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.
* * *
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.
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.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Starting a business is something many people covet, but it’s easier said than done in many instances. The following contributed post is entitled, Practical Steps For Growing Your Business.
* * *
Have you recently decided to start your own business? If the answer to that is yes then you have a potentially long road ahead of you. Starting a business isn’t for the weak and you may already know that a high percentage of new businesses won’t make it through their first year. An even smaller percentage make it to their fifth. If you don’t want this to be you then check out the below article for some hints and tips.
One of the first avenues you need to explore is how much money you need for your business. This will include all your funding to cover you for the first year, at least. You need enough to last until profits start rolling in and they can take over costs. Write a list including costs, then give yourself some extra on top of this number. This will cover you for anything you forgot about or need in an emergency.
You will also need to open a business account, this is where your money from customers will go and you will also use it to pay various bills associated with the company.
Go Green
Another important aspect of businesses nowadays is how green they are. You will often find that this is one of the things that customers and clients look for when deciding who to shop with. If you want to do more than just recycle the odd bottle here and there then you could look into using renewable energy. This comes in the form of wind or solar power usually, however, there are other types available if you want to use those instead.
If you do decide to go with solar power then you could get a great deal on a commercial energy storage system, this will store all of your unused energy so you can use it at a later date. Very handy if you have your systems installed in summer ready for winter use.
Hire A Great Team
Lastly, growing your business takes more than one person at any given time. While you could run your company yourself in the very early stages of development and opening, there will come a time when you need all hands on deck. This is where your amazing team of employees comes in to help you out with various tasks and projects.
You need to work out who you need to hire and what their job titles will be including what is included in their job description. You will also need to create job advertisements and interview potential candidates.
If you don’t want to do this yourself then you could work with a recruitment agency who will do all the legwork and paperwork for you. Be sure to check out reviews and fees before deciding on which one to use.
We hope you found this interesting and it gave you some key ideas on how to grow your business. Remember, it won’t skyrocket to success overnight. It takes time, commitment, and most of all, time to boost and grow your business.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Creating a business is not easy, and once you create one, it’s not easy to maintain one. The following contributed post is entitled, Top Tips To Create A Sustainable Long-Lasting Business.
* * *
For any business, staying on the market in this current climate can prove challenging. If you’ve made it through COVID, then you can likely make it through any sort of wave that comes for your business in the future.
However, there’s more to just surviving as a business. You need to thrive! With that being said, creating sustainability in your business can help contribute to that longevity. With that being said, here are some top tips to create a sustainable and long-lasting business.
First and foremost, whether you’re looking to expand your business premises or make use of new ones without doing too much damage to the environment, then looking at businesses like Megadome Buildings is a great option.
Companies that specialize in these fabricated buildings can be helpful when you’re looking to minimize your carbon footprint. With more sustainable approaches to expansion, you’re likely going to save a lot on the carbon you do end up using for the sake of the company’s success.
Audit your supply chain
Your supply chain is something that’s worth auditing. This is because there are companies that care about making change and others that don’t.
As a business that’s aiming to be more sustainable, it’s important to set an example. That also means looking into auditing your supply chain and perhaps saying goodbye to some suppliers that aren’t willing to make actionable changes and be more sustainably driven.
Maximize energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is an important one, especially as a business, you’re likely to be contributing more to the environment. By maximizing the energy you do use, you’re less likely to put more of a strain on the environment as a result.
With that being said, look at ways in which you can maximize your energy efficiency levels, whether that’s using solar power to power up your business premises, to keeping lights and devices switched off at the end of the working day.
Minimize business waste
Business waste actively contributes to your business and its impact on the environment, which is why you’ll want to find ways to reduce it where you can.
Look at how you use paper in the workplace and consider going paperless where possible. Dispose of equipment correctly, and if it’s not being done so currently, then explore how you could change that in the near future.
Involve your employees in their own efforts
Employees can get involved when it comes to making the business more sustainable and efficient in its eco-friendliness. Making sure to give them the tools and encouragement, though, is imperative as a business. Consider the training opportunities that can be offered to make their efforts impactful for the company now and in the future.
A sustainable and long-lasting business is one that can do a great deal for the world around us. Use these tips to make sure your business creates a more sustainable presence in the world now and further down the line as it continues to exist.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key part of any business is supporting the needs of your customers. This part can ensure continued business. The following contributed post is entitled, What Today’s Customers Expect From Your Support.
