Business

Lack of productivity is a concern for many people— and rightfully so. It can be incredibly frustrating to find yourself at the end of the day scrambling to get everything done. Productivity doesn’t just hinder your work process, but it can even affect your overall well-being.

If you’re constantly feeling like you’re racing the clock, it will contribute to stress, and lead you to feel less confident about your work performance. Here are some of the best ways to boost your everyday productivity, and get the most out of every minute.

Use Technology

There are some things that you have to do manually. For example, sometimes customers need to talk to a real person, so handing them off to a chatbot or automated phone system is simply not an option. Yet, there are other manual and repetitive tasks that take up a large part of your day which could be delegated to software.

The right software can shave hours of time off of your day, and put valuable time in your schedule to do more important tasks than data entry. Get to know what programs are available for your specific tasks, and measure whether the price is worth investing. Usually, people find that automation software saves so much time that it’s well worth paying the price for.

Create a List

Lists are incredibly simple, yet very effective. Start every day off with a list and check each task off as you go. As you see each task completed, you’ll feel extremely motivated to keep going. Lists help you create a road map of your day and keep you on task if you start to get distracted. If you start to feel yourself not sure how you should be using your time, always refer to your list and check off the next to do.

Create Routines

One of the most common characteristics of productive people is that they have an established routine. Every day they do the same thing at the same hour, and as such it becomes a steady rhythm. They know that at a certain time of the day they devote their time to housework, while at other times of the day they are committed to completing work.

Mold your routine and schedule as needed, and get into the habit of following it every day. Soon it will start to become an instinct, and you’ll know when it’s time to play, and when it’s time to work.

Identify Your Distractions

One of the leading causes of lack of productivity is plain old distraction. Get to know what your distractions are, and eliminate them if possible. Perhaps it’s the TV, or maybe it’s your phone. Whatever it is that is stopping you from getting everything done, get rid of it as soon as possible

 

Getting a new customer takes a lot of effort. Therefore, there is a need to develop effective ways of ensuring the customer stays loyal to your brand. One of the best ways of keeping on getting new customers and retaining the existing ones is keeping them engaged. Customer engagement involves interacting with online and offline customers to ensure they act positively toward your brand. There are many ways of engaging your customers, but the end goal is value creation. Give your customers something unique to relate with and support them in real-time. Here are 5 simple yet effective ways of increasing customer engagement for retention.

• Improve Brand Consistency

One of the best ways of keeping your customer engaged and loyal to your brand is by providing consistency. Whether quality, delivery, or packaging, your customers need something they can relate to every time. They want to recognize your brand among others easily. Remember, brand consistency sets you apart from other products in the market. Therefore, it will be a good idea to work with a team like Bizify to help you build a consistent brand that customers can relate to, and that stands out from the competition.

• Provide Great Customer Experience

Companies that focus on improving customer experience increase revenue by more than 50%. If customers have a bad experience with a certain brand, there is a high chance they will never return. Therefore, improve operations and the process of purchasing products from your brand. Provide customer support, and make the checkout process simple and payment easy. These are examples of things that improve customer experience with your brand.

• Use Feedback

Another strategy for improving customer engagement is collecting feedback to understand your position. Let customers explain what they think about your brand and the pain points they have had during the buying process. Find the common problems and act on them as soon as possible. When you ask them how to improve and actually do it, your customers feel valued and will always look forward to buying from you again. The feedback you get from them will provide insights into what you need to improve your brand, increase customer experience and keep them engaged.

• Maintain Value

Your business with the customer does not end after a purchase. You need to follow up by sending emails or newsletters to keep them updated on what is going on with your brand and inform them of ways of saving money through discounts. You can also use a loyalty program to ensure your customers benefit from purchasing from you.

• Consider Social Media Engagement

It is also crucial to follow your brand on social media. What are people saying about you on social platforms? How far has your brand spread? Keep in touch with your customers and continue offering support on social media. By keeping track of what they are posting, you will better understand how to tailor your brand to meet their needs. Ensure you also engage them through comments and shoutouts.

Bottom Line!

You can use many engagement strategies to attract new customers and maintain the existing ones. You must actively engage your customers in all possible ways and make it effective since your competitors are also taking the opportunities.

 

There are a lot of different eGuarantee programs out there, and it can be tough to figure out which one is right for you. In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of eGuarantee so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it is right for your business. We will also talk about what you need to know before signing up for an eGuarantee program.

What is a eGuarantee Program?

