Steps to Making The Best Out Of Social Networks
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Myspace, the World Wide Web is a real playground to build and expand your network. Updating status regularly on all platforms can quickly become very time consuming. We are giving you in five steps, the art of spreading the word without wasting your time.
Do you remember the last time you placed a stamp on an envelope? The last time you walked to a mailbox to slide a letter in the hole? Don’t blame your memory if you can’t pin a date, you haven’t done this in a probably very long time.
Today, the vast majority of businesses’ communication is done either via emails or/and social media. The rise of smartphones and mobile phones in general, allows users to check their emails and stay informed from almost everywhere in the world. Whether you are sitting in a bus on your way to work, shopping for groceries or attending a conference, staying in touch is about making sure that your cellphone is charged and that the Wi-Fi is on. It is a lot cheaper and faster than sending normal letters via the post.
The shift from normal post to e-communication means a different way of sending information. If emails still give you a bigger space to share what you need, people on the other end of the line may not have the time to read lengthy messages.
The era of short, punchy, straight-to-the-point communication has started. This the how-to list to make the best out of your social network.
1. Learn The Tricks
If it usually is very easy to get started, some Social Networks have their very own language and vocabulary. Before you start updating your status and send information about your business across the void, make sure you spend some time reading the user guide. Twitter, for example, works around ‘@’ to send messages to someone specifically and ‘#’ to highlight a word you would like to be easily found in the search engine.
If it usually is very easy to get started, some Social Networks have their very own language and vocabulary. Before you start updating your status and send information about your business across the void, make sure you spend some time reading the user guide. Twitter, for example, works around ‘@’ to send messages to someone specifically and ‘#’ to highlight a word you would like to be easily found in the search engine.
When posting a link to your website, make sure you don’t live it as it, as links will often be too long and twitter only allows messages 160 words long. You can shorten links on websites like bit.ly.com.
2. Get Ready: Download A ‘Social Media Dashboard’
There are few dashboards that will allow you to register for all your social networks and post status simultaneously on all of them. These are precious tools that will spare you from the hassle on posting the same status onto each and every page. Our favorite is Tweetdeck: http://www.tweetdeck.com/desktop/
There are few dashboards that will allow you to register for all your social networks and post status simultaneously on all of them. These are precious tools that will spare you from the hassle on posting the same status onto each and every page. Our favorite is Tweetdeck: http://www.tweetdeck.com/desktop/
It is simple to use, uncluttered and the general look is very professional. You can also check HootSuite or Threadsy. Now you can get all your coms out in one click.
3. Get Feedback & Interaction
In order to make the best out of your social networks, try to get feedback or comments from your customers. Roll out weekly polls, ask questions, present options. Followers and friends will be inclined to reply and the benefit for your business will be priceless.
In order to make the best out of your social networks, try to get feedback or comments from your customers. Roll out weekly polls, ask questions, present options. Followers and friends will be inclined to reply and the benefit for your business will be priceless.
4. Promote, Share & Discuss
Use those platforms to present a new product, share ideas or discuss matters that are pertinent to your business. But don’t forget to add links to redirect people to your website!
Use those platforms to present a new product, share ideas or discuss matters that are pertinent to your business. But don’t forget to add links to redirect people to your website!
5. Brand Image
Whatever you post, make sure that it respects your brand image. This is not about your personal opinions but about making your business heard, known and seen. If you decide to allocate someone specifically to head the Social Media Portfolio, spend some time explaining this person what are your ideas, your core values and your essence. The last thing you want is some offensive personal comments made under your business’ name.
Whatever you post, make sure that it respects your brand image. This is not about your personal opinions but about making your business heard, known and seen. If you decide to allocate someone specifically to head the Social Media Portfolio, spend some time explaining this person what are your ideas, your core values and your essence. The last thing you want is some offensive personal comments made under your business’ name.
Friday, 1 July 2011
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The Power of Strong Relationships in Business
The Power of Strong Relationships in Business
– We all have heard the infamous rule – widely spread by Donald Trump – don’t mix personal with business. If this may be true, it should however never mean that you cannot build close relationships with your clients. Here are a few tips on the power of strong and honest relationships.
