How to Set Your Business up for Success with the Right Systems

The ability for a business to grow into a successful organisation depends on its ability to develop a working system. The world's most successful CEOs like Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg trust their staff to develop systems that will allow the business to grow and evolve into a successful entity. Below are a few systems that should be successfully incorporated into a business's growth strategy.

Sales and marketing process.

The success of your business depends on its ability to scale its growth. The sales and marketing process must be robust in order to create lead and sales opportunities for the business. Businesses marketing systems should do the following.

Attract qualified prospects in your target market.

It is essential that the business has a system that will attract a large pipeline of qualified leads. Businesses must be able to identify their ideal customer and find them in the market. Some of the methods that businesses can use to attract leads includes:

Prospecting for qualified leads.

This refers to conducting research to build up a database of potential customers that can be nurtured into buyers. Some of the top salespeople dedicate 20% of their time to prospecting every week. This yields them millions of dollars in sales every year. It is critical that the business development team in your business dedicates at least 20% of their time to prospecting activities for new clients.

Using inbound marketing tactics.

This refers to placing advertising messages in front of potential customers and having them take action to become an inbound lead. There are several ways to attract potential customers by using inbound marketing tactics. These include:

Google Adwords

People are already searching for products and services using keyword phrases on Google's search engine. Your business may gain hundreds or thousands of new leads each month simply by advertising on Google.

Advertise in offline and web media.

Print ads, classifieds and display ads are available to generate inbound leads for your business. Aim to get exposure on platforms where there is an engaged audience that would be interested in your product offering.

Pitch.

The way that the business pitches its products, services and brand to potential customers will impact the business's ability to close sales and the perception of its brand. The business must ensure the brand is pitched effectively through:

• Its promise to deliver benefits to the customer.


• That the customer will receive exactly what they expect.


• That the customer will have a positive experience with the brand.

Point of sale.

Sales bring revenue and income to the business. The business needs to have effective points of sale to close more prospects into buyers. This can be achieved by:

• Creating point of sale systems on the web. (For example, using PayPal or integrating web commerce platforms such as Worldpay).


• By providing point of sales within the business's premises. (Such as cash registers)


• Allowing salespeople to conduct sales remotely. (Via mobile phones or using remote sales processes.)

Security.

You want to ensure that the growth of your business does not succumb to any breaches in security. Security issues such as internal and external theft, shrinkage and IT security breaches can cripple a business overnight. DIY security setups can leave too many areas exposed to criminal activity. It would be ideal for businesses to partner with an experienced security firm that can manage the day-to-day security monitoring and provide your business with security systems to keep would-be criminals at bay and give you the peace of mind to run your business confidently.

As businesses grow and evolve, more processes and systems are required to make the business operate more efficiently. Systemise the marketing and security for your business to get a head start on your entrepreneurial success.

The post How to Set Your Business up for Success with the Right Systems appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

How to Set Your Business up for Success with the Right Systems

The ability for a business to grow into a successful organisation depends on its ability to develop a working system. The world's most successful CEOs like Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg trust their staff to develop systems that will allow the business to grow and evolve into a successful entity. Below are a few systems that should be successfully incorporated into a business's growth strategy.

Sales and marketing process.

The success of your business depends on its ability to scale its growth. The sales and marketing process must be robust in order to create lead and sales opportunities for the business. Businesses marketing systems should do the following.

Attract qualified prospects in your target market.

It is essential that the business has a system that will attract a large pipeline of qualified leads. Businesses must be able to identify their ideal customer and find them in the market. Some of the methods that businesses can use to attract leads includes:

Prospecting for qualified leads.

This refers to conducting research to build up a database of potential customers that can be nurtured into buyers. Some of the top salespeople dedicate 20% of their time to prospecting every week. This yields them millions of dollars in sales every year. It is critical that the business development team in your business dedicates at least 20% of their time to prospecting activities for new clients.

Using inbound marketing tactics.

This refers to placing advertising messages in front of potential customers and having them take action to become an inbound lead. There are several ways to attract potential customers by using inbound marketing tactics. These include:

Google Adwords

People are already searching for products and services using keyword phrases on Google's search engine. Your business may gain hundreds or thousands of new leads each month simply by advertising on Google.

Advertise in offline and web media.

