A/B testing to see what works and what is less effective. Don’t be afraid to make reaching out to prospects a bit of a game to lighten the mood when needed.</p>
<p>Finally, Andy believes that every sales professional needs to find a mentor that is not their boss to share their positive and negative experiences.</p>
<p><a href="https://barrymoltz.com/2019/04/530-small-business-radio-show/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Listen to the full interview here.</a></p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/b2b-sales-trends.html'>How to Make Changes in B2B Sales – by Going Back to Basics</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/b2b-sales-trends.html">How to Make Changes in B2B Sales – by Going Back to Basics</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-81518637395238262472019-04-29T03:04:00.001-07:002019-04-29T03:04:22.790-07:00Top 50 Unicorn Companies Revealed: What Can Your Business Learn from these Leading Brands?<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-542587 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work.png" alt="LinkedIn Reveals Top Companies to Work For in 2019" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Top-places-to-work-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p><a href="https://mobilemonkey.com/blog/2018/03/linkedin-marketing-hacks-from-experts" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a> just released its list of the top 50 companies to work for in the United States.</p>
<p>As always, the list is a veritable who’s who of <a href="https://mobilemonkey.com/blog/2018/12/growth-marketing-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">unicorn</a> enterprises that are <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2016/04/microsoft-satya-nadella-business-leaders.html">making a difference in the world</a> — and in the lives of their thousands of employees.</p>
<p>The list is based on data gathered from the LinkedIn’s 546-plus million users.</p>
<p>This extensive ranking is based on four major factors: interest in the company, engagement with employees, job demand, and employee retention.</p>
<p>According to this list, the higher a company ranks, the better the <a href="https://www.inc.com/larry-kim/how-to-de-stress-at-work-instantly-15-proven-ways-to-calm-your-mind.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">employee</a> experience.</p>
<h2>Top Companies to Work For in 2019</h2>
<p>If you’re considering a career move this year, you might want to check out these unicorn companies where people <em>want </em>to work in <a href="https://www.inc.com/larry-kim/the-10-best-wordpress-plugins-for-your-website-in-2019.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2019</a>.</p>
<h3>1. Alphabet</h3>
<p>The parent company of the internet juggernaut Google has always dominated the markets of online search and digital advertising.</p>
<p>With campuses throughout the world, Google alone has more than 98,000 employees and receives more than 1.1 million applications received annually.</p>
<h3>2. Facebook</h3>
<p>The social media behemoth is the parent company of Instagram, WhatsApp and Occulus VR, and is rapidly expanding, especially in the areas of engineering, project management and IT.</p>
<p>In all <a href="https://www.inc.com/larry-kim/mark-zuckerberg-makes-it-facebook-official-future-of-facebook-is-messaging.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> interviews, job candidates should be prepared to answer this question: “On your very best day at work — the day you come home and think you have the best job in the world — what did you do that day?”</p>
<h3>3. Amazon</h3>
<p>Based in Seattle, the second largest private employer in the United States is also the parent company of Whole Foods, Audible and Zappos.</p>
<p>Amazon’s inventors also have more than 2,300 patents in various fields, which gives them incredible coverage in various industries.</p>
<p>Amazon has its own minimum wage, which is set at $15/hour for all employees.</p>
<p>In addition, all employees (including seasonal and part-time workers) can receive 401K contributions from Amazon.</p>
<h3>4. Salesforce</h3>
<p>Cloud-based business software giant Salesforce promotes among its 30,000 employees an “ohana” culture — meaning family in Hawaiian.</p>
<p>The company is known to have a sizable minorities population in its workforce, amounting to around 35 percent.</p>
<p>Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is known to be outspoken about social issues, and he also calls for more government regulation of tech and social media. He’s also vehemently against the growing Silicon Valley norm of companies offering beers on tap in break rooms, banning office drinking. If you’re the type who likes to drink on the job, this isn’t the place to be.</p>
<h3>5. Deloitte</h3>
<p>Founded in London in 1845, Deloitte is the largest professional services network in the world, providing financial advisory, audit, tax, consulting, and enterprise risk services around the world.</p>
<p>The multinational company is the fourth largest company in the United States.</p>
<p>Deloitte’s massive global work force is made up of more than 285,000 people.</p>
<p>Last year, Deloitte earned 43.2 billion in aggregate revenue.</p>
<h3>6. Uber</h3>
<p>Uber employs 10,000 Americans and has major offices in San Francisco, New York City and Chicago.</p>
<p>The company shows no signs of slowing down — in addition to ridesharing, Uber is working on developing self-driving technology and air transportation.</p>
<h3>7. Apple</h3>
<p>The tech giant is always expanding its IT and engineering to stay ahead of the competition.</p>
<p>All of Apple’s 132,000 employees enjoy a 25 percent discount on Apple devices. Apple-employed mothers get 18 weeks of paid maternity leave, fathers get 6 weeks of paternity leave, and Apple will even pay to freeze your eggs if you’re putting off becoming a parent.</p>
<h3>8. Airbnb</h3>
<p>In the United States alone, Airbnb employs 3,000 people, all of whom get a $500 travel toward travel each quarter (and yes, that can roll over).</p>
<p>The areas that are growing the most within this company are their engineering, human resources and design departments.</p>
<h3>9. Oracle</h3>
<p>If your training is focused on the IT industry, Oracle is certainly one of your top go-to companies.</p>
<p>Oracle’s famous Redwood Shores campus provides enterprise hardware and software to some of the biggest companies from all over the world.</p>
<p>With constant demand for its products and services, Oracle always needs more hands on deck.</p>
<p>There are 137,000 employees in Oracle, and they get good benefits — including “as-needed” sick-time policy, employee stock purchasing plan, on-site dry cleaning, car detailing, oil changes, and so on.</p>
<h3>10. Dell</h3>
<p>Dell has more than 145,000 employees with major offices in Austin, San Francisco and Boston.</p>
<p>Their sales teams, along with their engineering and IT departments, are the fastest growing areas of the company.</p>
<p>Dell prides itself on its “work-wherever” policies that welcome remote work and save the employees millions of miles of travel each year.</p>
<h3>Other Top Companies from 11 to 50</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/elon-musk-netflix-both-use-this-ancient-mental-strategy-to-succeed.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">11. Netflix</a><br />
12. Cisco<br />
13. The We Company<br />
14. Spotify<br />
15. Comcast NBCUniversal<br />
<a href="https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/tesla-just-dumped-2-surprising-things-to-save-companys-faltering-reputation-will-elon-musks-new-plan-work.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">16. Tesla</a><br />
<a href="https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/37-disney-quotes-that-will-inspire-you-to-remarkable-success.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">17. The Walt Disney Company</a><br />
18. Bank of America<br />
19. Lyft<br />
20. ADP<br />
21. Goldman Sachs<br />
22. Citi<br />
23. Slack<br />
24. Adobe<br />
25. Wells Fargo<br />
26. SAP<br />
27. Johnson & Johnson<br />
28. Verizon<br />
29. Pinterest<br />
30. PwC<br />
31. Interpublic Group<br />
32. Dropbox<br />
33. EY<br />
34. Publicic Groupe<br />
35. Coinbase<br />
36. Twitter<br />
37. Intel Corporation<br />
38. WPP<br />
39. Splunk<br />
40. GE<br />
41. Major League Baseball<br />
42. Rubric<br />
43. Box<br />
44. JPMorgan Chase & Co.<br />
45. Nike<br />
46. ServiceNow<br />
47. McKinsey & Company<br />
48. DocuSign<br />
