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Showing posts from November, 2018

How Team Building Can Help Your Business

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Brexit. It’s a word that we hear so often, and rarely in a positive way. With a withdrawal deal still very much up in the air, business owners all over the UK are wondering where they stand. If you are worried about how your team will hold up in the coming months and years, it could be time to invest some time and money into some team building activities to really strengthen workplace relationships. Brexit is set to affect every business. With Brexit just around the corner, business owners are facing a lot of uncertainty. From stocks and shares to medical supplies, from food to property prices, it seems as if every industry is affected by it. It doesn’t matter if you run a multi-million-pound enterprise or you’re only just getting a company off the ground – it’s natural to feel a little worried. With 2019 set to be a big year, it’s vital that your team are ready to tackle it head on. Strong teams are needed now more than ever. Strong teams are needed in tough times, but those to

5 Reasons Why Your Business Is Losing Out By Not Having A Mobile App

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Although smartphones haven’t exactly replaced desktop computers like experts believed they might a few years ago, there is no doubt about the fact that people now use their phone a lot more frequently than desktops or laptops. From the perspective of a business, this means that unless you are paying attention to the mobile aspect of your online business, you are losing out big time. In case anyone needs more reasons than just the ever-increasing popularity of smartphones, here are five other reasons why most businesses need to invest in app development sooner rather than later. Branding. The most important long-term factor that every company cares about the most in terms of marketing is the establishment of the brand name, and having a dedicated mobile application is an important part of getting there. Every big name in almost every industry already has an app, so by having one yourself, you automatically take one giant step towards establishing the company name as a reputed brand.

Bringing Your Office Environment To Higher Productivity

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You may have heard it before, but the workplace environment is one of those deal makers or deal breakers when it comes to worker’s productivity. If you want to make your employees more productive and boost their creativity, you should start by now to redesign your office space and give it a little extra pampering and cleaning treatment, because according to multiple studies, this is the easiest way to tackle this. Interior designers certainly have plenty of information available on how to optimize the workplace in such a fashion to make your employees’ time there more enjoyable, creative and productive. Follow the tips below and test those theories yourself. Plants and greenery. Plants are an inexpensive and effective way to beautify all spaces. And expert interior designers and psychologists advise business owners to bring in some plants if they want to register higher rates of workplace productivity. This research paper shows that those employees that work in office spaces wher

10 Essential Financial Tips For Young Entrepreneurs

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Starting a business can be financially tough, especially when you are younger. Check out these life-saving financial tips for young entrepreneurs. There are over 25 million entrepreneurs  in the US alone and it should be no surprise that this number is continuing to rise every year. This is because there are numerous benefits of being your own boss (higher salary, better control, more freedom, choosing your hours, etc.) and it’s no wonder new businesses and the gig economy is booming . Of course, being your own boss also means taking on all the risk yourself. The following financial tips will give you everything you need to navigate the difficult waters of running your own business. 1. Work Smart Not Hard. This cliche is actually one of the most critical pieces of advice for any entrepreneur because any time you waste is money you lose. Before undertaking any new task ask yourself these three questions: Is this necessary? Does the survival of my business depend on this? Is t

5 Tips For A Traveling Entrepreneur

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by John Lim, founder of  Ansel Over the last 24 months, I’ve had to adapt to live in places with limited connectivity like Patagonia and the Sahara Desert to places made for the digital worker like Seoul, South Korea. In order to run my business,  Ansel  (a growth agency for brands, non-profits, or individuals who want to make a positive impact on this world), I’ve picked up several tips for success. In the last year, I paid off over $40,000 in college debt thanks to mentors and fellow entrepreneurs (as well as a handful of professionals, including expat tax experts). Because of technology, becoming a “digital nomad” is so incredibly possible. There are tons of places popping up that focus solely on serving young people who are working while traveling ( Selina ,  WIP ,  Cartel House ,  La Maquinita ,  K10 ). All of these places have wifi, conference call booths, rooms, and coffee. Here are some tricks I pulled together that have been useful over the last year to help me travel the

3 Things You Should Definitely Do If You Want Your Business To Grow

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Some businesses and websites seem like they became successful overnight. Sadly, that usually isn’t the case. It takes the right combination of hard work, strategy, the right team and many other assets. Sometimes your company will get lucky, but it will be with the right inner workings and strategy behind it. Also when trying to grow a business, there can be set backs. The key is to not give up while also setting yourself up for success to make things easier. Here are three things that will definitely put your business in the right position to grow. Make sure to invest in SEO strategy. SEO is an amazing asset to any company web page. With the right strategy, you have the ability to fully optimize your page views across the board. Getting your site ranked for the right keywords can have a significant impact on your business and its success. SEO can be completely maxed out with the right strategist behind it. This is why it is perfect when you find an agency that excels in SEO strate

