Smartphones are everywhere and used for everything. According to the Pew Research Center, more than half of American adults have a smartphone (a number that's predicted to increase)—and, not surprisingly, this number skyrockets with younger generations. The growing dependence on these mobile wonders, coupled with an explosion of loyalty marketing apps, is great news for small businesses. While there's nothing wrong with the old punch card, there are so many things right with a digital approach.
Leading your business—keeping it aloft and profitable as you navigate the distance—is often a solitary responsibility. You're in the lead and only you know the direction, right? So you don't dare let anyone else guide the ship. Perhaps it's time to change course. Human leaders might do well to take a lesson from the birds. A new study of migratory birds flying in a 'v' formation reveals that even when the going gets toughest, the birds swap the lead. The research, from an international team led by Oxford University scientists, followed 14 northern bald ibis migrating from Austria to Italy. Migration is risky, and previous research suggests up to 35 percent of juveniles can die of exhaustion during their first migration. Flying in formation, taking turns in the lead and constantly switching places conserves vital energy for the long haul. "Our study shows that the 'building blocks' of reciprocal cooperative behavior can be very simple: Ibis often travel in pairs, with one bird leading and a 'wingman' benefiting by following in the leader's updraft," said the study's lead author, Dr. Bernhard Voelkl of Oxford University's Department of Zoology, in 2015. "We found that in these pairs, individuals take turns, precisely matching the amount of time they spend in the energy-sapping lead position and the energy-saving following position." Being willing to let others take the lead may reduce unnecessary pressure. And while you're coasting on the efforts of your flock, you can use that energy to study the ever-shifting organizational change going on around you—and reap the benefits! (Manta.com) You've heard it. Sitting is the new smoking. Chiropractors tell us 'text neck' is a real thing. Our wrists are adorned with smart technology that buzzes us to get up and move. Well, you can quit smoking, but in today's computer-based work world, how do you quit sitting? Should you invest in a few treadmill desks for your office? Install stand-up work stations? Start holding walking meetings? It's worth considering say new studies that highlight the growing benefits of working out at work. And as it turns out, activity during the workday enhances mental sharpness and reduces stress. Small budget? Try these:
Crowded places tend to be loud, confusing and chaotic—often causing people to scurry to a more orderly area. Websites are no different. If a site is overflowing with images, colors and giant blocks of unnecessary text, it obstructs customers' views of whatever it is you really want them to pay attention to, and they end up lost in the frenzy. This creates uneasiness and stifles the desire to be there at all. Bad design is bad functionality, and that equals lost customers. Websites should be uncluttered, easy to navigate and have a clear call to action. (Yes, less can really be more.) Good design is a well-balanced combination of images, copy and whitespace. Concise content and some breathing room between images and text create a welcoming online experience that invites action (a purchase, an email sign-up, etc.). With just mere seconds to grab their attention, be thoughtful about your approach and make it count.
Long-term customers make a difference. A big difference. There's no way around the fact that investing in your faithful customers pays off. However, getting more traffic in the door (virtual or bricks and mortar) can't take a back seat. Small business owners agree—a recent Manta survey found 50 percent rank 'acquiring new customers' as their top business resolution for 2015. But how can you actually do it? 1: Don't underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. Treating loyal customers well gives them the ammunition they need to rave in 140 characters to friends and followers about why they love you. 2: Draw customers to you. You know who your ideal customer is (or you should), so use that knowledge to develop targeted content (e.g., blog and website messaging) that answers questions and serves up what they need. (This is known as inbound marketing.) As you get to know customers better, make tweaks and personalize messages. 3: Bring your products or services to your customer. There can be value in traditional outbound marketing (e.g., print advertising), but it's not for every business. Consider costs, short-term verses long-term return, and how you might combine tactics with inbound efforts for increased success. 4: Lead generation shouldn't be intimidating. You're already doing it. The name of the game is optimization. Track all marketing initiatives, figure out what's working and improve. Keep in mind that attracting customers is only half the battle. Add elements (such as access to a report, whitepaper or a special offer in return for an email address) on your website that empower relationship building, and conversion from visitor to customer, and eventually, to promoter! (Manta.com) Social media experts often kick around the numbers 80/20 when they talk about the perfect ratio of social media content. It's all about cause and effect, and relates to an economic theory that says 20 percent of the input creates 80 percent of the result. So what does this cause and effect mean for your social campaign? The 80/20 rule is two-fold—it begins with talking about your business 20 percent of the time—with meaningful communication that specifically promotes your business, products or services. But beware, going overboard with self-promotion can sink your social media credibility. Stay afloat and engage followers by talking about things otherthan business 80 percent of the time. Tips for the 80 percent:
While it may be trendy, co-working is not just a trend—it’s here to stay. If you currently run your business out of a home office, you know the pros and cons of working independently. Co-working offers not only social and professional engagement, but as this niche market expands and spaces become more specialized, it also provides opportunities for sharing equipment, technology and other nice-to-haves that many small business owners otherwise couldn’t afford. Is it for you? Ask yourself a few questions:
Many of us hate networking. You may still be reading this only because the headline is a lie. Networking isn't really a four letter word. But 'tool' is—and thinking of networking as a tool can help you be more successful at it. Just because you'd rather clean the office restroom with a toothbrush than go to a networking event doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, and it doesn't mean your networking has to be formal. After all, networking is about creating reciprocal, beneficial relationships that can result in new customers, new partnerships and new knowledge. We're talking face-to-face networking here, and that means leaving someone else in charge and getting out of the office, or the store or the car. And do what? Here are a few ideas:
Some things never change. Case in point: word-of-mouth marketing. There's little question that consumers are more likely to trust a friend's recommendation than something coming directly from a company or any kind of advertising. This kind of influence is difficult—if not impossible—to purchase, but it doesn't have to only come by accident. There's often a misconception that it only counts if 'a lot' of people say good things. And in an age of data this and data that, numbers rule … especially big numbers. But bigger isn't always better. Take social media, for example—a wonderland for savvy word-of-mouth marketers. Don't get us wrong, thousands of fans, retweets or likes can have impact, but quantity shouldn't always win out over quality. A small number of loyal and engaged online fans can produce an attractive return. Word-of-mouth is generally free and seems simple, but many business owners have a hard time creating a structured plan. The first steps?
Small and medium-sized businesses that adopt advanced mobile technologies to stay connected with customers and streamline operations increase revenues up to two-times faster and add jobs up to eight-times faster than their peers. The Mobile Revolution: How Mobile Technologies Drive A Trillion-Dollar Impact is an extensive study published recently as a collaboration between the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Qualcomm. BCG surveyed 3,500 small- and medium-sized enterprises in six countries—the U.S., Germany, South Korea, Brazil, China and India—and those showing growth also reported increases in innovation and efficiency. Businesses identified as leaders in the study employ productivity technologies such as voice, text and email, and operational tools such as job tracking, mobile data analytics, mobile friendly websites and company specific apps. Choosing which technology is right for your small business can be overwhelming. Experts recommend to first gain a clear understanding of how you plan to use technology to affect change, considering:
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