Category: Business/Entrepreneurship

Why Networking Outside Your Industry Actually Helps Your Core Business

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Networking is a key to success in all industries. In some instances, branching out into other sectors can greatly help you core business. The following contributed post is entitled, Why Networking Outside Your Industry Actually Helps Your Core Business.

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A few weeks ago, I found myself in one of those reluctant coffee shop queues. That shop everyone goes to because they need a break from their inbox, but no one really wants to make small talk. And there I was, chatting to a man who restores antique furniture with the kind of finesse you’d expect from a heart surgeon.

I thought we’d end up talking about varnish or wood grain. We didn’t. We spoke about juggling customer requests without becoming overwhelmed by admin. By the time the conversation had ended, I had filled the back of a receipt with my own notes. Interesting how that happens.

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-holding-takeaway-coffee-cups-7490979/

Routines Are Good Things, Until They’re Not

When you’re always surrounded by people who do similar work to you, it becomes easy to forget to ask questions. Everyone’s approaching things in the same way, chasing similar goals, using the same language.

Eventually, your thinking starts to follow the same patterns. Reliable, maybe, but it can start to feel like you’re running a loop, like watching a film you once loved and suddenly noticing that you already know every word.

Something Changes When You Change the Conversation

Now and again, I find myself in a completely unrelated conversation with someone whose work couldn’t be more different from mine: a butcher, a lighting technician, a garden landscaper. And somehow, I always walk away with a fresh idea. Sometimes the link is obvious, and sometimes, it’s more like working backwards through a puzzle.

One afternoon, while helping a friend organise her delivery schedule, we got chatting about her rural suppliers. We ended up discussing stock flow and logistics for something entirely outside my usual remit Farm Supplies Shropshire. That one conversation quietly nudged me to rethink how I manage my own planning calendar. Nothing dramatic, just a gentle reframe that helped things fall into place.

Those smaller nudges are sometimes more powerful than big, flashy strategies. They come without pressure, without an agenda. And that’s why they stick. Because they come from moments that feel human, not transactional, and they open the door to creativity without you even trying.

No Pitch, No Pretence

There’s something refreshing about conversations that don’t involve trying to impress anyone. When you’re speaking to someone from outside your industry, there’s no silent comparison going on. No need to translate your job title or prove your worth.

You just tell stories. You ask questions. You listen. And in that space, ideas show up. Honest ones. Useful ones.

Shifting Sideways Can Still Move You Forward

If your calendar’s full of the same networking calls and familiar faces, consider this your nudge to shift things slightly. Say yes to the community walk. Chat to the woman running the local flower stall. Join the talk on a subject you know nothing about.

Let the conversation be what it is: natural, unplanned, and maybe even a little odd. Sometimes those quiet exchanges plant the seed for something useful to grow later on.

You might leave with nothing more than your usual flat white, or you might walk away with an idea you didn’t know you needed. Either way, the coffee queue has its moments.

The Overlooked Foundations Of A Strong Brand

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Arguably the most important part of your business is its brand. Creating a strong brand can solidify your profitability. The following contributed post is entitled, The Overlooked Foundations Of A Strong Brand.

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When people talk about building a brand, the conversation usually goes straight to the obvious things, including logos, colours, and catchy slogans. And yes, they’re part of it, but they’re not what makes a brand feel strong in the end, and the real foundation is something that’s a bit hard to put your finger on. You’ll often find it in how people experience your business day to day, and the little things that signal you care and that you know who you are. That’s where you’ll find the real difference. So if you want people to trust and remember you, those are the bits and areas worth paying attention to, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out more.

Photo by Anna Nekrashevich

Knowing Who You Are

It’s surprising how many businesses skip this part, but it’s absolutely vital, only a lot of the time they know what they sell, but they haven’t really nailed down who they are as a brand. Why do you do what you do? Who are you trying to reach? And what makes you different from the next business doing something similar?

