The Importance of Communication on Effective Business Management
Communication is fundamental to man’s existence and survival, as well as for varying organizational growth. It helps people to express their ideas and feelings, and at the same time, allows them to understand the emotions and thought of others. Communication is a process of formulating and sharing thoughts, views, information, feelings, and facts to reach a common understanding.
Being able to communicate effectively is one of the essential life skills one must-have. Individuals with good interpersonal skill are usually strong non-verbal and verbal communicators. They are often regarded as good with people as their vital communication skills aid proper and healthy interactions. This life skill a must-have and an essential instrument for a successful Career.
In this fast-paced world, communication is now beyond new physical interactions. The internet, technological milestones, and hardware products continuously rolled out to help usher in a new frontier regarding information transmission and circulation. Electronic devices are beginning to gain increased popularity because of the vital role they play. Individuals start to check electronic shop reviews, comparing one gadget from the next to ensure an uninterrupted flow of information.
While the need to transmit ideas easily is gaining momentum in human interactions, it is also necessary for business-like transactions. An ability to communicate appropriately is essential in helping one and others understand information more quickly and accurately. While in contrast, poor communication skills can lead to frequent feud, misunderstanding, and frustration.
The importance of communication to a business is limitless. Amongst the various advantages it provides for effective management of business include:
Effective Brand Messaging
To effectively manage a business, one needs to communicate the business goals to the public. To do this, one needs to study the target market and consider what speaks to them differently. The different demographics group available would require the use of different language and phrasing. How one communicates the brand identity in promotional and advertising literature will either put the brand in favour of the given market or keep one on the fringe.
Employee engagement
Acceptable communication practices are essential for healthy employee engagement. Research shows that effective communication is a top factor that statistically correlates to how engaged employees are. A profound internal communication has a significant role in coaching, supporting, and reminding employees of the importance of adhering to the organizational goal.
Relationship Building
Communication is the bedrock for healthy relationships. Today’s business environment relies majorly on relationships in a whole lot of ways. Whether one is recruiting new talent or negotiating a new contract with a vendor, the right type of interactions are the foundation for success. The language one communicates with stakeholders of the business can help pose the company for success or failure. … Read more
HELPFUL TIPS TO MANAGE YOUR BUSINESS
The introduction of new businesses has seen a surge in recent years. Many people have begun to identify their potentials and convert it into a profitable venture capable of bringing in steady inflows of revenue. Telecom services brands, amongst others, had to come up with varying innovations with the hope of penetrating the market and have a significant market share.
Rising numbers of new businesses have been noticeable in the past years; subsequently, there has also been an increase in the number of businesses closing up. Some claim that business owners’ improper funds’ administration accounts for the growth in the rate of businesses closing up Aldermore reviews. It attributes the closing to more factors such as government legislation, increasing inflation, and obsolescence of firms’ offerings.
The growth of new businesses means the possibility of market saturation and an increased level of competition. Therefore, for the latest company to survive through such stringent conditions, there is a dire need for proper management. Business owners are beginning to enrol in courses that help in teaching the rudiments of administration. The following are also essential tips that can help in the proper administration of a business.
· Separate Personal And Business Finances
Many business owners make the error of mixing personal finances with that of the business. Although the company runs from the proprietor funds, there is a need to distinguish the varying funds. It helps in easy paper works preparation as well as adequate funds monitoring.
· Invest In Education
Knowledge is dynamic. Best practices yesterday may already be slipping out of use. Business owners, therefore, have to Keep up with current trends and increase understanding. To keep up with the trends, there is a need to invest in education. That also includes attending seminars and symposiums that have the sole purpose of growth.
· Make The Business An Official Legan Entity
Start-up business owners make the mistake of not making the business a legal entity recognized by law. Most feel safe skipping this step while still trying to ramp up their client base. The implication of not doing so is that if the business enters into any legal troubles, the proprietor’s assets will also be significantly affected.
· Invest In Marketing
Two firms’ products may be similar, but a firm will be growing at a significant pace compared to the next. What distinguishes them is the level of awareness consumers have about both brands. Nobody can be compelled to buy from a brand; instead, a good marketing strategy helps keep consumers’ interest fixed on its product.
