As a new business, your first business contract is memorable. Its successful execution and completion are what puts you in the limelight and send a message to other potential clients so that they know you can deliver. That is why for small businesses, attracting and keeping clients is the game changer.

But for any type of SME, the competition is usually stiff. There are usually too many businesses chasing few contract opportunities and it can be rather difficult attracting the leads you need. So, what can you do to increase your chances of landing your first contract?

Create a network list –

Competing successfully with hundreds of other small businesses and landing that business contract will be difficult, if not impossible unless you have an ace up your sleeve.

For some people, that ace is the people they know who can help them get one foot through the door. But if you don’t have the advantage of a network, you should create one.

To get started, create a list of company prospects you will like to target, then map out a strategy that would create an opportunity for you to interact with the people that matter. Before you run through your list, persistence will pay off.

Focus within your sphere of influence –

One of the easiest people to sell to are people you know, or those that know about the skills you possess. The plan is to land the first business contract that will open the door for others, and not necessarily a multi-million pound engagement deal.

It is a lot easier to key face-to-face meetings with decision-makers in companies you worked for when employed, or those located within the same city as you. In fact, one study showed that corporate decision makes tend to favour vendors located close-by when making business decisions. Therefore, take a good look within, before going out.

Emphasize your brand –

When it comes to impressing corporate decision makers, your brand needs a loud voice. For this reason, one of your most important responsibilities as a small business is building your brand to the point where it becomes synonymous with the identity you are trying to achieve.

There are a number of cost-effective methods of brand building, such as being active on social media, running regular promotions, sponsoring local events and content writing. The more you portray yourself as an industry in your field, the easier it will be to attract your first contract from a corporate client.

Show you know what you are talking about –

One thing about persistence is that it usually pays off. Therefore, chances are that after a while of cold calling, social media posts and local events sponsorships, you will eventually clinch a meeting with the decision maker of a corporate client. But all your effort will be for naught if you are unable to show that you know what you are talking about.

While you are doing the needed publicity, ensure that you keep up with what is happening in your industry so that when you get to the meeting, you can prove that your business is the best for the job.

There are other handy tips in this guide that would help land your first business contract in the public sector, but hopefully, this short article has provided some needed insight.

Remember, luck is simply opportunity meeting preparation.

 

It is not easy being young in the corporate world where seniority matters. You need to prove yourself if no one is taking you seriously. It is even worse if you are in the marketing department. If you present something to those who have been around for years, they will think that your ideas are trash. You are yet to come up with a successful campaign, so it is not easy for you to convince them that you have something useful to offer. Using these tips, you can satisfy your bosses that your ideas are worth trying.

Research thoroughly

You need to present your ideas first if you want to receive approval to pursue the project. Your bosses will ask questions to see if you understand what you want to happen. You can prepare by researching thoroughly. You need to respond with facts and data. You cannot expect them to believe your arguments if you have nothing to back them up. You need to show that you understand your target audience, and what you present is something they will buy.

Test your ideas first

Before you go to your boss to pitch your thoughts, you need to test them first with other people. You can ask your fellow employees to listen to your pitch and tell you what they think about it. They cannot hold back in expressing their thoughts because you want to hear the comments from them first. If you receive the same criticism the next time, it will not stun you anymore.

Focus on the cost

Your bosses have nothing in mind apart from money. Marketing is the department that takes up a considerable chunk of the company’s budget. You need to prove that your next campaign is affordable and reasonable. No one would dare spend money on something that could eventually fail. In your pitch, you need to prove that what you want to happen is realistic and your ad is something that will not cost a lot. For instance, if you decide to use pop up banners, you need to prove that they are going to entice your target audience. You can argue that you want to attract old people, and it is not enough to rely only on online marketing.

Go crazy, but not too crazy

You received the opportunity to work in the marketing department because you have something unique to offer. You are fresh blood, and your novel ideas could work. Therefore, you cannot hold back when you have great ideas in mind that are worth trying. Your old bosses did not think about these ideas because they are out of touch. However, you need to limit any crazy aspect of your ideas since you might lose your bosses in the process.