Once you’ve worked all that stuff out, it helps you do everything else because it’s easier to make decisions about what to post online, what to say to customers, and even which projects to say yes or no to. And it stops you from blending in – people can tell when a business knows why it exists.

Keeping Things Consistent

If someone visits your website, sees you on social media, and then walks through your door, will it all feel connected? That’s what consistency does because it makes sure people recognise your voice, your values, and your way of doing things no matter where they find you.

The best thing is that all this builds trust without you having to say a word, and when customers know what to expect, they’re more likely to come back.

Showing Up Well Online

For most people, the first time they see your business won’t be in person – it’ll be online. And that means your digital presence has to pull its weight, and investing in good website design is a big part of that. Your site definitely has to look good, but it also has to work – and one of those things is no more important than the other, it all has to come together.

The fact is, if your website feels messy or outdated, that’s often the impression people will walk away with, even if everything else you do is great, and they’re probably not going to give you much of a chance to change their minds.

Noticing The Little Things

Strong brands don’t just get the big picture right, they also really care about the details. A quick response to an enquiry, the tone of a confirmation email, the way a package is wrapped… all those things help people know how to feel about you, and if you do it all well, they’ll get a good impression, which is precisely what you want.

Serving Sustainability: Showing How Your Catering Company Cares for the Planet

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many businesses can have strategies for sustainability, and catering companies are in that group. The following contributed post is entitled, Serving Sustainability: Showing How Your Catering Company Cares for the Planet.

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Sustainability has quickly become a top priority in food and catering. Today more than ever, clients and event planners prioritize finding service providers who share their environmental values, making adopting green practices not just good practice. For catering companies it becomes a unique selling point. Showcasing sustainability not only reduces carbon emissions but also resonates with eco-minded consumers, setting your brand apart from competitors. In this blog, we will look at creative yet impactful ways you can demonstrate your dedication to eco-friendly practices.

Photo by Aneta Pawlik on Unsplash

Sourcing Locally and Seasonally

By supporting local farmers and suppliers, food sourcing for your company can have minimal environmental impacts. Purchasing items locally means reduced transportation emissions associated with shipping them, helping the environment as a result. Seasonal ingredients have lower environmental costs as they require less artificial input for growth, while clients value fresh, locally-sourced dishes with bold in-season flavors. Catering businesses that develop relationships with local growers, fisheries, and butchers demonstrate their dedication to supporting local economies while simultaneously upholding green values. Showcase this dedication by including your sustainable sourcing practices prominently on your menus or promotional materials.

Reducing Food Waste

Food waste is an environmental challenge catering companies must not ignore. Develop strategies to decrease leftover quantities by planning menus carefully and communicating effectively with clients to estimate headcounts accurately. Using surplus ingredients for new dishes that reduce what gets wasted, or considering partnerships with food recovery programs or charities to redistribute extra food as donations. Composting unusable scraps is also an excellent way to limit landfill impact while creating fertile soil that can be used locally for food production.

Using Bamboo Product

Switching to bamboo products is a great way for catering businesses to reduce environmental impact while simultaneously improving sustainability and providing their clients with a greener dining experience. Bamboo is a renewable resource, growing quickly with minimal water input, making it an eco-friendly alternative to plastic and single-use items. Partnering with an established bamboo products manufacturer ensures access to biodegradable cutlery, toothpicks and skewers which reduce waste significantly while showing their commitment to green initiatives.

Offering Plant-Based Menu Options

Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable due to the lower environmental toll incurred during meat production. So expanding your menu to offer hearty plant-based dishes appeals to an increasingly vegetarian, vegan and flexitarian customer base. Add diversity through creatively prepared vegetables, legumes, grains and plant-derived proteins into menus in order to address rising customer demand while positioning yourself as an environmentally aware catering service provider.

Choosing Energy-Efficient Equipment

Choosing energy efficient equipment can go a long way toward lowering energy use for kitchens and events. From choosing Energy Star-rated ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers to simple measures like using LED lighting or natural gas instead of conventional electricity can contribute towards creating more sustainable operations. Likewise, switching over to hybrid or electric vehicles for deliveries would demonstrate your serious commitment to sustainability.

