Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Woolies half-year earnings reveal shoppers changing habits The supermarket chain says consumers are swapping red meat for more “affordable luxuries” such as exclusive cheese brands and ice creams. It’s believed to be part of a trend where people eat more at home instead of going out to deal with… Read more
Good news for small business owners: according to the US Small Business Administration, nearly 80% of small businesses survive their first year. However, that number begins to drop as time rolls on. Only half of small businesses pass the five year mark, and a mere third celebrate their tenth anniversary. Taking steps to create a good foundation in the early days of your business is essential for a sustainable and… Read more
The start of the year is the perfect time to dust off last year’s business plan and set some new goals for the future. While some entrepreneurs love planning, others feel overwhelmed by the process. How do you decide on just a handful of goals that take priority, with so many moving parts that make up a business? These tips can help you get started brainstorming how your company can… Read more
If you’re ready to expand internationally – perhaps you plan to open a store overseas, start working with international clients or make a leap into exporting – these tips will help you prepare for hassle-free business travel. Check your passport – The earlier you can get your passport documentation in order the better. In many countries it takes several weeks to receive a new passport once you’ve submitted your paperwork.… Read more
Every businessperson knows that not all customers are created equal. Some customers are loyal, while others will stray if they’re offered a slightly lower price elsewhere. Some clients are demanding, while others only call when they wish to place an order. Every business must deal with a variety of customers. But there are certain types of customers who do more harm than good to your business – they drain your… Read more
The success of any business, large or small, depends largely on nurturing an efficient, productive workplace. While improving employee productivity should be always be a priority when the ultimate goal is a sustainable and profitable business, the process is easier said than done. Below are some of the most effective methods of managing a productive, happy workplace while increasing output. Establish Accountability Productivity depends on every employee understanding that the… Read more
These days, it’s inevitable that a diverse group of older and younger workers cross paths in business. After all, the young, tech-savvy, socially conscious demographic known as Gen Y are currently the largest living generation, navigating the work force in record numbers. And the boomers may be retirement age, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to stop working. Many baby boomers are choosing to enjoy “encore careers” – jobs that… Read more
Advertising is an essential component of success for any business. Proper advertising ensures more sales, but if you choose the wrong options, it can be a very expensive proposition. Let’s look at five ways you can reduce your business’s advertising expenditure without affecting your results. Referrals A referral program encourages your current customers to send their friends to your site, and to earn rewards for their efforts. It’s a great… Read more
The best companies attract and retain top talent. Finding the best people takes time, but it is an investment that can save you money over the long haul. The more effort you put into finding the right people, the less likely that they will move on when another opportunity arises. Here are some strategies for attracting and retaining top talent. Give Yourself Time A senior manager has quit, leaving a… Read more
Whether you are thinking of launching a small, local business or a global enterprise, finding a city that is friendly toward entrepreneurs is important. You want a city that is culturally supportive of business owners, in a region or country that makes things easy for you from a financial perspective. You also want to be in a place where it is easy to attract and retain good talent, and where… Read more
Increasing efficiency and minimizing costs are essential to running a profitable business. Yet many small business owners waste countless hours on meetings that lack focus, run on too long, and pull staff away from more productive tasks. Follow these seven tips to make your meetings more efficient and cost-effective. What’s your Goal? Every meeting should have a clear objective, and a reason the meeting is needed (versus an email or… Read more
Tips for Managing Debtors when you’re Self-Employed You’ve poured passion, time, and money into fulfilling a contract, have agreed on payment terms and invoiced your customer—and then nothing. Days turn into weeks, and you still haven’t received payment. For single proprietorships and small start-ups, uncollected invoices can sink your business. Suddenly, you’re cash flow negative. Income you needed to cover expenses and pay vendors dries up. Without the safety nets… Read more
Domain names play a key role in how visitors to your website identify your business. This is precisely why you should spend sufficient time finding the domain name that best suits your brand. But finding a suitable name for your website is not always as simple as it looks: the name you want is already taken, the catchy four-letter domain is too costly, or you may just lack inspiration. Let’s… Read more
At some point, every business owner needs outside help to improve efficiency – or to free up their time so they can take steps toward future growth. The trouble is, the cost of hiring regular staff, even on a part time basis, can eat up a company’s budget – especially in the early years when you’re still just finding your feet. The rise of the remote freelance worker (otherwise known… Read more
The key performance indicators (KPIs) for one company will invariably be different from the KPIs of another firm. What both hypothetical companies share however, is the challenge of selecting which KPIs are best suited for measuring the goals and progress of their particular business model. Indeed, entrepreneurs have a vast array of reports and data sets from which to choose and select from, but that data needs to target those… Read more
“For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press three.” Alice Kahn If you feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of technological gadgets out there, never mind apps and other digital “solutions”, you’re not alone. Technology sprawl and the rabbit hole of more and more information, available all the time, is making productivity—and healthy downtime—a real challenge for many of us.… Read more
Times were tough, so John decided he had to drop his prices below his competitors. The results seemed gratifying. Business picked up quickly and when John looked round his shop he could see his sales staff were always busy with customers. Then came the call from his accountant. “Aren’t the sales figures great?” said John, getting his bit in first. ‘Yes”, said the accountant, “impressive sales indeed. That’s the good… Read more
For bootstrapping young businesses, making a professional first impression as you build your brand is key. Although hiring a branding expert may be too large an expense in the early days, you can still help your business stand out in the best possible way without breaking the bank. Just follow these simple marketing moves that will help people to know, like, and trust you. Build Credibility with your own Email… Read more
Few business owners have extra time to devote to a lengthy business planning process. But every entrepreneur needs a solid blueprint to get their business successfully up and running. The Lean Canvas—designed by Sparks59 CEO and Running Lean author, Ash Maurya—is a simple, effective planning tool that helps entrepreneurs assess and test their ideas before investing too deeply in building a product. For the small business owner, the Lean Canvas… Read more
Research has repeatedly shown that businesses that have been prepared for the owner’s exit are significantly more likely to endure than unprepared businesses. These guidelines around an exit strategy can help your business legacy live on – and get you a satisfactory result. Preparation delivers the Best Results The key message to take away is this: start your exit strategy now – don’t wait until that ‘later time’. Life is… Read more