Utilizing Smart Phones For Business Marketing

Ever experienced going back home just because you left your mobile phone?

Life has never been easier since the advent of mobile phones. This is not only true for handling personal matters but also for business transactions. Executives can receive calls even though they are not at their office; marketing professionals can contact prospects; and procurement can conveniently communicate with suppliers. These were just some of the convenience brought by mobile phones.

As time goes by, technology advances. This just means more and more features that can be utilized to boost marketing efforts for your UK business.

As of Q1 2011, 48% of mobile phones in the UK are smartphones and sales are increasing too at an insane pace. It is not long before the smartphones will not only dominate traditional mobile phones but even make them obsolete.

What does this trend mean to businesses in UK?

It is very clear that marketing directed towards smartphones would definitely reach and penetrate our target market. The next question would be, "How can this be done?"

Here are some of current features of mobile phones and corresponding advantages for business marketing.

Traditional Call and Text

Since almost everyone if not all brings their mobile phones wherever they go, then the best way to reach someone is through his / her mobile phone. Telemarketing and SMS marketing would definitely be useful to reach mobile phones.

You can pro-actively market your business by either cold calling prospects or calling sales leads from marketing companies specializing in lead generation. If you opt for cold calling, you would need a marketing list or marketing database for your target market. There are marketing companies which also offer these databases at low prices.

On the other hand, you might prefer calling leads that are already pre-qualified, interested to know more about your product or service, or interested to avail your products right away. Lead generation companies can help you with sales leads that would suit your ideal target market.

SMS marketing is one cost effective option that can be utilized even by small businesses. At a very minimal cost you can let your market know about the existence of your business, promotional offers that you have, and have continued trade from existing customers. You can either do this in-house or have it outsourced to a marketing company. Doing this in-house would still require you to have marketing lists, SMS marketing system, and a set of personnels that would pull everything together. Another option is to have it outsourced and just sit back while the hot leads roll in from the SMS marketing campaign.

Internet Connectivity

This is one significant revolution in mobile phones. Your target market can now access your site anywhere they are. Features that used to be confined on computers are now literally available at the fingertip. It's just a click away from any smartphone. This just means that investing on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Email blast would now yield higher return of investment for the business.

In the a generation where almost everything could be found through search engines like Google, it is very important to have your business listed online and see to it that your website appears on top of your competitors'. This is where SEO comes in. With SEO, you could increase traffic to your website and therefore, making your presence known to those who are looking for your products or services.

On the other hand, why just wait for customers to look for you if you can initiate customer relation by regularly sending something through their email? With features nowadays which integrate email to smartphones, your emails would reach your target market faster and more effectively.

Generally speaking, one of the marketing strategies mentioned above can make a lot of difference for the growth and prosperity of your business but implementing them side-by-side would yield better results because their results reinforce each other.

There's also two (2) ways on how you can implement them. You may choose to gather all necessary resources and implement them on your own or have them done by businesses specializing in marketing. There is no clear answer to which would be a better choice. This would depend on the expertise of your personnel (both on marketing and management), financial limitations, and available resources.

Succeeding In Family Business: Tips To Remember

It may be hard to work and live with the same people. Your family members are usually the closest people to you in life. When you work with them, it often becomes hard to determine where to draw the lines. It is sometimes difficult to separate work from personal life and even more difficult when your personal life is involved with your work.

The most important thing to do would be to set boundaries. Keep work talk at work and home life at home. If you mix the two, it can often create animosity both in the home and in the office. If you're going to have to discuss business matters, at least save it for an appropriate time. A time should be set aside for specifically discussing business matters, (and not during dinner). Having meetings to discuss business issues is very important, but the setting does matter.

If your children will be joining a business that you have developed previously, it is important that they have experience working outside the family business first. This way, they will know what to expect from a professional (and non-related) work atmosphere. It's also important not to hire children, or any other family members for that matter, out of sympathy. Although you may be "doing them a favor," you still want to be sure they have the skill and experience to fulfill their role in the business. It would be even worse if you had to fire a family member due to lack of skill, wouldn't it?