A eGuarantee program is a type of financing that allows businesses to get funding by using their receivables as collateral. This means that businesses can get funding having to go through a traditional bank loan process. eGuarantee programs are typically used by small businesses and startups, as they can be a quick and easy way to get funding.

Who are eligible to be on the Program?

To be eligible for a eGuarantee program, your business must have receivables that are due from creditworthy customers. This means that your customers must have a good credit history and be able to pay their invoices on time. Additionally, your business must be in good financial standing and have a strong accounting system in place.

eGuarantee programs can be a great way for businesses to get funding. However, there are also some cons to consider before signing up for one of these programs. Here are ten pros and ten cons of eGuarantee programs:

Pros

1. eGuarantee programs are a quick and easy way to get funding.

2. eGuarantee programs allow businesses to get funding by using their receivables as collateral.

3. eGuarantee programs are typically used by small businesses and startups.

4. Your business must have receivables that are due from creditworthy customers to be eligible for a eGuarantee program.

5. Your business must be in good financial standing and have a strong accounting system in place to be eligible for a eGuarantee program.

6. eGuarantee programs can help your business grow by providing you with the funds you need to expand your operations.

7. eGuarantee programs can help you manage cash flow problems by giving you access to working capital.

8. eGuarantee programs are a great way to build your credit history and improve your credit score.

9. eGuarantee programs offer competitive interest rates and terms.

10. eGuarantee programs can be a great way to finance long-term projects or growth initiatives

Cons

1. eGuarantee programs can be expensive.

2. eGuarantee programs may require you to put up your receivables as collateral, which means you could lose them if you default on the loan.

3. eGuarantee programs may have strict eligibility requirements that your business may not meet.

4. You may need to have a strong credit history and good credit score to qualify for a eGuarantee program.

5. eGuarantee programs may require you to have a business plan and financial projections in place before you can apply.

6. The application process for a eGuarantee program can be time-consuming and complex.

7. eGuarantee programs may have high interest rates and fees.

8. You may be required to make regular payments on your eGuarantee loan, which could affect your cash flow.

9. If you default on your eGuarantee loan, you could lose your receivables as collateral.

10. eGuarantee programs are not available in all states.

What are the requirements needed to be able to Join

There are a few requirements that businesses need to meet to be eligible for a eGuarantee program. First, your business must have receivables that are due from creditworthy customers. This means that your customers must have a good credit history and be able to pay their invoices on time. Additionally, your business must be in good financial standing and have a strong accounting system in place.

Conclusion

eGuarantee programs can be a great way for businesses to get funding. However, there are also some cons to consider before signing up for one of these programs. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding if a eGuarantee program is right for your business.

 

Yes, it takes multiple departments to properly run the most successful business. An HR department to handle employee relations, a marketing team to create and maintain the company’s image, an accounting unit to ensure that money is where it needs to be, and a sales team that, well, sells things. And this is often just the tip of the iceberg.

But what happens when these departments don’t work together? When there is a lack of communication or collaboration amongst departments, it can lead to big problems for businesses. Inefficiencies can pop up, processes fall by the wayside, and projects can grind to a halt. That’s why it’s so important for businesses to focus on streamlining cross-functional collaboration amongst departments.

Here are 3 tips for doing just that.

Employ The Use of Interactive Tools

Nowadays, there are a variety of tools that facilitate business operations. Some are general tools that can be used for a variety of purposes, while others are specific to certain tasks or projects.

But regardless of the type of tool, it’s important that businesses employ interactive tools that allow for two-way communication. This way, all departments can stay up-to-date on what’s going on and no one feels left out of the loop.

Take data analytics, for instance, ideally, everyone should be in on it, and luckily there are tools that let you easily build professional dashboards that display data in a way that is not only digestible but also accessible to everyone. That way, when it comes time to make decisions, everyone is on the same page and can offer their insights based on the data.

Establish Clear Roles & Responsibilities

When it comes to cross-functional collaboration, it’s important that everyone knows their role and what is expected of them.

The dangers of non-clarity range from team members feeling like they are being micromanaged to thinking that their role is superfluous. This can quickly lead to frustration, a lack of direction, and a fall in productivity.

The key is to find a happy middle ground where roles and responsibilities are clear enough that everyone knows what they need to do but flexible enough that team members can take on different tasks as needed.

Encourage Open Communication

Open communication is essential for cross-functional collaboration to be successful. Team members need to feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback with one another.

This can be a challenge, especially if there are hierarchical power dynamics at play. But it’s important to still try to create an environment where everyone feels like their voice can be heard.