· Stick To Processes
Some of the major problems businesses experience is a result of a failure to stick to a process. Every … Read more
How To Reduce Your Office Expenses
The cost of keeping your office up and running is not set in stone. If you allow yourself to be bothered too much, you will find that most of your profits will go into making the office a “standard” one while your business suffers. Here are some suggestions on how to reduce your office expenses:
Reduce your energy bills and share office equipment
Saving your energy bills energy bills is one of the way you can reduce your office expenses. The cost of keeping your utilities running is not a small one. If you are not careful, utility bills can make a major dent in your savings. Try talking to your energy company to doing a free audit for your office so that you can use some quick fixes such as removing the computer and other peripherals from the sockets, etc. Also, instead of buying equipment for your office, you can use the ones offices around you have or outsource the job. For instance, if you are in a building where there are other offices, you can partner with them and buy shared equipment so that both offices can cut costs.
Outsource jobs for cheaper amounts and use cheaper spaces
You do not have to do all the work to keep your office up and running. You can easily hire freelancers to work for you. Make it a habit to outsource the jobs someone else can do for a lesser amount. This way, you can focus on what brings in more money for your business. Another thing that increases your office expenses is the cost of renting a space. If you are looking at spaces that are meant for official offices, you will be spending more. But you can go to an apartment, warehouse, etc., and improve on it. You have to ensure the location is strategic for your business as well. You should also try to get your supplies at a cheap cost by buying in bulk from companies like bulk office supply.
Trade by barter and join relevant local clubs
If you need something, you can decide to do an exchange of services instead of paying for it. You should not use bartering to handle every client but you can get something you need cheaper than the price tag with it. however, ensure the value you are getting in return is tantamount to the value you are giving. Also, ensure you are satisfied with the difference between if you sold the product as opposed to when you barter with it. You should join relevant local clubs as well. You can build relationships with other members of the clubs and leverage these relationships to get discounts on … Read more
4 Common Traps and Pitfalls That All Small Businesses Must Avoid
Starting and running a small business is no small feat – no matter what industry or trade you’ve chosen to make your mark in. After all, unlike larger corporations and well-established enterprises, small companies usually have to work with modest budgets. And with limited financial resources, any error, oversight, or misstep can create irrecoverable setbacks and keep you from achieving your goals.
The good news is that it’s not difficult to steer clear of making potentially catastrophic mistakes. And in this article, we will talk about the most common traps and pitfalls that all small businesses must avoid.
- Refusing to outsource work
A common mistake that many inexperienced entrepreneurs and business owners make is keeping all of the work that their operations require in-house in an effort to save money, only to realise that doing so costs more than they initially thought. So don’t fall into the same trap and outsource work, especially if the job requires the expertise and knowledge of trained professionals like contract packing, warehousing, or fulfilment. In this way, you’ll keep your fixed expenses at a minimum without compromising the work involved.
- Spending before taking the time to shop around
Expenditure will always be an unavoidable reality of business. There’s no getting around this fact. However, this doesn’t mean that you should spend more than what the company requires. After all, the lower your overhead costs, the higher your profit margins. So make sure that you take the time to explore all available options. It may sound like a tedious task to shop around. However, you’ll improve your chances of finding much better deals and cheaper choices if you do.
- Skimping on market research
There’s no denying that optimism is an important quality that no entrepreneur should ever be without. However, we should never pin our hopes on it alone. Instead, conduct extensive market research first. By understanding what your target audience wants, what your competitors are doing, and the expectancy for growth and development in the industry, you’ll be able to minimise your financial risks and maximise the likelihood for your business venture’s success.
- Hiring the wrong people
The workers are the foundation of any company. Without them, it’s highly unlikely that a business can achieve success. As such, it’s vital that you choose the right people. Implement a comprehensive hiring process before you start recruiting. It may sound like a lot of work now, but screening your applicants thoroughly will help you weed out those who aren’t qualified for the job. And, in turn, allow your business to choose those who can fulfil the duties and responsibilities that your company requires.
There are no fool-proof and guaranteed formulas for success in any business … Read more
Is Building a Strong Brand Identity Important?
Brand identity encompasses a lot, and defining it can put significant limitations on what it actually is. From a customer point of view, brand identity includes mental associations with your brand and the emotion it triggers.
