tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66015936455873327002024-03-12T23:54:12.888-07:00To Share CashThis blog containt article that give information for Education, Business, Technology, Careeer, Adsense, Biography, Internet.IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-54822755337133732292017-08-09T00:55:00.001-07:002017-08-09T00:55:28.498-07:00How to Launch Your Own Clothing Line<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5pvzLb8uMyatXIm2n8onnhLE-o_BNhCKLN9O-x531dNhu59FWlxZxdUZP6Xm2IzdPpfOexGGF3R1TwoYH1cXJQabnbugfKp-TFRD_lUZx1t1FZd4zTIgI7FaMhnhcCdy73xFXB2myGs/s1600/neckties-210347__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5pvzLb8uMyatXIm2n8onnhLE-o_BNhCKLN9O-x531dNhu59FWlxZxdUZP6Xm2IzdPpfOexGGF3R1TwoYH1cXJQabnbugfKp-TFRD_lUZx1t1FZd4zTIgI7FaMhnhcCdy73xFXB2myGs/s320/neckties-210347__340.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever dreamed of being a fashion designer? Maybe you could never find clothes you liked so you made your own, or maybe you fell in love with your home-ec class in middle school. However this path started for you, it has the potential to end in a successful fashion brand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You might not be showing your line at New York Fashion Week, but you can still create and launch your own line. The founders of independent clothing lines shared their secrets to success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">1. Do your research</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Matthew Johnson, owner and designer at <a href="http://www.seventhfury.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Seventhfury Studios</a> and <a href="https://seventhink.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Seventh.Ink</a> Shirts and Apparel, founded Seventh.Ink in 2007 as a way to showcase his artwork on clothing. Before he began producing and selling his shirts, hoodies and accessories, which includes patches, pins, and art, he took the time to learn everything he could about the fashion industry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"It really does pay to do your research," Johnson told Business News Daily. "Read articles and interviews from your favorite brands, talk to those brands and check out websites like <a href="http://www.howtostartaclothingcompany.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">How to Start a Clothing Company</a> (HTSACC) to get as much insight as you can."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In an <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/270271" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">article for Entrepreneur</a>, contributor Toby Nwazor said that knowing where to produce the clothing line is an extremely important decision because the clothing line's initial quality will be what the business' reputation is based on, for better or for worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">2. Have something unique</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The fashion market has always been a crowded one, so to stand out, you need something truly unique. <a href="https://www.albamclothing.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Albam Clothing</a>, a U.K.-based menswear brand started in 2006, started with co-founder Alastair Rae and his business partner designing with eight original styles, which would become Albam's line of high-quality men's fashion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The idea was borne out of a joint frustration that we had over the price and quality of men's clothing available at the time," Rae said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Albam's success stems from its founders' dedication to producing something different than what was out there on the market. Similarly, Johnson stressed the importance of bringing something fresh to the table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"If you squeeze out the same thing that everyone else is making, people are going to go with the existing brand instead of you," he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">3. Secure your startup funds and establish a pricing model</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To build up your initial inventory, you'll need the money to produce it. HTSACC defines an "indie" clothing line as one that wants to produce high-quality products and plans to expand in the future once the brand grows. The site estimates that indie brands need a <a href="http://www.howtostartaclothingcompany.com/costs-starting-clothing-company/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">minimum of $500</a> to get going. If you want in-house production, it could take as much as $10,000 in startup costs. Five hundred dollars to $2500 is usually where most indie brands land.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I ended up doing preorder designs once I got the hang of the business," Johnson said. "I was able to get an idea of what was selling and have the funds up front to pay for production."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nwazor wrote that to ensure a profit, the entrepreneur must establish wholesale and retail rates higher than the expenses. A target for these rates would be to earn a profit margin 30 to 50 percent higher than associated expenses, he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">4. Find a manufacturer</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Making your own clothes by hand is fine when you only have a few customers, but as your brand grows, you may need to outsource in order to scale your operation. Johnson enlisted the help of a screen-printing friend to produce the clothing for his Florida-based company. Rae, on the other hand, was developing new fabrics for Albam clothes and wanted to find local manufacturers right off the bat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"A big challenge for us was convincing factories that we were serious about manufacturing in the U.K.," Rae said. "They were not used to new businesses approaching them."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To prepare for manufacturing, Nwazor suggested securing capital through investments from others, typically loans, or from the entrepreneur's personal money. The initial investment will range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending upon inventory and quality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">5. Learn how to market</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Knowing how to market is critical for success. Having a good website for you brand makes it easier for customers to shop for your products, but advertising is what drives them to the site. Johnson quickly learned that paid advertising just wasn't worth it. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[See Related Story: <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6874-word-of-mouth-referrals.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When Customer Loyalty Isn't Enough, Turn to Word-of-Mouth</a>]</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I realized that word of mouth was the best way to spread the news about my brand without dropping a lot of money," he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nwazor agrees that a great online presence is important.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You have a lot to lose if you don't move your business online, because the online commerce market is more important than brick-and-mortar location," he wrote.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">6. Listen to your customers</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Listen to your customers' feedback," Rae advised. "Don't be afraid to remake old styles that customers are asking for, or kill a best-seller if it feels like the right thing to do."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Johnson also recommended getting customer input before making major changes, and if you do modify your brand, do it slowly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"A sudden switch is not only going to make customers question [your brand], but it'll likely cause sales to plummet because people have a tough time with major changes when they have a good thing going," Johnson said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like any startup, clothing lines take a lot of hard work and dedication. You will meet some challenges along the way, but if you believe in yourself and your brand, you'll succeed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Owning a clothing line isn't an easy or glamorous endeavor," Johnson said. "It's tough work that pays off successfully if you give it your all and enjoy what you do."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">_</span><span style="font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Jennifer Post</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-41735606012338532612017-08-08T00:08:00.002-07:002017-08-08T00:08:33.385-07:00Business Idea: Home Staging<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3hSUeqzPAfC4Q2eisnnDXnUsJIzdiH36YCx1fVFndiszQMvtOeUaGaj2Z8a2DGZPi_zkE-egi3C1xUqeFFOzJP4eXTwPFnAucOedfJ6gjwqK94KsJHlXBzwtp_zQ9ddmjHGgoUJucRU/s1600/crow-stepped-gable-228402__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3hSUeqzPAfC4Q2eisnnDXnUsJIzdiH36YCx1fVFndiszQMvtOeUaGaj2Z8a2DGZPi_zkE-egi3C1xUqeFFOzJP4eXTwPFnAucOedfJ6gjwqK94KsJHlXBzwtp_zQ9ddmjHGgoUJucRU/s320/crow-stepped-gable-228402__340.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did you know that 35 million Americans plan on moving out of their homes this year? That means that millions of houses in the United States will soon be fair game for real estate agents, brokers and — most importantly for budding entrepreneurs — <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4198-american-home-sale.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">home stagers</a> .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Home staging, or real estate enhancement, is the act of making a home more attractive to potential buyers through interior design, re-organization and de-cluttering. Surveys by the</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=0&club_id=304550" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Real Estate Staging Association</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">suggest that homes staged by professionals usually sell within two months or fewer after being listed. Homes that weren't staged prior to going on the market were found to take nearly four times as long to find a buyer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sellers like to hire home stagers because of the potential value that the services can add to the selling price of a property. <a href="http://online-real-estate-sites-review.toptenreviews.com/?cmpid=ttr-bnd" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">real estate brokers</a> may also wish to employ stagers to increase the value of a sale and help a house move faster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Starting your own staging business can be as simple as creating a website for your company and building your reputation. There are no licenses or special qualifications needed to begin staging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, there are <a href="http://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=304550&module_id=76546" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">many training programs</a> to help those interested in home staging get started. And it might behoove beginners to get an education on what services they should provide their clients before jumping into the ring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is also plenty of information available online for those who wish to learn more about what home staging entails. And as with any business, it would behoove a prospective home stager to do some research on the market in his or her area before <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/30-writing-small-business-plans-resources.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">writing a business plan</a>. Check out the competition from other home staging businesses as well as the general climate of real estate in your locale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Home staging businesses are also highly customizable. If you find that the staging market is slow in your area, you can expand your services to include home organizing or design consulting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The right <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2334-social-media-marketing-bndmp.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">social media marketing</a> strategy will allow you to advertise your business to the appropriate demographic, build a solid reputation, and better cater to the needs of home owners in your local market.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">_</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">Elizabeth Peterson</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-42178859018156660812017-08-06T23:06:00.001-07:002017-08-06T23:06:44.919-07:005 Tips for Attracting Angel Investors<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMacYqnJjXuZz6qNx7wCeEnC1JRpAyetaQ5uABvuaXtmwFqvgVMq-WebgjYSM7rz5LWdNVG4YI5iECPf2AiWipfo3bHlDBqD0Jd9jqyawd_Ob-_WyMPELKXfYTOUmR7ryd4T97OlplF4/s1600/download+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMacYqnJjXuZz6qNx7wCeEnC1JRpAyetaQ5uABvuaXtmwFqvgVMq-WebgjYSM7rz5LWdNVG4YI5iECPf2AiWipfo3bHlDBqD0Jd9jqyawd_Ob-_WyMPELKXfYTOUmR7ryd4T97OlplF4/s1600/download+%25284%2529.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What do you do when you have a great business idea, but don't have the money to fund it? While some entrepreneurs turn to small business loans or crowdfunding, others seek out angel investors, individuals or groups of individuals who invest in startups in exchange for an equity share of the company. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An angel investor is an attractive funding option for startups that are too small to attract <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4252-venture-capital.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">venture capitalists</a>, who generally invest larger sums of money. According to <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5013-angel-investor-growth.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">recent research</a>, angel investing is on the rise, and many angels plan to increase the number and dollar amount of the investments they make in 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.chriscamillo.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Chris Camillo</a>, an author, entrepreneur and angel investor whose recent ventures include automotive software company eCarList and social analysis platform HedgeChatter, has worked with many early-stage startups to help bring their business ideas to life. Camillo offered these five tips to entrepreneurs who want to appeal to angel investors: <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/95-angel-investors-offer-early-financing-for-small-businesses.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[What Are Angel Investors?]</a></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Create a</strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">dream team.</strong> Angels invest in people and ideas, not valuation models. Investors must perceive the management team as capable of delivering on the company's vision and goals. Choose partners and other key team members based on complementary skills. For example, a technology startup could have one highly business-savvy founder and a highly technical one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Be transparent. </strong>Attractive startups understand both what angels are excited by and what they're scared of. In particular, they are transparent and address questions of risk upfront. Losing money is a fear, but not necessarily the biggest one early on, which is often perceived untrustworthiness and other character flaws.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Know whom you're pitching. </strong>This may seem overly simple, but entrepreneurs will have the most success when they seek out the ideal investors for their project. Many angels tend to favor a particular sector, and angel-investing groups can revolve around a theme, such as clean tech, biotech, consumer products or even <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5171-female-entrepreneurs-mindset.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">female-owned</a> companies. Targeting your pitches is preferable to an impersonal mass pitching approach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Prove your worth. </strong>Startups need to properly vet their idea and business model before they can expect to receive large amounts of investment capital. <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4134-what-is-crowdfunding.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Crowdfunding</a> is an excellent way to prove market validation, especially for consumer technology and product companies. Angels and even some venture capitalists may use this as a filter to determine if a startup is promising.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Focus your efforts. </strong>Many startups are understandably worried all the time about how to keep the lights on. Startups should focus on building the best possible product/service/company for their target customers. If they get that part right, the other pieces — like funding — will fall into place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">_</span><span style="font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Nicole Fallon</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-6732238566397674452017-08-06T23:01:00.005-07:002017-08-06T23:03:39.640-07:004 Ways to Win Startup Investors<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://img.purch.com/rc/816x500/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vaW1hZ2VzL2kvMDAwLzAwNC82OTEvb3JpZ2luYWwvcGlnZ3liYW5rcy5qcGc=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="800" height="195" src="https://img.purch.com/rc/816x500/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vaW1hZ2VzL2kvMDAwLzAwNC82OTEvb3JpZ2luYWwvcGlnZ3liYW5rcy5qcGc=" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's rare for entrepreneurs to have all the capital they need to start a business at the exact moment a great idea strikes. More often than not, a startup needs a little bit of financial help before it can get off the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A business can raise funds a number of ways, including through business loans, <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4134-what-is-crowdfunding.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">crowdfunding</a> and large-scale investors. Raad Mobrem, CEO and co-founder of tech startup <a href="http://lettuceapps.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lettuce</a>, took the investor route for his company, and successfully secured several million dollars during his first round of fundraising. Mobrem offered these four tips to help you win over potential investors.</span></div>
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<li><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Be prepared</b>.</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;">One sure-fire way to lose a potential investor is by showing you don't know your own company inside and out. You should be able to list every single relevant number off the top of your head if an investor brings it up.</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5711-angel-investor-tips.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[How to Attract Angel Investors]</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Never cold call an investor</b>. </span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;">The best way to get familiar with an</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;">investor </span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;">you don't know is to get introduced by someone they do know. This could be another investor in your company, or even someone at another company that the specific investor has previously supported. By getting introduced to a potential investor through a mutual connection, you're already positioning yourself as a worthwhile investment.</span></li>
<li><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Ask for advice</b>. </span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;">Asking investors for advice is a great way to share your startup idea without directly asking for funding. This is especially helpful if you find yourself with a lack of connections. Ask for tips on pitching other investors, how to best present yourself, who they can introduce you to, etc. If they show interest in your company, you can sweeten the deal by offering a small equity stake.</span></li>
<li><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Remember</b> that you are the investment. </span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;">Most startup entrepreneurs don't realize it, but in the initial fundraising phase, potential investors aren't really investing in an idea or a company; they are investing in the entrepreneur. When securing seed funding, be polished. Know all the numbers and nuances of your idea and company, and present yourself in a way that will create confidence in your abilities as a business owner. Potential investors are deciding if they think you can run a company and manage the hardships of a startup, not whether your company is a viable business venture.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While funding can help get a great startup idea going, it shouldn't necessarily be your lifeline. Instead, Mobrem advised taking the time to build a successful enterprise, regardless of immediate funding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"A startup is in trouble if they are dependent on funding, so it is great to start out lean," Mobrem said. "By being lean, you can organically grow and re-invest your profits to increase your company's rate of growth. As entrepreneurs, we convince ourselves that we need to grow fast, or competition will defeat us. Instead, focus on what will make your company successful, even if that means taking 20 years to build it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">_<span style="font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Nicole Fallon</span></span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-25907647116777751922017-08-06T22:13:00.003-07:002017-08-06T22:13:40.368-07:00Why These Founders Train Their Employees to Quit<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather, Times, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Craig Handley and Tony Ricciardi started a company that speaks their customers’ language—<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">literally.</i></div>
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Their business, <a href="http://www.listentrust.com/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2093d2; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">ListenTrust</a>, is a bilingual, live-agent, English-Spanish sales and customer service company. When consumers need help in English or Spanish, there’s a good chance a ListenTrust agent answers the phone and fixes the problem in either tongue.</div>
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In a decade, they’ve generated over $1 billion in sales for clients. They’re on track to boost revenue by almost 60 percent over the next two years. And when disaster struck (twice), they saved the company from the brink—thanks to unbelievable hard work and perseverance.</div>
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It started when Handley and Ricciardi saw a gap in the call center market back in 2001: Spanish-speaking sales and customer service agents were rare. Few companies saw the need to communicate with Spanish speakers in their native language. But Handley and Ricciardi saw the demographic was a growing economic force—one that would want to buy, sell and receive service support in Spanish.</div>
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Fast forward to today: ListenTrust employs more than 1,000 agents who speak Spanish, English or both. Clients source ListenTrust to handle sales and customer service calls—and ListenTrust is good at selling their clients’ products on these calls.</div>
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“We have skilled agents who deeply understand the sales process and how to sell our clients’ products in Spanish and English,” says Handley. He says these customer service calls consist of around 25 percent sales and 75 percent customer service inquiries, which he predicts will be 50/50 within a few years.</div>
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The result is happy customers for ListenTrust and its clients. So happy, the company is on track to do an estimated $17 million in revenue this year, a substantial increase from the $13.5 million achieved in 2016. That revenue comes from the money ListenTrust makes on a per minute, per hour, or performance basis for each call.</div>
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How has the company come from nowhere to dominate this market, despite experiencing every challenge in the entrepreneur's playbook? Their secret is a laser-focus on culture, both that in their company and of the Spanish-speaking market.</div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Training employees to quit.</b></h2>
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ListenTrust’s company culture starts with a simple, and shocking, premise.</div>
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“When we hire you, we tell you exactly what we’re doing: training you to quit,” enthuses Handley. This isn’t some BS corporate policy that employees secretly roll their eyes about. Handley, Ricciardi, and upper management work directly with employees to chart where they want to go in their lives and exactly how to get there.</div>
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The program targets six pillars of personal development from career goals to intellectual growth. The result is a clear blueprint for each employee on how to achieve their dreams and how ListenTrust fits into that picture. Employees then receive one-on-one mentorship, online training, and live events to get them there.</div>
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Image credit: ListenTrust</div>
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The result is positive and pragmatic.</div>
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“People see that the fastest way for their dreams to come true is to master our sales process and become an expert,” says Handley.</div>
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The program is called DreamTrust internally, and it has created market-beating success.</div>
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ListenTrust today averages a “save rate” (preventing a return or cancellation) of 15 out of every 100. The competition averages one or two out of every 100.</div>
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With one client, ListenTrust outperformed significantly less expensive call centers in India and the Philippines. Even though they had a higher cost than those locations, they created enough revenue to add several million dollars in additional profit to their client’s bottom line.</div>
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When ListenTrust moved into English-speaking call centers, they continued to dominate. The company took a campaign from another center doing $8 in revenue per call and within a month ListenTrust agents produced $24 per call on the same campaign.</div>
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“Even with live U.S.-based agents, competitors couldn’t come within $6 of our revenue per call,” says Handley. Handley and Ricciardi believe DreamTrust creates a competitive moat that competitors can’t touch. “People think we’re a call center,” says Ricciardi. “But we’re really providing positive ripples in everyone’s lives that make them better in every area.”</div>
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“Our turnover since starting DreamTrust has dropped from 24 percent to 4 percent,” says Handley.</div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box;">How to build a bulletproof company and culture.</b></h2>
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“We’ve been working toward the culture we have now for over a decade,” says Ricciardi. But it wasn’t always easy.</div>
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Early in the company’s life, Handley got blindsided by a couple of major client reversals. ListenTrust went from making $50,000 a week in profit to losing $70,000 a week, overnight. Handley literally lived out of the company offices in Mexico for months to turn the business around.</div>
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“We went to every one of our suppliers with extreme cuts,” says Handley. ListenTrust’s suppliers tried to negotiate, so Handley closed nearly all his supplier accounts.</div>
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“We had nothing to lose since we were going out of business if we couldn’t turn revenue around,” explains Handley. He let suppliers sit for up to two weeks, then told each they had one last opportunity to earn ListenTrust’s business back. The strategy worked. Handley and Ricciardi shaved $4 million off its annual expenses and turned the company around.</div>
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Image credit: ListenTrust</div>