49. Snowflake<br />
50. Workday</p>
<p>You should also check out <em>Inc.</em>‘s <a href="https://www.inc.com/best-workplaces" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Best Companies to Work for in 2018</a> list.</p>
<p class="original_article_info"><em><small>Republished by permission. <a href="https://www.inc.com/larry-kim/linkedin-reveals-top-50-unicorn-companies-to-work-for-in-2019.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Original here</a>.</small></em></p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/top-companies-to-work-for-in-2019.html'>Top 50 Unicorn Companies Revealed: What Can Your Business Learn from these Leading Brands?</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/top-companies-to-work-for-in-2019.html">Top 50 Unicorn Companies Revealed: What Can Your Business Learn from these Leading Brands?</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-38226577284934681122019-04-28T12:29:00.001-07:002019-04-28T12:29:30.941-07:00Keeping Up with the Competition Doesn’t Have to Be Hard, Read These 5 Tips<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543265 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business.png" alt="5 Creative Ways To Improve Your Small Business" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-your-small-business-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>What challenges do you face running a small business? So you’ve owned your business for some time. And you may sometimes feel as if you are falling behind. But other companies make it look so easy, don’t they? Well, prepare for some good news. Don’t worry about keeping up with the competition. Because you can easily learn how. Just make sure you are continually tweaking your business. And find ways to make your team more effective.</p>
<h2>How to Improve Your Small Business</h2>
<p>Always look for ways to make your organization run more efficiently. Innovation is key if you want to succeed. This post will provide you with some practical tips that will make it easier to improve how your business functions.</p>
<h3>Make Sure Your Workers Are Happy</h3>
<p>It’s one of many questions the Global Council for Happiness and Wellbeing (GCHW) set out to answer in the Global Happiness and Wellbeing Policy report 2019, released on the International Day of Happiness.</p>
<p>The council, which is made up of a global network of leading happiness and well-being scientists, collected multiple studies from over the last several years and looked at the findings in aggregate. “Taken together, the evidence very much suggests the answer to the overarching question is “yes” – there is a strong business case for promoting the well-being of workers,” the report found.</p>
<p>Not stopping there, the authors also found a positive correlation between employee <a href="https://www.lifeworks.com/uk/blog/is-it-worth-making-your-employees-happy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">well-being</a> and productivity, with evidence suggesting that “a meaningful increase in well-being yields, on average, an increase in productivity of about 10%.”</p>
<p>As you might expect, employee satisfaction has a substantial positive correlation with customer loyalty and a substantial negative correlation with staff turnover, both of which are also reflected in higher profitability.</p>
<p>Drawing on the findings from a case study, the authors found that, at the end of a nine-month experiment with a Chinese firm of 16,000 employees, call center agents who were working from home experienced fewer negative and more positive emotions, less exhaustion, and reported a higher overall life satisfaction compared to call center agents who were working in the office.</p>
<p>Importantly, <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/10/why-work-from-home.html">working from home</a> also led to a 13% increase in performance, of which 9% was due to working more minutes per shift (attributed to fewer breaks and sick days) and 4% due to taking more calls per minute. At the same time, staff turn-over halved.</p>
<h3>Become A Master Presenter</h3>
<p>A powerful <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2016/02/presentation-tools-for-sales-marketing.html">business presentation</a> can help improve your small business’ performance. Start by learning the essentials of a memorable business presentation. These can include delivering an unexpected little pearl of wisdom to captivate your audience. Think Steve Jobs. Much of the success of Apple can be attributed to his ability to present their products in a way that excited consumers.</p>
<p>Being a master presenter can help you forge relationships with other companies, and even woo potential investors. It is also helpful when you need to explain complex concepts to your employees.</p>
<h3>Learn How To Sell</h3>
<p>A high-return area for business improvement is the sales function. Whether you’re a one-person operation or managing a sales team, you must focus on improving your sales ability. This might be scary for entrepreneurs who do not have a background in sales, but it isn’t as difficult as you might think.</p>
<p>Competent selling involves honing your persuasion abilities over time and learning how to effectively communicate the benefits of your product or service. It also involves knowing who your ideal customer is and how you can solve their problems. When you determine areas where you excel and who needs what you do, you will have a greater sense of vision and purpose.</p>
<h3>Learn to Automate</h3>
<p>Whether it be sending out pay stubs to employees or sending receipts to vendors, <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/01/automate-your-small-business-for-free.html">automate</a> whatever you can. “Business automation is not just a luxury; it is a necessity in today’s competitive environment,” says Sathvik Tantry of FormSwift. “Automating monotonous tasks saves your employees time and allows them to do more productive tasks that require critical thinking or a human touch.”</p>
<p>Automation is a handy way to <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/12/2019-marketing-automation-trends.html">save time</a> and even money because it allows you to focus on other areas of running your business. With today’s technology, there are tons of different functions that can be automated using software. Automate as many tasks as possible – the more you automate, the more time you will have to invest in other areas of your business.</p>
<h3>Use Task Management Software</h3>
<p>“Email isn’t an ideal method of communication or collaboration on teams,” says Dave Nevogt of Hubstaff. “We use task management software like Trello so that our communication and work progress is all in one place.”</p>
<p>A task management software for designated teams can help everyone work together more efficiently, track progress, and stay on task. “It saves everyone the time of having to go back and forth on emails, and it also lets us track progress more efficiently,” says David.</p>
<p>There are plenty of other task management programs out there; it’s just a matter of making sure you know which one fits your business best. This software provides a central hub where your team can communicate and collaborate on various tasks that must be completed. Using these programs will make it easier to complete your projects and move your company forward.</p>
<h3>Always Be Improving</h3>
<p>Being a small business owner means always finding novel ways to enhance your business. The companies that fail are the ones that become stagnant, relying on methods that can become dated. Eventually, as their competition becomes more efficient, they leave these businesses behind. Don’t let that happen to you. Use the tips in this article to ensure that you remain ahead of your competition.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/improve-your-small-business.html'>Keeping Up with the Competition Doesn’t Have to Be Hard, Read These 5 Tips</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/improve-your-small-business.html">Keeping Up with the Competition Doesn’t Have to Be Hard, Read These 5 Tips</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-33679129874548557142019-04-28T09:01:00.001-07:002019-04-28T09:01:41.025-07:00These 12 Employee Perks Can Keep Morale High and Improve Retention<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-542740 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks.png" alt="12 Employee Perk Ideas" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Employee-Perks-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><br />
