Author: Elise

4 min read →

Investing

The pros and cons of online trading

Elise

February 2, 2018 7:46 pm February 2, 2018

4 min read

8099 views

Comments Off

4 min read →

“Online trading is on the rise!” a senior financial analyst from Wilkins Finance confirms.Every day there are new investors emerging and taking over the stock market. The competition is intensifying and so is the likely hood of various kinds’ of threats. The online stock trading emanates with benefits and as well as jeopardies. Some of the pros of online trading are as follow:

The stock markets are open 24/7

This gives the opportunity to the investor to work in their convenient hours. Yes, you can work at home at any time whenever you feel like. Online trading can be done as a part-time job with day-today routines not being affected.

Online trading platforms

The brokerage firms provide a secure online trading platform to the investors, which mean that the investors do not have to worry about being scammed and their money will not be taken away. A secure connection is established between the investor and the firm which benefits each other.

Speedy transactions

With online trading, you can speedily carry out your transactions with the high internet speed available. Latest updates on stock can be viewed in a matter of seconds. Also, online trading firms offer investors an imposing set of tools providing valued information and helping to elevate the trades.

Real-time progress

The online sites provide real-time investment progress to the investor. Minute to minute changes in the market can be viewed. For example, companies such as Scottrade, offer investors access to streaming data. Investors get real-time quotes and also stock market news.

Beware of scams

However, there are negative aspects of online trading as well. New investors fall in a scam of fraudulent investment. They invest money through a brokerage firm. The firms first build their client’s trust by providing them incentives and profits but then unexpectedly they disappear from the market world. They are no longer there. The investors lose huge amounts of money. Hence a well-known, established brokerage firm needs to be contacted for investment.

Loss of funds

As the trade can be done in a matter of seconds by clicking a single button, many investors get hyped, they do not think much about the trade, and they are rushing to trade in eagerness without thinking upon it and ending up losing lots of funds.

Trading can become addictive

Online stock trading can be an addictive behavior. People invest in the trade and they, for example, get profit once. They will have positive reinforcement and associate trading with more money. For money, they will keep on trading more and more hoping to maximize their profits even though they might be in turn losing money. They may end up bankrupt due to this negative behavior. According to studies, this behavior is similar to gambling and is addictive.

Computerized trading

The online trading is carried out by the use of internet. If the internet connection is slow and a trade is made, but it processes slow. The rate might get changed in seconds and the investor’s money can get invested in something they didn’t opt for. The time lag can alter the losses and gains from a trade. Similarly, slow computer or hardware problem can occur which can show that the trade wasn’t completed making the investor trade again. The investor ends up capitalizing twice as much as they intended to do so. Make sure you know how to authenticate trades and review statements beforehand using an online investing system.

Trading news and updates

The service provider needs to provide the latest news of the market. If old news is presented, the investor might end up investing in a trade from history which will take a lot of time to process. The rate of the trade also might have fluctuated. In return, you will get something you have least expected from the trade. So real-time updates and stock quotes are needed for active trading.

Hence, it can be concluded that the pros of online stock trading outweigh the cons of online stock trading in a number of ways, as long as you have the knowledge about trading, since online trading can be a source of good income for people who can utilize their financial skills to operate in the market substantially.

Comments Off

3 min read →

Business Opportunities

Considerations When Designing Your Trade Show Booth

Elise

December 13, 2017 10:58 pm December 13, 2017

3 min read

4891 views

Comments Off

3 min read →

I have always considered trade shows to be one of the best ways to promote my business and showcase our new and exciting products. Over the years I have had…

I have always considered trade shows to be one of the best ways to promote my business and showcase our new and exciting products. Over the years I have had some great success at trade shows and throughout that time I have learned the best and worst ways to go about business, and how we can best attract an audience, and most importantly, sell our business, and our products.

One of the most important aspects of the trade show experience, and how you can really push for success, is the display booth which you decide upon. I must be honest, in the past I never really saw much value in spending money on a custom designed trade booth, and I used to use a stock display, white, and pretty lifeless. I bought a custom made display at ExpoMarketing after some friends suggested that I did, and the next trade show went amazingly well, convincing me of the power which the display can have. In terms of designing your display, there are some key considerations which you need to make, and from experience, here are my suggestions.

