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Showing posts from July, 2019

5 Advantages Text Messaging In Small Business

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To some small businesses, the owners will think that text message marketing is preserved for a larger corporation only. However, it shouldn’t be a limitation and therefore, they have to also adopt SMS campaigns that will help in growing the business. Besides, it will take advantage of the reliability and SMS efficiency. So, for small businesses, you should consider these benefits that will give a direction on what you decide to choose for a marketing campaign: 1. SMS generates results. The best thing is that text messaging service for business works. These messaging services work well for both small and large organizations and even nonprofit ones. For example, you can use SMS promotions to your customers who have trained to win. You can tell them to win a wine tasting session that takes place at a tasting bar. When you run the campaign after a few months, you will get some messages. It is the time that you will know whether the customers added value. So, SMS generates results. 2...

Superhero Mentality – Three Steps To Turn A Negative Into A Positive

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by Hernani Alves, author of “ Balanced Accountability: 3 Leadership Secrets to Win Hearts and Maximize Performance “ Steve Young, the former NFL player and MVP of Super Bowl XXIX, threw 202 interceptions in his career. That’s 202 opportunities he had to receive backlash from fans, critics, coaches, and teammates. No man is an island so he could have probably handed his teammates some strong notes on their own play, but that wasn’t Young’s style. He knew that getting defensive would only create resentment. His ultimate goal was to win, so instead of making excuses, he’d focus on his own mistakes while doing whatever it took to motivate his team. Young was a leader in his organization and a champion to millions because he understood exactly how to turn a tough situation into a victory. He worked with a true Superhero Mentality. Here are my top three steps that you can use in your day-to-day to be the hero your staff needs and deserves. 1. Take the Hit. The difference between a lead...

How To Make Your Products More Accessible To Online Customers

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There are over 25 million eCommerce sites worldwide and it is estimated that the business will be worth $4.5 trillion by 2021 . In the face of such awesome figures it is perhaps understandable that the task of reaching potential customers can seem insurmountable; whatever it is that you market, there is just so much competition. The reality is of course that there are plenty of customers to go around. The problem for the retailer is not a shortage of potential customers, it’s getting in touch with them. There are two parts to the problem, firstly, getting potential customers to your site and secondly, converting those visits into sales. Getting customers to your site through social media. Understanding how to use social media to promote a product and acquire customers is an essential skill for any serious eCommerce trader. This is never going to be just a one-off acquisition of a set of skills, you are going to have to evolve with the media and that evolution is going to be rapid ...

Why Product Packaging Important For Your Startup

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Starting a business goes beyond having an idea. There is a lot of research that needs to be done in terms of how to run the business efficiently as well as how to make profits. If you are planning to start a product line, it is imperative to know the basics and importance of product packaging . The same way people are identified by their names is the same way you need your brand to be recognized using their packaging. The product packaging you use can make or break your business. As a startup, you can either decide to come up with the packaging or even hire professionals to do that for you at an affordable rate. Whatever decision you choose, ensure that the packaging is up to standard. Below are some of the reasons why product packaging is vital for your start-up company; 1. It is a good marketing strategy. Marketing is an indispensable tool for any business. The business market is competitive and extremely dynamic, meaning that you need to put a lot of efforts into marketing your ...

Best Business Credit Cards 2019

Business credit cards are an excellent way to earn rewards, access inexpensive financing, and build business credit. The best business credit cards have introductory offers up to $1,000, pay ongoing rewards up to 5%, and charge no interest for up to 15 months. Some include free perks like purchase protection and airport lounge access. Best... The post Best Business Credit Cards 2019 appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2Ovh5EE

What Does a Property Management Company Do & When to Hire One

Property management companies are great for investors who want to be less hands-on or who live far from their rental properties. What a property management company does to help investors is they manage the day-to-day operations of rental property. Depending on the property, management companies typically charge between 4% and 10% of gross monthly rent.... The post What Does a Property Management Company Do & When to Hire One appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2Yh8Dxa

6 Major Benefits Of Injection Molding In Manufacturing

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Injection molding is one of the most popular methods for manufacturing plastic parts. It is simple, versatile, and time tested. However, those are not the only reasons why injection molding remains one of the more common methods for making plastic parts. Here are six major benefits of injection molding in manufacturing. We’ll also explain how injection molding has improved over the years to further these benefits. High Production Speeds. Injection molding is efficient and effective, resulting in a fast production rate. Its high production rate (averaging 15 to 120 seconds per part) makes it ideal for mass production. There’s little that can go wrong with it, and there is rarely a need for finishing steps. Just inject into the mold, cool, release and send on to the next step in the manufacturing process. All of this is achieved with relatively little labor output. Most of the molding equipment runs with self-gating, an automated system that keeps production both efficient and fast w...

