Category: Contributed Posts

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.

How Your Hotel Can Stand Out Among The Competition

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. The hospitality business is very much about appearances and impressions. You really what your hotel to pop relative to the competition. The following contributed post is entitled, How Your Hotel Can Stand Out Among The Competition.

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Pexels

Running a hotel and being a business owner is not an easy job. However, working in hospitality and showing others a nice time can be quite rewarding.

The reality is that guests have choices when it comes to where to stay when they’re out of town for personal reasons or for business. If you’re going to thrive long-term, then you want to make sure that your hotel is booked and customers are satisfied. Here you can learn more about how your hotel can stand out among the crowd.

Clean & Comfortable Sleeping Room

Your guests are essentially at your hotel because they need somewhere to sleep at night. Therefore, one of the most important aspects is to focus on achieving a clean and comfortable sleeping room. If you want guests to speak highly of your hotel and get a good night’s sleep then be sure to invest in high-quality and cozy hotel bedding. You not only want it to look presentable and attractive but also offer a sense of luxury. Make sure there are fresh towels available and no crumbs or dirt left behind.

Customer Service & A Trained Staff

If you want to run a successful hospitality business, then you must offer exceptional customer service. This will require that you train your staff and confirm that each person you hire knows how to be personable and professional in every interaction. You want each guest that enters through your doors to feel valued and appreciated. It would be wise to remember guests’ preferences when they stay with you in the future. Be proactive in offering assistance to them with their bags or helping them find a local place to eat.

Unique Offerings & Amenities

If your hotel is going to stand out among the competition, then you should have unique offerings and amenities. You may want to work with the local community to set up the option of taking a cooking class, doing an art tour, or going to a wine tasting. As far as amenities go, consider having a spa in your hotel where guests can get massages or get their nails done. You might also want to offer a swimming pool and hot tub, a workout facility, and a few different dining choices. Stand out by having a rooftop garden or themed common spaces that fit with your brand.

Attractive & User-Friendly Website

Many customers go online first to see what a hotel is all about before booking a reservation. Therefore, it’s important to have an attractive and user-friendly hotel website in place. Brand your website, implement SEO best practices, and highlight any special offers or promotions. What’s most critical is that the booking process is painless and seamless. Be sure to include your cancellation policy on your website so guests know what to expect.

Conclusion

These are some top ways your hotel can stand out among the competition. It’s worth the effort to go the extra mile and do what you can to fill hotel rooms. Keep in mind that the better job you do overall, the more positive reviews you’ll receive and the more likely it is that you’ll find success in the hospitality industry.

Opening a Storefront? What to Know About Fit-Outs, Layout, and Displays

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. There are many ways to start a business and house one. A classic way is opening a storefront business. The following contributed post is entitled, Opening a Storefront? What to Know About Fit-Outs, Layout, and Displays.

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Starting a physical store is a big step, and it comes with a mix of excitement and decisions that can shape how the space works once it opens. While the product or service might be the focus, the way the store is built, organized, and presented plays a huge role in how customers experience it.

From the early planning stages to the final finishing touches, a thoughtful approach can make the difference between a space that simply exists and one that people enjoy visiting. It’s not just about filling shelves, but about building something that works well every day.

Source: Unsplash (CC0)

Get the basics right with expert help

Before any shelves go up or lights are switched on, the space itself needs to be sound. Whether it’s an empty unit or a former shop that needs updating, good workmanship at the start can avoid bigger problems later.

Working with professionals who provide specialist plastering services can make a noticeable difference in the look and feel of the space, especially when walls need repair, smoothing, or a fresh finish before paint or fittings go in. These details might seem small, but they help create a clean, professional foundation that makes everything else feel more polished.

Choose your location with care

The layout and interior design will matter, but it all starts with where the store is located. Things like foot traffic, nearby businesses, local parking, and even visibility from the street can affect how easy it is to attract and keep customers.

For those still in the early stages, choosing a store premises should involve looking at more than just size or rent. It’s about how the space fits the business model and supports daily activity, both behind the scenes and out front. A little extra time spent finding the right spot can make a big impact once the doors are open.

Layout decisions influence how people shop

Once the location is chosen, the interior layout needs to guide people through the space naturally. Entry points, checkout placement, and walking paths all contribute to how easily customers can browse and interact with what’s offered.

The goal isn’t to pack every square metre with merchandise but to create flow and focus areas. Thinking through the customer experience helps prevent congestion, improves browsing, and keeps staff moving comfortably through the space.

Displays are more powerful than you might think

Even a small selection of products can stand out when presented the right way. Shelving, lighting, and signage work together to guide the eye and highlight what’s most important or timely.

