3 Strategies to Fuel Your Business Growth

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship ArticleGrowing a business is a complicated matter because it takes a lot of time, determination and sometimes even a bit of investment. Besides finding a profitable idea, defining a target audience and providing them with either a valuable product or service, one has to figure out the best marketing strategies for their company. Whether they are selling products, services or sharing information with their customers, it is important to note that the business world has become hard to access. That is why it is vital to find the right marketing strategies. Otherwise, making a profit or staying afloat is a complicated matter.

Nonetheless, finding the right marketing strategy is a struggle itself. You need to find a way to get your message to the right audience, boost visibility, increase sales and many more. To do that, you can check out the following strategies.

Create Video Tutorials

Creating video tutorials is probably the best and most effective way of getting the word out. It is simple and quite quick. Moreover, thanks to your expertise and valuable knowledge, prospects can easily turn into regular customers or at least frequent visitors of your page. Video tutorials are a very good way to start. The better those videos are, the more value you provide to your audience. As a result, you are able to boost your visibility and ultimately, increase your sales. Most people use video platforms in order to learn something quick. This could be the future of marketing, especially since people don’t have a lot of time on their hands.

Start Blogging

Every business company should have a blog. However, it is not absolutely necessary to have a blog on your own. There are a lot of entrepreneurs out there who find this task mundane because they don’t get that much visibility. Therefore, they start authority blogging. If you’re new to the blogging world, this is a great way to gain exposure. There are quite a few platforms out there that allow you to post valuable content. The only difference between your blog and those platforms is that they have massive audiences, a factor that gives you instant reach. Though, if you consider starting a blog, you should definitely learn more about SEO techniques. Get online and learn how powerful SEO Techniques can boost you and lead to business growth.

Build a Great Lead Magnet

Another great and effective marketing strategy is creating a lead magnet. A lot of professionals believe that the right lead magnet presented to the right candidates can have incredible results. There are many types of lead magnets that one can build from e-books, to cheat sheets to videos and checklists. Though, before doing that is it important to identify pain points so that you know how to offer solutions. Of course, the lead market plays a small part in this equation, but it is important to create the right one. If you want to reach your audience, you need to make it as effective as possible.

There are many great strategies that entrepreneurs can use to grow their business. While most of them are effective, they all require a bit of effort.

Top Cyber IT Security Trends in 2018

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StrategyDriven Risk Management ArticleThere are few businesses that don’t rely on the transmission of sensitive digital data in the course of their day to day operations and because of this, cyber security is an ongoing concern. Unfortunately, the businesses that are caught in the crosshairs are small to medium size enterprises, or SMEs, since most lack the financial resources to employ full-time IT staff. For those companies looking to keep their data secure in 2018, it helps to become familiar with what is trending in cyberspace security.

From there, owners and directors are in a better position to know how to protect their company’s sensitive data and that of any clients or customers who may also be harmed by even a single breach. Are you concerned over the data held on your computers and connected devices? If so, it pays to understand what you are up against.

Compliance with GDPR Regulations

Probably the biggest trend in cyber IT security is the newly launched GDPR regulations which are to be strictly adhered to by any member state of the EU. Also, anyone who does business with residents in the EU must be in compliance or face a stiff penalty. But, what are these regulations and why are they in place?

The first thing to understand is that the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is in place to provide necessary layers of security to digital data, especially during the transmission of this data. With such a growing concern over data breaches and dangerous system hacks, the EU devised a set of requirements which member states and anyone doing business with member states must adhere to. Summed up, these regulations include:

  • Consent must be given by subjects for the processing of data
  • Privacy is to be protected by keeping collected data anonymous
  • Notifications must be sent if there is a data breach
  • Data must be handled safely across borders
  • Certain companies are required to appoint a DPS (Data Protection Officer)
  • Compliance is mandatory

You will notice that “certain companies” are required to appoint a DPO and it will be this person who oversees the internal IT support necessary to keep data secure. However, SMEs are probably ‘exempt’ from this requirement based on size and company worth. This leads us to the next top cyber IT security trend.

Managed IT Services to Ensure Data Protection

Since it isn’t typically possible for small to medium size businesses to afford full-time IT support staff, a growing trend is to contract IT support providers that specialise in cyber security. Not only is it essential to keep a network up and running but the integrity of data is of ultimate importance to ensure compliance with GDPR. This is a growing trend, second only to understanding the basic guidelines which are to be followed. Even though most companies understand the rules, they are also unprepared for the technical applications which ensure compliance.

Another of the benefits of contracting IT support providers is that they can match your cyber security needs in a bespoke manner. Not all companies have the same needs and so a team of professionals can tailor your cyber security to the type of information stored, the places it is likely to be transmitted and keep any ‘risk’ factors to a minimum based on your system.

