Business

No matter what business you’re in, marketing might often feel like a challenge. There can be a lot of pressure to come up with the latest exciting and creative campaign that goes viral, but often, the simplest of ideas can still be effective.

There are so many marketing techniques, channels and strategies out there that it can be difficult to know which ones to try. Here are 4 effective marketing tricks that your business can experiment with.

Content marketing

The phrase “content is king” is often used when it comes to online marketing – and for good reason. Content marketing is a great way to stimulate interest in your products and services, without “explicitly” advertising your business. Producing good quality content across your different online channels is a great way to increase your brand visibility, improve brand recognition and is engaging.

While you’ve no doubt done a bit, there are so many different forms of content marketing you can try, such as blogs, videos, and webinars. Content that is engaging can generate traffic to your website, as well as generate shares and comments that opens your business up to new customers. It is also is a great way to boost your SEO, as it shows search engines that your content is important and means they get a better understanding of your company, allowing it to return to your site for other similar or relevant queries.

User-generated content

Just like content marketing is shared, user-generated content is a great marketing tactic to get your brand in front of new audiences. User-generated content is any form of content created by end users or consumers often posted online.

If your business has limited resources, encouraging user-generated content can be a great way to market your business with very little financial investment. User-generated content can be a huge asset – 92% of consumers trust organic, user-generated content more than traditional advertising. To encourage user-generated content, you can start simple by getting customers to use a specific hashtag for your business. This not only gets customers posting about your business, it allows you to track content too.

Experiment with influencer marketing

Influencer marketing might have become a bit of a “buzzword” but there are multiple reasons why it is an effective marketing channel. Influencer marketing exposes your brand to new customers who are likely to have an interest in the products or services you provide.

Look for someone in your area with high social media engagement and reach out to them to see if they are willing to share their experience with your product or service. This can either be voluntary or paid on a freelance basis.

Take it old school

The past decade has seen the rise of the digital world, and, while online marketing techniques might dominate, there is still plenty of space for the traditional methods. People still appreciate speaking to a human being, for example, making telephone marketing a great option.

Choosing a business telephone number needs to be carefully thought about, so it’s best to use an establish supplier such as Planet Numbers, who have a variety of phone numbers available to cater to different needs. You can choose from geographical numbers and non-geographical numbers, as well as pick a memorable number that is relevant to your business. Not only do they provide memorable business numbers, they also provide call handling services too.

There are millions of people out there whose main goal in life is to build a business successful enough to live a comfortable lifestyle without having to work much at all. In many cases, an online store is the way to go.

It’s important to know, however, that turning your modest online store into a multi-national e-commerce business will take some work. While the potential is there, it’s up to you to put in the long hours and commitment that it takes.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to make it to the top of the e-commerce world, take a look at some of the best tips, you’ll need along the way.

Use Technology To Your Advantage

As the proprietor of your business, you’ll need to find ways to keep track of your inventory so that you know what’s coming in and going out. The more successful that you get, and the more that you expand, the less realistic it is for you to manually count your inventory yourself. You’ll need to rely on technology to help you determine when its time to buy more stock.

Technology is also critical for other areas of your business, like marketing and accounting. The programs that you use should be reputable, secure, and easy for you and your staff to use.

Know Your Customer

Regardless of what industry you’re in, it’s critical that you know your customers inside and out. Otherwise, how can you expect to deliver what they want?

Don’t be one of those business owners who doesn’t take the time to discover their target audience. You should research your customers thoroughly in order to make sure that you’ll get the greatest possible return on your investment.

Easy Checkout

One of the worst things you can do for your online store is making checkout a long and lengthy process. Eliminating the need to make an account or go through too many screens before the sale goes through will increase your numbers.

A lot of people give up when there are too many field forms to fill out, or they have to click too many pages. Abandoned carts aren’t online store’s friends!

Use Quality Images

When selling products online, it’s important to include photographs of your products. Including images that are blurry or hard to make out will read as unprofessional to your customers.

You should always include pictures that are professionally taken and easy to see the details of the products.

Write Honest Descriptions

Being dishonest about your products is a common practice for many online stores. Make sure that your product description is accurate and honest and clearly lists important information.

 

If you’re serious about quitting your job or earning an income online but don’t know how to get started you’ve come to the right place. Simply continue reading to discover a simple yet effective guide to making money online.

