8 Super Tips to Grow Your Small Business Today

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Grow your Business|8 Super Tips to Grow Your Small Business TodayIf you’re a small business owner, you probably understand that it takes proper planning, flexibility, and excellent organizational skills to succeed. Today’s business environment is competitive, and your company needs to stand out from the crowd. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 20% of startups collapse in the first year of their operations. Fortunately, if you’re looking to grow your business, this guide got you covered. Here are great tips you can use to achieve your desired goals.

Take Advantage of Modern Technology

If you’re not using the available technological tools in your business, you could be missing a lot. Technology can enhance your business operations while reducing the effort you may need to manage it. You can do this by utilizing various tools ranging from spreadsheet to logo maker.

The good news is you may not require a lot of money to invest in many of these advancements, but you’ll gain considerably by incorporating them into your business. Before you utilize such tools in your organization, it’s essential to ensure you familiarize yourself first.

You don’t want to work with something you’re unsure of because sometimes it can be a recipe for trouble. That’s why you should test any technology tool with an experienced IT company before integrating it into your business to know if it can match your day-to-day activities.

Set Attainable Goals

Setting achievable goals should be part of your business. If you don’t set goals for your enterprise, you need to start it today. Creating business goals shouldn’t be daunting. One of the best ideas you may want to consider is making them attainable but challenging to achieve. This enables you to push yourself more.

If you set goals that you can quickly achieve, your business may appear to do well, but this may not translate to long-term success. That’s why you should make your objectives broad and measurable. What things can you do to improve your business’s success? If you’re unsure of how you can set attainable and measurable goals for your business, here are a few ideas you may consider:

  • Enhancing employee retention
  • Improving your enterprise’s online ratings
  • Reducing operation cost
  • Boosting sales
  • Attracting more clients to your business

Consider Work-Life Balance

While the dream for many entrepreneurs is to grow their businesses and make more profits, it’s advisable to focus on other areas of life. Proper relaxation is a critical part of business success, and you should set time for it even if you’re a workaholic.

Unfortunately, some people may work too much and forget to take a break. This can lead to stress and burnout, and soon you won’t accomplish the required tasks. If stress continues to build up, you may succumb to the pressure and fail to achieve your objectives.

You need to focus on either direction and don’t swing too far. For example, if you’re doing well with your company, maintain the pace instead of slowing down and relaxing. This will ensure a steady growth curve for your enterprise and avoid unpleasant experiences if things don’t work as per your wishes.


Think of Innovative Ideas for Your Enterprise

If you’re looking to enhance your business, you need to be creative and develop innovative ideas, as this may help you implement the necessary measures and lead to improved results. While not all ideas can be successful, some changes could work best for your company. The bottom line is to keep thinking of things you need to implement to achieve your objectives.

Every successful entrepreneur may tell you it’s vital to take measured risks and accept the results. If you’re looking to change your niche’s status quo, don’t be afraid to experiment and see the possible outcomes. Here are some ideas you can fiddle with:

  • Strategic pricing
  • Partnering with other enterprises
  • Adding or removing some products or services
  • Marketing efforts

Enhance Your Hiring Process

Whether your firm is small or big, improving your hiring process is something you don’t want to underestimate. You can look for ways to get the most talented employees into your company. If you’re not currently hiring, prepare for the issues you may need to handle when the time comes. Find ways you can improve how you hire your employees.

This means you should always focus on the next step, allowing the process to be systematic for easy following. Sometimes you may face challenges that need your particular intervention. However, when hiring employees, you may not require new methodologies. You can take advantage of the available tools to hire the best talent in your industry.

Nurture Your Customers and Look for More Prospects

Every business needs to retain customers and attract more to boost sales. That’s why you should design strategies to nurture existing clients. For example, you can connect with them in various ways, including offering information about upcoming promotions and sending e-newsletters with valuable information.

You also want to generate leads and convert them to reliable clients. Look for ways you can find such opportunities and continue building your customer base. Ensure you balance between maintaining existing clients and attracting new ones.