Try these tips first and check if you can convince your bosses to believe in your ideas. They might work if you prove that you can get results. You need to work hard after receiving approval so that you will earn a promotion or gain their trust again for the next project.

 

Developing a stable and consistent Human Resources department in your business is indicative of a growing enterprise. Every type of work ranging from the medical industry to academic institutions requires a proper HR department in handling issues concerning employee-employer relations.

HR isn’t just about making your employees feel that they are noticed and appreciated at work; it also works to keep you away from potential disasters brought about by improper team management and disastrous employee-employer conflicts.

A much-needed department for both start-ups and conglomerates

Start-ups are usually developed either from previous employees or first-timers in the field. Since their main concern is promoting their brand of business in entering the industry, they might not have the best training and expertise when it comes to handling employee relations.

Many enterprises, even big-name companies abroad, are guided by experts such as London HR Services which offers high-quality advice and support. With the massive number of entrepreneurs and start-ups springing up left and right, the issue of appropriate business practices is a lesson for learning that every aspiring company owner should learn.

HR and PR

PR is a more familiar face to most as it’s the department directly involved in dealing with clients, being aptly named Public Relations. HR functions as a complement to this department in the sense that it deals with handling the organisational model of your company with regards to your employees. HR is involved not just in mobilising your staff when it comes to the recruitment of staff and interns, but it also handles how they are treated and protected while under your business’ care.

HR leads to proper strategising

HR can seem to be a dismissible aspect of a growing business, but it can prove not just to be an integral part of your enterprise but also a proper path to follow for your business operations. A business isn’t merely a method of developing your product or service; it’s also a second home that allows individuals to contribute to society by being a part of something bigger than themselves.

Proper handling of your employees involves making sure that they aren’t in any danger of hurting themselves in the workplace. The first thought a business owner might have when hearing the term ‘workplace accidents’ are incidents resulting in sprains and broken ankles, but it’s also apparent that both mental and sexual abuse are experienced in the workplace.

Having a department that works to help your employees in dealing with issues of overwork due to stress or a toxic and dangerous work environment because of their peers can improve your business’ figures and prevent it from going downhill. As the owner of a company, you are responsible for keeping your team in check, even if they are a danger to each other and, especially, if the problem is you.

HR allows you to learn from your team’s inadequacies and helps you to execute proper strategies in handling different issues by going through due process and conditioning a space that won’t tolerate the same event in the future.

 

In less than two months, the next negotiations for the United Kingdom leaving the European Union are about to happen, with leading economists scrambling for potential scenarios for the current and future state of the UK’s economy in various industries. Besides being a political dilemma, different markets such as the automotive and real estate markets are about to face dangerous implications.

Political unrest

As of now, property markets nationwide in the UK have varied results, with certain areas reaching stagnation while others have little bursts of increases and decreases. Certain ‘Brexit-proof’ areas are Northern Ireland and Wales who boast a resilience to the property market’s problems with a surprising 5% or so yearly increase that seems to be unhindered by the current political waters.

The Bank of England’s Mark Carney predicts a 35% drop in current house prices. Though the governor insists that it’s a hypothetical scenario that’s open to different possibilities, economists back at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) are highlighting the fact that a no-deal scenario would lead to increasing hesitance in property investments adding up to its current already problematic state.

Tarrant Parsons of the RICS sees the inconclusive decision of a no-deal causing the property market to be in a scuffle as the real estate market’s patience and resilience might be put to the test as growing doubt on the favourable nature of properties is put into question. The housing market is sure to face negative consequences if a no-deal scenario comes to be the case.

A non-Brexit deal?

Even if a no-deal comes to pass, the prospect of a consistently shaky political and economic state of the UK can prove to be its downfall which would eventually lead to a middle ground for both parties. In place of a Brexit deal, another negotiation tactic might be in place to keep the withdrawal and transition period to be beneficial for both the United Kingdom and the European Union. Real Estate consultant services by Gerald Eve and other local consultancy agencies are working overtime with the arrival of Brexit’s implications in the economy. Both investors and homeowners from different sectors are making various speculations on whether or not the absolute negative or the absolute positive will be the result of the political debacle.