Make sure that responsibilities and duties are clearly assigned to each employee in order to avoid overlap. Each person should have certain tasks they are responsible for so that, at the end of the day, no one can play the blame game. Clearly identify leaders as well as particular strengths and weaknesses of all employees. While various family members may be qualified for similar tasks, divvying up the duties should help to avoid conflicts. Big decisions should, of course, be made together. However, a debate over each little move made will begin to break apart the family.

Family businesses can be extremely successful if you operate them correctly. For example, Matt Siegal helped his father, Sanford, to expand his cookie business (Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet) into a retail operation. "I'm an eternal optimist; I think every new idea will work out great," says Matt. "Dad's more of a pessimist, or a realist, as he calls himself."

When Matt saw great potential for his father's small business to grow significantly by adding a retail division, he became immediately enthusiastic about the idea. "'Of course, Dad had to weigh the options carefully and consider any possible pitfalls,' says Matt, knowing his father would take the more cautious approach. In the end, after some due diligence, the elder Siegal agreed. Matt sold his software company, joined his parents in the cookie business, and the company took off." The cookies are now being sold at Walgreen's and GNC as well as through their website.

Family businesses can be a great idea and generate great profit. As long as everyone feels that they are contributing and being treated equally and with respect, things should run smoothly.

It's Shocking But True - Failure Can Be Good for Business - 7 Reasons Why

"Failure" - one of the most dreaded words in the English language, is for most not an option. Simply mentioning it as an option may sound foolish; even insane to a seasoned entrepreneur. Especially when it comes to business. Because - really - who wants to fail?

And when it comes to business failure, even simple ones, it's enough to stop many a biz owner cold. No re-thinking; no desire to regroup. Instead scrapping the questionable idea, product or service. Worried even a fully reorganized scenario might cause added financial problems, loss of clients and stature. That others may perceive them as poor decision makers, taking inappropriate risks. Someone to be avoided.

That said, it's important to come to terms with failure.
It's always an integral part of life. Something which cannot be avoided. Whether you're investing time or money in a product or service, deciding on a new car, additional education, hiring a new employee, the decision you make always has risk attached to it.

Unfortunately the psychology behind failed risk is such most will avoid it at all costs. There's no doubt it's hard to reorganize, go forward optimistically. Make the most of the resulting negativity. What can hamper you moving forward could also be your alternate bouts of anger and misery over the outcome. The ruminating over your decision making capabilities or lack thereof.

It's important to understand each failure brings with it invaluable lessons which can help an entrepreneur become more effective; to better achieve their goals. It's no secret the most successful entrepreneurs embrace it. Think about the huge risks entrepreneurs like Jobs, Gates, Buffet, film makers Spielberg and Lucas have taken. They've frequently failed miserably. Yet gathered themselves up and started again. Eventually thriving and prospering.

Further, if you've clearly thought out the risks, and understand the payoffs of those risks you're about to take - like they did - you have a greater chance of overcoming them. Rewarded once the goals you've planned for arrive.

How can failure be good for a business?

1. When it stops you from heading in a direction likely to bring financial loss.
2. Provides ideas you can tweak to better reach your goals.
3. Brings new investors and joint venture opportunities.
4. Presents visions for expansion, sales increases, new products or services.
5. Introduces viable models for revamping your business; bringing greater profits.
6. Shows you how to re-evaluate and move beyond a current problem.
7. Points you in the direction of the help or expertise you need.

Bear in mind what entrepreneur and author Ralph Heath says in his book "Celebrating Failure: The Power of Taking Risks, Making Mistakes and Thinking Big" - "Take action, move forward with your thoughts and ideas to accomplish something, instead of waiting for something - or nothing - to happen".

And remember, every failure brings with it seeds for success. But only if you first consider what happened, why it may have happened and what resulted. Only then will the failure provide you with practical, tangible business ideas. Along with methods for effectively dealing with the setback. And while failure can be ugly, never discount your own experience, and ability, to take up the gauntlet and advance once again.

Finding Cheap Ink for Your Business

Savings costs in these hard economic times seem to be imperative for most businesses. Finding cheap ink for your business will obviously result in huge cost savings. However, the printer ink market is very tricky. If it is not the astronomical prices of manufacturer's ink, then it maybe the low-quality third party ink. The perplexing thing is that while the inkjet printer is cheap, the prices of ink are very high. A user may thus be tempted to think that buying a new printer, which comes with free ink, would be a cheaper option. However, this would be wasteful. The truth is that you can save a lot of money by investing in cheap ink.

