Crafting Emotional Connections with Your Audience

Imagine strolling through an online marketplace, searching for the perfect toothbrush. Suddenly, a product description catches your eye—vivid and captivating. The words paint a picture of dental health, sparking an emotional connection. This is the magic of ecommerce merchandising, where every word is strategically chosen to evoke feelings.

You are not just selling a toothbrush; you are promoting oral wellness.

Let’s take a detour into the realm of periodontal health, a term often tossed around in dental discussions. The word “periodontal” might sound clinical, but imagine describing a toothbrush as a guardian against periodontal issues. Suddenly, you’re not just selling a product; you’re offering a solution to a common concern. The mention of “periodontal” in your product copy becomes a subtle reminder of the care and protection your toothbrush provides.

The Pomegranate Twist: Adding Burstiness to Your Copy

In the world of ecommerce merchandising, adding a burst of unexpected flavor to your product descriptions can elevate them from mundane to extraordinary. Think of your product copy as a pomegranate—juicy, bursting with flavor, and impossible to ignore.

You don’t just sell a pomegranate; you narrate its story.

Consider incorporating a brief anecdote about a farmer’s passion for cultivating the finest pomegranates. This burst of storytelling creates a connection, making the reader feel a part of the journey. Now, translate this approach to your product copy. Don’t just list features; tell the story of your product’s origin, its journey to the customer, and the joy it brings. This burstiness in your writing style not only captures attention but also immerses the reader in the experience.

The Strategic Dance of Merchandising in Ecommerce

In the vast world of online shopping, merchandising in ecommerce is like orchestrating a symphony. Each element—the visuals, the words, and the emotional triggers—must harmonize to create a captivating experience for your customers. It’s a strategic dance where every move influences the final performance.

You are not just showcasing products; you are curating an experience.

Consider the scenario: a potential customer lands on your website, seeking a new skincare routine. Your ecommerce merchandising strategy involves showcasing related products in a visually appealing manner. Your product copy should not only highlight the benefits of each item but also guide the customer through a curated routine. It’s not just about selling individual products; it’s about creating a seamless, enjoyable shopping journey.

The Power of YOU: Making It Personal

Now, let’s talk about you—the reader. In the world of ecommerce, it’s not just about the product; it’s about the person behind the screen. Every word in your product copy should resonate with the reader, making them feel seen and understood.

You are not just a shopper; you are an individual with unique needs.

Consider addressing the reader directly, using phrases like “Imagine how this product can enhance your daily routine” or “Picture yourself experiencing the benefits.” This personal touch makes the product copy relatable, creating a sense of intimacy. Remember, it’s not just about what the product does; it’s about how it fits into the reader’s life.

Navigating Burstiness with Subtle Merchandising in Ecommerce

In the dynamic landscape of online shopping, the key is to balance burstiness with subtlety. While you want to grab attention with unexpected twists, you also need to guide the reader seamlessly through the merchandising journey.

You are not overwhelming; you are guiding with finesse.

Imagine a customer exploring your website for fitness equipment. Instead of bombarding them with technical details, subtly weave in phrases like “Elevate your workout routine with this versatile equipment” or “Imagine the impact on your fitness journey.” This creates a burst of enthusiasm without overwhelming the reader. Merchandising in ecommerce is about offering information in a way that empowers the customer, helping them make informed decisions without feeling bogged down.

The Lingering Echo: Reinforcing Merchandising in Ecommerce

As your customer navigates through your website, the echoes of your merchandising efforts should linger in their mind. It’s about creating a lasting impression that goes beyond the initial interaction.

You are not just selling; you are leaving a lasting mark.

Consider strategically placing phrases like “Discover more curated collections” or “Explore our recommendations tailored for you” at the end of product descriptions. This reinforces the idea that your website is not just a place to buy; it’s a destination for curated experiences. Merchandising in ecommerce extends beyond individual product pages—it’s about creating a holistic shopping environment.

In conclusion, the world of ecommerce merchandising is a delicate dance between emotion and strategy, burstiness and subtlety. Each word in your product copy should serve a purpose, guiding the reader through a personalized journey. Periodontal health and pomegranates may seem unrelated, but in the realm of ecommerce, it’s about creating unexpected connections that resonate with your audience. So, as you embark on your merchandising journey, remember: You are not just selling products; you are crafting experiences that linger in the hearts and minds of your customers.