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This type of hustle, resilience and good humor in the face of adversity are trademark Handley and Ricciardi—their personalities are the secret ingredients to the ListenTrust success story.</div>
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They laughingly describe themselves as “goofballs,” and it’s easy to get the impression these guys are having just too much fun while making money hand-over-fist.</div>
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Handley is fond of talking about all his insane adventures. He’s driven a snowmobile across a live volcano, jumped out of a plane from over 30,000 feet (one of fewer than 200 civilians to do so) and with his abiding interest in music, performed as the opening act at one of the concerts for the rapper Coolio. He even scored an invite to billionaire Richard Branson’s private island after impersonating a security guard to get backstage at an event Branson was speaking at.</div>
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“I’m a strong-looking guy, so I dressed in something a security guard might wear and walked in the back, flashing a badge with a piece of paper stuck on it that said ‘Security,’” laughs Handley. “I walked up to Richard, handed him my business card wrapped in a $20 bill and said ‘This is the first $20 we’re going to make together.’” Branson loved the approach. Handley’s been back to Necker Island half a dozen times since.</div>
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Handley’s no stranger to this type of fearless hustle. He got his start cold calling for customers in his mom’s basement and failed his way through three different companies before striking gold with ListenTrust. His reasoning: if he can live the life of his dreams, anyone willing to work hard enough can too.</div>
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Ricciardi’s background makes him just as passionate about building a company where employees can achieve their dreams. After previously working in toxic corporate work environments, he made it his career mission to create a bulletproof company culture.</div>
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But there was pushback against some of the firm’s efforts to build an incredible culture—and it came from their own staff in Mexico. Employees didn’t want to talk about personal issues with managers and executives, especially sensitive topics that might have related to their personal goals, like eliminating personal debt.</div>
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“Many people were guarded at first and didn’t want to talk about issues like that,” says Ricciardi. "You can’t blame them. They weren’t used to managers who cared about their personal goals and well-being." Handley adds, “A lot of companies in Mexico and internationally don’t view or treat their employees like we do.”</div>
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But over time, Handley and Ricciardi won.</div>
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Image credit: ListenTrust</div>
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DreamTrust started to work as more people bought into the program’s initiatives. With more employees bought in, Handley and Ricciardi had the excuse they needed to pursue their obsession with culture.</div>
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They quickly found out that their obsession was rewarding — personally and financially.</div>
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“Forrester Research came in to do a study to see how we could improve happiness. There were 45 total questions around things like the cleanliness of the building, our security, and the parking situation,” says Handley.</div>
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It turned out that a raise of 50 cents an hour increased performance, but happiness stayed the same. Interestingly, giving that money to charity instead ending up improving both performance and happiness. Happier employees were found to have higher close rates. The lesson? “It was profitable to do good,” says Handley.</div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Machine learning with a human advantage.</b></h2>
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Today, ListenTrust is busy solidifying its diligently forged culture across every part of the company.</div>
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That's more important than ever, given the firm’s growth trajectory. With advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence, Handley and Ricciardi see the future of the call center business as one where humans and machines work hand in hand to provide better service. “We believe AI, predictive models, and algorithms are really going to change the type of calls we’re going to handle and how those calls are processed,” says Ricciardi.</div>
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This technological shift could help the company better identify who wants to buy and who doesn’t and tailor offers appropriately for the best possible outcome. That means better service and prices for customers.</div>
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Image credit: ListenTrust</div>
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But it also means Handley and Ricciardi are committed to keeping ListenTrust’s human connection to its clients and their customers as strong as possible. So far, Handley and Ricciardi have done that by fanning the spark of culture at ListenTrust into a flame, giving the firm an immense advantage over its rivals.</div>
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It’s an advantage that shows no signs of abating. “When you ignite something, the fire gets stronger. We’re on fire,” adds Ricciardi.</div>
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_<span style="color: #363636; font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase;">THE ORACLES</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-76387152524495866662017-08-05T22:12:00.001-07:002017-08-05T22:12:20.128-07:00How to Start a Pop-Up Business<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmy6TgwaxWdQH4fgK1EanDVTlTMzMLBwg9kFZDJFyhk8ySUVNRj-c5G3sBheeWqWsqk35hSM_KdHWUoKu7HOvSt_gFAJvAE9xkGe8M0NoMA0RvPD6IKD6LsCQUx_A8-ELyl1wIAnEXds/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmy6TgwaxWdQH4fgK1EanDVTlTMzMLBwg9kFZDJFyhk8ySUVNRj-c5G3sBheeWqWsqk35hSM_KdHWUoKu7HOvSt_gFAJvAE9xkGe8M0NoMA0RvPD6IKD6LsCQUx_A8-ELyl1wIAnEXds/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During the holiday season, most major U.S. cities open up temporary public marketplaces for people to purchase gifts, treats and other seasonal items. But pop-up stores aren't just for the holidays — all year round, both new and established brands set up limited-time retail locations to generate buzz about their products.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whether you're an e-commerce merchant testing out your goods in a brick-and-mortar setting or an entrepreneur scouting out a good permanent location, a pop-up store can help you achieve your business goals. Business News Daily spoke with two industry experts about why pop-ups work, and how to open one successfully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The perks of pop-ups</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The pop-up model's temporary nature offers several advantages over a traditional brick-and-mortar storefront.For one,pop-up store owners can afford to be more creative and experimental in the design of their short-term space, said Jeremy Baras, author of "<a href="http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1119145910.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PopUp Republic: How to Start Your Own Successful Pop-Up Space, Shop, or Restaurant</a>" (Wiley, 2015). There are also fewer inherent risks when you don't have the long-term commitment of a commercial lease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Melissa Gonzalez, founder of the Lion'esque Group and author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Pop-Up-Paradigm-Connections-ebook/dp/B00P04ZYRA?tag=businessnewsdaily-20" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Pop Up Paradigm: How Brands Build Human Connections in a Digital Age</a>" (Lioncrest Publishing, 2014), agreed that pop-up stores' limited engagements give them an edge, especially when it comes to establishing corporate partnerships.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You can test partnerships [with a pop-up]," Gonzalez said. "They can share a space [with you] and see if [you] work well together."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Consumers love pop-ups, too. Gonzalez said that shoppers come into a pop-up store with a different mind-set — instead of expecting consistency as they do from regular retail stores, they're coming into pop-ups to discover new things and "be surprised and delighted."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Customers love a F.O.M.O. (fear of missing out) experience, and given the exclusive, 'here-today-gone-tomorrow' type of atmosphere that pop-ups offer, customers are naturally drawn to them," Baras added.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Unique challenges</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite their benefits, pop-ups do have to deal with a few challenges that traditional retail businesses don't face. One of the biggest issues relates to the process of planning and marketing. Opening any type of store requires an enormous amount of work to coordinate all the logistics. But whereas regular brick-and-mortars have time to build momentum, pop-ups need to generate tons of interest and sales right off the bat to make their investment worth it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Marketing is challenging because you're there in a temporary space," Gonzalez said. "If you're Marc Jacobs and have millions of followers, you put it out on social [that you're doing a pop-up], and people will show up. As a new brand ... make sure there's a proper plan to notify your following and build your digital footprint ... throughout the duration of the pop-up, so people know."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To achieve this goal, Gonzalez recommended a slightly longer pop-up time frame (several weeks instead of several days) to allow time for word of mouth to travel. She also said to set a large enough budget to give you room for the right location, décor, staff and promotional activities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The other major challenge pop-up stores face is the ability to properly license their business. Pop-ups aren't quite a mainstream retail concept yet, so there haven't been any special licenses or permits developed specifically for them. Baras said securing the appropriate documentation will become easier as economic development and local government officials learn about the benefits of pop-ups and how they can affect communities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Tips for success</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gonzalez and Baras offered the following advice for entrepreneurs looking to succeed with a pop-up model.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Have a goal. </strong>Don't open a pop-up just for the sake of doing it, Gonzalez said. You should have a larger objective in mind for your brand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Be clear on your goal [and make it] something specific," she said. "It should be to test a new product, enter a new market, educate [consumers], etc. Then, understand the customer you want to go after."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Review your options. </strong>You don't necessarily have to seek out a full-scale storefront for your temporary shop. Baras said that the "store-within-a-store" concept — setting up a small booth inside an existing store to sell similar, complementary products — is becoming popular, and Gonzalez noted that mobile units and kiosks are great ways to enter the pop-up space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you do decide to go for a brick-and-mortar location, apps like <a href="http://app.thestorefront.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Storefront</a>can help you find available retail space in the city you want to open your pop-up in. Storefront allows you to search by geographic location, and the rental fees for most of the locations are listed as the price per day.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Keep the customer relationship going. </strong>Your relationship with the people who shopped at your pop-up doesn't end when the store closes. Gonzalez said it's important to think about the long-term marketing implications of the data you gather during your pop-up event.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Your pop-up is open for a week and you make some sales, but it's the information you're collecting about customers that drive sales throughout the next two quarters," she said. "Where are they sharing information — Facebook over Twitter? Instagram over Facebook? What products, colors, etc. [did they buy]? How many people are coming inside [and] converting?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Technology can also help you stay connected with customers after they've left the store. Customers often use pop-ups for "showrooming" — visiting a physical retail location to see and touch a product, and then purchasing it online later. With technology like in-store tablets and augmented reality, pop-up owners are able to extend their inventory offering without bringing the actual items into the store, Gonzalez said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Enjoy the ride. </strong>As with any entrepreneurial venture, you'll have a lot more success with your pop-up store if you're passionate about it and truly enjoy what you're doing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Everyone has a hobby, and pop-ups allow individuals to turn their hobbies into a business," Baras said. "By being creative and having fun with it, 'popupreneurs' can create a concept that stands out, generates significant foot traffic and enhances their brand. And who knows? Maybe a successful pop-up can, in fact, turn someone's hobby into a successful business."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">_</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">Nicole Fallon</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-80153854421528276582017-08-05T22:08:00.001-07:002017-08-05T22:08:47.534-07:00New Business Idea? How to Test It Before Launching<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqEoGHtd7t0BHaVPFVXkJU44jANzDgH3tfv6P78l6cHxgj39G-iUr43gVTkImdQ2dBpKJ1MNttQl_B7WkdRISGNx7m6mLinmWhSZFthld_jeQM8c8k2Bqqy8JjdZ5Ywkr71UoLqdvDLM/s1600/download+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqEoGHtd7t0BHaVPFVXkJU44jANzDgH3tfv6P78l6cHxgj39G-iUr43gVTkImdQ2dBpKJ1MNttQl_B7WkdRISGNx7m6mLinmWhSZFthld_jeQM8c8k2Bqqy8JjdZ5Ywkr71UoLqdvDLM/s1600/download+%25283%2529.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you have an idea for the "next big thing"? You may think your idea is perfect the way it is, but it's wise to test it out before you spend a lot of time and money developing a business or product for which there's no market. Here are six steps to help you make sure your product is something the world wants, before you launch it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1.</strong> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">First wait; then build a prototype or test service.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although you're excited about your new business idea, you might want to wait a while before testing it, <a href="http://twitter.com/gregisenberg" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Greg Isenberg</a>, a venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur, said in a 2014 interview.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"After I've gone through the process of writing down a bunch of ideas, I don't like to rush into building a business plan or recruiting the team," Isenberg said. "I like to wait a few weeks, [to] see which ideas really stick with me."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Isenberg said he only moves forward if he has a burning feeling that the world really needs his idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Once I'm through that, the best way to test a business idea is to build some prototype and show it to people to get some honest and authentic feedback," he said. <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/start-your-business#business-ideas" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[Looking for a business idea? Visit our Business Idea Page]</strong></a></span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Build a minimum viable product.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A minimum viable product, or MVP, is "the simplest form of your idea that you can actually sell as product," said Eric Ries, a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and the author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0307887898/?tag=businessnewsdaily-20" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Lean Startup</a>" (Crown Business, 2011). Using the principles of Lean Six Sigma, Ries' book advocates having a version of the product to test and market early in the development process so that any tweaks or changes are in response to real feedback from the target audience.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Run it by a group of critics.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you have your first prototype or test service ready, take it to your potential target customers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You should talk [to] and/or survey at least 50 potential customers, to see if they identify with the problem the same way you do," said Wayde Gilchrist, a startup consultant and host at <a href="http://techstartradio.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">TechStartRadio.com</a>. "In other words, you need to find out if this is a real problem for a majority of your target market, or just a few," he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, to really put your new business idea to the test, select your 50 potential clients or customers carefully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Identify people in that target you know to be skeptical and critical," said Chip Bell, founder of the business consultancy firm <a href="http://www.chipbell.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Chip Bell Group</a>. "These people could be irate customers from previous encounters, or friends who always take the glass-half-empty perspective."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bell advised handpicking your test group and then asking these people to pick your ideas apart.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Tweak it to suit your test market.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Isenberg took a similar approach to testing 5by, an Internet video finder app he developed and has since sold. Isenberg and his team went to college campuses and showed mock-ups of what the product was going to look like. They found the feedback from students invaluable in fine-tuning the original idea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We were able to quickly gauge that people ... were frustrated that they couldn't open an app and just be able to find the best Internet videos in whatever they were interested in with just a tap of a button," he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Isenberg realized that although his initial business idea and mock-up were a good start, they needed tweaking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We quickly knew we were onto something, and then focused on building out the product, raising money, etc.," he said.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Create a test website with social media tie-ins.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once the word is out about your product or business, the target market needs a place to get more information about it or to show it to their friends. Building a simple website and using social media are ideal tools to provide information and monitor how many people are interested in what you are selling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You'll be able to tell if the idea will get traction from the number of click-throughs on the ads, and the number of people who fill in your form," Gilchrist said. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Create a marketing plan and use it.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All of the preparatory work means nothing if you do not perform enough actions to get a good measure of response. Once you have a viable product, you need to be able to act on the interest in it, said Ryan Clements, a consultant to entrepreneurs on marketing and sales strategy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Having worked with many startups — both on my own account as entrepreneur and as an adviser to others — I like to use a rule I call 100 / 1,000," Clements wrote in a <a href="https://www.ivyexec.com/executive-insights/2015/how-to-test-a-new-business-idea-before-you-quit-your-job/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">blog post on IvyExec</a>. "Make a list of 100 things you can do to market the product, and then execute that list of 100, and in the process, speak with 1,000 people about the product."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you do this, you will have data on your product, Clements said. You'll know who is interested in it, what marketing strategies worked and didn't work, and how you can improve, all of which are invaluable steps in getting your idea and business off the ground, he added.</span></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">_</span></em><span style="font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Marci Martin</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-58502452066463426962017-08-05T22:04:00.002-07:002017-08-05T22:04:48.584-07:0010 Business Ideas with No Costs<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-ZNyE6ywVV5rOmDHOze8BMjSNGL4DfdVD4eCHez-1jF5YL-MPv-hE6quHYI3psCLOPWUsSPTwrHJf62ImUwzEklBWtWyzPxCbWlzz3nGXteagrB1wxkrbUR7vxjO3mCiSZBwesYXJrw/s1600/download+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-ZNyE6ywVV5rOmDHOze8BMjSNGL4DfdVD4eCHez-1jF5YL-MPv-hE6quHYI3psCLOPWUsSPTwrHJf62ImUwzEklBWtWyzPxCbWlzz3nGXteagrB1wxkrbUR7vxjO3mCiSZBwesYXJrw/s1600/download+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Starting a business is quite the financial undertaking. There is a lot to consider, and lack of money can sometimes be a deterrent for would-be entrepreneurs. For those who are dreaming big but are on a small budget, here are a few low-cost businesses to inspire that entrepreneurial passion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Content creation</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Social media and the 24-hour news cycle have created the perfect storm of opportunity for creative professionals like writers and graphic designers, who can use their talents to create high-quality, shareable content for businesses and media outlets. Thanks to a growing <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5534-part-time-economy.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">part-time economy</a> of freelance and contract workers, it's easier than ever to market yourself as a professional freelancer. [<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">See Related Story: </strong><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8753-content-marketing-changes.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">New Content Marketing: 5 Major Changes Brands Need to Make</strong></a>]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Event planning</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you're a highly organized, detail-oriented individual who loves putting parties together, you might have the right personality to launch an event-planning business. Working for weddings, birthday parties and class reunions, event planners make it easy for others to host an exciting party. LinkedIn, cold calling and planning a few pro-bono events will help give you the proper experience. This will also help you build up a solid database of vendors and contacts so you can help your clients orchestrate the event of their dreams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Errand/concierge service</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Parents are busy with job responsibilities and driving their children from one activity to the next. So most working parents have very little time left to take care of personal errands like grocery shopping, making returns at the mall or mailing packages. The right, driven individual can take care of these time-consuming errands for clients and free up their days for the important things in life. Account for travel expenses when determining your rates, which can be hourly or by the task.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Music lessons</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the musically gifted, offering lessons to others who want to learn an instrument can be a great source of extra income. Unless you're teaching piano, students can likely bring their own instruments to your home for hour-long lessons. Stock up on <a href="http://sheet-music-review.toptenreviews.com/?cmpid=ttr-bnd" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">sheet music</a> or songbooks in varying genres and aimed at various skill levels so you can offer a wide selection for your potential clients. Voice lessons can also bring in a lot of money if you market yourself to local high school and community theater groups.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Social media consulting</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Larger firms can hire an agency or full-time staff member to run their Facebook and Twitter accounts and blogs, but small businesses often have to take care of their own <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7832-social-media-for-business.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">social media marketing</a>. With so many other responsibilities, business owners may be too busy or overwhelmed to spend time coming up with a great social media strategy. As a consultant, you can help them determine the best tactics, posting schedules and content for their target audience. As their follower counts grow, so will your business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Etsy is a popular online marketplace that hosts thousands of at-home retailers and larger productions, like the highly-rated <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WildflowerandCompany?ref=hp_shop" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wildflower + co</a>., selling jewelry, patches and DIY merchandise. Starting an Etsy shop is incredibly affordable. It's free to join the site and start a shop, though business owners should be aware there are three selling <a href="https://www.etsy.com/sell?ref=hdr&from_page=https://www.etsy.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">fees</a>: the listing, transaction and payment-processing fees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What are you passionate about? Yoga? Baking? Web design? If you know something inside and out, you can help others enrich their lives by offering virtual classes. Create downloadable instructional packets and videos, or schedule real-time Skype lessons with clients. Another option for aspiring educators is to start a virtual or home-based tutoring service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This business requires you to plan and prepare weekly or daily meals for your clients, so strong cooking skills and a working knowledge of nutrition and special diets (if applicable) are a must. You don't necessarily need to have graduated from culinary school, but having some cooking classes under your belt will boost your credibility. While you may have to do some traveling to and from supermarkets and client homes, your customers should cover the cost of ingredients in addition to your service charge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you're fluent in a second language, you can find work converting written and spoken words from one language to another. Broadening international ties and an increase in the number of non-English speakers in the U.S. make this a fast-growing field, with the Bureau of Labor Services predicting 42 percent growth by 2020. You can start your own independent service and market yourself to businesses, schools, hospitals, courtrooms and conference centers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Software training</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you proficient in a highly specialized software? There's a big demand for training from amateurs and professionals looking to expand their skill sets. Technical manuals are available for programs like QuickBooks and Final Cut Pro, but these are often expensive and difficult for the average user to understand. Schedule small group workshops or private sessions, and charge by the hour when giving a full tutorial of the program. Patience and a great personality are critical.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">_</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">Shannon Gausepohl</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-24266367919734918482017-08-05T22:01:00.002-07:002017-08-05T22:01:31.985-07:00How to Become an Event Planner<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHIhyrFgDjyWOJ80QMNGxU-N5zj_YOmughx90eqjpJtFBZL32Ru662OZhu2okXJO7SCi76XtuPp6K8S_1iNXNm1eOYlCop0iM5-6CBy_Tp12jaYBxEjNeRL13TVndQfT7nnlh1dWy6Jk/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHIhyrFgDjyWOJ80QMNGxU-N5zj_YOmughx90eqjpJtFBZL32Ru662OZhu2okXJO7SCi76XtuPp6K8S_1iNXNm1eOYlCop0iM5-6CBy_Tp12jaYBxEjNeRL13TVndQfT7nnlh1dWy6Jk/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good company makes for a memorable event, but the little details matter as well. Food, music, decorations and aesthetics are all important aspects of a quality party. If you're the organized creative among your group of friends, hosting gatherings or planning nights out, you might want to channel that passion into a career.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You don't have to be the life of the party to put together a successful soiree. In fact, many event planners prefer being "behind the scenes." Those who can remain calm under pressure, think creatively and negotiate a good deal are the ones who will succeed in the industry. Here's everything you need to know to start your career as an event planner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The industry</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/meeting-convention-and-event-planners.htm" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> reports that event-planning jobs are due to grow by 10 percent by 2024, which is faster than average.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">According to an article by <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/37892-1" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Entrepreneur</a>, there are two distinct markets for event planners: the corporate market and the social market. Corporate planners are hired by companies to organize meetings, conferences and other work-related events. Social planners, on the other hand, cover weddings, birthday celebrations and other types of occasions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Being an event planner is a dream job, but it doesn't come easy," said Chelsea LaFollette</span></div>