Tips For Tracking Your Website Performance Metrics

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Building a website is now easier than ever. Even if you have no prior experience in digital commerce, you can easily get your website online and see heavy traffic from it. All you need is a domain name, hosting, a website template, and you’re good to go. But don’t expect to see instant success once the site is up. You have the ability to see high traffic from your site, but you’ll need to pour some time and energy into this process. It starts with setting goals and then tracking your website performance metrics. Without this analytic information, you’ll have no way of knowing your website is performing as well as you hope. For those who aren’t sure where to start, use this useful guide to help you accurately track performance metrics. Use web page monitoring. Websites should be monitored regularly to spot changes that need attention. For example, your website might go down due to a hosting error or you might have threatening content posted to your site that could come with a virus

Why Your Business Needs An App

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Running a business isn’t easy. Business owners need to keep tabs on everything related to their business. That doesn’t just mean the core stuff that the business does for customers and clients — it also means all of that stuff that needs to get done for the business to reach its customers and do its work in the first place, such as payroll, training, advertising, and digital marketing. And, these days, there’s even more to worry about. In our internet-obsessed world, business owners need to understand things like search engine optimization (SEO, which is the practice of making a web presence as appealing as possible to search engines ) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertisements. To that, add this new responsibility: In many cases, business owners need to make sure their businesses have apps. Having an app is a key part of reaching customers in the age of smartphones. Here are a few reasons why, along with some quick tips on getting the right app with the least possible stress and expen

Investment Planning: How Gold Helps Balance Equity Risks In Your Portfolio

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Those who have been investing in stocks and equity will know of the risks that it carries when it comes to long-term wealth creation. The volatility associated with equities and stocks can, however, turn investors away. Not all investors have it in them to handle the roller coaster ride provided by equities, which is why they try their luck at creating a balanced portfolio of low and high risk equities. The volatility of the market and the decreasing consumer confidence can be gauged by the fact that even those who believe in the merits of equity investing, run away from it in the face of volatility or other periods of declining rates. We have currently been witnessing such a period, as equity holders are turning away from the market in their search for greener pastures. What if we told you that it is possible to get exceptional returns from the equity market without bearing the risk that it carried? Would that sound unbelievable? Or, better yet, would that make you invest in the eq

25 Real Estate Seller Leads Tips from Expert Agents

Real estate seller leads are an opportunity for an agent to list properties. Many agents struggle to get seller leads due to owners who try to sell their own homes or let their home sit for months without a motivated agent to represent the listing. Without real estate seller leads, real estate agents will not... The post 25 Real Estate Seller Leads Tips from Expert Agents appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2Qr34Hz

Top 50 Free Advertising Ideas from the Pros

A great deal of a business’ success comes down to its advertising; it won’t matter how great your product or service is if nobody knows of it. While large companies spend millions on advertising and marketing, that doesn’t mean you need to. There are a number of smart ways to advertise your business without an... The post Top 50 Free Advertising Ideas from the Pros appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2TUQW0u

What Pinterest Ads Are and How to Use Them

Pinterest ads are image-based that are posted to Pinterest. These image-based posts are called Pins. Pinterest ads are for businesses that are creating valuable blog content or those wanting to promote their brand, product, or services. Pinterest ads don’t differ visually from other Pins, so they improve engagement from Pinterest users. Once you decide to... The post What Pinterest Ads Are and How to Use Them appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2U1udzM

Pipedrive vs Salesforce: Price, Features, & What’s Best in 2018

Pipedrive and Salesforce are both CRM software helping sales teams organize and manage customer relationships with features like contact management tools and advanced reporting. Pipedrive pricing starts at $12.50 and is great for businesses wanting a user-friendly CRM. Salesforce pricing starts at $25 and is made specifically for large businesses and sales teams. When to... The post Pipedrive vs Salesforce: Price, Features, & What’s Best in 2018 appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2FNokn1

Business Wire Pricing, Features & Where to Find It

Business Wire offers press release and website services. Their prices start at $400 for the distribution of a 400-word press release. Business Wire is focused on serving the financial industry. Using Business Wire’s services can help financial organizations gain press coverage and increase overall brand awareness while keeping sensitive information secure. Business Wire pricing might... The post Business Wire Pricing, Features & Where to Find It appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2TY6EIf

