Contributed Post | Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer | Telecom Marketing Content Writer

Stand out at Your Next Trade Show with this Ultimate Guide

February 28, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Trade shows are a brilliant way for you to get your business a lot of exposure. You may even find that you are able to gain a lot of prospective clients this way too. If you do not feel as though you have the budget to put on a big display or if you want to make sure that you are not spending a lot of money on things that are not going to make a big difference, then this guide will tell you everything you need to know.

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Start before you Get There

You need to put in a lot of work before you even get to the trade show. Ideally, you should spend a lot of the weeks leading up to the event trying to hand out pencils, t-shirts and everything else you can think of. You can also put out a hashtag for the event while also sending out image-rich tweets. If you can do this, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to put yourself out there.

Donate Something Unusual

Corporate pens, mugs and everything else related can seem unoriginal and you may even find that it ends up aggravating people as well. This is the last thing that you want to do if you want to stand out from the crowd. If you want to stand out from the big companies, then you need to try and opt for something quirkier and you also need to put your company branding on there. It may be that you try and create some company headphones, or that you opt for socks or even sunglasses. Some companies have even gone as far as to create Rubik’s cubes to push their branding. If you can do things like this, then you will soon find that it becomes easier for you to push your brand, and the chances of you standing out as a result, are huge.

Create a Buzz About your Brand

Buzz translates to conversation. You ideally want to try and provide your customers with opportunities, and you also want to encourage them to make conversation as much as possible. The term “keep it positive” is sometimes not enough. You need to step up and provide something funny, positive, inventive or quirky. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you can get people talking about you. If you follow rules like this, people end up flooding to your booth and this can work in your favor. If you want to get some help with your trade show, then click here to get some awesome banners and advertisement material.

See who you Are Up Against

It’s vital that you do your research and that you also take the time to learn about who and what is being brought to the trade show by your competition. You need to look at more than staff, and also look into the visuals as well. Do they have a free “help yourself” box to try and gain customers? What does it contain? Is it candy? Cookies? Pens? Things like this can help you to understand how you can be prepared going into your trade show.

Boast your Features

If you know that your brand can be seen on a huge range of websites, then you have to use it as a focus point. You need to try and create a booth that actually accentuates features such as this so that you can make yourself stand out. It is a good idea for you to have shoutouts, such as “As Seen On” so that you can put this in front of any attendees you might have. The great thing about this is that it will generate curiosity and it will also get a buzz about your brand going.

Get a Good Display for your Business

There’s a high chance that you will have seen everything in your time as a business owner, and if this is the case, then you will know that even big companies sometimes have sad-looking displays. If you want to look both more invested, and more investable then you need to try and consider this as being part of your budget for the year. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you are able to make your display look fantastic.

Hand out Reusable Bags

Everyone who goes to a tradeshow will often come back with bags full of stuff. The biggest bag tends to win, and it becomes the receptacle for all of the other bags that are given out. If you can, you need to make sure that the bags you are giving out are reusable. This will help you to stop the environmental impact that comes with plastic bags, and it also helps you to stand out to those who genuinely care about the environment. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you are able to really stand out from the crowd.

Be Fun

A lot of the big dogs tend to be boring when it comes to industry events. If you want to stand out as being fun and exciting, then let it be known. Your competition probably won’t be that excited to be at the event anyway, but if you can show your enthusiasm and if you can make some noise, then this will help you to stand out. Throw an after-party and try to be friends with everyone. Nothing beats being young at heart, so make this known to everyone. If you can make your enthusiasm contagious then this will help you to be remembered long after the trade event, so keep this in mind if you can.

Socialize Well

Simple things such as creating a well put-together shirt can help you to create a long-lasting buzz. You just have to make sure that it is going to be something that people will want to wear. You also need to make sure that you are not afraid to ask people to wear it. Tell them that you will buy them a drink at any networking parties that take place after the trade show if you see them in it. Things like this help you to get in people’s good books and it also shows your human side, so keep this in mind.

Create a Video

At a lot of industry trade shows, you may find that executives tend to babble on about their company. If you want to help yourself to come across better, then consider putting out visual content as well. Create a video that shows what you can do or even try and stand out by having an interactive show. If you can use video marketing to your advantage, then this will surely help you out in the long run and you may find that it helps you to be remembered.

Of course, there are things that you can do to try and help yourself to stand out from the crowd when you attend your next trade show. If you follow this guide, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to not only get a good result out of the details that you collect, but also the people who come and see your booth. If you want to amplify your results, take the time to spread the word about your event long before the starting date. This will help you to make sure that you generate maximum interest, way ahead of time.

6 Highly Irritating Construction Project Pitfalls (And How To Manage Them)

February 25, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

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Construction projects always look like they should go to plan on paper. But when you actually get involved with them, they never quite pan out how you want them to. There’s always some real-world factor you didn’t account for properly in the build up.

Not to worry: this post is here to help. In it, we take a look at some of the most irritating pitfalls and how you can avoid them. If you can cut out the problems highlighted on this list, then you’ll eliminate the vast majority of issues you’re likely to face.