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co-owner and event coordinator at <a href="https://brillianteventplanning.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brilliant Event Planning</a>. "It took years to break into the industry, but I encourage anyone who wants to pursue a career in events to put in the time and energy."</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">LaFollette added that you'll likely have to work long hours and weekends for free before getting your first paid gig, but it shouldn't discourage you: "Watching people enjoy the events you put together is amazingly rewarding," she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To make a name in the industry, you'll want to master the art before going solo. Interning and gaining experience will set you aside from other aspiring event planners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's important to understand how much work is involved in planning events, both with the prep work that takes up to weeks in advance down to the setup and breakdown, which can be backbreaking work," said Seri Kertzner, co-creator of <a href="http://littlemisspartyplanner.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Little Miss Party Planner</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Choosing your market</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you're new to the business, it may be easier to get started in the social market. Not only are you more likely to find clients among friends and relatives for social events like weddings or graduation parties, you'll also gain valuable experience in negotiating and organizing that will be useful in the high-pressure world of corporate planning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mindy Weiss, creator of <a href="http://mindyweiss.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mindy Weiss Party Consultants</a>, recommends sticking with a broad range of events, especially when you're first starting out. This will provide you with experience across the board. While you can certainly establish a specialty, as long as you keep innovating, there's no need to limit yourself to a particular type of party, she told Business News Daily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, many well-known event planners choose to specialize in organizing specific kinds of events.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"In our company, we take great pride in designing events and seeing them through from start to finish both creatively and logistically," said Kertzner. "With that said, you will be better at your job if you have a clear focus."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kertzner noted that her company does not tackle weddings; rather, they handle more intimate events like baby showers and birthdays. Choosing the market that aligns well with your goals sets you up for success. Don't try to tackle events that you are uninterested or inexperienced in just to prove that you're cultured in the art.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Additionally, you should research the market in your area to determine what kind of planning service is most needed. Your business will connect people with goods and services in their own communities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Sites for inspiration</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Social media is crucial to becoming a successful event planner. Having a presence on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and, of course, having your own website will expand your following and build your brand. It takes time to attract customers, so be patient while being consistent with posts and your other promotional activities online. When someone is satisfied with an event you planned for them, they can credit you on social media and recruit potential customers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Additional sites like <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinterest</a>, <a href="https://studiodiy.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Studio DIY</a> and <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh Happy Day</a> are great resources for event planners. Research platforms that excite you in your work endeavors and stick with them through the planning process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"[These platforms] provide daily inspiration with their incredibly creative, fresh ideas that are unique to this party planning market," said Kertzner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Weiss noted that while she loves social media sites, she also tries to channel the latest home décor and fashion trends, allowing her to "stay ahead of the curve," she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">_</span><span style="font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Sammi Caramela</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-23136446403830106432017-08-05T21:58:00.005-07:002017-08-05T21:58:57.675-07:007 Business Ideas That Don't Require Employees<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4eYmm7eB0blVmsd2k6jNCidMsMMHzumjgm7hZ2TomcZeRDcx-Z6MKf7lMMOm0J1lfr-IQ8rePzYTw3G03Rlnws9G-bzpT3gbqGMrEK6y7rPuQIVDMeTi-66LS4hWb87agN5CUEeHJtY/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4eYmm7eB0blVmsd2k6jNCidMsMMHzumjgm7hZ2TomcZeRDcx-Z6MKf7lMMOm0J1lfr-IQ8rePzYTw3G03Rlnws9G-bzpT3gbqGMrEK6y7rPuQIVDMeTi-66LS4hWb87agN5CUEeHJtY/s1600/download.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many entrepreneurs are embracing the "lean startup" model, in which operations are kept simple and overhead remains low. Few businesses are run leaner than those without any employees. A good "solopreneur" reaps all the benefits of the business, but also has to do all of the legwork. For some, this is the ideal arrangement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are seven ideas for a business owner who wants to go it alone:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Freelancer</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you have a particular skill, be it writing, graphic design, coding or anything in between, building up an independent network and offering your services as a freelancer is a great way to translate side hustle into full-time business. Easily started on the side of a 9-to-5, these types of arrangemetns can quickly blossom into full, one-person operations once a solid network and reliable body of work develop. In a few short months, a freelancer can often build up several regular clients; the aspiring solopreneur will find in this an opportunity to launch a business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Freelancers launching a full time company often incorporate their business as an LLC, which is a pass-through entity. This means that income is taxed at a personal level, rather than the corporate level. The wage or salary the solorpreneur takes, in other words, is subject to the personal income tax. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[Curious about freelance opportunities? Here are<a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5985-best-freelance-jobs.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> the fastest growing freelance jobs</a> right now.]</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Virtual Health Coaching</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you educated in nutrition but are still looking to get your career to go in the right direction? Turn your healthy lifestyle choices and education into lucrative business decisions by becoming a virtual health coach. You’ll be aided in your efforts by the myriad new health-related apps and devices being developed to help clients keep track of fitness goals and weight loss.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Chore/Errand Service for Seniors</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyone with aging loved ones knows how hard it can be to care for them without extra help. Elderly people living in their own homes need help with lots of routine chores like cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and yard work. Why not start a business that offers senior citizens and their families the help they need to maintain their households without breaking their budgets? With word-of-mouth endorsements and social media targeted at the <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2449-baby-boomers-supporting-parents-children.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">overworked baby-boomer</a> set, you could get this business off the ground in no time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Microbrewery</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Want to turn your love of beer into a viable occupation? Why not jump on the microbrewing bandwagon? With the popularity of craft beers on the rise in the U.S., the demand for innovative breweries is growing. Take a page from the successful owners of <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2205-brooklyn-brewery-story.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Brooklyn Brewery</a> and start by focusing on branding and distribution of your beverages. With some thirsty investors and a few barrels of persistence, you could have your brewery up and running faster than you can say "cheers!" Learn more about starting your own craft brewery in this <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9309-how-to-start-craft-brewery.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Business News Daily guide</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Personal Trainer</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With employers and corporations looking to decrease health care costs and a greater awareness of diseases associated with obesity, America is looking to get fit. Freelance personal trainers make their own schedules and work for a diverse range of clients. If you're a fitness guru with a head for business, this might just be the right idea for you. Learn more about <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3845-how-to-become-personal-trainer.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">how to become a personal trainer</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Special Deliveries</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whether it's a bouquet of flowers in celebration of a wedding anniversary or an ice cream cake delivery for a child's birthday, there's a need for businesses that carry out long-distance requests on behalf of those whose loved ones live far away. With the right website and a PayPal account, you could start building your reputation as a "special delivery" courier today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Business Coach</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you business-savvy with years of experience, and willing to pass that knowledge on to others? With the right marketing tactics, a strong personal network and a great website, it's simple to become a business coach on your own. Work with small business owners or startup-hopefuls to carefully craft business plans, and advise those who need that extra motivation. If you know you can be a good motivator and not just a "yes man," their investment in you will have great returns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">_</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">Adam C. Uzialko</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-59599117242048945492017-08-05T02:56:00.000-07:002017-08-05T02:56:07.300-07:00Want Top Talent? Give Employees the Flexibility They Seek<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you aren't giving your staff some flexibility in when and where they work, you likely are going to have a tough time attracting top job candidates moving forward, new research finds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The study from <a href="http://www.manpowergroupsolutions.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">ManpowerGroup Solutions</a> revealed that nearly 40 percent of job candidates worldwide said schedule flexibility is now among the top three factors they consider when making career decisions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Workplace flexibility as a talent management policy is no longer an option; it is an essential practice that enables organizations to attract and develop skilled talent," the <a href="http://www.manpowergroupsolutions.com/wps/wcm/connect/976d951f-5303-41d4-be36-4938169d2d80/ManpowerGroup_Solutions-Work_for_Me.pdf?MOD=AJPERES" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">study's authors wrote</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is important for employers to understand that workplace flexibility doesn't just refer to giving employees schedules that best suit their needs or allowing them to work from home on certain days. The study's authors said flexibility includes a broad spectrum of work arrangements, including the following:</span></div>
<ol style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px 0px 12px 25px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Flexible arrival and departure times</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Full-time work from home or location independence</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Choice and control in work shifts</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Part-time work from home</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Compressed shifts or workweek</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Opportunity for sabbaticals or career breaks (e.g., extended time off)</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unlimited paid time off</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Caregiving leave</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Workplace flexibility doesn't just mean working remotely," said Kate Donovan, senior vice president of ManpowerGroup Solutions and Global RPO president, <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/its-all-about-balance-flexibility-can-tip-the-scale-for-candidates-300490442.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">in a statement</a>. "It includes all types of working arrangements, from when to take breaks, working from home or caregiving leave. While no employer can accommodate every option, they can provide a range that appeal to a variety of candidates."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The research found that choosing when they start and end their shifts and being able to work from where they want are the two most desired types of flexible workplace policies for employees. Specifically, 26 percent of the employees surveyed said flexible arrival and departure times are most important, with 22 percent saying they prefer the ability to work from home or any other place they choose. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[Want to offer flexible work options? <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9745-flexible-work-policies.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here's what your employees want</a>]</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the U.S., 8 percent of employees desire an unlimited vacation policy, the largest group from any country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"In the United States, where workers regularly forgo paid vacation time, the allure of unlimited paid time off (PTO) remains," the study's authors wrote. "Some companies offer not only unlimited vacation days but also pay for employees to volunteer at nonprofits or give back to their communities."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To ensure they attract the top candidates, employers need to make sure they are creating policies that provide the types of flexibility today's employees are seeking, according to the study.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Organizations need to be ready to drop old work models that emphasize presenteeism over performance," Donovan said. "It's time to shift the needle – employers who meet candidate expectations around schedule flexibility have the advantage in recruiting and retaining the best talent."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ManpowerGroup Solutions offers several tips on how employers can better meet the demand for flexibility:</span></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Align incentives with outcomes</strong>. Instead of replacing face-time requirements with hours logged in on a virtual private network, which can be perceived by employees as inauthentic, employers should simply set goals and deadlines. If employees meet them, their bosses can worry less about when they clock in and out.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Eliminate flexibility stigmas.</strong> Change your company's culture so those who do take advantage of flexible options aren't looked down on for doing so. This change needs to start at the top. Company leaders need to be transparent and lead by example.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Start small.</strong> Don't try to totally transition your culture overnight. Instead, take baby steps by allowing some employees to shift schedules or designate remote working days.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Take advantage of technology.</strong> There is a wide selection of technology tools employers can leverage to make flexible workplace options more successful. Time management, workflow, internal communications, project management and feedback tools are options employers should consider using.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Candidate demands for schedule flexibility show little sign of abating," the study's authors wrote. "Organizations seeking to recruit and retain the world’s top talent must effectively respond to candidate interests."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The study was based on surveys of 14,000 professionals in 19 countries, including the U.S.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">_</span><span style="font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Chad Brooks</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-59821133069616332842017-08-04T23:43:00.005-07:002017-08-04T23:43:58.556-07:007 Tips to Increase Your Blog Traffic Faster Than Other Ways<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLUscbnjvR4J0kjPLX31xpxxGy_gzXpfk4bBuNN2i_kUL1UD8zFeb0oeauM47zETRkMBQnNyBnvshaTm0UT_Z2Utbd_KA0RhJIW6_Mb0YbmorwfEuLVp7P2OZBJsYkZBgLIVX7N_mZWg/s1600/internet_traffic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1505" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLUscbnjvR4J0kjPLX31xpxxGy_gzXpfk4bBuNN2i_kUL1UD8zFeb0oeauM47zETRkMBQnNyBnvshaTm0UT_Z2Utbd_KA0RhJIW6_Mb0YbmorwfEuLVp7P2OZBJsYkZBgLIVX7N_mZWg/s320/internet_traffic.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you noticed how most blogs give away a free eBook, report or white paper to new subscribers? That's because giving something away increases your blog traffic by encouraging people to subscribe and become loyal readers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It also makes people want to tell their friends and online networks about your blog because it has something valuable to offer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you haven't developed a free product you can give new subscribers you need to put that at the top of your list but it's not the only way to increase your blog traffic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This post was inspired by a new website called Personal Development Free. It was set up by Dirk de Bruin (his friends call him Diggy) to help him, and other personal development bloggers, showcase their free products and build their subscribers faster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Diggy's idea and the site he's created perfectly embody the blogging tips I'm sharing below so I hope you'll check out Personal Development Free, grab a few freebies that take your fancy and find some more interesting bloggers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. Band together with other bloggers</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blogging is much easier with a team of supporters. A blogging buddy is essential to keep you motivated and on track but a team of other bloggers are even more powerful to help you spread the word further and faster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Form a Google Group or create an invite only Facebook page, ask other bloggers to join you then see who actively engages and is a genuine team player.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. Be innovative</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Think of new ways to help people spread the word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While there are plenty of tried and tested ways to increase your blog traffic like guest posting, there are still many new ways that no one has ever tried before and even some old ways like simply asking people to share your posts that can be improved on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. Widen your blogging network</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In life and in social media there comes a time when you want to stop meeting new people. Sometimes we all think we already have enough friends, more than we can keep track of and stay in contact with so what's the point in having any more?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Forget that because some friends will come on the radar then disappear, others will sneak up on you from nowhere and be the ones that stick around for years to come. But you'll never know who's who unless you open your mind to possibility and make yourself available to everyone to begin with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So open your mind and heart to meeting more people and never stop widening your network. The wider your circle the more potential readers you can reach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4. Broaden your perspective</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People get very caught up in their blogging niche but life isn't just about travel or fishing or fashion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, you'll naturally want to spend time with other bloggers in your niche but make sure you broaden your perspective and find time for bloggers and blogs outside your niche.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No one is focused on one topic all the time so readers who like travel may also have an interest in fishing and/or fashion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">5. Invest in your blog</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You have to spend money on your blog. At least on a domain name and a decent logo and preferably on a unique <a href="http://www.successfulblogging.com/blog-design/" style="background: 0px 0px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">blog design</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The more you invest in your blog the more you should get out of it although don't invest too much to begin with until you're really sure of your topic and your goals. For a new business $3,000 should be enough to help you set up a good blog which will stand the test of time and offer a good return on your investment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">6. Go the extra mile</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every overnight success, every well-known business person, writer or blogger has put in hundreds of hours of work to attain that success. You'll have to too because if you're not ready to go the extra mile someone else will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">7. Throw in some free stuff</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you haven't already developed a free product you can give away to your readers now's the time. It doesn't need to be big, new or costly. You can create a simple eBook based on some of your most popular posts or a short email course with the information your readers need most.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you need ideas or motivation to get you moving head over to Personal Development Free and check out the fantastic free products. I hope you're as inspired by Diggy's attitude to blogging, business and life as much as I am.</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-11872990011725334392017-08-04T23:22:00.004-07:002017-08-04T23:24:42.103-07:00How to Start a Business: A Step-by-Step Guide<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9RJH49-K3NJyAwlZij9vJEUZPpao0MggN-qOKVH06SAsV9M0yB8SgJ3ibq-0YGXBylirAjXJCtdmUSuKrM8qi8BwjuX73QZlE9Gw45h9VK2gydYfdqJJQ8ZeZEJpI6MDvwUiUjydHoA/s1600/How-to-Start-an-Acting-Career-and-Figure-Things-Out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9RJH49-K3NJyAwlZij9vJEUZPpao0MggN-qOKVH06SAsV9M0yB8SgJ3ibq-0YGXBylirAjXJCtdmUSuKrM8qi8BwjuX73QZlE9Gw45h9VK2gydYfdqJJQ8ZeZEJpI6MDvwUiUjydHoA/s320/How-to-Start-an-Acting-Career-and-Figure-Things-Out.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So you want to start your own business? If you think it's going to be easy, think again: Entrepreneurship is a journey that requires a lot of time, effort and hard work, and perhaps unsurprisingly, many people end up failing. But if your company survives, the rewards of entrepreneurship are well worth the obstacles you'll face on the road to success.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you think you're ready to start your first business, here's a step-by-step overview of what you need to do to make it happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Brainstorm ideas</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every new business starts with an idea. Maybe there's something you're really knowledgeable and passionate about, or perhaps you think you've found a way to fill a gap in the marketplace. Wherever your interests lie, it's almost guaranteed that there's a way to turn it into a business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once you've narrowed your list of ideas down to one or two, do a quick search for existing companies in your chosen industry. Learn what current brand leaders are doing, and figure out how you can do it better. If you think your business can deliver something other companies don't (or deliver the same thing, but faster and cheaper), you've got a solid idea and are ready to create a business plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another option is to <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4628-franchising.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">open a franchise</a> of an established company. The concept, brand following and business model are already in place; all you need is a good location and the means to fund your operation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Build a business plan</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now that you have your idea in place, you need to ask yourself a few important questions: What is the purpose of your business? Who are you selling to? What are your end goals? How will you finance your startup costs? All of these questions can be answered in a well-written business plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A business plan helps you figure out where your company is going, how it will overcome any potential difficulties and what you need to sustain it. A full guide to writing your plan can be found <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4533-business-plan-outline.