The post Writing Captivating Product Copy Through Ecommerce Merchandising Strategies first appeared on Economic Journal.

Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash

The Modern Odyssey of the Nomadic Lifestyle

International Citizenship

Pioneers who live nomadic lifestyles are not constrained by country. They transcend national boundaries to enjoy the diversity of cultures; they are the epitome of global citizenship. This way of living encourages tolerance and understanding by promoting a broad viewpoint.

Technologies as Facilitators

The nomadic lifestyle has grown significantly as a result of the rise of digital nomadism. The internet has made it possible for people to communicate across distances and continue traveling while working remotely. Nomads can easily connect to their global network from busy city centers to secluded mountain getaways.

Obstacles and Achievements

Photo by William Rouse on Unsplash

Getting Around Legalities

Even though living a nomadic lifestyle gives unmatched freedom, there are drawbacks. It might be difficult to navigate the legal complexity of several nations. For mobile pioneers looking to work in Australia, the idea of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa has become essential. This visa bridges the gap between exploration and professional goals by allowing skilled professionals to travel and work in Australia for a predetermined period.

Cultural Adjustment

Pioneers who live nomadic lifestyles always struggle with cultural acculturation. This calls for receptivity to new ideas and a desire to learn. In addition to enhancing individual experiences, cultural adaptation helps travelers  establish stronger bonds with the communities they visit.

A Nomadic Lifestyle’s Advantages

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Development and Personal Progress

Nomads have tremendous personal growth because they are constantly thrown into unfamiliar situations and obstacles. As a result, resilience and problem-solving skills are improved by adaptability. The wandering way of life is an engaging learning experience in and of itself.

Prospects for Networking

A mobile lifestyle naturally leads to the creation of a global network. Having conversations with professionals throughout the globe leads to a variety of options and joint ventures. Nomads frequently find themselves in the nexus of cultural interchange and innovation.

The Nomad Who Cares About the Environment

Photo by Drew Murphy on Unsplash

Eco-Friendly Travel Strategies

Pioneers who lived nomadic lifestyles are becoming more aware of their environmental impact as the globe struggles with environmental problems. The contemporary nomad’s philosophy now includes sustainable travel practices including reducing single-use plastics and practicing responsible tourism.

Accepting Simplicity

A simple lifestyle is frequently required for a nomadic existence. People who have little possessions learn to value experiences more than tangible belongings. This move towards minimalism is consistent with a more conscientious and sustainable way of living.

Accepting Differences: The Wandering Tapestry

With their varied experiences and abilities, nomadic pioneers add color to the rich fabric of cultures all around the world. Their presence encourages the exchange of ideas, which ignites creativity and invention in unlikely places. From sharing stories around a campfire to cooperating on multinational initiatives, the nomadic lifestyle provides a melting pot of viewpoints. In addition to fortifying ties across borders, variety dispels stereotypes and promotes an accepting and tolerant community. The globe grows richer and more intertwined as long as nomadic pioneers continue to weave their tales into the fabric of many cultures.

Prospecting: The Era of Nomadism

It’s interesting to think about the future of this changing way of living as we remember the journey of the pioneers who lived nomadic lifestyles. The nomadic group adapts and flourishes as the world around them changes. Among other tools, the TSS visa is probably going to become even more crucial for enabling easy travel and employment prospects. As the emphasis on digital connectivity and ecological practises grows, the itinerant lifestyle may offer a sneak peek at the workings of the workforce of the future.

Looking ahead, we see a society in which variety is embraced, boundaries are easily crossed, and the nomadic spirit keeps redefining what it means to live a life well lived. For those brave enough to accept it, the nomadic future beckons with endless opportunities and fresh frontiers.

The post Across Borders: Nomadic Pioneers Traveling the World first appeared on Economic Journal.

To help provide export control advice, we have put together a few steps that you can follow to hopefully make exporting a little easier. Let’s get started.

Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/startup-meeting-brainstorming-594090/

1.   Market Research

Market research is an important part of any business expansion, especially if you’re going to look into exporting. Businesses should get into the habit of doing regular market research anyway, so this probably shouldn’t be new territory for you.

You will want to do market research to identify the potential target countries you can work with and the customers you can reach. You need to have an understanding before you start exporting.

2.   Develop an Export Plan

You need to make a comprehensive export plan that you can use to move forward. Once you’ve done the market research, you can take the information that you get and apply it to your plan.