Take the Time to Listen
In an era of an extremely fast flow of information, where people’s minds are constantly challenged, it remains essential to be able to listen to your client. Give them the time to tell you what they need, what they are looking for and why they chose to come see you. And yes, some clients may be more personal and start opening up to you, but this will help you get to know them better and make sure you give them what they need back.
In an era of an extremely fast flow of information, where people’s minds are constantly challenged, it remains essential to be able to listen to your client. Give them the time to tell you what they need, what they are looking for and why they chose to come see you. And yes, some clients may be more personal and start opening up to you, but this will help you get to know them better and make sure you give them what they need back.
Find Out: Ask the Right Questions
Asking questions will allow you to know your customers better. The more you know, the better you will be able to respond to their needs. It does not mean you should be invasive, just be honest and interested. Questions about someone’s family may tell you a lot about their lifestyle and in turn, their needs.
Asking questions will allow you to know your customers better. The more you know, the better you will be able to respond to their needs. It does not mean you should be invasive, just be honest and interested. Questions about someone’s family may tell you a lot about their lifestyle and in turn, their needs.
Pick Up the Phone and Call Back
Strong relationships are based on little attentions. If you said you will call a customer back as soon as you have a new delivery, then do it. Don’t wait for them to call you back. Make sure that you have a dedicated notebook on your desk where you pinpoint the date, the name of the customer, their request and leave some space to indicate the day you should call them back.
Strong relationships are based on little attentions. If you said you will call a customer back as soon as you have a new delivery, then do it. Don’t wait for them to call you back. Make sure that you have a dedicated notebook on your desk where you pinpoint the date, the name of the customer, their request and leave some space to indicate the day you should call them back.
Build Trust
Not being personal does not mean not being trustworthy. Trust is at the basis of any strong relationship. Make sure that your customers know they can rely on you, that you won’t fool them around. The simplest way to do this is to be honest. Tell the truth if there is a delay; don’t wait until days have passed to inform waiting customers. Treat others the way you would like to be treated; it is a simple, but golden rule.
Not being personal does not mean not being trustworthy. Trust is at the basis of any strong relationship. Make sure that your customers know they can rely on you, that you won’t fool them around. The simplest way to do this is to be honest. Tell the truth if there is a delay; don’t wait until days have passed to inform waiting customers. Treat others the way you would like to be treated; it is a simple, but golden rule.
Coffee or Tea?
More and more businesses around the world offer little extra luxuries that make a big difference. Offering coffee or tea to your customers, even if they are not meant to stay long, is a simple way to break the ice and start up a conversation without making it too obvious that you want to sell something. It does not take much and it will make them want to stay longer feeling more comfortable and treated.
More and more businesses around the world offer little extra luxuries that make a big difference. Offering coffee or tea to your customers, even if they are not meant to stay long, is a simple way to break the ice and start up a conversation without making it too obvious that you want to sell something. It does not take much and it will make them want to stay longer feeling more comfortable and treated.
Personal versus professional should not be a choice; there will be clients whom you will be closer to than others. What matters is how strong your relationships are. If you can build a network of relationships based on trust, honesty, integrity and respect, then you will have the foundations for a strong and prosperous business. No matter how personal they are.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
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Why You Need A Business Plan?
– Being a budding entrepreneur, you might find yourself asking the question if writing a business plan really is necessary. Formulating your ideas and spending time contemplating your business will increase your chances of actually following through and going into that business of choice.
Here are three answered questions about business planning and what to think about when going ahead with it:
Why Make A Business Plan?
In writing a business plan you should aim to analyse markets and research the industry you are going in to. The plan will give you the time to consider what opportunities are out there, what resources you need to find and who would make up the right team for a successful enterprise.
In writing a business plan you should aim to analyse markets and research the industry you are going in to. The plan will give you the time to consider what opportunities are out there, what resources you need to find and who would make up the right team for a successful enterprise.
Why Do I Need a Formal Plan?
You will need to evaluate your finances and project what finances will be needed in the future. Planning is about looking ahead, which will ensure a sustainable and growing business. If your business is going to need funding or investment from a bank, micro-financier or venture capitalist, these organisations always require a formal business plan. This is essential for someone to consider your ideas and company seriously.
