Business Life Archives - Page 25 of 186

Are You Insured to be a Successful Entrepreneur?

December 5, 2015 by Thomas

In business, contracts hold a lot of weight.

A contract is a legally binding agreement that states that you, as the business owner, will fulfill certain obligations to the client. But what if a contract is not enough on its own?

This is where surety bonds come in.

A surety bond is an agreement that goes a step beyond a simple contract in that it utilizes a third party that vouches for, and becomes obligated to, the service provider being able to get the job done.

Essentially, a surety bond is a guaranteed agreement between your company, the client, and the bond provider.

The bond provider is telling the client that if your company is unable to complete the agreed upon work, someone will be brought in to finish the job. The client can be “sure” of that

Do You Need a Surety Bond?

Think of a surety bond as insurance.

In traditional business insurance scenarios, the insurance provider will cover costs in the case of damage or injuries. Surety bonds work in the same manner such that, if your company is unable to complete the agreed upon work, the client will be financially rewarded and protected.

Many types of businesses can benefit from surety bonds, including those that work on long-term creative projects.

The truth is that, in such circumstance, a clear resolution is not always available when a conflict arises. When hitting such a crossroads, surety bonds can make a big difference in satisfying the client and avoiding a lengthy and costly lawsuit.

How Do You Obtain a Surety Bond?

In the article, “Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Surety Bond Insurance,” the author discusses a number of steps that need to be taken prior to obtaining surety bond insurance.

The first step is to ensure that your personal or business credit is at a high enough level to receive a security bond.

You should also have all business information, including financials and safety records, available to present to a potential insurance provider.

From there, you will also need to determine whether paying your premium upfront is the best option or whether making monthly payments works best.

In the end, you may benefit more from speaking with a surety bond expert who can examine your individual needs and make recommendations.

Just as no two businesses are the same, no two surety bond options are the same.

By consulting with an expert, you may be able to save yourself and your company time, money, and headaches in the future.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Andrew Rusnak is an author who writes on topics that include business development and insurance.

Keynote Speakers Can Set the Tone for Business Success

November 4, 2015 by Thomas

If you’re looking for a keynote speaker for your next event, you’ll want to make sure you choose the right person.

Keynote speakers can set the tone for the entire event. Getting it right is critical to the overall success of your event.

Here are some key qualities of a great keynote speaker….

Articulate

When interviewing for your keynote speaker, you should be able to tell right away whether or not they are a good speaker.

A good speaker is articulate, and seems to find the right words instantly to communicate the message.

Ultimately, as the article, “what makes a great keynote speaker?” looks at, it’s the ability to articulate the message in a clear manner that will be easily understood by the attendees.

Presentable

Your keynote speaker needs to be presentable as far as physical appearance.

Unfortunately, society does judge others on appearance. If you are putting on a conference about fitness products, your keynote speaker needs to be in good physical shape.

Even if they are a past Olympian, if they’ve let themselves go, they won’t be a good spokesperson for your company.

You don’t need a beauty contestant, but a general modicum of physical health is desirable in a person who is going to be delivering the keynote speech at a corporate event.

Respectful

Your keynote speaker should be a person who respects your organization and what it stands for.

They should be able to address your attendees in a respectful fashion, and embody the ideals that your organization holds dear. Even if they are experts in their field, if they cannot speak to your group in a respectful manner, they wouldn’t be an ideal candidate.

For example, you’d be surprised at how many experts on matters that interest women, such as childcare and gardening, don’t actually respect the women who engage in those activities.

Well-Known

The best keynote speaker would be one who can lend an air of authority to your event.

If they are well-known in their field, you will likely get a lot more attendees to your event than if you hire a keynote speaker whom no one has ever heard of. The value of a well-known keynote speaker is immense.

They can advertise their upcoming keynote address, and perhaps bring in more attendees than you would have otherwise had. A well-known keynote speaker can also breed excitement about the event.

When people who are on the fence about attending your event see who is delivering the keynote speech, they may be more likely to sign up just to see their favorite motivational speaker, celebrity or what not.

Responsible

Once you hire a keynote speaker, you want to be able to cross that task safely off your list.

You never want to have to worry that the keynote speaker won’t show up or will forget. If your keynote speaker is a celebrity, they could potentially be someone less than plugged in to the conventional world where people have to be a certain place at a specific time.

Your choice for keynote speaker should be a person with a responsible attitude to their commitments.

Keynote speakers can often make or break the success of an event.

Choose wisely and carefully, and sit back and enjoy the speech.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Kate Supino writes extensively about best business practices.

Get Personal in Training Your Sales People to be the Best

October 30, 2015 by Thomas

For those business owners just starting out or only in business for a short period of time, does your sales training have a personal touch? If it doesn’t, it could set the stage for some long days down the road.

The aim of sales training is to equip your sales team to do their best for your business. Well-trained sales people will pursue the best leads and communicating effectively with customers, ultimately improving your sales and conversions.

By adding a personal touch to your sales training, you increase the chances of success for your sales team.

So just what does a personal touch mean in terms of sales training, and how can you implement it in your business?