Colours

The common theme which runs throughout this design process is that the display which you decide upon should reflect your brand. Colours are key to this as it is the colours, as well as the logos of your business which people will remember and in terms of brand growth, these are the small details which you should be focussed on. Your display’s colours should represent those of your business and your products.

Space

A large display is only beneficial if you are able to fill it with quality, empty spaces are not appealing and large displays are not going to make you stand out any more than something smaller. The key to your display’s size is that it is functional and fit for purpose, that it gives visitors space to view the product without feeling claustrophobic and that it is sizeable enough of you to deal with customers and sales, separately from the people who are viewing your products.

Bells and Whistles

I have seen all manner of different displays throughout the years and what I have found is that those who want to add all kinds of lights, moving parts or ostentatious designs to their booths, are those who sell less. Firstly this is because if you decorate a display in such an eye-catching way, you need to be able to back this up with the quality of your products, in most instances, this is not the case. The second reason to avoid this is that it smacks of desperation and doesn’t give the message of a business who is taking things seriously. The example I would give here is Apple, think about their stores, clean, bright, spacious, fresh and simple product presentation at its fines. The reason that Apple do this is because their products are so good, if your products are great, just get them out there, without the necessary bells and whistles.

Comments Off

3 min read →

Business Opportunities

Build an Empire From Scratch With a New E-Commerce Website

Elise

December 12, 2017 4:57 pm December 12, 2017

3 min read

4390 views

Comments Off

3 min read →

If you’re serious about going into business for yourself, it pays to think big. Why settle for being second best when you can slowly but surely build a brand that…

If you’re serious about going into business for yourself, it pays to think big. Why settle for being second best when you can slowly but surely build a brand that will one day dominate the entire industry? It all begins with a website that you can establish your brand with. As your business begins to grow, the strength of your personal brand will likewise increase. You can sweeten the deal for yourself by buying first class ecommerce web hosting services from a reputable provider. This will be the cornerstone of your initial brand building campaign.

When It Comes to Thinking Big, Why Not Also Think Outside the Box?

There are many ways of hastening the success of your business. One of the best ways to do so is to think well outside the box. It’s one thing to study what your competitors do in hopes of replicating some of their success. But it’s a whole other thing to be able to think a step or two ahead of them. You might consider thinking of what their next move may be, then adopting it yourself before they do. In any case, your main priority will be not only to outsell them, but also to out-think them. You can reach this goal by adopting a proactive online strategy for your new business.

State of the Art Web Hosting Services Are a Must for Your Business

The best way to quickly establish a strong international brand is to reach your customers in the place where they are most likely to shop. In the 21st century, this means the world wide web. Hundreds of millions of people shop on the web each day. A strong SEO campaign will reach these people and bring them to your site. In order to keep their interest – and their loyalty as customers – you will need to have a fully equipped modern e-commerce website in place. This is the means by which you will be able to expand your brand as well as your profit margin.

A Strong SEO Strategy Begins With a Top Notch E-Commerce Website

Your first online advertising campaign will have the purpose of establishing your brand in the strongest measure possible. You will not only need to advertise your business but also your official company website. To make the most of this opportunity, the site you send interested customers to needs to be ready to receive their business. Your site will need to feature all of the expected e-commerce features, such as a web store and shopping cart, in order to impress them as worthy of their consideration. This is one area in which you cannot afford to cut corners or skimp on quality.

The Time Is Now to Secure Your Official Website For Your New Business

When it comes to gathering all the materials you will need to conquer the world of business, there is no time to lose. You already have a good idea of what you will need to get started. Combine this with a well thought out strategy for establishing your brand and you have everything you need. It just remains for you to pull the trigger and fully commit yourself. Securing your domain name is the beginning of a whole new career.

Comments Off

3 min read →

Business Pages Business Strategy

Audiovisual Mounting Solutions – A Luxury or a Necessity in the Workplace?

