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Four Ways Your Company Can Improve Its Online Presence

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StrategyDriven Online Marketing and Website Development Article, Four Ways Your Company Can Improve Its Online Presence
 
In this day and age, a company’s online presence is absolutely crucial to its success. If someone wants to find out about you, chances are, they will google you – and what’s there needs to be impressive. So here are some tips on how your company can improve its online presence.

Create A New Website

First of all, if your website looks out of date, it’s time to create a new one. If you aren’t sure how to do it, hire a website designer who will be able to make it for you – you need to ensure that it looks professional and that it is user friendly. If you’d like to be involved, why not look up website design best practices so you can contribute some ideas? It’s important to consider what exactly is most important to you about your site. Some companies want sites that are extremely in depth about their products and what they can do, while others like to keep you guessing. No matter what you want, it’s important to make it clear what exactly your company can do for whoever is browsing its site, and you also need to make sure that your contact information is clearly on there.

Consider Your Company Voice

Chances are, your company has a few different online presences, from Twitter to Instagram to Facebook to your actual website, and it’s important that you make sure you have an established voice that reaches across all of these presences. You should be a complete brand and if the people running your website and your Twitter feed aren’t in touch with each other, problems will arise. Consistency is key to your success so you need to consider what exactly you want your company voice to be – whether it’s strictly professional or you’re planning to do some reality TV commentary on your Twitter account, you need to match it to your product.

Protect Your Customers’ Data

These days, privacy is something that is hugely important to people, so you need to make sure that your customers can have absolute faith in your company by carefully protecting their data. Cyber crime is a big deal and has affected a lot of people, so you need to beef up your online security so that your customers know they can give you their details without being worried that you will share it with other companies or – worse – that data could be leaked if your security is breached.

Improve Your Social Media

If you aren’t great with social media, now is the time to change that. It’s the top way that people will contact you – if they have a complaint or query they will tweet you, which means you need to be on it with your social media accounts. Check them every day and make sure you set up a few posts. Relentlessly promoting your products will turn people off, but so will irrelevant tweets – it’s a fine line to walk so it may take you some time to develop that social media presence. Scheduling posts with Tweetdeck, however, should help.

Your online presence is crucial to your success – these tips should ensure that your customers keep coming back for more.

How to Ensure You Have Happy and Productive Employees

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As a manager of a team, your primary responsibility is to make sure the people working for you are doing the best work they can be and are inspired to come to work every day to do so. If you’re doing your job well, your team will, in turn, do theirs well and will be more productive, efficient, and overall happier with their jobs. Happy employees mean less turnover, which can save the company money in the long-term — it’s a win-win for everyone.

The challenge is to balance managing and leading a team while still being able to find time to get your own daily task list completed. Maybe you were thrust into a management position without prior experience or much knowledge, or had to lead a team before and are still looking for new ways to be efficient, but regardless, there are some easy ways to ensure your employees are happy at work without spending too much of your time.

Be authentic

Nobody wants to be around someone they can tell is acting fake, nor would they trust that person and turn to them with work-related issues or to help solve a problem. Don’t come to work with a “work persona” or with a face on, but rather be yourself and be genuine – people can certainly tell the difference.

Lead the team how you’re comfortable doing so, not based on how others lead or by trying to copy a leadership style that doesn’t work for you. Find your groove instead of trying to mimic someone else’s, and your employees will value that, as well as feel they can be themselves at work too.

Appreciate good work

When someone feels as though they put in a good effort and don’t get recognized for it, they can quickly feel undervalued and start looking elsewhere for work. Colleagues are often caught up in their own workload that they don’t take the time to offer recognition to each other, so step up and be the one who appreciates and congratulates an employee on doing well at their job. It will ensure motivation levels are high, and also set the bar and encourage other employees to do the same, which fosters a positive and empowering environment for everyone. Even a simple “good job” can make a big difference.

Have a good break area

Taking a break from work helps relax your mind, detach from the stresses of the day or problem at hand, and then come back at it with a refreshed brain, ready to tackle it again. It can also help people take a look at a problem from a new angle they wouldn’t have thought of if they had sat there racking their brain for hours on end.

Having a space to encourage breaks, like a family-style kitchen eating area with a big table and chairs, or a “fun room” with activities like a foosball table, books, board or card games, or a fully stocked mini-fridge. Also, having water coolers around the office encourages employees to get up every once in a while to stretch their legs and grab a drink, and maybe socialize for a bit with a colleague.

If you have the boss’s ear, advocate for a good and fun employee break area. Or, you are the one who runs the show at work, maybe it’s time to rearrange some furniture or even get to remodeling the office space. It may seem like a big upfront cost, but happy employees are more productive, efficient, and you’ll have less turnover to account for.