* * *
Today’s customers are more connected, informed, and time-conscious than ever, and that means they expect more from the support they receive. They’re no longer satisfied with long wait times, clunky systems, or getting passed from one department to another. Instead, they want fast, friendly, and clear communication that actually solves their problem.
Businesses that understand and adapt to these changing expectations are the ones that build stronger relationships and earn long-term trust. Meeting customers where they are and giving them control over the experience makes support feel less like a chore and more like a helpful extension of the brand.
No one wants to feel like they’re talking to a robot. Even with all the tools and automation available, customers still value real human connection when they need help. Quick, thoughtful replies go a long way in showing that the business actually cares.
Response time often makes or breaks the support experience. If someone has a question or concern, they want to feel heard right away, not left waiting in a queue or wondering if anyone saw their message at all.
Simple, clear communication
Support should be easy to follow from start to finish. Overly technical explanations, vague replies, or mixed messages only create more frustration and end up confusing your customers instead of helping them. Clarity and simplicity should always be the priority.
Every message should answer the customer’s question without adding extra layers of confusion. When things are explained in a straightforward and friendly way, it’s easier for customers to feel confident about what to do next.
Multiple ways to reach out
People like having options, and that applies to support too. Some might prefer email or live chat, while others want to pick up the phone or use messaging apps. Offering a few different channels makes it more likely that each customer finds a method that suits them.
Using 2-way SMS is one great example of how businesses can keep support quick and convenient. It gives customers the freedom to ask questions or get updates in real time, without being stuck at a computer or logged into a portal.
Personalisation that makes sense
Customers don’t want to feel like just another number. When support teams know a bit about the customer’s history or preferences, it helps the whole process move faster and feel more personal. It also avoids repeat explanations or having to re-share the same information multiple times.
Simple touches like using the customer’s name, referencing a recent order, or understanding past issues can make the experience smoother. It shows that the business is paying attention, and that’s something customers genuinely value.
Support that respects their time
No one wants to spend their whole lunch break dealing with support. Customers expect businesses to respect their time by keeping wait times short, responses direct, and resolutions quick. If the process takes too long, it often leads to lost trust.
Support that feels fast and efficient is often what keeps a customer coming back. It shows that their time is valued, which is something many businesses still overlook.
Great support today means more than just solving a problem. When businesses offer support that’s thoughtful and efficient, they turn frustrating moments into positive interactions that keep customers coming back.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Some businesses rely on drophshipping. If you do, you want to be cautious as there is the potential for fraud and scams as is the case in most instances involving money. The following contributed post is entitled, The Dark Side of Dropshipping: How to Protect Your Business from Scammers.
* * *
Dropshipping has become a go-to business model for new and seasoned entrepreneurs alike. With low start-up costs and no need to store inventory, it’s easy to see why it’s so appealing. But underneath the surface lies a much less discussed reality—a world where scammers, fraudsters, and unreliable suppliers can quickly unravel your hard-earned progress. If you’re not actively protecting your store, you’re leaving the door wide open.
In theory, dropshipping is simple. Find products, set up your online store, forward orders to a supplier, and watch the revenue roll in. But many suppliers operate out of reach, hidden behind anonymous profiles or professional-looking websites that mask the lack of accountability. They may offer fast shipping and premium quality—until the first problem hits.
These issues often go deeper than late deliveries. Counterfeit goods, incomplete orders, and vanishing supplier contacts are all too common. When customers complain, it’s your store—and your reputation—that takes the hit.
Fraudulent Orders Drain More Than Time
It’s not just about bad suppliers. Customer-side fraud can quietly eat away at your profits, too. Chargeback fraud is one of the biggest silent threats in e-commerce. A scammer places an order with a stolen credit card, receives the item, and disappears. The rightful cardholder reports the fraud, and you’re left with a chargeback, lost merchandise, and zero recourse.
In many cases, this kind of fraud looks like any other transaction. There’s no early warning unless you’re actively using detection tools and monitoring data patterns.
How to Know Your Customer API Helps Safeguard Your Store
Integrating a know your customer API can give you a stronger line of defense. These tools verify user identity during checkout, detecting suspicious or inconsistent data in real-time. They’ve long been used in financial services, but they’re now proving useful in e-commerce environments where fraud is rising.
By adding KYC checks to your store, you can flag potentially risky orders before they ship. Whether it’s mismatched billing and shipping details or a history of previous chargebacks linked to an email, these insights help reduce your exposure and protect your margins.
