How to Reduce the Risk of Importing and Exporting

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article | How to Reduce the Risk of Importing and ExportingWhen you run a company, importing and exporting becomes an important part of its day to day operation. Whether you need to get materials, or you’re selling products to your customers, you’ll need to either import or export them quickly.

The trouble is, importing and exporting come with a range of challenges. This is especially true when disruption hits the sector, like it has with the coronavirus pandemic. So, how can businesses reduce the risks of importing and exporting? Below, you’ll discover some great tips you can follow.

Do your research

It’s really important to do your research when you’re importing and exporting. Different countries have different rules you’ll need to be aware of. For example, some goods may be illegal in certain countries. You need to know these things to avoid falling on the wrong side of the law.

Speaking of the law, always familiarise yourself with the legalities of importing and exporting. Make sure you understand any risk and compliance law you need to adhere to. If you don’t, the consequences to your business could be dire.

Ensure you have an organised record keeping process

One of the legal requirements when you import and export goods, is to keep accurate records. You’ll need to keep these records for five years. While brokers often have records, these are typically used for their own purposes. So, having your own copies is important.

It isn’t as much work as you might think and keeping records helps you to avoid any potential legal issues that might occur. You can research more about the types of records you’ll need to keep.

Understanding the different risks

So, what risks do you need to be aware of? The truth is, there are a lot of risks associated with imports and exports. These include goods being damaged in transit, your buyer becoming insolvent, political risks and economic risks.

Having a good understanding of the different risks can help you to avoid them. While you can’t always plan for things that go wrong, you can at least familiarise yourself with the most common risks you’ll face.

Overall, importing an exporting are crucial for businesses. However, there are a lot of risks involved. The above are just some of the ways to reduce the risks importing and exporting present. Remember, the more research and planning you do, the more you’ll be able to protect yourself against these risks.

Technology Adaptations for Your Business

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | Technology Adaptations for Your Business | Business Technology

Managing a business is hard to do, but this year has been especially hard. With the normal tasks of creating a social media strategy, managing employees, and tracking data and finances, there have been a lot of upheavals and needed adaptations. A business may have needed to be done remotely or adapted to fit safety protocols. A lot of the needed adaptations needed require technology updates and fixes. Here are a few ways you can adapt your business using technology to keep up with the changing world.

Working Remotely

There has been a greater need to have employees work from home where possible. This can be better facilitated through technology like laptops, communication software, and other software that allows employees to access their work files and documents from home.

Another important aspect of working remotely is finding a good way to still hold necessary meetings. There are many different platforms that allow for video conferencing meetings. Some companies that have some employees working in the office and others working at home use Zoom Room Equipment to set up a designated room to use for online meetings with their remote workers. This helps to cut down on time needed to set up for meetings and other technical issues that can delay schedules.

Project Management

When everyone is working in different locations, it can be difficult to ensure that tasks are completed on time. You may have problems with people duplicating work or tasks getting forgotten due to a lack of good communication.

Project management software like Asana or other options can help you set up tasks, due dates, and assignments all in one place. Giving everyone access to the projects they work on will help the entire team be informed of the current status of the project and what needs to happen next to reach the goal.

Cybersecurity

Remote working is great for many reasons, but it can also open up the door for cyber attacks on your company if you are not careful. Employees may rely on public internet connections, or online storage solutions may be utilized to help gain access to important documents from different locations.

It is easier to provide security to an office location because you can lock the physical office that contains the servers and use closed networks with added layers of security. These are not possible when you have remote workers.

Investing in increased cybersecurity measures is crucial if you are going to keep your business safe. Virtual private networks (VPNs) and data backups are both essential for remote working. You should also stack up against your security by using multi-factor authentication, real-time security monitoring, and cybersecurity software.

Performance Tools

It can be hard to manage employees when they are working remotely, and that can make performance reviews unsubstantiated and flimsy. Using performance tools can help to give your employees concrete expectations and goals they can follow, and it can also give you usable data to help increase engagement and provide targeted training and feedback.

How Startup Owners Can Reduce The Risk Of Business Failure

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StrategyDriven Starting Your Business Article | How Startup Owners Can Reduce The Risk Of Business Failure | Business Startup

According to the research highlighted at Fundera, 20% of new businesses fail in their first year, 30% fail in their second year, and 50% fail after five years. It’s enough to put anybody off the idea of starting their own business.

However, it’s also important to turn those figures around. While there are those businesses that fail, there are also those that survive. This should be a cause for optimism.