Conclusion

Sustainability in catering business operations is no longer optional, it is now an absolute requirement in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace. From ethical ingredient sourcing and waste reduction practices, every step taken toward greener operations earns your company greater respect and loyalty from eco-conscious customers. Make sustainability an important component of your brand and watch your catering company flourish while leaving less environmental damage behind.

850-4 Ways to Grow a Creative Business

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. There are many creative businesses, but because they aren’t traditional businesses, it isn’t clear how to grow them. The following contributed post is entitled, 850-4 Ways to Grow a Creative Business.

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Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Whether you are a designer, maker or an artist running a creative business offers a lot of rewards. It’s an opportunity to earn money from your passion. However, turning that passion into a consistent paycheck can be a challenge. It’s going to require more than just raw talent.

Success in a creative business boils down to strategic thinking. You have to build connections as well and continuously improve your products and services. Take a look at these practical ways in which you can take your creative business to a whole new level.

Refine Your Brand Identity

Your brand is about a lot more than your logo. It’s also about the experience that people have when they interact with it. You want them to remember your work at all times. The first thing you should do is identify your unique style, target audience as well as your message.

Having a consistent look and tone to your brand is going to build recognition. It will also cement trust. You should update your website, packaging as well as your social media profiles to reflect the personality of your brand as well as your values.

Invest In the Right Tools and Skills

As your business begins to grow, your needs also change as well. There comes a time when you have to upgrade your equipment so that you can improve your products and increase efficiency.

For example, if your business focuses on textiles, then investing in a high performance quilting machine is going to allow you to produce a lot more professional designs.

This will assist with meeting the growing demand of your business. Similarly, taking online courses or even doing workshops in marketing as well as business can help you to hone your craft.

Build an Engaging Online Presence

Having a strong digital presence is going to be critical for your growth. You should use social media platforms to show off your work. You can also share behind the scenes content as well. This way, you’ll be able to connect with your audience. You’ll also need to build an online store so that your customers can buy from you directly.

Start an email newsletter so that you can give regular updates to your customers without having to depend on social media. With an email list, you can send special offers and product launches to them.

Explore New Business Ventures

It’s always a good idea to diversify your income whenever you can. This will help you to grow your business. In addition to selling finished products, you can do digital downloads, and custom commissions as well.

It may even be possible for you to license your designs. When possible, you should try to collaborate with other creative brands. This way, you can get your products exposed to an even wider audience.

Growing a creative business is going to take a lot more than just your talent. You’re going to have to be strategic about it. You’ll also need to have a willingness to learn and be consistent.

Fixing Up Your Home After a Flood

My blog focuses on Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. Many regions of our country and the world are impacted by flooding at the hands of Mother Nature. In some instances, you property can be salvaged. The following contributed post is entitled, Fixing Up Your Home After a Flood.

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There’s nothing like waking up to the sound of water inside your home to really ruin your day and make you immediately step into panic mode when you should have been enjoying a nice, relaxing breakfast, right? But if you live in an area that is prone to heavy rains and flooding, then there is a distinct possibility that this exact scenario will become your reality one day, if it hasn’t already. If the worst does happen, it’s important that you don’t panic. Instead, take a few deep breaths (try to ignore the impending smell of damp and doom as you do) and do this stuff to get your home back on track again.

1. Safety First, Hero Later

Before you channel your inner DIY warrior, check for hazards. That means shutting off electricity (wet wires and feet are not friends), avoiding standing water until it’s clear of contamination, and making sure the structural integrity of your home hasn’t gone full Jenga tower.

When in doubt? Call a professional. No shame in not wanting to fall through the living room floor.

2. Document the Damage (Yes, Before Cleaning)

Resist the urge to immediately mop everything up. Your future insurance claim depends on good documentation. Take photos, record video, and capture all the soggy, sad evidence before you start tossing stuff. It’s not fun, but your wallet will thank you later.

