Business Life Archives - Page 24 of 186

The Business of Helping Former Military Members

January 28, 2016 by Thomas

Retiring from a military position and moving into civilian life can be a challenge.

It’s a big transition, and if a veteran decides to stay in the work force, the question is what is a good career to take a look at?

Because many military personnel retire at a young age, they still want to work.

More and more companies are making it a higher priority to hire military vets; some that are known for doing a strong here are GE, USAA and Verizon.

Home Inspection – An example of a viable option

Some veterans may choose a career that they can do on their own rather than working for a big corporation, and that’s a good option, too.

One career to take a look at surprisingly could be a home inspector.

Here are 4 Reasons Why Home Inspecting is a Great Career Choice for Vets:

Low Startup Cost – You can start with some basic things like a laptop and a clear space to work – which can even be your kitchen table. Many jobs have higher start-up costs, but with home inspection, it’s fairly low. You will have to pay for training and licensing, but that should quickly come back to you;
Low Overhead – Once you’ve got your business going, it won’t cost much to keep it running. You don’t really need an office to pay rent on or anyone else working with you who you’d have to pay. You’re biggest expenses may be keeping your memberships current and paying for tools and mileage;
Education is easy – Licensing is fairly easy and can be flexible. You can do this at your convenience when it makes sense for you and on your own timeline;
Convenience – You can schedule your own hours and take time off when you need it. You can take clients and appointments on as you see fit, and you are the one who can best know what you can handle so you can keep your schedule manageable. You can set your hours and provide the freedom that may work so well for you.

Whether you are looking at a career in a big corporation, a small business or running your own business, you have some great options.

With a military background, you have excellent training and skills at the ready.

Now you can start something new that provides you convenience and satisfaction.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Heather Legg is an independent writer who covers topics related to social media, small business and education.

Don’t Keep Customers Waiting

January 22, 2016 by Thomas

Where does customer service rank on your company’s list of important daily tasks that should never be overlooked?

While you would like to think that it is always a priority for most businesses, the truth is that is not always the case.

For whatever the reason, some companies simply drop the ball when it comes to providing consumers with solid customer service. As a result, some of those companies end up losing business, business that could have easily remained with them had they just been a little bit better about taking care of Mr. or Mrs. Public.

With that in mind, there are a number of steps you can take as a business owner to increase the chances of keeping customers happy, not to mention helping to promote your brand through their word-of-mouth efforts.

Solid Customer Service Equals Better Revenue

In order to keep your company’s customer service a step or two ahead of what the competition has to offer, make sure you:

Go that extra mile – Consumers expect satisfactory customer service, but what if you take it to another level? It is oftentimes the little things that set your brand apart from others, so go that extra mile for the customer. For example, maybe a customer purchased a product or service from you recently over the holidays. As an added incentive to keep them shopping with you, offer them a discount (maybe 10 to 20 percent off) on their next purchase with you. Given that many consumers probably had to watch their pennies over the holiday shopping season, a nice little reward for those who shopped with you last month could go far in making them come back to you this year and beyond;
On-time service matters – How many times have you gone in for a doctor’s appointment and waited and then waited some more? Yes, a doctor’s office is typically going to be busy, but that does not remove the frustration you have with being kept waiting for your appointment. The same holds true for businesses who have timed appointments with customers and also when customers are in line waiting to make a purchase. Whether you run a business office, a store, or even a salon, don’t keep your customers waiting. If you have a salon appointment book, try and stick to the times posted on it as much as possible. It just takes one unhappy customer to get the chatter going about how you can’t stay on top of times. When that happens, others (even if they’ve never been to your place of business) may think twice about doing business with you;
Avoid negative tones – Last but certainly not least; go out of your way to avoid customer service conflicts. Honestly, there will be times when you or one of your employees doesn’t meet a customer’s needs. When that happens, do everything possible to make amends, giving you a better chance of retaining that individual’s business. This is also true if you’re getting online feedback from customers. By all means, do not get into a tit-for-tat with customers on your social media pages. No matter how much you try, you will never win those battles. Worse yet, online comments are archived for all to see.

Providing consumers with solid customer service isn’t as tricky as it may seem.

Be responsive, reliable, and of course responsible when treating each of your customers.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

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

Keep Internet Thieves at Bay

January 20, 2016 by Thomas

If you run a business and think that you’re not a target, think again.

Whether your company is small, midsize or large, you have a target on your back simply by the fact that you are an entrepreneur. If thieves can get their hands on your products, services, and especially information that will lead to a financial windfall for them, you can be singled out at any moment.

With that in mind, it behooves business owners to make sure they have their backs and the backs of their customers covered at all times. Remember, it just takes one slip-up for a hacker to make your life and your financial life miserable.

