5 Common Denominators Behind the World’s Most Efficient Restaurant Delivery Systems

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Restaurant Delivery System|5 Common Denominators Behind the World's Most Efficient Restaurant Delivery SystemsIt’s no secret that the concept of having food delivered has truly taken off during the last few years. Until last year, studies showed an annual increase of 20 percent for the food delivery industry. Last year, reports indicate that the sector skyrocketed by anywhere from 150 percent to more than 300 percent in some areas. Though unforeseen circumstances contributed to that unprecedented uptick, analysts don’t expect the numbers to drop during the years to come. Now that so many people have gotten a taste of the sheer convenience of having dinner brought to their doors, they want more.

What Does All This Mean for Restaurants?

In short, that means there are a few key takeaways for today’s restaurants. First of all, if your restaurant already offers delivery services, keep forging ahead. Secondly, if you’re not offering delivery at this point, you should be. Either way, in order to compete in the food delivery realm, you need to understand what it takes to succeed. Companies like DataDreamers are here to help you do just that.

Common Elements among the Most Successful Restaurant Delivery Systems

Some restaurants are excelling in the midst of the burgeoning delivery mania. Others are missing out on the opportunity altogether. Then, there’s a broad gap between the two extreme ends of the spectrum. It consists of restaurants that could be making a name for themselves in delivery, but it’s working against them rather than for them. If you’re in either of the two latter categories, consider using the following points to help foster your delivery services.

1) Facilitate the Online Ordering Process

Quite a few restaurants offer the option of online ordering either via their website or a dedicated app. That being said, many only allow over-the-phone take-out orders or don’t offer delivery at all. Consider having your own app created if you are interested in having your food delivered. Reports show that 90 percent of the population turns to the internet for products and services, and a recent string of surveys revealed that nearly 70 percent have taken to having food delivered. If you offer online delivery, they will order. Be sure your online ordering portal provides a smooth, seamless experience, though.

2) Keep Quality Consistent

Consumers have come to expect high-quality food and exceptional overall experiences from restaurants, but that doesn’t only hold true for in-house dining. They expect those traits to carry over into their delivery orders. Don’t let the quality of your food and service wane when it comes to delivery. Doing so could hurt your reputation and business just as much as if you fell short in your on-site dining area.

3) Use Technology to Your Advantage

An endless array of technological advancements have taken place over the years. Many of them could serve your restaurant well, especially when it comes to your delivery system. Find the right software, POS system, payment gateway, and other solutions to help you make the most of the digital age. You’ll benefit greatly, and so will your customers.

4) Accuracy Is Key

We’ve all had bad experiences with restaurant delivery services. Part of the food was missing or they forgot to send the extra sauce we requested. Mistakes like that may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but they can actually ruin an entire meal. Be absolutely sure the orders you send out are accurate before allowing them to leave your restaurant.

5) Create Promotional Offers

Consumers flock to special deals and promotional discounts. You’re in a unique position to give them those offers. Extend free appetizers with the purchase of a certain number of meals or waive delivery fees after a specified number of delivery orders. You could extend any number of promotional offers to patrons. They’ll spend more money with you and be more likely to keep coming back for more.

Cash in on the Delivery Craze

There’s quite a bit of profit to be made through restaurant delivery services right now, and it’s only going to become more prominent during the years to come. At the same time, this is a wonderful opportunity to show consumers what sets you apart from the competition. Embrace the growing food delivery realm, and use these points to help you make the most of it.

3 Things to Think About Before You Invest

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |Investment|3 Things to Think About Before You InvestHaving spare cash might not be something that many of us get to enjoy on a regular basis, but those of us who do will want to make sure that we do whatever we can to make the most of that money.

The only thing about investing is that it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to moving your money around.
Even more so, an investment that doesn’t quite work out in the right way can end up doing more harm than good, which is not what you will want to have happen to you.

So, to help you to make the most of your investment, no matter how small or big, we have put together the 3 things to think about before you invest.

Always think long term

One of the best things to do when it comes to investments is to think about it in the long term. An investment made (or withdrawn out of an account) on an impulse rarely works out the right way; instead, you need to think about how it will grow over time.

When you consider everything in the longer term, you are giving your investment the time to grow and develop rather than hoping that it will be an instant payout.

Don’t ever put all your eggs in one basket

When it comes to investment, it is always a good idea to make sure that you diversify. You may have one form of investment that you are much happier working within than others, but it is always a good idea to learn more about other options that are open to you too.

You may discover that shares are a good idea for you or that property is your future. Whatever you find out, just knowing that you have a few options spread out, rather than just one, will give you peace of mind.

Learn about what you invest in

It is always a good idea to understand whatever it is that you are investing in. If you do this, then you can quickly identify what a good idea is and what might be just too good to be true. With understanding also comes the ability to think about what your next steps are, what things you can change in the future to make sure that you are getting the best return for your investment, and that things are going the right way.