Use Social Media

Many enterprises are utilizing these platforms to advertise their offers. The powerful tool can help you interact with your potential customers and comprehend what they need. Through social media, you can spot current market trends and what clients are talking about your brand. This helps you to make better decisions.

Provide Excellent Customer Service

Some businesses may focus on making more profits and forget to tackle clients’ needs. However, modern customers are looking to work with companies that can solve their most pressing problems. Offering exceptional services gives clients the best experience, and they can refer to other individuals leading to the growth of your network.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking to grow your small business, you need to understand what it may take to do this. You can use these valuable tips as a checklist to help you attain your enterprise’s objectives. What other tips do you think can lead to small businesses’ growth?

Three Qualities Your Medical Practice Can’t Be Without

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Medical Practice|Three Qualities Your Medical Practice Can't Be WithoutRunning a medical practice is quite unlike almost any other kind of business you could be involved in. In an ideal world, you wouldn’t be needed, and repeat customers would be something you actively discourage. Similarly, for the people who use your service – even if you give absolutely premium-level assistance to them – it’s going to be hard to be enthusiastic about their visit to the doctor, because they’d rather just not be ill.

But this is not an ideal world, and people do need to see a doctor every so often, so it is of vital importance to make sure that their experience under your care is as positive as can be, and that they leave there with hope. This is something you can affect, so it is vital to ensure your medical practice hits the mark on all the following fronts…

Efficiency

Sitting in a waiting room is never the most enjoyable way to pass the time, even at the best of times, and when you’re not feeling your best it’s less enjoyable still. You can do as much as you like to make the experience more soothing – providing drinking water, reading material and potentially a TV on low volume – but primarily, patients want to show up, be seen, and be out of there as soon as possible. A combination of attentive reception staff and effective practice management software can ensure that you get people checked in and through to their appointment in a short time without them feeling rushed.

Communication

It could be said that there is only one thing worse than receiving a call from your doctor, and that’s not getting one when you were led to expect it. Medical issues can cause a patient to expect or imagine the worst, and when they are left with room in their head to wonder, those gaps naturally fill with negative speculation. So when a customer or patient is promised a call by a certain time, they must receive it. Even if you have no new information, a courtesy call informing them of the situation and answering any questions they may have is the least they should expect. Any medical practice should ensure there are enough staff to ensure these calls are not missed.

Respect

When you practise medicine at a sufficiently high level to make a difference to a patient’s outcomes, it is in many ways indistinguishable from magic. With that said, it is never a good idea for a doctor to assume that a patient is not also well-informed. It’s equally a bad idea if reception staff are dismissive of a patient’s concerns. All medical facilities should seek to collaborate with engaged patients in a respectful way, hearing them out if they have their own opinions on treatment options. Even if it is mainly to explain why an option is unworkable, presenting them with facts and differentials is better than cold dismissal. A patient who feels they are not being listened to is less likely to follow a decided protocol.

Medical practices are not like other businesses, but the fact that patients are there because they have to be and not because they want to be doesn’t make it less important to prioritize their comfort and sense of ease. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Artists, Art Lovers: How To Ensure The Delivery of Your Works

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Art Delivery|Artists, Art Lovers: How To Ensure The Delivery of Your WorksThe Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the order in which the world ran and brought things to a standstill. Unfortunately, the art community was no exception as it suffered greatly. Owing to border closures, artists could not get their work delivered to customers. Art lovers could not update their collections with new works of art. The lockdown meant people could not go to art exhibitions; museums closed down, auctions were postponed, etc. Today, as with the rest of the world, the art community is gradually recovering from the pandemic. Still, there are restrictions on artwork delivery to an extent.

How Covid-19 Affected Artwork Delivery

As stated before, the pandemic affected artists and art lovers in various ways. Keep reading to find out how COVID-19 is changing the rules.