19 Best Finance Blogs

The best finance blogs can help you learn how to manage debt better, grow your wealth, and get inspired through others’ tales of success and sometimes failure. These blogs can teach you principles that will help you achieve your financial goals. To get you started, we created a list of the best finance blogs. The... The post 19 Best Finance Blogs appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2K8wt5G

What Is a Home Warranty? Definition, Cost & Coverage

A home warranty is insurance that pays for repairs or replacement of specific systems/structures in a house in the event of breakdown. The benefit of a home warranty — which costs between $300-$600/year — is protection from high out-of-pocket expenditures. As such, it’s recommended for homeowners with older properties at higher risk for breakdowns. How... The post What Is a Home Warranty? Definition, Cost & Coverage appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2YyAqEB

6 Best Help Desk Software 2019

Help desk software systems help you manage customer service tickets quickly and effectively. When implemented properly, they can save support teams a great deal of time and money. We looked at 20 of the best help desk systems on the market and narrowed it down to the best six based on features, pricing, and usability.... The post 6 Best Help Desk Software 2019 appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2K7Y9rl

7 Best Retail POS Systems 2019

A point-of-sale (POS) system serves as the central hub for retail businesses by processing all customer transactions. Retail POS systems also have features to manage products and customers, and track sales. The best retail POS software systems are easy for employees to use and affordable, with prices starting at less than $100 per month. Top... The post 7 Best Retail POS Systems 2019 appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2z3GFFQ

Fundraising Debt And How To Avoid It

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by Anish Sebastian and Juan Pablo Segura, co-founders of Babyscripts Ten years ago, Ward Cunningham published a Youtube video that introduced the concept of “technical debt” to the world. It has become an established term in the software industry to indicate the short term fixes of quick and dirty coding that can create problems down the road — problems that come knocking at the door to collect with interest. Cunningham’s term was coined to identify a specific problem in the tech industry, but the fundamental concept is universal — Ben Horowitz, for example, took Cunningham’s concept and applied it to management structures .  Essentially, the concept boils down to making a decision that solves the problem of the moment but is not ultimately scalable, borrowing against the future to fix the short term issues. The kicker, of course, is that at some point you have to pay that debt down to actually scale.  For start-ups in hot markets, the problem also manifests itself in fu...

11 Business Ideas For Making Extra Money After Work

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by Luke Loftin No matter if you are saving up for a down payment on a house, to take your dream vacation or just need help paying the bills, a second job can help you put extra cash in the bank. While you could moonlight at a retail store or restaurant to bolster your income, there are also plenty of job opportunities out there that will let you set your own schedule, including some you can perform from the comfort of your own home. Here are a few suggestions on some side hustles you can try to help pad your income, ranging from starting your own freelance business to taking online surveys in exchange for cash. 1. Freelance Writer. If you have a flair with words, taking on freelance writing gigs can be an easy way to earn extra money. There are countless businesses in need of dependable writers who can reliably churn out fresh content, including: Blogs Website copy Social media posts Attending networking events is one good way to find clients, as many small business owners d...

Ways To Increase Employee Experience

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The staff are the driving force of the operation so no business can succeed without an excellent team in place. This means that a business needs to be able to attract, recruit and retain the top talent which can be a huge challenge particularly for smaller companies and startups. Read on for a few tips. Interim Management. One of the most effective ways to bring in expert talent to a small company or startup is to use interim management . This allows you to bring in a talented and experienced individual in the short term to help the company to achieve a particular goal or to oversee operations until a permanent solution is found. Bringing in experts, even if temporary, can have a great impact on staff and put the company on the right path to success. Create an Attractive Work Environment. Of course, in order to bring in expertise and the top talent you will need to create an attractive work environment. You might not be able to match the wages that the top talent can command else...

2019 SEObility Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives

SEObility is an SEO software that helps users analyze and boost their websites’ organic search engine rankings. Prices range from $0 to $200+/month. The post 2019 SEObility Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2MmChKl

2019 SEOcrawler Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives

SEOcrawler is an SEO tool that helps users check their rankings across any search engine. Prices reportedly range from $29.95 to $149.95/user/month. The post 2019 SEOcrawler Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2ymKUw8

2019 FollowAnalytics Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives

FollowAnalytics is a mobile marketing automation solution that helps boost engagement through mobile apps. Pricing is customized. The post 2019 FollowAnalytics Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2MmCbSZ

VoIP vs Landline Phone Systems For Small Businesses

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A reliable and easy to use phone system is an essential part of business infrastructure. Without the ability to contact clients and properly route information, operations would quickly come to a standstill. Many business owners unfortunately struggle when choosing between VoIP systems and traditional landline phone systems. This article will cover some of the biggest differences between VoIP and landline systems and help you discover which one is right for you. Reliability. Comparing business VoIP and landline reliability brings two totally different systems together. VoIP relies on internet bandwidth to transmit digital calls. Because of this VoIP calls are sharing the same network with all the rest of your business’s internet traffic. It affects the call quality and sometimes also leads to dropped calls. As your internet speed raises so does the reliability of your VoIP system. Landline calls rely on the dedicated copper wires of the telephone network. These are designed sole...

