Should You Conduct Routine Employee Drug Tests?

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |employee drug tests |Should You Conduct Routine Employee Drug Tests?Deciding whether or not to drug test your employees is often a big choice that employers have to make.

Employee drug tests have many pros and cons, and for some businesses, they may be essential. How do you know if drug testing in the workplace is for you?

We’re going to go over the pitfalls and benefits of employee drug testing so that you can make an informed decision for your business.
Keep reading to learn more.

Pro: Employee Health and Safety

A safe workplace is essential for any business. Drug use may impair your employees, making them dangers to themselves and others.
Industries that work with large machinery may want to drug test to avoid accidents.

Having healthy employees is also better for everyone. Employees who use drugs may need an extra incentive to get clean through the workplace.

Con: Employee Morale

No one particularly enjoys getting drug tested, and if you operate in a legal state (or a state that allowed marijuana), your employees may bristle at the idea of drug testing. This is especially true if it’s random.

Some potential employees may shy away from businesses that mention drug testing to start with regardless of their own use. They may see it as an invasion of privacy and look unfavorably at the employer.

Some employees also use medication that will flag on a test, and being unable to use that medication (marijuana or otherwise) will lower their morale.

Pro: Legal Liability

Having a drug-free workplace may reduce the legal liability of the employer.

If there is an accident in the workplace, the employer is legally responsible for it. Having employees go through drug screenings helps to remove one potential threat.

You protect yourself by testing your employees.

Con: Speed

The hiring process needs to be quick and efficient. By adding drug testing, you’re slowing down the process of getting a potential employee from the hiring stage to the working stage.

This may not be an issue for those who aren’t in a hurry, but it extends the time that you need and in the meantime, an employee may find another position elsewhere.

Mixed: Cost

Drug testing is costly for the employer. It may cost upwards of $30 per employee to get a comprehensive drug test (see this 10 panel drug screen guide for information). Many small businesses can not support this cost.

That said, it will reduce workers’ compensation costs if the employee who is hurt in an accident was using drugs at the time.
Overall, this is a complicated area when considering the pros and cons. The long-term costs may be reduced in the case of an accident, but the upfront cost is quite high.

Are Employee Drug Tests Right for You?

Using employee drug tests for your business might be the right choice depending on your unique situation.
Making the right choice for your company is important, and you should consider all possible factors before making your final decision.
For more posts like this, visit the rest of our site.

Selling on Amazon for Dummies: How to Get Started Selling on Amazon

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StrategyDriven Online Marketing and Website Development Article |selling on amazon for dummies |Selling on Amazon for Dummies: How to Get Started Selling on AmazonWant to make your own business without the stress of an office or employees? Why not start selling through Amazon?

In fact, there are already 8.7 million sellers on the Amazon marketplace worldwide.

By establishing an Amazon FBA business, you can reach customers around the world. Then, you can market your business, attract buyers, and start generating sales.

Not sure how to establish your new Amazon FBA business? With this selling on Amazon for dummies guide, you can give your new business a strong start.

Read on to learn how to sell stuff on Amazon!

Draft a Business Plan

Before you actually start selling, it helps to have a plan. Drafting a business plan will help you chart the path ahead. It also gives you a chance to recognize any obstacles that might stand in your way.

Before reading this selling on Amazon for dummies guide, sit down and consider your business. A strong business plan starts off with a mission statement. What are you trying to accomplish?

What promise are you making to your customers?

Next, you’ll need to determine which products you sell. You’ll also need to develop a marketing, sales, and financial plan.

Once you know what you want to sell, try to gain an understanding of the current marketplace. A market analysis will help you recognize the latest trends. What are consumers looking for right now?

Don’t forget to research your competitors, too. Which strategies are they using to reach customers? Are those strategies working, or falling flat?

Try to use a SWOT analysis to determine your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Recognizing these factors can help you sell through Amazon successfully! Otherwise, your weaknesses and threats might slow you down.

Define Your Target Audience

In order to reach your target audience, you need to determine who your customers are. If you’re focusing on a broad target market, try segmenting your audience into buyer personas. You can define your buyer personas based on demographics such as age, gender, location, or household income.