3. Call in the Pros (Because Mold Doesn’t Wait)

Sure, you could rent a wet vac and throw some fans around, but let’s be real: water damage is sneaky. It seeps into drywall, creeps behind baseboards, and throws a welcome party for mold spores.

That’s why services like United Response restoration exist. They’ve got the tools, the training, and the time to handle flood recovery like pros, because you have better things to do than Google “how to remove mildew smell from everything I own.”

4. Triage Your Belongings (With Grit and Grace)

Floodwater doesn’t play favorites. Go room by room and sort your stuff into three piles: salvageable, questionable, and ugh, toss it. Porous materials like mattresses, upholstered furniture, and rugs may have to go. It’s tough, but hanging on to mold magnets is a recipe for trouble.

Pro tip: Sentimental items like photos or documents might be saved with careful drying and cleaning – just don’t shove them in the microwave. (Yes, people try that.)

5. Dry Everything Like It’s Your Job

Once you’ve cleared the water and trashed the worst, it’s time to dry out every surface, crevice, and suspicious crack. Open windows, run dehumidifiers, and get air circulating like your home is auditioning for a wind tunnel.

And keep your eyes peeled – musty smells, stains, or bubbling paint are red flags for lingering water and future mold.

Final Thought: Recovery Takes Time (and Coffee)

Fixing up your home after a flood is messy, emotional, and straight-up exhausting. But with the right support, be it from trusted pros like United Response Restoration or your local caffeine dealer, you will rebuild.

Take it one step at a time. Hydrate. Vent (your feelings and your house). And remember: even the soggiest of chapters can end in a fresh, dry start.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Investing in Real Estate

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Investing in real estate can be a very rewarding, but also very perilous if you don’t know what you’re doing. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Investing in Real Estate.

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Investing in real estate can be a fantastic way to spend your money, especially when the comparison to keeping it in a bank, is not always going to be the best outcome.

With that in mind, there are great opportunities within property investment, but it’s also important to be aware of what common mistakes can occur. Here are five common mistakes to avoid when investing in real estate this year.

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1. Underestimating costs involved

When you’re a newcomer to investing in real estate, you might not always consider what hidden costs can come from buying property. There’s hidden expenses like repairs and permits, or vacancy periods if you’re renting it out.

Not to mention legal costs to process the sale of the property, whether you intend to hold onto it or do it up and flip it. It’s always important to be aware of the costs that come with investing into property that lie beyond just the property price itself. It’s also worth budgeting for phantom costs that might occur in the process too.

2. Skipping on research and due-dilligence

Skipping out on research can also be a problem if you’re not careful, that’s why you’ll want to look at everything that comes with real estate investment so that you’re well clued up. A panic bid on a property without verifying anything could be what turns into an expensive nightmare.

Always research the property you’re looking to buy and everything around it. Check out the rentals in the area, what’s around it when it comes to local amenities and schools etc. What’s the crime levels like in the area? Not doing your due-diligence could leave you with a very nasty investment.

3. Falling in love with a property and getting emotionally involved

While it’s nice to find a property you love and that you end up falling in love with, it’s important to remember that you don’t want to get too emotionally attached to a property. By getting too emotionally attached, you’re more likely to make mistakes and allow your emotions to spend more money or lose more of it.

Set some strict rules when it comes to investing and be aware of the potential fallouts that might come as a result of investing. Be sure to work with the best realtor in order to get a property that ticks all your boxes.

4. DIY overconfidence

While you might be a dab hand when it comes to DIY, you don’t want to take on too much DIY that you realistically can’t do with your other commitments in life.

Overconfidence in DIY can also result in you making an offer on a property in which you might then not be able to follow through with. Always get professionals in to do this work that can’t do and make sure it’s affordable in regards to the investment.

5. No exit strategy

An exit strategy is important when it comes to investing because whether you’re on the up with your investment or you’re losing money fast, you want an exit strategy for it. Life happens and there are some situations where you might need to sell the property or switch up your intentions for it to make some money through rental for example.