4 Pieces Of Software Every Startup Needs

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In today’s society, new technology and software have impacted pretty much every aspect of how modern businesses operate. Businesses can use technology to connect with their target audience, provide better customer service, increase sales and revenue, and remain competitive in the modern business world. All businesses should, therefore, be taking advantage of technology and looking for ways that new software can benefit their business. With this in mind, here are four pieces of software that every startup needs. 1. VPN Software. Virtual Private Network (VPN) software allows businesses to communicate securely online via private computer networks that use a technology referred to as tunneling. The main benefit of VPN software is improved security; this technology significantly increases online safety and allows companies to maintain their privacy and confidentiality when using the internet. A VPN helps keep a company’s valuable and sensitive data safe from hackers and other cyber thre...

How To Hire Scrum For Your Startup

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Imagine a situation where you wanted to recreate the most popular Instagram application, and the problem is that you don’t come from an IT background. So, what you do now is that you basically approach a development company, you put up your requirements to them and then after discussions the company promises you to deliver the app one year later. Finally, when you get your app delivered, do you really think you would have recreated what you wanted to? No, because within a year’s gap, Instagram itself would have been upgraded with a lot of features. But now when you approach the company and ask them to do changes with the application, you’ll probably get back a doubtful reaction. This is because the company might have followed the waterfall method to build your solution. This waterfall methodology follows a few consecutive steps, including analysis, designing, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. The detriment here is that when you switch from one stage to another, it is no...

Important Branding Lessons From The Top 5 Retailers In The US

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by Katie Lundin of  crowdspring The top 5 retailers in the US made nearly $230 billion dollars in 2018. ( $228.4 billion  to be exact.) They must be doing something right. Walmart, Amazon, Costco, Walgreens, and Home Depot have each built strong  brand identities  and all benefit from powerful household recognition and strong brand equity. As we wrote  previously : A brand is the sum total of the experience your customers and customer prospects have with your company. A strong brand communicates what your company does, how it does it, and at the same time, establishes trust and credibility with your prospects and customers. Your company’s brand is, in many ways, its personality. Your brand lives in everyday interactions your company has with its prospects and customers, including the images you share, the messages you post on your website, the content of your marketing materials, your presentations and booths at conferences, and your posts on social n...

3 Rules to Choosing a Professional Email Address (+ Examples)

A professional email address, which uses a custom domain and clear naming structure (such as james@williamslaw.com), is critical for all businesses that want to build trust with customers. This trust ultimately results in better brand reputation and, over time, increased sales. Follow the three rules below to create your own professional email address. The most... The post 3 Rules to Choosing a Professional Email Address (+ Examples) appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2CCgMBi

How to Get a Small Business Loan in 4 Steps

Finding a small business loan is a necessity during business growth, but it can be difficult to find a loan you qualify for. The four basic steps for how to get a small business loan include evaluating your loan options, determining your eligibility, finding the right lender, and applying for the right loan. One of... The post How to Get a Small Business Loan in 4 Steps appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2Bc1KRa

How to Sell Private Label Cosmetics

Private label cosmetics are beauty products manufactured by one company and sold under another brand’s name. You can learn how to sell private label cosmetics profitably by finding the right supplier, developing a brand, and marketing your private label cosmetics. Small retailers can bring in several thousand dollars per month easily selling private label cosmetics.... The post How to Sell Private Label Cosmetics appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2YgXLiX

Best and Worst States to Start a Business 2019—Definitive Ranking of All 50 States

Small businesses are on the rise in the U.S., and according to MIT, they thrive or die based on location. Where you choose to start a business can be one of the most important decisions you make as an entrepreneur; location determines quality of life, cost/tax burdens, and the size of the consumer market. Given... The post Best and Worst States to Start a Business 2019—Definitive Ranking of All 50 States appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2yqHHf7

2019 Inmoji Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives

Inmoji is a mobile engagement and analytics platform that focuses on interactive emojis. Reported pricing starts at $100. The post 2019 Inmoji Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2MtWQEz

2019 Shareablee Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives

Shareablee is a cloud-based solution that provides actionable insights and engagement data for social media. Pricing is customized. The post 2019 Shareablee Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2Orlokg

2019 FortiClient Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives

FortiClient, by Fortinet, is an integrated endpoint protection platform. Reported license fees range from $100 to $9,995. The post 2019 FortiClient Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2YiBvoY

2019 Appraisd Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives

Appraisd is a performance management software designed to provide regular employee evaluations. Prices start at $60/employee/year. The post 2019 Appraisd Reviews, Pricing & Popular Alternatives appeared first on Fit Small Business . from Fit Small Business https://ift.tt/2OrlnNe