Successful Blog

Do Your Employees Have All the Tools to Sell?

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No matter what your brand has to offer the public, it is key your employees have all the needed tools to sell.

Sure, if you run a one-person operation, then worrying what employees have is rather moot.

That said many business owners do have employees under them. As a result, it is important that they know what their workers need to be successful with consumers.

So, do your employees have all the tools to sell?

What Might You Be Lacking?

In looking at what your workers may need to make selling to the public easier, consider the following:

  1. Technology – They may have need for sales commission software. That is to best track results when working to sell. So, be sure your employees have the necessary tools. Speaking of such software, does your company have it now? If not, it would be well worth your time to look to add it to your office. The right software makes it much easier to track who is doing what when it comes to sales. Keep in mind that happy and organized employees tend to be better ones. As such, knowing the software you offer them is tracking all it should will make things run smoother. Also be sure if you have employees traveling for you that they have access to the right tech items. This makes it easier for them to not only stay in touch with you and clients they meet, but also record what they do for you.
  2. Experience – There is only one way for employees to get experience selling to the public and that is doing it. That said be sure to train your employees the right way from day one. Bad selling techniques can doom an employee early on within your company. He or she has a much better chance of succeeding (as does your business) when they have been trained right. Do not assume when they come to you with sales experience that the experience they have meshes with you.
  3. Marketing and Advertising – It makes it easier for your employees to sell when folks know you. As a result, are you doing all you can to promote your brand through smart marketing and advertising? That will go a long way in making it easier for your workers to form a bond with consumers. When a consumer knows about your brand, he or she can be easier to approach. That is of course unless they take issue with your brand in the first place.
  4. Confidence – Finally, do you instill confidence in your team? Sure, work can get tough at times. You might even raise your voice a time or two. That said providing support to your employees means more than resources. Show them you support them as both workers and people. Such support can go a long way in increasing the chances of a sale.

As you review what your employees have to make sales, anything you need to do different?

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics online.

 

3 Signs Your Company Needs Financial Assistance

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The warning signs can be easy to spot or a bit murky.

That said do you know when things are pointing towards your business needing help?

While many go through some challenges at times, being in a money drought for too long can be problematic. If things are not rectified before too long, one’s business can be left hanging in the balance.

With this in mind, is it time your company got some financial help?

What Are Your Options?

Signs of issues can range from a notable slowdown in sales to higher costs for supplies. Over time, these issues can present you with quite a problem.

If you feel your business has reached a point where finances are in trouble, consider these:

  1. Business line of credit – Have you toyed with the idea of seeking a business line of credit? Such a line can help you put funds towards one or more important needs with your business. From new equipment to hiring more help, the possibilities are endless. If you decide to go down this route, look into what the business line of credit requirements are. This will make it easier for you to see if you are apt to qualify in the first place.
  2. Paying less for supplies – No matter the supplies you need, you can’t afford to be overpaying for them all the time. With this in mind, are you getting deals for the things you need or are you being taken to the cleaners all too often? Even if you have some vendors you’ve been with for years, don’t be afraid to shop around. Remember, you have the right to find the best deal for your wallet. It may come down to severing ties with some to go elsewhere for a better deal.
  3. Customers not paying up – Last, depending on the business, you may or may not require customers to pay up front. That said you want to be sure you get the payment sooner than later. If some customers lag too far behind in paying you, do you have concerns they will never pay at any point and time? If this happens, you may have to end up seeking collections. Keep in mind that doing so will cost your company time and money. This is why you want to try and work with customers to pay what they owe you to avoid collections. Do all you can to give them reasonable time to pay their bills. If it seems like they are unwilling to, then you may be left with no other choice than to seek help.

Given all you have on your plate in running a business, the last thing you want to do is always be worrying about money.

That said you won’t be in business for too long if money is always an issue.

When your company finances can be better, do all you can to right the ship before it is too late.

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

 

3 Keys to Better Brand Marketing Starting Now

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Would you say you are doing a good job of marketing your brand to consumers?

Some companies are spot-on when it comes to marketing their brands. For others, they have some work to do.

