The ideal promotion plan is one that results in clear steps you can put into action immediately. This means concentrating on just the practical, promotional aspects that will lead to results. The good news is that you can do it yourself. Identify your targets Identify the exact types of customers you want to sell to […]
Two examples of this effective technique show you how you can set up your own focus groups. The concept of focus groups simply involves gathering a few your target market customers together, and then putting a series of questions to them. It’s best to get an outside person to conduct this type of research, because […]
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Once your business is up and running, it’s important not to rest on your laurels. Successful business owners are always looking at ways they can grow their business and maximize their profits. We’ve put together a guide and checklist that can help you identify ways to get the most out of your business. 1. Grow […]
Accounting software is readily available at brick-and-mortar and online stores alike. As with any business decision, you’ll want to make sure to select accounting software that is a good fit for your business. Use these tips to choose the right accounting software for your operation. Assess your needs When shopping for software, it’s tempting to […]
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Growth has its risks but a well-designed strategy can deliver stability, security and long-term profits. When it comes to expansion, it’s not always necessary to borrow money. You’d be surprised how your own internal resources can be maximized to provide at least some of the cash you’ll need. An important step is assessing the current […]
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Both cross-selling and upselling can be useful methods for increasing your business’s sales. But there are also genuine benefits for your customers. They’ll appreciate being offered an item that either complements or adds value to their original purchase. The art of cross-selling Cross-selling is the art of convincing your customers to buy a complementary item […]
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If you’re looking impartially and unemotionally at the options ahead when starting your own business, you have to admit simply buying one already in operation is incredibly appealing. Not only do you get experienced staff and an existing customer base, you also get established premises, a well-known brand and a network of suppliers thrown into […]
Whether you’re thinking of starting a new business, considering adding new products, opening a new branch, or increasing the services you offer, it’s common sense to research your market to make sure there is sufficient support for your idea. There’s little point adding the latest top-of-the-range Jacuzzi to your product range, for example, if you’re […]
Here are some of the questions about starting a business that come up frequently. Q: I’m thinking about turning my hobby into a business. Do I have to form a corporation? A: No, you don’t have to form a corporation to start a business. There are four basic business structures: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and […]
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There are any number of reasons why you, as a small business owner, might need professional advice. From facing a new phase of development or growth, to specific business challenges such as operating at a loss, it’s important to know where to go for advice. For that reason, you should identify your best sources of […]
How can there be a profit if the year’s ended with no cash? It’s quite common for businesses to end the year with little or no cash, only to be told by their accountant that they made a profit and must now pay tax. The reason for this is that tax is decided on the […]
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You are probably drowning in well-intentioned advice and ‘helpful opinion’ from family and friends. However, good business advice spoken from commercial experience is another matter entirely. That’s not to say it’s hard to find, but discerning the wheat from the chaff in the Internet age is sometimes less than straightforward – especially if matters are […]
It’s easy to come up with a number of business ideas but to make sure your idea is viable and can be run at a profit, you’ll need to do quite a bit of market research. The good news is that doing your own market research is not as hard as it sounds. Here are […]
Anyone who has been through a major earthquake, flood, fire or other disaster can confirm that a lot more could have been done – and should have been done – to lessen the impact. Forethought is the key to recovery. Assessing the risks Meet with staff and advisers to start developing a recovery plan. Set […]
At some point in its lifetime, every small business suffers from cash flow problems. The trick is to think ahead and figure out when these problems are going to arise, so you don’t have to unexpectedly postpone a purchase or hurriedly seek out additional finance. This is where cash flow forecasts come in. To effectively […]
Sales and profit are two very different things – as a business owner, you can find yourself without the cash to pay bills despite making sales you knew were profitable. You may also be startled to discover that strong cash flows from sales deliver little profit. What exactly is cash flow? A cash flow forecast […]
What exactly is profit in a business? This article shows you how to avoid three common profit mistakes that can seriously affect the success of your business. 1. Sales are NOT profit The biggest beginner mistake is assuming that sales are profit. People new to business can easily confuse sales with profit, but there is […]
Gaining larger profits depends on accomplishing all the little things better – rather than making one huge change. You’ll need to focus on every little detail to reduce your expenses and increase your sales turnover over the coming 90 days. Decreasing your costs For most small businesses, the easiest way to increase profitability is to […]
It’s important to identify and monitor the key drivers of your small business to boost profitability and cash flow. Boost profitability by recognizing your key drivers Identifying the key drivers of your business is critical to boosting profitability. A key ‘driver’ is something that has a major impact on the performance of your specific business. […]
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Franchising can be an excellent way of growing your business rapidly and earning a good return. It can also be a pathway for ultimately exiting your business and leaving it in the capable hands of franchisees. Here, we’ll outline ten steps to successfully franchise your business with a view to leaving it behind at some […]
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