Closed For Business

The pandemic meant a close for all art businesses. This included museums, art galleries, art exhibitions, art fairs, art workshops, and other art events. Pre-pandemic, most of these events held physically. So, the sudden lockdown resulted in a massive loss of customers for artists. For art lovers, this meant they couldn’t attend most of the art events. This is because the organizers postponed most of them.

Artists who ran small art businesses also suffered as a result of the pandemic. They couldn’t display their arts on the streets due to the lockdown and social distancing rules. Customers couldn’t come out to view their work.

Museums Selling Their Work

Museums like the Brooklyn Museum resorted to selling their work. In the past, art lovers would have come out in droves to criticize such action. Usually, when museums sell their works, it is so they may buy new artwork. Unfortunately, the pandemic meant no one came to the museums. Selling their work was the only way they could keep their place functioning.

No Shipping

As a result of the pandemic, the government put many travel restrictions in place. This affected the shipping of artworks as well. Thus, artists whose customers lived in different states or countries found it difficult to deliver their work. In like manner, art lovers could not receive new art pieces for their collections.

Deliver Despite The Pandemic With Convelio

Although the world is gradually combating the pandemic, restrictions still abound on the delivery of artwork. Many top art logistics companies could not deliver no thanks to the pandemic. Indeed, many even closed for business.

However, the Convelio art transportation service remained in business during the lockdown and continues to operate today. They ship artwork within and outside Europe, thus solving the restrictions worry. They have over one thousand four hundred clients who are satisfied with their work. Whether you are delivering simple artwork or high-value pieces, they will handle it for you carefully. Thus, your clients will be getting what they ordered and within the expected time.

Conclusion

The pandemic does not have to stop you from delivering your work to customers as an artist. As an art lover, you don’t have to worry about not ordering artwork either. With Convelio, you can continue to carry out transactions concerning artwork despite the pandemic.

5 Common Denominators Behind the World’s Most Efficient Restaurant Delivery Systems

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Restaurant Delivery System|5 Common Denominators Behind the World's Most Efficient Restaurant Delivery SystemsIt’s no secret that the concept of having food delivered has truly taken off during the last few years. Until last year, studies showed an annual increase of 20 percent for the food delivery industry. Last year, reports indicate that the sector skyrocketed by anywhere from 150 percent to more than 300 percent in some areas. Though unforeseen circumstances contributed to that unprecedented uptick, analysts don’t expect the numbers to drop during the years to come. Now that so many people have gotten a taste of the sheer convenience of having dinner brought to their doors, they want more.

What Does All This Mean for Restaurants?

In short, that means there are a few key takeaways for today’s restaurants. First of all, if your restaurant already offers delivery services, keep forging ahead. Secondly, if you’re not offering delivery at this point, you should be. Either way, in order to compete in the food delivery realm, you need to understand what it takes to succeed. Companies like DataDreamers are here to help you do just that.

Common Elements among the Most Successful Restaurant Delivery Systems

Some restaurants are excelling in the midst of the burgeoning delivery mania. Others are missing out on the opportunity altogether. Then, there’s a broad gap between the two extreme ends of the spectrum. It consists of restaurants that could be making a name for themselves in delivery, but it’s working against them rather than for them. If you’re in either of the two latter categories, consider using the following points to help foster your delivery services.

1) Facilitate the Online Ordering Process

Quite a few restaurants offer the option of online ordering either via their website or a dedicated app. That being said, many only allow over-the-phone take-out orders or don’t offer delivery at all. Consider having your own app created if you are interested in having your food delivered. Reports show that 90 percent of the population turns to the internet for products and services, and a recent string of surveys revealed that nearly 70 percent have taken to having food delivered. If you offer online delivery, they will order. Be sure your online ordering portal provides a smooth, seamless experience, though.

2) Keep Quality Consistent

Consumers have come to expect high-quality food and exceptional overall experiences from restaurants, but that doesn’t only hold true for in-house dining. They expect those traits to carry over into their delivery orders. Don’t let the quality of your food and service wane when it comes to delivery. Doing so could hurt your reputation and business just as much as if you fell short in your on-site dining area.

