Archives for June 2018

The Unusual Jobs You Could Make A Career In

June 18, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

There’s a lot of different jobs out there. Compared to about fifty or sixty years ago, there’s a whole world of choice for absolutely everyone to fit themselves into. You’re guaranteed to find your particular talent, skill, or brand these days, and you should never limit yourself to what is considered a traditional option. Sure, we need more nurses and doctors, firefighters and care assistants in the world, but you never have to fit into these molds despite what people tell you.

Whatever it is you want to make your business, there’s an option out there for you to fit yourself into. Niches exist around every corner, and there’s a chance for you to corner the market with what you introduce to your own. So with that in mind, let’s have look at some of the most unusual jobs you could make a career in, and maybe one day start your own business within.

Every one of these people is going to be working in something different; follow in their footsteps!

Unusual Jobs

Become a Taste Tester

Sure, you might have a front seat to some of the most experimental and possibly completely disgusting foods in the world, but you’re going to be able to get a highlight of what’s hitting the market in the food world! And hey, you’re going to be able to try as much of the food as you want, and probably even take home some samples with you (if the item is good enough!)

Not to mention, there’s a certain amount of risk involved here. Because of that, you’re going to be paid well as well. You could very well experience negative side effects from something in a food or drink, but you’re going to have plenty of compensation and considerable benefits on the table to help you out here.

All kinds of different positions exist: you could be a chocolate taster, you could be a stunt tester (that’s if you’re open to eating some bugs…), or you could be chomping down on chips every day for the rest of your time in that position. You can check out some tips on how to land your first taste testing gig here, if you aren’t already scouting those out.

Become a Professional Host

Hosting is something not a lot of people can do, but if you’ve got some confidence and a good smile on your side, this could be a great option for you! And considering the amount of entertainment companies around the globe, you’re never going to be short of jobs to get paid for. But let yourself start small and work your way up; having experience from your friends parties in which they invite some executive connections along to is going to pay off on your CV.

Being a good host involves having a calm demeanor about you, and looking completely comfortable in your own skin. So if you’ve got some energy to use productively, and you know how great you look in a suit and tie or skirt that’ll show off some great hells, practice your craft now. Use the mirror to determine how your face moves when it comes to delivering a speech, or even take some lessons if you’re that serious about trying this career out.

Become a Caretaker for an Entire Island

It’s a lucrative market for anyone wanting the job of a lifetime, so you’re going to have to get in quick with this one! Caretaking for islands is something we don’t hear a lot about, but all those remote landforms of the coast of Australasia, various locations in Europe, and the Americas have to be looked after by someone. And that someone could be you, if you have the driver and the right kind of experience behind you.

You’re not going to have to stick around for too long either, usually about 6 months at a time, and you get to stay on these islands rent free. Think of it as a holiday with a little more expertise needed: countries offer these positions out usually to generate more of an interest in tourism, and you’re usually required to keep a blog of your time, so you need to make your tone interesting and update regularly.

As you can see, there’s a wide range of jobs available out there, and often enough you can be paid for both the wacky and the mundane. If you’re stuck in a work rut, consider trying out for positions like these; you’ll still earn money!

The Best Methods To Save Money In Your Business

June 18, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Whatever kind of a business you run, you can be sure that one of the best things you can do for it is to save as much money as possible. Fortunately, it is pretty easy to save money in any business so long as you know what you are doing, and in fact there are a number of methods to consider if you want to do so. In this article, we are going to take a look at a few of the best methods you can use in order to ensure that your business saves as much money as possible. As long as you follow these ideas, your business will be in a much better financial position in the long term, making for greater success in the future with your venture.

Strip Back Processes

Your business likely has a huge range of processes that you need to take care of, and it is important to make sure that you are doing whatever you can to keep those processes simple. As long as you do that, your business i’ll spend much less in the long run, and it can be surprising just how easy this is to actually do. By stripping back just a few processes of this kind, you will be able to save a considerable amount of money in a very short time. You might want to use a lift off process in the warehouse or to change even larger processes -whatever it is, simplifying it is always going to lead to a significant improvement in finances for the business. Any processes you have can be simplified in whatever way you want to save money.