Now you know more about investing, and how best to use the money you have already, you will want to make sure that you understand what you are investing in. There are plenty of options out there for you to choose from; for example, if you are thinking about Blockchain, you will want to check out My Blockchain Life or if you’re looking to invest in real estate, FortuneBuilders is a great resource.

A helpful community to ensure that you make the most of your investment and that you may Blockchain work for you.
The main thing to always make sure that you do, before any investment, is to learn how best to invest your money and ensure that you always see a return rather than a loss.

3 Big Misconceptions About Corporate Culture

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StrategyDriven Corporate Cultures Article |Corporate Culture|3 Big Misconceptions About Corporate CultureCorporate culture is a term that gets thrown around a lot and it’s often misunderstood by business leaders. Your corporate culture refers to the often unspoken set of rules and values that govern your business. The way that things are done in the company day to day and the way that all of your employees interact with one another and you all has to do with your company culture.

In most cases, businesses without a positive corporate culture will struggle to survive. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that people get wrong about corporate culture and this leads to problems in the business. These are some of the big misconceptions about corporate culture that you need to stop listening to.

Corporate Culture Can’t Be Built

People talk about their corporate culture like it’s a vague thing that can’t be pinned down. It’s an ethos or a feeling, maybe it’s a vibe. It’s assumed that the culture of your business develops naturally on its own without direct input from you, but that isn’t the case. Business experts like Marc Spizzirri have a lot of experience helping companies build a corporate culture because it is something that you have direct control over. The policies and systems that you put in place to govern the day to day running of your business create the company culture. So, don’t make the mistake of thinking that culture can’t be built and it will sort itself out.

Good Corporate Culture Just Means A Fun Workplace

This misconception is largely down to big tech companies creating new-age offices with ping pong tables and bean bag chairs everywhere. People have this idea that a positive company culture just means a relaxed work environment where people are allowed to have fun instead of being stuck in a cubicle, but it’s so much more than that. It’s also about the direction of the business and the priorities that you have as a company. For example, sustainability is often a central part of the company culture. In some businesses, the focus is on providing opportunities for development. Whatever your company culture is, it has to be about more than fun workspaces and relaxed schedules.

Culture Is Defined By Employees

People often think of culture in terms of how employees interact with one another and work together. Things like conflict resolution, work-life balance, and perks all factor in too. But even though that is an important part of corporate culture, it is not defined by the employees and it is not built from the ground up. Your corporate culture starts with you outlining the values that are most important to your business. You then need to build a company and put processes in place to ensure that you uphold those values. The way that your employees interact with one another is part of that, but it happens as a result of the culture you have built, not the other way around.

If you keep believing these myths about corporate culture, you will struggle to get yours right and it will have a big impact on your business.

Creating My Own Business

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StrategyDriven Starting Your Business Article |Creating a Business|Creating My Own BusinessStarting your own business means the beginning of an incredible journey. Creating your company can bring joy and satisfaction from many points of view. So, you saved some money, gathered motivation, and you’re ready to take the first steps in creating your own business. Good financial and legal decisions are essential. However, passion and determination are the most important things in the long run. It would be best to realize that you’ll face many problems and hiccups along the way. That’s why the strength of character is fundamental in pushing through issues and adapting along the way. The world of business is a dynamic arena in which only the fittest survive.

The following piece will provide you with a basic planning framework to start your firm from scratch:

Research the market and examine your competition

First of all, you’ll have to understand your target market. Ask yourself a couple of questions:

  • Who are my clients? What’s their age, gender, social status, etc.?
  • Who’s my competition? What’s their business plan, and what can I learn from them?

Understanding the market is necessary if you want to get straight into business once you open. Consider the level of demand for your product/service. Also, gauge the market size, the location in which you operate, pricing ranges, and other economic indicators such as population income and employment rate. In other words, market research means analyzing the conditions in which you’ll work. It’s a way of observing and adapting to fit the needs of the market.

Create a business plan

The business plan helps you understand your business’s structure, operation, and future needs. This document will also help persuade collaborators and investors into working with you. There are a few free templates and guides available online. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to start. Download the sample that represents your company type the most and start filling it up.

There are two main styles: traditional or lean start-up. The traditional style is more extensive and detailed. On the other hand, the second kind allows a brief summarizing of the vital points.

Invest capital in your company

The next move is to calculate how much money your business needs to take off. This way, you can figure out how much capital you need to raise through personal funds, investments, or bank loans.

Self-funding is everybody’s dream. Unfortunately, that’s not possible in most cases. So, you’ll need to think about a few options:

  • Crowdfunding is an excellent outside-the-box choice that can work wonders for certain types of businesses.
  • Small business loans through banks are classic ways of starting and are safe.
  • Other programs to consider are Small Business Investment (SBA) loans through Lender Match.