With the unsurpassed riches of information and products in the internet, you can be sure to find good quality and cheap ink. Buying online will not only allow you to compare the multiplicity of cheap ink vendors in the market, but you will also be able to read customer reviews. Make sure you compare ink prices and deal with authentic dealers. Even when buying cheap ink for your printer cartridges, quality will be of utmost importance.

The original equipment manufacturer's ink is very expensive. A major argument is that the manufacturer sells the printers at comparatively low prices, and then tries to offset the costs by selling the ink expensively. The only way to buy ink cheaply from the manufacturer would be in a sale or by using coupons. You can either get the coupons online, or while on the brick-and-mortar store.

However, the truth is that when buying the manufacturer's ink, you are just buying the brand name. If you want to save on ink for your printer cartridges, then you should opt for compatible cartridges. Compatible cartridges offer the same quality but at low prices. When buying cartridges, it is advisable to buy them in a value pack. This is because buying them in packs will cost much less than when buying the cartridge as a single unit.

Another alternative would be to invest in a refill kit or remanufactured cartridges. However, this will require you to follow the refill instructions to the letter in order for it to be successful. If you cannot find compatible cartridges, then you can invest in remanufactured cartridges. These cartridges have been previously used. They present a cheaper option, with good quality.

Even after buying the ink, it is imperative to use the ink wisely. For example, if the printer allows you to adjust its resolution, then it will be wise to lower it to about 300 dpi. This slows down the rate at which the printer uses ink, while at the same time giving a quality print. You will also need to use the preview option before printing. This helps to avoid unnecessary prints. It is also necessary to invest in a printer with lower ink costs. Finally, to save on costs, it is advisable to really reflect on whether you really need what you are about to print. You will be surprised at how much you can save from on ink costs.

Aligning Interests for Best Results

Brent's dream of having his website show up on the first page of Google search results was finally realized. The problem was that although this sounded like the ticket to big sales, his results were a disappointment. Why were his results so much less than expected? There were two causes, one was technical, the second was much more fundamental - misaligned interests. When your vendor's interests are not well aligned with yours, the results will always be disappointing. This is a fairly common dilemma that most business owners find themselves in and often they don't know what the root problem is or how to fix it.

The alignment of interests between your business and those who serve you is essential for the success of that business relationship. When there are conflicting interests, the results predictably end in disappointment.

Performance based pricing

In Brent's situation, his SEO specialists offered what seemed like a win-win pricing strategy. Performance based pricing. The problem with this was that the outcome that Brent was most interested in was increasing sales. High search engine ranking was just a means to that end. The specialists' interests were in achieving as many high rankings as possible, thus raising their level of compensation. In other words, the specialist would be content to achieve first page Google ranking on a lot of easy, low-competition, low traffic keywords. If you're in Brent's situation, find out what the average length of time your specialist keeps a client. This answer gives a lot of insight into whether your vendor defines success by long-term relationships.

Focus on aligning the outcomes that matter most

In Brent's situation, his primary goal is to increase sales. His secondary goal is to have a trusted partner that can take care of the search engine optimization process that is needed to increase traffic and sales online. He doesn't want to have to look for a new "trusted partner" every few months. The right specialist will be looking for a long-term relationship with their clients. Relationships don't last long-term unless both parties are getting their needs met. In other words a long-term relationship with a client is only possible for an SEO specialist if they are producing not just high rankings, but high rankings that result in increased sales for their clients. By aligning with a partner who values the same thing - a long term relationship that is built on results that are delivered, both parties win.

The alignment of interests in any relationship is critical for long term success. Aligning interests is essentially about making sure that each party achieves a win, not at the expense of the other, but with the help of the other. Think teamwork. The key to aligning interests is to make sure there is a connection between the outcomes that matter most for both parties. In other words, "are you working toward the same goals?"

Charles Ogwyn is passionate about helping small business owners grow through the power of the Internet. By combining his marketing background with his years of experience building and working with websites, he delivers the missing pieces of the puzzle that result in a business owner's dream come true.

Important Tips for Dealing With Commercial Property

Entering the commercial real estate market is not the same as buying residential property. If you are considering getting into buying commercial properties, you must first become educated on the unique 'ins and outs' of the commercial market. Having a reputable commercial realtor can also be quite helpful during this process.