Print ads, classifieds and display ads are available to generate inbound leads for your business. Aim to get exposure on platforms where there is an engaged audience that would be interested in your product offering.

Pitch.

The way that the business pitches its products, services and brand to potential customers will impact the business's ability to close sales and the perception of its brand. The business must ensure the brand is pitched effectively through:

• Its promise to deliver benefits to the customer.


• That the customer will receive exactly what they expect.


• That the customer will have a positive experience with the brand.

Point of sale.

Sales bring revenue and income to the business. The business needs to have effective points of sale to close more prospects into buyers. This can be achieved by:

• Creating point of sale systems on the web. (For example, using PayPal or integrating web commerce platforms such as Worldpay).


• By providing point of sales within the business's premises. (Such as cash registers)


• Allowing salespeople to conduct sales remotely. (Via mobile phones or using remote sales processes.)

Security.

You want to ensure that the growth of your business does not succumb to any breaches in security. Security issues such as internal and external theft, shrinkage and IT security breaches can cripple a business overnight. DIY security setups can leave too many areas exposed to criminal activity. It would be ideal for businesses to partner with an experienced security firm that can manage the day-to-day security monitoring and provide your business with security systems to keep would-be criminals at bay and give you the peace of mind to run your business confidently.

As businesses grow and evolve, more processes and systems are required to make the business operate more efficiently. Systemise the marketing and security for your business to get a head start on your entrepreneurial success.

The post How to Set Your Business up for Success with the Right Systems appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Make Your Online Business Better Than the Rest

The competition in the online business world can be fierce and very unforgiving. You obviously want your site to hang around for more than just a few months. In order to do this, you will need to pull out all of the stops. There are certain key features that all of the profitable online businesses have on their sites. Your first mission will be to find out what these are and add them to your own site. If people come to your site and it looks outdated, they will not want to shop there. Here are some of the best ways to make your online business better than the rest.

1. Hire a great web designer

Unless you possess some outstanding programming skills, you are going to need some help when it comes to the actual designing of your site. There are many people and companies who provide website designing services. The hard part is sifting through all of these people to find one that is worth hiring. If you make the wrong choice, you could end up with a site that looks silly and functions poorly. In other words, your online business will not be around for very long. Therefore, you must not rush into anything when it comes to hiring a web designer. The people that you can hire will have many different skill levels. Make sure you take a close look at the web designer’s previous work before you decide to hire the person.

2. Offer outstanding customer service

Customer service is the backbone of any business. If you treat your customers right, they are much more likely to come back again in the future. Happy customers are also more likely to recommend your business to their friends and family. There are many things you can do to give your customers a great shopping experience. First of all, handle any problems quickly. Set up a call center where customers can call and talk to a live representative to have their problems resolved. Do not make them wait several days for an email reply. Offer many different shipping options. Providing free shipping for orders over a certain amount is another good idea. If you are interested in virtual office services for your online business, you can visit http://www.solidcactus.com/call-center-services/virtual-office-services.

3. Offer to match prices

One of the best ways to stay competitive is to offer to match any current price of your competitors. If a different website is offering an item that you sell for less than you, match the price. This will generate a lot of business for you because there will be times when your competitors will run out of a particular item. People will then buy it from you because you will be selling it for the same price.

4. Place items on back order 

There will be times when you run out of a hot item. When this happens, you should allow people to place items on back order. If you don’t do this, they will simply go to a different site to buy it.

The post Make Your Online Business Better Than the Rest appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Make Your Online Business Better Than the Rest

The competition in the online business world can be fierce and very unforgiving. You obviously want your site to hang around for more than just a few months. In order to do this, you will need to pull out all of the stops. There are certain key features that all of the profitable online businesses have on their sites. Your first mission will be to find out what these are and add them to your own site. If people come to your site and it looks outdated, they will not want to shop there. Here are some of the best ways to make your online business better than the rest.

1. Hire a great web designer

Unless you possess some outstanding programming skills, you are going to need some help when it comes to the actual designing of your site. There are many people and companies who provide website designing services. The hard part is sifting through all of these people to find one that is worth hiring. If you make the wrong choice, you could end up with a site that looks silly and functions poorly. In other words, your online business will not be around for very long. Therefore, you must not rush into anything when it comes to hiring a web designer. The people that you can hire will have many different skill levels. Make sure you take a close look at the web designer’s previous work before you decide to hire the person.

