How to handle unfriendly rivalry between employees

eggs with expressions

So you have an employee who just can’t seem to get along with anyone else on the team?

They always seem to be caught up in some kind of power struggle, and it’s affecting their productivity and the morale of the rest of the staff. What can you do?

In this article, we will give you a few tips on how to handle unfriendly rivalry between employees. It’s not always easy, but with a bit of patience and some clear boundaries, you can hopefully nip the problem in the bud.

Acknowledge the problem

You’ve probably heard the saying “there’s no room for two tigers in the same jungle.” Well, the same thing applies to the workplace.

If you have two employees who are constantly butting heads, it’s going to create an unpleasant environment for everyone. The first step is acknowledging that there is a problem. Don’t try to sweep it under the rug, because it will only get worse if you do. Address the issue head-on, and be clear about what you expect from both employees.

Talk to each employee separately first

When you have employees who are unfriendly with each other, the best thing to do is talk to them separately first. This will help you get a better understanding of what’s going on and why they’re acting this way.

It’s also a good way to find out if there’s any truth to the rumors you’ve been hearing. By having a one-on-one conversation, you’re showing your employees that you’re interested in resolving the situation. And this sends a message that you don’t tolerate any type of hostility in the workplace.

Of course, it’s not always comfortable to have such conversations. They may feel like it’s a personal attack, but remember that you’re just trying to get to the bottom of things. Stay calm, be professional, and take notes so you can reference them later on.

Facilitate a meeting between the involved parties
colleagues in a meeting

Image Credits: unsplash.com

You should facilitate a meeting between the involved parties. This will give them a chance to air their grievances and explain their side of the story. It will also allow you to get an overall understanding of the situation.

By mediating the meeting, you can ensure that it stays productive and doesn’t turn into a shouting match. You may need to play referee from time to time, but that’s okay. It’s your responsibility to make sure that the meeting stays on track.

The employees may not be happy with each other, but at least they will have an opportunity to resolve their differences under your watchful eye.

Set clear expectations and encourage positive competition

So what can you do as a boss to encourage positive competition among your employees?

First, set clear expectations. Make it apparent that you want them to support each other, not compete against each other. And let them know that you will be keeping an eye on the situation. Second, praise them when they work well together. This will help motivate them to continue working positively together.

Finally, be sure to address any negative behavior immediately. If any backstabbing or bullying is going on, it needs to stop right away. It will only create further tension and conflict in the workplace, and nobody wants that.

When you’re the boss, it can be tough to know how to handle unfriendly rivalry between employees. On one hand, you don’t want to seem like you’re taking sides. On the other hand, you want to make sure that everyone is getting along and working towards the same goal. Make it obvious that you don’t tolerate any kind of bullying or harassment and encourage employees to communicate with each other if they have any problems.

Read More...

How to choose between a copywriter and a content writer

typing on the laptop

You’re probably familiar with the term “copywriter.” They’re the people who help businesses create compelling advertising and marketing materials.

But what about “content writers”? What do they do, and is it something you need for your business? The short answer is that it depends. Both copywriters and content writers can help you create great content for your website and social media pages, but the two positions have rather dissimilar focuses.

Allow us to break down the distinctions between copywriters and content writers so you can decide which position is right for your business.

Defining the terms

When it comes to content, there are two main positions you can hire: a copywriter or a content writer. So, what’s the difference?

A copywriter is someone who writes persuasive sales copy. They create catchy headlines and use persuasive language to get people to buy a product or service. A content writer, on the other hand, is responsible for creating informative, value-driven content. This might be in the form of articles, ebooks, or blog posts.

The main difference between the two is that copywriters are focused on selling, while content writers are focused on informing. If you’re not sure which position you need, consider what kind of content you want to create and what your company goals are.

What does a copywriter do?

Copywriters understand the art of persuasion. They know how to write persuasive content that will make people want to buy what you’re selling. They can also help you create website content, email marketing campaigns, and even social media posts.