Ideally, you need to look at your objectives as a company, your pricing strategy, the distribution channels for exports, and your target market. If it’s information that will be relevant in any way, it needs to be part of the plan.

3.   Compliance and Legal Considerations

As part of your normal business operations in the UK, you most likely learned how to follow rules and regulations for this country, but with exports, you need to go abroad. This means you need to understand the trade rules and regulations for every country that you intend to export to.

Take a look at the requirements for each of your target markets to make sure that you are going to be compliant. There’s nothing worse than trying to explore and discover your product isn’t compatible with the country you want to export to.

Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/startup-meeting-brainstorming-594090/

4.   Adapt Your Marketing Strategy

As part of exporting internationally, you will need to develop a branding marketing strategy. Your existing strategy will be designed for use in your original country and won’t be suitable for an international audience.

This means that you will need to tailor the materials that you use in your marketing strategy to meet other languages or cultural norms. You don’t want your product to come across as offensive or confusing to a foreign audience.

5.   Establish Partnerships

Identifying partnerships that you can form as part of your export strategy is key for success. You need to look for local agencies and distributors in your target market, so you can use them to get your product out to the right people.

It’s important to take your time with this because you need to make sure that you are forming the right relationships. You need to do plenty of research to make sure that your planned distributor is reliable and can handle your business.

6.   Logistics and Shipping

As part of exporting, you will need to design a logistics and shipping system which is fit for purpose. Not only does this need to be cost-effective, but it needs to be capable of handling whatever volume of orders you are expecting.

Make sure that you take your time with this, because if you get the export system wrong, then everything comes crashing down around you. You need to have ironed out the logistics perfectly.

7.   Secure Financing and Insurance

As part of exporting your products to other countries, there will be new financial obligations. You need to be ready to meet them.

Not only do you need to have the funding available to export internationally, but you also need to be able to secure the correct business insurance and handle any shipping and logistical costs. It’s important to run the numbers and make sure that you can afford to do this before you get started.

Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/startup-meeting-brainstorming-594090/

8.   Continuous Evaluation and Improvement

It’s important to make sure that your export plans are going well, and that your business is continuing to improve.

You should regularly review all of the export activities that you undertake, analyse their performance, and evaluate how successful they are. Don’t be afraid to make changes if something isn’t performing properly.

Exporting Can Be Profitable

Exporting can be a highly profitable venture, and it’s definitely something you could try. However, you need to make sure that you approach them sensibly. Don’t be afraid to take your time and plan your exports carefully.

The post 8 Steps to Successfully Incorporate Exporting into a Business first appeared on Economic Journal.

There are a few key considerations when launching an insurance startup and focusing on these areas should improve your chances. So, if you plan to launch a new business anytime soon, here are a few main areas to focus on.

Go Over The Basics Several Times

The basics in starting a business, no matter the sector, is forming a solid plan. The business plan is a key document that can make all the difference in the early stages of your startup. This is a document that allows you to outline your vision and show what steps need to be taken early on to find success. A business plan will also be key for securing funding and bringing on any stakeholders. You will want to ensure you have covered every basis with it so that nothing puts you at risk of failing to get the funding you need.

Beyond a business plan, you will also need the right authorisations, particularly from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as you will, if your business is successful, be advising, selling, or arranging insurance. Read their handbook and apply for a license.

Securing Funding

You need to have enough money to get the business up and running, and you need to make sure that you will not run out before you have had a chance to find success. Therefore, you need to calculate your startup and ongoing costs and then find a funding solution, whether this is an investor, crowdfunding, or a bank loan (or a combination). Consider the cost of office space, employees, training, and more.

Office Space

You also need to consider the best option for a business location. At a time when remote and hybrid work is on the rise, you might find it best to avoid a long-term lease on a private office space (this is also a major cost). Instead, you could look into a more flexible option by renting a fully serviced office space that you can use as and when you need. You can find offices in desirable and easily accessible areas, such as St Albans office space that will give you everything that you need to work to a high standard each day. This is also a good location as somewhere is close to the capital but quieter and more affordable.

Secure Your Own Business Insurance

You may be starting your own insurance company, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need your own form of protection in case something goes wrong. It is important that you have sufficient business insurance in place from day one. For startups and small businesses, there are many threats that could ruin your business before you have had a chance to succeed.

Recruitment

You need to work out your staffing requirements and take the time to build a talented, committed and complementary team that will boost your chances of success. If you want to keep costs down, then there are many tasks that can be outsourced. It may benefit you to do this at the beginning and slowly introduce staff in-house, but this entirely depends on your financial situation.