Elise

December 12, 2017 7:23 am December 12, 2017

3 min read

4601 views

Comments Off

3 min read →

In this modern day and age where having current-generation technology is an indispensable part of any industry, you will rarely come across an office environment lacking in this department. Not…

In this modern day and age where having current-generation technology is an indispensable part of any industry, you will rarely come across an office environment lacking in this department. Not only do high-definition television sets and various other similar devices provide a means to enhance productivity for employees, but they also help generate and impose an air of professionalism to guests and visitors. Needless to say, audiovisual equipment can do wonders for a business in both form and function. But what about a proper mounting solution?

Advantages of pairing your device with the right mounting solution

The first notable advantage of investing in a proper mounting solution to be paired with your audiovisual equipment is aesthetics. Certain areas or rooms in an office space can benefit from a TV mount for instance to make not just everything more pleasing to the eye but make everything much more efficient and ergonomic. In fact, some may even opt to purchase cheaper alternatives to branded devices and still achieve the same presence of luxury without overspending.

Form and function are two positive effects that it yields but another benefit is the flexibility of having the proper mounting solution. Some television stands can allow for motorised movement and mobility, literally diminishing the heavy-lifting involved in setting up the respective device. Relocation of the audiovisual equipment becomes a breeze too, and they won’t necessarily have to be limited to a single area. The savings in avoiding buying multiple devices cannot be understated.

Flexibility in design options and price

A wide range of design options and reasonable prices make the task of finding and choosing the right audiovisual mounting equipment a breeze. You don’t necessarily need to invest an entire day looking for what suits the device or the office. A few minutes online is all that it requires, and you won’t be hard-pressed to find exactly what you need at a cost that you’re comfortable with. With all of the advantages that it boasts, it is sure to be well worth your time and money. One thing to keep in mind is to ensure that the dimensions of the device precisely match the appropriate mounting solution to avoid any issues and complications.

Having the appropriate mounting solution for your audiovisual equipment is more of a necessity than it is a luxury. While they aren’t extremely cheap, they’re reasonable enough to warrant purchase. With all of their functional advantages as well as the aesthetic benefits that are sure to impress anyone, it can be tough to think of anything else that can give you more bang for your buck in the office. It’s a smart and long-term investment that will undoubtedly serve its purpose long after the audiovisual equipment has reached the end of its life cycle.

Image: pixabay.com

Comments Off

3 min read →

Business Strategy

3 Important Things to Consider Making Your Business Plan for Year 2018

Elise

November 30, 2017 11:21 pm November 30, 2017

3 min read

5308 views

Comments Off

3 min read →

As the curtains begin to close on 2017, your business sights should be set on the road ahead; the new year. A successful plan usually begins with early preparation. What…

As the curtains begin to close on 2017, your business sights should be set on the road ahead; the new year. A successful plan usually begins with early preparation.

What goals were you unable to achieve? Can you implement business strategies for the same outcome in the new year? What new lessons or perceived trends can take your company to the next level?

This post provides meaningful tips for SMBs to start off on the right step come 2018.

A case for service excellence

To stay competitive, small businesses must transform themselves by leveraging the ever-changing technologies of our current landscape. It is essential, not only for competitive edge, but in contributing to the growth of the overall economy. Your business doesn’t have to be a big to make an impact in its community.

According to a survey by Small Business Administration (SBA), SMBs were responsible for 63% of net new jobs between 1993 and 2013. That said, you can set 2018 as the year your growing business breaks ground in its niche.

Things to consider;

Integrate your online and offline customer service

In the current business landscape, you can’t afford to exist in only one channel. Whether you run an online store or manage a brick and mortar company, your presence must be felt everywhere. Build formidable online and offline customer service experience for our clients.

Consider the UK food delivery industry, they have effectively integrated both online and offline channels to serve consumers. In 2017, it was revealed that 46% of users call the restaurant directly, while 36% place their orders online. By merging your channels together, your business can maximise the best of both worlds.

Experiential is the way forward

In a world where good communications influence successful business outcomes, strategies that appeal to most human senses will dominate the market. Experiential marketing communicates with our sense of touch, sight, smell, sound and even taste to create strong brand relationships.

According to Event Marketing Institute, 74% of consumers develop a positive impression about a business after a brand-driven experience or an inspirational event. Setting up more experiential campaigns should form a major part of your business’ communications in 2018.