One way to do this is to encourage informal communication, such as through regular check-ins or team-building exercises. This gives team members a chance to catch up with one another on a personal level, which can help build trust and understanding.

Another way is to get intuitive messaging apps that promote easy real-time conversation via both text and video.

Cross-functional collaboration is essential for businesses to be successful. By following these tips, businesses can streamline collaboration and communication amongst departments, which will invariably lead to better efficiency, more innovation, and increased profits.

 

Marketing has a variety of unique specializations that might be both meaningful and lucrative for individuals who are passionate about leading a life in such a career path.

Whether you are already employed in the profession or seeking methods to start your career, knowing how to secure the job you genuinely desire or the measures necessary to help you achieve it can be challenging.

Or perhaps you have seen a job opportunity listed and are unsure how to use your skills to make the most of it, or you lack the courage to take the chance. Whatever the circumstance, marketing guru Jurgen Cautreels has provided some advice to help you land your dream marketing career in this interview.

What advice do you have for individuals looking to land their ideal marketing career?

Landing your dream marketing career is no walk in the park as it requires intentional effort on the part of the prospective jobseeker. While having a solid résumé, relevant experience, and the appropriate degrees are essential, you should prioritize using the power of networking.

At networking events or platforms, you will get to make contacts in the industry that will connect you to opportunities as well as find potential employers.

What are the best-paying career paths in marketing?

There are several job choices to think about if you want to build your career in internet marketing. You might decide to work as a market research analyst who aids brands in better understanding their target market or as an account executive who oversees client relationships.

Being a search engine marketing specialist, search marketing strategist, advertising manager, product marketing manager, and social media marketing coordinator are other employment options. Each of these career paths has a range of compensation depending on the experience and competence of the individual.

What are the most important skills individuals should have to upscale their worth as a marketer?

Developing a marketing career might present many challenges but possessing soft skills can simplify overcoming them. Having a wide range of soft skills can enable you to advance as a marketer far more quickly than you would think.

The ability to adapt and persevere, as well as to have agility, teamwork spirit, verbal and written communication skills and negotiating abilities are a few examples.

In addition to the aforementioned, creative skills are needed to thrive as a marketer. Employers are always looking for how best you can create solutions to problems and bring in ideas to fine-tune already preexisting processes.

What academic degrees and certificates are necessary to help individuals in pursuit of their dream marketing career?

How far you want to advance your career determines the number of degrees you would want to go for. You can acquire four academic marketing degrees: an associate’s, a bachelor’s, a master’s, and a doctorate. You can also obtain additional credentials in Hubspot content marketing, Google Analytics, and Adwords.

Ultimately, getting any academic degree higher than a high school diploma has an impact on your salary, and wages typically increase with each level of degree.

What are the best ways prospective marketers can gain relevant experience that will help them land their dream marketing careers?

No doubt, getting experience on several marketing projects will help build your resume to align with your dream marketing career. I will suggest looking for volunteer opportunities at non-profit groups that require marketers, applying for internships at marketing firms, finding an experienced mentor to work with, and freelancing on simple projects.

There is no doubt that you have a whole host of promotional avenues available to you at your company. One of these is certainly getting your hands on some branded merch, but if this is a route that you have never thought of going down in days gone by, you may well be wondering about some of the direct advantages involved. Well, let’s check out a few of these in a higher level of detail.

Cost Effective Marketing

To begin with, it is often going to be the case that you do not have to spend a fortune on branded merch, but the impact that it can have in terms of brand recognition can be significant. Ultimately, you want to keep on getting your logo in front of the right group of people and there is no doubt that branded merch is a useful way of achieving this goal successfully. As well as keeping the items for themselves, you may also find that people decide to pass them onto others as well.

Create Brand Loyalists

If you some of the biggest and the best brands that are out there, it can be of no doubt that people are loyal to the cause and are more than happy to wear the items that you can get from the likes of anthembranding.com, put items around their house, and generally support the cause. Of course, you are going to have to make sure that you are going to do more in terms of creating the type of products that people are happy with and reflecting the quality of the overall brand.

Acts as a Business Card

There is also the sense that everything that you are using can act as a useful business card. This certainly means that it can be passed out at events in which you need to have something to give away such as a networking event or a trade show. In terms of what you are buying, you need to make sure that it is easy enough to take away and is going to cause you the minimum possible fuss to do so.