A sign for a positive outcome?

There is some hope for a positive result out of this confusion. For starters, it’s highly unlikely that a property market crash would stem from Brexit alone. Its comparison to the stock market is an unfair comparison as real estate is much more resilient and it takes more time for shifts in power and prices to take effect.

Whatever the case will be, it can be confirmed that there will be a definite slowing down of events in the property market. Though analysts are hopeful that it won’t lead to stagnation, they are also recommending that current and prospective homeowners and investors not be too quick to let go of their properties.

 

No matter what your chosen industry may be, marketing is a crucial factor that no successful business can ever be without. After all, there’s hardly any point in offering high-quality products or providing excellent services if they won’t reach the intended target audience. And even for smaller companies that have no more than a modest budget to work with, there are cost-effective strategies that can be utilised. To this end, here are a few marketing top tips for small businesses.

1. Promotional items

One of the most effective marketing strategies that many companies still use to this day is to give away promotional items to both current and potential customers. From personalised pens and notebooks to t-shirt and garment printing, it’s a small investment of resources that guarantees a good return not only in customer loyalty but in the influx of new clients and consumers too.

2. Social media

In this day and age, you’ll rarely find a company that does not make use of social media to spread brand awareness. And for a good reason: not only is it a cost-effective and inexpensive approach to marketing, but you’re far more likely to reach a wider audience through social networking websites. With the minimal resources it requires, using social media for marketing purposes is an advantageous move that no business should overlook.

3. Blogs

Another popular tool apart from social media that is commonly used today to great effect as a viable marketing strategy are blogs. For those who may not believe it, a quick search online should immediately produce hundreds of results. Best of all, not only is it a task that can be done with relative ease but if the budget allows for it, there are plenty of talented writers whose services can be acquired.

4. Conventions

It’s not uncommon to find small companies in conventions since it provides a means for business owners to show the products and services that they offer without having to spend a small fortune in doing so. As such, it’s always good standard practice to keep an eye out for any conventions that may be available. In this way, not only are you bound to get new customers this way, but you might also find new contacts too that can help you get better deals and even provide more lucrative business opportunities too.

5. Collaborations

Even if running a business often entails competition, many companies still collaborate with each other if and when the opportunity presents itself. To this end, it makes sense to follow this status quo whenever possible. After all, business ventures are not just easier with collaborations but are usually far more beneficial to the parties involved as well.

Marketing today is not only a lot more accessible and affordable but also a lot more effective in its purpose than it ever has been in the past. By considering these top tips, not only will you minimise company expenses in this area of the business but you’re far more likely to get the desired results too.

 

While many of us aspire to become our bosses and run a company, very few realise the challenges and difficulties that it presents. After all, not only does running a business require a considerable investment of time and money, but as a business owner, you will also have the responsibility of looking after those who are working under you.

With the highly competitive industries and relatively unpredictable economic landscape, it makes sense to approach the task of running a business meticulously and cover all of your bases to have a better chance at getting the desired results. To this end, here are a few things that a business can ill-afford not to have to succeed.

1. Have a plan before committing to any business decision

From launching a new product or service to acquiring new talent through a Digital Recruitment Agency, it’s a general rule of thumb to always have a plan before committing to any business decision. Tedious as this might seem to be, it can make a big difference since you’re not only far less likely to overlook crucial details this way, but you will also be better prepared for any potential problems that the company might face in the process.

2. Have healthy business relationships with other companies

As contradicting as it might be, especially in highly competitive industries, it’s essential to build and maintain healthy business relationships with other companies. From the manufacturers or suppliers of the necessary equipment and materials that daily operations require to businesses that share similar interests, having good relations with other companies will not only be advantageous in securing better deals and minimising expenses, but it may also open potentially lucrative opportunities.

3. Have cost-effective marketing strategies

Marketing is a far easier task to accomplish these days than it ever was in the past, thanks in no small part to modern technology. From websites and blogs to social media platforms, it makes sense to make use of cost-effective marketing strategies that are available. After all, you’re far more likely to reach a wider market without the cost that old and antiquated marketing techniques often entail.