2. Offer outstanding customer service

Customer service is the backbone of any business. If you treat your customers right, they are much more likely to come back again in the future. Happy customers are also more likely to recommend your business to their friends and family. There are many things you can do to give your customers a great shopping experience. First of all, handle any problems quickly. Set up a call center where customers can call and talk to a live representative to have their problems resolved. Do not make them wait several days for an email reply. Offer many different shipping options. Providing free shipping for orders over a certain amount is another good idea. If you are interested in virtual office services for your online business, you can visit http://www.solidcactus.com/call-center-services/virtual-office-services.

3. Offer to match prices

One of the best ways to stay competitive is to offer to match any current price of your competitors. If a different website is offering an item that you sell for less than you, match the price. This will generate a lot of business for you because there will be times when your competitors will run out of a particular item. People will then buy it from you because you will be selling it for the same price.

4. Place items on back order 

There will be times when you run out of a hot item. When this happens, you should allow people to place items on back order. If you don’t do this, they will simply go to a different site to buy it.

The post Make Your Online Business Better Than the Rest appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Five E-commerce Packaging Tips you Can’t Afford to Miss

Technology has been rising at a dramatic rate in recent years, leading to a boom in internet retailing. 2015 saw a record rise in online purchasing with predictions from experts that this will increase by up to 45% during 2016. With a typical e-commerce package being composed of 40% air higher shipping costs now penalise those who package inefficiently with methods including excess cushioning products and extreme box size. Shipping fulfillment is necessary for all home e-commerce businesses, this guide will show how start up e-retailers can deliver their items effectively, reducing the risk of damage while avoiding wasting both packaging and money.

Go lightweight

Wherever possible, lightweight packaging should be used, not only does this makes the package easier to handle but should decrease the shipping cost. Items like loose-fill chips are extremely lightweight and can be bought in bulk. The chips settle around the product to ensure it cannot move if shaken during transit. Today most wholesale packaging peanuts are 100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Though consumers are used to receiving packages with outer and inner compartments, this is more often than not completely unnecessary and burdens the receiver with the task of disposing of the excess materials. Amazon recently came under fire for over-zealously packaging products, which damaged their brand credibility.  Opting for one layer of packaging will set your small business on the right track with your customers, will reduce the shipping cost, and not to mention ease the frustration of your customer.

Beware however as dimensional pricing means that shipping costs are based on the higher of two measurements: package weight or package size. Packaging an unnecessarily large box packed with light weight cushioning may be less economical than a smaller item that weighs more.

Ask yourself

Eliminating extravagances will help reduce costs and when running a small business the bottom line is always on your periphery. When considering packaging items sell ask yourself “is this necessary?” You may find, things you thought were a must, are not vital. Colour printing can look beautiful but a simple and low cost black and white design can be equally as striking. Consider printing directly onto a box, rather than spending extra on unnecessary labels and ink.

Be sustainable savvy

Offering environmentally friendly packaging can do wonders for your brand. The eco-friendly trend that has developed in recent years is showing no signs of slowing, and consumers are now looking for their packages to be delivered in sustainable packaging. During a survey of over 500 online shippers, 55% of consumers consider the carbon footprint of their online retailer and 57% state that green packaging is important to them. Choosing to delivery your products in recycled cardboard is also a low-cost method of packaging as recycled goods can be up to 40% cheaper than virgin alternatives.

Free Delivery

Suggesting free shipping may fill you with dread, but offering these deals now may lead to high customer retention and a greater overall spend. A study shows that when consumers were faced with the question of what would make them complete and online purchase, an enormous 80% stated free shipping would persuade them to buy. If free shipping is not something your small business can afford, consider offering incentives for repeat customers, or free shipping on higher priced items.

Consider the journey

Although saving money is the focus of most small businesses, it’s vital you package your items sufficiently to ensure safe delivery. Damaged products leave unhappy customers, and unhappy customers don’t return. Consider changes such as temperature, environment and handling when packaging your items for delivery. If your products are being sold overseas, invest in industrial wrapping tape rather than household Sellotape. These industry specific tapes are created to endure long distances and changes to temperature without losing their adhesion. 100% recycled double corrugated cardboard can be purchased, ensuring a highly durable material that protects your goods while also safeguarding against handling during transit.

