Business Strategy | Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer | Telecom Marketing Content Writer

Starting Up A Construction Company

August 9, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

With so much focus being placed on E-commerce and retail, it’s important for individuals starting up small business to remember that these aren’t the only options out there. There are plenty more fields that you could pursue. Construction is just one of them. But if you’re interested in getting involved in the field of construction, how should you go about setting a construction company up? Here are a few steps to consider!

Take on Competent Staff

When employing construction workers, you need to ensure that all of your staff are competent and fully trained and qualified. After all, the work that they are carrying out holds the potential to hurt themselves, others around them, and individuals who use the structures they’ve built once the work is complete. Conduct rigorous interviews and have a thorough screening process to ensure that every worker has the right to carry out the tasks that you are giving them, and that they have the right paperwork or certification to prove that they are qualified to take on the role.

Have Sufficient Storage Facilities

Construction workers use a whole host of materials to be able to complete their work. Think just how many materials are required to build a bridge, house, or commercial property. Whatever they’re building, they’re going to use a whole lot of bricks, mortar, sand, grit, salt, and other products to get the job done. So, you need to ensure that you sufficient storage facilities to hold all of these items until they are needed. You can invest in a high-quality structure that will guarantee secure storage space from Calhoun Super Structure

Legally Protect Yourself

The construction professions comes hand in hand with various dangers, as employees will be working in environments filled with potential risks. You should be well aware that where there’s risk, there’s the chance for an individual to make a claim against you. Of course, if an employee chooses to disregard your regulations and guidelines, you may think there isn’t much that you can do. But if they experience an accident in the workplace or injure themselves at work, they will have a potential case against you. You need to be aware that there are measures that you can take. Individuals found to be working outside of guidelines and rules should be given warnings and dismissed if their behavior continues. Their work is not worth putting themselves, other workers and the public at risk. If an individual is hurt through no fault of their own, you will have to compensate them. Know your construction law, so that you know exactly what you’re dealing with when such situations arise. Make sure that you have a good lawyer who can advise you well.

There is, of course, a whole lot more to take into account when setting up a construction firm. But hopefully these simple steps will help you to get started on the right foot!

Business On The Go: Everything You Need To Know

August 7, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

There are plenty of companies operating almost entirely on the road. Portable businesses are popular because they provide a massive level of flexibility and are fairly cheap to run. However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t run into blockages and hit potholes if you’re not careful. So, let’s look at some of the issues you need to be aware of with a mobile business or a business that operates with mobile employees.

Staying In Touch

A key thing to remember is that you need to stay in touch with your employees. As they are likely to be in different places all the time, you need to be able to keep in contact with them at all times. This is for safety reasons as well as keeping your business running in an efficient manner. A good way to do this is to set up a group chat on an app like Whatsapp. This way, everyone has access to each other, and you can check in to see what’s happening if you need to. Or, you can set up a Google Hangouts account and get all of your employees to do the same. Google Hangouts is a good way to keep in touch with your employees and keeps the contact to a professional manner.

Handling Rural Environments

If you are a mobile business that operates using heavy equipment in a rural environment, you need to prepare each new environment before your employees can start work. You need to ensure that the land is as safe as is physically possible and to do this you may need to hire or purchase some equipment. You are going to need things like steel framed mats/rig mats so that you can store heavy equipment over the environment without any issues. You can look at sites like https://northernmat.ca/products/rig-mats/ to find out how much a purchase like this can cost. As well as this, your team is going to need all the necessary safety equipment for rural environments.

Tracking

One of the biggest issues that mobile businesses have is keeping things efficient. Logistics is the classic example where you’ll have countless employees out on the roads, delivering products to the doors of customers and clients. How do you make sure that they are remaining speedy with their deliveries? How do you keep check on the level of breaks that they might be taking while on the road? The answer is tracking. Sophisticated tracking tech mixed with cloud technology will allow you to keep track of all your employees out on the go.

Keeping Things Cost Efficient

Last but not least, a business on the go is only going to be cost effective if you make the right decisions with your business model. There are a few ways to do this, but when you buy equipment, you do need to make sure that you purchase from a supplier who is offering the right price. Of course, with a business on the go, it’s also all about the vehicles. It is worth looking into hybrids to cut those fuel costs right down, and as always, there are tax deductions to consider. Learn about how to deduct costs from your tax on https://www.mileiq.com/en-gb/blog/self-employed-expenses-claim/.

Fledging The Nest : Business Space Vs Shared Office

August 7, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

There will come a time that even a home business will need to have some kind of real-world presence. You can’t work from your bedroom or garage forever, you need to stamp your authority in the real world. It doesn’t have to be anything serious such as a large expansion, but it does need to be involving a spreading of wings so to speak. This could be because you have employed more staff, need more storage space, need more computer power, or simply a place to have meetings with your partners. There are a multitude of reasons why a real office should be high up on your priority list when it comes to growing your startup business. Chief among them should be the fact that other businesses take you much more seriously, as might customers. Taking the first step is obviously the hardest because commercial office space does not come cheap and it’s difficult to get an ideal location.

