Successful Blog

It’s Your Business to Work the Right Schedule

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With the New Year off and running, did you make the standard resolutions that most folks make?

You typically hear things such as :

* I want to lose weight
* I want to exercise more
* I want to pay down my debts
* I want spend more time with my family

While those are all good resolutions to have, how many of them do you actually follow through on when all is said and done?

Unfortunately, too many Americans who work for or run their own companies do not make a resolution to enjoy more time out of their offices, be they at a corporate setting or at home.

With the economy still feeling like a ride on a rollercoaster, many workers feel they just can’t take the time from their busy work schedules to enjoy a little rest and relaxation. As a result, it is not uncommon for them to become burned out.

In order to lessen the chances of becoming burned out on the job in 2013, keep these things in mind:

* Work can be consuming – Everyone has to work in order to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. That being said, spread out your work loads as much as possible. If you run your own small business, consider hiring some help if you have not already. The money you may be saving trying to do all the work on your own could end up being spent on medical bills down the road if you overdo it. If you have to handle it by yourself, set a goal for yourself each day to accomplish X amount of the work;

* Don’t procrastinate – One of the worst things you can do when working at or running a business is procrastinating. Especially in today’s Internet age, albeit with personal computers, access at work through an office machine, smartphones, apps and more, it is easy to get distracted in doing your job. Make sure you take a break or two during the day, but don’t let it turn into several breaks. Some companies prohibit employee access to the Internet while on the job for just that reason. There is time before and after work to shop online, talk to friends, and simply browse different sites. Make sure your work does not fall victim to wasted time on the job whereby you are left with major deadlines and little time left to meet them;

* Get away from the grind – How many times have you had a chance to get away from work for a day, a few days or even longer, yet in essence ended up taking your work with you? You could be at a plush resort or far off in the mountains and yet you have the desire to check your work email. While they do not want to bother you, you tell your coworkers that it is okay to interrupt your vacation with calls and emails. Finally, you take a project or two with you to “work” on while you are suppose to be relaxing. Everyone needs some time to recharge their batteries, so make sure doing so means turning the work answering machine in your head off;

* Don’t be a hero – Finally, there are only 24 hours in a day, so don’t try and get everything done at once. When you are rushing to get things done because your workload is too heavy, you tend to make mistakes. Always remember that it is better to take a little extra time to get a project or simple task done then to rush it through and have to go back to fix it. If you are working for someone, discuss with them what you feel you can handle on a regular basis. If the workload is too heavy, consider ways to lessen it without putting your job or company at risk. Taking on too much at once is oftentimes a recipe for disaster.

With the New Year upon you, make sure you work out a schedule that meets both your needs and those of your customers.

Photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com

About the author: Dave Thomas covers small business topics for a variety of websites, including finding the best Waikiki hotels when traveling for work or play.

SOBCon Asks The Big Question: What Problem Are You Trying To Solve?

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Photo by Angela Wheeler

One of the essential questions a new business must answer is “What Problem Are You Trying To Solve“?

It’s the critical driver of the core value proposition for any successful product or service.

SOBCon NW 2012 tackled this big question this past September in Portland,  with our showcase business panel featuring Lara Feltin, CEO of Biznik , Howard Mann of Brickyard Partners, and Todd Silverstein, CEO of Vizify, and moderated by Scott Sandler, Fund Manager of the Oregon Angel Fund.

We’re pleased to present the video from the panel discussion – watch and listen as these excellent business minds present their insights to our SOBCon audience, and now to you!

 

How Passion Can Tranform Your Business

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By Chris Nosal

Today the world is more oversaturated than ever; on television you see insurance companies, retailers, car dealers, and pretty much every company under the sun all telling you they’ve got the lowest prices, and trying to compete by offering customers the best deal.

But, recently, I noticed there’s one thing missing from all these commercials, advertisements, and marketing pieces; something that would instantly make any company who used it stand out, so they could lead their industry instead of compete.

Want to know the secret?

It can be summed up in one word:

PASSION.