The <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/04/best-employee-perks.html">best employee perks</a> are those that serve a strong purpose within the company, such as building camaraderie, providing better ways to take care of family or improving people’s lives. To find out some specifics, we asked entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>“Which employee perk has proved to be particularly effective at keeping morale high and improving retention?”</strong></p>
<h2>Employee Perk Ideas</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;">Here’s what YEC community members had to say:</p>
<h3>1. Remote Work</h3>
<p>“With the right parameters to avoid abuse, people are more refreshed and appreciate the trust given to be able to work effectively within the comforts of their choosing. Remember, this can be as simple as work time flexibility or limited to a few days a week that would benefit the employee most. Respect their personal time and they will respect company time more.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/barnhillpatrick" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/barnhillpatrick&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNE4B18eVGEznTKSI6LlfIRg5MqAlg">Patrick Barnhill</a>, <a href="http://www.specialistid.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.specialistid.com/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNE_fQ6FjJP5WfrlUKAhnXg1Kl0A1w">Specialist ID</a></p>
<h3>2. Health-Related Perks</h3>
<p>“We offer a perk designed to offset the cost of any health or wellness-related expense. The flexibility here is purposeful. Some folks use their allocated budget to pay for a gym where they can get physical. Others use the perk for emotional wellness or expert nutritional services. Explicitly dedicating money to keeping your team happy and healthy goes a long way to prove you care.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/FiveFifty" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/FiveFifty&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNGdVo4VRqzT-I8phBQNxM4RWwAhiQ">Ryan Wilson</a>, <a href="http://www.fivefifty.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.fivefifty.com/about-us/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNFApDyvMw9FLhdbfWUUMWAh7SJ5qg">FiveFifty</a></p>
<h3>3. Flexible Hours</h3>
<p>“Fixed work hours can feel like a corporate prison. When running an agency full of marketers, developers and creatives, you shouldn’t have a strict nine-to-five policy. If your team is responsible, meets deadlines and gets work done, there is no need to stress about what time they arrived, how long they eat lunch, or how early they may leave. Being present isn’t as important as being productive.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/duraninci" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/duraninci&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNELTVjaWyJ7J-kxhWjVs2uanrExAA">Duran Inci</a>, <a href="http://www.optimum7.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.optimum7.com/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNFzQHX4PenW53__Y0atVesBGuXDzg">Optimum7</a></p>
<h3>4. Ongoing Personal Development and Education</h3>
<p>“As a learning management system company, we all value education and self-directed learning. So, when we rolled out an education budget for each employee along with the time to pursue learning during work hours, it really opened up the possibilities for everyone on the team. The biggest benefit is that it’s something people want anyway; now it’s not an additional cost or time drain for them to do.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/nathlussier" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/nathlussier&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNENH-1z1Z5WpAzMoRnCCyj_jeErtQ">Nathalie Lussier</a>, <a href="https://accessally.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://accessally.com/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNFRlvvo4bTK9AcEG29NBcSkFl-nrQ">AccessAlly</a></p>
<h3>5. Multiple Bonuses</h3>
<p>“We have a lot of bonus policies in our company that reward good performance, good relationship with customers and permanence within the company. This is a win-win relationship both for the company as well as for the employees.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/aatanacio" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/aatanacio&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNECaLtobdSmYMJeILaNMFszriKf_A">Alfredo Atanacio</a>, <a href="http://www.uassistme.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.uassistme.co/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNG-3s1-MKYmzQ-x7Q5gwCiIJP-kLA">Uassist.ME</a></p>
<h3>6. Help With Student Loans</h3>
<p>“So many talented individuals are carrying huge student loans. If you can provide a way to contribute toward payments, it can be a real source of relief for the talent, plus they may be more likely to stay.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnHall" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/JohnHall&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNEXDVInF2GnP9aLYHU3_5sc5rERJg">John Hall</a>, <a href="https://www.calendar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.calendar.com/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNE42gFnIbLcl8Pg_GCF5x7eizjIpg">Calendar.com</a></p>
<h3>7. Unlimited Time Off</h3>
<p>“At our company, we give our employees unlimited time off. So, whenever an employee needs a day off to take care of something, or just needs a day to rest, they know they can take that day off work without a problem. This relieves a lot of stress that limited time off brings and really boosts morale.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/chriscct7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/chriscct7&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNHN9KZY1BvbnUhIr5Xyr599Y0vFGg">Chris Christoff</a>, <a href="https://www.monsterinsights.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.monsterinsights.com/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNFQKJ0ZA3_QvhewKeNGXpd631Mz3A">MonsterInsights</a></p>
<h3>8. Yearly Retreats</h3>
<p>“Having a company retreat is a huge thing. This is something that many of the senior employees really learn to appreciate and the junior employees get to aspire to. You’ll find that it’s a fun and good time for the entire office.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/nicolemunoz" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/nicolemunoz&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNFWJn7OiBcoqpzWz17lvv-CQRkiOg">Nicole Munoz</a>, <a href="http://www.nicolemunoz.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.nicolemunoz.com/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNE4COmA1n-1NXUEPiDOC3jZ1llwvA">Nicole Munoz Consulting</a></p>
<h3>9. Company Outings</h3>
<p>“One of my favorite employee perks that work well for my company is hosting fun and creative company outings. In the past, we’ve done team-building activities like paintball and escape rooms. We also have company dinners and happy hours as a reward for good team performance. Letting the team bond outside of work where people can let loose often creates more camaraderie than when in the office.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/JaredWeitz" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/JaredWeitz&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNHCc1wnDNF2wUeyO9wecN_3DbZMEQ">Jared Weitz</a>, <a href="https://www.unitedcapitalsource.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.unitedcapitalsource.com/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNFl81AYhOqvQDC8lYr_Z9VhvxUjeg">United Capital Source</a></p>
<h3>10. Free Company Swag</h3>
<p>“Free company swag is a great little perk that really boosts morale. Not only does it build morale, but it also helps all of the employees form a better connection with each other and the company; it makes it feel more like a team. Recently at our company, everyone was sent a branded T-shirt and sticker in the mail. Not matter who you are, everyone loves getting a free gift.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/supercleanse" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/supercleanse&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNHh5cIngXyQp4mXuEioUmDNe2nbIQ">Blair Williams</a>, <a href="https://memberpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://memberpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNEBcLkX6Iwaakgk80VTTOCPeIGCbQ">MemberPress</a></p>