What products are your ideal customers already buying? What interests and hobbies do they have?

Learning more about your audience will help you appeal to their interests. Once you understand your audience, you can develop a marketing strategy to spark their interest. A strong marketing strategy will help you boost sales and retain long-term customers.
It can also help to determine how COVID-19 is affecting sales. How are your customers shopping on Amazon? What trends could help benefit your business plan?

Know Your Niche

There are millions of products you can choose to sell online. When establishing your Amazon FBA business, don’t split your focus. Instead, try to build your business around a niche in the marketplace.

Choosing a niche will help you create a more focused marketing plan. It will also help you reach a smaller target audience. Dedicating your time to a smaller target audience will make it easier for you to appeal to customers who need your product.
You can also use personalized messaging to connect with these consumers.

Meanwhile, having a niche will help you stand out from the hundreds of competitors selling similar products.

First, make sure the niche product you choose is profitable. You might need to research the latest market trends for your niche. You can use tools such as Google Trends to determine how often people search for the product you’re considering.

If the search volume is low, consider choosing a different product.

Don’t forget to choose a product you’re interested in. Otherwise, you might not feel passionate about selling through Amazon or helping those customers.

Once you decide on a product, learn as much as you can about it. Don’t forget to look at competitors for your niche.
Which consumers are already using that product? What unique value can you offer consumers that your competitors can’t? Highlight that value proposition in your marketing to stand out from the crowd!

Find Suppliers

Now that you have a product, you can start selling it! First, you’ll need to find an online product supplier. Head over to one of the B2B platforms to find a supplier who has your product.

You might need to compare a few different options to find a supplier you want to work with. Once you have a few options, contact each one. Ask for a sample of the product to compare quality and costs.

How much is the minimum and maximum for each order? Is the price within your budget?

Once you find your supplier, you can place your first order!

Place Your Order

You don’t have to place a giant order the first time. Instead, place a smaller order and give yourself the chance to test the market.
Your first few orders give you chances to gather feedback. You can add a note with these purchases to encourage shoppers to share their thoughts. Then, use their comments to make improvements to your business.

Ask people to post their reviews, too. Five-star reviews will show potential customers you have a high-quality product.

Take the time to manage your inventory regularly. If you don’t track your sales, you could run out of stock sooner than expected.

Build A Buzz

For your shop to succeed, you need to get people to want to shop with your store. The best way to do this is to market yourself online, using various SEO and marketing techniques. One great way to get interest is to run discounts and deals, as this adds extra value and builds excitement and hype that can get people to talk about your store.

Something that you must do is market alongside holidays, especially Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Black Friday. Black Friday is especially important for businesses to earmark, as this is where the appetite for online goods swells, so learning about black Friday marketing ideas can help you get the edge during this competitive period.

When you build a buzz and get your store known, you can expect a steady stream of revenue.

Register Your Account

Before you start selling, you’ll need to register your Amazon FBA business.

You can become an individual seller or pro seller. Once you’re set-up, create your product listings.

About 23% of consumers look to Amazon for inspiration. To inspire them to shop, make sure your product images are high-quality.

Make Adjustments

As you gather feedback from your customers, make sure to adjust your selling strategy accordingly. Using this selling on Amazon for dummies guide is only the first start. Improving your marketing strategy and adding new products to your store over time will help you expand your business.

You can also use this guide to learn how to win on Amazon!

Selling on Amazon for Dummies: The Top Tips for Sweet Success

Remember, this article to selling on Amazon for dummies is only the beginning. These tips can set you on the path to success. Then, keep expanding your business plan to generate more sales and regular customers!

Looking for more ways to establish your new business? Explore our latest guides for entrepreneurs today!

How to Market Your Business in 2020

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article |Market your Business|How to Market Your Business in 2020Nowadays, businesses have access to an unprecedented range of marketing tools. By leveraging all of them, you’ll be able to access the maximum possible number of would-be customers. Some, however, may be better suited to your circumstances, and thus worth extra attention.

Let’s take stock of a few of the key marketing tools available.

