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Mar 26 2015

How Technology Can Get Your Company Noticed

The biggest task that any start-up company faces is simply getting noticed. You might have a great service but if no-one knows about it, it doesn’t make a good business. Lots of people will tell you that the best eventually rises to the top, but how can you speed up that process? This is where technology comes in. By letting the latest software to do the hard work for you, you’ll still have the time you need to focus on the core areas of your business.

Mobile Apps

Unlike mobile versions of websites, dedicated apps for smartphones and tablets often provide a much smoother shopping experience. Software developers like Phorest could create an app for you that’s accessible from both the major operating systems, iOS and Android. This opens up your business to millions of potential shoppers who can find you whenever they’re searching the App Store or Google Play. They also serve as a consistent reminder of your company’s brand right at the fingertips of your customer. You can even customise your app so that it perfectly matches the look and feel of your brand.

Social Networks

One of the best ways to improve your search results is getting your name in as many locations as possible. The best places to start are the most popular social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Hootsuite syncs all your accounts in one location and is a useful tool for those that don’t want to spend all your time flicking between every one of their feeds. If you’re struggling to come of with original content, don’t be shy about linking to other people’s work. Because the Internet is so vast, curators of interesting content are becoming just as important as the writers themselves. Just remember to always credit the original author.

The main goal of technology is to create convenience. It makes what use to be time-consuming manual processes a part an automated background. Make sure you’re using the best modern technology has to offer so you start-up gets the attention it deserves.

By Jakub Vele • News • 0

Feb 18 2015

Entrepreneurs and SMEs – Making the Most of Your Employees’ Individuality When Hiring New Staff

As an entrepreneur or SME owner you’ll want to ensure your business grows quickly, effectively and successfully. Part of this growth can often see the expansion of your enterprises through increased trade, physical expansion of your workplace and the investment in new staff.

That latter of these aspects is arguably one of the most important: your new staff are the future of your company and naturally you’ll want only the best. But how can you be sure whether a) you’ve got a decent candidate, and b) they can offer your business something positive in the long term?  This is where you need to turn to the expertise of the staff you already have.

Promoting Positive Values

As a small enterprise you may presently only have a small staff roster, but among them you’ll have a pool of qualifications, skills and abilities that you can proudly demonstrate to prospective applicants as part and parcel of working in your industry. Before you publish any advertisements for new roles, be sure you’ve referenced some of the skills your employees have as this could be appealing to potential candidates who share common interests.

A Thorough Interview Process

Depending on which role you have on offer, a way to help assess and properly consider interviewees is to have one of your existing staff on the panel. Get them to ask challenging questions about their shared specialist area to really put the applicant to the test. This way you can know for certain that this person really knows their field well and isn’t just trying to bluff their way through the interview.

Not only can this be a good way of vetting people, you can get an honest and more reliable opinion post-interview about whether your employee thinks they will be a good acquisition for the future. Equally you can decide whether they have the potential to develop further with extra training and support – which again your current staff can offer advice on.

Added Benefits

Another positive to consider is the effect such actions might have on the morale of your staff. They may feel flattered and proud for you to ask them to do this and be pleased that you acknowledge their hard work and skills, which in turn could see them working even harder and more productively.

So if you want to see your company head in the right direction, look to your current staff and what they have to offer to ensure you find the best fit for your business.

By Jakub Vele • News • 0

Feb 11 2015

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By Jakub Vele • News • 0

Feb 9 2015

Top Tips for Asset Management Start Ups

For those looking to build an asset management business, there’s an awful lot to think about. The field is a complex one, and the knowledge, skills and financial backing you’ll need are not always easy to come by. That doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to failure, however; with the right business plan in place, and a firm understanding of how to get started, it’s fully possible to build a successful enterprise.

But where do you start? Read on to find out more…

Step One: Make Sure that You Meet Regulatory Compliance Standards

Given the potential for abuse, it’s no surprise that asset and investment management firms must meet a number of regulatory controls. The exact requirements that you’ll need to fulfil are dependent on the country that you live in. It’s best to seek professional advice to guide you through them and make sure that you tick all of the necessary boxes – some of them can be quite complex. You’ll find that there’s a wealth of information and useful contacts available online to get you started and put you in touch with the right people.

Step Two: Secure Investors for Your Enterprise

Asset management firms are not a cheap endeavour to embark upon. Your start up costs will be high, and in addition to typical start up expenses, you’ll also need a substantial amount for seed capital. This figure could be anything from tens of thousands of pounds to millions, depending on the scope of your envisaged business.