Amazon’s growth was explosive, and its ability to sustain its brand promise is impressive. It promises to deliver an exceptional shopping experience, catering to frugal and luxurious clients. The brand manages its identity well, with reports in January 2020 saying that Americans trust Amazon better in doing what is right compared to various government officials. Not only do consumers buy from this no. 2 on the Fortune 500’s list, but they also trust it big time. How else is brand identity important?
Consumers recall you first
What’s the first brand to come to mind when you think of pizza? If you think of this brand and purchase from it too, you regard its brand relevance as high. It takes a lot of effort to be a relevant brand—the buyer’s first choice. The first step to acing their list is to have a strong brand identity where your name is easily associated with what your business does.
It builds a sense of community
Consumers attach deeper to businesses they value. Humans have a natural tendency to go after choices that nurture their sense of belonging. Once you fulfill this need, consumers will become advocates of your brand for as long as it takes.
It attracts like-minded consumers
Some businesses do well in supporting the deaf and mute community. If you have programs like this, make sure you communicate them to consumers. Many of them will feel elated, knowing that their purchases empower a community that deserves better recognition for their talent and abilities. Similarly, if your business admires the LGBTQ community, you can show love and support through pride shirts. Efforts like these create an inclusive culture that encourages hope and downplays fear.
It helps weather the storms
2019 was not particularly easy for the brand, Apple. The uncertainties between the US-China trade threatened to put tariffs on iPhones, they had a lengthy battle with Qualcomm, and the unveiling of 5G enabled competitor devices to endanger their sales. Strong brand identities clearly establish the ‘why’ behind businesses, which will help you navigate through the stormy days. In April, Apple and Qualcomm finally settled their issues as they agreed on a six-year patent license agreement. The deal is good enough for Qualcomm and even better for Apple, who’s under pressure to produce a 5G enabled smartphone. This reminds brands that even legal battles should be ironed out to keep true to their growth endeavors. Apple’s identity is about innovating smartphones, and it couldn’t do so … Read more
Bookkeeper vs. Accountant vs. CPA: What’s the Difference?
When managing business finances, it’s common to interchange the words CPA, accountant, and bookkeeper. But these aren’t the same and refer to different levels of professional expertise. Not only that, but each individual also has a specific set of tasks and licence scope. And although all are involved with financial data, it’s critical to understand and distinguish between them, especially if you’re looking to hire one that fits your company’s requirements. In this article, we’ll distinguish them based on what they do to determine when to hire an accountant, a CPA, or a bookkeeper.
Accountants
An accountant is someone who has earned a bachelor’s degree but not necessarily related to accounting. An accountant can keep company books, but that function is typically reserved for a bookkeeper. All accountants in Central London typically work with detailed financial information necessary for management decisions. In addition to preparing these statements, they can also audit ledgers, books, and other data necessary for filing taxes. However, an accountant doesn’t have the authority to represent a company when it’s time to file taxes. They can’t sign any of the official documents submitted to the government.
Hiring an accountant is ideal when the company needs help analysing and preparing reports to gain a better view of the company’s finances. Making sense of massive amounts of data can be time-consuming, and accountants can lend their expertise in condensing information and painting the “big picture.”
Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers do most of the repetitive tasks associated with recording financial data. The brunt of the work usually falls to bookkeepers: updating ledgers, tracking invoices, and other statements. These days, however, they use software to automate some functions and work more efficiently. The main task of a bookkeeper is to keep an eye on the company’s cash flow. For most small businesses, it’s usually the owner who does the work. But as the business gets bigger, it’s better to hire a bookkeeper as things can easily get overlooked if you don’t have a person dedicated to working primarily with financial matters.
Most bookkeepers don’t need to earn a college degree, although some may have completed associate courses related to bookkeeping. They make considerably less than an accountant but are essential to businesses as they make sure daily transactions are detailed and organised.
Certified public accountants
A CPA is someone who has an accounting degree and has also passed the examination requirements to hold a licence. Although a CPA can also perform the same tasks delegated to an accountant, they’re primarily hired as consultants that audit and review financial documents. CPAs are also authorised to represent businesses when filing tax returns.
Which finance expert does your company need?