With this in mind, how are you going about marketing your brand to capture as much sales and revenue as possible?

Alert Consumers to Why They Should Buy Your Brand

In marketing your brand to be a winner, remember these keys moving forward:

  1. You define the message and not the competition – One of the keys to a successful brand is to get your message out. Even when you do get that message out, it is important you define it and not your competition. So, make sure the message going out is the one you want. If you let your competition define you, it can have negative repercussions now and down the road. For example, if you are an automaker or dealer, you want consumers to know why your brand stands out. Before buying their next auto, folks want many details about what their next auto can offer. Be sure you deliver that message.
  2. Use all available delivery – When trying to get your brand front and center, use many tools. For example, do you use social networking sites? Some brands are asleep at the wheel when it comes to using social media to their advantage. As a result, their competitors can get a leg up on them. There are a myriad of social media sites you can use to your advantage. Best of all, social media is in essence free for you to use. As an example, are you on Instagram? This site is a great one to use when you want to convey images of your brand to consumers. Twitter is a good one to run not only info on your brand but links to relevant articles and more on your industry. No matter the social site or sites you choose to go with, be socially active.
  3. Your customers are valuable – While you view your customers as valuable to you, do not only think they are a sale. Some of your customers can prove to be great for you when it comes to promoting your brand. If you have some customers willing to do testimonials for you, by all means let them go for it. Such testimonials can have more impact with consumers than ads you do on your own. This is because some consumers tend to be more swayed when they see a fellow consumer talking up a brand. You can offer those customers willing to do testimonials some incentives. These can include discounts on other purchases they make and so on. The key is having as many customers as possible deliver the good news to other consumers. Whether time to go car shopping or buy other items, first-hand experiences from others can mean a lot.

When you need to do a better job of brand marketing, where will you begin?

About the Author: Dave Thomas writes about marketing topics on the web.

 

Automakers Need to Continue Marketing Driving Safety

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With so many vehicles on the road, it is no surprise that there are opportunities for accidents to occur. When they do, they can be of the minor variety or quite serious.

With that in mind, a vehicle that gives consumers the ultimate protection is crucial.

So, are automakers doing all they can to market safety? Also, are consumers heeding the warnings and taking time to shop for the safest autos on the market?

Marketing Safety to the Public

When it comes to automakers, it is key to not only come up with the safest vehicles but also alert consumers to them.

For example, when a consumer goes car shopping, he or she should have as much auto safety info available. Given safety is an issue on the roads, safer drivers and vehicles means fewer accidents.

That said automakers can and should continue to do the following:

  1. Market safety on their websites – A company’s website is one of its best resources to spread the word to the public. That said automakers need to continue to use this vehicle to spread safety info. From blogs and reports on safety trends to videos and more, marketing safety is a win-win for all.
  2. Test vehicles on a regular basis – Many consumers have likely seen those commercials. The ones that come with the disclaimer that there is a pro driver behind the wheel during a safety test. Testing vehicles in high-performances situations leads automakers to discover more about autos. Such testing can find faults with vehicles before they hit the market for consumers to buy.
  3. Use social media – Along with auto websites, another way for them to drive home auto safety is social media. Given all the consumers on social media, it stands to reason this is a good place to go for auto safety info. Consumers can follow their favorite automakers on their respective social channels. In doing so; stay in tune with the latest in auto safety news.

Drivers Have a Role to Play Too

Even while critical for automakers to do all they can to produce safe autos; drivers have a role here to play too
That being the case, drivers must play a major part in the safety equation.

For example, if you are a parent and your teen will be driving soon or is, were they taught the right way to drive?

Unfortunately, some teen drivers are not as safe as they need to be out on the roads. As a result, they put themselves and others in harm’s way when getting behind the wheel.

The same can be said for adult drivers. Some do not take driving and the privilege it is to have a license in the first place in a serious manner. As a result, they make others less safe out on the roads. In some instances, the bad decisions can lead to fatal consequences.

When automakers and drivers come together on safety, everyone stands to be safer on the roads.

About the Author: Dave Thomas writes about marketing topics on the web.

 

Is It Time Your Business Had an App?