Business Cards

For good reason, many new entrepreneurs place considerable focus on digital marketing. But it would be a mistake to neglect the enduring appeal of a physical business card. Hand out a business card to a potential lead, and you’re achieving several things:

  • You’re avoiding what might be an awkward and time-consuming conversation.
  • You’re giving them all of your contact details in an instant.
  • You’re establishing that you are a serious professional who is worthy of their attention.

instantprint, the online printing company, recently studied the science behind the business card, finding that white, yellow, and green were the most successful colours with 45.4% of Brits favouring a traditional design that represents the business. 30.8% also prefer a no-frills design with only the necessary information on display. This information is worth bearing in mind when designing your own business card.

Flyers

For some businesses, flyers remain especially effective. This includes businesses whose reach is very short. A local takeaway should be focusing its marketing efforts on the surrounding area, and door-to-door menu posting remains by some distance the most effective ways to do this.

Social media

A presence on social media will allow you to communicate with your clientele, drive their engagement with your brand, and thus gain access to valuable insights that can inform your future decisions.

Even if you don’t create any content yourself, your presence alone will yield benefits. With that said, taking the time to create content can pay dividends in drawing traffic to your business. If you have a special area of expertise, then why not publish some instructional blogs on the subject? Do your keyword research, establish what your customers are looking for, and then give it to them. You’ll be rewarded with traffic.

Influencers

Influencers have become significant players in the global digital economy. Their behaviour influences (of course) the behaviour of those who follow them. If you can get your products and services to feature in their content, then you’ll create an avenue through which a new audience can discover you and what you’re about. You’ll want to do your research before engaging with potential influencers. Vet their social media to see whether their approach makes a good match with your brand, and whether their audience coincides with your own. If you’re looking to market to younger people, then online influencers remain among the most effective ways of reaching them. Court them and keep them onside.

Understanding Why Businesses Need Storage Units

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Storage Units|Understanding Why Businesses Need Storage UnitsStaying organized is an essential requirement for any business to succeed. However, the office items are tough to manage sometimes, especially in the warehouses and manufacturing department. Messed up offices mean you are stepping into the world of hassles and time constraints. It is not convenient to run a business if you have a mismanaged environment in the workplace. Your employees will consider managing their belongings rather than the entire office. You are the boss, and you have to consider all such problems.

How would it feel if you have an urgent task to meet and the workplace is messy? You are likely to waste time arranging everything, and then you can begin working on the assignments. Furthermore, you can quickly lose clients if you spend time on instant management instead of dealing with the customers. Storage units are an efficient choice for businesses to avoid time wastage on such issues.

Storage units are sufficient spaces in the form of a hut that allows you to store all the unnecessary or least used items. You do not have to get rid of them entirely, and the units store them safely. Businesses do not find it a beneficial idea because storage units are often related to housing, but we can help you change this perspective. Here are some of the most compelling advantages of using storage units for businesses.

Seamless Business Growth

If you are wondering about growing or expanding your business, you might need more room for the purpose. You require more employees for more work, and ultimately, your office demands will increase. What would you do with such belongings? Getting a professional assistance, for instance, Lakeside Storage, can do away with all the hassle and leave an organized unit behind. You do not have to face sales hassles, and the equipment stays safe too.

Save Money

Business owners often believe that renting or buying a storage unit is expensive. With this thought, many companies have to bear the burden of warehouses and various other options. However, you get size alternatives that are cost-effective and just right for your needs. These units are efficient for all purposes – equipment, machinery, and extra furniture. All you got to do is find the right size of the storage unit, and you are good to go—no money wastage.

Secure Choice

Have you made up your mind for storage units? Fantastic! You have decided on a secure option for the lesser-used yet essential business items. Such space nowadays gets protected with a password, and as technology is advancing, you can enjoy fingerprint protection as well. All the belongings are at a secure place so that your office stays spacious and productive.

Productivity of the Employees Increases

Utilizing storage units means you are keeping the workplace clean and well-organized. Organizing the office in the best possible way always influences the employees positively. Workers feel motivated and stress-free, which results in higher efficiency. Efficient employees are still in favor of the business. Messy organizations usually fail in several departments and not knowing the reason is more depressing than losses.