<h3>11. Pizza Wednesdays</h3>
<p>“Having one day a week which is dedicated to a team lunch has proved to be effective at keeping morale high and improving retention. Even if it’s only 60 minutes, this creates a positive workplace environment, and feeling part of a team keeps retention high. This time also allows employees to create friendly relationships while enjoying their lunch.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/deepskyco" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/deepskyco&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNHLoUIahcRcQKMjfeXYgr4VbyGymw">Michael Hsu</a>, <a href="http://www.deepsky.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.deepsky.co/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443752000&usg=AFQjCNGBrZbL6ZkfnNRy7pclqWGOcUFoqQ">DeepSky</a></p>
<h3>12. Holistic Wellness Programs</h3>
<p>“Our team appreciates the perks of our holistic wellness program, which include a weekly yoga class, gym reimbursement and access to company bicycles, as well as our well-loved zen room and game room. Our wellness program also includes Days of Purpose, providing every team member the opportunity to volunteer for a charity of their choice, up to one day per month.” ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/thebrandedgroup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/thebrandedgroup&source=gmail&ust=1555593443753000&usg=AFQjCNGCaovyeHlsuGfUcos3hrktvLnkLA">Michael Kurland</a>, <a href="http://www.branded-group.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.branded-group.com/&source=gmail&ust=1555593443753000&usg=AFQjCNH4sDcytVB2cB0Kd7D2jI9BvVDSDg">Branded Group</a><br /></p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/employee-perk-ideas.html'>These 12 Employee Perks Can Keep Morale High and Improve Retention</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/employee-perk-ideas.html">These 12 Employee Perks Can Keep Morale High and Improve Retention</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-1091265071915628772019-04-28T06:06:00.001-07:002019-04-28T06:06:26.880-07:00Customers Expect Small Businesses to be Friendlier than Big Ones, Study Says<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543244 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business.png" alt="Small Business Customer Expectations" width="1000" height="560" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Happy-small-business-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>Is it really possible to truly meet the expectations customers have of your small business? This of course greatly depends on the customers and the type of service you provide. But new research has revealed small businesses are held to a higher standard of friendliness.</p>
<h3>Small Business Customer Expectations</h3>
<p>The U of T Scarborough report says <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/07/real-time-response-to-customers.html">customers expect</a> small businesses to be more honest, more helpful and friendlier. Not only that, they react differently based on the size of the company when they are subjected to bad behavior.</p>
<p>For small business owners, this is yet another challenge they will have to face when competing with their large counterparts. But it is one which can easily be solved by treating their customer with courtesy and respect. And at the end of the day, it won’t cost a dime.</p>
<p>As to why customers feel this way, the study’s co-author Pankaj Aggarwal, a marketing professor in U of T Scarborough’s Department of Management, said it all comes down to expectations.</p>
<p>In the news release <a href="https://utsc.utoronto.ca/news-events/breaking-research/be-nice-or-go-bust-utsc-study-finds-small-businesses-are-held-higher-standard" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aggarwal said</a>, “It feels very wrong when a small business mistreats us because we expect them to be warmer and friendlier.”</p>
<p>He added, “On the other hand, we don’t expect larger companies to be particularly warm or friendly, so when they fail to be nice it doesn’t come as a big surprise.”</p>
<h3>The Research</h3>
<p>The research was carried out across five studies. The feelings and perception of size is an interesting one because it didn’t affect their view on efficiency, effectiveness or organization.</p>
<p>However, size affects consumer expectation for behaviors described as communal such as friendliness, caring, honesty, and being helpful. And this the researchers say is due to our expectations about power.</p>
<p>Power which based on size shapes the expectations of consumers for small and large businesses. Aggarwal has labeled this behavior as brand anthropomorphism, which is the idea we give human traits to companies and products. Romanticizing small business is one of the anthropomorphism traits consumers attach to a company.</p>
<h3>Managing Customer Expectation</h3>
<p>The research says it is possible to manage customer expectation for businesses of any size,. And Aggarwal added companies may have more control over customer expectations than previously thought.</p>
<p>With the right marketing, a brand can say it is bigger or smaller to achieve the desired expectation from customers. But making these claims can have unintended consequences if the businesses don’t deliver.</p>
<p>Large companies for example can brand themselves as being smaller. This in turn will make them seem warm and friendly. But if they fail, it can be worse than when customers didn’t expect them to be warm and friendly.</p>
<p>The research goes on to say large companies still have an advantage over small businesses. This is because they can be less warm and friendly without experiencing the punishment small companies suffer.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/small-business-customer-expectations.html'>Customers Expect Small Businesses to be Friendlier than Big Ones, Study Says</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/small-business-customer-expectations.html">Customers Expect Small Businesses to be Friendlier than Big Ones, Study Says</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-30301821504263804042019-04-27T10:56:00.001-07:002019-04-27T10:56:07.678-07:00Maturepreneur Event Focuses on Those Starting a Business in the Next Stage of Life<p><img class="size-full wp-image-543748 aligncenter" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur.png" alt="" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maturepreneur-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>Life expectancy has skyrocketed. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when mature individuals stay in business longer. Or when they start a new venture later in life.</p>
<p>The Maturepreneur Today Virtual Summit aims to provide resources on how to start and run a business in the next stage of life. The event targets an underserved segment. And you can see how this group has been overlooked be everyone in the business world. Consider the fawning over groups like the “Top 40 Under 40”, “Top 30 Under 30”, and “Top 20 Under 20”.</p>
<p>The one-day virtual summit offers track sessions in the morning and afternoon covering relevant business topics.</p>
<p>Experts across a range of industries will present tracks on legal, financing and marketing issues. Other trackings follow brick and mortar, solo and franchise businesses.</p>
<p>You can attend the virtual event from your home or office starting at 9:30 AM through 5:00 PM on June 11, 2019.</p>
<p>Click the red button and register now.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a class="button big deepred" href="https://www.maturepreneurtoday.com/registration-now2">Register Now</a></p>
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<h3>Featured Events, Contests and Awards</h3>
<p><a href="https://smallbizweek.hackathon.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><img class="alignright" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/event/10742.png" alt="#SmallBusinessWeek Hackathon Event" /></a><strong><a href="https://smallbizweek.hackathon.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">#SmallBusinessWeek Hackathon Event</a><br />
May 03, 2019, Washington, DC</strong></p>
<p>Visa and the U.S. Small Business Administration invite you to bring your ideas and your laptop to the Inclusive Innovation Incubator, 2301 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001 from May 3rd to May 5th, 2019. Spend a weekend creating solutions to help small businesses recover or prepare for sudden impacts of natural disasters.<br />
