6 Rules for Defense Start-Up Innovators

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StrategyDriven Starting Your Business Article |Defense Start-Up|6 Rules for Defense Start-Up InnovatorsThe defense industry is changing in the United States of America. For years now, huge corporations such as British Aerospace Engineering and Raytheon have completely dominated the market and swooped in to poach promising innovators. Inventors and programmers have found themselves swallowed up in vast bureaucracies, working on projects that they feel morally uncomfortable on and with less than savory people.

Recently though, the defense needs of the United States have begun to shift. The asymmetrical aspects of America’s security, as well as the growing threat of flashpoints with China and Russia, require constant innovation at a quick pace. Cyber defense and information security are massively complex and quickly evolving fields.

As such, the work of developing new solutions has diversified. Smaller companies, including recent startups, can offer the DoD and its allies’ tailor-made solutions in a fraction of the time it would take a giant like Boeing. This is because of optimization. A smaller group can dedicate all its resources to the development of a single product and does not have to negotiate the labyrinth of internal politics large companies face.

Of course, small startups cannot compete with larger corporations when developing flagship systems like aircraft, but the market has truly opened up for innovators. Here are some key things to consider if you want your defense startup to earn national security contracts.

Specialize

Try not to get carried away with too broad a range of innovations. The department of defense is ideally looking to fill requirements most simply and cost-effectively possible – after all, it is taxpayer’s money that you are vying for. Companies with a clear specialization that can dedicate their time to achieving solutions to one problem will get a better look in. It is also far more cost effective for the company.

Take Part in Accelerator Programs

Accelerator programs are advantageous in several ways. Firstly, they swiftly educate startup innovators on the make-up of their market. Unless you have experience working in the defense industry, it can seem like an incredibly daunting place. It has a unique culture and very stringent security. It can be a welcoming place, but it certainly takes some getting used to. Accelerator programs allow startup innovators to bed into their industry.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, they are networking hubs. One of the most challenging aspects of working in the defense industry is gatekeeping. Company representatives are often wary of outsiders, and government officials are rightfully very selective of their interactions. Working in conjunction with an accelerator program, startups can network in an incubated environment, where all parties are encouraged to collaborate.

Thirdly, they open doors to funding and investment. Financing for any startup is difficult enough to secure. Funding for defense projects is even harder. Because defense projects often rely upon public funding, there is a huge amount of risk oversight required before any organization tied to the government can invest. Programs such as the Boston Accelerator Program can link your startup with investors in a supportive environment. The United States Air Force funds one of the program tracks and keeps a close eye on developments from participants.

Partner Up

This is a good rule of thumb for any startup, not just those looking to innovate in the defense field. Partnering up is the most cost-effective way to develop new products and gain insight into your industry, particularly if you are new to it. For instance, if your team has developed a new piece of aviation software, partnering with an aerospace hardware development company will allow you to integrate your software into products you might not have been able to access on your own. This will put you in a much better position: defense buyers are more likely to buy software with real-world applications that are already in use.

Steer Clear of Politics and Avoid Espionage

This is easier said than done. Politics and the defense industry are intertwined, but if you want some advice from us? Steer clear. The political landscape within the pentagon can change drastically overnight, and with every firing comes a sacrifice of influence. Try and stay politically neutral, no typing your innovation to any one military mind or geopolitical culture.

You would be equally wise to leave espionage to the spies. Do not compromise your reputation by falling into the manipulative world of spooks, honey traps, document sharing or financial misuse. This is all serious stuff and is best avoided, no matter how tempting it becomes to boost your startup with subterfuge related contracts.

Software is the New Hardware

In the past, defense startups were faced with a daunting task: they had to fund the development of hardware. This was an immensely costly process and required huge investment – often without ever getting off the ground. Times have changed. There has, however, been a culture shift.

Startups specializing in software and AI for the defense industry are now in very high demand. Investment is flowing into software development from state and private interests. Software and AI development is far less risky to develop than hardware. However, there is a catch: attracting the best minds in software development to your startup is no easy task. With the market so stacked with software developers, you have to pitch hard and pitch intelligently to get the right team together.

Innovate in Information Defense

We live, sadly, in an age of information warfare. The truth matters and the objectivity of the truth are less and less easy to define. From ‘fake news’ to the ‘St Petersburg troll factory’, the control of information has dominated discourse on security in the last few years.

Of course, the control of the truth has always been a part of warfare, but the Department of Defense is scrambling to deal with the proliferation of information threats from potential adversaries. Existing corporations are not in a position to develop information security solutions quickly enough to deal with threats. Startups specializing in information defense will more than likely catch the attention of military strategists.

Perfecting Your Product Launch Process

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article |Product Launch|Perfecting Your Product Launch ProcessLaunching a new product is perhaps one of the most daunting things you’ll experience as a new business owner. There are many different things to think about and focus on when you launch a new product. As a result, you might find yourself struggling with your first few product launches. Perhaps one of your products doesn’t get as much attention as you’d have hoped, or maybe you’re unsure how to market your products effectively. Timing also plays a huge factor in the success of your product launch.