An attractive retail display can encourage people to pause, look closer, and feel more connected to what’s being sold. This doesn’t always require elaborate setups; sometimes the best results come from a clear theme, neat presentation, and thoughtful arrangement that matches the store’s brand and tone.

Opening a storefront takes more than just stocking shelves and flipping the sign to open. From early planning and solid construction to location choice and display design, thoughtful decisions help create a space that looks good, runs well, and keeps customers coming back.

Make Your BnB Stand Out

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Home/Property Discussions. Many people are in the BnB market now and it can be a lucrative business if you know what you’re doing. A key is to make your property stand out. The following contributed post is entitled, Make Your BnB Stand Out.

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When you want your BnB to really become a success story, yes some grand gestures will pay-off but oftentimes it is the little details and basic operations that make a wow-inspired stay for guests. A stand-out guest experience forms the basis of repeat bookings, stellar reviews and invaluable referrals. From immaculate cleanliness to top-notch safety making your guests feel special. In this blog, we will look at some practical and creative methods for turning an ordinary stay into one that stands out.

Photo by billow926 on Unsplash

First Impressions Matter

Even before the moment your guests step foot inside, their experience begins. Clear and effective communication regarding check-in procedures, local transportation options and parking facilities is very important in setting a positive first impression. Greet your guests with an inviting space, nothing ruins the first impression like being met with dusty floors or cobwebs in the corner. Offering an informative welcome packet filled with important info. Add personal touches such as handwritten greeting notes or local treats.

Prioritize Guest Security

Ensuring the safety and satisfaction of your guests during their stay is very important in creating an exceptional experience. Implementing access control solutions such as smart locks or keyless entry systems add an extra layer of protection and convenience. Clear signage showing emergency exits or providing safety instructions can further ensure guests feel at ease and build trust between yourself and them.

Comfort of Home

Your guests’ comfort should always come first. Make an investment in quality bedding featuring crisp linens and plush pillows, nothing says luxury like sleeping like on a cloud. Make sure the mattresses are supportive and inviting to ensure good restful nights. Fill the bathroom with luxury toiletries, fluffy towels, and sufficient supplies such as bathrobes or slippers for the full experience of luxuriousness. A well-equipped pantry or kitchen also can make a wow first impression upon your guests’ arrival, like providing basic necessities like tea, coffee, milk and snacks.

Go the Extra Mile with Amenities

Travellers have high expectations when it comes to amenities. Fast and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity is a necessity, while charging points must also be readily available throughout. Entertainment such as Smart TVs, streaming services or board games can add another dimension of relaxation during indoor time. For those travelling with families or pets, thoughtful touches such as travel cots or highchairs or pet-friendly items can make all the difference. Anticipating guests’ needs is what turns an ordinary stay into an exceptional one.

Farewell Touches

A smooth check-out process makes it easier for guests to leave with positive memories. Provide a small token as parting gifts or discount codes for future bookings, then send a thank-you message thanking them for choosing your BnB and inviting them to write reviews so you can gain valuable feedback to improve for future guests.

Conclusion

Attention to details can transform any BnB into an ideal home away from home for travellers, making it the go-to choice when they are looking for comfort, convenience and safety. From thoughtful amenities and personal touches to modern safety measures, your efforts in making the stay of each guest truly special will be noticed and your efforts rewarded by increased ratings as guests spread the word of your impeccable hospitality.

Tips to Set Up a Productive Office Without the Effort

My blog focuses on Organizational/Management Discussions and Workplace Discussions. Your office space is critical to your operations and you have to optimize it for maximum productivity. The following contributed post is entitled, Tips to Set Up a Productive Office Without the Effort.

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Image Credit: Alesia Kazantceva from Unsplash.

Setting up an office can be a daunting task. There’s a lot involved, and you’ll need to pay attention to quite a few areas. That’s especially true when you want to set up a productive office, which can seem relatively complicated, considering what’s usually involved in it.

It’s easy to see why so many people feel a little overwhelmed with it. When you’re doing it from scratch, you could fall into this position. But, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Focusing on a few of the essentials is a great start with this. With them sorted out, you can hit the ground running relatively easily. After that, you can expand your efforts outward to make your office more and more productive in time.

Starting off with a few particular areas is recommended, as they could make a significant difference going forward.

Invest in Furniture

You’ll already know you need office furniture when you’re setting everything up. But, that doesn’t mean just getting the basics and leaving it at that. It’s worth making sure you properly invest in them so the office furniture is actually beneficial for employees.