Team up with entrepreneurs, designers, and developers to build apps and solutions that will help small businesses prepare and/or recover from major natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, tornados, snowstorms or earthquakes.</p>
<hr class="event-line" />
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SBAgov/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><img class="alignright" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/event/10744.jpg" alt="National #SmallBusinessWeek Awards Ceremonies: Facebook Live Event" /></a><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SBAgov/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">National #SmallBusinessWeek Awards Ceremonies: Facebook Live Event</a><br />
May 05, 2019, Online</strong></p>
<p>Watch live on SBA’s Facebook page (http://bit.ly/2IdFVE8) on May 5th at 6pm ET as the SBA announces the SBA Resource Partners awards. Join us!</p>
<hr class="event-line" />
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SBAgov/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><img class="alignright" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/event/10745.jpg" alt="National #SmallBusinessWeek Awards Ceremonies: Facebook Live Event" /></a><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SBAgov/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">National #SmallBusinessWeek Awards Ceremonies: Facebook Live Event</a><br />
May 06, 2019, Online</strong></p>
<p>Watch live on SBA’s Facebook page (http://bit.ly/2IdFVE8) on May 6th at 12:45pm ET as the SBA announces the Exporter of the Year, Federal Procurement, Small Business Persons of the Year, and National Small Business Person of the Year awards. Join us!</p>
<hr class="event-line" />
<p><a href="https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowKey=66307&AffiliateData=SBAcal" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><img class="alignright" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/event/10743.png" alt="National #SmallBusinessWeek Virtual Conference Event" /></a><strong><a href="https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowKey=66307&AffiliateData=SBAcal" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">National #SmallBusinessWeek Virtual Conference Event</a><br />
May 07, 2019, Online</strong></p>
<p>The U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE will host a 2-Day Virtual Conference during National Small Business Week. The conference will take place Tuesday, May 7 – Wednesday, May 8 between 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM Eastern / 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM Pacific each day. Registration is FREE to the public. Learn new strategies, network, and chat with industry experts! This 2-day event will include webinars, business advice, giveaways, free resources, and networking chat rooms for business owners and entrepreneurs.</p>
<hr class="event-line" />
<p><a href="http://www.maturepreneurtoday.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><img class="alignright" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/event/10823.png" alt="Maturepreneur Today Virtual Summit" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.maturepreneurtoday.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Maturepreneur Today Virtual Summit</a><br />
June 11, 2019, Online</strong></p>
<p>Maturepreneur Today is holding its full day virtual event on June 11, 2019. The summit is for new, existing and budding entrepreneurs in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Visit our website to view the entire list of renowned speakers. #MaturepreneurToday</p>
<hr class="event-line" />
<p><a href="https://ams-insights.com/training-coaching/upcoming-workshops/listening-voice-customer-chicago-2019/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><img class="alignright" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/event/10524.jpg" alt="Listening to the Voice of the Customer " /></a><strong><a href="https://ams-insights.com/training-coaching/upcoming-workshops/listening-voice-customer-chicago-2019/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Listening to the Voice of the Customer</a><br />
October 16, 2019, Chicago, Ill.</strong></p>
<p>Led by veteran product development and market research experts, this course will introduce Voice of the Customer (VOC) market research and teach you to use it to accelerate innovation in business-to-business markets. The workshop uses a lively, interactive format with numerous hands-on activities and practice exercises to build skills and will also expose you to the latest applications of these techniques in areas such as machine learning and journey mapping.<br />
<strong>Discount Code</strong><br />
<strong>SMALLBIZ</strong> ($100 Off)</p>
<hr class="event-line" />
<h3>More Events</h3>
<ul class="event-list event-post-list">
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="http://go.evvnt.com/395447-2?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Small Business Expo 2019 – BOSTON (May 1, 2019)</a><br />
May 01, 2019, Boston, Mass.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="https://www.leadershipinstitute.org/Training/school.cfm?schoolID=41855" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Leadership Training at Microsoft</a><br />
May 03, 2019, Washington D.C.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="https://ccbtechnology.com/techshowcase/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">CCB TechShowcase</a><br />
May 09, 2019, Milwaukee, Wis.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="https://circularsummit2019.events.helloalice.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Circular Summit 2019</a><br />
May 09, 2019, Santa Rosa, Calif.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="https://digimarconeast.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">DigiMarCon East 2019 – Digital Marketing Conference & Exhibition</a><br />
May 09, 2019, Online</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="http://go.evvnt.com/395450-2?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Small Business Expo 2019 – WASHINGTON D.C. (May 9, 2019)</a><br />
May 09, 2019, Washington, D.C.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="http://go.evvnt.com/368117-0?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Experiential Marketing Summit 2019</a><br />
May 14, 2019, Las Vegas, Nev.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="http://go.evvnt.com/341668-0?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Fearless in Data</a><br />
May 14, 2019, Atlanta, Ga.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="https://go.evvnt.com/322813-0?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Kimberly Coates</a><br />
May 14, 2019, San Diego, Calif.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="https://go.evvnt.com/322813-2?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Chief Analytics Officers & Influencers, Spring</a><br />
May 15, 2019, San Diego, Calif.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="http://go.evvnt.com/346859-0?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">2019 Marketing Analytics Conference ? Atlanta, GA ? May 15 – 16, 2019</a><br />
May 15, 2019, Atlanta, Ga.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="https://techspotoronto.ca" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">TECHSPO Toronto 2019</a><br />
May 16, 2019, Toronto, Ontario</li>
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="https://digimarconcanada.ca" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">DigiMarCon Canada 2019 – Digital Marketing Conference & Exhibition</a><br />
May 16, 2019, Toronto, Ontario</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="https://telecomcouncil.cvent.com/19CP2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">ComTech Forum on Network Automation</a><br />
May 16, 2019, Sunnyvale, Calif.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="https://www.churchillclub.org/upcoming-programs/21st-annual-top-10-tech-trends/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">21st Annual Top 10 Tech Trends</a><br />
May 16, 2019, Santa Clara, Calif.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="http://go.evvnt.com/360030-0?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Wall Street Journal Future Of Everything Festival, NYC</a><br />
