HOW TO BE AN IMAGE-MAKER
With so many products and services in the market, what usually makes the difference is the image you project for your business. An image is a cluster of impressions and perceptions, often hard to define but it does influence the way your clients or prospects think of your company and is an important deciding factor when it […]
IS YOUR BUSINESS LOCATION NEIGHBOURHOOD-FRIENDLY?
Choosing a location for your business generally has three main considerations – proximity to customers, suppliers and employees. Other issues are easy transport and parking facilities,proximity to competitors and affiliated businesses which could impact your business. Depending on the nature of the business, you need a location with ready access […]
Pitching your idea to investors …. in 30 minutes or less
You have a great business idea. Very soon it will become clear to you that to turn that idea into concrete reality will mean raising capital. You will need to sell the idea to investors. And usually you get a window of 30 minutes or less to make your pitch. […]
THAT FIRST YEAR AS AN ENTREPENEUR
Remember your first year as an entrepreneur? Or would you rather forget it? That was when you let yourself get wet behind the ears and learnt many lessons, mainly through trial and error. Ouch, some things still hurt! Here are some lessons all new entrepreneurs- can benefit from. They […]
Avoid That Culture Shock
In today’s fast-moving and interconnected world, business people are constantly crisscrossing continents. However, it is important to understand that each country has its own customs and rituals and ways of doing business. It’s best to understand the customs of the country you are visiting as well as of the foreign business people visiting you to […]
Checklist For Business Travellers
You’re a business traveler. You know too well that things don’t always go as planned. To avoid hassles, even last-minute panics, here’s a checklist of things to pack, as collated from frequent travelers. Don’t leave home without them! Your own MiFi hotspot. It’s a credit card-sized package that give you access to 4G networks. Saves a lot […]
The smart way to get on the fast track to growth
Many business people are quick to generate ideas but slow to turn them into reality. How can you accelerate the process of scaling up without overloading your team? Here are some tried-and-tested ways: Small is beautiful There are many benefits of running a small, tight ship. It enables you to be more flexible and agile […]
Choosing the right brand colours
The human mind is highly responsive to visual stimuli and colour is one of the major defining factors in that response on both conscious and sub-conscious levels. Colour is an important element in a brand’s visual identity. Think of iconic brands whose logos have withstood the test of time. Certain colours are immediately associated with various brands. […]
Keeping your home-based business legal
Starting your own business may be triggered by a new year resolution – or there may be other considerations that may prompt you to start anew. It’s an exciting milestone – which might however become a ‘millstone’ if you don’t take some simple precautions to protect yourself legally. Here are some basic guidelines: Pick the right business […]
THE COST OF GETTING THAT NEW CUSTOMER
So, you got a new customer? Congratulations! But have you stopped to think what just that new customer cost you? Perhaps you should wait on passing the champagne around till you consider the matter carefully. “You can’t manage what you don’t measure” is good advice. Is that new customer getting you good or poor Return […]