Delivering e-commerce goods comes with many challenges that home businesses face. Following these guidelines and asking yourself vital questions will supply you with the know-how to successfully package your products for maximum impact, safe delivery and satisfied customers. What can you implement to make sure your business is packaging and delivering to the best of its ability in 2016?

The post Five E-commerce Packaging Tips you Can’t Afford to Miss appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

When Your Small Business Is Growing: 5 Ways to Get Big While Going Green

Growing a small business is one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks a person can aspire to and accomplish. From hiring your first real, full-time employee to realizing the space you’ve been using over your garage is no longer sufficient for the people and gear you need, a small business’s growth is big news.

Of course, that big news isn’t all good news. Growth is almost always accompanied by growing pains, and those growing pains often take the form of problems that need solving. When you’re an environmentalist, you also want to solve those problems in an ecologically sound way. Well, don’t worry. All your growth-related problems are solvable, and most of them are solvable using sustainable approaches and practices that will reduce your company’s carbon footprint. Here are five honest-to-goodness ways you can grow your business while staying eco-minded at the same time.

1. Fabric Buildings for Space

When you need more space for your growing business, and you want that space to be green, custom fabric buildings are a perfect solution, though they are currently a solution mostly for companies in industrial fields at the moment. Flexible, versatile, and as temporary — or permanent — as you want them to be, today’s fabric buildings offer extra space that’s also kinder to the environment.

How kind? Very. Much of the steel used to form the structure is made from recycled material. A fabric roof is able to reflect the sun and keep heat at bay so that fabric roofs stay cooler in the summer months than traditional roofs do — as much as 60 degrees Fahrenheit cooler, and that temperature difference translates into major energy — and cost — savings. Also, if you choose translucent fabric, you get the added benefit of natural light during the daytime, which, if you keep “office hours,” will reduce energy use even more.

2. Choose Energy Wisely

Speaking of energy, when your business is ready to grow, seek out sustainable energy choices. Whether you install solar panels or invest in a wind turbine to power your business, if you have the means or credit to invest upfront in sustainable energy, you’ll benefit in many ways. Not only will your carbon footprint be greatly lessened than if you were using fossil fuel sources for your energy, but you’ll also save a lot of money over the long-haul, be eligible for certain tax reductions, and you’ll get to avoid the budgeting uncertainty that can accompany future rate hikes levied out by your local utility company.

3. Incentivize Employees

Another way you can get greener is to incentivize your employees to start incorporating more ecologically minded practices into their lives. From giving bonuses to employees who bike, carpool, or walk to work to subsidizing monthly public transportation costs, you can do a lot to encourage more planet-friendly behavior among your workforce.

Likewise, make recycling, reducing, and reusing easy. Locate recycling stations wherever you have trash cans. Educate your workforce about reducing waste. For anyone keeping an eye on a budget, give out bonuses for materials that get reused. Set up a composting bin in the company kitchen for any leftover food scraps that would have otherwise made their way unnecessarily into a landfill. In every way you can, make it easy for the people in your employ to do right by the planet.

4. Invest in Renewable Energy

You may not be generating enough cash or have a long enough line of credit to choose sustainable energy, but that doesn’t mean your hands are tied when it comes to supporting renewable energy sources. Many utility companies offer a slightly higher rate for customers who want to invest in sustainable energy. If your local utility company doesn’t offer this option, you can also purchase renewable energy certificates — an investment that furthers opportunities for sustainable energy, ensuring it becomes a reality for you and your company sooner rather than later.

5. Use Sustainable Vendors

Another great way to ensure you stay green even as your business grows is to choose to work with vendors that are themselves committed to sustainable practices. Keeping an eye on your bottom line isn’t the only essential piece of being in business any longer. Climate change also necessitates keeping an eye on your own and your partners’ business practices. Work with other companies who care about the future, and you’ll help ensure you and your children and their children have one.

So grow your small business, and embrace being green. From fabric buildings to incentivizing your employees, your small business can go through a growth spurt without asking too much of the planet.

The post When Your Small Business Is Growing: 5 Ways to Get Big While Going Green appeared first on Home Business Magazine.