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Assess your finances</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Starting any business has a price, so you need to determine how you're going to cover those costs. Do you have the means to fund your startup, or will you need to borrow money? If you are planning to make your new business your full-time job, it's wise to wait until you have at least some money put away for startup costs and for sustaining yourself in the beginning before you start making a profit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While many entrepreneurs put their own money into their new companies, it's very possible that you'll need financial assistance. A commercial loan through a bank is a good starting point, although these are often difficult to secure. If you are unable to take out a bank loan, you can apply for a small business loan through the <a href="http://sba.gov/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Small Business Administration</a> (SBA) or an alternative lender. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[Looking for a small business loan? Check out our best picks for alternative lenders </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8448-best-business-loans.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>.</strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">]</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Startups requiring a lot more funding up front may want to consider an investor. Investors usually provide several million dollars or more to a fledgling company, with the expectation that the backers will have a hands-on role in running your business. Alternatively, you could launch an <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6106-equity-crowdfunding-tips.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">equity crowdfunding</a> campaign to raise smaller amounts of money from multiple backers.</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" id="structure" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Determine your legal business structure</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before you can register your company, you need to decide what kind of entity it is. Your business structure legally affects everything from how you file your taxes to your personal liability if something goes wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you own the business entirely by yourself and plan to be responsible for all debts and obligations, you can register for a <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sole proprietorship</strong>. Alternatively, a <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">partnership</strong>, as its name implies, means that two or more people are held personally liable as business owners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you want to separate your personal liability from your company's liability, you may want to consider forming one of several different types of <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">corporations</strong>. This makes a business a separate entity apart from its owners, and therefore, corporations can own property, assume liability, pay taxes, enter into contracts, sue and be sued like any other individual. One of the most common structures for small businesses, however, is the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">limited liability corporation </strong>(LLC). This hybrid structure has the legal protections of a corporation while allowing for the tax benefits of a partnership.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ultimately, it is up to you to determine which type of entity is best for your current needs and future business goals. More details about the different business structures can be found <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8163-choose-legal-business-structure.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Register with the government and IRS</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To become an officially recognized business entity, you must register with the government. Corporations will need an "<a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4038-articles-of-incorporation.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">articles of incorporation</a>" document, which includes your business name, business purpose, corporate structure, stock details and other information about your company. Otherwise, you will just need to register your business name, which can be your legal name, a fictitious "Doing Business As" name (if you are the sole proprietor), or the name you've come up with for your company. You may also want to take steps to trademark your business name for extra legal protection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After you register your business, the next step is obtaining an employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS. While this is not required for sole proprietorships with no employees, you may want to apply for one anyway to keep your personal and business taxes separate, or simply to save yourself the trouble later on if you decide to hire someone else. The <a href="http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Do-You-Need-an-EIN?" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">IRS</a> has provided a checklist to determine whether you will require an EIN to run your business. If you do need an EIN, you can register online for free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Regardless of whether you need an EIN, you will need to file certain forms to fulfill your federal and state income tax obligations. The forms you need are determined by your business structure. A complete list of the forms each type of entity will need can be found on the <a href="http://www.sba.gov/content/business-structure-and-tax-implications" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">SBA website</a>. You can also find <a href="http://www.sba.gov/content/learn-about-your-state-and-local-tax-obligations" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">state-specific tax obligations</a> there. Some businesses may also require federal or state licenses and permits in order to operate. You can use the <a href="http://www.sba.gov/content/business-licenses-and-permits" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">SBA's database</a> to search for licensing requirements by state and business type.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Select your technology</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just about every business today needs a solid set of tech tools to operate. Some will be more tech-heavy than others depending on the industry, but at the very least, you will likely need a powerful and reliable business laptop or smart device to help you keep things organized.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Since many key business functions — accounting, invoicing, point-of-sale software, presentations, etc. — can now be managed via mobile apps, you might be able to get away with just a smartphone or tablet. For more complex business functions, you'll want to consider a computer with strong security features, storage options and performance speed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For those who want to operate their business on a smart device, think about whether you'll need a separate phone or tablet for your professional apps and data. For instance, you could route your calls through a third-party app on your existing phone so you don't need to give out your personal cell number. However, if you use the same apps for business and personal purposes, it might be easier to separate them so you don't accidentally share information with the wrong audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you're thinking of purchasing a new laptop for your business, check out our guide to the <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7821-best-laptops.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">best business laptops</a>.</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" id="insurance" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Purchase an insurance policy</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It might slip your mind as something you'll "get around to" eventually, but purchasing the right insurance for your business is an important step that should happen before you officially launch. Dealing with incidents like property damage, theft or even a customer lawsuit can be costly, and you need to be sure that you're properly protected.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gyawu Mahama, social media and marketing manager at small business insurer <a href="http://www.hiscox.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Hiscox</a>, said to choose insurance that's tailored to your specific business practices to ensure you're not paying for more coverage than you need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"As a small business owner, you don't need a once-size-fits-all insurance plan," Mahama said. "Coverage doesn't have to cost a lot. General- and professional-liability insurance coverage for a sole proprietorship can be purchased for a few hundred dollars a year."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If your business will have employees, you will, at minimum, need to purchase workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. You may also need other types of coverage depending on your location and industry, but most small businesses are advised to purchase general liability (GL) insurance, or a business owner's policy. Mahama said GL covers three basic categories: property damage, bodily injury, and personal injury to yourself or a third party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If your business provides a service, you may also want to consider professional liability insurance. It covers you if you do something wrong or neglect to do something you should have done while operating your business, Mahama said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mahama advised checking in with your insurance provider throughout the year to keep the provider updated on any changes happening in your business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Learn more about the types of insurance policies your business might need <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5896-small-business-insurance-tips.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Choose your partners</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Running a business can be overwhelming, and you're probably not going to be able to do it all on your own. That's where third-party vendors come in. Companies in every industry from HR to business phone systems exist to partner with you and help you run your business better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you're searching for B2B partners, you'll have to choose very carefully. These companies will have access to vital and potentially sensitive business data, so it's critical to find someone you can trust. In our <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8451-find-b2b-partners.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">guide to choosing business partners</a>, our expert sources recommended asking potential vendors about their experience in your industry, their track record with existing clients, and what kind of growth they've helped other clients achieve.</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" id="team" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Build your team</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Unless you're planning to be your only employee, you're going to need to hire a great team to get your company off the ground. Joe Zawadzki, CEO and founder of <a href="http://www.mediamath.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">MediaMath</a>, said entrepreneurs need to give the "people" element of their businesses the same attention they give their products.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Your product is built by people," Zawadski said. "Identifying your founding team, understanding what gaps exist, and [determining] how and when you will address them should be top priority. Figuring out how the team will work together ... is equally important. Defining roles and responsibility, division of labor, how to give feedback, or how to work together when not everyone is in the same room will save you a lot of headaches down the line."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Visit <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5964-build-startup-team.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">this Business News Daily article</a> for tips on building a great startup team.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before you start selling your product or service, you need to build up your brand and get a following of people ready to jump when you open your literal or figurative doors for business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Create a logo that can help people easily identify your brand, and be consistent in using it across all of your platforms, including your all-important <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4661-starting-a-business-website.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">company website</a>. Use <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7832-social-media-for-business.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">social media</a> to spread the word about your new business, perhaps as a promotional tool to offer coupons and discounts to followers once you launch. Be sure to also keep these digital assets up to date with relevant, interesting content about your business and industry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For more information on creating an effective marketing plan for your business, visit our guide <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Grow your business</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Your launch and first sales are only the beginning of your task as an entrepreneur. In order to make a profit and stay afloat, you always need to be growing your business. It's going to take time and effort, but you'll get out of your business what you put into it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Collaborating with more established brands in your industry is a great way to achieve growth. Reach out to other companies or even influential bloggers and ask for some promotion in exchange for a free product sample or service. Partner with a charity organization and volunteer some of your time or products to get your name out there. In <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7690-rapid-business-growth-tips.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">this article</a>, Business News Daily offers some suggestions for rapid growth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Starting a business can be risky and challenging, but armed with the proper tools and information, you can put yourself on the path to entrepreneurship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">_<span style="font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Nicole Fallon</span></span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-32266986817605809882017-08-04T22:45:00.000-07:002017-08-04T22:45:03.722-07:00How Technology Is Changing Human Resources<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZpyqBeSV7gbUEt1nKmBD04wPxu5JC6wr_Qe0IL12TfvA92nhyJHDOZx5dkD-Vykn1HFklw1Asy3Rq_dtGHTLlblyjXvfmrhCKuLcYVHNlbkRqlGayrABmwXPSOsHo9c9soOG0WLlGBU/s1600/o-BUSINESS-TECHNOLOGY-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZpyqBeSV7gbUEt1nKmBD04wPxu5JC6wr_Qe0IL12TfvA92nhyJHDOZx5dkD-Vykn1HFklw1Asy3Rq_dtGHTLlblyjXvfmrhCKuLcYVHNlbkRqlGayrABmwXPSOsHo9c9soOG0WLlGBU/s320/o-BUSINESS-TECHNOLOGY-facebook.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The money spigot is wide open on the human resources technology front, with U.S. companies investing $2 billion into HR technologies in 2016. In fact, those investments have churned upward at an annual rate of 15 percent, according to <a href="https://www.cbinsights.com/blog/hr-tech-startup-funding-trends/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">CB Insights</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Where is all that HR investment cash going? The CB Insights report states the bulk of it is going to integrated human resource management system (HRMS) platforms, but with growing investments in emerging technologies such as cloud computing, mobile technologies, social media and artificial intelligence also in the mix.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's more data on the HR technology investment front. According to a recent study by <a href="https://selecthub.com/hris/hr-software-buying-trends/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">SelectHub</a>, the cloud is the biggest investment target (meaning an investment likely hasn't actually been made yet) for HR technology spending, followed by payroll and benefits administration software.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The good outweighs the bad in any discussion on technology tools and the HR sector. "While automation takes over certain roles and processes, it actually frees up human talent to focus on higher-level tasks, like analysis, innovation and strategy," said Martin Fiore, tax talent leader at EY America.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Systems-wise, while a growing number of companies are beginning to shift from the cloud to mobile HR-based technology platforms, there's still a good reason for the predominance of cloud computing for most HR departments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Prior to 2016, there was no way for companies to manage their teams' performance," said Lindsey Havens, senior marketing manager with PhishLabs, an Agari Partner. "Now many businesses are using cloud-based, team-centric performance management applications that help HR management to manage performance by team, rather than by hierarchy. This system allows for a streamline in team management, plus the ability to create and change teams quickly."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">An investment in wellness</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With HR technology investments growing, especially with cloud computing, payroll and benefits, what's the overall impact on the human resources sector?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"We have used a number of traditional health and wellness programs to encourage our 10,000-plus employees to live healthier," said Laurie Mitchell, assistant vice president of global well-being and health at Unum U.S. and Colonial Life. "But over the past 18 months, we've really looked at updating our company's wellness programs with the latest tools and technologies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"We're adding new member-management systems for our fitness centers," Mitchell added. "Plus, we're adding more sit-stand workstations to encourage employees to sit less. We've created opportunities for virtual visits with providers for non-emergent care. Employees can access a provider from their PC or mobile device and use the Health Resource Center space for privacy."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mitchell says her company is about to "go live" with an enterprise-wide portal that will serve as the hub for everything related to health and well-being. "This will include health assessments, health coaching and wearable device tracking paired with fitness challenges."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many employees spend more than 60 percent of their waking hours in the workplace, Mitchell says, so an employer who cares and supports healthy lifestyles is more attractive to potential candidates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Technology gives us greater reach with our wellness programs and allows employees to customize what works for them," she noted. "It also enables us to use data to track progress or further improve our offerings."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Catering to millennials</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Investments in HR technology not only improve departmental functions, they can also promote the health and happiness of employees, primarily by helping them develop new skills – especially younger career professionals who grew up in a technology-driven culture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Due to an increasingly distributed workforce, widespread adoption of mobile technologies and a changing employee demographic, which includes millennial workers, corporate training is getting reshaped and is becoming more data and artificial intelligence driven," said George Elfond, CEO at Rallyware, a workforce training and engagement technology company based in San Francisco. "Currently, we see a shift in the way companies develop their talent – instead of herding everybody to a classroom, training is provided just in time and usually through a mobile device.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Current technologies identify gaps in an employee's knowledge and automatically deliver customized training to a right person at the right time, Elfond says. "Such personalization could not be possible without big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Farm Friendly</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many firms also appear satisfied in farming out their HR technology needs to third-party providers, and experts say that trend will accelerate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"We have seen firms with as many as 300 employees use technology companies like Namely and Zenefits to help manage their human resources needs," said Timothy Hillert, chief executive officer at BenXchange, an insurance, employee benefits and retirement services firm. "Also, we're currently seeing a greater number of firms outsource their HR needs."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's only natural, Hillert says, as the cost savings in doing so can be substantial. "With a technology team on board, firms only need one designated human resources professional to manage and run the department effectively," he explained. "There will always be a need for HR managers, but we will continue to see the use of technology to offset the cost of large human resources departments in traditional companies."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Others agree that automation will never completely replace the human aspect of human resources, but technology will certainly grow in prominence in HR circles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Tech-based solutions will not displace or replace human HR managers and staffers," said Kris Duggan, a technologist and human relations specialist at BetterWorks, a performance management software developer. "The technologies being designed today are meant to complement HR managers and staff, and give them greater insight and capabilities in their jobs."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Duggan says there would be a "backlash" if staffers didn't have a real human HR figure, as so many of the HR processes are pertinent to employees' personal lives, such as compensation, benefits and feedback processes. "The best human resources are empathetic and truly dedicated to solving their employees' top problems. A tech-based solution can't completely replace this process. That being said, adopting technology can make HR managers more informed and empathetic, and ease the human resources management process."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">_</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">Brian O'Connell</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-8345922076932599962017-08-04T22:26:00.004-07:002017-08-04T22:26:46.125-07:0010 Social Media Selling Solutions for Small Businesses<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnJkbjgJkigq1l_BYS0PdV9xPwBN11cK-900unTVX4uK9uXoswVCVyBbOV3TDjYr45JGlbezGhKWnh9NxZ2s15_hLFg8Hk2auIZqOoR0ME3iJF-YLF1YLEQr6hj7J0JNXHOxzdQUJ-Dg/s1600/social-media.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="698" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnJkbjgJkigq1l_BYS0PdV9xPwBN11cK-900unTVX4uK9uXoswVCVyBbOV3TDjYr45JGlbezGhKWnh9NxZ2s15_hLFg8Hk2auIZqOoR0ME3iJF-YLF1YLEQr6hj7J0JNXHOxzdQUJ-Dg/s200/social-media.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">Want to turn your social media accounts into a profitable e-commerce business? Or use Instagram, Facebook and other platforms to boost sales? With social media selling, anyone can become an online merchant without having to invest in a website or give online marketplaces a cut of their profits. Social media e-commerce is a big hit because it lets you turn your social media accounts into online stores — and your posts into sales.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here are 10 social media selling solutions to help you get started.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. Olapic</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let customers shop your Instagram posts. <a href="http://www.olapic.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Olapic</a> offers two solutions that aim to help you sell items and organize your social media marketing campaign. Olapic's Tapshop turns your Instagram feed into an e-commerce storefront that links individual posts to product pages — you can even link to multiple products from a single photo. Additionally, Olapic's Content Scheduler simplifies campaigns by letting you organize and schedule Instagram posts for maximum reach and engagement (this feature can also be used on Pinterest). An analytics tool is also available to track performance, conversions and ROI, so you can see what works and plan ahead for future campaigns.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. Soldsie</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Want to monetize both Instagram and Facebook? <a href="https://www.soldsie.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Soldsie</a> can help. Its Instagram selling solution, have2have.it, lets followers shop your posts via a unique URL (have2have.it/yourstore). Just place the link in your bio to give customers easy access to a shoppable version of your Instagram feed. The Soldsie Facebook app, on the other hand, turns the social network's comments section into an e-commerce powerhouse. Typically, customers make purchases on Facebook by messaging sellers or leaving their email address. Instead, Soldsie's Comment Selling system eliminates all the back-and-forth communication by streamlining transactions. All customers have to do is comment under a photo to make a purchase, and Soldsie automatically adds the item to their shopping cart for fast, easy checkout. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[See Related Story: </strong><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7707-best-ecommerce-software.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Best E-Commerce Software for Small Business</strong></a><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">]</strong></span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. Shopial</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Expand your online store with Facebook and Pinterest storefronts. <a href="http://www.shopial.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Shopial</a> takes products from your online store and features them on your Facebook Page and Pinterest boards. Just install the Shopial Facebook app into a new tab on your Facebook Page and Shopial will import products into a customizable Facebook shop. Shopial also works with Pinterest by making your products available as optimized Pins, essentially turning your Pinterest into an online catalog. Shopial integrates with several major e-commerce platforms, including Etsy, Shopify, eBay, Magento, Amazon, Wix and TicTail, making it accessible to most online sellers. The company also offers Facebook Ads services, such as ad design and optimization to help you promote products and reach target audiences.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">4. Beetailer</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even if you own an e-commerce website, cross-selling products on social media is a great strategy to boost sales. One service that makes this possible is <a href="http://www.beetailer.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Beetailer</a>, which lets online merchants import their store into Facebook. After the initial migration, the system is basically hands-free — it requires no installation, configuration or maintenance, and products are automatically updated based on the website's inventory data. Included in the service are marketing tools like campaigns and promotions, detailed analytics, and integration with existing checkout systems.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">5. inSelly</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's more to hashtags than categorizing and finding similar posts. <a href="https://inselly.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">inSelly</a>, an Instagram marketplace, facilitates the process by aggregating Instagram listings using hashtags, and then making them searchable to anyone around the world. Sellers can list items from their Instagram feed in three simple steps: upload a photo on Instagram, add the hashtag #inselly, and then log in to their inselly.com account to add product descriptions, prices and other details. inSelly also makes it easy for customers to make purchases. All they have to do is comment the hashtag #soldtome under the Instagram post containing the item they wish to buy. inSelly will then automatically send them a checkout link to complete the transaction.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">6. Chirpify</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.chirpify.