Trust your instincts when it comes to investing in real estate and know that while this is a solid investment opportunity, it’s still a risky one.

The Ultimate Guide to Monetizing Your Passion Projects

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Having a passion is certainly a gift, but being able to monetize your gift is an even greater gift that only some are blessed to have. The following contributed post is entitled, The Ultimate Guide to Monetizing Your Passion Projects.

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There’s something truly wonderful about being able to take what would otherwise be a passion of yours or an activity you do on the side and turn it into a thing that makes money.

A lot of people, though, have been able to do just that. What may have started out as a passion project or something to do on the side can become a money-maker and, for the few, a chance to change their lives for the better.

Whether you’ve had an idea for a side hustle for some time or you’re looking to expand something that could be a profitable niche on the market, this guide will share with you everything you need to know about monetizing your passion projects.

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1. Define your passion or niche

First and foremost, you want to define what the passion or niche is that you’re trying to make more from. Identifying a profitable niche or passion is different from just taking anything that you currently enjoy and trying to monetize it just as it is.

While anything nowadays can be transformed into something profitable, some will be more successful than others. That’s why it’s important to define what it is you’re looking to achieve so that you can maximize its success and maximize the amount of money you make from it, too.

Some niches are going to be better than others, which is why you want to do your research. Define what your passion or niche is, then look to see if there’s a market there through the research. After that, you can build upon that niche and create something that hopefully will turn into something financially fruitful.

2. Start building a website

Building the website is the next step when it comes to monetizing a passion project. In order to exist in a world that’s dominated by the digital domain, you want to have a website so that people know you exist.

If you’ve not thought about a website or have one currently, then you’ll want to change that attitude fast. Be proactive when it comes to creating a website and look into what’s required in order to make sure your website stands out from the crowd.

This is the point at which you’ll want to start investing a little bit of money here and there. It’ll make a big difference to how it performs when live, and it’s that professionalism that you need to be aware of when it comes to presenting your passion project as a possible business venture.

3. Take advantage of social media platforms

Social media is a wonderful place to advertise your passion project and to build some traction when it comes to the popularity of your products or services. Therefore, you want to explore which social media platforms would prove the best when it comes to your productivity online.

Some platforms are going to be better when it comes to the audience they attract in general. Some passion projects or niches that you’ve decided to go into might be more effective when it comes to appealing to the masses. Others may be more suited for the smaller groups of people you’re trying to reach.

The more you can exist on social media, the better, so it’s something you want to take advantage of, even if that means outsourcing these needs to begin with.

4. Explore monetization methods

Monetization is an important step in building your passion project. After all, if it’s something you want to transform into a profitable business, then you’re going to need to find the avenues that’ll pay you that money.

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Selling products, whether it’s a digital product or a physical one, is the first step in creating profit for the business. E-books, online courses, or handcrafted items will all make up the products you sell to your customers.

However, selling products might not be the only thing you offer. You may want to look at affiliate marketing, which is where you partner with companies to promote their products and services in exchange for commissions.

A lot of the social media platforms can now be monetized for your advantage and to make more money, too. Turn your side hustle into your main shop with Jirle, as well as other tools that can help you make more money.

5. Be consistent with quality and what you’re offering

Quality and consistency are two focal points to work on when it comes to keeping your passion project one that attracts attention and hopefully more customers as time goes by.

With that being said, look at what you’re offering when it comes to that quality of service. For your online socials, look at what you could give in the form of valuable, informative, and entertaining content for your target audience.

Be authentic with everything you do because often enough, the fakery can be seen through very quickly. Make sure ot be consistent and to post regularly so your audience is always going to receive or expect something from you.

6. Build your brand by talking about it constantly

Building a brand is an important part when it comes to monetizing your passion projects. It’s good to look at how you’re building your passion project into its own brand because that’s half the job of getting recognized.