May 20, 2019, New York, N.Y.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="http://go.evvnt.com/337715-2?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Advancing Preconstruction and Estimating 2019 Conference, Dallas, Texas</a><br />
May 20, 2019, Dallas, Texas</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="https://techsposv.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">TECHSPO Silicon Valley 2019</a><br />
May 23, 2019, San Francisco, Calif.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-0"><a href="https://consultingsociety.com/programs-events/regional-meetings/boston-regional-event-may-29-2019/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Breaking Through: Taking Your Consulting Business to New Heights</a><br />
May 29, 2019, Waltham, Mass.</li>
<li class="single-event-post-1"><a href="http://go.evvnt.com/343286-0?pid=3759" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Brand Marketing Summit West 2019, San Francisco, USA</a><br />
May 30, 2019, Burlingame, Calif.</li>
</ul>
<h3>More Contests</h3>
<p>This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com">Small Business Trends</a>.</p>
<p>You can see a full list of events, contest and award listings or post your own events by visiting the <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/events">Small Business Events Calendar</a>.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/maturepreneur-event-focuses-on-those-starting-a-business-in-the-next-stage-of-life.html'>Maturepreneur Event Focuses on Those Starting a Business in the Next Stage of Life</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/maturepreneur-event-focuses-on-those-starting-a-business-in-the-next-stage-of-life.html">Maturepreneur Event Focuses on Those Starting a Business in the Next Stage of Life</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-55906509883717063732019-04-27T09:06:00.001-07:002019-04-27T09:06:08.774-07:0010 Adjustments You Can Make to Improve Your Chances of Business Success<p><img class="size-full wp-image-542835 aligncenter" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO.png" alt="" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Improve-SEO-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>SEO and content marketing are always changing. So you need to make constant adjustments in order to be successful long term. In SEO and in other areas of business, some of these small changes can help you make a big impact. Here’s more from members of the online small business community.</p>
<h3>Bookmark These Free Stock Photography Sites</h3>
<p>Visuals can help your business get people’s attention and make your content more effective. If you don’t have the time or ability to take quality photos on your own, you might consider stock photography. The sites in <a href="https://www.crowdspring.com/blog/popular-stock-photo-sites/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this</a> Crowdspring post by Katie Lundin may be able to help.</p>
<h3>Do Your Research Before Hiring an SEO Company</h3>
<p>Hiring an SEO company can help your business gain visibility online. But many businesses have had negative SEO experiences because they didn’t take the necessary steps before making this move. Gary Shouldis <a href="https://3bugmedia.com/what-you-need-to-know-before-hiring-an-seo-company/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">explains</a> in this blog post and video from 3Bug Media.</p>
<h3>Appear in Local Search Listings on Google Assistant and Google Home</h3>
<p>Tons of consumers are using Google Assistant and Google Home to find relevant service providers and other businesses. So if your company isn’t included, you could really be missing out. In this Search Engine Land post, Greg Sterling <a href="https://searchengineland.com/how-to-appear-in-local-services-listings-in-google-assistant-and-google-home-315389" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">details</a> how Google selects these businesses and how to get yours included.</p>
<h3>Optimize Your Blog Content for Google Rankings</h3>
<p>Your company’s blog can also be a major help when it comes to SEO. To really make the most of it, you need to optimize that content for Google Rankings. Jasmine Demeester <a href="https://www.pixelproductionsinc.com/how-to-optimize-your-blog-content-for-top-10-ranking-on-google/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">shares</a> tips for doing so in this Pixel Productions post. And BizSugar members shared <a href="https://share.bizsugar.com/OnlineMarketing/how-to-optimize-your-blog-content-for-top-10-ranking-on-google/#comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">thoughts</a> on the post here.</p>
<h3>Refresh Your Marketing Content</h3>
<p>Constantly creating fresh content can benefit your business — but it can also be time consuming. Save time by refreshing old content in a new way for your audience. Anne Leuman <a href="https://www.toprankblog.com/2019/04/refreshing-b2b-content/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">examines</a> how B2B brands can do this in this TopRank Marketing post.</p>
<h3>Reengineer Your Company’s Processes</h3>
<p>It’s important to create processes for your business and stick with them. But if you notice less-than-stellar results over a long period of time, you may need to reexamine those processes. Ben Mulholland <a href="https://www.process.st/business-process-reengineering/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">offers</a> some reengineering tips in this Process Street post.</p>
<h3>Decide Whether to Have a Boss or Be the Boss</h3>
<p>Business ownership isn’t right for everyone. Your success in business may depend on whether or not you’re actually well suited for the job. <a href="https://www.thefranchiseking.com/be-your-own-boss-have-boss" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn</a> more in this post by Joel Libava on The Franchise King blog.</p>
<h3>Invest in Website Testing</h3>
<p>Your website can make a major impact on the success of your business. So if it’s not functioning correctly or not giving customers a positive experience, you could really be missing out. Ivan Widjaya <a href="https://www.noobpreneur.com/2019/04/19/why-invest-in-website-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">explains</a> why user testing can help you solve these issues in this Noobpreneur post.</p>
<h3>Win Your SEO Battles</h3>
<p>Mastering SEO requires a constant battle. You need to regularly make changes and adjustments to improve your rankings and bring in new traffic, as Enstine Muki <a href="https://inspiretothrive.com/how-to-win-the-seo-battl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">discusses</a> in this Inspire to Thrive post. You can also see <a href="https://share.bizsugar.com/OnlineMarketing/how-to-win-the-seo-battle-and-constantly-be-on-top-of-serps/#comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">comments</a> from the BizSugar community here.</p>
<h3>Don’t Try to Rank #1 on Google</h3>
<p>Improving your search rankings is a worthwhile goal for any business. But a lot of businesses seem to get sidetracked and focus on the wrong things. Neil Patel goes into <a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/rank-1-on-google/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">detail</a> and offers some helpful insights for businesses in this post.</p>
<p>If you’d like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: Depositphotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/10-adjustments-you-can-make-to-improve-your-chances-of-business-success.html'>10 Adjustments You Can Make to Improve Your Chances of Business Success</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/10-adjustments-you-can-make-to-improve-your-chances-of-business-success.html">10 Adjustments You Can Make to Improve Your Chances of Business Success</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-50149984339247995352019-04-26T16:01:00.001-07:002019-04-26T16:01:36.592-07:00The Ultimate National Small Business Week 2019 Events Calendar<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-543696 size-full" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic.png" alt="national small business week 2019" width="3667" height="1835" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic.png 3667w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic-150x75.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic-768x384.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic-1024x512.png 1024w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic-300x150.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic-660x330.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic-850x425.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic-620x310.png 620w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NSBW-Tile-Natinal-Small-Business-Week-Basic-1050x525.png 1050w" sizes="(max-width: 3667px) 100vw, 3667px" /></p>