Practical Red Flags to Watch For
Even with automated tools, human judgment matters. Look out for:
Large, high-value orders from new customers
Repeated purchase attempts using different cards
Multiple orders are going to the same address under different names
Customer names or emails that don’t match shipping details
These indicators are often subtle on their own but significant in combination. Always take a moment to review unusual patterns.
Building Smarter Systems for Safer Selling
The goal isn’t just to react—it’s to prevent. Start by sourcing suppliers with traceable histories. Order samples yourself to evaluate product quality. Use verified payment gateways. Keep detailed records of transactions, communications, and refund claims. Consider a know your customer API integration to build proactive fraud filters into your workflow.
Dropshipping success isn’t just about what you sell. It’s about the systems you put in place to protect your store. Staying ahead of scammers requires effort, but the cost of doing nothing is far greater. When you build with security in mind, you build a business that lasts.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. It’s a tremendous accomplishment to start and run a business. Another key is figuring out to take yourself out of it and free up time away from it. The following contributed post is entitled, How to Free Up Time Away from Your Business.
* * *
Running your own business often feels like juggling fire. You’re replying to emails, posting on socials, managing stock, dealing with customers, and somehow trying to squeeze in lunch at 4pm. Sound familiar? The thing is, you don’t actually have to do it all. One of the best ways to free up your time is by letting go of the tasks that don’t need your direct attention.
Outsourcing is literally your best friend in times like these. For example, things like bookkeeping, admin work, or outsourcing payroll can save you hours every week. It’s one less thing on your plate and gives you space to focus on the parts of your business that actually need your brain. Plus, you’re way less likely to burn out if you’re not trying to spin a hundred plates every day.
Learn to say no
When you’re building something from scratch, it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying yes to everything. Every opportunity, every customer request, every idea that pops into your inbox. But saying yes to everything means you’ll constantly be chasing your tail.
It’s okay to say no. In fact, it’s necessary. Not every task is urgent and not every opportunity is worth the stress. Prioritise what really moves your business forward and give yourself permission to let the rest go or deal with it later. Your time is valuable and limited, so treat it like it matters.
Create systems that actually help
You don’t need fancy tech to be organised, but having a few solid systems in place makes a huge difference. Think simple things like setting up automated email replies, creating templates for quotes or invoices, or using a shared calendar to block out focus time.
The more you can do to streamline your day-to-day, the more time you’ll win back. If something keeps taking up time or causing stress, ask yourself whether there’s a way to simplify it or hand it off. Chances are, there is.
Let go of the guilt
This is a big one. Lots of people feel like they have to work around the clock to prove they’re serious about their business. But working 12-hour days with no breaks doesn’t make you a better business owner. It just makes you tired.
Freeing up time isn’t lazy, it’s smart. It means you can think clearly, make better decisions, and maybe even enjoy a bit of your life outside of work. Rest isn’t optional if you want to keep going long term. It’s essential.
Use your free time well
When you do start clawing back some time, don’t fall straight into the trap of filling it with more work. Use it for things that give you energy. Go for a walk. Read a book. See your mates. Watch something pointless and funny. You’ve earned it. And you’ll come back sharper because of it.
Running a business doesn’t mean running yourself into the ground. Make space where you can, let go where you need to, and protect your time like it actually matters—because it does.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A construction business is a special kind of business with special needs. One of the biggest ones is the purchase of new equipment. The following contributed post is entitled, Rent or Buy: What’s The Best Way To Get Construction Equipment For Your Business?
* * *
Your business needs construction equipment, but what’s the best way of obtaining this? Some construction companies like to rent theirs while others prefer to buy. Here’s the thing: both are viable options with pros & cons – it’s your decision, so let’s look at both ideas under the microscope.
There are several benefits to investing in good equipment and buying it outright over renting. To start, you own all of the equipment, so you don’t have to worry about paying overpriced rental costs. Having ownership of this equipment also leads to the following advantages:
● You can rent your equipment to other companies and earn money ● You can use your equipment as collateral to obtain additional business funding
A big worry some construction companies have is how they’ll transport all the heavy equipment around. You don’t need to invest in more transportation because you can pay for heavy equipment transport services to handle things. This helps keep the cost of owning your equipment down to a minimum.
That brings us to the only real downside to this approach: the upfront costs. It is normally cheaper to rent because you only pay for the equipment when you need it. Paying for your own heavy-duty machinery will set you back a mini fortune – though you have to consider the benefits of renting it out to regain some of the funds.