How To Apply Passion To Your Business

Imagine that you saw a car commercial, and while all the other companies were telling you about how they had the lowest prices, this company decided to innovate out of their passion, their love of what they do, and their desire to create the best experience in the world for their customers?

This company went a step ahead of all the other dealerships, found something they could improve (car buying is usually considered a pressure situation with a lot of hassle), and gave customers REAL BENEFITS that they could offer.

Now, imagine this commercial said:

“We want to make your car buying experience most pleasurable, simple, easy, and fun. We have a commission-free showroom, so that our focus is specifically on helping you, educating you, and making sure that you have all the unbiased information you need from our experts to make sure you get the perfect car for you… we also employ extra team members to make sure that you can always get helped right away when you come to our dealership; you’ll be welcomed the moment you walk into our dealership, because we believe our customers are people too, and people should be treated like family… we want to create the best car buying experience on the planet for YOU.”

Now, while this might be good for customers, it’s also good for your team of workers…

Your Business Needs A Bigger Purpose

People with a common goal connect with each other.

While the desire to make money might motivate the boss of most companies, it doesn’t often motivate the salaried or hourly people working for you.

So what does motivate people?

A PURPOSE

If you ask most people why they come to work each morning, you typically get a common answer, “because I need to make money”.

There is rarely, if ever, true loyalty to a company or business.

But why?

Simple.

Because your company lacks a purpose.

Imagine if you asked someone why they came to work each day, and they said:

“Well, I do need the money, but the job I do is also focused on helping people make important decisions in their lives, and my focus every day is on putting smiles on people’s faces with the service I deliver, making people happy, and enriching lives by giving customers the best car buying experience on the planet… and my every day my work helps me learn something new and grow as I connect with more and more people.”

Now, when a company pressures with sales deadlines, quotas, or commissions, that doesn’t give people a sense of purpose, a sense that they’re having a positive impact on people’s lives, or a sense of true purpose that goes beyond making money for the customer.

And if you give your employees a common goal that involves creating the best experience in the world for your customers, it’s good for your customers, it’s good for your employees, and it fosters loyalty all around, which usually also means many customers referring additional business to you.

The benefits of this are:

  1. You don’t have to play the price game… you play the “providing the best customer experience in the world” game.
  2. Your business grows as a result of customer referrals, because you provide the best service in the world.
  3. Your team members actually care about their jobs, and will work harder, longer, and even turn down other offers for a job that actually has meaning, and is focused on improving people’s lives.

The Key To Success Is NOT Competition

For years, the game of competing on competition has worked. But the world is growing more than ever before, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that competing on price or consumerism is NEVER going to work again, it’s time to start defining ourselves in a different way, and focusing on enriching lives, and creating amazing experiences for people.

If you make this your focus, give an actual purpose to your business that extends beyond simply selling something, and you share this vision you have of a better world with your customers; whether it’s creating the best breakfast restaurant on the planet, the most amazing online shopping experience, or just putting a smile on someone’s face, make your focus on something that has meaning to others, and you’ll be amazed at the transformation that will take place in every area of your business, and your relationships with everyone you work with and serve.

At the end of your life, the amount of money you made isn’t going to matter… but the legacy you create, and the ability of what you created to enrich lives, and make people happy, will love on long after you’re gone.

Author’s Bio: Chris Nosal is a marketing expert who writes at his blog http://chrisnosal.com, and gives private consultations. You can visit his website to download his free eBook, and read more free articles. You can also find him on twitter as @chrisnos, and on Facebook

Thanks Chris, great thoughts to start 2013!

How To Create Good SEO Content That Stands Strong

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By Carol Wales

Content

When it comes to search engine optimization, people all around the world prefer Google; It is one of the most popular and efficient search engines. Google used to favor websites that had more links to high page rank websites. In other words, a website could have a better ranking if it had more high PR links. This was considered as a vote of confidence in terms of the content of the website. Over time, there have been changes in the ranking criteria of Google; however, the prime focus is still the same – providing the best information to people. The new Google algorithm is based on quality signals and social media presence. Having informative and valuable SEO content is the key for developing a successful website or an online store. This is a tried, tested and a sure way of generating traffic and thereby driving sales.