If you have no previous knowledge or experience with commercial real estate, the first thing you need to do is research as much as you can online by visiting various websites on this topic. The more you become educated on the process beforehand, the better you will be able to avoid the pitfalls that others have fallen into.

Once you've read as much as you can and are confident you have a pretty good understanding of what you're getting into, the next step is to find a top commercial real estate agent. There are fewer agents that deal specifically in commercial property, so you may need to ask around a bit to find one in your area that you believe is trustworthy and can help you accomplish your goals. Remember, the commercial realtor you choose is the one who will be analyzing properties and doing all the negotiating for you, so it's best to choose wisely.

Now, before you start looking for your first investment property, decide what exactly you want. Sit down with your realtor and go over all aspects of your ideal property. For example, do you want apartment buildings? Commercial office space? An industrial park? What type of property are you looking to invest in? How big do you want it to be? How much are you willing to pay for what you want? And perhaps most importantly, what type of return on investment are you looking to make?

Once you've spent ample time going over everything with your commercial real estate broker, he/she will take your requirements and match them up against what's available in your area. Speaking of areas, you may also want to decide whether or not you are open to buying out of town property. If you are willing to consider investing in other areas, this may open up your options even further.

Once the property search is complete, the realtor will come back to you with hopefully at least a handful of properties that match the vast majority of your requirements. This is where it gets fun. Now that you have your list, it's time to start looking them over and narrowing them down. After much deliberation and sometimes several weeks, you should have settled on the property you want to go after.

Now this is the time that your commercial real estate broker will really earn his/her commission, during the negotiation phase. It is important that he/she knows your bottom line price and what you're willing to pay. It's also important that they know some of the tricks of successful negotiating, like letting the seller's agent know that you are considering several properties (even if that is not the case).

With the right property that fits all your requirements and is likely to help you achieve your investing goals and the right realtor negotiating on your behalf, you have a very good chance of making your first commercial real estate transaction a successful one.

Conveyor Systems: Asking The Right Questions Before You Invest

When your business is ready to invest in a conveyor system in order to improve your company's efficiency and increase its material handling capabilities, it's imperative that you choose a solution that will work flawlessly with your product, locale and budget while offering improved service for your customers and improved ROI for your business. Asking the right questions when you're looking for conveyor systems can save you both time and money. The questions below are a great way narrow down your choices to a few of the best material handling systems providers, simplifying your decision.

Are They Well Established?

Regardless of how long a company has been in business, if it doesn't do work for any businesses you recognize, it may not be a good fit. Look for one that has a track record of providing excellent solutions in a variety of industries. Most will provide a list of past customers and some will even list the most recognizable names on their website to give potential clients an idea of their flexibility, scalability and reputation. If the systems integration company you're considering can't give you a list of satisfied past customers, you may want to move one.

Can They Provide Referrals From Satisfied Conveyor Systems Customers?

Again, you can usually check out each company's website for referrals or testimonials from satisfied customers. Read through several of these mini reviews; some may address specific concerns you have so that you can move forward with confidence. If you don't find any testimonials on their site, simply call and ask for a list of clients they've worked for. You can make a few phone calls and quickly find out whether those clients are satisfied with the quality of their conveyor systems.

Do They Have Partnerships With Internal And Outside Suppliers?
This is really a two part question. First, ask about their partnerships with their internal suppliers. Do they get their machine parts, conveyor belts and other materials from quality manufacturers, or are they cutting corners on quality? Second, find out what kinds of strategic partnerships they've established with outside suppliers who may be able to fulfill your company's other needs at a reduced cost.

Do They Offer Trouble-Shooting, Maintenance Or Follow-Up?

You should be able to work with the same project manager from the initial consultation about your material handling systems needs through the completion of the project and beyond. If your system goes offline or breaks down, your systems integration provider should offer customized service and support to get you up and running quickly. Preventative maintenance programs should also be an option; these can save you considerable time and money while ensuring that you'll always be able to provide your customers with timely product delivery. Finally, ask whether they have a twenty-four hour hotline or emergency help desk. Backing up their solutions with emergency response means they'll always be available when you need them.

Investigating this list of questions can save you time and trouble in the future. Be sure you know what to ask before investing in conveyor systems for your business.