Delayed Material Delivery

When it comes to running a successful construction project, there’s nothing more annoying than delayed material deliveries. If items don’t show up on site on time, then workers are idle and, in some cases, you have to send people home.

When there are delays of days or weeks, the situation becomes even more serious. In some cases, it can put entire projects in jeopardy.

The trick to solving this problem is to find vendors you can rely on. Don’t necessarily go with the cheapest option. While you might get a better price, you’ll pay for it in the form of delays to project completion and poor labor relations.

Permit Delays

Another major bugbear is permit delays. City authorities can be slow in handing out approvals for your project to go ahead.

The best policy here is to be proactive. Start the process early and perform proper cultural heritage management checks to appease anyone that might oppose the development on archaeological grounds. Provide all the necessary papers and requirements up front so that you’re not scrambling later.

If you’re struggling, always speak to a consultant who understands the area first. They’ll be able to guide you through the process from beginning to end, helping you overcome any hurdles you face, one at a time.

Hot Weather

There isn’t much you can do about the weather, but it can interfere with your construction plans. If temperatures go too high, it can become too hot for workers to get on with their jobs. Simply touching building materials with their bare hands could lead to burns. Employees may also get symptoms of heat stroke, rashes, cramps and exhaustion.

To prevent this, prepare well for hot weather. Offer all workers gloves so that they can safely hand materials in hot weather. Also provide plenty of cold water onside, either by using ice, or installing a refrigerated water dispenser designed for outdoor use.

If you notice any colleagues feeling hot or light headed, immediately bring them into the shade and get them checked out. If you allow heat stroke to develop, it can knock workers out for weeks.

Hitting Something You Didn’t Know Was There

There are times on any building project where you will ask yourself, “what the heck did we just hit?” You’re excavating for some foundations when, all of a sudden, you knock into something you had no idea was there.

In the best case scenario, it’s just a big lump of concrete. In the worst case, it’s archaeological ruins, a water pipe, gas main or electricity cabling.

Ideally, you should know precisely what’s beneath the ground before you start digging. To avoid running into any nasty surprises, always conduct a land survey. If that comes up with no results, scan the ground using tools that allow you to peer beneath the surface, without actually digging it up.

Scheduling Chaos

Working out the order in which you need everything is a nightmare. When to bring in suppliers, hire subcontractors to the site and rent equipment feels like a constant balancing act. It’s never easy.

The trick here is to rely on technology. Where possible, use project management software. Either administer it yourself, or bring someone in who understands how it works. A construction projects manager should be able to bring all elements of the build together seamlessly, without any issues.

Unreliable Workers

Most construction firms don’t want to admit that their workers are unreliable, but it is an issue that plagues the industry. Employees often don’t turn up for their shifts, forcing you to delay elements of the project or hire more expensive temps.

Employees sometimes have bad habits such as fudging their timesheets or doing low-quality work. In some cases, they may even verbally abuse clients, managers and members of the public.

The trick to solving these issues starts with recruitment. Find people with a reliable track record. If that’s not possible, let disgruntled employees go and rehire.

Career Choices for Media Students – What to Look For in a Job

February 24, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

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If you choose a media degree, you may hear many people say that you will not get a job. Inundated with stories about the decline of the newspaper and magazine industry, most people would probably prefer that you choose just about any other occupation; however, this is not always the case. Not all media jobs require a press pass. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, these emerging (or still relevant!) media jobs offer a decent occupational outlook and a living wage.

Consider your interests and goals

When looking for a career in media, you first consider your interests and goals. For example, do you want to work in mainstream or niche media? Do you want to work in advertising or content marketing? If you’re going to work in a particular industry, you need to look at the job market that corresponds with your interests. For example, if you focus more on videography and production, you may work for a video agency. Or, if you have fantastic communication skills, you may want to be a public relations specialist.

Research different jobs and industries

When you’re looking for a career in media, it’s essential to do your research. You don’t want to get stuck in a job you don’t like or a career that isn’t the right fit for you.

Make sure to read job descriptions and discuss your interests with potential employers. This will help you figure out what industry would be best for you.

Compare and contrast job offers

When looking for a job in the media, it’s essential to compare and contrast job offers. Some jobs offer excellent pay and benefits, while others may not. You also want to be sure that the company you’re working for has a good reputation. The best way to do this is to ask around and read articles about the company.

Create a resume that is appropriate for the job you want

Your resume should be appropriate for the job you want. For example, if you’re going to be a news reporter, your resume should reflect that. Your resume should also show your experience in writing and reporting. You won’t get as many interviews if you don’t have an appropriate resume.

Get started in your career

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best way to find out if you want to work in media is to start interviewing various companies and see what they need from a media student. You can also look online for job postings or view job postings from different media industries.