All businesses need someone who can … Read more
5 Financial Activities Commonly Outsourced to a Bookkeeping Firm
Most business owners are aware of outsourcing accounting services but often find it hard to choose which tasks to delegate to a third party. Many concerns complicate the decision, such as budget constraints as well as issues with authority. In which case, the most sensible solution is to determine which functions yield the most return of investment.
Indeed, while the question of what to outsource varies according to the needs of each company, there are specific activities most likely delegated to a third party, regardless of the unique requirements of the business.
Repetitive business tasks
Financial tasks are always repetitive. Some examples include preparing accounts receivables and accounts payables. According to www.kenbellaccounting.co.uk, many medium enterprises today rely on accounting software to simplify these functions. But, if your business doesn’t have the same capabilities, the next best solution is to outsource to a bookkeeping firm that can manage these tasks efficiently.
Tasks completed manually
Despite how computer-dependent most businesses today are, there are still some financial tasks typically completed manually. Usually, these activities are reserved for an experienced accountant or bookkeeper. The problem with manually completing tasks is the higher likelihood of committing errors. Having to correct mistakes isn’t only time-consuming, but also detrimental to the business if left unchecked. The benefit of outsourcing these activities is the peace of mind and confidence knowing that the company handling the tasks is experienced, capable, and highly competent.
Payroll operations
One of the commonly outsourced financial functions is payroll. Most businesses today prefer to outsource payroll-related tasks because of the complexities and nuances associated with these activities. A bookkeeping firm has the resources, such as the right software to use, which will make payroll management and implementation more efficient. Also, having a dedicated team working on all payroll-related issues will ensure that all concerns are directed and resolved by the same team.
Tax-related functions
Most companies dread tax season because of the amount of work it takes to prepare and file taxes. There’s always a possibility of missing out on write-offs if the taxes aren’t filed correctly. Instead of taking chances, it’s best to outsource tax functions to an experienced bookkeeping company. They’ll be able to include all activities qualified to receive incentives. Also, an expert bookkeeper has updated knowledge and expertise on regulations and laws that apply to business taxes.
Tax activities specific to each locality
Paying sales taxes can be confusing if local rates and national rates apply for each transaction. Nevertheless, even if only one sales tax applies, each payment should be precisely tracked and recorded. Any mistakes made in charging and paying for these taxes could result in penalties and fines for the company. The good thing is, … Read more
The Costs of Poor Business Website Design Choices
Professional web design is not cheap. Don’t expect high-quality sites to be obtainable for free or a rock bottom price. In the UK, the cost can be in the £400 to £900 range. Web designers at https://xist2.com/ offer competitive pricing, but they most certainly cannot provide integrated designs at zero cost.
It takes creativity, knowledge about the latest trends and competent technical skills to come up with great site designs. It’s understandable why designers don’t settle for prices that don’t match the effort and time they spend on a project. But, enough of the emphasis on spending for quality web development services. The discussion here is about the costs of making the wrong web design decisions.
High bounce rates
Bounce rate refers to the ratio of the number of site visitors who leave a site after viewing only one page and the total number of site visitors. Here’s an illustration: if seven out of 10 visitors decide to abandon a site after only seeing the homepage, the bounce rate is 70%. This is considerably higher than the preferable range of 26% to 40%.
High bounce rates mean an inability to attract customers. The reasons for such high bounce rates include but aren’t limited to bad aesthetics, poor navigation, non-intuitive layout and technical problems. It can be interpreted as lost sales due to the listed reasons; something businesses should address as soon as possible.
Unflattering first impressions
For most customers, web design is about the aesthetics and experience. You can’t blame customers for leaving if your online store’s design and UI is reminiscent of the pioneering iteration of HTML. First impressions may not always last, but they determine if a prospective customer becomes an actual buyer.
Avoid losing potential customers by making sure that your ecommerce site leaves a good impression that compels visitors to spend more time and, ultimately, click the ‘Buy’ button. Ensure that your website is in tune with the times, fast-loading, and free from glitches that can ruin the user experience.
Lost regular customers or patrons
Bad design does not only drive new customers away. It can also cause customers to abandon an online store that they frequent. Implementing a website design change, for example, can result in adverse reactions from regular customers.