These are a few key areas to focus on when starting a new business that should help you find success.

The post Key Considerations When Launching An Insurance Startup first appeared on Economic Journal.

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an online casino is the type of license it holds. Different licenses offer different levels of regulation and protection, so it’s important to understand the differences between them in order to make an informed decision.

What does the license say about the casino to the user?

The type of license that a casino holds can have a significant impact on the player. Here are some of the ways that the license type can affect the player:

• Regulation: The level of regulation that a casino is subject to is directly related to the type of license it holds. Casinos with a national or international license are typically subject to higher levels of regulation, meaning that players can have more confidence that the games are fair and that their personal information is being handled securely.
• Security: Casinos with a national or international license are also typically subject to more rigorous security standards. This means that players can feel more confident that their personal and financial information is being handled securely.
• Game Selection: Different license types can have an impact on the type and number of games that a casino is able to offer. Casinos with a national or international license are often able to offer a wider range of games and promotions, as they are subject to fewer restrictions.
• Payment Options: The type of license that a casino holds can also impact the payment options that are available to players. Casinos with a national or international license are often able to offer a wider range of payment options, making it easier for players to deposit and withdraw their winnings.

What licenses are there?

One of the most highly regulated and respected licenses in the industry is the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) license. This license is widely recognized as one of the most stringent in the industry, and it provides players with a high level of protection and security. The UKGC also operates a complaints procedure that allows players to raise concerns about any issues they may have with licensed operators.

Another highly regulated license is the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license. This license is also widely recognized as one of the most stringent in the industry, and it provides players with a high level of protection and security. The MGA also operates a complaints procedure that allows players to raise concerns about any issues they may have with licensed operators.

Another respected license is the Gibraltar Gambling Commission (GGC) license. This license is widely recognized as providing players with a high level of protection and security, and it’s a popular choice among many online casinos.

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) license is also considered to be a highly regulated license, and it provides players with a high level of protection and security. However, this license is not as widely recognized as some of the other licenses, so it’s important to carefully evaluate the specific terms and conditions of this license before making a decision.

The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (IOMGSC) license is considered to be a less regulated license, but it still provides players with a high level of protection and security. This license is a popular choice among many online casinos, and it’s widely recognized as a respected license in the industry.

Finally, the Curacao eGaming license is considered to be the least regulated license in the industry. However, even this license can still offer a high level of protection and security for players, so it’s important to carefully evaluate the specific terms and conditions of this license before making a decision.

In conclusion, it’s important for players to carefully consider the type of license that an online casino holds when making their decision. Different licenses offer different levels of regulation and protection, so it’s important to understand the differences between them in order to make an informed decision.

Whether you’re looking for a highly regulated license or a less regulated license, there are many options available to choose from, so take your time and choose the license that’s right for you.

The post Casino License – What Does it Mean? first appeared on Economic Journal.

In fact, the word “revenue” has become such a central focus in the business world that titles such as “chief revenue officer” and “director of revenue operations” are among the fastest-growing job titles on LinkedIn.

This article discusses the concept of revenue operations (RevOps), what it does and how you can implement its practices in your organisation.

What is RevOps?

While experts will often point out the three pillars of RevOps: people, process, and platforms/technologies, aligning different departments and teams is at the heart of a successful RevOps structure. Traditionally, organisations have various departments with their own goals and responsibilities, each with its systems and reporting to their respective heads. For example, a marketing team focuses on crafting campaigns to reach marketing objectives like generating leads, retargeting and personalising content. It can use customer relationship management systems (CRMs), web analytics and other marketing tools.

RevOps aims to bridge the gap between departments, creating a centralised team focused on maximising revenue. Revenue operations software often aids this. Instead of marketing, sales and service departments transfixed on their respective KPIs, RevOps looks to remove these silos to focus on collective goals.

Signs you need RevOps

Not every organisation requires RevOps. A tech startup working on getting its first thousand users doesn’t need revenue operations. However, when that same company reaches half a million users and sees its revenues stagnating, it can be a sign that developing revenue operations is in the offing.

Employees constantly raise clarifications

When employees from different departments consistently feel the need to approach managers for clarifications, that’s a sign RevOps may be needed. To give you a clearer picture, this could occur when there’s a fundamental difference between how a company markets its products and how salespeople push them. The confusion could stem from conflicting messages from department heads, resulting in employees having different interpretations of directives.