Unless you already possess a vast personal fortune, this means that you’re going to require investors or wealthy partners. To do so, you will be required to jump through hoops, so make sure that you have a solid business plan, detailed budget forecasts, a proven track record and a realistic exit strategy in order to attract the investors you need.

Step Three: Surround Yourself with Experience

Fully-fledged companies have the luxury of hiring brilliant graduates on a low wage and training them up themselves. As a start up, you’re going to need to pay your staff more in order to attract the necessary experience. The best will come with their own contacts, and their success, capability and skill set will help to put your business on the map. If you can surround yourself with the right staff, you can go in hard and fast and make a killing from the start. Your sales team will be particularly important, as you’re going to need their talent to draw in the clients who’ll fund your enterprise.

Once you have these three key assets in place, you’re ready to hit the ground running. What are you waiting for?

By Jakub Vele • News • 0

Jan 23 2015

How Startups can Project A Professional Image

Creating a startup business is an important milestone, but expanding requires a professional image. Entrepreneurial drive, knowledge and talent is not enough to attract customers and the needed revenue to keep the business afloat. Transitioning from concept to a fully-fledged company requires employees, investment and a list of clients, all of which are hard to secure without a proven track record.

The key here is to make the business appear to be longer established and therefore project an image of reliability and trust.

Office Presentation

An office is an investment and important company asset. Renting, buying, renovating or designing an office space can be costly and require funds that are not readily available to a startup. Many businesses choose instead to use serviced offices or meeting rooms. Companies such as Landmark PLC provide meeting rooms that accommodate between two and seventy people, making serviced facilities ideal for a start up.

While the business may currently function from a spare room, having a professional space can be highly beneficial. It presents an image of a well established business and projects an atmosphere of trust when meeting prospective clients and investors or interviewing potential employees.

Branding

Good visual design and a memorable logo are important in order to make a startup business more memorable. For example, think about Coca Cola or Apple and one of the first things that come to mind is the branding. A logo should be used on the website, business cards, social media, advertising, correspondence and alongside the company name. Good branding can make a business appear more refined and professional.

Invest in a Website

A website is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to create a professional image for a business. No matter the type of product or business, a website is an important marketing tool that projects a company’s image. Creating a website is a surprisingly straightforward process. Simply register a domain name and use a website that offers templates, such as WordPress.

Use Social Media

Thousands of companies operate through social media, particularly Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. With millions of online users across the globe, social media presents a quick way to grow and build company reputation.

Credibility is often centred around the number of likes or followers, both of which can be grown easily if you regularly create and share quality content. The larger the number of followers, the more trustworthy and legitimate and business appears.

By Jakub Vele • News • 0

Jan 23 2015

How to Improve Your Company’s Finances

Finance is at the heart of every business, but it is also an area that can be problematic and hard to manage. The New Year has arrived and in a few short months, so will the new tax year. Therefore it is now the ideal time to get a handle on your cash flow and improve the financial future of your company.

Here are some important things to consider to help you better manage your financial accounts and thus, your business.

Negotiate with Suppliers

Depending on the nature of your business, you may require large quantities of stock or equipment. With many suppliers, you can opt to buy in bulk or if you make regular purchases, then they may offer structured payment plans. Make sure you work to create a good relationship with your suppliers, as a strong foundation will be important when attempting to negotiate a possible discount.

Deposits and Subscriptions

Many businesses request a deposit when when a customer places an order. Additionally, there are many products, such as magazines or mail order snacks that are purchased via monthly or annual subscriptions. This is highly beneficial as funds are provided upfront that can be used to take on another job or purchase more supplies, therefore allowing for a faster turnover.

Invoice Financing

Employ a third party to carry out invoice financing. A company such as Touch Financial Support will give you a great selection of quotes of companies that will purchase unpaid invoices for a fee, which can quickly provide your company with a percentage of any outstanding invoices, and then provide the remainder when it has been collected from the customer.

Grants and Funding

There are many grants and funding opportunities, especially for new ventures. Note that these will vary depending on the location, type and size of your business. There are grants for start up companies and even training, so it is worth taking the time to research possible grants. For UK businesses, look here for funding opportunities.

Analyse Your Cycles

Every business experiences high and low peaks throughout the year, with increased and decreased demand for services or products. This is particularly true in the retail industry, where a large majority of financial income rests upon the Christmas period. Take the time to analyse the cycle and patterns that your business follows. This will allow you to plot trends in expenditure verses capital and plan your cash flow accordingly, highlighting the times of the year where you can afford to reinvest or may require lending.

By Jakub Vele • News • 0