Business space letting

Real estate agents that sell homes and rent out rooms to tenants, can also let office space. These might be called special properties, or business space in their portfolio. Most of the time you will be getting a hollow space, and you’ll have to buy the furnishings yourself. Just like renting a room, you’ll be under contract and will have a set term along with monthly payments. There are a number of different property types that are common, but they all have one thing in common. Usually, you’ll only have a one-floor property; a front desk, a small waiting room and an open plan office for your employees. If you’re lucky you will get a small executive office, however, don’t expect this in a one-floor property. Bear in mind, a real estate agent that advertises business space, is most likely to not offer you commercial office space i.e. in a high-rise building. They will offer standalone properties that were previously other types of businesses such as retail.

Modern era sharing

Small businesses have always far outnumbered medium and large businesses however in the modern era, this has risen to heights never before seen. For your business, you can partake in a shared office scheme, whereby you share office space with another or multiple businesses. Obviously you will have your own space and parameters, however open plan offices will be the norm. However, the great thing is they offer professional office space, notably in commercial buildings with proper services and access. The locations are fantastic, right in the business districts and surrounded by public transport. This makes it much easier for employees to reach every day and consistently arrive on time in the morning. Employees also have access to local amenities for purposes of food, toilets, shopping etc. The offices come with internet and are furnished so you can use the filing cabinets, desks, chairs and more as they were your own.

Fledging the nest and finding a real office space in the world, will inevitably cause your business to look more professional. You don’t need to break your expenditure barriers to be able to afford a great workspace as the modern options are incredibly versatile.

8 Ways to Build Customer Loyalty

August 6, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

All customers are created equal; but some are more equal than others. Studies have shown that it can cost up to three times more to attract a new customer than to keep an existing client on the book. But of course, just because they’ve used your service once, that doesn’t mean you’ll always be in their good books. Below, we take a look at eight ways you can build customer loyalty. Cement your relationship with them, and they’ll always be coming back to give you more business.

Retaining Existing Customers

Don’t Take Them for Granted

A company should never take their customers for granted, and especially when they’re regulars. Sometimes, standards can begin to slip when you get used to talking with them on the phone, or seeing them walk into your store, or talking with them on the phone, especially if you get to know them on a level that’s slightly deeper than surface pleasantries. When you’re in business mode, you should endeavor to give every customer the same great experience, whether it’s their second or hundredth time using your services.

Customer Only Deals

There’s nothing more frustrating for customers who use a service to see great value deals only available to new customers. It just shows that the company only cares about making money, no matter what they might say about valuing their customers and so on. And really, can you blame them? Why should a person who has been using your service for two years be paying more than someone who has just signed up? Though you don’t have to do it all the time, consider offering special deals only to your existing customers. If you have a ‘monthly charge’ service, you could even consider rewarding their loyalty by say, waiving the fee during the month of their year-long anniversary with you.

Throw in Freebies

Everyone loves surprises. If you order something from a store, and your package arrives with someone else in the box that was included for free, don’t you automatically have a positive impression of that company? Sure you do. These small bonuses don’t have to cost much or be overly grand, either; they just have to be free and useful or enjoyable. You could order custom USB drives branded with your logo online, for example, or a smart toy (we’re thinking Rubik’s cube). Your customer won’t be expecting it, so will be pleasantly surprised, and if the item has your logo on the side then your company will never be too far from your customer’s mind.

Human Connections

A lot of businesses are beginning to integrate AI into their operations, and it’s true that there are some benefits to going down this route. However, it’s possible that relying too heavily on non-human service providers will bring a few problems, too. For starters, your customers might be less inclined to be loyal. Why? Because it’s hard to feel loyal when you’re not making any connections, and it’s hard to make connections with a robot. You shouldn’t underestimate the power of human connections! When it comes to your customer services department, for example, you can use automated systems to direct the call to the right department, but ultimately your customer should be speaking to a real, live human!

Get Their Opinion

Your company exists for the benefit of your customers, not the other way round. So it makes sense to give them what they want! One of the best ways to do is to get their opinion on, well, everything, and then tailor your operations to meet their needs. A customer who gives their opinion and then later sees that the company has not only listened to what they had to say, but also acted upon on, will naturally feel closer to that company. And of course, your business will improve as a result, too.

Individual Accounts

If your customers access your services via the web, then you have a terrific capacity to individualize their experience when they’re on your website. For example, let’s say you have an online store. By using cookies and login systems, you can ensure that the products they see when they visit your store are relevant to them. You’ll also be able to offer them products that are related to the products they’ve already bought, and all-around tailor their experience. They’ll feel much closer to your company if it feels like they’re landing on a website that was designed with them in mind, rather than for the masses.

Host an Event

It’s a wonder why more companies don’t hold events for their customers. They’re really effective, fun, and can also help bring new customers on board. So what type of event would be suitable for your business? Well, it depends on what type of company yours is. If you’re young and hip, then something young and hip – let’s say, an outdoor BBQ with live music – would be appropriate. If your target audience is older, then something a bit classier might work. You can also go down the ‘related them’ idea; so if you sell, say, outdoor gear, then you might host an event that teaches people how to camp in snowy weather,

What’s the Incentive?