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Chirpify</a> is another hashtag selling tool, but differentiates itself by connecting on- and offline channels with social media. It basically acts as the middleman that connects brands and consumers and instantly convert sales. It works by taking unique campaign hashtags — referred to as "actiontags" — and uses them to enable purchases across multiple social networks. Customers can find actiontags on social media, print, television and other marketing channels. All they have to do is post the actiontag on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram to activate a purchase, participate in a campaign or take advantage of promotional offers, such as giveaways.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">7. Heyo</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Designing Facebook Page campaigns can seem like rocket science for people who aren't tech savvy. <a href="https://heyo.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Heyo</a> simplifies the process with a drag-and-drop campaign builder that anyone can use. The service works a lot like do-it-yourself website builders: Start by choosing a template, and then edit or customize elements to fit your campaign and brand. Whether you're running a contest, sweepstakes, special deals or other promotions, campaigns built on Heyo can then be easily plugged into your Facebook page — no coding necessary. </span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">8. Poshmark</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are the most popular social selling platforms, there are niche marketplaces that also function as their own social networks. One such marketplace is <a href="https://poshmark.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Poshmark</a>, a website and mobile app for buying and selling fashion. Like on Instagram, sellers first take a photo of each product and post it to Poshmark with the item description and pricing details. Customers can also like listings, as well as leave comments and follow sellers. Unlike Instagram, however, customers can make purchases directly through the service via the Buy button. Poshmark takes care of all the back-end processes, so the only thing sellers have to do is ship the item to get paid. </span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">9. Facebook for Business</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/business/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Facebook for Business</a> is the one-stop shop for finding out which types of Facebook selling campaigns will work best for your business. The service lets you create Facebook Pages and purchase Facebook ads, as well as integrate Facebook into your website or mobile app. Facebook for Business helps merchants create buzz, raise brand awareness, find new customers and drive sales, using one centralized hub. The service also includes analytics tools that provide key insights and measure campaign performance. To learn more about how to use Facebook for Business, check out our guide <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7761-facebook-business-guide.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook for Business: Everything You Need to Know</a>.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">10. Pinterest for Business</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's a saying that consumers don't trust brands; they trust their friends. That's essentially the principle behind <a href="http://business.pinterest.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Pinterest for Business</a>, which lets businesses create Pinterest accounts as a brand. In addition to pinning items just as regular users can, businesses can add the Pin It button wherever their items appear on the Web. For example, e-commerce website Etsy added the Pin It button to each individual listing — when Pinterest users click on the Pin It button, the corresponding Etsy item will be added to their Pinterest boards for their followers to see. These pins include the seller's shop name and pricing information, so viewers know the item is for sale. The idea is to drive traffic, grow followers and ultimately boost sales based on other Pinterest users' recommendations. For tips on using Pinterest for your small business, check out our guide <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7552-pinterest-business-guide.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinterest for Business: Everything You Need to Know</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">_</span><span style="font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">Sara Angeles</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-15537816406482214222017-08-04T22:11:00.001-07:002017-08-04T22:11:53.230-07:00How to Create an Effective Marketing Plan<br />
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Most small business owners know the importance of a business plan, which outlines your company's course for success. One crucial element of that plan is your marketing strategy. </div>
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Because this strategy is buried in the larger business plan, many small business owners may not give marketing the time, research and attention it deserves, assuming that they know their customer base and how to reach them. But an in-depth and detailed approach to laying out your marketing strategy can reveal opportunities from a new audience or potential product line, pitfalls in pricing, competition reaction, and potential reach.</div>
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At its most basic, a marketing plan describes who your customers are, where they get information and how you are going to reach them. Robert J. Thomas, a marketing professor at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, said the development of a marketing plan requires that you complete four specific tasks:</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Develop a very clear and focused insight into why a potential customer would use your business.</strong> More specifically, figure out the core need that your product or service will meet. Is it to help your customers get through the day more easily? Do their job more efficiently? Be respected and admired by friends? Your offering should be designed to solve client problems or meet customer needs better than the competition can.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2.</strong> <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Identify your target customers. </strong>There are numerous potential customers in most markets, but to succeed faster and better, a small business must study the market and determine the characteristics of its best target customers. The target customer should be described in detail. Create an avatar, or fictional person, who has all of your target-customer attributes, and examine what that person would <a href="http://www.solutionsiq.com/what-is-an-empathy-map/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">say, do, feel and think</a> in the course of a day.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3.</strong> <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Identify competitors that would also want your target customers.</strong> No matter how original your product or service may be, there is always competition for your target customer's dollar. Small businesses seldom take the time to study their competitors in depth, or determine competition that may be outside their industry but just as capable of luring the customer away. Preparing to know who that is, what their core competitive advantage is and how they will respond to your offering (price cuts, increased communication, etc.) will help you figure out strategies to combat such losses.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Write down your brand-positioning statement for your target customers.</strong> Ultimately, your brand and what it symbolizes for customers will be your strongest competitive advantage. You should be able to write down a simple declarative sentence of how you will meet customer needs and beat the competition. The best positioning statements are those that are single-minded and focus on solving a problem for the customer in a way that promotes the best value.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Marketing approaches</span></h2>
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Now that you know the elements of the plan, you need to figure out how you are going to reach that target customer. Aside from traditional print and broadcast media, here are three tech-driven marketing channels that many of today's business owners utilize.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Social media</span></strong></h3>
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Social media has become an essential part of businesses' marketing plans because every type of customer is on some type of platform, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and other networks. Small business owners can feel overwhelmed at the possibilities but should focus on the ones that can benefit them the most.</div>
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Brett Farmiloe, founder of internet marketing company <a href="http://markitors.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Markitors</a>, advised companies that are just getting started in social media to get to know their customers and <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/19/the-demographics-of-social-media-users/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">what platforms they are using</a>.</div>
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"Figure out where your customers are spending their time, and set up shop on those platforms," Farmiloe told Business News Daily. "Develop a content strategy that can be executed internally, [and then] execute your strategy by posting branded content on your selected platforms. While all three steps are key, the biggest one is really determining if your customers are on these platforms."</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Email</span></strong></h3>
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Though email marketing may not be a new concept like social media marketing, it is an effective and popular choice for many small business owners. Companies can implement email-marketing techniques in a number of ways, including using newsletters, promotional campaigns and transactional emails. Companies such as <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">MailChimp</a> and <a href="http://www.constantcontact.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Constant Contact</a> make it easy for companies to manage their email campaigns.</div>
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Farmiloe noted that companies can set their email marketing efforts apart by segmenting their markets.</div>
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"Not all subscribers want to receive the same blast," Farmiloe said. "Smart email marketers take the time to segment subscribers at the outset, and then continue to segment based on subscriber activity. Through segmentation, companies reduce the amount of unsubscribes, increase open rates and, most importantly, increase the amount of actions taken from an email send." </div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mobile</span></strong></h3>
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The popularity of smartphones and tablets has helped change the way companies target their customers. Since people have the devices with them nearly all the time, companies are looking to implement strategies that reach customers on their gadgets. </div>
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"Mobile marketing is interruptive," Farmiloe said. "It's because of this power that a marketer has to let the consumer determine how and when to receive marketing material. That's why almost every app comes with the option to turn notifications on or off. The consumer has to hold the power with mobile marketing."</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monitoring results</span></strong></h2>
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Creating a well-defined list of budgets, goals and action items, with appropriate personnel assigned to each item, can help make your marketing plan a reality. Think about how much you're willing to spend, the kind of outcomes you expect, and the necessary tasks to achieve those outcomes. A <a href="https://www.cleverism.com/how-to-measure-effectiveness-of-marketing-campaigns/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cleverism article</a> advised defining three key elements to help you measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts:</div>
<ol style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px 0px 12px 25px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">How you want to track your campaign</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">The channels you want to track</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">The metrics you want to measure</li>
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The metrics — the numerical data that allows you to see if you're reaching your goals — are the best ways to measure your return on investment, according to Cleverism. This can include wesite visits, lead conversion, click-through/bounce rates, social media effectiveness and referrals. More tips for measuring your marketing results can be found in <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6137-social-media-marketing-roi.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">this BND article</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">_Marci Martin</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-27454445336478429692017-08-03T02:07:00.001-07:002017-08-03T02:07:19.290-07:00Equipment Leasing: A Guide for Business Owners<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you are in the market for new equipment or technology for your business in 2017, but can't afford to buy it, leasing is an option to consider.</div>
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Instead of buying the equipment or technology outright, leasing allows you to make smaller monthly payments, typically, over a multiple-year period. At the end of the lease, you usually have the option of simply returning the equipment, or buying it for a price that factors in appreciation and how much you paid over the life of the lease. </div>
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Among some the benefits of equipment leasing are that:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px 0px 12px 25px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Many lessors don't require a significant down payment.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">You don't end up with obsolete equipment at the end of the lease.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Equipment leases are often eligible for tax credits. Depending on the lease, you may be able to deduct your payments as a business expense by taking advantage of <a href="http://www.section179.org/section_179_leases.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Section 179</a> Qualified Financing.</li>
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If you already think equipment leasing is for you, we encourage you to check out our review of the alternative lender we recommend as the <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9063-best-equipment-loans.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">best for equipment loans</a>. The lender we chose also offers leasing options.</div>
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If you are still unsure if equipment leasing is a good option for you, continue reading to learn more about how to get started, the leasing process, the different types of leases and what to consider when looking a lending company.</div>
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How to get started</h2>
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Before you start the process, it's important to answer the following questions:</div>
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<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px 0px 12px 25px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What is your monthly budget?</strong> Leasing offers substantially lower monthly payments in comparison to purchasing. But it still has to be factored into your monthly cash flow.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How long will the equipment be used?</strong> For short-term use, leasing is almost always the most cost-effective way for businesses to go. But if you're using the equipment for three years or more, a loan or standard line of credit may be more beneficial than a lease.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How quickly will the equipment become obsolete?</strong> Technology is more likely to become outdated more quickly than other types of equipment. Consider this before deciding whether a trade-in makes sense for you.</li>
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The range of equipment that qualifies for a lease is practically limitless. But there are a couple of conditions:</div>
<ol style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px 0px 12px 25px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Purchase price</strong> – Equipment leases enable businesses to obtain equipment and machinery that has a high dollar value. This ranges from costly single items like heart monitors and extraction machinery to smaller items needed in bulk like kiosks, software licenses and telephones. For this reason, it's uncommon to find a lease agreement for purchases under $3,000, and many large lenders have a minimum purchase of $25,000 to $50,000. </li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hard assets</strong> – The equipment you lease has to be considered a "hard asset." In other words, this means anything that could be listed as personal property and not permanently attached to real estate. Soft assets like training programs and warranties do not qualify for lease programs. </li>
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<a 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" 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The profitability of any equipment purchase is largely determined by the method of finance, making this one of the most crucial steps in the buying process. Yet while an equipment lease often represents one of the most lucrative options, it's not the only alternative. Depending on your cash flow, credit score and accounts receivable, you may be able to find a better deal.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Purchasing vs. leasing considerations</span></h2>
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While many businesses benefit from equipment leasing, there are some instances where an outright purchase may be a more cost-effective option. In short, the determining factors used to compare purchase and lease include:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px 0px 12px 25px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Purchase price</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Amount financed</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Annual depreciation</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Tax and inflation rates</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Monthly lease costs</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Equipment usage</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Ownership and maintenance costs</li>
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Generally speaking, an equipment lease is ideal for equipment that routinely needs upgrading — for instance, computers and electronic devices. A lease gives you the freedom to obtain the latest machinery with a low upfront cost and provides reliable monthly payments that you can budget for. At the same time, this low-cost payment schedule also provides a wider range of options for many businesses in terms of the equipment accessible to them. This can make it possible to afford equipment that would otherwise be too costly to purchase.</div>
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Of course, leases require paying interest, which can add to the overall cost of a machine over time, making it more expensive than if it was purchased outright — especially if you end up purchasing the equipment at the end of the lease. In addition, some lenders enforce a specific term length which can further add to the cost if the length of the lease extends beyond your necessity. In this scenario, you could get stuck with a monthly payment as well as storage costs associated with unused equipment.</div>
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Purchasing an item outright is the other option, and one often selected by those who need enhanced customizations built into a machine. When you own a piece of equipment, you can have it modified to suit your exact needs; this isn't always the case with a lease. Similarly, some buyers report a wider set of options when compared to a lease as they are not bound by the limitations of a lessor. </div>
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Purchases also enable you to get any issues resolved immediately, not having to wait for approval from the leasing company to get a replacement part or repair. And in addition to the depreciation tax benefits available through Section 179, you also stand to make some money back by reselling the equipment when it's no longer of use to you. </div>
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But like a lease, purchases have their drawbacks. The biggest is obsolescence; with a purchase, you're stuck with the outdated machinery until you can buy new. Given the competitiveness of the marketplace and the availability of tax incentives, this is often enough to dissuade many buyers from purchasing outright. Add to that all of the expenses associated with maintenance and repairs, and a purchase can represent a major investment. </div>
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By some estimates, businesses will budget between 1 percent and 3 percent of sales for maintenance costs. However, this is a rough estimate, with actual costs determined by the equipment itself, service hours, equipment age, quality and warranty.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Equipment leasing vs. other financial options</span></h2>
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A purchase isn't the only alternative to a lease. In fact, it's not even the most common. <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8448-best-business-loans.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Loans, lines of credit</a> and <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7081-factoring-buyers-guide.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">factoring services</a> are popular means of financing a large equipment purchase as well.</div>
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Similar to a purchase, loans provide more ownership of the equipment. With a lease, the lessor holds the title to any equipment and offers you the option to buy it when the lease concludes. In comparison, a loan enables you to retain the title to any of the items you purchase, securing the purchase against existing assets. </div>
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<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Important to note</strong>: A loan places more importance on your business's credit score. This can make it difficult for new and small businesses to get approved. For this reason, loans are primarily used by established businesses with excellent credit, qualifiers that enable them to get the best terms.</li>
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Unfortunately, terms are simultaneously some of the major drawbacks of a loan. Unlike a lease, which provides fixed-rate financing, a loan or line of credit may fluctuate throughout the loan term. This can make budgeting problematic depending on the size of the loan. In addition, banks and other lenders often require a much larger down payment — 20 percent of the total cost of equipment by some estimates. </div>
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In addition to loans, factoring is an alternative way to purchase costly equipment and is often faster than the process of applying for a loan. By leveraging your accounts receivable, you can quickly turn outstanding payments into cash by selling these invoices to a factor. Often paying up to 90 percent of the total value of your accounts receivable (depending on the credit worthiness of your customers), factoring is an ideal alternative to leasing and loans for startups and small businesses. </div>
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Funding is usually available in a matter of days. This makes factoring a popular resource for smaller manufacturing operations, the transportation industry and businesses that routinely handle contracts that have a fast turnaround. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leasing process</span></div>
</h2>
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When applying for a lease, you can expect the process to include the following steps:</div>
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<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Step 1</strong> – You complete an equipment-lease application. Be sure you have financial data available for both the company and its principles as this may be required upfront or after initially completing the application.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Step 2</strong> – The lessor processes your application and notifies you of the result. This usually happens within 24 to 48 hours of submitting the application.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Step 3</strong> – Once approval is received, you must review and finalize the lease structure, including monthly payments and the fixed-rate APR. After the review, you'll sign the documents and resubmit them to the lessor, typically including the first payment.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Step 4</strong> – When the lessor has received and accepted the signed documents and first payment, you are notified that the lease is in effect and that you are free to accept delivery of the equipment and commence any training necessary.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Step 5</strong> – Funds are released within 24 to 48 hours directly to you or the manufacturer you are purchasing from.</li>
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Some lessors may not require financials and/or a business plan for applications on dollar amounts from $10,000 to $100,000. For financing on $100,000 to $500,000 (and up), you should expect to provide complete financials as well as a business plan.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Operating lease or finance lease</span></h2>
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There are two primary types of equipment leases. The first is known as an operating lease. In short, this structure is provided by a lessor to allow a company to use a particular asset for a specific period of time without ownership. The lease period is usually shorter than the economic life of the equipment. So at the end of the lease, the lessor is allowed to recoup additional costs through resale.</div>
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Unlike an outright purchase or equipment secured through a standard loan, equipment under an operating lease cannot be listed as capital. It's accounted for as a rental expense. This provides two specific financial advantages:</div>
<ol style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px 0px 12px 25px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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Rates that dealers offer are all over the board, but in general, the average APR for an operating lease is 5 percent or lower. Average contracts extend for from 12 to 36 months.</div>
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With the prevalence of leasing, new accounting regulations from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) require companies to reveal their lease obligations to avoid the false impression of financial strength. In fact, according to <a href="https://www.complianceweek.com/blogs/accounting-auditing-update/fasb-iasb-reveal-latest-lease-overhaul-proposal#.VWT8RM9Viko" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">recent reports</strong></a>, all but the shortest-term equipment leases must now be included on balance sheets. So while leased equipment does not have to be reported as an asset under an operating lease, it's far from being free of accountability.</div>
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The second type of equipment lease is a finance lease. Sometimes known as a capital lease, this structure is similar to an operating lease in that the lessor owns the equipment purchased. But it differs in that the lease itself gets reported as an asset, increasing your company's holdings as well as its liability. </div>
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Commonly used by large companies such as major retailers and airlines, this setup provides a unique advantage as it allows the company to claim both the depreciation tax credit on the equipment as well as the interest expense associated with the lease itself. In addition, the company may choose to purchase the equipment at the end of a finance lease.</div>
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Given the financial edge this provides, the APR for a finance lease is higher and often double that of an operating lease. Standard interest rates currently hover between 6 percent and 9 percent. Average contracts range from 24 to 72 months.</div>