You want to scale

Simpler processes worked when a business is in its nascent stages. For example, guerrilla outreach can work to get your first 50 customers. But as the product matures, you’ll inevitably need more progressive strategies to address growth issues, such as improving onboarding and after-sales support.

You’re using too many tools

Too many tools across different teams often result in overlapping functions and multiple data sources. When you have different data sources, you’re working from several vantage points, citing varying truths. RevOps consolidates the acquisition and implementation of tools, managing them from a single perspective. This results in optimised resources and better adoption.

How to implement RevOps

While alignment is at the core of revenue operations, there are three elements to the machine that keep it moving: people, platforms/technology and processes. Here are some ways to maximise RevOps:

Audit your customer journey to identify areas of disconnect between departments 

Start with your existing content. This can include the following:

• Marketing content across different platforms (website, email, social, etc.)
• Sales enablement content (sales scripts, demo and sales decks, email templates, etc.)

During your audit, see if the messaging aligns with the respective buyer’s lifecycle stage it’s designed for, filling in gaps whenever necessary. A good practice is revisiting successful campaigns and sales deals to see which messaging, scripts and pitches you can reuse and leverage.

Next, audit the tech stack used by the marketing, sales and service departments. See if there are any overlaps and if the tools can track all relevant movements prospective customers are making.

Finally, audit the channels available to your customers. Optimise them to have every conversion best practice. This ensures potential buyers can convert seamlessly.

Optimise cross-functional collaboration

When you’re analysing relationships between departments, you’ll start to encounter issues that can include the following:

• Unclear/overlapping responsibilities: When it comes to a vague chain of command, a straightforward solution is to create a clear hierarchy even before the teams are introduced to the collaboration structure. This defines the lead role as early as possible, eliminating any blurred lines of responsibility.
• Competing priorities: Addressing this challenge can be tricky as this is where egos typically come into play. Experts suggest creating and rewarding cross-functional projects. This will entail team leaders regularly huddling to find opportunities to align objectives.
• Context issues: This challenge stems from different departments lacking an understanding of each’s expertise. An excellent way to address this is by showing instead of telling. For example, marketers can listen to sales conversations. This gives them an up-close view of the talking points and how customers respond. This practice helps both teams come up with better solutions that help each other.

As you can see from the last example, there are practical ways you can encourage cross-functional collaboration. When departments have a clear idea of what the reality is for other departments, it’s easier to tailor objectives to benefit the collective good.

Build your revenue operations structure

You don’t necessarily need to build from scratch. You can also restructure existing strategies and workflows to propel your revenue-generating initiatives forward. This can include the following:

• Go-to-market strategy (GTM) – This refers to a step-by-step plan for launching new products or expanding existing products into a new market.
• Sales workflows – These should move prospects through the system while gathering valuable data for your revenue thrusts.
• RevOps dashboard – This can be a project management tool offering transparency and visibility across the organisation for tasks, responsibilities and progress.

Ideally, RevOps strategies follow a 12-month execution plan, giving ample time for individual campaigns to bear fruit before moving on to the next phase. This also enables you to make adjustments when variables change.

Final words

As you can see, establishing a RevOps structure requires a lot of work. But in a volatile economic climate with an increased premium on revenue generation, you can either put in the work or get left behind.

The post How To Maximise Your Team’s Success Through Revenue Operations (RevOps) first appeared on Economic Journal.

Finding the perfect business co-founder, with like-minded beliefs and faith in the business concept can be a minefield! Where do you even begin to forge a new relationship based on a new business start-up concept?

Well, this post will provide all you need to know including what a co-founder is and the role they may play within the business, how to find the perfect co-founder, as well as analysing if joining forces with a co-founder is right for you and your business.

We will also be discussing other alternative funding options that could enable your business to get going.

What is a Co-Founder?

A co-founder is a person or group of people that start a business together or enter the business during a development phase. A co-founder is a separate entity from the businesses’ founder, however, alongside sharing the equity, they also share the risk of the business and the responsibilities of the decision-making.

Investor co-founders are often entrepreneurs themselves and can have other business commitments, but they usually have a lot of knowledge to share. The background of a co-founder can be from the industry that the business is attempting to launch in or an expert in a specific area such as lawyer, accountant, or technology.

Would Having a Co-Founder be Right for Your Business?