Think about your branding as it is currently. It might be non-existent, or you may have started but not yet grown it to where it needs to be. Always be willing to work on your brand as it’s a big part of the business.

7. Celebrate your wins and assess feedback

Finally, celebrate your wins. Don’t forget that every effort you’re making is likely paying off in some small way. Assess the feedback that you’re getting from others, both your customers and close friends or family, as this will help you to determine what you’ll need to do next to take it from strength to strength.

Monetizing a passion project is definitely something that can help you build your success. Who knows where this small side hustle or passion might take you in a few years?

5 Things You Need To Know When Running Your Own Construction Business

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. As with any business, there are several important aspects to understand when you own a construction business. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Things You Need To Know When Running Your Own Construction Business.

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Think you’ve got what it takes to run your own construction business? Well, there is plenty that you need to know beforehand, including the points you will find below.

Where will you get your equipment from

The first thing you will need to know when running your own construction business is where you will get the specialist equipment you will need. Some construction firms will buy this equipment so they have sole use. Others may lease it, especially if it’s an item that will not be in constant use, but is required to complete a project.

Image located at Pexels – Licence CC0

The type of supplies you will need

Another thing you will need to have when running your own construction business is good knowledge of all the different types of supplies you will need for different tasks. For example, you will need to understand the different uses for sand in construction. Otherwise, you could end up ordering beach sand when what you need is concrete sand, which could endanger the success of your project, create safety issues and incur additional costs.

What qualifications and certificates will your employees have

Knowing what qualifications you need your employees to have for them to work safely and legally on a construction site is also crucial to your business. One instance of this is that the site manager in the UK will need to have an SMSTS card to be able to take on this role. Those working with mobile access towers will need a PASMA card. Still others using heavy machinery will need the right CPCS card for the equipment they are using.

The tax specifics for your location

Tax can be confusing for anyone running their own business, but it’s another thing that you will need to get to grips with if your construction company is to be a success. In particular, you will need to know the tax rate for your specific location, as well as whether any additional value-added tax or discounts apply to various parts of your operations. The best way to approach this is often to get a tax professional to help you, as this will ensure things are as accurate as possible.

How will you market your business?

Every business needs to be properly marketed, even construction firms. Good marketing is all about getting your offerings in front of the people most likely to use them. Success in construction marketing begins with good branding, as you will need to create a level of trust with potential customers from the very beginning. You will also need to make sure you have a fast and easy-to-use website where potential customers can find out more about what you offer and how to contact you.

Next SEO should be a very important part of any marketing effort for a construction firm. This is because it will help you get found online when someone searches for the services you offer. Remember to include local SEO techniques for the areas in which you operate.

Lastly, industry events like conferences can be a good way of connecting with other construction businesses that may be able to use your services and so provide you with a more steady stream of income.

How To Make Your CRM Work For You

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Customer Relationship Management teams are critical depending on the type of business that you are in. The can make or brake your collaborations which are critical for business. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Make Your CRM Work For You.

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CRMs are all the rage in businesses today. But actually extracting value from them is notoriously challenging. It’s not always clear how you should leverage them.

That’s where this post comes in handy. It explores the various ways you can make your CRM work for you so you can get the best value from it.

Decide What You Want Your CRM To Do

Your top priority is to decide what it is that you want your CRM to do for you. For most companies, this will be maximizing conversions, but it could also be other things, like retaining customers (and preventing them from getting annoyed with you and your services).

Think about what you want to target with your team and hold this up as your North Star. Then, build your CRM strategy around it.

Customize The CRM To Fit Your Workflow

The next part of the process is to set up your CRM to facilitate your workflow, just the way you want it. For example, you could hire a Pipedrive consultant to help you with a comprehensive implementation plan and setup.

Most businesses don’t take this shortcut, but it is highly worthwhile. For example, if you run a service-based business, you could add new fields depending on customer milestones or project requirements.

Little touches like these can make all the difference. They make life so much easier for your staff and allow you to get on top of issues quickly, without them snowing you under.