4. Have a contingency

Due to the less than predictable nature of the economy, many businesses tend to fail often because of the lack of preparation for unforeseeable issues encountered. Because of this, it’s important to always have a contingency plan available. In this way, not only will the business have a better chance of avoiding any financially catastrophic problems, but its undesirable effects can be minimised too.

As challenging as it might be to find business success, it’s not impossible to achieve. Even a small company with a limited budget can thrive and flourish in a highly competitive industry so long as it makes smart decisions and finds ways to minimise its expenses. Through proper planning and preparation as well the establishment of relations with other companies, you can increase your chances of finding the desired success while avoiding any problems in the process.

We are all familiar with the internet and mostly familiar with its power. But we are not fully aware of how impactful it has been on our lives and how it has seamlessly integrated itself in our daily lives. We easily pick up a phone to make phone calls, look for directions to a new restaurant, pay our bills, watch movies and listen to our favorite songs, book a hotel room, book a hotel room or flight and even call take a class on how to plant an herb garden without ever leaving home, all without thinking that without the internet none of these things could be possible today.

The internet and its power is prevalent today and if we begin to consider the possibilities, we realize that we are only at the beginning of its potential.

The internet is also quickly becoming the primary Marketplace for buying and selling all types of goods. E-commerce is booming in nearly every corner of the world and people now go online to research and find the best options for purchasing products even if they intend on buying those products offline. With millions of companies enter products online 1 great challenges how do you get your particular goods and services in front of Internet fraud audience. This question leads to another one which is what is digital marketing?

What is Digital Marketing?

Simply put, digital marketing are those marketing tools and strategies that are used to help a company attract potential customers on the internet.  Digital marketing began as a novelty almost for companies that did not have a lot of money and that sort to gain market share. 10 years ago, digital marketing was banner ads that were plastered all over websites. They were extremely intrusive and nearly sunk the industry. Overtime however you sophistication in both creating and how they are distributed has grown and as a result digital marketing has now surpassed traditional marketing as the marketing style of choice for the majority of companies.

The reasons for this are that:

1. digital marketing is cheaper than traditional marketing,
2. you can track the responses to your digital marketing campaign easily in on your own,
3. you can make an immediate adjustments to your digital marketing campaign as you see the response is it is getting or not getting,
4. and digital marketing operates within the largest single customer network in the world, the internet.

Types of Popular Digital Marketing

Perhaps the oldest form digital marketing email marketing and it is still a very potent marketing today there are many forms of digital marketing and many of them are sophisticated and nuanced. Some of the most popular forms are social media marketing, SEO, websites, and blogs. Each when used correctly is very effective at getting potential customers in front of your brand, products, and services. Each however has its own methodology that must be closely adhered to in order to get the most from it.

Digital marketing we’ll undoubtedly become the primary form of marketing a products and services around the world within the next 10 years. As its sophistication grows, it’s level of benefits that it can provide for clients increases as well.

 

Small businesses at the heart of revenue generation and employment in the United States and this is been the case for 100 years. It is those small business entrepreneurs that go out on a limb and use the money that they save or borrow in order to fuel the growth of the country.

Starting and building a small business is a difficult undertaking. Entrepreneurs must put in long hours deny themselves basic amenities, learn the ins-and-outs of dealing with suppliers, managing employees, collecting on invoices, dealing with disgruntled customers, and creating effective sales and marketing strategies. They must do all these things what dealing with limited budgets and other resources. When an entrepreneur successful, it is part timing, luck, and making smart business decisions.

Every successful entrepreneur will say that they found a rhythm to their business and found tools and strategies that help them to create and maintain their success. By utilizing these tools and strategies they are able to improve their bottom lines and keep ahead of the competition. Here’s a look at search engine optimization strategy and how using SEO can add to a company’s bottom line.

Search Engine Optimization

Digital marketing has quickly become the go-to marketing strategy for small businesses. Part of this is because of the lower cost over traditional marketing and also the reach that can be achieved utilizing online marketing strategies. Agencies such as Bulldog Digital Media can carry out all your digital marketing needs.

Some of the most popular and effective types of digital marketing include social media marketing, email marketing, and the use of websites and blogs. And one of the most effective forms of online marketing is search engine optimization or SEO.

