How To Improve Your Company’s Online Profitability

The goal of any company is to make profit based off their products and services. Without money, a business will cease to exist, so what is the solution?

You rely on your customers, but how will consumers know about your brand in the first place? What can you do to build trust? Your competitors are more established on the marketplace, and you need to find a way to surpass them.

Learning to improve your online profitability requires strategic foresight and planning, and the following tips will help lead you on this path.

Target your audience

It is thanks to your audience that you are able to make profit, and you must determine who your niche is. Who would purchase your products and use your services? What is the typical age or gender? Where does this person live?

Ensure you have e-commerce

Including an e-commerce component on your website will allow you to sell your products much easier. You are saving on the cost of renting an office space, and consumers will appreciate the convenience of being able to order something from the comfort of their homes. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Do research on your competitors

Your competitors are already successful, which is why you can learn from them. Take a look at what their successes and failures have been, and think about how you can improve.

Spend some time doing competitive research, such as checking whether or not another company has created a product that is similar to yours. In order to make your search for this easier, take advantage of the reverse image search technology. All you have to do is upload an image on this search engine database, and the results will show you the different sources for where that product is available.

Produce quality products and services

No one wants to purchase products or services that are not made with quality in mind. You should prioritize product testing, and use the best materials and resources when curating your brand.

Stay connected with your customers

Customers want to feel valued, and when you strengthen your relation with them, you also increasing your chances of making profit.

Make sure that you remain transparent as an enterprise, and come up with new ways that you can connect with your audience. For instance, ask for their feedback and incorporate it in your services moving forward.

Raise the bar for expectations

Do not set the bar low for your company’s expectations. Although your goals should be realistic, make sure that the employees working for your business are knowledgeable in their field, and put time and effort into their daily tasks.

Remember that nothing will explode overnight. As much as you want to make profit and become a successful business, it will require time, patience, and some trial and error. If a strategy you implemented has not been working in your favor, it’s important that you re-evaluate your plan moving forward. Do not waste your time and resources on something that is not working.

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5 Great Ideas for DIY Birthday Cards

While it’s always nice to receive a card it’s the DIY birthday cards that everyone remembers and cherishes the most. So if you want to do something special and unique with a personal touch then you should make your next birthday card.

We’ve got some unique and cute ideas for DIY birthday cards to get your creative juices flowing before the next day of celebration arrives.

Check out these ideas for DIY birthday cards!

  1. Hobby Theme Cards

One of the most touching ways to make a card special is to really think about a personal theme for them.

If they are into music, you may want to make a card with their favorite instrument or in the shape of a musical note.

A sports lover could get quite the kick out of a ball-shaped card or something associated with another enjoyed hobby.

The dollar store or even stock photos online can be a great resource for any images and supplies you may need to create your masterpiece. Check the arts and crafts aisle at the dollar store to find stickers in the theme you’ve chosen.

Pinterest is a great place to find ideas if you are having trouble figuring out what you want to make.

  1. DIY Birthday Cards with Personalized Poems

Who doesn’t love a thoughtful verse written just for them? It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, just something to let them know how important they are to you.

Something to put a smile on their face and let them feel loved will be a hit. Incorporate some inside jokes or fun memories and your favorite qualities about them to give it a personal feel.

  1. Coupon Book DIY Birthday Cards

Why not give a card that keeps on giving? Make a coupon book card that offers personal favors and services throughout the year.

It could be something like helping plant their garden in May or shoveling the walkway in December. If its a card for a child perhaps you could offer to do a fun activity on each coupon. One could be playing a board game while another is going to the local park for a picnic.

  1. Electronic Birthday Cards

Many of our connections in the world are in cyberspace these days so you may not have the mailing address to send birthday greetings to. That doesn’t mean you have to skip sending your wishes!

Why not consider a birthday ecard to let them know you care? You can send beautiful or funny sentiments with animation and music or a simple picture and message to mark the day.

  1. Memory Photo Album Card

You could take them for a walk down memory lane with your card. Find some great photos of memories you’ve shared over the years and make them into a small photo album card for them to enjoy.

An arts and craft store, photography shop or stationery store will have photo sleeves that you can easily turn into an adorable memory card.

DIY Birthday Cards From the Heart

The most important aspect of all DIY birthday cards is that they come from the heart. The fact that you take the time to share your thoughts and wish them a happy birthday will be sure to touch their heart.

Be sure to bookmark our site for all the great tips and resources we have to offer.

 

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4 Business Expenses That You Should Eliminate Right Now

I have good news for you! Reducing costs in your business does not have to take a lot of time or a significant amount of effort. In most cases, it comes down to making smarter choices. Continue reading on to find out what I meant.

MARKETING COSTS

Use technology to your advantage as you jump on the social media marketing wagon. Social media has a vast and diverse audience that you can tap. You are missing out on the potential of having fast-paced and low-cost marketing when you do not make use of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. What’s more? You can collaborate with other advertisers or influencers.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As I spearhead a school, I have teamed up with an mommy influencer to market our program offerings. In exchange of a post, the influencer was given free classes to fully immerse her child in our school environment. Bartering in an exchange of goods or services without handing out any cash is a good way to maximize your marketing budget.