Give younger staff more leadership opportunities

Millennials make up for more than 30% of retail shopping revenue alone. This percentage is significant; if you want to capture this market, you must speak directly to them. Already, millennials are filling the workforce space, and it is an opportunity for savvy businesses.

By hiring and giving millennial workers more potent roles, your business can target the market more effectively. While this applies more to specific industries like retail, travel, tech and media, their hunger and drive can also be used to dominate in other professional sectors.

Success in business means forging ahead; never taking your eyes off the price. By adding these suggestions to your business plans for the new year, you can grow and beat the competition.

Comments Off

3 min read →

Business Strategy

Why Building Customer Loyalty is a MUST for Small Business Retail Enterprise

Elise

October 2, 2017 9:39 pm October 2, 2017

3 min read

5052 views

Comments Off

3 min read →

Building a small business is no small task. You are required to juggle a lot of tasks and activities. You will define the strategy, execute the strategy, evaluate the business,…

Building a small business is no small task. You are required to juggle a lot of tasks and activities. You will define the strategy, execute the strategy, evaluate the business, manage the business, do the financial accounting and do every other job you simply can’t afford to outsource. And to top that up, you must build customer loyalty. This is as important as any other business activity you carry out. The PR Newswire estimates that by 2020, the customer loyalty market would be worth 4.0 billion USD. If you think that is too much, think again.

Loyal Customers are the most Important

Research has shown that loyal customers buy more than new customers. A customer who feels a connection with your brand is more likely to purchase more products than a would-be customer. The Gartner Group estimates that 20% of your loyal clients contribute about 80% of your earnings. They will have more willingness to try new products and services from your business than others.

Loyal Customers are cheap to sell to

The average cost to sell to an existing customer is far less than the cost to sell to a new one. An existing customer would be more willing and able than other customers to find a solution to their problem from your self-service portal instead of calling you and requesting personal service. Since they are more knowledgeable about your business, they make it easier to be served, and you know, easier is usually cheaper. Also, they do not require marketing because they already know your brand. It is a win-win to have loyal customers.

Loyal Customers sell for you

When customers like a product or service they tell others. If they are loyal, they tell even more people. For instance, your loyal customers are those who would refer their connections to you when they want the particular service you’re providing. This would also help reduce your marketing cost because you have unofficial and unpaid brand ambassadors. TechOneStop suggests that a satisfied customer shares a good experience with 9 other people. They also say that a dissatisfied customer tells 22 people, so you have to ensure that every customer leaves satisfied.

Loyal Customers eliminate your competition

This Marketing Mentor post explains that loyal customers are less likely to stray towards the competition, as if they are completely happy with you a competitor simply won’t appeal. When customers believe that they get good value for their money from you, they don’t think of going elsewhere. This eliminates the risk of losing customers to your competition.

Once you’ve managed to sort the internal aspects of your business like shop protection, you can finally make the effort to improving customer loyalty. You should know it is directly connected to keeping you in business. It also doubles up as customer engagement which creates a positive connection with the customer.

They are more likely to give useful feedback and suggestions which ultimately help the business. An engaged customer is a gift to your business. You are lucky to have them and not the other way round. So, develop good customer loyalty and see your business grow in leaps and bounds.

Comments Off

2 min read →

Featured

How Your Ancestors of the Past Can Influence Your Future

Elise

September 29, 2017 7:38 pm September 29, 2017

2 min read

4645 views

Comments Off

2 min read →

Did you ever think that your search for a long-lost relative could develop skills that could lead to a job offer? Researching your personal ancestry can improve your attractiveness to…

Did you ever think that your search for a long-lost relative could develop skills that could lead to a job offer? Researching your personal ancestry can improve your attractiveness to prospective employers who need a person with the doggedness to follow leads, comb through old files and newspaper articles, track down relatives and create a database of information that’s searchable. Your efforts may impress a prospective employer by demonstrating your ability to collect, sort and manage information compiled over the years. Doing the research can enable you to demonstrate a talent or skill for handling specific details that lead to heretofore unknown facts and historical information.