How to Make Money Online:

Pick up a freelance side gig:

If you’re looking to bring in a second income you’ll be able to make a bit of extra money by picking up freelance gigs. As an example if you have graphic design skills or have the ability to create professional websites, it’s a great idea to post job listings on a site like Fiverr.com. Contrary to popular belief you can set your own prices on Fiverr and talented individuals often earn thousands of dollars per month by freelancing on Fiverr. The key is to find a way to use the skills which you’ve already acquired in order to start making an income online.

Purchase items on sale and sell them at a higher price point:

You don’t have to create goods or services in order to start earning money online. As an example, it’s well worth learning how to purchase items in bulk or items which have been significantly reduced in price, in order to sell them at a higher price point. So that you’ll be able to make a lucrative profit. As an example, you may want to purchase authentic designer pieces from local thrift stores which you’ll be able to sell for a profit online. One great way to discover items which are in demand is to take a look at the products on online auction sites such as eBay which attract bidding wars. So that you don’t waste your time or money on purchasing items that may be hard to sell.

Complete fun online surveys while you’re watching TV:

Instead of scrolling through your social media accounts when you’re binge watching TV it’s a smart idea to turn your TV marathons into money making sessions by completing online surveys while you watch TV. As global companies are willing to pay a premium for your genuine opinions. So that they’ll be able to better tailor their goods and services to meet their customers’ needs.

Oz Lotto online:

Yes, it’s possible to win big jackpots online. As an example, if you enjoy playing online lotteries it’s well worth playing Oz Lotto online as you may end up winning a sizeable jackpot. All you have to do is to pick the lucky winning numbers.

Work as virtual assistant:

If you’re looking for a regular online job and don’t like the idea of becoming a freelancer, you may want to look for work as a virtual assistant. As there are no shortage of small to medium sized businesses which are hiring virtual assistants. As a virtual assistant your tasks will include reading and responding to customer emails and forwarding important time sensitive emails to your boss. If you have previous experience working in an office environment, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your first position as a virtual assistant.

So whether you’re planning to quit your current job or you’ve always wanted to become an online entrepreneur and to earn money from the comfort of your own home, it’s well worth using all of the handy ideas which are listed above to help you get started.

 

A contract packager is an essential cog in the business wheel and offers vital services to large and small companies. Businesses outsource their contract packaging for a variety of reasons, but at the core lies the need for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.

Contract packing is where a company provides packing and packaging services for a business, including shrink wrapping, blister packing, liquid packing, and fragile item packing. Contact packagers may also work with a business to provide strategic packaging advice and guidance. Here’s why contract packagers are so popular with companies in all sectors.

Not Enough In-House Capacity

It is tough to run a business and have the physical and monetary capacity to also run a packaging and fulfilment section. Not being able to handle volumes of packing and packaging is a significant reason why companies outsource this crucial task. Packing takes up a lot of space and resources. It is more cost-effective to outsource the job unless you plan on making it a major part of your business plan in the near future.

You may have some in-house packaging capacity, but you cannot run anymore since you are using all of your equipment, and you cannot afford to buy more. You may have prioritised your packaging equipment for something else.

Handle Promotional and Short Product Runs

Contract packagers are useful to be able to handle rush orders and bulk orders at certain busy times of the year. You may have a test run of a product, or promotional items to be distributed; these are best handled by a contract packager that can scale its activities up or down as necessary. You benefit from not having to purchase expensive items for packaging that you will only use for a short period. It also makes sense to use a contract packager when you regularly use different promotional packages.

A packager is also useful for when you are running a new packaging scheme that your existing packaging manufacturing equipment cannot handle. Rather than spend money upgrading your system, you can simply outsource the additional packaging requirements to someone else.

Products Need Complex Packaging

You may be experienced in packaging regular products, but unsure how to process and pack more fragile items, or require specialist packing. Products with regulatory guidelines for packaging need an experienced packager in order to stay compliant in the industry. Rather than upgrading your system, choose a fulfilment company to deliver their expertise on your complicated packaging job. Contract packagers have the skills and experience you need to keep your items safe in transit.

You Don’t Have the Staff

Your personnel who may have handled packing in the past are wanted for different jobs. Or you may be downsizing and therefore letting staff go. A contract packaging firm is a cost-effective way to hire trained personnel without any of the additional expenses like benefits, holiday, and sickness pay.

If you are reading this article, you must be familiar with the concept of currency trading. It takes place in the most immense finance market in the world. It is accessed through dedicated platforms. Here is a brief comparison of mt4 vs mt5, which are the most popular products today.