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There are a number of additional responsibilities that can result in expenses above and beyond the cost of your monthly lease payment. These items typically include:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px 0px 12px 25px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Insurance</strong> – Average estimates for liability insurance range from $200 to $2,200 annually, with many businesses reporting costs of $1,000 or less.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Extraneous costs</strong> – Depending on your lease structure, you may be held liable for some maintenance and repairs. Extraneous costs can also include any legal fees, fines and certification expenses. </li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Return of equipment</strong> – This includes transportation and shipping costs.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fees</strong> – Read your contract carefully. Fees can be assessed for everything from a one-time "documentation fee" (sometimes as much as $250) to late-payment fees which can run as little as $25 or as much as 15 percent of the amount overdue.</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Comparing equipment finance providers</span></h2>
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Given the costs and considerations addressed in the sections above, it's essential to compare a number of equipment lease providers to ensure you get the best rate. Before beginning your search, it's important to familiarize yourself with the three different types of equipment finance providers and the benefits each can provide. These include:</div>
<ol style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px 0px 12px 25px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Broker</strong> – Similar to an insurance broker, a lease broker will serve as an intermediary between you and any prospective lessors. The broker will present you with the offers and submit your requests for financing, handling much of the paperwork for you. Brokers represent only a small segment of the leasing market, and their service does not come cheap. Brokers reportedly charge 2 percent to 4 percent of the cost of the equipment to negotiate a deal. The benefit of using brokers is realized in their extensive relationships. Often specific to a particular industry, they specialize in obtaining a wider range of equipment, sometimes at a better price than would normally be made available through standard channels. </li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Leasing company</strong> – This is often the subsidiary leasing arm of a manufacturer or dealer. Also known as a captive lessor, a leasing company's sole aim is to facilitate leases with its parent company or dealer network. For this reason, you will usually only deal with a leasing company when working directly with a manufacturer. </li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Independent lessor </strong>– This type encompasses all third-party lease providers. Independent lessors include banks, lease specialists and diversified financial companies that provide equipment leases directly to a business. They differ from a leasing company in that they typically specialize in the re-marketing of equipment, a skill that enables them to group products from multiple manufacturers and offer a more competitive APR. </li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tips on choosing a lessor</span></h2>
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The best advice on choosing a quality lessor is to examine them as closely as they're examining you. Give preference to those that are willing to work with your business as a partner. This may be represented in the level of background and experience they have in relation to your line of business, or it may be the quality and quantity of positive references they're willing to provide. It's worth noting that some of the fees mentioned under lessee responsibilities can be covered or waived depending on the lessor, in particular, application fees and late fees (at least on the first late payment).</div>
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Also take time to research:</div>
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<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Business information</strong> – Including payment history, credit history, business summary, corporate relationships, financial statements and any public filings.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pending litigation</strong> – Search public records for any notices of pending litigation.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Payment system</strong> – Is it easy, or does it require mountains of paperwork?</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Questions to ask a dealer</span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBxISEhASExAVEhUQEBAVFRUVFRAQFxUQFRUWFhUVFRUYHSggGBolGxUVITEhJSkrLi4uFx8zODMsNygtLisBCgoKDg0OGxAQGi0lHR0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLSstLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLy0tLS0tLS0tKy0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLf/AABEIALcBEwMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAcAAABBQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAECAwUHBgj/xABGEAABAwIDBAYHBQQHCQAAAAABAAIRAyEEEjETQVFhBRQicYGRBgcyUqGxwRUjQtHwU2JykiQzNEOCsvEWY3OToqOzw+H/xAAbAQADAQEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBAUGB//EACkRAAICAgIBBAIBBQEAAAAAAAABAhEDEhMhBBQxQVEiYbEjMnGR8CT/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/ABMidoVwEp8i+ko/PNiAalkVmRWNalQ0yg4ci4uPkraTUdhqavOC3t8vyWbkvY6I4m+0B0iW8xvH1CNpVovqD8QoGmqHAt003j6hRqpGqm8YRiDFxofgUBUr7lY91rHX5IRzCFcYIxy5m/YRYSeaLbTgAxc/NWYCkStXDYC/I/NTOSRWDDKfZl0qE34qqr0ccxtY3Xo24OE9TD200WXL30dnpFRj4LB9mDuMJm9HQ4+K2qND4q0Ya8qXk7NY+Mml+jJpdH9odxWthsFA0RVDB3HijtnAWM8jZ2YfHUezzeMwmZ4toENhsHaY1JK9LsfaJG6EK7Dw3uCpZOqIl4622PLYnDy4+KCdgpcAPHuXpH4dVU8JqY1t4LojkpHnz8a5WBYfBjgrK+EABJ0AWvRw0C6zOmqtso8VEZOUqNZ4448dtHlq9ySoU6W/yRRoEn5qWWF20eRuyh1OAh3UlospylVw8JApNdmaKSlkRJYnbR4p0PcGFOfzVjacInInFNFEubYNkTimjG4dS2KXQ+wTZBJF7JJIKZDZKxk7xKNFMKWwUvIi1hl8A7ac6JxQ5K8UN4srafMeI/JQ5mscV+4sPThHU2qNNiJYxYSmehix0iirQnvWdiKRC3Mqqfhw7VKOSh5fH2XR52nTIOlju+oRvVBHGUXVw0IrA0ZsVpLL8nPi8XvVg+AweWP1K2GtEJhSy2UmiFzTns7PTxYljVIuZRtzVhw8hX0BmaOLfkrYWLkdqgqM6lQs4cIKvpUPmiGU7/BXU2/kk5hHGiOHop6tNFMamcxZ2b69AL6XZjiUHiafzWtVbohalJXGRlOBkvoyraeF+C0WYZSq04V8hksPyzIxVgsTEYee8/qV6DEU5Q5w8LWE6OXPh3MRmAHCwVNboybx3Bb1OnKK6uIWnO0zn9FCS9jyDsJkuqK17akr0WOwszCz2YUN7+K2jltWzhy+K09V7GXTwkXOqs2C0hRU20E3lJXima3CqwYeNy0NmqXv4X+SXI2XwRiDOpRc2QtWp7o8T+SLfTJ1UdgrUl8mM4Sf9pnlp4lJaGwSVciMeCQTs1INV5amhcmx6uhWApZFKE4RY6JUxCJY7ihmuVocoZtDoIhSaFQxyvzqGbJjilm3K0YbLorsI2yIhYvJ3RvHEqsrpDMIOqkKKk2nwRDRPehs1jH7K6LYV7GJwxWMapbNIxJNYpsYrGNVjWqLNlEgGp8qtypZUrKoGc26js0TkTFqdi1KQ2EPVajHBRyIsTRnOoIatRmy1XtVD2q1IxlBGayjCm4q6o1DVWlXdmTWoFi38EHskbUYh3vAW0Wcc1btkMire4DmpPeSoQqMn+ip8lR2avDVMUk9iNLBcikKJ4QiwwDcnhG5XEgXq44n4JIiRxSS2YccSwhQNIcFOSnBUmtJlBoc1A0zwRiWVGwuNAMJI00wdygcOnsS8bK6RVounZQICenTupbNFFhuGJARN+EIcMPBFUX+KxaV2dcPaiymFe1qg0BXMClm8UO0K5rUzWq1jVDZqkSYFYSAJJgDUmyTQvI9I4XFY+tUpZnYfDUnlhcB2qjm6ls2PAbhBmdDEnRrCN+4dj/TLCUjlL80b2xE8JnVVYb06wb/AMRH8ht3Az8FbhvQPo5g/sjHne+pmqv/AJnGR3CAoVvV90a65wgkGQRUrNv4OU1L7NPw+jcwWNp1m5qdRrxyOneNR4q+F4bGeh2IwrtvgK5JbrRqwZbNw14F2x+EgnnOvsOisYa1GnULDTLmjMx1ix/4mnuKab9mTKK90XkKDlcQoFqozaB3BVOYiy1VuYqTIaAnsUdiES9iiGqrM9TGx1OFluavRYulKzqtABbQl0ceXF2ZwplSFNWvICqc87gtLOdpIlCiXhVukpsiCXIc1eAUHElSyJZEyXbK4SU8qdOxUaGxS2K0urpurrn3PQ4jO2KcUlobBNsDwRsHEA7Mp8iN2J4JtlyRsHGUCnZWUqKu2asp01OxagVwG6mEwxTN5b5gFYvph0i6gMzTByAAjWXOiYndYrxP27jHQDiHQA3QNbmLWgFxG6TJibSuHL5ElJr6PV8fwlOKf2dRZigTAjvLt3LjqrKWNAAzWPABx+QK53hulavaDqkkAwQ59g4yA4E3dETFuCk/pSr+0Kxl5Uk6s6YeAmrR0duOOop25uyT4Ed3mrGY876YH+MH6LmDul6gHtDyBTN6ZrZZiRMTAifLu8wj1TZXoKOhdL46s6m9tPIxzmkZpdIne0Df4qHRHTlGjSp0nOfNNuUmoQ5ziNS4iZJ11XN6nSrnmDbVQOIcbEa8LeCl+S12WvC6o6v/ALUUNzgfP8lA+lND3m/zH8lyDEt07NQHk10eUK6jmDR7Vhvm/fZD8v8AYeiX/M6vV9LKDRvdyaQT8YWdTxzjies0Q9oqU2tq06rgGmAC17ACYeJg8YXOm1Ht0a65/et3BVOx9QezUI7kLyW/kfokl0dk+1j7g7pHzTU+lyfao5eYewz4LkbOm6rRd5dF5KLp+ktRwgWvwj6Kn5LI9CdRd05SGrg03gOIbJFvJQZ0y0hxLDDd7e1OswDB0gzpfkVzT7cqn8WvJuvkrqfTVU74HDKw+dlPqpWHoTodPpdjhIp1P5WmORAcrqeJY8S0nuIcwz3OAK5fW6VrCwfl0Aa6lTuANQ6+a+thfxV2D6dqEFtQNnKS0tDWuz3v2TaI93zW3qJL4Od+JFq0zodclZ1emSthzZvxuh6lJd8ZHkThZjbBLq60zSS2XJXuYcRmdXT9WWlsUtijcfEjO6ulsFo7FPsEbhxGdsUlo7BJG4+IOyJZETkSyLGzs1BsiWRE5EsiLDUGyJZETkSyIsNSjInbTV+ROGJWPU8P6yMEXMY4cmyAXZQHh5IAvo34LwtCkQBa4cZ9rKRJgtmHG0SIF50XSvWGSKDQDBJeZEaBv/0LnJevP8iVSZ7XhRcoLv2Ex2URJJJuTFzxtYdyg+vzVbzy0/WqkzBPdJy5e+5A/hEuE9y5VG+zvbUVQ1SrryPxVfWiBAPwGttDqp1cHUF8uYEHTWBqcp7XwQbSNZOvDf3q1GiW0xVKhk7rn6L3vQfRGFdQpPqFpe9gc7tge1cCJtAgeC8A59z4L0NR9WnsKTe2+s5lOkMxYxzi0unNB7MA3hb4Mak/eqOHzcjjFJK7YdXwwGLFJtFpoZ2A1Jf7JaC45s0WJI03IPD7Qtql2Ga0tpgsH3nafnYCPbv2S4+Cg7FVWVKlKtFOpSLZAfmaWuEtc0kDWDaNyn1v/efELtWJtWpnmPOk6eNEXNq7NrhhWF5qVA5pLxDAGZTlzzcl9/3VTjOj6rqRqbJtLJdwYTdsgEkEkyDBtaJ0i9oxVR9SnRow+pVLsoL8rQ1olznEA6WtF5V/Ru0qPqU6gax1Go6lWBcHsaS0EmTGZuVwO5Z5MPunM2xeS4tNY67PPUqpBtrGoMa89xUX1DMgknUk6nmefNQDSL5ZReHY03IAEkydGtbEnWDJcAOJEalcC+j2n9kaFY8UW2qREzI/V1OlRZOoDmkasqgTmLdWmB2gRpchUHDucA64md4qQRrmyiW+R3JOAKaLXYqJBaXhxmBAc08WzEg+6SOM6y+Hio8U2uAe4dmYGaZBADodm5ZUI8Edx0IuDxg/Ra3o27+kYcz/AHgHnZOL7pmeSFRcos6+acW4KpzEY5qrLF61nzziBmmm2aLLE2zTsnQF2aWzRWzS2aLDQF2aWzRWzS2aLDQF2adE7NJFhoWyEpCE2yW2SorZBchKQhNsltkUGyCpSlCbZLbIoNkGSkChG1k7aqVBsef9YjvuWn/if5VzB9W4XSPWC6aLI3CsfAM/OFy4viCvP8hfme34D/pmt0ZRBOZxAJ9md2twNSbOiPdOhgi2riWHM0NzAW4ySLw0Gw7JPfPGUOx0toExbPA0JJcGtAI35pN9wKng8SA6nnG0a57rB5acoFiG6NsY3G5CzS+Dobu2WOrOywA2S1habC1i3M2SQLxJtMd6z8Xle3aAQZh4/e48d4k/vN1MlGnF0AX1Ax8saXsDi0tdmIb94QLtvEAjQiyED5p4kHL2S0Na0BrWxVlwbyBc3W+iZPz7GY8b/NTp0BbcQQQWktcHaggj9aqTQLd/wU23sNRuFz5Kbfwa0vkHeSHOJLnFxJLnHOSdLlM14Fu/lHJEvwdR1xTdJ4w35qqvh3MIDgAYBHcSRfyVdvtkdLpFBqAZS0ljmuJDmksIOlj46J2QCTcknMSSXEuO8k/ryCpqQN1+StoUXvdlY1z3RMNaXGBvgCVXuqJ6TtlxqrUp0H7OpUZ2hQy06rO1LQ8HtkAw4ZnVG8LDUExn0MM9rhnpuaGyTma5shomLjfEeKLo42uxkMxBa3MHnKcvbMXLm3dfjwUpUNyv2CMFisQ+o1mzLnVHAAua/wBraZ2EuMkNaS62kEzormYum4vH9U8gtg5pD87i8lzRLokQ22kRcrQ6L9Ma7MrK7A8WGe7HCSe043afIaI/pTGdF1y/M8NeJO0Yyo1xP8QbDvFXSrpmNtPuP+uzBxxEuJAuHXBAzNbmDS5oFp7BBEe0IU/Rsf0ihP7WlH/MYPr81nV4aHZXF4L4DiCJa0AnszaZZ5Iz0bqluJw3OrSHm9qzj3JG01WNnbiVElVmoq3VF6lHz7kXylKG2ibaJ0TsFSlKF2qbbIoNguUpQm2S2yKDZBchJCbZJFBsgDOUsxR/V0urrPmRHFIAzFLMUf1ZP1ZHKg4pGfmKcE8FodXCfYJ8qDiYA2VYEXsQlsUuVD42eM9Yj4oTvFPER35AuW1apI8l1X1mNy4dpt7NcGb/AN2uSud8guXL3Kz1/C6hRpYSuHNNJxibsdIEO4SdN8bu07iCNE4c5ZPtNzZozReCQRIM2Bi0EmwXmXO+SLoY+o1rRm0baQ1+UcG5hbwWdHW/0bmEoWzQCXwRFMNk+0LDWCAYad2hN0B0liB7DTIDgXEREiwFrGOVrNF8uYhP6Rc6ZfqL5Q1mb+INAnxVZqxyCGNL5Zp9Fm9TshxFNxAIzdoREDxRFauZINRxF7RSonSxGe4v8DyggdFVxtWA2mRyuCPqFTTaQSIaSyZBuJ00tvSXQ32w7FV6YInt/wATqr98xlIyzp+JD4xwcyi4Xlr23AEAGGiATulEYnCsAYGnKXjeGQXiBl5Ge/XVZ8zRqAH2KuY8Q0jKByvPkrozToHqEn4r1HoHTzV6pIsGBvHU5v8A1rydPNYGZsRNpB0K9v6uqf8AXu50/wDpDgf/ACBViX5o5/Nn/wCeT+6/k9H010Sa1NrGNYJq0y4kZZY2SQIHGFR0N0HsxWFVrSX13ubGmQhsACABobQj6rcTUc5rW08smJc8HLu9kQDpf4bhbhatTtMqUshA9oEOaTyvP6PKe/aWup89or2VnjPSdzKdVjWhrewT7AiJIvGlw64BWMAHfhzm92EOPkIcB3hE+mtYdZI91kebnOH+dYLHc/kvOy/3M+l8S+GP+A/EvjK33WgR+8buB7iSPBaPo48dZw0z/XUvPaNj4lYZPzWp6M1P6ZhRIvXoDv8AvGW+KiC/JHRlf9N/4O01HFUOqFabqKqdhl6HIj5x42Z4qngnFRHdWCY4ZLlQuKQJmKWYorq6fYo5UHFIEnkmujdilsEcqDiYFdJHbBJHKg4mWp1CUsy83kO6icpSq8yUpcoak8yUqsuSlHI2PUslOFXKfMq3oWp4/wBav9kB4GpHjTcuNtuB3LsnrTpZsFpOWpz303j6rj1HSOFjyhap3Gzq8f6IOOndHxUmOtopA6DgSpNGo/UJHUkVRyhOdIvp8VY4QqQ7TxQIsoVC0tdEljg4DuMrTq0S2u42guMyQJEZi29vPiFj5z+pXoKGNc11JwjM+kyTBcXHRwgCTEDQqkiJP6LKmEqvpsLR2piILL3JNr6lt+SCOHcw4hjhrRY9xEkbRgBcCYFyST4rS69iHy2MhuPZgDxdB8p8EBQo5HS9zWg5s2YgF08yTN4Mk+E3VEW/cyGvPHkuh+rql9y48aj/ACy0xv5tcuXlxG+8j9T5rpnoJ0lRZhqbTWYH9qW525gdo8jszPslu5XiX5HL50rxV+0erZ0th2lzTUykOLSHS2415RfXRXZ2u7TXhwnUEG+uoVDqzKkGSQDuBynkZEQovqMawtZkFjAblEujgN66KPHb6OUelNacVWM+4B/hpNB/ylZ+HrREx5KvpmrmxVc6g4nER3ZnwPL5JUbLjn2z6LB1FL6S/gLc4FavoiwHG4Xf9/RP/cYsF9UALZ9CXE47CEA5drTkwSB22ASe8hTFF5ZXFn0EmTlMFbkeXQxUSpyoFZyY0RJSlMSorB5DSicpSoSmlLlDUslMoSnRyhqV5ksypzJArk3NtS7MnCrBTlytMVE5SzKrMlmWikGpZKfMqsypq1kpSDU8d62cQ9tCg5moquGpEjIXECOTCuOf7QPL+2C9lxD3ZnATPZeAI32iOIK656xMW91FoptDy2oDBGYEQQbTwK5Z0gKlRtNpoD7svgnM4w4zk19gbhuk8V3eLOLx0zKdxl0Xh7T2mHM1wkHTlcbiCCD9RdPtoB8VTWxNcgDY6OcRJc6M2okmYsIG4ADmqCav7A+DiFbir9zpjn679wp1cm35qVBjS15cSHD2bwPEZTPmEMx9Qa4cnueR9CoPdXOlGNeLvqkkhyzRZME6XRbOk6jGtZnsAezDTqSb21mfgs5hxI/ux3gOB85VWyxF+xqd0j6qq/ZDzI0xjnOsXOI4FziPJVOqeExyQbWVxfYgnicx+AKYdav2G3/dBjkJ3JUvsfOqoIfq3/TcmAsJv5qvaYmINKmeezv8CB8ExOJIALAQB7vdz1sgXNH9h2GpDMIdknV0wdPC/j470QOkq7CQ3FVYjdVqNsRpZ0crFZjDV30f9E5fV/ZfP80weSDff8CfJOuh87HXzTirF1Wdr+yOqY03HWi7wMJ0hcq+Ax9dtNrS4ZnvALGnQNmM7uIkEAcjNrHS6Lx+0D21XOLoaWnOMoMuAa1gHY13H8I0WbjKgfA6u8ABg1Z2coyww5ZFomZktBsj+jGgxTp0SwPdTzufs3uDBGYBwaC6b3Ma7oQ6S9yHPZ9n0WaicOWPgcbmAPFHNqrgWb7FoFFyi5yq2ii56JZOgUCZcmlVZksywcrL1LMyWZV5k0qWx0WZklVmSU7BqUByltVmnEJtuo2o6uI0tqltVnCsn2yNg4jQ2iRqws44ngoGuq5KDiNB9bms3H4vcEPXxaBqVJUOdj46BcWcyBdhAdwWmGSnywqhKiXAyDgh7oSGCHuhaZarBSCfJbDQyepD3QnGAHuhazaYVgphWpEuJi9Rb7oSGAHuhapYFY2lZCmDgY3UG+6E3UG+6FtNoqTqIVbC1MPqDfdCf7Ob7oWyaQTtYElINTEPRzfdCj9nt90LdfTCpyBJzpjUDI+zm+6Ej0a33Qtk0wnawIUw0MP7Ob7oV2HwbWmYC1XUgkKYSc2PQM6OxOXuW5SxFl5pphF4fExbcolKxrGb23Tiuso1ktus92i+GzX2ibaLLZilbtlSkmTxNB+1S2qzzVTbdGwcRo7VJZu2SRsHEBbVLapJLI7aQ7aig7EcEklMnQKKG2yHq4lJJJMbSoHdVTsMpJK0ZtEw5VOqJJJsSSJMUi9JJP4FQ7XqBrW70kkSYKKGFRFNfZJJVBimkSY5J70klpfRnXZTVeqxWSSWUn2aRSosbUsqnPSSQ30CSskKkjuSD0kkDoT371BrkkkmNLomXqAqpJJNgkgmjiIsrXvhJJKXsXBEdqpNrwkkos01Re2tKRekktV2jNxSZHaJJJKR0f/Z" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 3.6rem; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>As you narrow down the list of prospective lessors, here are a few final questions that can help you determine which one is best suited to your particular business needs:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How much money is required up front? </strong></div>
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<a 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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: 3.6rem; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Lease financing often provides 100 percent of the dues required for an equipment purchase. Loans do not, often requiring up to 20 percent of the total as a down payment. If a down payment is required, you may consider reassigning capital to cover any upfront costs. </div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Who takes advantage of the tax incentive? </strong></div>
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Under a loan structure, your company can claim depreciation. However, you will have to provide a down payment and be responsible for a higher rate of interest. Under a lease, the lessor claims depreciation. In exchange, they offer a lower APR – often half that provided through a loan. If the depreciation credit is important to you and you still want to lease, ask about the availability of finance or capital leases.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Are the financing terms flexible?</strong></div>
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Leases are often viewed as the most flexible financing options, especially in comparison to loans. Depending on the structure of the lease, you can opt to start with low payments and increase as time goes by (known as a "step-up lease"), defer payment to give yourself an extra window before the first payment is due, and even add additional equipment onto an existing lease under a "master lease" structure.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sylvia Rosen contributed to this article.</em></div>
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IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-62430719586128139652017-08-03T01:55:00.002-07:002017-08-03T01:55:42.851-07:0012 Businesses That Are Transforming the Travel Industry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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" 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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "pt sans", arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Traveling is an opportunity to learn through experiences, observing different cultures and lifestyles. It's also a chance to let go of your daily stressors and unwind in a foreign location.</span><br />
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However, the journey is not always easy. Between packing, booking flights and hotel rooms, and writing an itinerary, you might find yourself exhausted rather than invigorated. These 13 businesses aim to make traveling less trying and more relaxing.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. PetTravel.com</span></strong></h2>
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Do you find traveling nearly impossible because of a pet? If you have no one to pet sit while you're vacationing, consider using <a href="http://www.pettravel.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">PetTravel.com</a>, a worldwide travel resource for pets. The company provides you with information on airline pet policies, pet passports, pet-friendly hotels, pet transport and more. No more stressing over your furry ones at home – bring them with you and plan exciting experiences to share as a family.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Flavour</span></strong></h2>
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If you're a foodie, then you know that traveling means taste-testing exotic dishes and learning more about cuisine in the area. Using <a href="http://getflavour.com/#home" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Flavour</a>, you're able to connect with chefs and locals who know the ins and outs of the food scene in your destination city. According to the site, "Flavour is that friend who knows all the best places to go eat in a given city." Fuel your body with the best eats to keep you energized and cultured your entire trip.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. Flytographer</span></strong></h2>
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Ever wish you had a professional photographer to snap pictures of you and your traveling companions during your trip? According to <a href="http://www.flytographer.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Flytographer</a>, you can "meet with one of [the company's] local photographers around the world, have a stroll together and bring home the best souvenir possible – memories." Search for a photographer you like in the location you're traveling to and book a photo shoot via the company's website after you've finalized your trip details. When it's time for your shoot, your photographer will guide you around and take photos of your liking, from posed portraits to fun candids.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4. GetMyBoat</span></strong></h2>
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Love the water but not sure how or where to rent a boat while away? <a href="https://www.getmyboat.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">GetMyBoat</a> provides a peer-to-peer marketplace giving boat owners the power to rent their boats and vacationers the opportunity to experience a yacht, speedboat or watercraft at an affordable price. It's a win-win for both travelers and boat owners: Boating enthusiasts get the benefits of worldwide inventory without the cost or headache of ownership, and since the average boat is only used 8 percent of the year, boat owners can offset the cost of their under-utilized asset by earning extra income from it, the site said.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">5. Peek</span></strong></h2>
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Remove the hassle and pressure of planning activities on vacation with <a href="http://www.peek.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peek</a>. The site curates a selection of fun activities for you that you can book online or via the company's mobile app. You can also use Peek's travel Guides to see an overview of the top things to see or use the "Perfect Days" feature to book a complete itinerary with "insider tips and hidden gems from tastemakers," according to the website.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6. The Trip Tribe</span></strong></h2>
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If you're flying solo but would prefer to travel in a group or make new friends while on vacation, <a href="https://triptribe.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Trip Tribe</a> makes it easy. The company allows members to create a profile and search for trips. They'll use your profile information to match you with other travelers who share your interests so you can book a trip with like-minded people. When you view trips on the site, you can see which other members are going, as well as the dates, price per person and other important details. Some of The Trip Tribe's featured trips include "Thailand Island Hopping," "London to Rome Adventure" and "Belgium Beer Tour." <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[Want to see the world and get paid for it? Check out these </strong><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2389-jobs-travel-lovers.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">great jobs for travel lovers</strong></a><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.]</strong></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7. Welcome Beyond</span></strong></h2>
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<a href="http://www.welcomebeyond.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Welcome Beyond</a> is dedicated to travelers who prefer a unique vacation experience. Welcome Beyond strives to curate hotels and vacation rentals that are "truly original." These exclusive rentals range from quirky to posh and are easy to search for and book. Choose a country and region for your stay, and search by interests like architecture and design, nature and ecotourism and secluded retreats. You can also refine your search by accommodation type, with selections ranging from boutique hotels to private islands available in more than 30 different countries, including the United States.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">8. BlackJet</span></strong></h2>
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Book a seat on a private jet with <a href="https://www.blackjet.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">BlackJet</a>. According to the company's website, "BlackJet members enjoy the convenience, reliability and private jet experience at prices you would expect from American, Delta or United first class." As with all flights, costs vary depending on your origin and destination locations and the date of travel, but prices start around $1,000. BlackJet memberships are limited, but free until you book your first trip – after that, there's an annual fee.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">9. Triposo</span></strong></h2>
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Travelers with a spontaneous streak will love <a href="http://www.triposo.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Triposo</a>, an app that gives you personalized suggestions for things to do on your trip while you're on the go. Users can book tours and activities via the app, as well as learn important information about their destination's history, culture, currency and language. Before you go on your trip, download Triposo's destination guide to your device, and while you're there, get real-time updates about what's going on nearby. Bonus: The app works offline too, so you don't need to search for WiFi to find your next activity.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">10. Wanderable</span></strong></h2>
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Weddings are expensive, and honeymoons can quickly add up. Eliminate stress and lower costs with <a href="https://www.wanderable.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Wanderable</a>. Rather than setting up a traditional wedding registry, couples can register with Wanderable, where their guests can contribute to their honeymoon fund. The company does more than just collect cash for your dream trip – Wanderable allows you to search destinations and organize your trip based on your interests. Wedding guests can also contribute to specific costs, like transportation, lodging and even special tours or events offered at your destination.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">11. AirHelp</span></strong></h2>
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Most times, airlines will help you rebook a canceled flight and accommodate you. When they don't, <a href="https://www.getairhelp.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">AirHelp</a> steps in. You can either use the company's online form or download its free mobile app to file a claim with your flight details, and AirHelp will communicate with the airline for you so you can avoid stress and confusion. The company will even file a lawsuit, if possible or necessary. If your claim is successful, AirHelp will take a 25 percent service fee out of the money you're awarded as payment; but if you lose your claim and you don't get paid, you won't owe AirHelp anything.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">12. Stray Boots</span></strong></h2>
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Exploring a new city doesn't have to be about meandering around looking at tourist attractions. Turn your next trip into a real-life scavenger hunt with <a href="https://www.strayboots.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Stray Boots</a>. Download the app, select and purchase the tour you want to go on, then activate it while you're connected to the Internet (you only need it to load beforehand; it can be offline during play). The app will guide you through your chosen city while you and your friends or family members complete challenges, answer trivia questions, take fun photos and earn points. Along with many popular U.S. cities like New York and San Diego, you can also participate in scavenger hunts in London, Paris, Copenhagen and Tel Aviv. </div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-26277662035582915092017-08-03T00:15:00.002-07:002017-08-03T00:15:42.226-07:004 Big Challenges New Leaders Have to Overcome<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hasil gambar untuk leaderships" src="https://newtrendsinmanagement.wikispaces.com/file/view/OrangLeaderOnPodiumSM.jpg/332641670/360x270/OrangLeaderOnPodiumSM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: <span class="irc_ho" dir="ltr" style="margin-right: -2px; padding-right: 2px; unicode-bidi: isolate;">NewTrendsinManagement</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Accepting your first real "leadership" position is an exciting, but intimidating, time. All business leaders were once in your shoes: They realized, at one time or another, that instead of following directions, they would be able to give directions, too — and that's not always an easy transition to make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"A first-time leadership job is very stressful," said Richard Wellins, senior vice president of HR consulting firm Development Dimensions International (<a href="http://www.ddiworld.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">DDI</a>) and co-author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118911954/?tag=businessnewsdaily-20" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Your First Leadership Job: How Catalyst Leaders Bring Out the Best in Others</a>" (Wiley, 2015). "There's a significant change in roles and responsibilities. Success comes not from what you do ... but from what you do to grow and develop others."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wellins noted that this is a shift many leaders have difficulty making, since organizations often promote individuals based on their technical competencies, rather than their leadership skills. Here are a few of the challenges you'll face as you undergo this job transition, and how to best overcome them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Changing dynamics with colleagues</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you've spent some time in a non-leadership position at your company and are suddenly promoted, a lot of things about your job are going to change. Yes, your responsibilities and daily work will be different, but your relationship with your co-workers -- especially those on your immediate team -- will no longer be defined as "peers."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"It's a difficult transition because your identity [among] your peers and colleagues changes," Wellins said. "You have to shift and identify as a leader."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Changing from co-worker to boss doesn't mean you can't still be friendly with one another, and it certainly doesn't mean you should abuse your newfound power. However, just keep in mind that there may be a period of adjustment to earn the respect of your team as an authority figure rather than an equal-level employee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Being a 'teacher'</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One key component of shifting into a new dynamic with your colleagues is the role you'll need to play as a teacher. Diane Omdahl, president and co-founder of Medicare consultation firm <a href="http://65incorporated.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">65 Incorporated</a>, said that when she first stepped into a leadership position, she realized there were many opportunities for "teaching moments." The challenge, however, is knowing how and when to teach others, especially if there's a conflict that must be addressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"As a first-time leader, you're in a position you're unfamiliar with," Omdahl told Business News Daily. "You might feel like you're overstepping your boundaries when you have to confront a co-worker on an issue. But, just because you're in a leadership position doesn't mean you need to change your attitude or how you approach your work."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Omdahl also noted that new leaders can learn to become effective motivators when they lead and teach by example.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Employees feed off of that — leaders who lead by example cultivate the next generation of great leaders," she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Making hiring decisions</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Leaders have the important responsibility of being involved in the hiring process for their team. If you've never had to hire someone before, you're likely in for a big shock when it comes time to bring in a new employee — Beau Hale,president and co-founder of ad technology firm <a href="http://www.adboomgrp.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">AdBoom Group</a>, said that most first-time leaders don't realize the amount of effort that goes into a hiring decision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Often times, inexperienced leaders don't realize that it takes extensive knowledge and the right research to hire the right people for the right role," Hale said. "Many make decisions upon face value of the applicant. This usually results in a stressful dilemma where they have an employee dragging the business down and then the employee ultimately has to be let go."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A tiered interview process, in which multiple employees such as a human resources manager and another company leader speak with the candidate, can help guide a new leader through a first hire and teach him or her how to best evaluate applicants. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Learning the difference between leading and managing</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Though leadership and management both involve overseeing a team of workers, there is a distinct difference between the two, and first-time leaders may not always realize it. They may</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">feel that, if they are accomplishing their goals and hitting their budgets, they are successfully leading, said Steve Parker, vice president of customer success and business transformation at employee recognition company <a href="http://www.achievers.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Achievers</a>. But leaders need to inspire their team, share purpose and provide direction, not just manage the budget.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Have a clear vision aligned with the company's mission and purpose, and constantly communicate the vision and how your people are contributing," Parker said. "Catch them doing things that contribute to accomplishing your vision, and visibly recognize them for it, because what gets recognized gets repeated by others."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">--</span><span style="font-family: "pt sans" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Nicole Fallon</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-12009237687611294972017-08-03T00:00:00.001-07:002017-08-03T00:07:13.587-07:003 Important Things to Teach Your Future Leaders<br />