Train Your Team Properly

Another tip is to train your team properly on your CRM. After all, if you’re investing in it, they need to know how to use it.

Training will involve various hands-on sessions. It will also require going through the motions a few times to understand how it really works.

Many vendors provide online instructions at discounted prices if you sign up for their services, which is helpful. These guide your team through what they need to do. They can also help you reduce annoyingly high error rates.

Keep Your Data Clean

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To get the most out of your CRM, it also pays to invest a little time in keeping your data clean. Doing what you can to remove duplicates or incorrect information is helpful.

Modern software is getting better at doing this itself. However, you may need to get someone to go through it by hand for you as well, depending on the situation,

Team members should be going into the CRM and looking for bad data on a weekly or monthly basis. If you do it less frequently, you can wind up with serious customer service issues and general all-around confusion.

Get Rid Of Repetitive Tasks

One of the main benefits of CRMs is how they allow you to automate repetitive tasks. They can do things like send follow up emails or update task statuses without your input.

The list of automations is also growing because of the role of AI. It’s having a profound effect on what’s possible and how much work you can offload to these systems.

For example, setting up automated workflows is usually easier than you think these days. Staff are only really required to monitor them and ensure that they make sense for the underlying customer.

Leverage Analytics For Insights

Another thing you want to do with your CRM is to leverage its analytics capabilities for insights. You want to figure out what’s working, what isn’t, and how you can better use the software to improve your KPIs.

The best way to do this is with custom reports built around your concerns. These let you drill into what matters and see if you can identify areas for improvement.

You can also go into the data and see which types of leads are generating the most conversions for you.

Integrate With Other Software

Finally, you can increase the potency of your CRM by integrating it with other software. Connecting it to marketing tools or accounting software can reduce the number of office processes you need to perform.

For example, suppose you integrated your CRM with your email marketing tool. You could use the CRM’s lead management features to determine when you should send out emails to prospects, and what they should say. You can also use your CRM for personalized campaign tracking, cutting down dramatically on the amount of work your team has to do.

Using these CRM processes can transform how you do business quickly. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes to your bottom line.

Mastering the Art of Negotiation with CPG Suppliers

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship.
In business, negotiation is critical no matter what you’re transacting. Mastering this art can prove to be quite lucrative. The following contributed post is entitled, Mastering the Art of Negotiation with CPG Suppliers.

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Negotiation between Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) suppliers is a heady mix of artful tact and science. Businesses that are reliant on a super smooth flow of goods depend on having strong supplier relationships for efficiency, sustainability, and profit. Creating deals that work in favor of all parties often takes a lot of strategic thinking, preparation and expert negotiating skills. In this blog, we will go through some tips that may help make sure that you have successful negotiations when working with your CPG suppliers.

Photo by Amina Atar on Unsplash

Understand the Supplier’s Perspective

Being really good at negotiation requires having a firm grasp on all of the challenges and priorities facing suppliers. They face pressures like rising raw material costs, logistical obstacles, and managing multiple clients simultaneously. And when you understand these constraints more fully, it allows you to create proposals which can address both parties’ needs rather than simply one party’s demands. Empathy between parties creates stronger partnerships leading to mutually beneficial agreements.

Do Your Research on Pricing and Market Trends

Heading into negotiations without first having a complete picture of the current market conditions can be like trying to paddle upstream, blindfolded. Knowledge is power, so arming yourself with data on industry pricing standards, material costs, and emerging trends will give any proposal you create more credence. Conducting market research will give you invaluable information on what other buyers are paying for similar goods which allows for way better price discussions with an air of authority too. These research materials can also help identify areas of flexibility while making it easier to set firm boundaries.

Build a Relationship Before You Bargain

Before hitting them with hard numbers, focus on developing professional and cordial relationships with your suppliers. People tend to cooperate more easily when they like and trust someone. Cultivating your own rapport through consistent, respectful communication or showing appreciation of the supplier value. Soft skills can help reduce unnecessary tension while setting an amiable atmosphere. Building reliable relations may even result in you getting priority orders, better payment terms or faster deliveries. These are things that hard numbers cannot get you by themselves.