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

When it comes to sales training, it’s all too easy to take a one-size-fits-all approach.

You set up a training day or give your sales team an e-course to complete on their mobile devices, delivering everything you think they need to know. However, this may not be the most effective approach for your business.

Here’s why:

Different people have different learning styles;

Different people learn at different speeds;

Some team members will already be familiar with some of the material;

Team members will have different gaps in their knowledge;

Some people will learn better at different times of day;

Some people will respond better to specific content delivery methods than others.

Understanding the different needs of your sales team members is vital in creating sales training that has a truly personal touch.

What Does Personal Training Look Like?

Personal training is focused on what is best for each individual learner.

Personal training can include:

Offering different learning options (such as videos or interactive quizzes);

Breaking training down into bite size pieces so learners can choose where to go next;

Recommending new training modules based on each learner’s history;

Giving learners a chance to focus on problem areas;

Delivering different content based on each learner’s progress.

The Benefits of Giving Training a Personal Touch

Adding a personal touch to your sales training means you’ll be offering the best training for each individual member of your sales team.

By focusing your efforts on adapting your training to be appropriate for each individual learner, you increase each team member’s chance of getting maximum benefit from the training.

As the article “Modern Pharma Sales Training Deserves a Personal Touch” points out, customizing training to each learner’s needs improves the quality of the training.

Each person will receive the best content for them, in a way that they can personally work well with. Their engagement with the content will be more meaningful.

Making Training More Efficient

Adding a more personal touch to your training also means your training will be more efficient.

When you deliver the same training to everyone, some people will receive training in topics they’re already well versed in. As well as wasting time, this is likely to bore learners.

By personalizing your training, you let each employee skip over areas they are already familiar with.

More personal training also lets you see where each member of your team is struggling, giving you the chance to offer them support. Learners can put their focus on the areas they most need to improve.

Finally, by personalizing your sales training, you can pay attention to each learner’s preferred method of learning, for example by reading, answering quizzes or watching a video.

Targeting a preferred learning method is much more efficient than having everyone wade through material that doesn’t gel with their personal learning style.

When you add a personal touch to your sales training, you are essentially delivering the very best training for each member of your team.

The result is the best-trained sales people, who are an asset to your business.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Tristan Anwyn writes on a variety of topics including social media, how to build customer relationships, content marketing and how to offer the best training to your sales people.

Book Your Small Business for Success in 2016 and Beyond

October 24, 2015 by Thomas

The right trade show can do wonders for your small business, which is why it’s so important to attend the best events.

All across the country, small business owners are attending trade shows to help boost their brand presence and so can you.

Here are just a few of the many trade shows worth attending in 2016:

The Small Business Expo

If you’re looking for a trade show that features a diverse number of networking opportunities, then look no further than the Small Business Expo.

This massive trade show covers consulting, start-ups, finance, insurance, real estate, non-profit, education, marketing, advertising, technology, ecommerce, and a number of other small businesses.

In terms of an all-in-one trade show, the Small Business Expo focuses on a variety of industries, which can really help you increase exposure for your brand.

Another benefit of this trade show is it takes place throughout the year in 14 major cities including New York, Chicago, Houston, San Diego, and Atlanta just to name a few.

ASD Market Week

The retail and consumer goods industry is competitive and if you’re in the retail business, then you already know the importance of brand presence.

The ASD Market Week trade show in Las Vegas can help you hone your retail sales skills and stay ahead of the competition.

This trade show invites both small businesses and distributors, which creates an effective networking atmosphere.

As the following article looks at, along with the 2 philosophies that ensure tradeshow booth success is taking advantage of future distribution.

ASD Market Week, which takes place in late February and early March each year, segments attendees based on the products they sell.

This makes it even easier for distributors to seek out your small business during the trade show.

Pubcon

If your small business needs a hand with marketing and SEO, then Pubcon is an absolute must.

Part trade show and part conference, Pubcon brings together online marketers, social media experts, and SEO masterminds for the benefit of your small business.

At this trade show, you can improve your own marketing tactics while increasing the visibility of your brand through networking and workshops.

Pubcon takes place in Las Vegas and Austin, Texas every October.

CES International

Consumer technology is one of the fastest growing industries in the world.

Whether your small business builds smart devices or improves technology that’s already on the market, the CES International trade show can help you build a strong following for your brand.

CES International takes place every January in Las Vegas and features small tech companies and innovators from all across the globe.

If you’re looking for a trade show where you can market your consumer tech innovation while networking with distributors and investors, then this trade show is a must.

America’s Small Business Summit

Having a relationship with your local chamber of commerce is an important part of running a small business.

America’s Small Business Summit connects business owners with state chamber executives in order to help build lasting business relationships. The summit takes place each June in Washington, D.C. and features discussion panels from chamber policy experts.

If you’re ready to book your small business for success in 2016, then consider some of the trade shows mentioned above.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including trade shows and small business.

Having the Right Business Mentor Can Make All the Difference

October 16, 2015 by Thomas

Do you have a business mentor?

When you’re starting out, the chances are you’ve thought of everything from your marketing to your cash flow to finding the right premises. But have you thought about finding a mentor for your business?