How To Keep Hold Of Your Top Performers

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StrategyDriven Talent Management Article|Top Performers |How To Keep Hold Of Your Top PerformersIf you want your business to grow and compete with the bigger names in your industry, then it is vital that you are able to keep hold of your top performers. It can be frustrating when you have talented, hard-working, and passionate staff but lose them to another company as this can have such an enormous impact on many areas of the company. It is hard to retain your top performers particularly if you cannot match the wages that they could command elsewhere, but there are a few effective strategies to try which can encourage staff loyalty – here are a few ideas:

Create An Enjoyable Working Environment

Although it is a major influencer, money is not everything when it comes to working. People spend so much of their time at work, which means that this needs to be somewhere that they feel happy and content. You can do this by creating an enjoyable working environment in the office so that people enjoy working together and come to work each morning feeling happy and content.

Provide Progression Opportunities

The top performers are also the ones that are the most driven, so you need to make sure that you are providing them space to grow and progress within the company. Otherwise, they could have their head turned when they have gone as far as they can within the business. Look to promote from within and offer higher salaries to keep hold of your top performers.

Work Perks

You might not be able to match the wages that the command elsewhere but you can offer a range of benefits to staying with your company. This might include flexible working, employee discounts, benefits, gym membership, and various other perks.

Employee Awards

Nobody wants to stay in a job where they do not feel valued, especially if they are a top performer. It is for this reason why you must recognize and celebrate their hard work, and one excellent way to do this is with employee awards ceremonies. You can have engraved/glass awards produced and hand these out in a fun social event which can recognize hard work as well as bring the team closer together.

Challenge Them

Those that perform best in the workplace are the ones that are smart, driven, and ambitious. This means that you need to keep them challenged so that they do not get bored with their role. In addition to progression opportunities, you can also do this with new projects, setting them targets, giving them under-performers to mentor and any new task to keep them engaged. In addition to keeping them motivated and interested, this can lighten your own workload and help the company to succeed.

Keeping hold of your top performers is something that most business owners have to worry about particular if they are a smaller company that cannot offer huge salaries. Although it is hard to compete with larger salaries, there are strategies that you can use to retain your top performers with the above being a few of the more effective methods to try.

8 Benefits Of Studying A Masters Degree Online

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |Masters Degree Online|8 Benefits Of Studying A Masters Degree OnlineIf you’re thinking of studying a master’s degree online but you’re unsure whether or not it is the right choice for you then don’t worry, you have come to the right place. Although it may be tempting to study a master’s degree on campus, there are lots of incredible benefits to being able to study from the comfort of your own home. Whether it’s fitting your degree around you’re schedule or being able to continue the life you were living, studying an online master’s degree can be incredibly rewarding. With that in mind, here are 8 benefits of studying a master’s degree online:

It Can Be Much More Affordable

One of the great things about studying an online master’s degree is that it can be much more affordable than studying on campus. Not only is the degree cheaper, but your living costs are likely to be more affordable if you’re staying at home. You also won’t have any unnecessary moving costs, any worries about transportation costs and any costs when it comes to maintenance. For more information about how much it costs to go to University, you can visit this site here.

You Can Fit It Around Your Own Schedule

If you have a busy schedule and you don’t want to have to rework it completely, you will find that an online degree will allow you to work around it. If you’re studying on campus you have to attend lectures and seminars at specific times, however, with an online degree, you can study when it suits you. Although it requires you to have a certain level of willpower and self-control, being able to work to your own schedule is a huge selling point for some. Whether it helps when it comes to your family life or it means you’re able to keep your current job, studying a master’s degree online doesn’t have to take over your whole life.

You Don’t Have To Leave Your Job

As mentioned above, studying online means you can work to your own schedule, allowing you to keep the job you already have. Whether you’re working full-time or part-time, you will be able to fit your master’s degree around your work hours. Not only does this mean you will be able to stay on top of your finances, but it also means you’ll have job security when you graduate. Even if it’s not in the industry you want to be in, job security is incredibly valuable.

You Can Stay In Your Current Town Or City

If you don’t want to uproot your whole life for your master’s degree, studying online will allow you to get your qualification without having to leave your current town or city. Whether you’re living with your partner or you’re living with your parents, sometimes leaving to go study is just not possible when you have rent or a mortgage to pay. For guidance when it comes to staying at home whilst you study, you can visit this site here.

There Are A Wide Range Of Subjects To Choose From

Although people believe that there are fewer choices when it comes to studying online, often you will find that establishments have just as many course choices for those that want to study from the comfort of their own home. Whether you want to study a degree in marketing or a master’s in social work, with a little bit of determination you will be able to find a course that suits you. If you are considering a master’s degree in social work, you can visit the Rutgers site for more information here.

You Can Still Socialise With Others’ On Your Course

A common misconception about studying a degree online is that is not very social. Although you may not have as many events to attend, you will find that there are ways to talk to others on your course. Whether it’s through monthly meetups and get-togethers or through an online chat system that has been set up by your course provider, an online degree can be as social as you make it. If you don’t want to socialise, that’s completely up to you too.

It Teaches You Self-Discipline And Responsibility

To be able to study at home you need to have a lot of self-discipline. There will be no strict time table you need to stick to and without self-discipline, you may find that you fall behind easily. There are so many things at home that can distract you that if you turn away for a second, it could be hours before you come back to your work.