Convenience of Digitization

Technological advances have made it possible to buy and sell currencies online. Shifts in exchange rates bring profits to shrewd traders who foresee the trends and use digital aids. Positions are opened, and trades are executed using the software functions.

This means Forex trading is meaningless without specialized programs. A reputable broker, such as Alpari International, generates accounts that are later used for work via the platform. But which version of MetaTrader should you choose?

Why MetaTrader Is Best

Naturally, there are alternatives offered on the digital market, such as FX Charts. However, users from Nigeria are bound to appreciate the competitive advantages of the products devised by the MetaQuotes Software Corp. Some of the key benefits include:

• The broad range of trading instruments;
• Numerous graphic aids;
• Fast execution;
• Live streaming prices;
• Compatibility with all popular OS types;
• Mobile versions;
• Finance news;
• Audio alerts.

Benefits of Mobile Accessibility

Both versions were adapted to portable devices. The mobile apps work as efficiently as their desktop counterparts. Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS are all covered. Mobile app markets have thousands of user reviews for both programs.

Is MT5 Superior?

It is logical to suppose that any earlier version becomes obsolete with the emergence of a new one. In many respects, MT5 wins hands down, as it is perfect for CFDs and other tools. However, MT4 has its specific benefits that could come in handy for traders in South Africa.

Tools For Analytics

Both interfaces may be customized to satisfy special needs. However, the range of graphic objects reveals clear distinctions. The most drastic difference is in the number of timeframes (in MT5, it grew from 9 to 31). The number of technical indicators shows a similar change (38 in MT5 against 30 in MT4).

The latest version also boasts of a broader range of graphic objects (44 instead of 31). There are also more drawing tools. MT5 is equipped with an economic calendar that sends alerts whenever crucial financial news stories appear.

Different Languages For Different Systems

The algorithms forming the basis of all operations on the platforms differ. While the earlier products based on MQL4 are tailored for position trading, MQL5 is built around orders. In general, the later type is regarded as a more convenient and efficient overall. It also includes more execution models and pending order types, as well as netting.

Why MT4 Is Still Useful

Despite the obvious advantages of MT5, the previous version still has its uses. Rookie currency traders who are only beginning their Forex journey value MT4 for its simplicity. On the other hand, MT5 is preferred by seasoned owners of diversified portfolios that include commodities and stocks.

 

For better or worse, you can’t get away from the cloud these days. Almost every business that has to work with digital information in any way utilizes the cloud for something. Recognizing the benefits that come with this particular kind of IT structure is a cornerstone of most businesses, even if they aren’t necessarily in a high-tech industry.

Think of a few examples where tips for working with the cloud will help your business bottom-line. There are commercial solutions to IT needs, and they almost always involve the cloud. If you have to back up any important information that you have on your personal hard drives, utilizing the cloud acts as a backstop.

Depending on what kind of project management software you use, merging the cloud with that capability creates a robust security framework. But outside of encrypted project management, the cloud also has risks if it isn’t properly protected.

Use Commercial Solutions

By using cloud solutions on a commercial level, you’re saving your company a lot of technological grief. On a personal level, using the cloud is almost automatic these days. There are services through Google and Apple that come with basic software and hardware combinations. But if you have a company that requires exceptional protection around cloud-based technology, commercial solutions are really the only good fit.

Think About Backups

If you have vital, sensitive, or proprietary information anywhere in your business structure, you have to have original copies, and you have to have backup copies of it. By having a cloud subscription, you’re creating an automatic backup of whatever you choose. Usually, this process is straightforward, and it ensures that there is no way to suffer a catastrophic loss if some of your original data is somehow deleted or altered.

Merge the Cloud with Your Project Needs

Once you choose project management software, there’s the matter of integrating it with the rest of your company’s stems. Using the cloud to do this is a very common solution. Many project management systems don’t calm with a way to store information locally, so remote capabilities are a necessity.

When a project management software package and a cloud service work together seamlessly, that creates the best business opportunity for you.

Be Aware of Security Risks

There are security risks associated with using the cloud, though. If someone gets ahold of your password and hacks into your cloud data, all kinds of bad things can happen. You should always follow password best practices, and it’s not a bad idea to encrypt data before you send it to the cloud as well in case of a breach. Security and privacy are always a major concern, so make sure your cloud company checks all the right boxes.

 

Companies often treat the onboarding of new employees as an afterthought. What they don’t know is that failing to capitalize on a new employee’s excitement at being accepted for the position can end up costing them. According to Recruiting Roundtable, effective onboarding programs can improve an employee’s performance by as much as 11.5 percent. A report from SHRM also found that companies that offered an engaging onboarding program were able to retain 91% of their first-year employees.