Be Pro-Active and Not Reactive

In order to make sure your Internet security is protected as much as possible from hackers (namely identity theft thieves), keep these tidbits in mind:

Be Pro-active – The last thing you want to do as a business owner is always be reacting to things, notably hackers. It is no secret that hacking is a profession for countless men and women, many of whom don’t care if you play by the rules or not. In order to decrease the chances of being financially hit, make sure you update your Internet protection software regularly. Look for cracks and kinks in its armor, thereby hopefully seeing them before thieves do. Just as you would use the appropriate computer software to limit your kids’ access to reaching inappropriate websites on your home computer, the same care and concern must be done for your business site. The goal here is to make sure no one is getting through to your company website without your approval;
Watch for employee red flags – While it would be comforting to think that all of your employees can always be trusted with sensitive company and customer data, it has proven time and time again that that is not the case. Even though you might think that the attack or attacks will come from the outside, many businesses have unfortunately discovered otherwise. Lessen the chances your business will become a victim by making sure you hire the best and brightest employees. If during the interview process you catch any red flags (past firings from jobs for disciplinary reasons such as stealing from employers and/or hacking websites, run-ins with the law etc.), think twice about bringing on that applicant as an employee. Also be sure to alert all employees once they are under your employ that in no shape or form will you tolerate illegal activities, notably as they relate to misusing company or customer data. If someone is caught doing just that, let it be known they could lose their job and potentially face criminal charges;
Be careful with outsourcing – While outsourcing business tasks is something many businesses do on a regular basis, this is another area where one must proceed with caution. Let’s say you outsource some or all of your accounting or client marketing needs to save on some of the workload for your in-house staff. In doing so, you provide the individual or individuals who will be working on accounting and client marketing sensitive data etc. It could be weeks or even months before you discover someone is then using that data for illegal purposes. Along with the financial hit to you and some of your customers, the public relations mess now on your hands is just as bad. Make sure you thoroughly research who you might outsource work to in order to lessen the odds they will be a problem for you and your clients down the road.

Running a business these days of course carries risks, risks that you sometimes have little control over.

When it comes to protecting your business website (both from outside and inside threats), you do have more control than you might think.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and technology issues on the web.

Do You Truly Get the Most Out of Your Employees?

January 15, 2016 by Thomas

When it comes to getting the most from those who work for you, what practices do you have in play to do just that?

For some business owners, a competitive salary and a strong benefits package will do the trick. Others, meantime, will tout the opportunities for growth up the corporate ladder. Still others will highlight the working conditions at their companies are second to none.

No matter which group you fall into (maybe you even have tricks not mentioned that woo potential employees), always remember that getting the most out of your workers not only benefits them over time, but it is also crucial to obtaining and keeping happy customers.

With that in mind, here are some tips to getting the most from your workers each and every day of the work week:

Right tools – Do you provide your employees with the right tools in order to get their jobs done properly? Some workplaces are well-suited with the latest in technology (computers, apps, printers etc.), while others are working with equipment from years ago. In order to present both your brand and employees in the best light to consumers, make sure you give your team technology that is equal to or preferably better than what the competition has. This also translates to items such as their desks, chairs, lighting, cubicles etc. Whether it is time to order new desks or conference room chairs, make sure your staff doesn’t feel like working in your office place is akin to being in prison ;
Positive reinforcement – Very few employees will want to work for an owner who is constantly negative. Yes, there are times when you need to be direct with employees and even correct them, but those times should be in small doses, not to mention done via one-on-one terms and not in front of other co-workers. Although the employee is getting a salary (perhaps benefits), giving them positive reinforcement when they do something exceptionally well never hurts. You can take things an additional step by having “fun” contests in the different departments in your office. Put incentives out there for your employees to strive for can do nothing but boost morale and likely results;
Periodic reviews – You should also do periodic assessments with your staff, letting each of them know what is working, what may not be working, and how everyone can improve (including yourself) as a team. Some businesses are spot-on when it comes to doing reviews, others all but skip them. One of the advantages of doing such reviews in your workplace is that they can correct any missteps taking place, along with giving employees a goal or goals to strive for sooner rather than later. Keep any reviews professional (no need to browbeat an employee) and reinforce such meetings with positives overtones.

In order to get top production from your employees, make this the year that you truly see what is and isn’t working in your workplace.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

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

Is It Smart to Start a Business Past Age 50?

January 1, 2016 by Thomas

Starting a small business at any age is a daunting task.

But beginning one after the age of 50 comes with its own set of unique challenges. Fortunately that’s not stopping many of America’s older entrepreneurs.

According to U.S. News & World Report, a 2015 survey found that nearly 26% of businesses started that year were from people age 55 to 64.