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Certain individuals just seem born to be leaders. However, even if you naturally exhibit typical leadership qualities, people don't simply become great leaders overnight. They must be developed through ongoing learning and training opportunities.</div>
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"For most people, leadership is … a skill that must be nurtured throughout a career," said Walter Lynch, CEO of <a href="https://ziplinelogistics.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Zipline Logistics</a>. "If a company doesn't invest in leadership training for its high-potential employees, those individuals are likely to leave and find opportunity and deeper engagement elsewhere."</div>
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But you can't approach leadership training the same way you approach other opportunities at your company, said Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of <a href="https://oukosher.org/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">OU Kosher</a>: It needs to feel special and be engrained as a core component of your organization's culture.</div>
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"The more we can help develop future leaders, the more they want to want us to teach them," Genack said.</div>
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If you want to invest in your company's future through leadership training, here are a few key things to keep in mind. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[Want to become a better leader? Try</strong> <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4991-effective-leadership-skills.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">these tactics</strong></a><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.]</strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Help them understand the difference between leading and managing.</span></h2>
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If a leadership candidate seems more excited about being "the boss" who's in charge of others, they're probably not the best person for the job. Leadership is different from management, said Lynch; potential leaders need to recognize the differences and be open to the challenges.</div>
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"Leaders aren't caught up with the notion of people working for them," said Dale Falcinelli, chairman of the advisory council at Lehigh University's <a href="http://lehighbakerinstitute.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship</a>. "They'll have the passion and drive to get where they need to go, and they'll know that to get there, they have to work for and through other people."</div>
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"[Leaders] need to be genuinely interested in growing the skills of others, not just in delegating tasks or managing processes," Lynch added.</div>
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Lynch noted that effective leadership coaching should include a focus on self-awareness and emotional intelligence, empathy, managing change, and the importance of mentoring others to be strong leaders. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Teach them the ins and outs of your business.</span></h2>
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A good leader must always be training the next generation of leaders, said Stephen Sheinbaum, founder of alternative financing company <a href="http://www.bizfi.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Bizfi</a>. To do this, leadership candidates need to be well-versed in where your business is headed, and what kinds of people and skills will be needed to make that happen.</div>
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"If a greater use of technology is going to be key to the future growth of your company, then you've got to make sure that your leaders understand that technology and its importance in your industry," Sheinbaum said. "They may not be the ones writing the code, but they have to know how to hire, communicate with and guide the coders that you will need."</div>
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Genack agreed, adding that companies should focus on developing leaders not only within the management structure, but also within the employees' broader fields.</div>
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"All employees should be encouraged to become experts and leaders in their fields of expertise," he said. "This, in turn, helps them develop the skills and confidence to become leaders within their offices as well."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Help them envision their future.</span></h2>
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Genack reminded employers that they need to keep junior staff engaged and empower them to feel valued; otherwise, they may jump ship before they can reach a leadership position within your company. Matt Rizzetta, CEO of <a href="http://n6a.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">North 6<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> Agency</a>, agreed, noting the importance of building a culture that frequently promotes from within.</div>
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"Build a culture where rising stars are identified, groomed and emerge as leaders, and establish a standard of excellence that is passed on down to the next generation of employee recruits," he told Business News Daily. "The end result will be an organizational chart that constantly flows upward, showing nonstop movement, promotion opportunities and a trajectory that always points toward progress."</div>
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Finally, Lynch noted that leadership development takes time. Potential leadership candidates need to be able to take the long view and see their training as part of their future at the company.</div>
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"Becoming a leader is a marathon and not a sprint. It takes time and effort to develop effective leadership skills," he said. "[Future leaders] must be able to be held accountable for shortfalls and be open to criticism for continued grow and development."</div>
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--<span style="font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Nicole Fallon</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-57582812008926347842017-08-02T22:37:00.000-07:002017-08-03T00:06:38.680-07:0013 Secrets to Success from Serial Entrepreneurs<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hannibal Baldwin, co-founder and CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.sitezeus.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">SiteZeus</a> </strong>(previous company — Baldwin Beach Capital): "I believe the success of progressive entrepreneurship lies within ... <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">identifying and understanding the gap worth solving</strong>, the system-level technology or design to solve that gap and the business and financial intelligence to execute with strategic speed."These founders have mastered the art of growing a business from the ground up, and therefore have a lot of wisdom to impart to current and aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether you just want to focus on the one business you have or dream of launching several companies in the future, here's what you can learn from 13 successful serial entrepreneurs.For most entrepreneurs, starting and running one successful business during their career is enough of a challenge. But for serial entrepreneurs — those who start, run and often sell multiple businesses — the thrill of startup life is too appealing to do it only once.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Steve Gefter, managing director of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.iddsgroup.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">IDDS Group</a> </strong>(previous company — TSG Management): "Serial entrepreneurs have a mindset unlike anyone else; they are entrepreneurs on steroids. A <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">'get it done' work ethic</strong> is the most essential trait. Starting a business takes a lot — financially, emotionally and physically. To start one business requires a 'roll up your sleeves' mentality, so imagine what it takes to start five or 10. You either have it or you don't; and the most successful serial entrepreneurs do."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Devaraj Southworth, CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://thirstie.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thirstie</a> </strong>(previous companies — Tailfin Ventures, iThinkLabs, 30Seven Design): "I watched [my grandfather] build his own business, Gotham Button Company, from an early age. He loved his business and the people that helped build it with him. What I remember the most was that he was <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">always striving to do things better</strong>. I knew the road of the entrepreneur wasn't going to be easy, and that chances of success were very small, but I also knew it was the path I wanted and needed to try. Anyone can have a great idea, but turning that idea into a reality and executing on it is the difference between success and failure. For any entrepreneur, anything is possible, as long as you work incredibly hard, stick to your vision and build the right team."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Georgianna Oliver, founder and CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://t.sidekickopen03.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJW7t5XX45vfVJ-W5vg7Pz8rBKlbVRrZFz56dP3sf7pYw8H02?t=http://www.packageconcierge.com/&si=4942894717730816&pi=aa3904cb-e709-40c2-8d7e-bcf4eb60fe73" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Package Concierge</a> </strong>(previously founded and sold two businesses in the multifamily housing industry): "<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Leverage your connections</strong>. Your network can make valuable introductions, contribute financially and most importantly provide realistic, experiential advice. I maintain connections with past employees, colleagues, managers and other influencers in the multifamily space, and even now, I run business ideas and challenges by them for input."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">David Goldin, president and CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.capify.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Capify</a> (formerly AmeriMerchant) </strong>(previously co-founded Media Connection of New York): "You need to be constantly thinking of how to enhance and grow your business because your competitors are doing the same. Remember that losing is not an option and when you're in stressful situations, you've got to figure out ways to navigate and overcome the obstacles. If it was easy to be an entrepreneur, then everyone would be one. The best entrepreneurs need to <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">be resilient and bounce back</strong> from anything."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Charles Michael Yim, CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.breathometer.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Breathometer</a> </strong>(previous companies — Chatterfly, ProBuddy): "At a young age I realized that I needed to <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">keep trying, push myself and experience new things</strong>. It helped a great deal that I was also a good listener and learned to accept feedback and seek guidance from people I respected. With Breathometer [which was featured on Shark Tank], I have been able to gain access to people that I always aspired to follow — Mark Cuban, Richard Branson and the amazing people these great leaders surround themselves with."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dane Atkinson, CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://sumall.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">SumAll.com</a> </strong>(previous companies — Sense/Net, YourDay.com, YourStuff.com, IEnsure.com): "I have [served] as CEO [of] a dozen companies ... [and] the majority have been in service to the small business. I wish there was a single north star, but some advice has fared true through it all. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hire smart, value work and stop meddling when you can</strong>. Stay attuned to your own perspective, as a slight change there affects all."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Scott Tannen</strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.bollandbranch.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Boll & Branch</a> </strong>(previous companies — red5 Capital, Funtank): "We all have a tendency to think that people who seem superstressed and ultraserious are the most successful. In my experience, almost the exact opposite is true. Great leaders inspire others to make them even greater. You can inspire with fear and anger, but your tower of power is really just a house of cards. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Keeping things in perspective and lightening up </strong>on a regular basis make you more approachable. When you need to get serious, the change in your demeanor will be a great unspoken cue to your team that it's time to buckle down. But, try to smile a lot — it makes you feel better and makes people want to be around you more."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ben Wong, vice president of marketing at </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://bindopos.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bindo</a> </strong>(previous companies — Versed, NiaSolvo, KCL Investment Club): "There's nothing more exhilarating than starting a new business and building everything from scratch — the processes, the team and the product. Learning new things is what really drives me, and I think there is never enough you can learn when you start your own business. I find the fast-paced nature of startups, and the freedom to make your own mistakes and take responsibility for them frightening but also very exciting. You need to have a personality that never gives up. [You] <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">should not be afraid to wander into unchartered territory</strong> and to learn new things."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ellen Rubin, CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.clearskydata.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ClearSky Data</a> </strong>(previous companies — CloudSwitch, Netezza): "<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Build a solid executive team and board.</strong> Strong partners make a strong organization. [Your startup also] needs to consist of several layers of knowledgeable individuals, from the engineering team to sales and marketing. Build [your] team from the best and brightest ... to bring depth of knowledge and skill to the organization."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jason Hogg, CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.b2rfinance.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">B2R Finance</a> </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and senior lecturer at Cornell University's Johnson School of Management </strong>(previous companies — HangIt, Revolution Money): "Serial entrepreneurship breeds intellectual curiosity. I like to think about it as innovation versus creation, where innovation is improving upon existing ideas and creation is starting fresh. Societal demands are constantly changing and technology is continually advancing. However, there is a gap that takes place in leveraging these technology changes to properly address new demands. Incumbents have a tough time quickly responding to these shifts because they are dealing with legacy systems and entrenched processes designed to serve their existing consumer base. Meanwhile, serial entrepreneurs are <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">focused on creation and leveraging these technologies to create new solutions </strong>optimized to address the market need."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Beerud Sheth, co-founder and CEO of <a href="http://www.teamchat.com/en/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Teamchat</a>/Webaroo</strong> (previous company – Elance): "After my first startup, I stopped riding the emotional roller coaster inherent in the startup journey. In startups, the highs are higher and the lows are lower — the emotional swings can drive you crazy. I learned to <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">stay level-headed, even-keeled and focused</strong> on the longer term."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stephen Bradley, CEO of </strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://tweet.authorbee.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">AuthorBee</a> </strong>(previously helped build several successful media ventures): "It's thrilling and rewarding to start with a possibility and see your vision come together and turn into something with a life all its own. [But start] one [business] at a time. You really have to be 'all in.' I didn't set out to create multiple businesses — I set out to create a business. You may get to where you feel it's time to move on to the next thing for whatever reason, but until then it takes all your focus. You [also] always have to be prepared for failure. Just because you were successful once doesn't mean you will be the next time. You've got to be resilient and <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">enjoy the ride as much as the reward</strong>."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "pt sans" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">--Nicole Fallon</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-39529798572210152692017-08-02T22:24:00.000-07:002017-08-02T22:32:34.535-07:0010 Great Places to Find a New Business Idea<div style="text-align: justify;">
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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hasil gambar untuk business idea" border="0" 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j6To71urS1OVdQw/SV+svtpb3Yqo+ZzB+HUK6PTZ4JoRj6Y3Dd/nMLr3xHpm3eG6sackkjybvTZ6MTyPpFe75fi5im6tf2hi9d0lSpWFDVWoGZHqyrIQN3Ydvyg8e3rmZHUdbdrqPwt1enfUAO/jpgBlDhd7H03A5J4x3mV1jrNmstSsZAY9gRuI7sWIwDxn2HaXun07gz5xQp/a252ray9q0J7gHAA9O5l3Z7POis1jqp9W0Y0tGm2NuFTNUbF7stjM5OfbJOPpLGjIqoF1rlQobwqanZGuY/12X8q/pF9evQ1OpwFssQK2comzzHJ9OAYnofTl1dVlauVyvD43DcQece3PpiSO/RnMdImVXU/E91jMECiry/syOFJHfdw2Tz6wtG91rKqIWZjgKtiMWPsATmbfSOhtpK/CsVGZsmwjzI/yBODjAE9b8DdD09Ie4ea/cw5GPBrJOAv6juf1Ek1nyzrttbbVT+Eum9Q09gaxPDpJKvWXDMcjhgqkgYOOZ7MiOxAIh2UptjDE+JOhV9QqFbkqyOLK3A3BXHHmU8Mp7EfwnmrPgx7B4bU9NpU8NqKK7GvK+uxH8tbfPLY9p7xhFsIwzypaTSJRWlNYIStFRQSWO0D1J7mEwj2ESwlQh4l5YeIeAh4l494h5Qh4lo94lpApdO/9UxyUt7GbPgzhTObnS6eRHtmpW3sYwgqCSDgAn7TQFMXrGFNb2kMwRGbagLO2B2AHcyxqzM9jkx7eI/F2a412KhyqYRFOVJJybPl2WWLOj+FWPG3dwdteApZmJIZR2GMZP9rJ7Sn1XqDOdCaFOlO9fxCVnaXts81gL9yAF49iTDs1a2bkRnTDONr5DHzHk7uST7+89XMVjszrEdmJrNLXk+FmoAnFlR8QGojBDDK5+fqMe3dVSrp2XJ315wCo8Nhn254/QnB57GWOo0kNsVSVdhnkn0HHv3MDVdMesDaFKtw1bOgwO+VOZqnOcwyiIh6T4N11tN6UV2eLprGYeH4ZU0ZGQ28844xg9uBPc6zqGnUNW9oUsCnGSwLDH83sZ5P+TJWFOorIwEvG3n0Kj09O02tZ0BTY14HiHzOKySBvxweO/M5b6mbNujpaNr5vMx/lhfFV71VbCXbKLU+8ktY6rjcf1AH1k/D9L0itfEK+KrFu+Aqew+ZJ5+R9pU6n1O291Y1ALXaSwfLl2U4/QKO+APT1lzRBSz22WMS9JwW7pwfftgEcfKYRMbnv5mKREr+guKacPnJvzdtI52luATjngzC02rZEarwnYeZHIGFYDygNuOOw7Tc6nruy1+RFUKAOMgds/aZBsLHJ8wBOwHvyO+f3SzbrhpjPefLPfreq8Xwgxrwpwp2szKoz3I5ODC16goLuS5yGbGE49l7Aj/P5Sh17Ts19VyYQhDk5z5lPAP3/AHTtPqr7MK77lwRsUYDsRjP68TDdiZabz0xh9J631VD0neuM21VVbQduGJCsPphp8mu1AO1Ru4DscjHmIx9ueP8AWfT/AIT0Fi0FL0G3eGrDjPGMHynt2z9Z47+Ubpi6fUb6wc6hQSASQX3YP6EnEsWy+c4vQit5mJUOiaBFpt1t2WAHhpUMg3WMQErGPQkqTj0x85PT7Dbq08XBfT1bGrRVGnRAMBRnOefbgEE5z3BqvDfTrYWzUqMa/wCjpZVyOPViQPv29sgam3TWC3a5bJ3qwwGQ+i5+X75nlwxXOfm0+s9NqD7yCK7Ac1ocKWB788D09PeaXTOpU1oa60WlioRXXO/IwASfU8COvqr1GmLHOAFcY/Mvv9QCftPOrRYlnhoyjDf8Y53OhXIAAHlHPvL1hh/VGJ8PX9M1Nr1jcXcu7EZ8xQ44C+v0lzoHWQmuVN2FOKbA3GdxwpHzDbf8RmV0fXHSoqBULqCQ5Vjj9Bu474lvR6canUU2hhW7WftB/wAzaN3C+/A/T6TKbdGOnWd+X0o2r7j7wDYvuPvM/wAOQa5o5j1+UvNYvuPvFNYvuPvKhSAUjmnKWWsHuItnHuJXKQCkc05JrOPcRLsPeCUi2rjmnJ+aHIiXIhtXFtXLzvkvJ+ZTmJaPauAapOd8jkx7bghAQ/D+U4V/Kc7pDJHHMLw53hZlhHyX4p0a0allY21qtpdWXzDYWLr3z6nvj0MpVawI/dHrsweOVV/ce3+s+p9W6DTql22AsPY4P8RMKz+T/TEELuUHvt2j9+J1zxOfHVIrMdnlNVqFIHnxjP5vMSCO3P8ArKQ1ShsBs+UYHoJ64/yaafOfEvz/AH8/5S5pPgOisht9hI7HIBH1AmM68SvVofBWi/D0F7Diy8hipP5EH5QR78k/X5T0YtX3H3mXpfh+tOxc/wB5yZfXpqgY5+80TOZyMfrWgTFli4AO52Hs2OT+hxz8+fWeWbWqabBtIyHr5XDjdx/A5nvbekg/zmH1mP1D4SW8HLuM+vGf4S75xh3aPEzWMSwqdSHrBZh25yRux8x7xB1lQwMnIGe3pmXf/TvByuouH+E/uIiz/J624N+Jtz/dX/tJvbZ4qPTI8N9baKa9qjJ3Ox4QepP+k950Xp+k0aqE2s4HNrY3sf8AIfITM03watfZ29M4wMy9T8MoO7Mf1MZhxa2ra8/JuDVofUfeZ3W+mafWqBaDuTlHRtrqe/B/WNq6Mq9ob9M/tH7y5ctoiekvj+vsexztVzZ4mTgEsGDZ+hyJcfpFl9O/UIUw3lZObmHcqFGdx/N3nttX8Lh7vGDurAY8uPv27894V3wy5G4X2BgDgnBIzM41Icc8Lb2+d9E6ltcqT+yfuBlnRs/1e5kdb3UXhKyreT8w9BuIX5dsT1NPwE4uN51BZyDnNYwe3f7CW0+D7BZva0FvQ+GMgfKXmxhP4W27Ph5z4f6RdqfPaSpbyi1sjwUPcoPyk+2M8kZ7T6R09NPpq0qqAVEGB6n5kn1J9TMxPh4+trmWK/h7H9I5mE2y6dPT2eGp+KX3nfiBEV9KC+pMZ+CAmLak3iCbhJOlgnTQoGuEW10NtNAbTSBbXQDdDOmgHTQpbXQDZGnT/KCaYCi8AvHGqQaoG9tnbYyRmTC5RiSJOZ2YA7Z22FmcTKuQETgDCzJBkMjQRggKYQMJDmzIAkkzlMYbIlO2CVjAYJMYMlMskZksZGYwkyYDF2ZhAwGMrWUyyMQzIzJgyALBZeYzMHMmBAWGokSQZUHiQROzIJlAkGCRCJglpFARBIhEwSYAEQCIwmATClkQCIwmCYCyIBWMJgGB/9k=" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All successful entrepreneurial ventures have one thing in common:
They solve a specific problem. Whether they fill a gap in the market or
improve upon what's already out there, good business ideas demonstrate
what the issue is and why they have the unique ability to address it.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you've been racking your brain for a way to start your own business
but keep coming up short, you might just need a change of scenery. You
never know where inspiration will strike, so get up and explore these 10
places to find solvable problems — and, therefore, great business
ideas.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Think you've found your perfect startup? Do some research to make sure the idea is legal and feasible, and then visit our <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4686-how-to-start-a-business.html">step-by-step guide</a> to starting a business.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Your smartphone</span></h2>
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</script>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
In the "there's an app for that" era, it may seem like every mobile
application under the sun has already been thought up and built. But
that's not necessarily the case, as many people discover when they scour
their smartphone's app store searching for something that doesn't
exist. Perhaps an app you recently downloaded doesn't function the way
you'd hoped it would, or doesn't offer a certain feature you wanted. To
find out if there's interest in the newer, better app you want to
create, ask friends, family and others in your network. Once you've done
your due diligence, you can use a <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4901-best-app-makers-creators.html">DIY app maker</a> or, if you have very little tech experience, hire freelancers to build it for you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Search engines</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
If you've ever done an exhaustive Internet search for a specific item
that returned no results, you have three options: settle for something
close enough, give up entirely or do it yourself. If you're the kind of
person who chooses the DIY method (and can do it well), you have the
opportunity to turn a frustration into a lucrative business. Check
forums to see if others are searching for the same product(s), and then
open up an online shop to sell them. This can also work well for
specialized service-based businesses.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Social media</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
If there's one thing people like to do on social media, it's air their
grievances about everyday life. Most of the time, these types of updates
are mundane (and probably a little annoying), but if you pay close
enough attention to those hashtags and status updates, you might start
to see some patterns emerging. Look for phrases like, "Why isn't there a
... " or, "I wish there was a ..." — you may be able to offer a
solution.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Online reviews</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
As with social media, people love to talk about the products they've
purchased and places they've visited on sites like Amazon, Google and
Yelp. Most consumers will read and use negative reviews to determine if
they should avoid the product or establishment, and that company's loss
could be your gain. See what people are complaining about, and try to
come up with a business idea that would fix the problem.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Your home</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Look around your house or apartment. What are some of the frustrations
you encounter there? Dusty air vents? A messy bathroom? Unraked leaves
on your lawn? If you're noticing these things in your own home, there's a
good chance other people are experiencing the same problems. By
launching an in-home service business, you can help others take care of
these time-consuming household tasks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Your neighborhood</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
The people who live near you can be a great inspiration for business
ideas. Think about the demographics of your neighborhood or local
community. If your town has a lot of working parents, a service that
offers to run errands or provides child care might be in high demand. A
neighborhood with a lot of senior citizens could use independent home
health aides. Are there a lot of dog owners nearby? Try a pet-care
business like pet sitting or dog walking.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Your office</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
If you want to start a <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4908-part-time-business-ideas.html">part-time business</a> outside
your current job, ask your co-workers what kinds of products or
services they're missing in their lives. Maybe someone else with a side
business is looking for a bookkeeper or financial adviser. Others might
be looking to enroll their children in affordable art or music classes.