Ergonomic chairs and desks are a great example of this. They make sure employees are comfortable when they’re working and don’t need to worry about back pain and similar issues. It’ll help with their productivity a lot more than you would’ve thought.

Don’t Overlook Communal Area

Communal areas are always worth investing in. They help to improve and maintain employee morale, and can be great places for employees to get to know each other better. There are plenty of these you can go for, from water cooler areas to a canteen.

The trick to this is making sure they’re well-stocked and properly maintained. Investing in the best office water cooler service and similar services can help to make this easy. With how beneficial these communal areas are, you’ve no reason not to have them in place.

Keep it Clean & Organized

Speaking of maintaining communal areas, you should extend this to the entire office. Make sure your entire office is properly maintained by keeping it clean and organized. It helps to make sure the office is a positive place to work in and creates a nice atmosphere.

Nobody wants to work somewhere dirty and disorganized, after all. Making sure employees clean up after themselves is a great start with this. It could also be worth investing in a professional cleaning service to come in at least once a week.

It’s natural to want to set up a productive office; it can seem like a bit of a waste of time if employees aren’t as productive as they should be. But, this often seems complicated. Many people aren’t even sure where to start or what actually works.

This doesn’t always need to be as complicated as you could think. Focusing on the essentials and expanding outward from there could be more than enough to do this. There’s no reason why you should have to struggle through it.

How To Reduce Clutter In Your Home

My blog focuses on Health/Wellness, Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. Clutter is an aspect of owning a home and it can decrease your quality of life. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Reduce Clutter In Your Home.

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Clutter in your home is something that you want to stay on top of, especially as you begin to fill your home with belongings. If you have children or multiple members in your household, the amount of clutter you collect is only going to get worse.

With that being said, reducing clutter in your home is something that is possible with the right amount of effort and time dedicated to decluttering your spaces. Here are some helpful tips on how to reduce clutter in your home.

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1. Start off small

    First and foremost, start off small. If you’re new to decluttering or you’re someone who does it once in a blue moon, you’re going to want to approach decluttering with baby steps.

    Starting off small could be simply going through a few drawers or a random closet you’ve not really dived into recently.

    By starting off small, you’re going to get more done without getting bored or perhaps being distracted by other things going on around the home. Little efforts to declutter your space is better than trying to do it all at once.

    2. Go room-by-room and be detailed

    Talking of doing it bit by bit, make sure you’re going room by room when decluttering your home. When you do each room, you want to be detailed, making sure to identify every single object and belonging in that space.

    By focusing on individual spaces, you can be more attentive to the room you’re in and do a proper declutter of the entirety of the space. Doing this with every room is going to lead to a more effective decluttering as a result.

    3. Establish a daily routine of decluttering

    A daily routine is something that you want to establish when it comes to decluttering. It could be something as simple as staying on top of a specific area that’s known for becoming cluttered or returning everything you get out to its rightful place in the home.

    A daily routine, like cleaning up after yourself, can make a big difference in how your home looks on a regular basis.

    4. Be more conscious of what you purchase for the home

    When it comes to decluttering, you want to be mindful of what you are bringing into your home. The more you purchase and bring home, the more clutter you’re ultimately creating.

    With that being said, be more conscious of what you purchase for the home and restrict it where possible. Try to throw something out or donate something when you bring a new item home with you. Anything that you don’t want to keep in the home, you could always look at external storage to move it to.

    5. Keep things minimal when it comes to furniture and belongings

    When it comes to furniture and your belongings, you want to keep things minimal. The more minimalist your spaces are, the better. It’ll lead to less clutter around your home, and you’ll be creating a more relaxed space in general.

    Reducing clutter in your home is something that you want to do regularly, so use these tips to help keep on top of it.

    Creating A Bold & Powerful Brand

    My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. No matter what kind of business you’re running, your brand is everything and it can both set you apart from everyone else and make you rich. The following contributed post is entitled, Creating A Bold & Powerful Brand.

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    Credit – CCO License

    Branding is one of the most important elements of running any business, and one that you are probably going to be keen to get right from the start. As long as you have a strong brand, much else will naturally follow from this, and you are going to find that you are much more likely to have the success that you are hoping for. In this post, we are going to take a look at a few of the ways in which you can hope to create a bold and powerful brand that will serve your business effectively.

    Know Who You Are

    This is huge. If you want to have a strong brand, you need to make sure you know who you are and what you’re about, because this is exactly what a brand expresses. Everything starts with clarity, so you’ll have to ask yourself what your business stands for and what change you are here to make. Once you know that, you’ll be able to hone in on what the brand is trying to say. This is much better and more effective than trying to be everything to everyone – an approach that ultimately fails every time.