They typically have a background in marketing, journalism, or creative writing. They understand the basics of persuasion and know how to craft powerful content that will convince people to take action.

What does a content writer do?
a woman using her laptop

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Well, a content writer is responsible for creating and publishing content across a variety of channels, including your blog, website, and social media pages. They help you to develop a content strategy and create engaging and informative copy that will resonate with your audience.

A good content writer understands the needs of their client and the target audience and knows how to create content that is both relevant and compelling. They also know how to use keywords and other SEO techniques to improve your search engine ranking.

When should you hire a copywriter?

You should consider hiring a copywriter when you need help with ad copy, slogans, or email marketing. A copywriter can also help you create a brand voice and style guide.

They’re typically skilled in persuasive writing techniques, so they can help you create content that markets your products or services. Copywriters are also great at creating catchy headlines and coming up with interesting ideas for blog posts and social media content.

When should you hire a content writer?

Given that you’re reading this, we are going to assume you’re at a point where you need help creating content. And that’s where a content writer comes in.

A content writer can help you with everything from developing a content strategy to creating blog posts, landing pages, and even long-form articles to rank on Google. Basically, they take care of all the nitty-gritty details so you can focus on what’s important—running your business.

But when should you hire a content writer? The answer is simple: when you need help creating content that’s engaging, informative, and accurately reflects your brand.

How to choose the right copywriter or content writer for your business

When it comes to content writing, there are a lot of options out there. You could hire a copywriter, a content writer, or even a combo of the two. So how do you know which one is right for your business?

Here are a few tips to help you make the right decision:

  • Define your needs. What kind of content do you need? What’s your budget? How often do you need new content?
  • Do your research. Check out different writers’ websites, portfolios, and blog posts to get a sense of their style capabilities.
  • Interview writers. This is a great way to get to know them better and see if their style and tone align with what you’re looking for.
  • Make a decision. After considering all the factors, make a decision and go with it. You can always change your mind later if it’s not working out, but it’s best to start with a hiring plan and stick to it.

In a nutshell, when it comes to content creation, there are two main positions you can hire: a copywriter or a content writer. So, which one should you choose? It depends on your needs. If you need someone to help with marketing materials, go with a copywriter. If you need someone to help with the overall strategy and organization of your content, go with a content writer.

Read More...

You Should Use Twitter for Business Marketing — 5 Reasons to Go For It (And 3 Things to Avoid)

At this point, you’d be forgiven for imagining that Twitter’s sole claim to fame is Tesla CEO’s fixation on buying the company.

The Musk-Twitter saga has become a meta-story that overshadows the platform’s very real possibilities for business marketers. Even before it began, the marketing community was often quick to dismiss Twitter as obsolete, inadequate, low-potential.

But those who dismiss Twitter get ahead of themselves. Despite the so-called “bot problem,” Twitter has hundreds of millions of active users across the world, including the Asia-Pacific region. And its medium is particularly well-suited to short, punchy marketing messages.

Why Twitter Is Great for Business Marketing

So it’s time to give Twitter another look. Here’s why it deserves a place in your business marketing toolkit.

1. It’s a High-Visibility Piece of Your Digital Presence (Without Much Work)

Creating a Twitter presence is worth it even if you don’t do much with it.

Why? Because Twitter is a high-authority, high-traffic website that search engines like Google absolutely love. No matter how many followers you have, your Twitter profile is likely to be one of the first results people see when searching your firm’s name. And because you control your Twitter handle, that’s almost certain to be a good thing for your company’s reputation.

That’s certainly the case for Asiaciti Trust, a fiduciary services firm with a presence in multiple jurisdictions. Asiaciti Trust’s Twitter presence is active, engaging, and a positive for its image.

2. It Lets You Speak Directly to Your Audience

Twitter makes it easy to connect with high-value segments of the public — current and prospective customers, potential strategic partners, investors, employees, and on and on.

To see how this works in the real world, look at how Singapore-based DBS Bank uses Twitter. DBS clearly knows its audience — consumers and SMBs in Singapore — and relentlessly tailors its Twitter content accordingly. Followers know what they’re getting from DBS.