Hire Sensibly

The people you hire are always going to be hugely important to your business on the whole, and this is something to always pay close attention to, especially if you want to save money. First of all, hiring those who are likely to actually work long and hard will mean that you re getting more for your money, thereby saving you financially in the long run. But you should also think about doing whatever you can to stop yourself form over-hiring, or hiring too many people. If you hire too many people in your business, it will only mean that you end up overspending without much return, and clearly that is not a situation that anyone wants to be in. Hire sensibly, and you should find that it makes a considerable difference to your business financially.

Plan & Plan Again

In general, you should try to always plan as well as you can for the future of your business. If you do this, it will benefit you and your company in many great ways, including, of course, by saving a considerable amount of money. Plan for the future of your business in as many ways as you can, and you will find that it really does make a huge difference. Your business finances will be in trouble less often and more likely to be in the state that you need them to be in.

Increasing Efficiency in Online Business

June 18, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Business Efficiency

Efficiency is so important in business. Whether you are a sole trader, running a small operation or managing an international business with thousands of employees. Inefficiency can be expensive. Getting less done or taking longer to do basic tasks is a waste of time, and a waste of time is a waste of money.

When you work online, perhaps running an ecommerce store, efficiency can be a huge problem. You are reliant on other systems to keep your business going, and there always seems to be so much to do. This can be worse when you are a small business, or you work alone. You are responsible for all areas of your business. You need to promote it, market it, manage your website, speak to your clients and do everything else. When you work like this, 10 minutes can make the world of difference. So, let’s look at ways to save yourself time and increase the efficiency of your online business.

Automate

The problem with working online is that you need to be online all of the time. Your clients expect responses to their emails within seconds. Growing social media followings and an engaged and loyal audience takes time. Emailing out newsletters and updates every time that you need to get information out there, takes time. Preparing new content for your website and finding new ways to engage with your audience can be daunting and you can spend endless time compiling reports and analyzing data to find ways to make your business better.

But, you don’t need to do all of this. Automation is a powerful tool, and there is plenty that you can do. You can use quoting software for manufacturing to simplify your ordering systems and help you to compile data. You can schedule social media and website content. You can automate email newsletters and use templates for anything else that you need to send.

Some of these services cost money. But, it’s important to remember that if you don’t pay with your money, you will pay with your time. Automating some of your systems could save you several hours a week. Hours that you could be spending making money.

Outsource

As a small online business, you might not be able to afford to employ staff all of the time. But, you can outsource when you need to. Instead of trying to do everything yourself, outsource some tasks to freelancers. This will free up some of your time to focus on other things. Or, even give you a chance to rest and avoid burnout.

Improve Your Customer Experience

If you run an ecommerce store, your customers will be at the heart of your business. They are the one thing that you can’t do without. Poor customer service can be costly. Both in terms of sales and time spent dealing with complaints and issues. Spend time focusing on offering a fantastic customer experience, making sure your shop is easy to use and that your customers are getting what they need, and you’ll save time and make more money.

Keep it Simple

When setting up online, it can be tempting to over complicate things. You might find yourself adding more and more to your website in an attempt to make it stand out. This can be hugely inefficient. Instead, keep things simple and straightforward so that it’s easy to use and requires less maintenance.

Are You Putting The Web To Good Use?

June 15, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

The web was a wondrous invention. Indeed, we’ve never been more connected as a species, and we can get messages to the other side of the world and have them answered within seconds. Because of this, almost everyone is online and accessible practically 24/7, and you and your business are no different.

The internet is something that can be put to very good use: you can network, you can find market research, you can receive instant feedback from customers etc. But is that all you can do with a simple wifi connection?

Sure, you have an online business, and you’re going to be spending most of your days on the internet running this, but are you using your time online as productively as you could be? Maybe you are, maybe you’re not, and maybe you’re half between and just looking for something extra to do: if so, here’s some of the tips you’ve been looking for to follow.

It’s easy to get distracted in a world full of short attention spans… especially with the internet at your disposal!

Use it to Monitor the Market

So you did your market research before opening up your business; after all, businesses don’t need to exist if there isn’t a gap for them to fill. But is that as far as you need to go with the research for your product or service? Even every word you write and then post on your website homepage needs to have a purpose in fulfilling that gap you found way back when, and your words, products, and services need to evolve alongside this gap. It’s hard to keep up with, but the internet is full of resources to help you.