For many, their own business provides a means of making the money they’ll need to get through retirement.

Others choose this path because of a passion for work, to explore a second career path, or simply to have more control over their hours and schedule.

But what are some of the specific challenges facing those over 50?

Choosing the Right Type of Business

Younger entrepreneurs, for better or worse, have ample time to fail in terms of choosing the right business to start. Those over 50 have more at stake given looming retirement and need to make more calculated, smart choices.

While you may be deeply passionate about something, if your business doesn’t solve an already existing problem or fill some gap in the marketplace, it may not be viable in the long run. Prospective business owners need to take that into account in addition to assessing what unique skills they bring to the table for a new business.

As AARP suggests, you can get started by making a chart of your skills, past projects, and outcomes to get a comprehensive inventory of your own capabilities.

Getting Caught Up on Tech

In the article “Starting a Business After Age 50, Chief Coach of Bizstarters, Jeff Williams puts a strong emphasis on older entrepreneurs catching up on how to use the newest technology.

Williams suggests reading reputable business-oriented websites and publications to find technology how-to’s or even check out your local library for software classes or learning how to use specific equipment.

As technology is constantly changing, there’s no shame in not being up to date but prospective business owners need to be proactive with this education.

Consider Your Unique Limitations

For many entrepreneurs, the ultimate goal in starting a business is the chance to eventually sell it for a profit. Your age may expedite that need for an exit strategy. The upside here is that you’re forced to make added bigger picture plans early on in the life of your business.

Older business owners also need to be honest and reasonable when it comes to their level of physical stamina.

For example, if you’re nearing retirement age, it may not be the most sustainable idea to start a labor intensive, one-man landscaping business.

Starting your own dog-walking service, doing independent consulting, or making jewelry on the other hand, may have more longevity.

Putting Ego Aside

When you start a business after age 50, you’re likely coming into this venture with a wealth of knowledge and experience. However, as is the case with all successful entrepreneurs, you need to put ego aside and make choices that are in the best interest of your company.

This may mean that you need to be patient when it comes to a slow-growing client base. It may also mean that you’ll be getting advice or mentorship from professionals that are many years younger than you but have specific expertise to offer.

From putting ego aside to choosing the right business in the first place, those over age 50 can start their new company feeling prepared.

Additionally, hopeful entrepreneurs can use the internet as a tech education resource, making prospective business owners equipped with the tools they need.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Kristin Livingstone writes on a variety of topics including entrepreneurship and starting businesses.

Is Your Association Providing the Personal Touch?

December 18, 2015 by Thomas

Personalization is the key to many marketing campaigns today, especially if you’re newer to the business scene and looking to make inroads.

For organizations that don’t offer a product, they may not see the benefits of personalization. However, associations in all industries can utilize personalization to create a more satisfying experience for their members.

Members join associations for all kinds of reasons.

Some use them to leverage connections or to enhance their own image. They may be looking to network or to gain more industry experience.

Your association can find unique ways of interacting with members based on those reasons and on the unique needs they have.

Go Beyond Basic Personalization

As the article, “Why Personalization is so Vital to Your Association” says, many organizations use a basic form of personalization without tapping into the more advanced options. The article discusses using the individual’s name in correspondence, but you can do so much more.

Associations often attract members from various levels.

For example, in an industry association, members may consist of experienced professionals as well as those just starting out. The information a beginner is looking for is going to be different than what an expert in the field needs.

With modern technology tools, it is possible to show custom content to each user. As a result, you can create content that caters to various types of members.

Filtering for Information

Another method of personalization begins with filtering your members based on specific criteria.

Put them in groups with certain groups receiving information or other tools that benefit them. Create opportunities for networking based on their interests.

You can offer courses or send out special invitations based on the various needs of your members.

Instead of waiting to accumulate data over time, most associations have immediate access to more information than the average business that is trying to sell a product or service.

Just by joining your association, you can ascertain certain facts about your members. You will also most likely have them fill out a form that provides you with even more details.

Benefits of Personalization

Personalization benefits you as much as it does your members.

Instead of offering random or generalized information or opportunities, you create custom options that are geared toward a specific group or person.

This degree of personalization creates a more positive interaction between you and the member. They will be more likely to stay with your association and will be more active.

In addition, you will spend less time and money sending out general content to everyone.

Because you have a target audience and are more specific in your approach, you will see better results.

Personalization is not just for businesses in the retail industry.

Every organization can benefit by personal interaction with their members.

Take your association to the next level and discover that your members are getting what they need when you make your interactions with them more personal and satisfying.

Begin today finding out how you can get personal with your members.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Joyce Morse is an author who writes on a variety of topics, including finance and the business world.