Stand Apart from the Crowd

There is no doubt that you are going to find yourself up against a whole range of competition out there, which means that you certainly need to be doing all that you can to stand apart from them. Otherwise, it is going to become more than likely that you will get swallowed up.With this in mind, you should make sure that you are pitching some original ideas and creating the type of merch that has an excellent standout impact.

Branded merch can be used in all sorts of business settings and scenarios, but these are just a few of the situations in which it can be advantageous. So, you should certainly think about making sure that you get your hands on some as soon as you possibly can, but also make sure that it’s high quality.

 

When you own a farm, space can be a premium. Farming usually requires flat land so that crops can grow properly. Fortunately, there is an alternative. If your property has a hilly area, you can use it to your advantage. Here is a guide on what you need to convert it into arable land.

Determine your slope and look at your options

The first thing you should do is check the slope of your hill. It might surprise you, but you can fully farm a gentle slope using ordinary means. Of course, there will be more erosion, but it is doable. However, steeper hills require two approaches: contour farming or terrace farming. Contour farming will have you farm by following the slope’s contours, while terrace farming requires that you build up individual terraces and cultivate them like normal.

Start building it up

Building up terraces will require a lot more work if you need to build up terraces. Fortunately, you can make it easier with pre-cast concrete retaining walls. You can click here to see what retaining wall systems you can use for the terracing. Place them in the right places, and you can have decent terraces to work on. Contour farming has you similarly cutting into the land, but it will be easier since you only need to follow the slope. This type of farming will not work with all crops, but root vegetables and grains can grow with this method. A combination of crops can work, too. For example, you can plant one line of corn alternated with a string of oats. It will require a lot of work to maintain, but there will be less erosion thanks to the roots.

Reinforce your fields

The sloping field makes it very vulnerable to erosion, so you should reinforce it with one or more additional practices. For example, you can pile on a layer of mulch to further protect the topsoil. It helps with hills that see a lot of wind and rain. Additionally, adding ditches to channel water safely off the hill can benefit your fields in that location. The gutters can also lead to a small pond that can help with irrigation around the area.

Planting and care

You won’t be able to deploy automatic planting machines unless the slopes are big. Manual planting and attentive care are best for monitoring your farm and ensuring you control erosion. No-till farming is the best approach for such fields since it ensures that the soil structure stays solid. Additionally, ensuring that ditches and irrigation are clear can ensure that your hillside fields will have enough moisture to grow. Finally, check the slope regularly to ensure that nothing is at the point of collapse.

Final thoughts

Converting your hill into farmland can be a long process. However, the effort put into it can result in a high reward. Consider your options to begin your improvements and add some new ground for your farm to use. You will find that these hillside fields will be productive for years.

Owning or running a business can be super stressful, especially if you are doing it all yourself. You may constantly feel as though you don’t have enough time to complete all of the things you do in order for your business to be successful. Add on top of that personal/family obligations and there definitely are not enough hours in the day. Luckily, there are tons of time-saving hacks out there that will give you extra hours back so that you can have more time for important business tasks. Here are 4 business tips that will save you time.

Educate Yourself

Going back to school or otherwise educating yourself on things that relate to your business or industry may be a small time commitment, but in the long run becoming an expert in your field will end up saving you not only time, but money as well.

For example, if you own a hardware store and you commit to gain a stronger understanding of screws and bolts, you will be able to answer any questions your customers may have without wasting time having to consult with anyone else.

Eliminate The Middle Man

By manufacturing products yourself and selling directly to consumers, you eliminate the need for a lot of things in the middle that can slow down the entire process. Not only will this equate to monetary savings for you and your customer but it will also give you, the business owner, more precious time which you can use to give yourself a well-deserved break or focus on something within your business that simply needs more of your attention.

Work From Home

Working from home whenever possible will give you a ton of time because when doing this, you will not have to factor traffic or commute time into your day. Try to schedule certain days each week where you don’t need to go into the office. Another plus is that this will save you money on gas and other commuting expenses too.

Hire Help

Most business owners are used to wearing a lot of different hats, but hiring a new employee or two could help to save you a lot of time that you will be able to devote to more pertinent matters. Hiring help even for just a few hours each week or on a part time or as needed basis can help to take a lot off your plate, so it may be something you’ll want to consider if you are hoping to gain some extra time!

Time is one of those things that there just never seems to be enough of, and if you are a business owner you know this better than anyone! Hopefully these tips can help save you some!

 

Several variables affect the growth of a business and guarantee that its owners will continue to profit from it. In the current digital era, marketing is essential since it helps companies create and sustain demand, build their image, and maintain competitiveness. Without it, several businesses would probably collapse due to a lack of clients.