To reduce the risk of business failure, startup owners should:

#1: Find out why businesses fail

Why do businesses fail? According to Research Briefs, there are many reasons. 42% of businesses fail because there is no market need for what they are selling, according to figures highlighted. 29% of businesses fail because of cashflow problems. And businesses also fail because of such issues as the might of the competition, poor marketing, and the lack of a proper business model.

When the startup owner knows why businesses risk failure, they can take steps to alleviate any future problems.

So, they might look for a niche in the market in a bid to reduce the competition, for example. They might outsource their marketing to those agencies that understand their business model, such as a software marketing agency if they were running an SAAS business. And they might commit to market research before starting out to ascertain whether or not there is a market for their particular product or service.

#2: Seek assistance from a business mentor

The business world is hard for anybody, especially those who are just starting out in their particular industry. This is why it’s always useful to have somebody on speed dial who knows what they are doing. A mentor can help the startup owner become a success, with advice on the pitfalls to look out for, a list of contacts with the resources the startup owner needs, and other information, such as tips on hiring, financial management, and goal setting.

Of course, this is assuming the startup owner knows somebody who can mentor them, although it shouldn’t be too hard to track somebody down. Networking events, social media sites, and small business development centers are just a few of the places where somebody might find the help they are looking for.

#3: Improve their skills

The startup owner doesn’t have to be the master of everything. They can hire staff members to take on some of those tasks that they can’t do alone, and they can outsource too.

However, there are the basics to consider, as skills in such areas as management, leadership, and communication could be considered the bare essentials when trying to run a successful business. To learn more, the startup owner should consider a business course or any other line of study and training that enhances areas they are weakest in.

With a good foundation of knowledge at the beginning, they will be less likely to make many mistakes down the line.

So, take heed if you’re a startup owner, but be assured that failure doesn’t have to be an inevitability. You can override the risks involved, so consider our suggestions, and get help from other sources if needed.

 

Navigating Change Management Effectively

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StrategyDriven Change Management Article | Navigating Change Management Effectively

Established methodologies tend to be followed when it comes to meeting different objectives that are in place for projects at businesses. However, one thing that these methodologies do not account for is change. We are sure that we do not need to tell you that change happens all of the time in business. This is something you have probably seen yourself. However, being prepared and making the right decisions is critical and that is what we will explain below.

Change management is a critical component of successful project management. This could be a small scale project that you are implementing for a client. It could also be a huge-scale project. Perhaps you are about to purchase a franchise, for example, and you need to put together a full plan for the entire process? Irrespective of the nature of the task at hand, knowing about change management and how to handle it effectively is critical.

Let’s begin by explaining what change management is for those who are unaware. This is a structured and strategic method to the control, adaption, and effecting of change. It can be a difficult procedure, especially when managing complicated projects in global businesses, as there are various obstacles that can influence intended changes, for example, cross-cultural problems.

Because change management is a formal means, you need to assemble a written document. You should not utilize standardized documents, as all projects vary in intensity and range. Nevertheless, there are some important factors that must be incorporated across all businesses, industries, and project kinds.

Change management objectives

Outlining the goals of the change management plan is crucial, and the advantages of putting it into place. For instance, the program may be designed to successfully evaluate, support, and record changes.

Change management prototype

This is a significant portion of the report, which will describe the change management method. You need to describe how changes will be evaluated, who is allowed to accept change applications, and how they will be recorded.

Project scope adjustment

The scope is usually affected when there are project revisions, and so you need to show how the project scope will incorporate any recommended modifications. You should present obvious instructions on how project priorities will be re-evaluated.

Project schedule changes

Give information of under what conditions schedule baselines will be replaced, and when and how your project team will go about them.

Roles

The plan should describe the tasks and duties of all people on the project team. For example, who is going to assess the suggested modifications? Who will be accountable for reporting project developments?

Change request applications and records

Your document should incorporate samples of a project modification request applications and the project management tracking log.

Project expense adjustment

Lastly, describe how your project estimates will be corrected when replying to a project development, as well as how cost baselines will be influenced.

So there you have it: an insight into change management and the different processes that you must follow. We hope that information has helped you to feel more prepared for the project you are currently running at your business or are about to undertake. Good luck!

Saving Money As A Startup – Ways To Increase Your Margins

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Launching a business is never a walk in the park, not least during a pandemic when the future is uncertain. Despite economic concerns, there are advantages to setting up a startup at the moment. The Covid-19 crisis has caused widespread disruption, but it has also created opportunities. If you’re just starting out on your entrepreneurial journey, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on the books. In this guide, we’ll explore ways to save money and increase your margins.

