Many people have written about how to work remotely.
In fact, remote work is so commonplace these days that I would bet everyone knows someone that does it from time to time.
It is no longer the scary frontier it used to be. Employees and employers alike have embraced the efficiencies it brings, from cost to time savings. No desks, no commutes, less sick days, etc.
Managing a business remotely however is something different entirely. …
This is part 5 of a series of posts for a local newspaper.
Generating sales is the key to a successful business. Often companies offering mediocre products and services are successful simply because they are good at converting leads into sales.
Investing in your sales force is one of the most important aspects of any business, and could well be the difference between a good and a successful company.
This is not always easy for a small or struggling business, as sales staff can be expensive the long term commitment associated with employing staff may well not be the right strategic solution for the company. Employing part time or contract sales staff may well be a viable alternative, but beware, it is not that straight forward….
This is part 4 of a series of posts for a local newspaper.
Having a product or service offering is one thing. Getting it out to distant consumers is quite another.
Products without borders are those items that have universal appeal and could be sold almost anywhere.
A common evolutionary step for small businesses is to expand their marketing channel to include distance customers, either by way of web, mail order catalog or door to door selling. Easier said than done I hear you say. Correct, but if you following some basic principles it is not only possible, but also relatively painless.
This is part 3 of a series of posts for a local newspaper.
Often new (or even experienced) entrepreneurs would come up with a brilliant concept or product, wondering why no-one has ever thought of it before. Chances are (and more often than not) than many others have thought of the same thing, but has discounted it due to the lack of some of the essential ingredients.
Just like a good recipe, a business idea also needs the right mix of components in order to be a success.
This is part 2 of a series of posts for a local newspaper.
How often have you paged through the newspaper or yellow pages looking for a company offering a specific product, only to become suspicious when you see only a cell phone number or P.O. Box address?
Unfortunately the reality is that for many small businesses having a land line and office address is a luxury they cannot afford. It does not just cost money having a land line, it also needs to be manned, from 8am to 5pm every day.
I have been asked to write a weekly column in the local paper, the George News. In order to hit two birds with one stone I will be publishing the articles here as well. Here goes the first round:
With the economy now in a negative cycle it is clear to all small business owners that it is time to take care of the basics.
This includes clamping down on any non-essential expenses and focusing on key strengths. It is not the time to introduce new products or innovations to the market. Well, is there any obvious ways left to shave off excess costs? Yes, there are, but you need to think a bit laterally.