Putting AI to Work

Here is one specific task which will almost always need the services of IT professionals. Artificial Intelligence, AI, is on the cutting edge of cyber security. Now IT professionals are using AI to help them quickly identify possible threats without human intervention in order to prevent attacks before they happen. Bear in mind that cyber attacks happen so quickly that by the time anyone is aware that your system has been breached, it’s most often too late.

Then it becomes a matter of making patches to areas through which the hackers were able to gain access to your data. Unfortunately, there is a down side to this as well. There is some amount of concern that hackers will begin using AI because, as is the case with defense, machine learning can assist cyber criminals to find weak spots where doorways can be created. To date, no AI attacks have been noted, so cyber security teams are still one up on would-be criminals.

A Growing Emphasis on Patches

If there is anything the WannaCry ransomware attack taught us it would be the need to keep up to date with patches as they are released. In fact, statistics prove that there are more than 4,000 ransomware attacks daily and that WannaCry was responsible for at least 230,000 computers being attacked in a single day across more than 150 nations. The reason this particular ransomware attack was able to reach that many systems is because they failed to download and install the patch Microsoft released after recognising the hole.

These companies either didn’t understand the need for staying current with security patches or simply failed to do so based on time constraints of staff. When no one is in charge of IT security, someone needs to step away from their job to find a fix. This is often insufficient due to lack of knowledge and experience, so here again, it pays to use the services of IT support pros.

A Growing Need for Real Time Defense

Somehow the gap continues to grow between known malware and viruses and what anti-virus and anti-malware tools are able to protect in real time. As mentioned above, mutations of known malware and viruses are being released daily and it is almost impossible to keep up to date with the tools needed to guard against attack. However, that being said, IT security teams provide defence at the end-point so that they can check criminal behaviours before they impact your computer. Malicious behaviours are identified in real-time and stopped dead in their tracks before they are able to penetrate your computer.

Connected Devices Are a Growing Concern

Something else to look for in 2018 and beyond is a growing concern over the vulnerability of connected devices that are rolling out by the billions each and every day around the globe. The IoT is a wonderful boon for anyone seeking ease of use or remote access, but when it comes to the potential for hacking, they can be a real risk. Since each device is connected to your computer and through your computer to the network, hackers can now target the device in order to find a back door into your system. You will see a growing emphasis on IoT (Internet of Things) security in the coming years, but this one area is of high importance in 2018.

Change a Career in a Successful Way (Step-by-Step)

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StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals ArticleIs the work challenging? Do you think your career decisions were great? Do you really like your career growth? All the answers lead to a negative feeling? If so, it is time to change all these things and think about next steps.

Your career should make you happy and offer you a work-life balance. It is sometimes better to forget about your current job. Maybe you need to start a new job, where you can use all your skills. Or it is possible to make your current position much better for your career growth?

There are several reasons for changing your career and some steps that will help you do it.

Signs That Your Career Needs to be Changed

Your dissatisfaction in a career may be a reason for problems with your mental health. To avoid them, you need to know when to start thinking about changing a career. And don’t get concerned over such changes. Stay confident and keep in mind that CV writing service reviews can help you choose the professional and reliable company to assist you with writing the application document to find the new job.

So, let’s observe which signs you should pay attention to.

Physical Signs

Is there an anxiety? Are you aging? Maybe there were some work-related injuries?

Maybe you feel good when you receive a paycheck. But the work environment doesn’t bring out the best of you? Talk to your boss. There should be some alternative options. Remember that high-stress environment cannot help you work well.

You also shouldn’t feel that your co-workers just take advantage of you. Fear of losing your job is abnormal too.

Mental Signs

Today a lot of people have mental health issues, most of which are related to stress. To avoid problems with your health, be attentive to these signs:

  • High anxiety;
  • Difficulties with concentration and sleeping;
  • The tension in the neck;
  • You feel depressed.

If these tips can characterize you, maybe it is time to think about changing something.

Why Can a Career Change be Good for You?

A career change may become a reason for reviving the excitement for your work. It may fulfill your lifelong dream. So, it is time for a career change, if:

  • You work in a negative workplace. Just change a workplace and don’t be discouraged.
  • Your boss is a difficult person. Maybe it is time to talk to your boss? In most cases, communication is the greatest decision.
  • You feel lost about what you always do. Don’t fear the idea of working on a completely new project. This may make you feel that life is passing by you. Fear of the unknown shouldn’t prevent you from your career growth.