To the prospective employer or supervisor, any person who shows enough interest to delve into the family history and produce reams of results after sifting through records using Ancestry.com may be someone who is willing to invest personal time and energy to do substantial research. And most employers are absolutely delighted to find candidates who are willing to spend their own time to research subjects and questions they find of interest. Candidates who shows that initiative are persons who are noticed and remembered by managers who think such characteristics can be refined and enhanced to perform high caliber work on the job. Employers also like to see workers who willingly invest their own money to help get a project done. It makes sense to buy a DNA kit from Ancestry.com with a Groupon that reduces the price by $10. Think of all the information it can unlock.

The information gathered in your ancestry research can also assist your employment hunt by helping you learn skills and procedures that can be useful for performing your work. You are also exposed to various research sites and sources of information that you can use for other purposes that can help you perform key work activities. For example, detailed historical or legal information you’ve used in the past from a little known source or database might be useful when researching information on dealing with recording changes in costs of living. It’s just one way your ancestors can help direct your future endeavors.

Comments Off

3 min read →

Business Strategy

Why Your Business Must Not Overlook Instagram

Elise

September 28, 2017 7:56 pm September 28, 2017

3 min read

4763 views

Comments Off

3 min read →

It is a well-known fact that for any business to truly succeed in today’s world, they must have a strong online profile. The internet is very much the new high…

It is a well-known fact that for any business to truly succeed in today’s world, they must have a strong online profile. The internet is very much the new high street and each year sees more and more consumers hitting the internet to purchase items compared with those who are visiting physical shops. The internet is not only the place where you sell, it is also the place where you can grow your business and your brand.

One such area of your online profile should feature social media and whilst many businesses are highly active on Facebook, they must not overlook the importance of Instagram, and here is why.

Second Best

Facebook is the most used of all of the social media channels and their sister site Instagram is not far behind in second place. A recent study by comScore, internet users in the US alone send just short of 12 billion minutes on Instagram each month, can you really afford to miss out on such a large market?

Purely Visual

We live in a world where content is incredibly disposable and external links and written content can be easy to ignore. Instagram, however, is purely visual and the real Instagram followers that you have i.e. those who are regularly active will be able to only see visual content from your business which means that your message will land in a better way than through links and writing.

High Average Orders

According to Shopify, the average Instagram referral order sits at $65 higher than almost all of its social media counterparts. This means that Instagram users are ready to spend on the things that impress them and if you are offering online sales, this is a tool that you need to be making the most of.

No Filter

Facebook recently began to alter their algorithm so that the news feeds of its users would show things that it considered to be the most relevant. Once the social media channel began doing this, many businesses lost great traction in terms of their organic reach, forcing many of them to pay Facebook for what they had lost by way of ads. Instagram, however, does not do this and you can guarantee that if your Instagram follower is online with regularity, they will see what you are trying to promote.

Mobile Ready

Instagram is very much designed for mobile users and you can see evidence of this in the fact that you are still unable to post things from their desktop site. This is great news for businesses as mobile sales are growing rapidly year on year. As smartphones and other mobile technologies advance, they are in some cases replacing the tasks that we used to do on our desktop and for that reason, mobile-specific sites such as Instagram are the perfect places for you to push your business.

If you are not on Instagram yet, it is time that you were.

Comments Off

3 min read →

Tech

Don’t get caught out whilst driving

Elise

September 26, 2017 8:57 am September 26, 2017

3 min read

4176 views

Comments Off

3 min read →

There is nothing worse than being blamed for an accident that you know was not your fault. If this has happened to you, or even if it hasn’t, as potentially…

There is nothing worse than being blamed for an accident that you know was not your fault. If this has happened to you, or even if it hasn’t, as potentially it could, then consider purchasing a camera for your vehicle that constantly records your every driving move, giving you great peace of mind.

Ensuring you have an irrefutable, independent witness in the event of an accident via your camera is not the only benefit from installing one in your vehicle. Licence plate camera installation can result in your car insurance firm significantly reducing your insurance costs and it is a measure applauded by the police, as they often use captured film footage to prosecute traffic violations. Another benefit is with regard to ‘Crash for Cash’ incidents which sadly, are on the increase and film footage can lead to the prosecution of the perpetrators and also means that you do not get penalised by your insurance company, for something that was outside your control.