How to create good content? Just keep these points in mind while you are creating.

Uniqueness

When you are creating content on any topic that is already present on many other websites, you must be creative with it and try to find a way of presenting this information in a unique way. Even if you see content on the same topic, research the other websites and check which points they have missed. You can incorporate new information, images and videos to enhance readability. You can also consider presenting the information in some other forum, for instance you can use an eBook instead of posting it in article directories or blogging websites. If you are operating a website, make sure it provides the most relevant information. The content can be added in the internal blog or in article directory or any other blogging website. Make sure that there is something different in the content published by you.

Right Keywords At The Right Time

Research and finalize the keywords you will be using. For creating good SEO content, it is essential to use the relevant keywords. Research commonly used keywords pertaining to your industry. You will come across many online software tools for finding new keywords. Google keyword tool is one of the most efficient tools that provides information on the global and local monthly searches of the keywords along with a wide range of keyword variations. Once you finalize the keywords, start using them in the content; however, make sure that it looks natural.

Precise

Web users normally have a short attention span. You must come up with short, precise and informative content that will hold the attention of the reader.

Headline With Keywords

Your headline is one of the strongest attributes of your content that creates the first impression in the minds of the readers. The title provides the users with an idea about what can be expected from the post. It also appears in the email newsletters, social media shares, RSS feeds and ofcourse in the search engines.

Highlight The Important Aspects

If you have written a long, in-depth article, there is no doubt that it will provide value to the users. However remember that brevity is most important. At times readers only scan pages for some important and interesting information. Highlight the crucial aspects through the use of a table of contents, headline and sub headings along with the right keywords. Preferably make use of short paragraphs so that it is easier to read.

Use Simple Language

When you are setting up a website for a global audience, using simple English is advisable so that it is easier to read and understand the information given. Also try to put yourself in the shoes of the reader so that you will know which information must be presented to them.

Accuracy

Make sure that whatever information you are providing is accurate and is up to date. If you are taking the information from somewhere, ensure that it is an authoritative resource.

Editing

Once you are done writing the article, make sure to proof read and edit it properly. If you have completed the post, do not publish it right away. Read it and give yourself time to edit it. By doing this you will be able to improve on the content further.

Including Images And Videos

An article with images and videos surely has an edge over just a plain article. When it comes to videos, add them only if you think they can provide value to the users. Images can perfectly synchronize with your post; whatever topic you are writing on, you can always find relevant images. Make sure you use high quality images that can also be viewed on mobile devices.

The content creation tips mentioned above are simple and can be implemented right away. You can count on these points in terms of creating the most impressive, efficient and readable content.

Author’s bio: Carol Wales specializes in writing on topics related to technology, search engine optimization and prominent web hosting platforms like Cloud Web Hosting, VPS and Dedicated Server UK. Her aim is to provide users with the most authentic information that can be utilized by them in the best possible way. She believes good content will always be the king and therefore she strives for the best.

Thanks to Week 376 SOBs

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muddy teal strip A

Successful and Outstanding Bloggers

Let me introduce the bloggers
who have earned this official badge of achievement,

Purple SOB Button Original SOB Button Red SOB Button Purple and Blue SOB Button
and the right to call themselves
Successful Blog SOBs.

I invite them to take a badge home to display on their blogs.

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They take the conversation to their readers,
contribute great ideas, challenge us, make us better, and make our businesses stronger.

I thank all of our SOBs for thinking what we say is worth passing on.
Good conversation shared can only improve the blogging community.

Should anyone question this SOB button’s validity, send him or her to me. Thie award carries a “Liz said so” guarantee, is endorsed by Kings of the Hemispheres, Martin and Michael, and is backed by my brothers, Angelo and Pasquale.

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Want to become an SOB?

If you’re an SO-Wanna-B, you can see the whole list of SOBs and learn how to be one by visiting the SOB Hall of Fame– A-Z Directory . Click the link or visit the What IS an SOB?! page in the sidebar.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Do You Want to Work for Yourself in 2013?