Based on this, organizations greatly value the services of marketers as it would be the responsibility of these marketers to publicize and promote their products and services. Hence, choosing to be a marketer is no easy feat because it calls for a unique skill set to enable one to produce required results across deadlines.

In this interview, Jurgen Cautreels, a marketing guru with many years of experience in the field, explains how to go about building a dream marketing career that would allow any individual to get to the top of the field.

What skills and certifications are necessary to begin a marketing career?

The secret to starting well in your marketing career is being creative and having good negotiation abilities. Other skills like time management, analytical thinking, adaptability to challenging situations, and computer literacy are also required. Additionally, as no man is an island, you must feel comfortable working with a team.

If you then want to further your career in the marketing business, professional certifications like the Certified Marketing Management Professional qualification and a fundamental marketing degree are essential.

What should be done after mastering such skills?

The next step is to set yourself up for the work chances that are out there. In addition to applying for open positions, I would advise building and maintaining a professional profile on social networking sites like LinkedIn to attract potential employers.

Also, never be hesitant to begin at a modest position, such as an internship or a job at a small startup. Your work ethic and practical experience in such places will help prepare you for the future challenge of assuming more responsibility.

Do you have any unique advice for beginners to help them succeed?

As a beginner, I’d advise you to avoid complacency and stop utilizing the same tactics. Also, you should constantly review your strategies and look for fresh ways to promote various brands.

In addition, by thinking outside the box, you’ll uncover some of the best and most lucrative opportunities that others haven’t yet identified.

How should you respond when your marketing proposals are turned down?

It’s fair to feel devastated by the occurrence after putting in the work and having your idea rejected. But one must understand that failure is an excellent springboard for success rather than a step backward.

In my opinion, such a person should go back to the drawing board and analyze why the plan was rejected. The lessons learned along the process will undoubtedly give you an edge when the next chance arises.

What are some of the marketing job paths that prospective marketers ought to consider?

While starting out your marketing career, you need to narrow down your focus and play to your strengths. If you did this, you would become more effective and experience less stress and pressure.

You can opt to specialize in options like public relations, market research analysis, media coordination, brand strategy, digital marketing strategy, account management, and social media management.

 

Many people and organizations do not have the correct information about call centers and their primary functions. Some companies still believe that call centers are only suitable for large organizations with the financial capability to hire a call center. They must have retained the images of previous call center settings where there are endless rows of seats with agents talking to customers over the phone.

That setup is now outdated, as contemporary call centers are streamlined, using the most advanced technologies to deliver better services matching the clients’ specific needs.

Who needs a call center?

The increased competition, higher customer service standards, and the development of e-commerce compel even small companies to provide high-quality service to all customers. As a result, it is now vital for businesses to keep in touch with their customers, solve their problems, and respond to their questions as efficiently and quickly as possible.

Call center software

A call center typically uses a robust call center solution that contains a list of system and productivity tools. Among the list, the most essential for agents is the auto phone dialer. The device uses AI to call specific numbers on a list automatically. The auto dialer has several features, such as detection of unproductive numbers, list filtering, integration with a CRM system, time zone management, contact list management, call monitoring and recording, callback scheduling, and more.

A call center’s primary functions

If you still lack the information about a call center’s core functions, here are some of the most critical.

• Maximizes sales opportunities

Call centers are effective in sales campaigns. You can use them to get qualified leads and even verify them. A call center can likewise help in closing deals. The center has predictive analytics, which can suggest the type of product or service that will appeal to a client. Thus, an agent can tailor the offer for each client and generate a sale. Based on sales history and the willingness of a customer, a call center can make additional offers to existing clients for related or new products.

• Improves customer retention 

Customers are willing to receive offers when they are satisfied with the center’s customer service. For example, if your organization has new offers, options to personalize the product or service, new discount policies, and rewards, then you can use the call center to call existing and potential customers to keep them interested, coax them to buy, give you potential customers, and help spread the word.

• Helps you do market research

Achieving business growth presents a challenge to most enterprises. It affects organizations of any size. One essential thing they should have is a complete understanding of customers’ preferences and needs. Call centers can help you gather insights from existing and prospective clients. You likewise gain information about the market as a whole, the competition, and your niche market. An adequately prepared market study can give you an outstanding marketing campaign.

Call centers always look for new ways and tools to deliver top-quality service. While the processes and tools may differ, the core functions of call centers will remain the same.