Final Note

Media is a trendy (and therefore competitive) field, so the experience is critical. You’ll need to be motivated and persistent in your applications. To gain work experience, contact radio, television, newspaper, PR or advertising agencies (whichever match your career preferences) and ask about opportunities. Look out for summer placements, part-time and voluntary opportunities while on your course during the summer holidays or evenings and weekends. It may also be helpful to get involved with your university radio station, paper or publications office.

Some courses offer the opportunity to undertake a work placement with a media or related company. This provides an excellent opportunity to develop practical and professional skills and make industry contacts.

It would help if you aimed to build a portfolio of your work to showcase your skills and experience in whichever area you’re interested in. This can be shown when applying for other work experience or future jobs.

Diving Into Business: How To Get Started

February 24, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

If you want to start a business but have no idea where to start don’t panic. There are plenty of budding entrepreneurs out there who feel exactly the same way. The Covid-19 pandemic has made many people take stock of their lives and realize that their perfect job just doesn’t exist, and others have realized that working for someone else will not help them meet their objectives in life. Whatever the reason you want to be your own boss, it is possible.

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Make sure it is what you really want

It is a good idea to take a step back and evaluate yourself and your current situation before getting into the intricacies of your possible business.

Why do you want to start a business?
What are you good at?
What industries do you have a working knowledge of?
Interested in offering a service or a product to the public?
What do you prefer to do in your spare time?
What amount of capital are you willing to put at risk?
Is it going to be a full-time or a part-time endeavour?

Depending on your responses to these types of questions, you will be able to narrow your focus.

This phase is not intended to discourage you from pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams. Instead, it is intended to provoke thought and planning on your part. When it comes to starting a successful business, like Fundamental Global, having a burning desire is not enough.

Refine your business idea

Once you have determined why you want to start a business, the next step is to identify and develop your business idea. You have probably already got something in mind.

It is no longer enough to just believe you have a brilliant concept and put it into action. It is necessary to establish that there is a requirement. You should also consider whether or not this plan is viable in the long run.

Research the market

Once you have decided on a business that aligns with your objectives and lifestyle, it is time to put your plan through its paces. Who will be the target market for your product or service? Who will be your primary competitors? This technique will assist you in addressing your opportunity, value proposition, market size, and competitive landscape, among other things.

There are a variety of approaches you can take to do this, including:

Looking online
Talking to people in the industry
Reading books written by people who work in your sector
Identifying and researching notable individuals
Reading relevant news websites and industry publications

Write a business plan

Business plans are, to put it simply, a road map for your company’s future. They will serve as a tool to track your progress and detail the steps you must take to achieve your objectives. Instead of thinking of a business plan as a cumbersome document that you will only use once, perhaps to seek a loan from a bank, consider it as a management tool that will help you manage how your company grows and achieves its objectives.

While you may use your business plan as part of your pitch to investors and banks, as well as to attract potential partners and board members, it will be used primarily to define your strategy, tactics, and specific activities for execution, including key milestones, deadlines, and budgets, as well as your cash flow forecasting and management.

The Best Career Choices For Problem-Solvers

February 23, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Given just how much of an impact it’ll have on the overall life of a person, many people tend to choose their careers based on pretty basic criteria. They might decide what to do based on whatever’s popular or available in their local area, for instance, or based on how much money they’ll earn. You might end up in a job you like that way, but it’ll be far from guaranteed. It makes much more sense to choose a career that uses skills that you have and like to use. So lets you’re a problem solver. What job should you do? Let’s take a look.

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Air Traffic Controller

Air traffic controllers are in charge of making sure that planes take off and land safely. So, needless to say, they have a pretty important job! There are many different elements to this type of work. Controllers typically weigh up weather conditions, balance the load of incoming planes, and other critical pieces of information that ensure that the aviation industry can maintain its high safety standards. These jobs pay in the region of $50,000 a year and come with good job security and benefits.

All Things Mechanical

We take a lot for granted in this day and age. We assume that when we turn the ignition of a car, then the engine will turn on, and we’ll get moving. But that’s not always what happens. As with everything, mechanical engines do run into problems, and when they do, they require the expertise of a professional to get them back up and running. If you’ve always been fascinated by this side of automobiles and other machines, then take a look at mechanic shop careers. Again, this is a career that comes with good job security. After all, people will always want to get their cars and other machines repaired!

Computer Programmer

We all hope that the programs that run our smartphones and laptops just work. But that’s not guaranteed. Usually, a lot of work has taken place to ensure that it’s the case! If you’re interested in computers, then take a look at becoming a computer programmer. You’ll be building apps and websites and other cool things, and you’ll be using your problem-solving skills, too. There are always many points throughout the development stage when things just don’t work. Your job will be to figure out why it doesn’t work and then fix it!

Solving Crimes

If you’ve ever sat down and listened to a true crime podcast or watched a crime television show, then you’ll know just how much hard work goes into solving crimes. Detectives usually have to draw upon any small clues that they can get their hands on and then try to figure out who was behind a crime. It’s an extremely complicated and taxing job, but one that is highly rewarding. Nearly all detectives begin their careers working as a police officer, before working their way up. It’s problem-solving at its most challenging, and is also highly important work.