Be Clear About Your Goals and Priorities

Approach every negotiation with a clear strategy in mind. Know exactly what the important goals of this negotiation are. Is it lower prices, faster delivery schedules or maybe better service quality? You should also be more understanding where there may be compromise and where flexibility ends. Communication is very important with suppliers. Any ambiguity causes confusion that can deter good negotiation, while an organised and systematic approach shows both professionalism as well as confidence. This is why it’s so important to achieve fair deals.

Use Data and Metrics to Strengthen Your Position

Data doesn’t lie, so using it during negotiations can give compelling justification for requests. From past purchasing volumes, order consistency or sales performance metrics to supplier preferences. You will need well-documented reasoning over vague assertions as factual information gives everything credibility. You should always use data and metrics in your negotiations as this instantly elevates your negotiating position.

Focus on Creating a Win-Win Agreement

Negotiation should never be about “winning” at the expense of suppliers. A one-sided deal might bring you short-term gains, but in the long run it can lead to unfavorable relations or unsustainable agreements. Rather try and aim to create value for both sides by looking for opportunities for collaboration. Perhaps placing larger orders would allow you to get better pricing while giving predictable sales volumes for your supplier. Only when everyone leaves the table satisfied will the partnerships flourish and flourish further.

Be Willing to Walk Away (But Don’t Use It as a Bluff)

Being ready and willing to walk away can be a risky negotiating strategy, but only use this tactic when truly prepared to follow through. Empty threats can damage the long-term trust with suppliers and their services. If the negotiations stall, make sure to express that current conditions no longer align with your business requirements while looking into other possibilities. However, being professional even during critical moments can often open doors to future collaboration opportunities.

Have an Open Mind Towards Alternative Solutions

There might be some creative and mutually-beneficial solutions that are lying beyond what initially appears obvious. Experienced negotiators know to listen actively when listening to supplier proposals before looking into potential avenues of negotiation that offer better options for both parties involved. For example, proposing extended payment terms in exchange for a discount or bundling products to create lower unit pricing can lead to mutually beneficial results. Not only does this strategy help build collaboration but it also demonstrates you are willing to negotiate to get resolution to problems within the possible partnership. Such flexibility wins over supplier relationships and also strengthens business ties. When you are keeping an open mind and balancing strategic goals with innovation, negotiators can discover opportunities that meet both parties’ interests.

Avoid Common Pitfalls in Negotiation

It is also very important to try and avoid common pitfalls during negotiations. Approaching conversations with excessive aggression, overplaying your hand or showing a lack of preparation can quickly break the trust between suppliers and lead to unfavorable results. Instead, focus on having an informed and respectful discussion. Remember that suppliers possess extensive expertise regarding their own products and services. Underestimating this may damage the relationships and slow the progress. When you are cultivating mutual respect and collaboration, you create an environment more apt for positive outcomes. When asserting yourself assertively, however, make sure it comes with listening skills and flexibility as hard-nosed tactics may create resistance rather than cooperation. Maintaining professionalism and an open mindset throughout the negotiation process is the surest way to cultivate good will and reach successful agreements. Avoiding these potential pitfalls will help you with having smoother negotiations and establish long-term productive business partnerships.

Partner With Natural Food Brokers To Do It For You

Or you can bypass this whole process when you partner with natural food brokers. Natural food brokers can make the supply chain management and negotiation processes much more manageable, helping your business find suppliers who fit with your business goals and standards. They have access to market insights, industry relationships and know exactly how to streamline negotiations. Partnering with natural food brokers will make your company a leading competitor in the CPG landscape.

Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash

Conclusion

Negotiating with CPG suppliers requires you to have a solid strategy and also build strong partnerships. So careful preparation, clear communication and long-term collaboration are critical components for getting any positive outcomes. Stay professional while remaining flexible during negotiations, and soon you will become a master at the art of negotiation.