<p>On Sunday, May 5, the U.S. Small Business Administration <a href="https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week">National Small Business Week</a> 2019 kicks off with a week long celebration.</p>
<p>And once again, Small Business Trends is proud to be named a co-sponsor of National Small Business Week.</p>
<p>National Small Business Week 2019 celebrates and recognizes the contribution of small businesses in the U.S. for the whole week until Saturday, May 11.</p>
<p>And with so many events, promotions, and deals to be had, the Big List of National Small Business Week is designed to help you find what is taking place across the country.</p>
<p>The list will highlight events and give organizers a platform for submitting their own promotion, deal or event during the week.</p>
<p>You can share your event, promotion, or deal by submitting to our list. Please write to sbtips@gmail.com.</p>
<h2>National Small Business Week 2019 Events</h2>
<h2>Friday to Sunday, May 3 to 5</h2>
<h3>#SmallBusinessWeek Hackathon</h3>
<p>This year’s <a href="https://smallbizweek.hackathon.com/">Hackathon</a> is going to bring the SBA and Visa together to address disaster recovery.</p>
<p>Come to the hackathon and participate in the development of apps and concepts to help business owners prepare and/or recover from major natural disasters.</p>
<p>Join entrepreneurs, designers, and developers to solve real business challenges using API’s from Visa, the U.S. Government, and third parties to build new tools.</p>
<p>If your app delivers, you can win one of the top three cash prizes, up to $25,000 and two $5,000 giveaways.</p>
<p>The Hackathon will take place in Washington D.C. starting on Friday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 5th.</p>
<h2>Sunday, May 5</h2>
<h3>National Awards Ceremony for SBA Resource Partners</h3>
<p>As part of NSBW, the SBA will present national awards to its Resource Partners. The awards will be presented to the following individuals and organizations.</p>
<ul>
<li>Jody C. Raskind Lender of the Year</li>
<li>Small Business Investment Company of the Year</li>
</ul>
<h3>Awards to SBA Resource Partners</h3>
<ul>
<li>Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Award</li>
<li>Veterans Business Outreach Excellence in Service Award</li>
<li>Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award</li>
<li>SCORE Chapter of the Year</li>
</ul>
<h3>Disaster Assistance</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Volunteer</li>
<li>The Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Public Official</li>
<li>And Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery</li>
</ul>
<p>You can watch the award ceremony live on the SBA’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SBAgov/">Facebook</a> page at 6:15 pm ET.</p>
<p>Before the award ceremony, you can also watch the Next Wave in Digital Commerce Workshop on Facebook at 4:00 pm ET.</p>
<h2>Monday, May 6</h2>
<h3>Federal Procurement and Small Business Awards</h3>
<p>The SBA recognizes individuals and businesses across the U.S. who have excelled during the past year. This includes Exporter of the Year and the Small Businessperson of the Year.</p>
<p>The award for Small Businessperson of the Year is given from a pool of companies selected across the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.</p>
<h3>Federal Procurement Awards</h3>
<ul>
<li>Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year</li>
<li>Small Business Subcontractor of the Year</li>
<li>Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence (Services, Research & Development, and Manufacturing)</li>
<li>8(a) Graduate of the Year</li>
</ul>
<p>These awards will also be streamed on the SBA’s Facebook page starting at 12:45 pm ET.</p>
<p>Another workshop will take place before this ceremony at 10:30 am ET. This one is titled, Social Media Tips for Your Small Business Workshop.</p>
<h2>Tuesday, May 7 – Wednesday, May 8</h2>
<h3>2019 National Small Business Week Virtual Conference</h3>
<p>The SBA and SCORE will host a <a href="https://www.score.org/event/2019-national-small-business-week-virtual-conference">2-day virtual conference</a> designed to provide a range of resources for business owners.</p>
<p>The event will include free educational webinars, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Experts from Visa, Constant Contact, Square, Google, Chase, and the SBA will speak during the two-days.</p>
<p>If you can’t attend in person, you can take part in the virtual conference from anywhere. All you need is an internet connected device. Register for free and watch starting between 11:00 am – 5:30 pm ET/ 8:00 am – 2:30 pm PT each day.</p>
<h2>Wednesday, May 8</h2>
<h3>Turn Small Biz into Smart Biz: Technology for Growth, Productivity, and Customer Experience Webinar</h3>
<p>Comcast and Entrepreneur are going to present a webinar to discuss the impact of smart technology on small business growth, productivity, and customer experience.</p>
<p>The webinar will cover customer experience, employee productivity and operations, and marketing strategies.</p>
<p>The Turn Small Biz into Smart Biz: Technology for Growth, Productivity, and Customer Experience webinar will be held Wednesday, May 8 at 12 pm EST | 9 am PST.</p>
<p>Register <a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6155165446263590658?source=NativeArticle">here</a>.</p>
<h3>Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation</h3>
<p>As part of the University of Chicago, the Polsky Center will hold a month-long celebration of discovery and entrepreneurial endeavors. This will include National Small Business Week.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, May 8, 2019 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm the center will host entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business professionals. This will be an opportunity to learn about the resources available to the Polsky Exchange and the Chicago community.</p>
<p>Click <a href="https://polsky.uchicago.edu/event/polsky-center-celebrates-national-small-business-week/">here</a> to register and get more information.</p>
<h2>Friday, May 10</h2>
<h3>NSBW Twitter Chat</h3>
<p>On Friday, May 10th at 12 pm ET, the SBA will bring industry experts to help entrepreneurs on how they can start or grow a small business.</p>
<p>The event will share tips and tricks so your entrepreneurial journey will have fewer bumps.</p>
<p>You can follow the conversation at <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SmallBusinessWeek&src=typd">#SmallBusinessWeek</a>.</p>
<h2>Small Business Week of Eastern Missouri</h2>
<p>Small Business Week of Eastern Missouri, Inc. is a not for profit organization created to help the SBA plan events during the week in the eastern half of Missouri.</p>
<p>This year the events will include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Impact Investments and Local Businesses: Your money. Your return. Our community on May 6th from <span class="x-el x-el-span c2-1 c2-2 c2-3 c2-4 c2-1s c2-o c2-1w c2-1x x-d-ux x-d-route" data-ux="Element" data-route="false">3:00 pm</span><span class="x-el x-el-span c2-1 c2-2 c2-3 c2-4 c2-1s c2-o c2-1w c2-1x x-d-ux x-d-route" data-ux="Element" data-route="false">– 4:30 pm at the</span> Justine PETERSEN, 1023 N. Grand Blvd., St Louis, MO.</li>
<li>(Davis) Bacon & Eggs: Understanding Prevailing Wage Compliance! on May 7th from <span class="x-el x-el-span c2-1 c2-2 c2-3 c2-4 c2-1s c2-o c2-1w c2-1x x-d-ux x-d-route" data-ux="Element" data-route="false">8:00 am</span><span class="x-el x-el-span c2-1 c2-2 c2-3 c2-4 c2-1s c2-o c2-1w c2-1x x-d-ux x-d-route" data-ux="Element" data-route="false">– 9:30 am at the</span> St. Louis Development Corporation, 1520 Market St, 2nd Floor Boardroom, St. Louis, MO.</li>
<li>Financing Your Small Business on May 8th from <span class="x-el x-el-span c2-1 c2-2 c2-3 c2-4 c2-1s c2-o c2-1w c2-1x x-d-ux x-d-route" data-ux="Element" data-route="false">9:00 am</span><span class="x-el x-el-span c2-1 c2-2 c2-3 c2-4 c2-1s c2-o c2-1w c2-1x x-d-ux x-d-route" data-ux="Element" data-route="false">– 11:00 am at the</span> St. Louis County Library, 1640 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO.</li>
</ul>