If you think you’re going to struggle when it comes to finding the motivation to study, you might want to consider creating a schedule that you stick to every week. If you have a specific time of the day where you plan to study, make sure you are actually studying during those hours. If you have someone at home who can keep you in check, that’s even better.

Another great way to ensure you’re always in the mindset to work is to ensure you have a dedicated space to study. Whether it’s a home office or a desk in your lounge, you need to ensure you have a place that once you sit there, it means it’s time to study. For home office inspiration, you can visit this handy site here.

You Still Graduate With The Same Quality Of Degree

Finally, when your degree comes to an end and it is time to graduate, you will be coming away with the same quality of degree as those who studied on campus. Often people think an online degree is worthless, however that is another common misconception. Studying at home doesn’t mean the degree is going to be worth any less. After all, you should be proud no matter where you study your master’s.

 

What are the benefits of poster advertising?

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article |Poster Advertising|What are the benefits of poster advertising?It may be one of the oldest forms of advertising still in existence but, to this day, poster advertising remains one of the most popular. While the world may be gradually becoming more and more technological and internet-focused, the high visibility that posters can provide makes them one of the best methods for advertisers to use.
You only have to walk down the street to see their power in full effect – poster adverts are literally everywhere. Whether it be a clothing brand advertising a new sale, or Netflix showcasing a new TV programme, posters are one of the most effective ways of reaching new and existing customers.

Here, we go through each of their benefits in further detail, clarifying why poster advertising remains such an effective and widely-used form of advertising.

Design

Posters are, in effect, a blank canvas. They are ideal for brands and businesses who want to show their creative colours, providing a design freedom like no other. Depending on the type of business or purpose the advert is being used for, it is easy to be as creative as you like in their design; if you fancy using bright, attention-grabbing colours – go for it. Want to inject a bit of humour? Why not. How about filling the advert with tons of text? You can, but it’s probably not the best idea.

Nailing the design can make a big difference to how or whether a customer will respond to it. Most businesses tend to hire the help of a professional digital printing service at this stage, to ensure that the poster they want to print is both of sufficient quality, and meets the relevant printing guidelines.

Location

Inside, outside, wherever – posters can be used everywhere and anywhere. You will often find them in shops and on windows, billboards, walls and hoardings – wherever they are likely to be seen. For instance, bars and restaurants often use posters in toilets or bathrooms to advertise particular events, such as quiz nights, happy hour deals and live music events. In essence, wherever you come across people, you are likely to find a poster or two.

Size

The size of posters really varies depending on its location. For a poster placed inside a retail or business premises, smaller posters – such as A4 or A3 – are the most commonly used sizes. Whereas, at a large shopping centre, outdoor poster sizes are normally much larger.

The chosen poster size will largely depend on how customers are expected to interact with it. For example, an A3 poster may look huge when you’re holding it in your own two hands, but it will barely be seen if used outdoors. Similarly, while an A1 or A2 poster may be perfect to use outside, if it takes up half of the wall when using it indoors, then it probably isn’t a practical choice.

However, having this flexibility to decide the ideal size is one of poster advertising’s key benefits. If you are looking to print a poster, here are some of the most common sizes used:

  • A4 – 210 x 297mm
  • A3 – 297 x 420mm
  • A2 – 420 x 594mm
  • A1 – 594 x 841mm
  • A0 – 841 x 1189mm

Visibility

Since posters are typically located wherever people are, they are incredibly visible. Whether a business worker walks past a particular advert at 6 AM, or a dog walker sees the same advert at 12 PM, the advert is always available and able to reach a wide range of people, whatever the time of day may be. This means that a huge number of people will be able to see, interact with and respond to a wide variety of brands throughout the day, which could lead to several potential conversions.

Plus, posters which feature a particular call-to-action on them, such as an email address, website, or social media information, will encourage customers to engage with them, influencing their online and buying behaviour.

Durability

The longevity of a poster really depends on the quality of the material it is printed on. Most good indoor posters are printed on strong, heavy matt or gloss laminated paper, with a ‘Grams per Square Meter’ value between 90gsm and 350gsm.

Outdoor posters, on the other hand, are typically printed on durable water-resistant paper that adheres to the material without cracking or tearing. Take a look next time you walk past a large outdoor poster – there won’t be a crack or blemish anywhere in sight.

Cost

Having a number of stunning posters produced can cost a lot less than you might think. Compared to a large interactive billboard or another form of digital advert, poster advertising can be a much more cost-effective method to use. It could also potentially reach a lot more people, so could offer a better return on investment. Likewise, it is generally considered a more trusted and tolerated form of advertising to consumers over digital or online alternatives.

Final thoughts…

There you have it – the various reasons why using poster advertising can be such an effective way of reaching more customers. It may not have the interactive pizzazz that digital adverts can provide but, as one of the oldest and most widely-used forms of advertising, it certainly is a cost-effective and incredibly popular choice.