16
Dec

The Complete Guide to SWOT Analysis

Creating a SWOT analysis marks a huge milestone in launching a business.

Having it done gives you a full overview of your business idea, what will work, what elements need improving and what you should look out for.

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16
Oct

5 Steps to Defining Your Small Business’s Brand

Branding is a big buzzword these days, but is it relevant to your small business? The answer is a resounding yes! Small business branding is actually the key to your success. The truth is, you have a brand from the moment you go into business. The question is whether it’s the brand you want. You are always presenting yourself to clients in a particular way and they are busy perceiving you. Follow these guidelines on how to brand your small business effectively.

1. Do Some Serious Soul-Searching

This is the time to get out your journal, go sit at a coffee shop and ask yourself the hard questions. Your business needs a clear identity and mission. Specifically, you need to be able to give detailed answers to the following questions:

  • Who are you as a business?
  • Why is your business here?
  • Where is your business going?

2. Create a Logo

Now that you have clarified your company’s identity, how will you visually present that to the world? This can seem like a simple step, but resist the urge to slap something together with ClipArt. Your logo is your identity in shorthand and you will have it for a while. Take the time to create something that embodies your company.

3. Mold Your Business to Fit Your Brand

Go back and look at what you wrote in your journal at the coffee shop. Hopefully you’ve got several pages of detailed material. Now is the time to distill it into a nugget, also known as a mission statement. Distill that even further to a tag for your website and all company materials. Assess all aspects of your business and create an action plan to bring them into line with your branding. This includes:

  • Uniformity of all print and web materials
  • Employee appearance
  • Verbiage used in communications with clients

4. Create Your Online Presence

The internet is a powerful tool for getting the word out about your company. Brand your small business and boost your reputation by careful website design, savvy social media usage and a quality company blog.

5. Stick to Your Guns

The number one tool in your branding toolbox is your customer service. This is vital. Your brand creates an expectation in your client before they ever step foot in your door. Don’t let them down. Once you have chosen a flavor for your company image that resonates with your customer base, don’t change it. Basic small business branding depends upon consistency and customer service. Every time.

Your small business will rise or fall based on its reputation. Careful branding allows you to create a narrative for your small business in a way that connects with clients and builds trust that will last for years to come.

15
Oct

5 Reasons Small Businesses Fail and How to Avoid the Trap

Owning a small business is a reward in itself, but some of the following common pitfalls can catch even the smartest entrepreneur off guard.

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8
Oct

4 Key Tips for Recruiting Employees Using Social Media

A few decades ago, you would have posted an ad in your local newspaper if you wanted to find a new employee to join your team. With the pervasive use of the internet today, more and more companies have started to use alternative methods to find their employees, including using social media. If you want to recruit employees with social media, here are four key tips for getting started. Read more

1
Oct

5 Profitable Salon Marketing Ideas

In order to define a marketing idea as profitable, the profits related to the marketing activity must be greater than the costs involved. Basically, there must be a positive rate of return and a quick return on investment in order for the marketing idea to be sound. Salons are similar to other businesses in that visibility, value, and brand identity are three key tenets to success – regardless of the physical location of the salon or the time in business.

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28
May

Credit Score Tip: Give Yourself Room to Pay

The key to good business credit is paying on time. It is critical to have cash available when your bills are due. As we all know, cash flow can be unpredictable and erratic at times. Therefore, negotiate terms with suppliers/vendors to give yourself room to be able to meet the obligations. Read more

16
Apr

7 Staffing Tips for Startups

The kind of staff a startup chooses to support its organization will be critical to success in the early game. Startups have limited cash, which means hiring decisions are often made by executives instead of human resources. The job ad and interview process are crucial to the hiring process. Before you begin the hunt for the perfect candidate, consider the means of the business and the role of the person. Read more