Finally, you should ask yourself what incentive there is for your customer to be loyal. Why should they stick with you rather than go with a competitor? Going down this thought channel will help expose any weaknesses in your business, will show you where to focus your energies, and will drive you to create a better relationship with the clients who have made your business what it is.

Final Thoughts

In the age of hyper-competitiveness between customers, you need to do everything within your power to keep your customer’s on your side. By treating them well and making sure they know that they’re valued, you’ll be creating a mutually beneficial relationship that, with a bit of luck, will last many a year to come. Never forget that your loyal customers are the backbone of your business success!

5 Low-Tech Startup Ideas You Didn’t Know Are Popular

August 6, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Starting a business has never been easier, and you’re dying to take advantage. The problem is, you have the entrepreneurial spirit but lack the resources. It takes a lot of money to get a company off the ground and up and running. Without enough startup capital, the business is bound to slip into the red and close down. Quite simply, there is no point in taking the risk when the result is inevitable.

Well, it doesn’t have to be as long as the idea is on point. Yes, this is the technological era where “geniuses” are inventing revolutionary devices. Still, not everyone can be Steve Jobs. More importantly, not every customer wants a Jobs-like character to appear out of the blue. Whisper it quietly, but low-tech works. In fact, it’s incredibly effective when done correctly.

The key is to focus on a service which is popular, accessible, and somewhat niche. Below are five ideas that fit the brief. This isn’t an exhaustive list and you can add hundreds more to it, so start brainstorming.

Business Daycare Support

Daycare

Charging parents to take care of their kids isn’t reinventing the wheel. The model has existed for centuries and will continue to do so for another hundred years. However, there has never been a better time to be in charge of a daycare company thanks to the shift in society. At the moment, both men and women want careers, and moms aren’t expected to transform into a housewife. So, families need a quality, affordable service more now than ever before.

What you want to do is highlight your experience working with kids. Parents are nervous about leaving their children with strangers and need reassurances. Also, a criminal history check is a wise move to put their minds at ease. This should be mandatory for every employee when the business starts to expand.

Other than security issues, moms and dads rely on things such as flexibility and socializing. They need their kids to mix with other children, and they also want to be able to call on the service at different times throughout the week. An excellent way to deal with the latter is to center your business hours on a typical office job.

Errand Service

All it takes to run an errand is time, an able body, and a pinch or organization. If you have all three, then your to-do list will never escalate out of control. It doesn’t get as low-tech as doing the grocery shopping, so why is there is a market for it in 2018? With the internet, can’t everyone do it remotely anyway?

The answer is yes they can, but they may not want to due to a number of reasons. Most middle-aged men and women will be happy to use the World Wide Web to their advantage, yet the older generation won’t be as technologically savvy. They prefer to do it in person but can’t because of their health. This is where you come in, the guardian angel.

For a fee, you’ll take care of the day-to-day activities which they can’t do. As long as you’re trustworthy, the whole family will appreciate the service as they don’t have the time to look after them all of the time. Senior Errand Service has more. For those that want to branch out, you can advertise to people who are busy. For example, set up a dog-walking service during the day while they’re at the office.

Food Truck

Once you have an oven and a few tasty recipes, your dishes may be the talk of the town. After all, aspiring cooks have to start somewhere, and not everyone is lucky enough to work in a Michelin star restaurant in France. The biggest expense is the truck, but there are ones available for less than $15,000. If the business gets off the ground, you’ll a return on your investment in a blink of an eye.

The key is to stand out from the crowd through your recipes. Yes, everything should be delicious but it’s about the style of cooking too. People aren’t going to flock to a hot dog stand because there are thousands of them in a five-mile radius. Cuban cuisine, on the other hand, isn’t as ubiquitous. The fact that it’s exotic and different, as well as mouth-watering, should be enough to grab a customer’s attention.

A word of warning: obtain a license before trading. Otherwise, it’s illegal and you may get shut down and fined.

Workplace Food Truck

Knick-Knacks

Selling old things on eBay used to be fashionable about ten years’ ago. Nowadays, it’s not as cool because people want the latest in technology, and advertising t-shirts online don’t quite hit the mark. Still, there is room to make a living because of the rise in retail prices. Customers get tired of paying a premium for products and services and want to reduce the costs.

You can do this by promoting your old belongings online. As well as clothes, DVDs and video games are appealing to certain buyers. And, if you don’t have enough to fill demand, you can replicate them with Perfect Image Video. They also do CDs so that you can sell a wide range of retro stuff.

It’s wise to consider using eBay and Gumtree and Amazon as these platforms are already set up and ready to go. However, if you want a separate site for the business, be sure to use them still to raise awareness and gain exposure.

Apparel Alterations

We live in a throwaway culture. If a person buys something and doesn’t like it, they either throw it in the trash or send it back. Thanks to the internet, there are millions of returns every week. From a buyer’s point of view, it’s a waste of time and energy because they want their items to turn up without having to wait a lifetime.

An apparel alterations company can act as a middleman. Sure, they can send clothes back and go through the hassle, or they can get you to sew their garments for a small fee.

Don’t you think most people would rather wait fifteen minutes than three days?