If you update your online store’s layout, for example, you risk the possibility of alienating many customers who prefer the old interface and processes. They might find the change too radical, so they end up trying other sites. To avoid this, it is advisable to introduce changes gradually. You can also provide customers the option to revert to the old design if they don’t like the upgrades.
The bottom-line
Technically, lost customers are not … Read more
3 Ways To Improve Your Financial Health
“Personal finance” is a term which refers to the way you manage your money and how you plan for the future. All of your current financial decisions and activities have an impact on your financial health, both now and in years to come.
Often, we are guided by certain phrases or “rules” which have been passed through the generations, such as “don’t buy a house which costs more than 3 years salary” or “you should save 10% of your monthly income for your retirement”. Whilst many of these wisened quotes stand the test of time and truly are helpful, it is important that we take a closer look at what we should be doing in general when it comes to improving our financial health and spending habits.
Work out your net worth and personal budget
Money comes in, and then money goes out. For many, this is pretty much as far as their understanding of money and personal finance goes. Rather than ignoring your finances and chancing whether you have the money needed for your planned purchases, a bit of budgeting can help you to reevaluate your current financial health and determine how you can reach both your short and long term financial goals.
As a starting point, it is vital for you to calculate your net worth, which is the difference between what you own and owe. To do this, you need to calculate your net worth by taking note of your assets, which you own, and your liabilities, which you owe.
If you have property, or own business properties, then you should list these and you may want to discuss this with a chartered surveyors, Manchester based if you believe there may be a change in the property valuation. By tracking your net worth over time, this allows you to evaluate your successes and identify potential areas which require improvement.
Recognise inflation
Most individuals will spend more money if there is more money to spend. When people advance in their careers and go on to earn higher salaries there is often a correlating increase in terms of spending, which is something known as lifestyle inflation.
Whilst you might be able to still pay your bills, lifestyle inflation can be extremely damaging in the long run as it limits the ability to build wealth. It isn’t uncommon for people to feel the need to match the lifestyles of their peers and friends. It’s easy to overlook the fact that actually, this way of spending leads to a lot of debt as people battle to keep up.
If you own business properties, then you might want to review the rent you currently charge. Due to inflation, you may find … Read more
Last Updated: January 3, 2021 by Ginger
Should We Get Our Business Ideas Financed by a Bank or by a Particular Loan Company?
For your business to thrive well, you need capital to finance it. A business without a finance system may likely crumble because there is no inflow of capital. Loans are a great way of financing a business. Banks may give a longer time in financing your business. Whilst on loan, the company gives you a particular amount of money that will be repaid in a set time. Getting a loan may be difficult because the loan company will not give out loans if your business doesn’t generate much income. A loan company’s main interest is in getting paid back, and their preferred way of getting paid is through the cash flow that your business already generates. As a result, they will only offer loan if your company has a proven track record of generating cash and has substantial assets. Therefore, it is advisable for small companies with limited experience not apply for loans for banking institutions.
Criteria for Loans
Financial institutions, such as Axos Bank, is a digital bank that provides financial services to businesses and provides banking products and services to customers. They offer financial assistance to businesses for improvements or new developments. To qualify for a loan, business owners must go through an application process. Most loan companies require businesses to provide proposals for how the money will be used and why the funding is necessary. They charge interest on the loan at either a fixed or variable rate.
Forms of Loans
The minimal amount that may be borrowed for a Payday loan is $100. A loan by installment is often made accessible to borrowers with low income and low credit scores. People repay the loan in installments and they attract a lot of increased curiosity than typical personal loans but they are cheaper than Payday loans. Most personal loans are not safe, they do not require collateral and they usually have a bigger interest than secured loans. Loan institutions like Maxlend, offer these types of loans. They also claimto provide emergency funds for business owners, as emergencies will always crop up every time and you need to settle them in such conditions. With some loans being given to you per day, you’ve got the privilege to access your money faster than borrowing it traditionally.
Things you need to note before taking loans
Different loan companies have their terms and conditions in giving out loans. It is advisable to explore and consider any loan company you want to settle for. Some Payday loans incur further expenses and charges if there’s a delay in repaying the loan. It is recommended you read the lending settlement carefully and find out if there are any hidden charges. … Read more