Deciding to seek a co-founder and release a proportion of the company’s equity is a big decision! However, the alternative of setting up the business as a solo entrepreneur also comes with its challenges, for example, do you have enough knowledge of all remits of the business to make a success of the venture?

According to Fundsquire, 20% of new businesses fail in their first year and 60% fail within their first three years of business.

With such a high failure rate, business owners should consider the level of risks involved with new start-ups and the best methods to minimise these. There are many reasons that a business could fail; due to the product itself, the market conditions, the management of the company or poor profit margins.

Obviously, there are many steps of business development to be undertaken before the success or failure of a business can be decided, from product design and development, through to manufacturer and launch, that the business would need to navigate through with or without a co-founder.

How to Find a Co-Founder

If an entrepreneur decides that seeking a co-founder is the right thing for their business, firstly, it should be decided what attributes are most desirable for the business.

In order to do so, complete an assessment of which skill sets the current business owners or the sole trader is missing, therefore shortlisting the ideal contributions from a new co-founder in order to balance the skill set.

Of course, financial assistance is required to enable the project to move forward, however other elements of business would also need to be met such as sales, marketing or overall business skills including strategy and business development, therefore making a shortlist of desirable skills is important to identify.

Next, the business idea must be completely finalised with business plans and cash flows drafted in order to successfully pitch the idea to shortlisted potential co-founders.Once the skill set of a desirable co-founder has been identified and the business idea completed, the next step is to seek out the ideal person either from your current contacts or by expanding your network.

Ask yourself where the desired type of person would base themselves, socialise or visit, in order to cross paths with them and hopefully arrange a meeting to pitch your idea. Methods of doing so may include attending start-up events or networking with people within the sector that you are seeking out.

If such research does not provide any leads, expand your network wider, seek recommendations of contacts from friends and family or possibly explore appointment setter services.

Ben Price, co-founder of boiler installation company Heatable.co.uk provided his insights:

“Should an ideal co-founder be found however they are tied up on other projects, discuss consultancy opportunities in order to benefit from their expertise without their full commitment.”

He added:

“Another option would be to recruit for the skills needed while the hunt for a perfect, trustworthy, co-founder continues in order to make progress with the business in the short term.”

Recruitment could be undertaken on a permanent or a short-term contract basis via sites such as LinkedIn or Upwork.

You never know, it may transpire that any successful recruitment develops into the onboarding of a co-founder later on.

What Other Finance Options are there to Start a New Business?

There are a range of alternative finance options available other than funding a co-founder should a new businessman or woman wish to seek a different solution including:

• Business loans or Overdrafts

Business loans are available from a range of lenders including high street lenders, even for new business concepts if the applicant can meet the criteria, typically involving: a minimum age of 18 years old, the applicant is a UK resident, the business will be based within the UK and have the necessary documentation ready for the lender to review including business plans, cash flow forecasts, and projections. If the business is not quite at this stage of development, with the necessary information in order to make an application, short-term borrowing such as the use of overdrafts may be useful for the initial stages of getting a business ready for seeking further funding.

• Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a type of funding sourced by the general public, often via the use of a website promoting the new concept. There are often two types of crowdfunding as follows; stake offered within the business in return for funding or simply borrowing the funds. Crowdfunding can be very successful especially if the business concept is new and unique.

• Government grants

From time to time there are Government grants available for entrepreneurs to apply for, depending on the economic climate and industry of the business idea, for example, research and development are often supported.

• Government Backed Loan

Currently, the UK Government is supporting start-ups by providing Government-backed loans between £500 and £25,000, along side business guidance such as assistance with business plans and mentoring.

This type of loan is an unsecured personal loan, repayable over a period of 1 to 5 years, with similar lending criteria as the business loan discussed above, although there is also an additional restriction that the business must have been trading for less than 2 years.  The current Government backed loan scheme for start-ups does not involve any application or early repayment fees, however the interest rate charged is 6% per annum. For further details on the start-up loans available, please check out the Government’s website.

Summary

In this post, we have been discussing why an entrepreneur may seek a co-founder in order to balance the necessary skill set to develop, launch and market a successful new product or service. We have also covered a range or recommended steps involved with finding a co-founder that is a right fit for your project.

In addition, we discussed a range of alternative financing options available to new business start-ups should either a co-founder is not favoured or in the situation where one cannot be found.

The post Tips to Finding Your Perfect Co-Founder first appeared on Economic Journal.