Small talk in the break room is bound to lead to at least a few viable
ideas.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
The grocery store</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Are you a food lover? Seeing what's missing from the shelves at the
grocery store or farmers market could help you come up with a
made-to-order culinary business idea. Jams, baked goods and specialty
diet items (gluten free, vegan, etc.) are especially good choices for an
artisanal food startup. Alternatively, you could test your gastronomic
skills with ingredients from the supermarket and open up a restaurant or
food truck.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
The mall</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
While you might not actually open up a brick-and-mortar retail
location, perusing your local mall might give you some ideas for a
business of your own. You could launch a line of homemade natural
cosmetics to rival the pushy salespeople from that kiosk, a <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5147-how-to-start-clothing-line.html">clothing line</a> to
produce something different from the same old items in every apparel
store window or an online craft shop to offer personalized alternatives
to generic card-store knickknacks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Your child's school or day care</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
If you're a parent, you know that any product or service that will help
your child is worth the money. Think about the gaps you see in the
market, and next time you pick up the kids from school, ask other
parents if they feel the same way. Not a parent? Ask family members or
friends with children what kinds of things they want (or want improved)
but can't currently find for their kids.</span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-55705556021732909532017-08-02T22:17:00.000-07:002017-08-02T22:19:22.863-07:0015 Online Business Ideas You Can Start Right Now<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
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</figure><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When you dream of opening your own business, you might envision
four white walls and a mess of boxes to unpack in a commercial space.
However, it doesn't have to be this way. With today's technology, you
can start and run a business online, often with little to no cost.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="15 Online Business Ideas You Can Start Tomorrow" src="https://img.purch.com/rc/300x200/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vaW1hZ2VzL2kvMDAwLzAxMS84NjEvb3JpZ2luYWwvb25saW5lX2Jpel9pZGVhLmpwZw==" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="thumb-credit">Credit: pathdoc/Shutterstock</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By focusing on your strengths, you'll be able to build a client
roster and get your online-based business started. Here are 15 great
ideas you can run with.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>1. SEO consultant</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:block; text-align:center;"
data-ad-format="fluid"
data-ad-layout="in-article"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-3345705373884934"
data-ad-slot="4151659702"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do you know the ins and outs of search engines and have skills in
platforms like Google Analytics? The owners of a lot of smaller
companies don't realize how much of an impact search engine optimization
(SEO) can have on their business. Educate those business owners on the
power of SEO to help transform their websites into a more SEO-friendly
property. Use your skills to show business owners how to read and use
their analytics data the right way, and how to properly use keywords and
structure content to get more traffic.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><a href="http://ghergich.com/" target="_blank"><i>AJ Ghergich</i></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Business coaching</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you possess a great deal of business experience and knowledge, why
not create a business that helps aspiring entrepreneurs find success?
You can use your skills to help new business owners get off to a good
start and help experienced entrepreneurs keep up with demand. To show
off your knowledge and skills and bring in clients, you can also write
articles about business on platforms like LinkedIn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><a href="http://www.michaelport.com/" target="_blank"><i>Michael Port</i></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Specialized retailer</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There's an audience for everything, whether it's making dollhouse
furniture or creating organic dog food. With a specialty e-commerce
store, you can reach those customers who are seeking your specific
products. All you need is a web-hosting service with an integrated
shopping cart feature or with e-commerce software, and your business
will be operational in no time. You can even work with vendors to ship
products to customers on your behalf, which means you don't need to own a
lot of inventory. <b>[See Related Story: <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8499-ecommerce-shipping-guide.html" target="_blank">A Small Business Guide to E-Commerce Shipping</a>]</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="http://www.sunnydecals.com/" target="_blank">Sunny Decals</a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Social media consultant</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Larger companies can hire an agency or full-time staff member to run
their Facebook and Twitter accounts, but small businesses often have to
handle their own <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7832-social-media-for-business.html">social media marketing</a>.
With so many responsibilities, business owners are often too busy,
overwhelmed or undereducated about the importance of social media to
spend time developing and implementing a great social media strategy. As
a consultant, you can help them determine the best tactics, posting
schedules and content for their target audience. As their follower count
grows, so will your business.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="https://www.businessesgrow.com/" target="_blank">Mark Schaefer</a> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Web design</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There's nothing more off-putting than a poorly designed website, and
often, it kills credibility. If you know HTML and have a good eye for
design, you can launch a service to create attractive, easy-to-use
websites for small businesses. Put your skills to good use for business
owners who want to take their online presence to the next level. Build a
comprehensive portfolio, and then create your own website to show it
off and attract a steady stream of clients.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="https://agirlandhermac.design/" target="_blank">Leslie Bernal</a> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>6. Resume/cover letter writing</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's a tough truth to swallow, but a standout resume and cover letter
can make all the difference when you're applying for a job. While
listing career accomplishments might seem like an easy task, the fine
art of "humble bragging" eludes some of us. Find work by helping others
to get hired with the aid of stellar resumes. Capitalize on the
increasingly important social media branding bandwagon and offer to fix
LinkedIn profiles as well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="http://www.davidthefixer.com/career-coaching.html" target="_blank">David the Fixer</a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>7. Assistant/task manager</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do you have impeccable organizational skills? What about cleaning
skills? Can you quickly and efficiently carry out these tasks? Maybe
it's time to put those skills to good use by becoming an online personal
assistant or task manager. Companies like <a href="https://www.taskrabbit.com/become-a-tasker" target="_blank">TaskRabbit</a> or <a href="https://www.zirtual.com/" target="_blank">Zirtual</a>
allow you to sign up for tasks you want to complete — including data
research, virtual assistant or running errands — and begin building
clientele.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="http://www.completeerrand.com/AboutTCE.htm" target="_blank">Lynn Sudlow</a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>8. Professional freelancer</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You might not think of freelancing as a business, but with more and more companies turning to <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5534-part-time-economy.html" target="_blank">part-time contract workers</a>
to fill their skill gaps, it's not hard to imagine making a living
providing businesses with a variety of freelance services. Depending on
your skill sets, you could work for multiple companies in a variety of
fields that offer you flexibility and a refreshing change of pace.
According to the freelance job listing website <a href="http://freelancer.com/" target="_blank">Freelancer.com</a>, tech services, content creation and web design are popular fields for contract work.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="https://www.soniaroselli.com/" target="_blank">Sonia Roselli</a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>9. Affiliate marketing </b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you're a person who loves leaving customer reviews on sites like
Amazon, stop doing it for free. Word-of-mouth advertising is still a
huge lead generator for many companies, and a lot of businesses are
willing to share a portion of their profits with persuasive individuals
who will promote their products to the public. If you have a personal
website with a large following, this might be easier to accomplish (PR
reps are always seeking out brand advocates they can send free samples
to). <a href="http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/3-types-of-affiliate-marketing-explained-and-the-one-i-profit-from/" target="_blank">Smart Passive Income</a> breaks down three types of affiliate marketing and explains which one is most profitable.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="http://www.problogger.net/author/darren/" target="_blank">Darren Rowse</a> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>10. Remote technical support</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many small businesses don't have room in their budget for a full-time
IT employee, so when their systems go on the fritz, they'll usually
call a computer-savvy friend or family member. If you have experience
working on computers and networks, you can eliminate their need to call
in a favor and offer immediate remote technical assistance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Real-Life Success Story: <a href="http://www.jamieminter.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jamie Minter</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>11. Virtual consignment store</b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bargain hunters and thrift store enthusiasts can turn a nice profit
reselling their vintage clothing finds. Brand yourself by setting up an
independent website as your virtual storefront, but use a managed
service like Google Checkout to handle transactions. High-resolution
images and catchy copy for your products will make you stand out in the
sea of internet users trying to sell their used items.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="https://www.webthriftstore.com/" target="_blank">WebThriftStore</a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>12. Handmade craft seller</b></span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Online sites like Etsy and ArtFire are platforms that make it
extremely easy for crafters who can produce a steady supply of quality
handmade items, like crocheted blankets or unique painted glassware.
Startup costs are extremely low if you purchase your materials in bulk
from a craft supplier, and if you can turn around orders quickly, you'll
be making a profit in no time at all. It's even possible to turn your
store into a full-time gig.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><u><a href="http://www.coraliereiter.com/pages/about" target="_blank">Coralie Reiter Jewelry</a></u></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>13. App development </b></span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mobile applications are more popular than ever, and people are
willing to pay good money for ways to manage their lives from their
smartphones. If you have a great idea and happen to know coding, you can
run with it and create your app yourself. If you just have an idea and
don't know the ins and outs of how to turn it into a reality, there are
plenty of software developers looking to collaborate with people on app
creation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="http://www.forbes.com/profile/evan-spiegel/" target="_blank">Evan Spiegel</a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>14. Blogger</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you have ideas and words bursting within you, you've most likely
thought about starting a blog, at the very least. With the freedom to
create your own beat and style your platform the way you desire, you can
completely personalize your blogging experience and reach millions of
people across the world. The larger the audience, the higher the chance
you have at creating a successful business out of it. <b>[See Related Story:</b> <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/631-blogging-small-business-entrepreneur.html"><b>How to Turn Your Blog into a Business</b></a><b>]</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: </i><i><a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/" target="_blank">Jill Nystul</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>15. Bridal Concierge</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The wedding industry is booming, and with all of the stress and
pressure that piles on every couple during their engagement, it's nearly
impossible for brides-to-be to enjoy their wedding planning. However,
if you have a knack for organization and a passion for weddings, you can
start your own career as a bridal concierge, dealing with the nitty
gritty wedding details so the bride doesn't have to.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Real-Life Success Story: <u><a href="http://www.theinvisiblebridesmaid.com/" target="_blank">The Invisible Bridesmaid</a></u></i> </span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-78771542832883174372017-08-02T01:33:00.002-07:002017-08-02T22:20:37.274-07:0012 Secrets to Keeping Employees Happy Without a Raise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When budgets are tight, it can be hard to justify raises as rewards for high-performing employees. But if someone loves their work, takes pride in doing it well and feels valued, there are many other ways besides a bigger paycheck to show your appreciation for a job well done.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSNufYlmkC6uwd7YgqhYW5UqEt8wEOrCFMahnjwTAGOSjeVDtEFLA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hasil gambar untuk career leadership" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSNufYlmkC6uwd7YgqhYW5UqEt8wEOrCFMahnjwTAGOSjeVDtEFLA" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: http://online.sju.edu</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Studies have shown that employees with high <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/martinzwilling/2014/12/02/how-to-squeeze-productivity-from-employee-happiness/#2f3d6d371de5" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">job satisfaction are generally more productive</a>, engaged and loyal to their companies. Hiring managers, HR experts and business leaders weighed in on the best ways to keep employees satisfied when salary isn't the driving factor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">1. Be transparent</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Feedback and the ability to understand employee concerns is important, but it's what you do after that's critical to retention. You should always be transparent by sharing what you've learned and a course of action for addressing the issue. For example, after a recent company-wide engagement survey, we chose to share our results with all employees. We not only communicated our top areas of success but also our areas for improvement and how we planned to address them moving forward. Transparent communication and a simple acknowledgement that we heard you can go a long way." - <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Laura Grieco, HR and administration director at </em><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://us.parkmobile.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Parkmobile</a></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">2. Offer more vacation time</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Reward your highest performers with incremental vacation days. These employees are your superstars so you can be confident they will get their work done as well as enjoy a few extra days of well-deserved time off with family and friends." <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– Stacia Pache, founder and CEO of </em><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.itbandz.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">itBandz</a></em><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> [See Related Story: <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8506-employee-productivity-incentives.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Want to Boost Employee Productivity? Offer an Incentive</a>]</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">3. Make work-life balance a priority</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"To engage the workforce and remain competitive, it's no longer sufficient to focus solely on benefits. Top employers create an environment where employees feel connected to the organization and have a positive work experience that's part of a rich, fulfilling life. <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– </em><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">David Ballard, assistant executive director for organizational excellence at the </em><a href="http://www.apa.org/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">American Psychological Association</em></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">4. Encourage communication in common areas</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Businesses should take steps to create spaces where employees can easily communicate and share ideas. Casual conversations in the break room can become collaborative conversations. Make it inviting and effective, with nice furniture, tables, and snacks and beverages, if possible." – <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tom Heisroth, senior vice president at </em><a href="http://www.staplesadvantage.com/index.page" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Staples Advantage</em></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">5. Create a career pathway</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"[<a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1080-employee-training-advancement.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Our research</a>] found that providing developmental support, such as training opportunities and career mentoring, to employees who do not believe there are attractive career opportunities for them within the company led to such employees leaving the organization. It's critical for businesses to have regular career planning discussions with their employees. As part of training and development, make sure employees are aware of the different types of career paths or job opportunities throughout the company." <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– Maria Kraimer, business professor at the </em><a href="http://www.uiowa.edu/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">University of Iowa</em></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">6. Build employees up</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"If you're looking to keep an employee by giving him/her a raise, it's already too late. Find people who share the operational values of your organization from the outset, test for fit early, and allow growth opportunities to express that value. We're fanatics about initiative and constructive impact. Our team members are consistently rewarded with higher value projects following a constructive initiative." – <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Zachary Watson, CEO at </em><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.honeyco.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">HoneyCo</a></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">7. Promote a positive work environment</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Happy employees make for a happy company. Within the office, we'll publicly acknowledge accomplishments, provide a group lunch, reserve a prime parking space, or change a title. We'll also help employees to grow and develop, whether by taking on new desired responsibilities or challenges, taking courses to learn new skills, or furthering knowledge of the company by traveling on company business trips." <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– Jakki Liberman, president of </em><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.bumkins.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Bumkins</a></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">8. Set the example</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"One can't underestimate the importance of walking into the office as the boss with a smile on my face and making sure I give the same feeling of importance to everyone." <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– Jon Sumroy, CEO and inventor of <a href="http://www.mifold.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">mifold</a></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">9. Recognize and reward employees</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Achievement and recognition are high motivators for employees. If they take risks, reward them. Give them a coupon to go out for dinner, an extra day off, tickets to a show, etc. The small stuff adds up." <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– Charley Polachi, managing partner at </em><a href="http://polachi.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Polachi Access Executive Search</em></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">10. Always say 'thank you'</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"In my experience, employees rarely become unhappy or leave solely over money. When they do become disenchanted it is usually because they don't like their boss, aren't engaged or feel like they have stopped learning. Having a positive culture and workplace environment helps a lot, as it encourages teamwork and communication which increases engagement and opportunities for teammates to learn from each other. We also do periodic "shout outs" to people at all levels of the organization for great work or superior effort. These kudos cost nothing but provide important public recognition for a job well done, effectively compensating people in the form of social currency which is highly valued." <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– Gary Beasley, co-founder and CEO of </em><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.roofstock.com/investment-property/all-markets" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Roofstock</a></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">11. Offer benefits beyond the basics</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"There are many ways to supplement salary by assisting employees in other areas of their lives. You can offer an extra level of life insurance or disability insurance for employees to protect their incomes. Other ancillary benefits, such as dental, optical [and] wellness, are all well received by employees. And gym memberships and transit benefits are great perks to keep employees happy and healthy. It is important to [provide] higher benefits so your employees know that you truly care about them and their families." <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– Bobby Hotaling, president and CEO of </em><a href="http://hg-insuranceservices.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Hotaling Group</em></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">12. Make employees part of the big picture</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"The best benefit you can provide to your employees is the opportunity to make a difference through their work and help guide the course of the company. Benefits such as clear and frequent communication on company happenings, individual and department direction, and big-picture company direction make all the difference in employee happiness." <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– </em><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5266-insightly-anthony-smith-crm-small-business.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Anthony Smith</em></a><em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, CEO and founder of </em><em style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://insightly.com/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Insightly</a></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "pt sans" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic;">Marci Martin</span></span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601593645587332700.post-50836207001557889342017-08-02T01:07:00.000-07:002017-08-02T01:10:13.542-07:006 Free SWOT Templates for Small Businesses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A SWOT analysis is one of the most valuable tools an entrepreneur has to help make better business decisions. This exercise — whose name is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats — explores the positive and negative aspects of proposed ideas, strategies and other business moves. It also identifies any internal and external forces opposing those proposals and ways they can impact the company.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hasil gambar untuk swot" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" 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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: pestleanalysis.com</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Most SWOT analyses are broken down into a two-by-two matrix, with one box for each of the four components. If you're not sure where to start with your analysis, here are six free, downloadable SWOT templates to guide you.</span><br />
<h2 class="nolinks" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">1. Bplans</span></strong></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bplans offer its <a href="http://www.bplans.com/downloads/swot-analysis-template/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">SWOT analysis template</a> as a downloadable PDF file. From this resource page, you can find instructions for filling out a SWOT analysis, what to use it for, and sample SWOT analyses for various types of companies and industries. These include food establishments, as well as online stores, such as an Etsy shop, to give you an idea of what business-specific SWOT analyses should look like. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[See Related Story: </strong><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4245-swot-analysis.html" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">SWOT Analysis: Examples, Templates & Definition</strong></a><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">]</strong></span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">2. BusinessBalls</span></strong></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On BusinessBalls, you'll find several different <a href="http://www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">downloadable SWOT tools</a>available in Word and PDF format. This article includes a detailed explanation of each SWOT component, as well as a filled-out sample with numerous types of potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats your business might have.</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">3. Creately</span></strong></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you've ever wondered what a SWOT analysis would look like for some of the world's biggest and best-known corporations, Creately has designed samples for companies like Google, Amazon and Nike on its <a href="http://creately.com/blog/examples/swot-analysis-templates-creately/#SwotRealWorldData" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">SWOT analysis template page</a>. You can also create and edit a blank template using Creately's web-based SWOT software.</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">4. MindTools</span></span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">MindTools offers a <a href="https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">SWOT worksheet</a> that guides you through the process of filling out your analysis. This article lists a series of questions you can answer for each component to help you figure out what to put in each box. For example, for Strengths, you are asked to list what advantages your organization has over others and what your unique selling proposition (USP) is; for Weaknesses, you're asked what factors cause your business to lose sales. This thorough, introspective look at your company may help you uncover things you didn't think of.</span></div>
<h2 class="nolinks" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">5. Priority Matrix</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Priority Matrix, an app by Appfluence, provides a <a href="https://appfluence.com/productivity/free-swot-template/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">seven-step process</a> that guides you toward filling out your SWOT analysis. First, it instructs you to choose your objective and decide what area of your business you want the analysis to focus on. Then, you need choose your "SWOT team," the key team members who will be involved in any decision-making that happens following the analysis. After listing items for each SWOT component (the next four steps), your last step is to prioritize the results and figure out your next course of action. You can also download the Priority Matrix app to help you create your analysis.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">6. SlideModel</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">SlideModel's collection of <a href="http://slidemodel.com/best-swot-analysis-templates-powerpoint/" placement="content" style="border: 0px; color: #c24eff; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">free PowerPoint SWOT analysis templates</a> can help you get your message across in an eye-catching and engaging way that can help persuade your audience. The first is a basic, one-page template that simply lists items under each SWOT section. There are also two multislide, table-based templates — one template is very simple and flat, while the other uses sleek graphics and a clean layout — both of which use a master SWOT analysis as a cover or intro slide, and then break down each section in the next slides. Additionally, the concept-based SWOT analysis template uses shapes and colors to visually illustrate ideas, whereas the creative template allows the use of images, diagrams and other objects. </span></div>
IZALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552599336707380666noreply@blogger.com0