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Have you been tossing around the idea of an adding an app to your business? If you said yes, you are by no means alone.

That said it is important that you take some time and do research on how to get the right app for your brand. Getting it wrong can lead to wasted time and lost money.

So, if you’re thinking now is the time for a business app, where best to turn?

Where Will You Get Started?

In looking at how to launch an app, you want to find an app provider that has solid experience. You also want one to provide you with great service.

With that in mind, do some online research to see what app providers are out there in the market. You do not need nor should you necessarily go with the first provider you come across. Yes, they may end up being the best one for your brand’s needs. That said comparing several app providers side-by-side tends to be in your interests.

One thing to look at is how long the app provider has been in business.

Although there are some great new app providers out there, experience is never a bad thing to fall back on.

Second, what are you looking to do with your app?

Keep in mind you need to have a sound strategy to get traction with your app. Simply having an app because immediate competitors have one is not going to do you much good.

Speaking of competitors, do you know what their apps look like? If not, now would be a good time before you land your own to take a look. By seeing what you are up against, you can better determine what it is you expect to get out of your app.

Third, your app is going to have to stand out from those you are competing with.

Your app should be easy to maneuver.

This means you have landing pages that drives results.

Make sure those pages are of interest to your viewers who’ve taken the time to download your app on their phones. With a call to action, you want to go from one with an interest to one completing a sale and providing you with revenue. The goal at the end of the day of course is converting visitors into customers.

It should also offer relevant marketing copy. Links to your social media platforms is always good too. Last, have relevant and easy to find company contact info on your app. One thing many consumers hate is to have to go on a safari. That is to try and find contact details for a business they are interested in.

Where Will You Finish?

Once you have your business app up and running, it is crucial that you do all you can to market it.

Along with your website helping to spread the word, be sure social media platforms you are on does too.

It is also wise to get satisfied customers to put in a good word for you too.

As you build up a larger customer base, these customers can help market your app to their family and friends.

If the time has come for your business to move forward with an app, what are you waiting on?

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

 

How Safe Are Your Employees On the Job?

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No matter how many employees you have, one responsibility in you have is making sure they’re safe.

With that thought in mind, how safe are your workers when on the job?

Although you can’t watch them when not on the clock nor should you, you do want to know how they are doing when working.

From the office to driving to meet with clients, attend conferences and more, do all you can to ensure safety.

Employee Safety Should Be One of Your Priorities

In looking at how safe your workers are when on the job, focus on these key areas:

  1. In the office – Whether you have an office or work out of a warehouse, how safe are your employees when doing work for you? You can and should set various safety protocols in place. Doing this increases the chances your workers will go home safe at the end of their shifts. For example, review your work environment to see how safe it is. Do you have any items that could injure employees? Are there any issues when it comes to potential slips-and-falls in your office? How safe is your parking area for when employees are coming and going? By reviewing these things on a regular basis, you lessen the odds of accidents taking place.
  2. Out on the roads – When one has employees driving for the company, it is important the former are as safe as can be. Unfortunately, safety is an issue out on the roads for some employees. As a result, you need to be sure your workers know how important safety on the roads is for both you and them. That said are you giving them the safest employee vehicles to drive around in? When considering buying vehicles for your fleet, be educated on the automobile market. Shop for not only economical autos, but also ones that come with high safety ratings. In the event your folks use their own vehicles for work-related purposes, check to see what they drive. Remember, if the time is now to go car shopping for you or them, safety should have a major emphasis.
  3. Online activities – Safety does not only come in the form of one’s physical well-being. That said make sure your workers are as safe as possible when doing work for you online. As an example, your employees should never give out sensitive info when on the Internet. Doing so can lead to hacking. If your company is hacked online, it can mean financial issues and more for you and your customers. If you have contract employees working for you from their homes, the same is true. If they have access to your online efforts, it needs protection. At the end of the day, online security should always be a focus for you and your team.

In keeping  your team safe, remember, their safety translates to your ability to be in business.

So, could your company safety see improvement?

If the answer is yes, get working on it today.

Photo credit: Pixiebay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.