Seeing as the market is something you need to constantly have an eye on, many people are encountering the same problems you are, and then aiming to fill up that gap themselves. Supply and demand is a two way street after all. So if you’re not able to see your target market rise and fall in real time, let your computer or your network do that for you. With algorithmic trading at your fingertips, you’re never going to be left in the dark when it comes to shifts in stock and inflation companies can’t manage. You’re never going to wake up to a loss in profits that takes you completely by surprise again!

Post More Information about You

The internet makes information readily available, and that means you should always have something out there for people to look into to make sure you’re a business worth their time and money. Yes you have your website for people to use, but it’s rare that they’re just going to stumble across you and take an interest.

Be active across social media boards, have review pages set up, and always keep an eye on collective customer sites, like the list that’s provided here. Watch the trends for where people take their complaints, watch out for common issues, and always make an effort to answer those who reference you. It’s a good way to network amongst people who are vocal about their dissatisfaction (despite them being a small fraction of your customer base, they’re usually the loudest), and can even tip brand loyalty in your favor.

Break Your Own Habits

If you’re finding yourself taking multiple breaks and losing a lot of time to items like your phone, identify these habits and try to stop them in their tracks. You’re probably already feeling guilty about not dedicating as much time as you should be to your online business, and now’s the time for you to do something about that feeling.

Yes you’re still using the web during moments like these, but you’re probably not doing so productively. Of course you shouldn’t cut out breaks entirely, but you can take less if you put more effort into actually breaking away from your work environment and spend quality time recuperating. So put your phone away, on silent, and in another room. If people need to contact you on important issues, networking contacts and potential investment opportunities usually send an email. Make an effort to check your phone messages periodically, but leave it there.

The web is great for you and your business, seeing as it has an ever present availability and about 90% of the world’s population to reach out to, but it usually can be put to better use. Don’t worry, there’s a lot of people who are in your position!

It’s A (W)Rap: How Great Packaging Boosts Business

June 15, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

As soon as a customer sees a product, they are being influenced. Yes, product packaging is this powerful when used correctly. Think about the major brands that grab people’s attention from miles away, the likes of Nike, Adidas, and Apple. Branding revolves around delivering their items in a perfect package with a neat little bow, and it works. Oh, it works.

SMEs like to make excuses. “But they are huge corporations. The same wouldn’t work for a small firm.” The reality is that package marketing can increase leads, improve sales and help lift the business’s bottom line. These are a handful of the reasons why.

Subconscious Advertising

Some experts believe that the subconscious is the key to conversions. Shoppers on autopilot are less likely to think and therefore more likely to buy. The key is to tell them something without saying a word. Do it nice and subtle, like. Custom shipping boxes are the answer because they reflect the thought processes of the company. Taking time to develop a design and be creative is something plenty of firms will dismiss out of hand. Instead, they focus on other, “important” areas. The right blueprint will appeal to the innovative cool kids because you’re on their level in their minds.

Emotional Connection

Subconscious advertising and an emotional connection work along the same lines. Both try to elicit a response that is hard to explain. All customers know is that they want a product. The outcome you are looking for is pretty basic. The difference between the two is you can build an emotional connection through small details. Subconscious advertising is about the packaging as a whole, whereas this method relies on color on logo placement. For example, the right shade of orange will instantly grab a person’s attention, or a blue hue will relax and calm them. These emotional responses are integral to purchases.

Quality Packaging — **Quality Commitment**

The likes of Apple, Nike, and Adidas have already got a mention but they deserve a second shout out. See, even that statement was a tick in the box of quality commitment. Over the years, these firms have used packaging to say “we’re the best in the business.” Shoppers see the logo and the ad campaign and they forget the other brands. In many ways, a big part of package marketing is delivering an unbelievable product along with the design. The iPod was sleek and pretty, yet it was powerful and superior to the competition.

Fluidity

Businesses that view packaging and marketing as two separate entities are wrong. Both are inextricably linked because one influences the other. Once you realize this, it’s easier to merge the parties and grab the attention of the customer. Packaging has to be part of the plan and convey the same message because:

– It makes it hard to ignore

– It shows intelligence and attention to detail

When a package cleverly reflects an advert on TV, the shopper looks and it and is impressed. Fluidity changes their perception of the brand.

Are you investing enough into package marketing?