    Avoid Bland Messaging

    The messaging behind the brand is one of the most important elements of the whole process of branding, because if you are not expressing your brand then it’s not really working as a brand anyway. This is therefore a really useful thing to consider if you want to make sure that you are getting your brand expression just right. Keep your messaging bold and vibrant, and avoid any bland phrasing at all, and you are going to benefit hugely from this change. It’s an approach that is going to be well worth thinking about for sure.

    Get The Design Right

    In order to have an effective brand, you’ll really need to design like you mean it. This means that you’ll have to think about the design of the brand that is going to work, so you can ensure you are going to get it right. Visual identity is everything in the world of a brand, at the end of the day, so that’s something you’ll have to consider here. It can help to have the assistance of a trusted branding agency, as they will have a lot of practice in designing a brand with strong visual impact.

    Create Experiences

    Ultimately, people are going to remember experiences more than just assets, so it’s a good idea to create some experiences and then align them with your brand as clearly as you can. This is going to make a world of difference, and you will find that you are much more likely to end up with a brand people respond positively to. It’s a very simple and subtle change in perspective and approach, but one that really does work in creating a brand that is bold and powerful – and ultimately, more memorable.

    What Tech Startups Need to Know Before Expanding to Silicon Valley

    My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. Silicon Valley is the ground zero for technology companies. If you’re looking to join the party as a startup, there are couple of key things to think about. The following contributed post is entitled, What Tech Startups Need to Know Before Expanding to Silicon Valley.

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    Image credit

    So you’ve hit that point, things are growing, the team’s buzzing, and you’re seriously eyeing Silicon Valley. Maybe it’s Palo Alto, maybe it’s somewhere nearby, but the idea is officially on the table. Expansion. It sounds exciting, and kind of like you’re one of the grown-ups in tech now.

    But once you start poking around, the shine starts to wear just a little. Well, it quickly gets to a point where you’re thinking about housing costs that make your eyes twitch, figuring out where people are going to live, and trying to decide if opening an office in the middle of one of the most competitive markets in the world is brilliant… or mildly chaotic (mostly that to be honest with you).

    Alright, so here’s the thing though: it can absolutely work, you just need a plan that’s rooted in reality, not hype. Yeah, it’s not going to be a soft landing, but yeah, it can work.

    The Local Scene is an Entire Shift

    You might have an idea about it already, but it’s best to hammer this one down first. Alright, so for starters, moving into Silicon Valley is like stepping into a world where things are just… different. People talk faster, schedules fill up in minutes, and rent prices have the audacity to be both shocking and somehow “normal” around here. Seriously, go on Zillow right now and look up how much a little house costs, that alone will make your head spin.

    Anyways, it’s not just about setting up desks and unlocking the front door to your new office. You’ve got to think about how your people are going to eat, sleep, and function in a brand-new city. But yeah, a lot of startups forget that part. They build the pitch deck, they lock in a coworking space, but then the team ends up stuck in overpriced hotels or bouncing between short-term rentals that feel more like afterthoughts than actual homes.

    Try and Keep It Flexible

    There’s this pressure to go big right away, and yeah, you’ll see that in articles, shows, social media posts like on LinkedIn, such as a big office, big address, big splash. But you don’t need any of that. What you do need is breathing room. Yeah, you basically need the freedom to try things out without locking yourself into a 12-month lease on a space you’re not even sure you’ll grow into. That’s why so many startups go for corporate housing instead.

    Again, it can’t be stressed enough how expensive life can be in Silicon Valley, and sometimes, just trying to move a business there can be hard. Besides, isn’t the idea of having no-strings attached pretty nice? You can test the waters, and if things don’t work out, well, at least some of the stress will ease because you can pack up and leave.

    Don’t Forget About the People Part

    Well, here’s something that doesn’t show up on spreadsheets: relocating even one person is a big deal. Uprooting someone from their city, asking them to live in a whole new place, and hoping they can just jump back into work like it’s no big deal? That’s not nothing.

    If your team feels disoriented or scattered, it shows. Well, you can expect projects to slow down, and communication gets messy. Someone’s always half-checked out, dealing with logistics or trying to find Wi-Fi that doesn’t drop every 30 seconds.

    So if you’re making a move, even temporarily, give your team the setup they need to actually live while they’re doing great work.

    3 Questions To Ask Before Launching A New Service

    My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. There are always ideas for launching new services, and each seems like a good idea initially. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Questions To Ask Before Launching A New Service.