How to Create a Digital Marketing Funnel in 10 Steps

A digital marketing funnel consists of the steps a prospect takes from being unaware of your brand to becoming a customer. This includes an ad, landing page, a free offer, an email sequence and, ultimately, a sale. Any business with a digital presence can capture leads and increase sales using a digital marketing funnel. As... The post How to Create a Digital Marketing Funnel in 10 Steps appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2Ay0IwM

Individual & Solo 401k Rules, Contribution Limits & Deadlines

A Solo 401(k) is a qualified retirement plan allowing business owners and their spouses to shelter up to $56,000-$61,000 of income from taxes each year. Solo 401(k)s are like any other 401(k) except they are lower cost and are an option for business owners with no full-time employees. How a Solo 401(k) Plan Works The... The post Individual & Solo 401k Rules, Contribution Limits & Deadlines appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2Gv1Ljs

How to Start an Amazon Business

Entrepreneurs and startups have recently become very unclear about How to Start an Amazon Business because the responsibility of online sellers to collect and remit sales tax has been an issue under debate for quite some time. Entrepreneurs who have brick-and-mortar stores in jurisdictions that have enacted sales tax clearly must add state (and sometimes [...] The post How to Start an Amazon Business appeared first on Launch - the official blog of CorpNet.com . from Launch – the official blog of CorpNet.com https://ift.tt/2RhzO3k

Top 25 Creative Subscription Box Ideas from the Pros

A subscription box is a package of similarly-themed products that is sent to subscribers on a regular basis. Customers sign up for the surprise based on their interests, making it an attractive business prospect for you. But every successful business needs a great concept, so we curated some ideas to help you get started. Here... The post Top 25 Creative Subscription Box Ideas from the Pros appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2zz4wy3

Top 27 Professional Hair Stylist Business Card Tips

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that hair stylists make around $25,000 annually, and the number of professionals will steadily increase until 2026. So aside from having excellent skills, one will also need the right network to be successful. Start by handing out business cards designed to impress the most demanding clientele. Here are... The post Top 27 Professional Hair Stylist Business Card Tips appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2P6E8AA

Ooma vs Google Voice: Price, Features, & What’s Best in 2018

Ooma and Google Voice are internet-based phone technology with features like local phone numbers, voicemail, and call forwarding. Ooma is $19.95 per month per user and is right for businesses wanting a simple phone system with straightforward pricing. Google Voice is free and a good choice for businesses wanting a virtual phone with basic features.... The post Ooma vs Google Voice: Price, Features, & What’s Best in 2018 appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2zvbMem

6 Best Appointment Reminder Software of 2018

Appointment reminders are a tool businesses such as medical offices, spas, and wellness practitioners use to notify customers of upcoming services and reduce no-shows. There are many software programs available for businesses that automate this process. We looked at dozens of appointment reminder software programs evaluating prices and features to arrive at the best overall.... The post 6 Best Appointment Reminder Software of 2018 appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2TVGG87

25 Best Office Attire Ideas from the Pros

Your company’s dress code affects both your employees and your customers, although not always in the same way. While some employees might feel more productive in casual attire, customers might prefer to put their trust to a company with a well-dressed staff. To help with this, we asked experts and searched the internet for tips... The post 25 Best Office Attire Ideas from the Pros appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2Aza4Zj

Fun Ways To Attract More Customers To Your Brick And Mortar Store

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Getting noticed on the internet comes with a long list of challenges, but so does getting noticed from the street. Having a brick and mortar store should make increasing your bottom line easy. People who don’t know you exist can wander into your store when they drive or walk by. But, that’s assuming they’re interested enough to walk through the door. Just like you have to design a website for your business, so too do you have to design ways to get people interested in walking into your store for the first time. Promotional Signage. Promotional signage is a great way to get attention for your store, but it is important to choose the right kind of signage. For example, spinning signs are eye-catching, but they are nearly impossible to read. Instead, create custom feather flags with a current promotion and people are sure to come in for a closer look. Other great sign ideas include: Creating a memorable monument sign Hang flag bunting for a celebratory look Fly flags that feat

Should You Use Google Consumer Surveys?

