What Can a Virtual Assistant Do for You? Your Essential Questions Answered
More individuals are turning to virtual assistants today for their business and personal requirements, especially since many of us find ourselves having difficulty balancing all our tasks. But the virtual assistant has levelled up in a big way – they are not just there to manage your administrative responsibilities and ‘standard’ tasks such as organising your calendar, schedule, and so on – they are now a lot more skilled and can present you with various services that you can make use of to grow your business as well. If you are a business owner, you want someone by your side who can help your business move forward and not just remind you of deadlines and appointments or keep your paperwork in order. So what can a virtual assistant do for you? Here, your essential questions are answered.
They can help drive the growth of your business
If you are an entrepreneur or are running your own business, you know very well that you cannot accomplish everything on your own. You would need an additional hand on various projects which can spur the growth of your business. Your virtual assistant can help you in this by collaborating with you so your business can expand and flourish, and they can be a sounding board and advisor in terms of your plans and decisions. To make your relationship with your virtual assistant work, however, you have to give them a good understanding of your ethics, goals, and vision, and you have to be willing to listen to their ideas as well.
Access to talent and skill
Of course, if you want to go the traditional route, you can hire a virtual assistant who will simply perform administrative duties for you. But if you would like to maximise their services, you should rely on someone who has talent and skill – especially with things you are not entirely familiar with. For example, if you are having difficulty managing social media or market research, you can depend on your virtual assistant to do this, provided they have the background and experience to handle the job. Some are also well-versed in marketing, branding, and advertising, and some virtual assistants can manage your website as well. In other words, if you choose your VA carefully, you can have access to a new set of skills and talent that you may not otherwise get if you hire a standard personal assistant.
Reduced operational expenses
As an entrepreneur or business owner, one of your key priorities is to save money and reduce your expenses in any way possible. And a virtual assistant can help you reduce your operational expenses– the service is outsourced, which means you need not worry … Read more
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
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
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
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
Advantages of Finding Funds through Receivables and Factoring Funding
Slow cash flow movements are often a problem that prevents your business from developing more successfully. One of them concerns the problem of accounts receivable (granting loans to other people or companies). The receivable collection process is quite long causing delays in the smooth running of the company’s balance sheet.
If it continues, this can cause serious problems for your business. It is not possible, right, you run a variety of operational activities without having an adequate availability of cash. Therefore, it is important to deal with it well from the beginning to avoid the impact or risk that will arise.
In this problem, entrepreneurs will usually take away to finance receivables or by using factoring. This method is considered as an alternative to short-term or long-term financing according to a mutual agreement or quick solutions to get funds that can make cash flow stable again.
Before deciding to choose one of these solutions, you need to understand the difference between receivable financing and factoring financing. If you are interested in getting more complete information or want to consult more clearly you can visit: factoring companies.
Receivable Financing
Receivable financing or known as invoice financing/invoice discounting is an act of borrowing several funds against several company receivables that are running in a company.
Broadly speaking, factoring-brokers will lend you the funds as borrowers as long as the receivables are still running and have not been billed. Then, when the consumer has paid your loan, you must return the funds to the investor. Of course the loan repayment and all the interest following the agreement that was agreed upon from the beginning.
If you have urgently needed funds to run the company’s operations, and are confident of being able to collect receivables from those who pay you in quick time, then this credit financing solution is suitable for you to choose. But keep in mind, you should still consider the risks that will arise if the collection of receivables does not go according to your estimates.
Benefits of Receivables Financing
1. Receivables financing can expedite cash flow in a short time.
2. Can overcome a variety of urgent financial problems for your business, especially if you can no longer find other sources of loans in a fast period.
3. Company activities can continue to run well and normally, until the time the receivables can be disbursed.
Factoring
Factoring is an act of financing by purchasing company receivables. Understanding factoring is financing activities in the form of purchases or transfers, as well as the management of receivables or short-term bills of a company from domestic and foreign trade transactions.
Broadly speaking, the understanding is, the owner of the receivables will sell … Read more
Last Updated: May 6, 2021 by Ginger
5 Best Ways to Generate Leads in 2021
Customer is king and a business is nothing without them. To attract customers, you need to make sure you have a well-thought strategy in place. Brainstorming and trying new ideas is a great place to start, but we are here to make your work a bit easier. Take a look at 5 ways you can utilize to generate leads in 2021.
Cater to Your Target Audience
Your audience is the backbone of your business, so they are the ones you need to impress the most. You might have the perfect product, plan, and strategy in place but it goes down the drain if your audience doesn’t relate to it or get excited about it. Know your audience and craft content especially formulated for them.
You ascertain the audience demographic, sort them out by how far they are in the buying process, or reach out to them through feedback and poles. Check out the data behind the website to see which part of it being visited the most. You can find out which customer is eyeing which product, or what has left to customer retention and attrition.
Perk Up Your Website
It’s 2021 and if your website is an old outdated, barely used platform, then you are inviting the devil. The entire world has turned online and to impress them, you need to use tactics that will ride in the same boat as them. Your website should be a definition of your business, vision, and efforts. Use colors that symbolize the nature of your product and design the website based on the demographic of its visitors.
Interact With Your Leads
Transparent communication with your audience is very important to retain them and earn their trust. Your audience should be able to rely on you and for that, you need to show them overtly that you care. Collect their feedback, set up virtual webinars, and organizes polls to find out their opinion and interest. There are endless possibilities in the virtual world if you play your cards right.
Email marketing is another great way to do this. You can find the people you want to reach out to as well as potential allies through emails. Try using getemail.io, a website with a LinkedIn email extractor that makes finding emails profoundly easier.
Focus on Customer Retention
Attracting new customers is very important but retaining older ones is more important. The customers who stay are responsible for quite a bit of lead generation and marketing. If one person likes your brand, they will convey it to others through word-of-mouth publicity which is one of the most impactful ways of marketing. So make sure you take care of those you have at hand … Read more