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By Peter Grant

If you’ve been contemplating running your own business but think that the economic climate means you can’t start it yet, think again. The financial slowdown has made it difficult for some businesses, yes, but if you can find a niche to work in, you could make a real success of your fledgling business.

Many people who want to work for themselves start out by opening a franchise business. Running a franchise can help to provide the support you need because you aren’t thrown in at the deep end but rather, are given support by the franchisor. By running a franchise, you essentially buy the rights to trade under a certain brand and use its logo and other intellectual property. Here’re some tips to take on board if you want to start your own business.

Thinking like a businessperson

There are so many franchises available that you can afford to think about what really interests you and what you think you’d be good at. How could your personality help you to run a business? With any business venture, you’ll need to have strong motivation and enjoy meeting people and giving them good service. This is, after all, what makes your customers want to return to you again in the future.

Choosing a franchise

Think about the experience you have and how you could best lend this to a franchise. If you’ve worked in a restaurant before and helped to manage the business, you could think about running a food franchise. Or, if you enjoy graphic design and have good attention to detail, you could contemplate running a print franchise.

Make sure the franchise you choose offers support. Contact existing franchisees and ask them what they think about the franchisor. Use this feedback to help you in weighing up the risks and benefits of each particular franchise you’re interested in.

Your business plan

The very nature of a franchise means you’ll get much more support than if you were going it alone in a start-up. You will need to write a business plan though, to give yourself direction. Your franchisor and any finance lenders you meet with may want to check this.

Start by describing your business and the service you are going to offer. Mention the competition you believe you’ll face in your area and how you will navigate around this to be successful and one step ahead of them. Include a conservative estimate of what you expect to make in your first, second and third year of operation.

How to anticipate your customers

Whatever service or product you want to offer, and however unique you think it is, potential customers won’t come near you unless you can persuade them why they need your product – and why they should choose you over a competitor. You need to focus on unique selling points, or USPs. Which USPs do you think you can offer, and how will these benefit your customers? You might find it easier to come up with USPs by thinking first about the lives of your customers. For busy mums who work full time, can you offer a delivery service in the evening to suit them? Can you do a quick turnaround? Think about what convenience you can offer your customers, including a competitive price.

Money, money, money

One question that will certainly need answering before you jump into a franchise is – how are you going to fund it? While it is certainly significantly cheaper to start a franchise than your own stand-alone business, you will need some funds up front.

If you’re thinking of getting finance to get the franchise going, banks are usually quite positive about lending to franchisees because there is much less risk involved.

Regarding the everyday running of your franchise, remember to set yourself a budget for everything – from phone providers to stationery providers – and stick to it. For a healthy cash flow, make sure your customers pay on time. You can encourage this by asking them to pay a deposit or signing a contract.

Advertising your franchise

Thankfully for franchisees, marketing isn’t as tough as it could be. Due to the awareness of the brand you’re joining already being in the public arena, you’ve got half the battle won.

Don’t forget though that people will still need to know your particular branch of the franchise exists, so it’s often a good idea to focus on your local market, demonstrating local knowledge.

Make sure the area you want to open up in has a market for your business, otherwise it’ll be an uphill battle from the offset for you to win customers.

You can advertise in a number of ways, and don’t underestimate business cards for networking – keep them on you at all times. Doing a little market research could be very helpful too, giving you an insight into what makes your customers tick and what they think about your competitors.

Legal stuff

As you’re running a business, you’ll be able to access your customers’ details so you must be careful with them – and make sure your staff are too. Train them consistently and make sure they check details each time a customer contacts you. Consistency helps to reassure customers and will also help you build a great reputation.

Author’s Bio: Peter Grant is a franchisee at Minuteman Press International, a printing franchise operating throughout the US, Canada, UK and Australia. Minuteman Press provides a wide variety of printing services, from full color printing to graphic design. Minuteman Press has been voted #1 within the printing industry for 2012 – its 20th time overall. Visit http://www.shop.minutemanpress.com for more information.