Which camera to pick is a decision that many find difficult to resolve, as there are so many different ones to choose from. Some cameras record with accuracy, whilst some do not produce images with such clarity. As long as the images are of an acceptable quality, which the majority are, most will suffice. Greater picture clarity, usually equates to a higher cost and obviously budget issues will dictate which range of cameras can be afforded by each individual. There is a vast price range available, from relatively cheap versions to exceedingly high costing models.

Cost and picture quality are not the only issues to consider when purchasing your camera. The color of film used needs to be thought about. Color versions tend to be more expensive than the black and white models and it needs to be noted, that when it comes to using film footage to prove a claim or to prosecute, it does not affect its viability as evidence. Larger monitors are some peoples choice, while others prefer to opt for smaller ones. It is just down to personal preference as it does not affect the performance of the camera in any way.

Installing your camera should be a fairly simple operation and again there is choice with regard to how your device is fixed into your car. Cameras can be directly mounted onto the dashboard, suspended with velcro ties from the rear-view mirror or directly appended to the windscreen using strong suction cups. When placing the camera, care must be taken to ensure that the location of the camera in no way impedes the view of the driver and that the view of the camera incorporates the road directly ahead.

While the use of cameras is perfectly legal, if you decide to have the sound option of the camera on, as a measure of courtesy, you should make any passengers aware that their conversations could potentially be captured on tape and give them the option of asking you to turn the sound facility off whilst they travel in your vehicle.

Comments Off

3 min read →

Marketing

Great Examples of Conceptual Selling

Elise

September 21, 2017 7:27 pm September 21, 2017

3 min read

13363 views

Comments Off

3 min read →

(Image Credit: 123RF.com / dolgachov) The first thing to understand about concept selling is that consumers don’t really approach a transaction looking to buy a product or service. People spend…

(Image Credit: 123RF.com / dolgachov)

The first thing to understand about concept selling is that consumers don’t really approach a transaction looking to buy a product or service. People spend money to purchase something that they think will benefit them in some way. The most successful sales people understand what the prospect hopes to accomplish with the product or service and knows exactly how to tie what he or she is selling with a solution to the customer’s problem. Using a conceptual selling approach offers numerous benefits, including:

Allows the sales representative to get to know the customer at a deeper level and focus on achieving results
Draws attention away from pricing to deter the customer from going to a lower-priced competitor
Offers a way to stand out from the competition
Makes it easier for sales professionals to determine early on which customers will bring in the most revenue while costing the least to nurture

Conceptual Selling in Action

For the sake of example, assume that a car dealership just sold a new car. That’s always exiting, but salespeople often neglect to look at the big picture. A new car replaces an old one that no longer works efficiently. This is a straight product sell, which only looks at the immediate need.

A car salesperson who incorporates conceptual selling will help the prospect visualize future automotive needs as well. He or she asks the prospect to consider ongoing transportation needs and the best ways to meet them. In this example, the sales representative would ask the prospect to think about potential future problems with the car and how he or she will meet them when the need arises. This gets the prospect thinking beyond the moment and establishes an early long-term relationship between sales representative and client.

Steps Involved in Using a Conceptual Sales Approach

The first step in any sales process is gathering information from the client<. The sales representative should ask detailed questions to qualify the prospect, such as more information about their company’s problem areas. This helps to develop trust and learn more about how the prospect handles major decisions. It also sets up the selling organization as a credible one.

Moving on, the salesperson should now focus on answering the prospect’s questions and providing detailed information about the product or service. This is another important area where it’s important for the presenter to separate his or her company’s products and services from those offered by the competition. It’s time to capitalize on known strengths to generate excitement and trust with the customer.

After making a sales presentation, the last step is to obtain a commitment from the prospect. If the person can’t provide one, it means that he or she feels the sales representative presented a losing proposition. The prospect couldn’t visualize the benefits from it, regardless of cost. To win a customer, it’s important to keep expectations realistic and listen to his or her needs and objections. If it doesn’t appear to be a good fit by the end of the presentation, a smart salesperson will walk away from the deal rather than continue to pour time and resources into a prospect unwilling to commit.

Comments Off