On the other side of things, renting construction equipment has three main benefits:
● It is more cost-effective than buying ● You don’t have to worry about storage or transportation ● You only pay for equipment when you use it
The downside is that you’re not in control of the equipment at all. Equipment suppliers might’ve rented out the machines you need to other companies, leaving you with nothing to rent. There’s also no guarantee that the equipment will be up to scratch – or property maintained. When you own it, you’re at least in control of things like cleaning the equipment and adhering to the maintenance schedule.
How Do You Know Which Approach Is The Best?
Generally, you can ask two questions to determine which approach makes the most sense for your particular business:
● Do you need the equipment all the time? ● Will buying the equipment put you in a worrying financial position?
If you need the equipment virtually every day, then buying it means you won’t have to worry about supply issues. On the days when you might not need the equipment, you can always rent it out to nearby companies to make up for the upfront costs of ownership.
However, you really ought to consider your financial situation. Buying equipment could put you in a damaging scenario where you have a negative cash flow and can’t afford other vital business expenses. It’s probably not worth taking a financial risk like this, and renting will make more sense.
You get the idea; it’s a toss-up between the two approaches that depends on each business’s unique position. Take a lot of time to consider the implications of buying or renting before choosing how you get your hands on construction equipment.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Most of us have hobbies. The most ideal situation is being able to turn those hobbies into legitimate businesses. The following contributed post is entitled, Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business That Actually Pays.
Doing something creative in your spare time is one thing, but selling what you’ve made is another. If you’ve been making jewellery, candles or artwork (or anything else!) by hand just because you enjoy it, then the idea of charging money might feel strange. But plenty of people have turned casual creative work into a reliable business and not just a side project that brings in the odd sale here, and there but something consistent that actually covers bills.
Start by figuring out if anyone genuinely wants what you’re making
It’s easy to think that just because something is beautiful or handmade or took hours to create then people will immediately want to buy it. But in reality, plenty of lovely things sit unsold because there just isn’t a market for them and that’s why it’s worth doing a proper search across sites like Etsy, Depop, eBay and Amazon Handmade to see what’s actually getting bought and not just what looks nice. You want to see consistent sales, realistic prices and a style that people seem to come back for more than once. Because if nothing like yours is selling that’s probably not a good sign, and it’s rarely because no one has thought of it before. Rather than asking friends or family what they think which never gives you a clear picture, try listing a few items on a platform where total strangers can find them and watch what happens because if someone who doesn’t know you is willing to spend money on your work that’s when you know you’re not just making something nice, you’re making something viable.
Get serious about the numbers, even if you’re not great with them
If you want this to become something that actually earns money rather than just pays for more supplies, then you need to start tracking what each piece costs you. You need to account for every bit of ink used, every roll of double sided sticky tape and every stick of glue. And there’s more than just materials too, because your time, energy, tools, packaging and postage all need to be part of it too. Even if you don’t sit down with a proper spreadsheet right away you can still keep notes on how long things take you to make and what you’ve spent along the way, because underpricing is one of the quickest ways to burn out and it’s something almost everyone does at the start. If you’re selling something for fifteen pounds that took you three hours to make plus five in materials and you still have to package and send it out that’s not a profit, that’s you working for less than minimum wage while covering someone else’s postage with your time and that’s exactly the kind of habit that turns a good idea into something that becomes too stressful to keep going.
Make people believe they’re buying from a real business not just a hobbyist
If someone stumbles across your work and they have no idea how to buy it, what it costs or when they might get it then they’re not going to spend money no matter how much they like what you’ve made. That’s why it helps to get some kind of simple shop setup, even if you’re not ready for a full website. That could mean setting up a small Etsy page, building a basic Notion storefront or just using Instagram or TikTok with a pinned post explaining exactly what’s available, how to order and what to expect in terms of delivery because the easier you make it for someone to spend money the more likely they are to do it. The name you use matters too and if everything is posted from your personal account with photos of your pets and no prices anywhere people won’t feel like they’re dealing with a real shop which means they’ll keep scrolling even if they liked what they saw and not because they didn’t want it but because they didn’t know how to get it.