TRAVEL COSTS

Unless you are taking the public transportation route, traveling domestically or internationally can be hefty. Eliminate the travel costs that come with business conferences by using downloadable software such as Skype or FaceTime to allow you and your client to have face-to-face conversations from anywhere around the world.

Reducing your travel costs does not mean that you must eliminate it entirely. Meeting in person with a client can bring serious profits and can close major deals. Thus, you must save your travel funds for high-priority situations.

PRINTING COSTS

How does one begin to emphasis the price tag that comes with printing? For starters, most of my school expenses surround paper and ink. Not to mention, maintaining a machine can be a time consuming. Just calculate the amount of time you spend dealing with printer issues!

Printing costs add up in a snap. Eliminate as much paper as possible by going paperless when it comes to waivers, contracts, or memos. Use online signature apps to sign contracts. Alternatively, you may invest in one printer to cut back the printing of the entire office.

MANPOWER COSTS

Is it necessary to hire a full-time graphic designer when you can outsource positions for short-term roles? There are numerous platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork that can offer the right talent at reasonable rates. This also helps other talented individuals to grow their businesses.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Furthermore, you can try designing posters or other artistic materials for free through websites such as PosterMyWall and Canva. You do not have to be as artistic as Bob Ross to execute the task! These websites are easy to use as they have ready templates available. Isn’t that amazing?

Sources: 1 & 2

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Trading 2069: What the world will look like in 50 years

In 50 years, the world of trading will be revolutionised thanks to AI, blockchain, cryptocurrency and thought-powered decision making.

That’s the verdict of a new ‘time traveller’s guide’ that looks at where current technological trends will lead us by 2069.

While some of the predicted changes show how existing technology that is with us today will evolve – with cryptocurrencies eventually overtaking fiat currencies and blockchain networks usurping exchanges, for example – others represent a dramatic contrast to the picture in 2019.

Perhaps the most pronounced change of all comes with thought-powered trading, which the guide says is set to allow human beings to power super-quick decisions thanks to a headpiece and microchip.

The guide states: “It might sound like the stuff of science fiction, but thought-powered trading, hardware-induced neural stimulation and brain-to-brain communication have already been subject to extensive research by academics and commercial entities.”

It cites the evidence of hundreds of academic papers from leading neuroscientists and pioneering work from the likes of the US military, Facebook, Microsoft and Neuralink – who are all already investing in this technology.

It adds: Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of controlling software applications via brainwave, electronic stimulation of the auditory and visualsystems, and even brain-to-brain communication – with participants sitting in France and India reportedly able to communicate at a basic level using just their thoughts

“Of course, significant challenges remain and commercialisation of many of these technologies is likely still decades away. However, mass adoption of such innovations by 2069 is not beyond the realms of possibility.”

The guide has been put together by IG – which specialises in forex, shares, cryptocurrencies and commodities – and also find that:

  • AI assistants will take over human brokers, providing smart real time reports
  • It will be possible to launch 3D holographic trading floors from a mobile device. 
  • Trading algorithms will develop to be able to suggest strategies and highlight key opportunities.
  • Pocket-sized quantum computers will power predictive AI, meaning big data sets can be analysed to suggest ways for traders to capitalise on trends.

The guide also notes that the greater involvement of robots could make the markets of the future even more volatile, especially if positions are opened and closed quicker and more regularly.

 

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Why You Shouldn’t Hire A Friend Or A Relative In The Workplace

The hiring process should center around making the decision for the company or the business establishment. When considering a friend or a family member for the job, ask yourself why you are doing it. If you have good reasons to support your decision then, go for it. On the flipside, please consider these reasons why you should not hire a friend or a relative in the workplace…

LOYALTY > WORK ETHICS

You and your friend have been thru tremendous ups and downs. Through it all, your friend has shown you his or her loyalty. While this is an admirable trait to have, loyalty and professionalism are two different things.

What if your friend decided to skip town without asking for permission? Or, miss the project deadlines because he or she can “easily” get away with it based on your strong bond?

Your next step is to discuss the matter to your friend. This is a tricky situation especially because you do not want to create resentment for the days to come.

PERSONAL ISSUES > CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS

People react to criticisms differently. While others embrace it fully, some people may take it personally. This is something that you should consider when giving employee feedback.

Do not get me started with relaying feedback to a friend! A friend might take your criticism much harder because of the grey area that separates the professional and the personal life. Other than that, you may find yourself being more critical of your friend than you would have been with a regular employee. Honest is acceptable, but at what cost?

POSITIVITY > NEGATIVITY

It is human nature to overlook the flaws of the people we love. Perhaps, we just accept them for who they are without reservations. However, this perspective can be costly for business. It is important to not be controlled by “wishful thinking” during the hiring process of a new staff member.

If you are considering the possibility of bringing a friend or a relative on board, you must access all the issues at hand. An honest evaluation of their positive and negative attributes is needed to sustain a permanent business relationship.

NO LIMITS > BOUNDARIES

It comes as no surprise that striking a balance between your professional and personal relationship is challenging when you hire someone you are close to. You will find yourselves discussing about business matters while in social gatherings. Or, chatting about personal matters while in the workplace.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Hiring friends and family members is a hit or miss situation! It can either affect your business positively or negatively in the long run. Are you willing to take the risk?

Sources: 1 & 2

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