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Google offers a wide range of different services, including email, website hosting, drive space, website analytics, and even consumer surveys. While Google may seem like the all-encompassing mastermind of web services, there are benefits and drawbacks to using their consumer survey service for your business or products. Benefits of Using Google. Google has millions of users daily. Throughout the world, it’s the most used search engine and email service provider. Their consumer survey service offers many advanced features, including: Screening to target specific demographics Worldwide reach A high response rate Large samples to work with To ensure your survey covers your target demographic, Google uses screening questions before the individual is ever asked to do the survey itself, to ensure you’re getting the most accurate results and targeting only those that will use or currently use your products or services. Google also has the advantage of advertising on a wide variety

How To Handle Difficult Members Of Staff

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In a perfect world every member of your team would be hard working, dedicated and have a positive attitude. But unfortunately this isn’t always the case and every now and then you may find yourself up against difficult employees. Preparing yourself with the skills you need to be an effective manager through training and online business courses is a great first step. But what happens when you’re on the front line and it’s time to put these skills into practice! If you’ve found yourself up facing a challenging member of staff (or perhaps a few members of staff), here’re five simple steps to help you combat the problem. 1. Tackle the problem head on. Though it can sometimes feel easier to simply brush the problem aside, particularly if you’re not being directly affected, leaving the problem to worsen can have a more damaging impact further down the line. Instead, it’s best to address difficult members of staff right away. Addressing any problems head on means you can ensure that al

Roofing Exec by Day, Firefighter by Night – Joe’s Timely Leadership Lessons

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by  Keith Martino , head of CMI and author of “ Expect Leadership “ Eddie scaled the catwalk, looked back and heard a loud boom. Out of nowhere, chemicals exploded. Workers scattered. Smoke clouded the first floor. And faster than a sow chews corn the blazing facility lit up the sleeping neighborhood. Local fire professionals trembled at the probability of a second and larger blast. It was a bleak picture. Most folks panicked. Some shed tears. Joe calmly sipped coffee two townships away. He had already put in a full day’s work. Serving his community that evening as their Volunteer Fire Chief, Joe diligently scanned his first responder radio for any sign of distress. Nothing showed in his immediate vicinity. But Joe instantly recognized the address of a rapidly burning building miles away. It was home to his corporate office. Joe gave the signal and his unit sprang into action. When they arrived on the chaotic scene, Joe’s counterpart, a locally paid Fire Chief, promptly tossed in

How to Write an Event Press Release in 8 Steps [+ Free Template]

An event press release is a statement issued to the media that provides information on a specific event. It includes a compelling headline, event details and key information about your business. You should consider sending a press release a week to 10 days before your event to gain event media coverage and greater event attendance.... The post How to Write an Event Press Release in 8 Steps [+ Free Template] appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2BCCXWf

How to Set Up Messages in QuickBooks Online

Welcome to the Fit Small Business QuickBooks Online training course! In this lesson, we’re going to cover how to set up messages in QuickBooks Online. You can follow along on your own QuickBooks Online account. If you don’t have one already, click here to sign up for a free 30-day trial and follow along below.... The post How to Set Up Messages in QuickBooks Online appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2TU2LEn

How to Set Up Expenses in QuickBooks Online

How to Set Up Expenses in QuickBooks Online Welcome to the FitSmallBusiness QuickBooks Online training course! In this lesson, we’re going to cover how to set up expenses in QuickBooks Online. You can follow along on your own QuickBooks Online account. If you don’t have one already, click here to sign up for a free... The post How to Set Up Expenses in QuickBooks Online appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2AyLzuX

Jacques Poujade Shares: 3 Ways To Start Saving For Your First House

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Owning a house is a dream for a lot of people, but in order to get there, people need to be smart with their money and also have a plan. My name is Jacques Poujade, and I am the CEO at LendPlus , an alternative lender. A common question I get asked is how to save for that very first home. I decided to put together the three biggest tips I can think of to really get the ball rolling. 1. Pay Off High Interest Credit Cards. Credit card debt can get a lot of people in trouble. While it might not seem like a big deal at first, interest can start to really pile up and waste a lot of money in general. Nobody wants to be paying off a lot of interest for months and possibly years. It might be tempting to continue to buy and spend like you normally do, but take a break and make sure that the credit card is paid off in full before trying to move forward. Not only does paying off the credit card free up a lot of money, but it improves a person’s credit score as well. It shows that you can be

Dr. Briggs E Cook: 4 Tips For Balancing A Successful Career And Family

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Hi, my name is Dr. Briggs E. Cook. I’m a plastic surgeon located in North Carolina, currently serving as the Medical Director of Pure Facial Plastic Surgery and MedSpa . Between work and five kids at home with my wife, Kia, days can be pretty long. Adding to the difficulty is dealing with twins diagnosed with PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Association with Strep). They require extra medical attention throughout the year. I’m often asked by others how I’m able to balance out family and work. Here are my four biggest tips that help me. 1. Keep Weekends for Family. I’m very thankful that my job has a pretty typical work schedule. There are times I do have to work on the weekend, but I try not to as much as possible because that is family time in my opinion. I try to always be there for my family because they put up with having me only part of the time for five days. 2. Mixing Business and Personal is Fine. There are a lot of people, even within my industry, t