3. It’s Great for Thought Leadership

Twitter is a fantastic platform for businesses looking to cultivate thought leadership — that is, to position themselves as experts in their niche and stand out from less insightful competitors.

As we’ll see, it’s important to be seen as a thought leader without coming off as a know-it-all. Doing this effectively means using Twitter to share original content that’s self-evidently the product of thought leadership, rather than sharing mega-thread after mega-thread highlighting your audience’s ignorance.

4. It Helps You Cultivate a “Student” Audience (That Wants to Convert)

If you can effectively use Twitter to demonstrate thought leadership, you’ll attract followers who look up to you — who read your tweets because they want to learn something. That, in turn, sharpens your reputation as a thought leader and creates network effects that drive media coverage and widen the top of your sales funnel.

5. It Doubles as a Customer Service Platform

Have you ever tagged a brand’s Twitter handle in a complaint about their products or service? If so, did they respond and apologize for your experience?

Hopefully you won’t have to do too much customer service cleanup on Twitter. But it’s nice to know that the medium is built for it.

Twitter No-Nos: 3 Things to Avoid

Twitter isn’t all good. In fact, it’s a bit of a minefield for business and personal users, as anyone who has been on the wrong side of a digital pile-on can attest.

Here’s what not to do as you develop your Twitter marketing presence.

1. Get Into Arguments With Competitors (Or Random Users)

This might as well be the Golden Rule of Twitter. As a brand or its representative, there’s simply never a good reason to get into a public disagreement with anyone on Twitter — even your fiercest business competitor. It’s a bad look.

2. Post in Spurts

On Twitter, slow and steady really does win the race. Set a realistic engagement schedule that you can stick two, whether it’s two posts per week or 10 a day. Posting in spurts — hourly for two weeks, then nothing for a month — isn’t conducive to building a Twitter following.

3. Pretend You Have All the Answers

You can be a thought leader without being a know-it-all. Position yourself as an expert on the topics you’re actually an expert on; defer to the real experts on everything else.

Make Twitter Work for You

Twitter is an intimidating place for those not familiar with the platform. It takes some time to get used to its quirks.

It’s also one of the most underappreciated social media marketing tools for small and midsize businesses in the Asia-Pacific region. If it’s been some time since you’ve used Twitter in your own marketing efforts, or you’ve steered clear of the platform entirely up until now, give it a second look. You might be surprised by what you find.

Read More...

How to match your brand with the right influencer

social media influencer

So you’ve decided to explore the world of influencer marketing? Splendid decision! But with so many influencers out there, how do you know which one is right for your brand?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but here is some advice to help you get started. First, think about what you want your influencer to do for you. Do you need them to create content? Or are you looking for someone to promote your product or service?

Once you know what you want, start by targeting the right type of influencer. Not all influencers are created equal, and not every brand will be a good fit for every influencer. So take the time to find ones who are a good match for your brand and your goals.

In this article, we will give you a few more tips on how to choose the right influencer for your brand.

Why use influencers?

Simply put, an influencer is someone with a substantial social media following who can promote your product or service to their fans. They’re someone with authority in their field, and people trust their opinion.

So why use influencers? There are a few reasons. First, they’re a great way to reach new audiences that you wouldn’t normally have access to. Second, they’re credible, which means people are more likely to believe what they have to say. And third, some can be affordable.

So if you’re thinking about using influencers for your next marketing campaign, read on for suggestions on how to choose the right one for your brand.

What is your brand’s voice?

Before you start reaching out to potential influencers, it’s vital to take a step back and figure out what your brand’s voice is. What do you want your brand to stand for? What are its core values? What’s your messaging?

Once you have a good sense of that, you can start thinking about who would be the best fit as an influencer. Keep in mind that not every influencer is suitable for every brand. You want to make sure that their tone and messaging are aligned with the voice of your brand. If they’re not, it could end up confusing your customers and doing more harm than good.