You will need to evaluate your finances and project what finances will be needed in the future. Planning is about looking ahead, which will ensure a sustainable and growing business. If your business is going to need funding or investment from a bank, micro-financier or venture capitalist, these organisations always require a formal business plan. This is essential for someone to consider your ideas and company seriously.
Where Do I Start and End?
Traditionally business plans were very extensive, but people do not have the time to read long-winded material anymore. Keep your business plan short and concise, no more than 20 to 40 pages. The more visually stimulating it is the better and you can even prepare a presentation. Make sure your ideas are clear and researched, as well as that you have covered all aspects of the entity you would like to achieve.
Traditionally business plans were very extensive, but people do not have the time to read long-winded material anymore. Keep your business plan short and concise, no more than 20 to 40 pages. The more visually stimulating it is the better and you can even prepare a presentation. Make sure your ideas are clear and researched, as well as that you have covered all aspects of the entity you would like to achieve.
What Will They Look For?
Investors will look for entrepreneurs who they can see have examined the market for the product or service, made contact with potential or even accumulated real clients, has a network or team to support them and has a decent business model. They will also look for an executive summary, marketing plan and your financials of cash-flow.
Investors will look for entrepreneurs who they can see have examined the market for the product or service, made contact with potential or even accumulated real clients, has a network or team to support them and has a decent business model. They will also look for an executive summary, marketing plan and your financials of cash-flow.
The main reason any entrepreneur should invest time in making a business plan is for the soul reason of creating a more successful entity. A business plan allow others to understand your goals, ideas and company; as well as you will be focused and knowledgeable of your aims and business.
How Can I Protect My Business Idea?
You have a brilliant idea that you think if executed can make a profitable business enterprise. Unfortunately, you have no capital to turn your dream into reality. Who do you turn to? A potential investor, partner or even enter a business plan competition. Can you trust them with your idea? Seasoned entrepreneurs will tell you that holding onto your idea is not the solution.
Sharing your idea with the right people or in the right environment gives you exposure and a platform to meet and interact with other entrepreneurs, business leaders and potential customers. It is also an opportunity that helps you streamline your ideas with real market needs on the ground. Here a few tips to protect your business plan.
Don’t Tell All
When talking to potential investors, one of the best ways to reduce the risk of your idea being duplicated and implemented by another company is to limit the amount of information you disclose, especially during the early stages of discussions. For instance, instead of sending an entire business plan to an investor you can send a detailed executive summary. Later, as discussions progress, you can reveal more information.
When talking to potential investors, one of the best ways to reduce the risk of your idea being duplicated and implemented by another company is to limit the amount of information you disclose, especially during the early stages of discussions. For instance, instead of sending an entire business plan to an investor you can send a detailed executive summary. Later, as discussions progress, you can reveal more information.
Include a Confidentiality Notice
You should include a disclaimer in your business plan to avoid wrongful distribution or use. The financier you are presenting the business plan to should sign the disclaimer.
You should include a disclaimer in your business plan to avoid wrongful distribution or use. The financier you are presenting the business plan to should sign the disclaimer.
For instance, you can write the following:
The content of this business plan is confidential. The information herein has been prepared for review by XYZ Bank and should not be shared without written permission.
XYZ Bank
____________ (signature)
Date
____________ (signature)
Date
Seek Legal Advice
Have a great idea that you think can be of use to a big company and at the same time generate money for yourself? Before you pitch talk to a lawyer. A big company probably has the finances needed to execute the plan, hence it is important to get legal advice and find out how safe your idea is once you disclose it to another party.
Have a great idea that you think can be of use to a big company and at the same time generate money for yourself? Before you pitch talk to a lawyer. A big company probably has the finances needed to execute the plan, hence it is important to get legal advice and find out how safe your idea is once you disclose it to another party.
Understand Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property rights simply means that if you come up with an idea, you have the exclusive right to implement the idea for a period of time. For instance, if you have a technology business and come up with a new innovation it is important to patent or copyright your innovation, so as to have exclusive rights to exploit the commercial benefits of the innovation.
Intellectual property rights simply means that if you come up with an idea, you have the exclusive right to implement the idea for a period of time. For instance, if you have a technology business and come up with a new innovation it is important to patent or copyright your innovation, so as to have exclusive rights to exploit the commercial benefits of the innovation.
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