But don’t start thinking it’s easy to get a job as a financier. Financial workers ought to be dynamic because they are working in a complex market with ups and downs everyday. Financial institutions need the best people for the job. You may have the qualifications, but also need to showcase your skills through a finance resume. A well-written and structured resume shows that you’re a rare commodity and the company would be blessed to have you onboard.

You need a financier resume that would make Warren Buffett proud! Perhaps you need to skim through a classic finance resume example before getting started, but there is always the option of hiring someone to craft the perfect resume for you.

Nonetheless, we’re here to share the 5 tips to create a job-winning financier resume. It will help you kick-start things. Let’s get started!

Unraveling the 6 Tips to Create a Compelling Financier Resume

#1 Use a Proper Format For The Resume

Let’s get real: the hiring manager wants to see a structured resume. Make sure you check that the contact information is updated. Put your social media (LinkedIn) account and make sure the link is working.

Share your professional experience, but make sure it has dates of joining and leaving date. Ideally, financiers should opt for a chronological layout. It will showcase your financial skills and job experience in this specific field. That’s what the hiring manager wants to see!

Choosing the right kind of font is also needed. Make sure it’s easy to read and don’t go for italics. A financier resume needs to be very specific. All the hiring manager needs to see is your professional skills and experience.

#2 Write the Objective at the Beginning

Giving an introduction is crucial. The summary or career objective needs to be crisp and precise. It’s a very short paragraph that begins the finance resume and helps your hiring manager to understand that you are a unique candidate. Don’t forget to mention your experience, financial skills, and career accomplishments. Pick three to four good points and add them to the summary section.

#3 Make the Experience Section Crisp

Do you want the job of your dreams? As a financier, you would want to highlight the experience section with crisp details. Start from the current position and then go down the memory lane. Each of the job entries should be clear and precise. Write the title of the job, company name, employment date, accomplishments, role, etc. Make it really crisp and professional. Basically, you need to make a laundry list of duties at the current job.

#4 The Education Section Ought To Be The Silver Lining

Sure, you’ve got the skills and experience, but you need to highlight your education as well. Write your college and university name, location, the degree you received, years you studied, and so on. Were there any achievements during high school and university? If yes, highlight them really quickly in your financier resume.

Check out a finance resume example before writing your educational background and work experience. It’s time to beef up the resume with your educational qualifications, but don’t go overboard. It should come right above the work experience section.

#5 It’s Time To Highlight Your Financial Skills

Why should the financial company hire you? You need to give them a solid reason for hiring you.

Here are a few examples of interpersonal skills you should mention:

• Cash handling
• Credit management
• Debt management
• Due diligence
• Time management skills
• Financial analysis
• Computer skills
• Negotiating
• Account reconciliation
• Risk assessment
• Conceptual skills
• Microsoft office skills
• Problem-solving skills

As a financier, you need to be focused on solutions, and not problems. You need to give assurance to the future company that you can handle any financial situation like a PRO. But don’t sound like a snob. You always have something to learn along the way.

Concluding Thoughts

With these five tips, we’re sure you are going to make a winning financier resume. Make sure everything is covered and the dates are proper. Don’t confuse the hiring manager with a poorly structured resume.

The post Top 5 Tips To Create a Job-Winning Financier Resume first appeared on Economic Journal.

You can use dedicated servers to improve your website’s functionality, streamline data-sharing within your company network, boost processing power and more. Regardless of the specific use cases, setting up a server for the first time can be intimidating. Here is how you can do it to meet the needs of your organization and customers.

1. Determine Your Capacity Needs

The first step in setting up a server is determining what you want out of it. One of the most critical considerations in that area is deciding how much capacity your server needs. Once you have a rough idea of your capacity needs, you can make more informed decisions later in the process.

A few factors to consider when determining capacity needs include the number of users, data volume, average web traffic and the needs of the programs you run. These should give you an idea of how much RAM, processing power and hard drive space your server should have. Remember to provide more than what you need now, as data volumes may grow by more than 20 zettabytes a year between now and 2025.

2. Form a Budget

Next, it is time to create a budget. Knowing your processor, RAM and storage needs will help narrow your equipment options, making it easier to form an accurate budget. However, these are only some of the factors to consider. Leave room in your spending plan for items like security, cooling and server room rent.