Pleasant Work Environment

Apart from an organized corporation, employee productivity also depends on the workplace environment. The pleasant climate keeps them free from stress, which also boosts employee morale and efficiency, especially the manufacturing department. If the department doesn’t have any extra equipment and furniture, they can work at a better rate. So, instead of storing everything in corners of the office, find a storage unit that fits your demands.

Keep Backup Equipment

Storage units are not for getting rid of the extra items. You can also use them to keep a backup for operations. You can invest in new machines and equipment and store them in the unit as a backup. All the unused machinery or least used machinery should not get rusty in the corner of the plant. Instead, they can enjoy a happier and longer life in a storage unit.

Stress Relief

The mismanaged office is stressful for the bosses, but fortunately, a storage unit can save the day. Do not stay stressed because you have an impact on the entire team. Stop searching for different options and avoid salvage issues. Benefit from storage units, stay stress-free, and maintain a healthy atmosphere in the organization.

Get Rid of Cluttered Offices

According to a survey, 17 percent of the people look for storage units to get rid of clutter problems. Undoubtedly, unnecessary items give the firm a cluttered look, and it is overwhelming for everybody. If you haven’t rented or bought a unit, get it now and free yourself from cluttering issues.

Essentials Remain Safe

You may lose vital documents and important files since several unimportant things make a way in the company. When needed, you may not find the critical items, and this is where numerous problems are born. But storage units keep the unimportant ones safe and essential ones readily available for you.

Conclusion

Other than managing the employees and operations of your company, you must also manage the surroundings because a disorganized workplace results in lesser productivity. Furthermore, it also lowers employee morale. Hence, it is essential for you and your organization to stay organized with tangible goods. Your functions do not demand all the items, and several things at the office are out of use. Instead of overloading the workplace, be wise, and get a storage unit. It is a more convenient alternative for all the least used items. You can conveniently store them and use them as per the need – no need to sell and buy essential elements. Your firm will stay organized, and the employees will be more productive.

How to Reach Your Full Potential as a Business Owner

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Business Owner|How to Reach Your Full Potential as a Business OwnerDo you want to look back on your career in 20-30 years time and feel like you did everything you could to be an amazing boss? If you’re serious about reaching your full potential as a business owner, be sure to put the advice laid out below into practice.

Pick up a number of crucial habits

World-class business owners don’t show up to the office every day and merely hope for the best. They work hard to pick up a number of habits, and they work even harder to exhibit them on a daily basis.

Here are a few habits you should pick up if you’re determined to reach your full potential in the world of business:

  • Ignore distractions
  • Focus on the tasks that have the highest payoff
  • Obsess about delivering value
  • Look after your health and wellbeing — you’ll find it easier to cope with those long days in the office if you do
  • Always be on the lookout for ways to fill the gaps in your market
  • Don’t sit behind your desk all day — leave the office, even if it is to meet with a business partner or to schmooze a client
  • Plan for the long-term
  • Never stop networking
  • Become a thrifty spender
  • Embrace new challenges, don’t cower away from them

Tend to your responsibilities

Going above and beyond to provide a high quality level of service is what will make you stand out from the crowd in your industry. Being a great business owner isn’t just about showcasing your abilities all the time, however. It’s also about tending to your responsibilities. They might not be glamorous, they might not make you any money, and they might not enhance your reputation in the eyes of your consumer base… but they’re a necessity!

No matter what industry you operate in, you will no doubt be inundated with a plethora of responsibilities each and every day. One of the biggest tasks that you face in this instance is keeping your employees safe from harm while they are at work. Nobody is going to want to work for you or even do business with you if you’re perceived to be a boss that doesn’t look after their workforce, which is why you must do right by your staff members in this sense.

Your employees face a whole host of dangers every time they step foot in your work environment, fire being one of the most hazardous. To ensure that you never shirk the responsibility of protecting your employees from the dangers of fire and smoke, it’s crucial that you perform a Fire Risk Assessment at least once a year.

Are you determined to scale the lofty heights of your industry? If you want to one day rub shoulders with the biggest names in your field, you’re going to have to go above and beyond each and every day to provide an optimized level of service. Put the above advice into practice, and you’ll be sure to reach your full potential as a business owner in no time.