How SEO Works

The vast majority of searches online go through the large search engines including Google, Bing, and Yahoo. People playing keywords to locate a specific subject or topic that they are looking for. At that point the search engine utilizing analytics and other tools create a list of web pages for that person to explore. Consumers who use search engines typically only search do the first few pages of a topic. Therefore those businesses that have their web pages on the first few pages are much more likely to see traffic from search engines.

How SEO Agencies Work

Search engine optimization companies work to place their client’s web pages at the top of search engines. They accomplish this by understanding how search engine algorithms work and then coming up with tools and strategies to help a client’s web pages respond positively to those things. SEO uses a combination of keywords and modifications of how a web page is written in order to rank high on the world’s top search engines. When done correctly, SEO can help a small business to rank higher on a Google search than a large company. SEO however is an ongoing marketing category because the search engines are constantly changing the way their algorithms work. For this reason SEO agencies must modify the tactics so that their client’s pages continue to rank high.

For small business that want to have lots of traffic online, SEO can be a great solution. The key for small company is to make sure that they select a reputable and skilled SEO company. If they can accomplish this, their bottom line revenue will likely increase substantially.

 

Coworking in New Zealand is still a dynamic way to work and grow your network. The country’s thriving business scene provides businesses with ample opportunity to make the kind of connections that can help business growth. With an emphasis on providing businesses with a platform for developing relationships, the coworking space can be a space for inspiration, for collaboration, and for creating the types of innovative opportunities that generate business.

Because each space is unique, professionals might find themselves coworking in spaces with a variety of industries and very different missions. In Auckland, alone, professionals might find themselves working in small enclaves in and around the city. Then, there are the nicer skyscrapers that make up the CBD including coworking space at PwC Tower, Auckland. The PwC Tower is not only a part of Auckland’s CBD but is also a smart place for businesses to get their start.

Keep reading to learn about the various features of one Auckland’s more popular landmarks.

Green Technology

Those looking to work in a building that supports sustainability the PwC Tower fits the bill. The building’s façade is built with glass technologies and blind installation that support more efficient use of energy throughout the day. The building is also retrofitted with flexible power and data and communications cabling for more energy efficient use throughout the day. Ultimately, the building’s structure supports a green platform, which is great for those who already are on board with promoting a sustainable environment in the city.

Convenient Access

Another great feature of the PwC Tower is that it is one of the most centrally-located buildings in the city. Located close to dining, upscale retail, and entertainment establishments, professionals who decide rent space in this landmark will find the location a convenient place to enjoy both shopping and eating, but more importantly, will benefit from foot traffic. The building is also near various transportation hubs including Auckland Ferry Terminal, Britomart Train, a bus station, and a taxi rank. Finally, the building is less than 30 minutes away from Auckland International Airport, which also has an airbus express that runs intermittently throughout the day.

Corporate Polish

The building is one of the more polished ones in the area. Inside, professionals can expect to find a building designed with the corporate professional in mind. The 29-floor structure gives its occupants a spectacular view of Auckland harbour and the city skyline. Inside, professionals can expect to see fully-furnished offices that reflect corporate style and sophistication. With a maintenance staff to make sure the offices are clean, your business can impress upon others the type of professionalism you want to convey to clients.

Support Staff

Great buildings come with great support. Your coworking space can be fitted out with receptionists that will not only greet your staff at the door but will also take messages for you while you are indisposed. Coworking professionals also get the benefit of IT support that can also help you with your needs.

Great Neighbours

As a coworking professional, you will get the benefit of being able to rub shoulders with Auckland business leaders. Google, Heaney & Partners, Buddle Findlay, JTT, and the Australian Consulate are some of the more established companies that occupy the same building. Whether networking or looking for resources, the PwC Tower is one of the best places to meet your neighbours and network.

Exciting Features For A Dynamic Building

The PwC Tower in Auckland can be a great place to get your start as an up and coming business. A place where business and pleasure both exist, your business can grow in this dynamic, fertile environment. An added benefit is being able to meet and engage with leading businessman who are at the helm of shaping the city.

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