The onboarding process is your company’s opportunity to make a lasting first impression on a new hire. Making it a good one can improve their on-the-job performance and boost morale and engagement. All the top companies are doing it; here’s how yours can revitalize the process:

Make data entry more efficient by automating it.

One of the most mind-numbing—but necessary—tasks that new employees have to complete during onboarding is filling out forms. However, repetitive manual data entry is tedious and inefficient. To combat this, look into ways to automate the process, either by using specialized software or by sending the forms to the employee before their first day.

If you are sending forms to be filled out digitally over email, include a set of instructions on how the employee can do so. Software such as Adobe Acrobat can enable your new hires to fill forms out using a computer, doing away with the need to print out the form.

Give them a memorable, personalized experience.

Companies are getting into the trend of sending new hires welcome packages ahead of their first day at work as part of the onboarding process. These kits can include a map of the office, the employee handbook or your company’s list of guidelines, a list of contacts including HR and emergency numbers, as well as practical office necessities such as pens and notepads, or branded company merchandise like caps, mugs, custom wristbands, and lanyards.

Why go through the trouble? These kits make the new hires feel both wanted and appreciated. They can help lower first day anxiety, too, by eliminating the need for the employee to ask embarrassing questions on their first day out, such as where the restrooms of the office are located. By treating your new employees well, you showcase your company’s culture and let them know that they’ve made a good decision working for you.

Gamify the onboarding process.

Gamification is the process of turning something into a game. Applying it to something traditionally viewed as a tedious activity, such as employee onboarding, can make that activity more interesting and interactive. In place of boring videos and PowerPoint presentations, you can provide eLearning resources to introduce new employees to common terms and industry jargon used in your company. Going a step further, you can borrow a page out of marketing solutions firm Bazaarvoice’s book by sending your employees on a scavenger hunt to induct your new hires into the company culture.

Encourage forming connections between new hires and tenured staff.

Anyone can feel unease and nervousness when they first enter a new environment. You can help relieve some of the stress by fostering a culture of friendship and camaraderie at the workplace. Take the time out to personally introduce the new hires to the team they’ll be working with. Allow time for employees to get to know each other by holding a mixer during lunch or after office hours. You may also wish to provide them with a company roster so that they can match names to faces more easily.

Wowing your new hires right out of the gate can be the motivation they need to become valuable members of the workforce and bring your company success. Treat them well and you’ll surely reap the rewards!

 

Running a business can be a tight balancing act. No matter what industry you occupy, you are going to need to constantly shift and change to meet the demands of your business. One important aspect of the business which can never be neglected will be your accounts.

Will entrusting these documents to an outsourced accountant help you with any measure of success? Let’s take a closer look.

Streamlining the Business

Depending on the size of your business, you might currently be juggling the accounts alongside several other tasks. Though this can be very beneficial for small businesses, it can also be difficult depending on the workload you currently have to take on. The accounts might also occupy far too much of your time if you don’t have a background in financing or accounting.

In this scenario, a firm of chartered accountants like Hazlewoods can help provide all the support you need. They can handle any and all problems you might be struggling with when it comes to your accounts. You will then be able to refocus your attention on other matters. This could be key if you have an area of the business that you feel is falling behind.

Keeping Compliant

Accounting and taxes can be incredibly confusing. New legislation and laws are introduced frequently, while older legislation is overhauled, updated or repealed. As a result, these actions can massively disrupt your accounts if you do not know what you are doing. Even the most established of businesses can be hit with a fine or a court summons if they are not properly compliant.

A chartered accountant is the best contact you could have for ensuring that your business is kept compliant. They need to keep on top of the latest news and changes to legislation. You can then be kept up to date with all the changes which might affect your business, safe in the knowledge that they will be correctly implemented.

Focusing on Best Practices

Do you know if you are spending too much in a certain area of your business? It might be the sort of thing which passes you by. However, an accountant would more than likely recognise this. They will be able to advise you on over-spends and you can then work to improve this area of the business. Such a simple act could be all you need to free up some finance that can then be spent on improving your product or service.

However, your accountant is not the same as a financial advisor. Many firms you could outsource to will have an advisor to talk to if you want some financial advice for your business. Your accountant is there to process your payments and offer you some advice where necessary. Build a relationship with a brand as a whole if you are searching for a more robust partnership overall.