3) Use Technology to Your Advantage

An endless array of technological advancements have taken place over the years. Many of them could serve your restaurant well, especially when it comes to your delivery system. Find the right software, POS system, payment gateway, and other solutions to help you make the most of the digital age. You’ll benefit greatly, and so will your customers.

4) Accuracy Is Key

We’ve all had bad experiences with restaurant delivery services. Part of the food was missing or they forgot to send the extra sauce we requested. Mistakes like that may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but they can actually ruin an entire meal. Be absolutely sure the orders you send out are accurate before allowing them to leave your restaurant.

5) Create Promotional Offers

Consumers flock to special deals and promotional discounts. You’re in a unique position to give them those offers. Extend free appetizers with the purchase of a certain number of meals or waive delivery fees after a specified number of delivery orders. You could extend any number of promotional offers to patrons. They’ll spend more money with you and be more likely to keep coming back for more.

Cash in on the Delivery Craze

There’s quite a bit of profit to be made through restaurant delivery services right now, and it’s only going to become more prominent during the years to come. At the same time, this is a wonderful opportunity to show consumers what sets you apart from the competition. Embrace the growing food delivery realm, and use these points to help you make the most of it.

Why your Business Telecoms will Determine your Success

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Business Telecoms|Why your Business Telecoms will Determine your SuccessThe advent of digital and online technologies has significantly changed all aspects of most businesses. Telecommunications are no exception and have benefited increasingly from innovations in the way people communicate. Business communication is key to ensuring your business success, as communications ensure smooth operations and seamless customer service regardless of what sector you operate in.

Key changes in business telecoms since the 2010s have most significantly been high-quality and high-speed internet, more cost-effective internet services, and cloud services. This shift to cloud services, in particular, has progressed at an incredible speed, and many businesses have been able to take advantage of the remote and flexible possibilities of this new telecommunications infrastructure.

Another significant change, and one that many businesses are looking to take advantage of with the advent of technology, is moving away from the need for physical equipment. This means less investment in physical hardware and taking advantage of hosted voice platforms.

What your business needs

An important part of finding the right business telecommunications solutions is knowing what your business needs. You know that your business cannot function smoothly without communication platforms but choosing the right one to suit your business requirements is the right first step. This means knowing how many staff you are accommodating, how many clients you are servicing, and how much new technology you need in your day-to-day operations.

Ask yourself whether you need a wired and connected system or a portable and interactive system. This will determine whether you choose something like a key system unit that provides features such as intercoms, memory dialing, and hold functions but is not portable or flexible if you are looking for mobile solutions. In that case, you may want to consider private branch exchange (PBX), which includes both analog and digital functions and allows for features such as digital voice mails, call recording, and interactive voice menus.

The latest generation of business telecom solutions allow for internet transmission of voice (VoIP), and even more innovative is unified communications (UC). This allows for features such as emailing, conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing and is ideal for businesses with remote workers and flexible work environments.

Investing in the right telecoms solutions

Your telecoms solutions and innovations should be saving you money rather than being a costly investment. It is important to have a solution that is low maintenance and efficient. Efficiency is key to your telecommunications system as it means less time-wasting or cost implications. Communicating with your customers is important but making sure your staff are connected and not having to waste time waiting for a telecoms issue to be fixed is essential. This is time they could be using to make sales, ensure operational management and carry out other important tasks. A great first step is to visit https://www.kall8.com/business-phone-services/ for telecom resources. Knowing what is available out there will make choosing the right equipment a lot easier.

Another important aspect of having a smooth-running telecoms system as a business is the impression it makes on your customers. There is nothing worse than clients who complain about faulty telecommunications or finding it difficult to communicate with you through voice or video. Your telecoms should be seamless and continue to take advantage of technological advances to keep your customers and staff communicating and working together.

Do the research and find a service that suits your business needs before you choose a service that won’t be able to keep you in touch with your clients, customers, and business stakeholders.