Common Mistakes

When you make a career change, try to avoid things that can negatively influence the result:

  • A desire to get a higher salary. This is not the tip that shows that you are in a wrong career. Remember that a position with a higher salary may be completely not what you expect.
  • Overnight decisions. Don’t make such quick decisions in this situation. When you are stressed or just disappointed you can’t think clearly. The biggest problem, in this case, is that positive tips are overlooked.
  • Promotion. In most cases, promotion takes a lot of time. That is why don’t think that there are no results. It may take years. So, this is not the reason to change your current place of work.
  • You are bored. Remember that repeated job is always boring. In this case, you may change your desk or communicate with co-workers. This may be enough to forget that you are bored with the job.

But before you will make a final decision think about these questions:

  • Can you imagine working in a new department?
  • Can you work well with people? What is a real problem at work?
  • How much time have you devoted to your career to get any result?

Making a Change for a Successful Career

If you are ready for changes, follow these tips:

  1. Write a career plan. Think carefully about the courses you need to take and other things to do to complete the goal.hat
  2. Weight your options. You may use your diplomas and gained degrees in different roles. But think which role will be able to make your happy.
  3. Think about your pros and cons. Be honest. Your weaknesses and strengths may have a real impact on your job.
  4. Find a mentor. This person can tell you a lot about the position you want to get. Ask this person what career tools you need to have.
  5. Volunteer first. Take on volunteer opportunities. This will help you to understand whether you really want to get the position.

Remember that you need to spend some time to move towards a new career. To reach this goal you need to avoid common mistakes. Also, remember about signs that will show that it is the right time for changes. Think about the steps of changing carefully to get the wanted result.

How To Create More Revenue From Your Online Presence

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship ArticleWhile every business owner should be aware of the need for a strong online presence, often this comes down to making the occasional Facebook post about their new product and nothing else. In the digital age, where even the youngest consumers are internet-aware, that’s simply not going to be good enough. You want your online presence to not only act as a roadmap to purchase but also to work for you in order to attract more customers and create more profits. That’s why it is essential that you look at every way possible to optimize your website, streamline your social media management, and find new ways to make your online presence work for you. There are a number of ways that you can use what you already have to increase revenue, and this handy list will help you to generate more profit.

Reach more people

The internet allows you to reach across geography and attract potential new customers from anywhere in the world. This is a huge benefit to businesses that are now able to boost global sales and source cheaper suppliers. It used to be a matter of billboards and newspaper ads, but now your advertising can be controlled in-house, and by using your market research into your customer demographic, you can literally target potential customers based on age, interests and current trends. By targeting your brand to your potential audience, you are making it far more likely that you will be able to find new customers and increase your sales figures. Keep an eye on your conversion rates and make sure that you are up to date on the latest sales tools.

Internet marketing strategy

A significant part of your marketing strategy should be focused on online platforms. Although it can be all too easy to either dismiss social media as oversaturated or even worse, put all of your eggs in the social media basket, the truth is that social media platforms are an incredibly useful tool for every business. They allow you to interact regularly with both current and potential customers, and that interaction is key. Consumers now demand interaction, and that alone can boost your company profile. You want consistent two-way communication that reflects your branding and reinforces your business in the minds of those that interact with you. It’s simply not good enough these days to post a new product and walk away. Remember, it’s called social media for a reason. So be social, and always stay on brand.

The benefits of membership sites

There are a number of key reasons why you may be considering a membership site. If you’re unsure what this means, it’s simply an area of your website (or the website in its entirety) that is only accessible to certain paying customers. A membership website can pay dividends, and for several reasons. The main benefit of a membership site is that it can reinforce loyalty to your brand that makes it far less likely that your customers will look elsewhere for your services when they need them. They have committed to your business financially, which means that they already have a vested interest in your output. It is a lot easier to than you may think, however, look for guidance on how to create a membership site. They can help in not only attracting users but keeping them too. Whether you’re offering an online course, granting early access to new products, or showcasing industry-relevant how-to guides, having a membership site can end up being a very profitable extension of your company.

Lift your Google rankings

Having a strong presence on search engine rankings can drive more customers to your site than you might think. Underestimating the importance of Google is an issue that more and more businesses are facing, so to avoid that you need to make sure that you are doing everything possible to appear on the first page of any related Google search, and the higher, the better. There a number of ways that you can boost your search engine rankings, and whether you do it via fresh and regular content updates or even through Pay Per Click advertising, a good search engine ranking will play an important part of your online marketing strategy. Don’t be afraid to invest some of your marketing budgets in SEO, and you’ll find that your rankings will grow organically.

It may seem an obvious truism, but every customer facing element of your business needs to be optimized in order to attract as many potential customers as possible and convert those visitors into sales. Failing to make use of the online presence that you have cultivated means that your business is not making the most of every revenue source.

Leadership Inspirations – The Buck Stops with the CEO

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Quote“Don’t blame the marketing department. The buck stops with the chief executive.”

John D. Rockefeller (1839 – 1937)
Industrialist and Founder of the Standard Oil Company