<p>To get the complete list of events for the entire week click <a href="https://sbwem.org/events?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery">here.</a></p>
<h2>The Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC</h2>
<p>The Illinois SBDC at Champaign County EDC will hold 13 free events this year.</p>
<p>It begins on May 6th from 4 to 5 pm with a workshop to boost your marketing for the 2019 farmers’ market season.</p>
<p>On May 7th the SBDC will hold info sessions on business grant programs, CCRPC’s financing programs, and a workshop on branding.</p>
<p>All of these and the remaining events will be held across different venues, so click <a href="http://www.cusbdc.org/events/2019-05/">here</a> to find the time and location.</p>
<h2>The 15th Annual San Francisco Small Business Week</h2>
<p>The city of San Francisco is putting on its annual event coinciding with the NSBW to support the more than 120,000 small businesses which call the city home.</p>
<p>Events will take place starting Monday, May 6th with a City Hall Pop Up Shop and go all the way to Sunday, May 11th ending with Neighborhood Sales Experiences.</p>
<p>You can click <a href="https://www.sfsmallbusinessweek.com/events/">here</a> to register and see the full schedule of events.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: U.S. Small Business Administration</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/national-small-business-week-2019-events.html'>The Ultimate National Small Business Week 2019 Events Calendar</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/national-small-business-week-2019-events.html">The Ultimate National Small Business Week 2019 Events Calendar</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7268216140679004471.post-83221664256515617002019-04-26T14:03:00.001-07:002019-04-26T14:03:11.834-07:00In the News, What’s the Top Social Media Site to Reach Customers in Your State?<p> </p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-543800" src="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media.png" alt="" srcset="https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media.png 1000w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-150x84.png 150w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-768x430.png 768w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-325x182.png 325w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-120x67.png 120w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-400x224.png 400w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-670x375.png 670w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-830x465.png 830w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-300x168.png 300w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-660x370.png 660w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-850x476.png 850w, https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/social-media-620x347.png 620w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p>
<p>You’ll find hundreds — probably thousands — of social networks on the internet now. And those sites have something for everyone’s niche.</p>
<p>But we always hear about the big players in the game. As a small business owner, you probably need to know more.</p>
<p>You’ve become aware of the heavy weights, of course. These include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and a few others.</p>
<p>But did you know that some social networks are more popular in certain parts of the country than others? That becomes important if some of your digital marketing is aimed at a local audience.</p>
<p>A new <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/most-popular-social-media-apps.html">survey</a> this week from CenturyLinkQuote identifies the top social media site in your state. You’re probably going to be surprised by the results. And you’ll definitely want to take notes.</p>
<p>If these are the most popular sites in your state, you should probably consider directing some of your social marketing efforts that way, too.</p>
<p>For the rest of this week’s headlines, check out the weekly news and information roundup below:</p>
<h2>Marketing Tips</h2>
<h3>Sick and Tired of Other Businesses Disrupting Your Industry? Read This</h3>
<p>Disruption in your industry has become a sure thing. And it poses a dangerous <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/how-to-be-a-disruptor.html">threat</a> to your company. Because historically, the most successful disruptors come from outside the industry. Think Uber for car services and Netflix for at-home movies. So how can you become the next disruptor, instead? Make sure your competition doesn’t beat you there.</p>
<h2>Retail Trends</h2>
<h3>76% of Customers Choose Loyalty Programs that Collect ONLY Name and Phone Number</h3>
<p>More businesses are <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/customer-loyalty-programs-and-privacy.html">adopting</a> customer loyalty programs because it is much easier to deploy. But a new report has revealed Americans are more cautious when it comes to joining a loyalty program. A survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Wilbur says 76% of Americans are more likely to join a program which collects only their name and phone number.</p>
<h3>What is a Freakshake and How Can It Be Used to Market Your Small Restaurant?</h3>
<p>Have you heard of the Freakshake trend? <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/freakshake-marketing.html">Freakshakes</a> refer to huge milkshakes loaded with ice-cream, cream and flavored sauces. But they also include unlikely ingredients. Think donuts, cake, biscuits, brownies and other sweet delights. Freakshakes have become huge in the food service industry. Small restaurateurs should consider capitalizing on the freakshake trend.</p>
<h2>Small Biz Spotlight</h2>
<h3>In the Spotlight: Meli’s Monster Cookies Makes Sure Healthy Alternatives are Baked In</h3>
<p>When you think of gluten-free food, you probably don’t picture <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/gluten-free-cookies-melis-monster-cookies.html">delicious</a> baked goods. So Melissa Blue and Melissa Mehall founded Meli’s Monster Cookies to show that gluten-free baked goods could also be delicious. The company uses an old family recipe that is gluten free “by accident.” So it tastes delicious and is perfect for those with food sensitivities.</p>
<h2>Social Media</h2>
<h3>Facebook News Feed Dies, What Marketers MUST Know</h3>
<p>The Facebook News Feed is dead. It’s official. Gone. Extinct. Poof. Nada. <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/facebook-business-marketing-tips.html">Oblivion.</a> In this article, I’ll tell you why I’m making this assertion, the conspiratorial events leading up to the death of the News Feed, what it all means for the future of Facebook marketing, and four solid takeaways that will superpower your marketing in a post-News Feed era.</p>
<h2>Startup</h2>
<h3>5 Things Businesses of All Sizes Can Learn from Marie Kondo</h3>
<p>Marie Kondo’s name is on everyone’s lips these days. Thanks to her book The <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/marie-kondo-tips-small-business.html">Lifechanging</a> Art of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and popular show on Netflix, Goodwill centers all over the country are overflowing with donations as housecleaning becomes a national phenomenon.</p>
<h2>Technology Trends</h2>
<h3>Walmart Using Robots Now, When Are You Getting One for Your Store?</h3>
<p>Walmart is adding hundreds of <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/walmart-robots.html">robots</a> to its stores to help wash floors and perform low-level jobs that will free up workers to do other important work. The retailer will add robots to at least 300 of its stores this year, The Wall Street Journal reported.</p>
<p><em><small>Image: DepositPhotos.com</small></em></p>
<p>This article, "<a href='https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/in-the-news-whats-the-top-social-media-site-to-reach-customers-in-your-state.html'>In the News, What’s the Top Social Media Site to Reach Customers in Your State?</a>" was first published on <a href='https://smallbiztrends.com'>Small Business Trends</a></p>
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<a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/04/in-the-news-whats-the-top-social-media-site-to-reach-customers-in-your-state.html">In the News, What’s the Top Social Media Site to Reach Customers in Your State?</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541494824944990291noreply@blogger.com0