StrategyDriven Starting Your Business Article | Saving Money As A Startup - Ways To Increase Your MarginsInvesting in technology to improve efficiency

Increasing efficiency in business is often an effective means of saving time and money. Technology has become increasingly critical for businesses in recent years, and it offers company bosses the chance to streamline and speed up operations, reduce the risk of errors and introduce cost-effective ways of working. If you’re thinking about investing in technology for your startup, undertake extensive research, keep track of what your competitors are doing and look for devices, machinery, software or equipment that will enable you to work faster, provide a better service, offer a more diverse range of products or services than your rivals and lower costs. Think about what your business needs and consider hiring or buying second-hand equipment to save money. Hiring makes financial sense for short-term projects, while buying used machinery can work out a lot cheaper than buying brand new models. Whether you’re looking into water cooled chillers, construction vehicles, coffee machines or computers, it’s advantageous to explore the options on the table, compare prices and analyze the impact of your investment. Search for value for money, rather than the lowest price, and choose reputable manufacturers and trustworthy retailers.

Flexible staffing options

For many fledgling businesses, paying wages accounts for a substantial portion of the monthly budget. The majority of businesses need to employ staff, but there are alternatives to hiring employees on permanent contracts. You may find that flexible options work better for you, especially if you run a seasonal business, or you take on multiple projects. If you run a construction company, for example, you may want to look for talented individuals to work on specific jobs, rather than employing a team of workers on a full-time basis. If you manage a store that sells Christmas decorations, or you run a business that handles vacation rentals, for example, you will go through busy and quiet periods, which demand different staffing levels. Hiring on a short-term basis will ensure you have access to the staff you need to thrive during busy periods while saving money when sales start to dwindle. You can also save money on wages by starting with a relatively small team and adding new recruits as your business grows.

Another option to consider is whether you could hire a student to support your business? Students will cost your business less to employ but in some cases can do the job just as you require. Many will be looking for a job to support their degree, so if your business is within that field, then their knowledge could be invaluable. Plus, when you hire a student, you could use their student ID when buying their equipment to save some money. If you require them to travel, student ID’s will help reduce the train fair or bus fair depending on who they travel with.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing has become increasingly popular among small and medium-sized businesses, and it can offer a cost-effective alternative to employing new members of staff. Outsourcing involves working with external agencies or hiring freelancers to take control of certain jobs. It enables you to access skills that you might not already have on your team, and you can also free up time for your employees. Examples of tasks and services that businesses commonly outsource include professional cleaning, accounting and payroll management, IT and marketing. If you own a clothing brand, for example, and you want to drum up interest and try and boost online sales, you could outsource marketing, joining forces with a digital marketing agency to draw up and manage targeted campaigns that are designed to increase sales and improve your ROI. By outsourcing, you can save money on hiring while also benefiting from access to expertise you don’t have in-house.

Negotiating with suppliers

Negotiating skills are imperative in business. Whether you sell products or services, it’s highly likely that you will need to engage with suppliers, distributors and logistics firms to get your business off the ground and provide your customers with an efficient service. At every stage, be willing to negotiate on price, but understand the importance of presenting a professional image. There’s nothing wrong with trying to drive prices down, but be realistic and make offers that are reasonable.

Streamlining your marketing strategy

Marketing plays a crucial role in helping businesses to connect with customers, generate leads and increase the chances of making sales. When you launch a marketing campaign, you want to ensure that you have the best chance of achieving your objectives. This is why it’s beneficial to seek expert advice and to link up with agencies or individuals with an outstanding track record. There is a risk of a campaign falling flat, and not every marketing strategy works. You don’t want to invest money in techniques that don’t work or campaigns that don’t reach the right people. Streamlining your strategy can help you pinpoint target customers, generate high-quality leads and promote your brand in the best possible light. Make use of analytics to track progress and use market research and customer feedback to improve and modify your strategy. If you’re targeting young people, for example, advertising and sharing posts on sites like Instagram is going to be more effective than posting on Twitter. If you’re setting up a local business providing services like roofing, dog walking or gardening and landscaping, focus on local SEO and use flyers and local press adverts to connect with residents in the area. Over 85% of people who search for local businesses on a smartphone will either make contact or visit within 24 hours. By focusing on methods that work, you can increase ROI and eliminate expenses related to techniques that have failed to make an impact.


Every dollar counts when you’re running a new business. If you’ve recently launched a startup, or you’re in the early stages, there are ways to lower costs and increase margins. Think carefully about your recruitment strategy and explore flexible staffing solutions, negotiate with suppliers, invest in technology that will enable you to save time and money, consider outsourcing and streamline your marketing strategy. If you can reduce expenses at the same time as driving sales and optimizing performance, your profits should grow quickly.