Define your target audience
audience listening to a speaker

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Who are you trying to reach? Figure that out and then start your search. You need to find someone who will resonate with your target audience and can help you reach your goals.

It’s also necessary to consider the type of influencer you’re looking for. Do you want someone who’s lifestyle-based or more industry-focused? Or maybe you’re after a micro-influencer who has a smaller but more engaged following.

Think about what you want your campaign to achieve and who can help you get there. Then start narrowing down your list of candidates.

What type of content does the influencer produce?

Do they focus on video? Or are they more of a writer? Maybe they’re great at creating graphics or taking beautiful photos.

It’s crucial to find someone who specializes in the type of content you want to create. If you’re not sure what that is, think about the themes and topics you want to cover. Do you want to promote a new product, talk about your company culture, or share tips for running a successful home-based business?

Once you know what you want to talk about, you will be able to better match your brand with the right influencer.

So you’ve just started exploring the idea of influencer marketing for your brand? Maybe you’ve even identified some potential candidates for partnerships. So, how do you know which influencer is an ideal match for your brand? As mentioned earlier, there are a few key factors to keep in mind when pairing your brand with an influencer. Consider the above points and have a meeting with your marketing team before you take your next steps. Good luck!

Read More...

How to prepare your team for restructuring

team meeting

Have the idea of restructuring your team been on your mind for a while?

This can be an overwhelming but ultimately rewarding task if done correctly. But where do you start? Restructuring your team is not a decision to be taken lightly. It’s crucial to take the time to plan and prepare accordingly.

In this article, we will walk you through the steps necessary to successfully restructure your team.

Define your team’s goals

When you’re restructuring your team, it’s essential to take the time to define everyone’s goals. This means sitting down with each employee and getting to know them better. What are their strengths? What are they passionate about?

Once you have a good understanding of each team member’s strengths, you can begin to figure out how they can best contribute to the team’s goals. This might mean shifting people around to different positions, or it might mean letting some people go.

Assess your team’s strengths and weaknesses

The first step in preparing your team for restructuring is to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Take a look at the work they’re currently doing and see where there might be room for improvement.

It’s also necessary to identify any potential conflicts that might arise from the restructuring. For instance, if you’re moving someone from sales to marketing, they may not be happy with the change. You need to be prepared and have a plan in place on how to deal with such scenarios.

Don’t forget to take into account the individual personalities as well. You don’t want to put someone in a position they’re not going to excel in or put two people together who are going to butt heads all the time.

Communicate the necessary changes to your team
a lady explaining to her team

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Your team is about to go through a big change. You’re restructuring, and that means some people are going to be moving on while others will be staying. You need to make sure that everyone is on the same page, and that means communicating the changes to your team.

It’s necessary to be upfront and honest with your employees. Let them know what’s happening, and explain why the changes are being made. Be clear about what’s expected of them during this time of transition, and set realistic deadlines for all of the upcoming tasks.

Remember, your team is going to be feeling a lot of emotions right now. They might be fearful, confused, or even furious at the outcome. But it’s important to stay upbeat and focused on the future. With proper communication and cooperation, your team will make the transition smoothly and successfully.

Be open to additional input during the restructuring process

You’re going to need to be open to input from your team during the restructuring process. This is something that’s going to affect them directly, so they need to feel like they’re a part of the decision-making process.

Ideally, you want to sit down with them and have a conversation about what’s happening. Let them know that you’re open to their suggestions and that you want their feedback. This will help them feel like they’re valued members of the team, and it will also show that you’re serious about the restructuring process.

If you’re not open to input from your team, then you must expect some backlash. Employees will feel like they’re being treated unfairly and they will start to question your decisions. So be open, be communicative, and let your team know that you respect their opinions.

Preparing your team for restructuring can seem like a daunting task, but it’s noteworthy to remember that with the right planning and communication, everyone can come through the transition smoothly. Just remember to stick to the timeline for transition and keep everyone involved in the loop.

Read More...