There are many different things to think about when it comes to perfecting your product launches. So to help you out, we’ve put together a couple of tips to ensure that your future launches will go smoothly and efficiently.

Get accustomed to using social media

When it comes to getting a new product noticed, it’s vital that you start using social media as soon as possible. Spreading a product via word of mouth is arguably one of the best ways to get high conversion rates with your leads. This is especially true if you’re able to target the right audience with your products. It takes a bit of market research to be able to take advantage of social media, but it should be an integral part of your marketing strategy.

Finding the right audience

And speaking of finding your audience, it’s a good idea to identify the types of customers that you’re trying to appeal to. Creating customer profiles, even as a small business, is an effective way to help you overcome many of the initial challenges of securing an audience for your products and services. Once you’ve found the right audience, you want to try and appeal to them as best as you can to draw their attention and hold it for long enough until they purchase something or at least share your brand with others.

Take your product management process seriously

When it comes to product management, it’s important to understand the responsibilities involved so that you can take it seriously. The process involves shaping your products and marketing launches down to the smallest detail. You need to create comprehensive plans that get everyone involved in the process. From designers to content writers, there’s a lot involved in the product launch process and you need to start planning ahead. You may want to even consider hiring a product manager if you’re a growing business that needs more employees to handle all of the tasks and responsibilities involved.

Make use of different forms of media

There are lots of different ways to consume media these days. From watching videos to listening to podcasts, there are lots of different places where you can advertise your brand and reach an entirely new audience. Make use of videos, audio, images and even traditional marketing to get your brand out there. Don’t just stick to one form of marketing–diversify your strategy to appeal to a wider audience and reach further than you could before.

6 Tips for Preparing Your Business Move

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Moving your Business|6 Tips for Preparing Your Business MoveThe move is not a stage reserved exclusively for individuals. Indeed, whether it is to integrate a more modern space or for economic reasons, a company may also have to change premises. In this case, the company has to hire a professional mover. You should know that moving a business turns out to be a very specific task and that not all movers are able to carry it out.

Let’s see together what these specificities are and how to find the right mover for your company.

1.Good material and psychological preparation for the move

You must take into account the technical difficulties of the relocation, but also the human factor. To reduce the stress inherent in any move, it is essential to communicate the move with employees and start preparing the office for the move. Preparing the office involves removing any junk or unwanted items that you don’t want to take with you, if there’s a lot of this it is worth hiring an unwanted furniture removal service to clear it for you. Informing employees involves communicating the new location, move dates and any disruptions to work.

2. The administrative procedures of the company before the move

Several months before leaving permanently, the manager of the company must terminate the commercial lease (s) (commercial leases) of the old premises. Be careful; read your lease carefully before submitting a notice of departure.

3. The appointment of removal manager

The volume of work required for a successful business move means that it requires hiring relocation services. An internal team can sometimes face insurmountable difficulties, especially when the employees are new to this field. It is, therefore, recommended to delegate this task to professional moving companies.

Thanks to their mastery of business transfer skills, they will be able to draw up coherent specifications as well as manage the budget accurately.

4. Who should you notify of your change of address?

For businesses, postal details are of paramount importance. External collaborators (customers, suppliers, and shareholders) need to send documents regularly (invoices, purchase orders, complaints, etc.).

The change of address on letterheads, invoices, or even business cards must be planned in order to maintain a serious image of the company. Ideally, the upstream preparation will have already allowed the stock to flow naturally over the months while waiting for delivery day. Otherwise, you can print these official documents a few weeks before the move.

5. Take an inventory of your furniture and IT equipment

With regard to IT equipment, it is essential to delegate a manager to it who will have to detect obsolete elements and who will have to plan the transfer of each IT unit from one room to another.

On the relocation day, the movers will have already received dispatch instructions on arrival to facilitate the distribution of moving boxes. The transport of the computer park is delicate since these machines often contain precious and confidential data.

The designated person is, therefore, often responsible for backing up company data. Labeling is also an essential step to take in the aftermath because it simply allows employees to get back to their jobs more easily and quickly after the move.

6. Develop the specifications and schedule of operations

Once the details of the move are known (signed lease, fixed date, employees notified), the move should be planned and organized. In other words, you have to prioritize the parts to be moved. For example, some departments will have to wait last, such as customer service or after-sales service. This kind of precaution is necessary in order to avoid oversights and unpleasant incidents.

To calculate the cost of the move, it is important to refer to the estimate of your mover. In general, it is based on the specifications and the schedule of operations. It is imperative to have excellent time management and optimization of each trip between old and new premises.