A mentor is a big boost for business owners at all stages, but especially those just starting out.

So what can a mentor do for you?

Business Knowledge

When you work with a mentor, you’re working with someone who knows their way around the business world.

Their business knowledge is invaluable for your business. Whether you’re trying to find your way through the maze of taxes, or trying to figure out how to get started with employing people in your business, a mentor can help you.

Even if they don’t have experience in your specific field, they’ll know what it’s like to meet the day to day challenges of running a business, and will pass that knowledge on to you.

Wisdom from Experience

As the article, “Why You Need a Mentor and Where to Find One” says, real life know-how comes with experience. No matter how well educated or trained you are, nothing beats the wisdom you gain from experience.

There’s no short cut for experience and the knowledge it brings. However a mentor is as good as a short cut. A mentor can tell you the things they’ve learned over their time in business.

You’ll be able to learn from their mistakes and triumphs, avoiding the pitfalls that caught them out, and benefiting from the things that worked for them. You can take that knowledge and mold it to fit your own business.

Moral Support

Being in business can be tough, especially when you’re starting out.

From cash flow problems to struggling to get the right customers, there will be days when you wonder if you’re doing the right thing.

A mentor can help you through the rough spots.

They can offer a listening ear and empathy, from someone who has been there and knows exactly what you’re going through.

Your mentor can also give you hope that there is a way through the hard times, and prove to you that with dedication and determination, you can make it.

Fresh Ideas

Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective.

No matter how new or how experienced you are in business, sometimes you’ll hit a problem you just can’t see the way past. That’s where a mentor can help.

Regardless of whether they’re experienced in your specific industry, a mentor brings a fresh perspective to any situation. They’ll spot solutions and new approaches that you might not have noticed, because you don’t have an outside view.

It’s not just about solving specific problems, either.

Sometimes your mentor will spot an even better way of approaching something that seems to be working ok, making your business even better.

Motivation and Accountability

Motivation is key to success in business. You’ll need to keep going through the good times and bad, and keep your goals in mind.

A mentor can help you do just that. By helping you set goals and providing an example of success in business, a mentor will motivate you to keep going.

Working with a mentor also encourages accountability, as you talk to them about previous issues and what you’ve been doing to deal with them.

A good mentor is worth their weight in gold for your business.

You’ll benefit from their experience and wisdom, empowering you to make the best decisions for your business from the outset.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Tristan Anwyn writes on a variety of topics including social media, how to build customer relationships, content marketing and how to work with a business mentor.

Are Your SEO Needs Being Met?

October 14, 2015 by Thomas

If running a business has you coming and going, what are you doing to make things a little easier on yourself?

For many business owners, the focus is oftentimes lost on how important content marketing is to their success. While there is no doubt hiring the right talent and providing stellar customer service are both critical, so too is properly promoting your brand.

One of the best ways to get your brand front and center in front of countless eyes is by having a content marketing program that properly promotes your brand, leaving no doubt amongst consumers why they should be doing business with you.

With that said, do you do the content marketing or should you farm it out to the pros?

Research Your Options

For those business owners who decided that handling content marketing may be a little beyond their grasp, there is always the option of turning to an outside agency. That agency should not only be able to write eye-catching copy, but they also need to place it in front of as many eyes as possible.

Through search engine optimization (SEO), business owners can get their brand front and center.

But what about finding the right SEO provider to do just that? Can you really afford to just call-out any SEO company to do the work for you? Or do you need to invest time and effort in finding the best SEO agency?

The answer should be obvious, though some business owners oftentimes will simply hope for the best when hiring.

In order for your brand to get the best attention, remember to follow these tidbits in searching for the best SEO provider:

Track record – What kind of history does each SEO provider you are reviewing have? Are they all but free of customer complaints? Are they quick to respond to client inquiries or do they leave people on hold? What kind of social network (Twitter, Facebook etc.) do they have? If they have little or no social following, how can they be expected to use social media to help publicize your brand?
Read the fine print – Anytime you have someone do work for you; make sure you read the written deal (typically a contract) from start to finish. Those nasty little “hidden fees” can crop up from time to time, leaving you a little lighter in the wallet or purse and a little bit dissatisfied. Some business owners are too busy to read the fine details, meaning they ultimately pay for it in the end.
Too many promises? – Another red flag is if an SEO provider promises you the moon. Remember, just as you only promise your customers what you can ultimately deliver, the same should hold true for those doing work for you. Make sure the expectations are clearly defined for both parties. Solid SEO doesn’t happen overnight or at the flick of a switch, so set a clear understanding between your company and your SEO provider of what is needed and expected.
Reviews are needed – Finally, it is important that you and your SEO provider sit down and talk about the progress of your site, especially as it relates to link-building, content marketing and social media. What is working? Are there some strategies that seem to be stuck in neutral or even maybe setting your site back as it pertains to Google rankings? Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion; it is your site and money, so speak up when necessary.

In the end, your goal and that of your SEO provider should be to increase your websites traffic and your company’s sales.

When those two come together, your SEO needs can certainly be met.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

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