Test the waters before going all in
Once you’ve had a few proper sales and you know you’re able to keep up with demand without it becoming stressful, you’ll start to get a feel for whether this could actually grow into something more consistent. That’s when you can start thinking about expanding, but there’s no point bulk buying supplies or booking a stall at a craft market if you haven’t yet figured out how to handle things like delivery delays or awkward customers or last minute changes. The boring parts matter just as much as the creative ones, and if you still enjoy it even after dealing with all that then it’s a sign you’re probably ready to take the next step.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. There are multiple types of businesses in the business world. Not everyone is giant business or has to be in order to be profitable. The following contributed post is entitled, How Local Businesses Can Compete With National Giants.
* * *
Running a small business isn’t always easy – it can feel like you’re going up against big national companies with bigger budgets, bigger teams, and fancy adverts on every corner, and often that really is the case. They’re the ones with the logos you instantly recognise, they’ve got fast delivery, and they’ve got massive customer service teams working 24/7.
So how are you supposed to keep up with all that?
The good news is you don’t need to beat them at their own game, you just need to play yours really well. Big companies might have more money, but you’ve got something they can’t buy – local knowledge, good relationships, and the kind of service people remember for positive reasons. With that in mind, keep reading to learn more about how local businesses like yours can compete with national giants.
Big companies try to sell the same things in every town, and that’s not what you do – you live and work where your customers are, which means you know what they care about. You know what the weather’s like. You know when the local school breaks up for the holidays, and so on. It’s all these little things that help you connect with people better, and when you can connect with people, they’re more likely to become your customers for the long term.
That’s why you’ve to use the fact that you know your local area better to your advantage and make sure you mention local events and talk about what’s going on in the area on your social media and in your marketing where you can. Big brands can’t do that at all because they’ll just be faking it all, so you’ve got a huge advantage there.
You Can Treat People Like People
At a big company, customers are often just a number, but in small businesses, people remember your name, and they ask how you’re doing – and they care about the answers too. So think about that for your own business, because if that’s how you feel and what you’ve noticed, it’s what other people are going to have felt and noticed as well.
That’s actually exactly the kind of thing that makes people come back – it’s true you’ll need good prices and excellent service as well, but if you can make people feel welcome and treat them kindly, then you’ll be able to build strong, loyal relationship, and that makes all the difference as time goes on.
You’re Easier To Talk To
Try calling a big company when you’ve got a problem, and you’ll probably be on hold forever. And when you do finally get through to someone, they might not even be able to help or really know what you’re talking about, very often because they don’t know the products well. But that’s where local businesses can really stand out and prove why they’re the best choice.
If something goes wrong, your customers can speak to you directly, and you can fix things quickly and properly. You can be clear when you’re explaining things as well, and you’ll obviously be as patient and kind as possible, which isn’t what always happens when you try to get in touch with bigger, national companies. And even if the customer was quite frustrated because there was an issue, the way you handle it personally and can fix the problem quickly can turn things around quite easily.
You Can Show Up Online
Big companies spend loads of money on online ads, but that doesn’t mean local businesses can’t be found online too. In fact, having a clear Google profile, a simple website, or even just a Facebook page can be plenty when it comes to helping people in your local area find you when they need what you offer.
You don’t have to be everywhere, unlike national companies – you just have to be in the right places for your customers to see you, and although that might sound like a big job, it’s not as hard as it might initially seem. And when you do it right, and someone searches for your service in your town and you pop up with good reviews and helpful info, that’s what’s really going to matter.
That’s what something like local SEO for attorneys is all about – it’s making sure the right people find you at the right time. You can get plenty of help with SEO as well, to ensure that whatever your business does or sells and wherever you are, the people who need you will be able to find you.
Your Story Matters
Most big brands look the same wherever you go – you’ll see the same signs, the same layout, basically just the same everything. But small businesses don’t have to be like that, which is a good thing – you’ve got stories to tell, and you can do that in any way you want because you don’t have to do things a big head office is telling you to do. You can be unique, and that makes you memorable.
People love to hear stories about why and how you started your business, or what ideas you’ve got because it makes them feel part of something. So don’t be afraid to tell your story, and make sure you put it on your website, talk about it on social media, or just mention it to your customers. It makes your business feel a lot more real, and that’s something people really love.
Be Part Of The Community
You’re not just in your town because that’s where you happened to start your business – you’re there because, in most cases, it’s also where you live, or at least it’s a place you know really well. So you’re part of the place, and people love to support local businesses, even more so if they also give back. So what about sponsoring a local football team or donating a price to a school raffle, for example?