Can an outsourced accountant contribute to the success of your business? While the management of your accounts won’t be the deciding factor in your success, they could help you find some clarity when you need it.

Find the right accountant for you today; it could prove to be one of the best decisions you ever make for your business.

 

To have a successful business, it’s vital that all of your business operations run as efficiently as possible. However, when you’re in the thick of working on your business, you might not be able to see what areas are clogging you down and where you can improve to boost your efficiency. Luckily, there are a few simple things that almost every business can do that will make processes more efficient.

To show you what some of these things are, here are three ways you ensure that your business is running as efficiently as possible.

Inspect For What Is And Isn’t Working

One of the first things you should do if you feel that parts of your business aren’t running as efficiently as they should be is to conduct some inspections.

As a part of these inspections, Amy Osmond Cook, a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, recommends that you try to identify what is working and what isn’t working for your business. Sometimes, it might be beneficial to bring in some outside observers to help with this.

By inspecting every aspect of your business to find inefficiencies, you’ll be better able to find solutions to the exact problems you’re facing as far as productivity is concerned.

Automate What You Can

Once you’ve discovered what is and isn’t working to make your business more efficient, the next step is to then find ways that you can fix these problems.

According to Dennis Hung, a contributor to SmallBizDaily.com, one option you may want to consider to help improve efficiency is to automate any part of your business that you can. With automation, you don’t necessarily have to think about this as machines or computers replacing your actual employees. Rather, automation can make monitoring processes and gathering information easier. So if you know there’s some software out there that could help to make your business processes more efficient, consider doing what it takes to get this software and automation integrated into your business.

Outsource Tasks That Don’t Fit With Your Skillset

Along with automation, outsourcing certain business tasks could also prove to make you and your business more efficient.

When considering what business tasks to outsource, Carrie Smith, a contributor to AllBusiness.com, recommends thinking about the tasks that you either don’t like doing or aren’t good at. By outsourcing those business tasks, you can then devote more of your time to the tasks that are vital to be done by you and trust less pivotal tasks to others that could accomplish them just as well as you could.

If you’re wanting to find ways to make your business run more efficiently, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you accomplish this.

 

Ultrasonic cleaning is significantly more effective than traditional methods. This method can efficiently remove debris, contaminants, and bacteria from even the most delicate parts and instruments. The technique is cost-effective and straightforward, and many industrial companies today hire cleaning services for even the most delicate cleaning jobs.

Cleaning requirements vary from one industry to another. As such, choosing industrial ultrasonic cleaning equipment depends on many considerations. If you plan to buy a cleaning device for your company, the following tips should be your guide.

Take time to research

Manufacturers have different specifications in designing ultrasonic cleaning equipment. Take time to look through your options, request quotes, and narrow down your selection. If you are unfamiliar with some of the complexities involved in using these machines, you may consult with the manufacturer and ask for recommendations.

Decide on a specific budget

The cost of a cleaning machine varies according to size, specification, and other technical factors. Before you decide to buy one for industrial use, consider how often you will use the machine and what objects you are most likely going to clean most often. Do you need a large tank or medium-sized one? Will you need accessories such as trays, baskets, and racks? All of these factors will determine the cost of the machine. From this point, you can then determine a specific budget or price range that is realistic and within what your company can afford.

Decide on the appropriate working depth

The size of the cleaning tank depends on the size of the objects you need cleaning. Making sure that the objects are well-submerged guarantees cleaning efficacy. If you are using a basket, you need to account for the size of the tank in relation to the basket, as this will impact the depth of the container.

A built-in heater is a better option

Adding heat improves cleaning results even when using an ultrasonic device. When items that need cleaning contain stubborn dirt and contaminants like oil or grease, a heated tank helps to remove all kinds of dirt thoroughly. Heat also disinfects delicate items such as medical instruments and laboratory devices.

Ultrasonic cleaning machine with a sweep mode

A machine with sweep mode means you have the option to change the sound wave frequency, which helps resolve the issue of dead zones. This feature is useful in achieving uniform cleaning results. In addition to sweep mode, you may also want to look into other features that could improve the performance of the cleaning machine.

Cleaning chemicals and other accessories

The last consideration you need to look into is the type of cleaning chemical appropriate for your requirements. Most chemicals used in ultrasonic cleaning are water-based, which is a better choice to prevent damaging the machine. If you are unsure which type of cleaning chemical to use, consult with an expert, and ask for recommendations from the manufacturer. Do not attempt to experiment through trial and error. Instead, take some time to research your options before making a final decision.