Here is how to Improve Customer Service with AI Chatbot

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StrategyDriven Customer Relationship Management Article |AI Chatbot |Here is how to Improve Customer Service with AI ChatbotYou can’t run a business without connecting with your clients. That said, your customer service needs to be of top-quality. Your customer should be connecting with you through your efficient team and, of course, the AI Chatbot. It doesn’t matter how excellent your products and services are until you aren’t providing your clients with the services they are looking for. Therefore, it is crucial to upgrade your business’s customer service while ensuring that it reaches its full potential for growth and success.

Did you know that businesses who prioritize their clients generate higher revenue? Believe it or not, but now customers are looking for more than the products and services. It is more about their customer experience. This is where you will find AI chatbots most useful. AI chatbot can hold real-time conversations without keeping the customers lined up in a queue. We all know that waiting for someone’s query to be responded to can be frustrating. It also takes away the stars from your rating. Living in a fast-food world, we want everything now and then.

Simply put, no one wants to wait. Suppose you’re going to ramp up your walk and beat your potential competitors in the markets. In that case, we recommend integrating AI chatbot into your business.

Improved Conversations

Even if your team isn’t around to respond and follow up with clients, the chatbots will boost your brand’s credibility by working 24/7 and tending to online visitors’ needs. With stored data, the AI chatbots will have a better conversation with clients. On the other hand, a live agent might be taking time to understand what the clients are looking for and why they have reached out. This means that a live agent will have to put the pieces of information together before solving the client’s problems.

You can generate improved conversation after storing the required data in the system. The AI chatbot will scan the stored data and determine whether it is a returning client or a new customer. If it is a returning client, the chatbot will instantly respond to the client’s personal information and preferences. In this way, the chatbot won’t have to ask unnecessary questions but immediately get to the problem.

A Pleasant User Experience

Since clients won’t be waiting in long queues for their turns to talk to a live agent, they will have a better user experience. Remember, if you want to run a successful business irrespective of whatever services and products you are selling. You must treat all of your clients like gold. Don’t keep one waiting in the line while you are dealing with the other. Integrating an AI chatbot in your business will make room for an improved communication platform between your brand and your clients. This is also an effective way to stand out from your competitors by generating a pleasant user experience for your customers.

Build your brand

Before you integrate AI chatbot in your business, you should know that no one likes to communicate with a robot. This means that you will have to ensure that you store crucial and informative data. This will enable the chatbot to quickly identify the customer, access their history, and provide the solution while generating a human conversation. This will ensure your clients that their needs and concerns are being understood and resolved within no time. By providing quick answers and better brand-client interaction, you will be on the road to building brand loyalty. When your clients know that they are being listened to and their problems are being solved, they will be motivated to stick to your brand.

How you can use AI to become a more effective leader

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StrategyDriven Management and Leadership Article |AI|How you can use AI to become a more effective leaderOne of the greatest challenges of business is dealing with the unknown. As a business leader, you must manage risk and reward every day of your working life.

The ability to know if a new product has been marketed correctly or if your customers are satisfied with your brand is something only skill and experience can bring.

However, the rise of artificial intelligence is a potential ace card up your sleeve, waiting to be used. Armed with the ability to understand your market better, interact with it and know precisely what customers will want next can give you a huge advantage over your competition and help you lead your business far more efficiently.

Here’s how:

You can make far more informed decisions

What is the most important information you need when making a tough sales decision? Consumer data. Without it, you are operating blind, and the right decision is perilously tricky to make.

Thankfully, AI – such as the https://smartboost.ai/ system – changes this, because it can collect and quantify gigantic amounts of data on both your customers and your company. This allows you a deep, meaningful understanding of every single one of your prospects, one-time buyers and lifetime customers. The AI analyzes this data and gives you an easy-to-process report, giving you all the information you could ever need to make a reasoned decision about your brand strategy.

You know exactly how your customers are feeling

Because of this huge resource of information, you can connect far more personally with what your customers are feeling about your brand. As a business leader, it can be almost impossible to stay in touch with ‘on-the-shop-floor’ colleagues and the buyers themselves.

Previously, you could be handed completely warped information on the state of the market. Customer surveys can only go so far. This gives you the ability to correct any flaws in your products and better position your brand in the market.

While AI software will be used differently by different departments, you can use it to stay better connected to the day-to-day running of the overall business and track its progress.

Cut down on wasted resources

When marketing your product, it is difficult to analyze what works well and what doesn’t, especially with any real precision. This often leads to huge swathes of the resource being invested in advertising campaigns and even products that consumers simply don’t want. By using AI software, you can minimize this expenditure and focus on the prospects that are most likely to buy, and the products most likely to sell.

Avoid making mistakes

AI is, obviously, not human. This means it overcomes human flaws by remembering everything it has learned and never making the same mistake twice. Even the most level-headed business leader cannot deliver this level of consistency.

With every passing marketing campaign, the AI software will remember what went well in the past, and what can be improved upon in the future. This allows you to minimize the chances of managerial error and gives you peace of mind that (in theory at least) your strategy should improve the more you use AI.