These small acts show you really care about the community you’re working (and possibly living) in, and that’s going to help, plus when people see you doing things, they’ll be more inclined to join in as well, so your community gets what it needs at the same time.
Use What You’ve Got
You don’t need a big team or lots of expensive tools to reach out to people – social media is completely free, and you’re probably already using it anyway, so why not make use of it for your business? But more than that, you could also send out email newsletters because they’re free as well, and there are other options too that aren’t going to cost a fortune and that you’re probably already using (or could use if you made a few tweaks).
You don’t have to send out news every day, and you don’t even have to post on social media daily either – as long as you’re consistent with what you do, even if it’s a weekly post or discussion and a monthly newsletter, then people will know what to expect. And just make it fun – don’t try to sell specific products. Talk about something that happened in town, or how you’re making things easier for customers, and they’ll come to you and find the products by themselves.
Offer Something They Don’t
Big companies sell a lot of the same things – they have to because that’s what people expect. So you’ll find the same things in every town you go to, and that can be useful because their customers know what’s what, but in general, it’s not ideal – there’s no excitement and no surprises.
You can do things differently, however, and that’s something you need to show. Maybe you offer a more personal service, for example, or maybe you have a product that’s made locally. It could just be that you’re more personal, and very often that can be enough. So take a look at the things that make you special and focus on them – you don’t have to be everything or sell everything, just make sure you do what you do really well.
Keep Your Promises
People remember when a business does what it says it will, so if you say you’ll call someone back, call them. If you offer a delivery time, stick to it. If you tell someone you’ll fix a problem, follow through. It’s not a difficult thing to do most of the time, but it will make you stand out because larger businesses break their promises all the time, very often because they’re too big to keep them (or care much about it).
That’s going to help to build trust with your customers, and trust is everything in the end. When people trust you, they’ll buy from you, they’ll return to buy more, and they’ll tell others about you, and that’s the ideal way to grow your business because it’s organic, fast, and free.
Be Proud To Be Small
There’s nothing wrong with being a small business, and in fact, it’s something to be proud of. It means you can be part of the town, and you’re doing things your own way. And if you’re offering something authentic, and you’re clearly not part of the big machine, people are going to respond positively to that.
So instead of trying to act like the big guys, show off what makes you different and be local and personal because that’s what makes people choose you.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Every business has safety concerns of some sort. Some are universal. The following contributed post is entitled, Top 5 Safety Measures Every Business Owner Should Implement Today.
* * *
As a business owner, you have a significant responsibility to the employees who come into your workplace every day, as well as anyone who might be coming in externally, whether it be the general public or your clients.
With that being said, every safety measure should be taken to protect those who work or visit the premises on a daily basis. Here are the top five safety measures every business owner should implement today.
An updated health and safety policy is important to have when it comes to keeping everyone safe within the building. The more information and detailed information that’s in this policy, the more informed everyone can be. Hopefully helps to mitigate the risk of danger to employees, to clients, and to the general public.
With that in mind, make sure you’ve got an up-to-date health and safety policy in place and ensure this is reviewed regularly.
2. Conduct regular risk assessment
Risk assessments are certainly important to conduct when it comes to the work premises. There are obvious risks and not-so-obvious ones, so it’s good to conduct regular risk assessments by identifying potential hazards.
Consider what potential hazards exist and assess the risk within your workspace, putting in any preventative measures you can take to mitigate the risks present.
Like your health and safety policy, you’ll want to conduct regular risk assessments whenever there’s a change or something new that presents risk, comes into your workplace. From fire risk assessments to general ones, you can always do more where safety is concerned.
3. Make use of PPE
The use of PPE should be used where appropriate and where it’s necessary for the safety of others. Not only that, but PPE is there to protect employees and anyone within an environment that might be hazardous or dangerous to health.
Making sure to assess the potential risks and knowing when to use PPE is something employees need to be aware of, too.
4. Provide staff with training
Staff are partly responsible for the safety of the workplace, and so the way they behave and conduct themselves within the workplace matters greatly.
With that being said, you should look at what staff training you could deliver to your staff in order to ensure every staff member is doing their bit to keep the business and its employees as safe as possible.
5. Keep your workspaces clean and clutter-free
Workspaces are something you always want to stay on top of when it comes to keeping them clean and clutter-free. By doing so, you ensure the safety of your employees and anyone coming into the premises as a result.
These safety measures are some of the most important to follow, but there are plenty of things you could be doing to keep your workplace safe and sound this year.