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    Photo by picjumbo.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silver-click-pen-on-open-book-210660/

    The excitement of launching something new, no matter what field you’re in, is great. It feels like you’re on the cusp of something special. But the practical considerations that determine if your service will succeed or struggle to find its footing in the market should be the main focus, and it’s important not to let the positive feeling shroud that. Unfortunately, many businesses jump into new offerings without properly understanding what they’re getting into, or without a compelling case for themselves. If political parties can do it, so can your business.

    Now is the best time to begin asking the right questions before you commit time, money, and reputation to the venture. These questions aren’t meant to kill your enthusiasm or talk you out of innovation, but if done right, will help you launch with confidence and clarity. When you understand your market, your capabilities, and your competition before you start, you’re much more likely to create something that customers want and that your business can deliver. You just have to be realistic with yourself.

    In this post, we’ll ask them for you:

    Do Your Current Customers Want This?

    Not all businesses even find out if the people who already trust your business would be interested in what you’re planning to offer. Your existing customers are the easiest people to sell to because they already know your quality and reliability, and in some cases they’re often willing to try new things from companies they like. If they’re not interested in your new service, that’s a strong signal that you need to rethink your approach or find a different market entirely.

    Invest in the time to talk to your current customers directly, as it prevents you from guessing what they want, because their feedback will tell you whether your idea solves a real problem they have. Their responses will also help you understand how to position and price your new service.

    Can You Deliver This Consistently?

    Having a great idea for a service is something most people can do, but being able to deliver it reliably week after week is something few can. Be in that second category, and think through the resources, staff, and systems you’ll need to provide consistent quality, and that goes tenfold when you need to scale it. Many service launches fail because the business underestimated what it takes to maintain quality standards over time. Speak to fundamental partners that offer nearshore software services for example, if uptime and development prowess is a major concern, which it should be.

    What Are Your Competitors Doing Right & Wrong?

    You can easily look at other businesses offering similar services to understand what’s working in the market and where there might be gaps you can fill. Don’t copy them of course, but don’t hesitate to begin learning from their successes and failures so you can position your service more effectively. From there you can pay attention to customer complaints and praise for existing services, because these insights will help you avoid the issues they’re learning the hard way. It might help you avoid a mistake you were on the cusp of making.

    With this advice, you’re sure to launch your new service with confidence.

    3 Practical Tips to Set Up and Office & Make It Productive

    My blog focuses on Organizational/Management and Workplace Discussions. An office is where much of your business and mission are carried out. You thus need to set it up to maximize production. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Practical Tips to Set Up and Office & Make It Productive.

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    Image Credit: LYCS Architecture from Unsplash.

    Every business needs an office space for employees to work from. As natural as this is, it’s not an area many companies put a lot of time and effort into. As an entrepreneur, you’ll need to set up an office space that you and your employees actually want to work from.

    This takes more time and effort than many people realize. But, that doesn’t mean it needs to be overwhelmingly hard. You could just need to focus on the right areas from the start.

    Using a few practical tips helps you get everything set up relatively quickly and easily. At the same time, they’ll help you design a productive office you and your employees like working from. Three of these might be worth focusing on because of the impact they can have.

    Invest in the Basics

    It’s always worth making sure you have all of the basics for your office. This goes beyond just desks, chairs, and computers for your employees. You’ll also need to consider scanners, office supplies, and even essentials for the break room. Invest in these early.

    Consider what your employees will do every day, and which equipment and supplies help them do this. Once you’ve invested in these, there’s no reason why your office employees shouldn’t be as productive as possible from the start.

    Create Dedicated Zones

    One of the more overlooked parts of setting up an office is creating dedicated zones. These can help your employees be as productive as possible going forward. It’s just a matter of knowing which kinds of zones you should actually include in your office.

    Mult-functional spaces, co-working spaces, quiet areas, meeting rooms, and similar zones should all be part of this. They help to make sure everyone has everything they need to work productively. While this takes a little bit of work, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be helpful.

    Prioritize Natural Light & Ventilation

    It’s natural to focus on technological tools and similar areas when you’re setting up your office. But, it’s worth making sure you don’t overlook creating a healthy workplace for you and your employees. Natural light and ventilation both play an essential role in this.

    Take the time to bring these in as much as you can. Large windows and similar investments can all be worth investing in. They’ll make your office a happier and healthier place to work going forward. Aim to include them as much as you can from the start.

    When you’re trying to set up an office, it’s natural to focus on certain areas. But, that often means a few other areas could be neglected. This is despite how important they can be for your workplace. They’re all worth putting some time and effort into.

    Once you do, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t create a workplace that you and your employees like working from. They’ll even help with productivity and a few other areas, so there’s no reason not to actually put the effort into them from as early as possible.