With your infrastructure needs in mind, look at the average costs between different solutions and vendors. It is also a good idea to look at any available customer case studies to get an idea of your expected ROI. Compare this information with your current financials to determine a working budget. Servers can quickly become expensive, so set a hard cap and expect the most cutting-edge solutions to be out-of-budget.

3. Choose Between On-Premise and Cloud

Another vital decision you must make to set up a server is choosing between on-premise and cloud solutions. A physical, on-site server gives you more control over your server room’s equipment, monitoring and operations. It may also offer lower latency, depending on the setup. However, it requires sufficient space and may need more work to scale up.

By contrast, cloud servers offload the management and physical infrastructure responsibilities to a third party. While that means a small sacrifice in control, it can free up your IT staff’s time and may be easier for companies with minimal server experience. The cloud is also more cost-effective and scalable, so it may be ideal for smaller businesses with ample growth opportunities. Review your needs, budget and preferences to find which is best for you.

4. Shop Vendors and Equipment

Once you have decided on all these requirements and preferences, it is time to build your server. For on-premise solutions, that means shopping for equipment that meets your capacity and budget needs and for cloud alternatives, that means comparing vendors. Compare multiple shops in either case before deciding and be sure to leave room to grow, either with new hardware or upgradable cloud resources.

With a cloud server, your vendor will manage the infrastructure, so you do not have to worry about putting everything together. If you’re constructing an on-site solution, it may still be best to have a specialised server company build it for you. Creating a server room often means managing multiple vendors and part orders, which can be a headache for smaller IT departments. Outsourcing this step will also ensure experienced experts help you set it up.

5. Secure Your Server

While it may feel like you are done after constructing a server room or buying a cloud solution, there is one more important step — you must ensure your server is secure before using it. Small businesses may not seem like ideal targets for cybercrime, but 52% of SMBs experienced a cyberattack in 2021 and 60% go out of business within six months of these attacks.

If you use a cloud vendor, ensure it meets high-security standards before doing business. If you have an on-premise solution, install tools like automated network monitoring and up-to-date anti-malware software. In both cases, you should restrict access permissions as much as possible, implement backup systems, encrypt all data and require multi-factor authentication for all users.

Set Up a Server for Your Business Today

Setting up a server for your business can be fairly straightforward with today’s resources. Most of your server’s success hinges on knowing what you need to meet your specific goals.

Follow these five steps to set up the ideal server for whatever your company needs. You can then fully capitalize on digital transformation to optimize your internal operations and customer-facing services.

The post How to Set Up a Server for Your Business first appeared on Economic Journal.

If you’re looking to grow your beauty salon business, then there are a few worthwhile strategies you might employ to give yourself a worthwhile edge over the local competition.

Offer New Services

If you’re offering a broad range of services, then you’ll be able to draw in a broad range of customers.

For example, if you offer gel nail polish and nail art, then you’ll be able to bring in customers looking to accessorise their fingers – and you’ll also be able to benefit when they look to shop for other services.

At the same time, you don’t want to offer too broad a range of services, where doing so might compromise the quality.

Social Media

Beauty is obviously a very image-based industry – and as such, you’ll want to make the most of image and video-sharing platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

By setting up profiles on multiple networks, and posting regularly, you’ll be able to establish yourself as a go-to expert among your followers. You should ideally encourage interaction between your audience and you with the help of competitions and other events.

Naturally, you’ll want to focus your efforts on the social networks that your customers are actually using.

You might figure this out by looking at the demographics of your clientele. You needn’t collect data to do this: if you’re paying attention, you should get a feel for who your more valuable customers are.

Increase Client Retention

It’s much easier to hold onto an existing client than it is to win over a new one. As such, you might market to those existing clients with the help of loyalty schemes and discounts targeted toward long-time customers which will reward them for coming back to you rather than going elsewhere.

Naturally, the best way to retain clients is to offer the best possible service.

Get Feedback

The most successful businesses in the world put the customer at the centre of their strategy. The better the experience enjoyed by your customers, the more likely they will be to come back and spend more money.

But of course, you’re not going to be able to tell where your service is in need of improvement if you don’t encourage existing customers to speak up.

There are a number of ways in which you might troubleshoot your customer experience. You might encourage your customers to fill in questionnaires, or recruit a third party to pose as a new customer and fill in a mystery shopper report.

You will then be able to see any issues that your customers may be facing while using your salon and can address them to ensure that you are providing the best experience possible.

The post How to Increase Revenue at Your Beauty Salon first appeared on Economic Journal.