Decide on your business location

Location, location, location. The area in which you operate establishes the tax range, zoning laws, and business regulations. You’ll have to analyze various states, cities, and even neighborhoods. When calculating start-up expenses, make sure to:

  • Include area-specific expenses such as minimum wage, property value, rental value, insurance rate, utilities, and government licenses/fees.
  • Include zoning laws regarding buying, renting, building, and operating out of a physical building.
  • Include local and governmental incentives such as tax cuts, utility cost reductions, urban redevelopment motivations, and technological support.

Choose your firm’s legal structure

Your business’s legal format determines day-to-day activity, license requirements, tax ranges, and personal liability. Selecting the proper structure means efficiency, legal protections, and benefits.

First, you’ll have to review, compare, and understand the main business structures:

  • Sole proprietor;
  • Partnership;
  • Limited liability company (LLC);
  • Corporation;
  • Cooperative.

Next, you must decide if you’re going to combine various structures for tax benefits. Although somewhat uncommon, combining different legal designs can yield tremendous advantages but are generally harder to set up.

Select your brand name

Choosing your company’s name seems the easiest point of the list, but that’s not entirely true. You must decide on a captivating title that echoes your brand spirit. Also, you’ll have to make sure the name isn’t already registered.
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to register your brand name under:

  • State-level entity names, which offer protection within state borders.
  • Federal-level trademarks, which offer protection within national borders.
  • Doing Business As (DBA); it’s not always required, but some legal structures need it to open a bank account.
  • Website domain name.

Register your company

Once you’ve decided on the business name, it’s time to register it legally. Registration is especially required if you’re conducting business without using your legal name. In this case, you’ll need to register federally and even locally.
Suppose your company plans to conduct business in more than one state. In that case, you’ll need a foreign qualification from the Certificate of Authority.

Obtain federal and state tax ID

Alias Employer Identification Number (EIN), the tax ID works as a private social security number. It allows businesses to pay taxes, pay employees, file tax returns, etc. Once you’ve set up your tax ID, don’t forget to update it in case of changes in names, addresses, ownership, management, or tax status. This IRS digital assistance tool will help you apply for an EIN.

Get your license and permit

To grow your business into a success story, you need to stay legally compliant. Obtaining all the licenses and permits is an obligatory step to remain legally protected and do business. They vary by industry and are slightly different from state to state.

Generally, the more “dangerous” a business is, the more permits it needs to function. For instance, a firearms shop will encounter more scrutiny than a TV company. Likewise, fisheries or agricultural firms need more permits compared to a clothing shop.

Open your business bank account

A company bank account is almost mandatory for most sectors. A checking account helps handle transactions, taxes, and much more. Additionally, it’s a protection method against fraud or other malicious activities. Having a bank account means transparency, professionalism, and purchasing power.

Opening a bank account is pretty easy with the right paperwork. Just make sure you compare different institutions to get maximum benefits for you and your business.

Conclusion

Creating your own business is the ultimate capitalistic dream. Building a company means hard work and personal sacrifices, but the potential rewards are well worth it. Let’s recap the main points of starting a firm:

  1. Market and competition researching;
  2. Creating a business plan;
  3. Gathering and investing money;
  4. Picking a location;
  5. Choosing the legal structure;
  6. Naming your brand;
  7. Registering the company;
  8. Obtaining federal/state tax ID;
  9. Getting licenses and permits;
  10. Opening a bank account.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Tiffany HarperTiffany Harper is an experienced corporate sector writer, who sometimes helps as an expert to ninjaessay. She specializes in entrepreneurial development and start-up strategies. If you need essay help or business advice, don’t hesitate to contact her. When Tiffany is not working she is writing her book about self-growth and self-motivation.

IRS TAX Debts: What It Is And How To Get Rid Of It For Good

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Finances Article |Tax Debts|IRS TAX Debts: What It Is And How To Get Rid Of It For GoodAccording to a report released by IRS, nearly 10 million Americans face tax penalties every year.

When someone owes taxes to the IRS, the usual course of action is collecting penalties or liens. However, the number of liens has fallen more than 50% since 2010, there is still a huge population in America that is burdened by tax debts.

Wait…what??

What Are Tax Debts?

As the name suggests, the taxes that someone owes to the federal agency is accountable for their tax debts.

It could be due to any reason – from missing deadlines to filing wrong taxes.

If you have also received a legal notice from the IRS regarding tax debts, then this article is for you.

How To Get Rid Of IRS Tax Debts?

As already mentioned, the tax debts could be due to several reasons, but, notably, all are resolved by paying off the debts only. Indeed it is a no-brainer, you need to pay off your debts in order to get rid of it.

But, how do you do it when you owe taxes to the IRS? Do you simply pay the cheques or are there any legal formalities that need to be fulfilled?

Keep reading to know more.

IRS Fresh Start Program

As a response to the 2008 financial recession, the IRS brought in a tax relief plan for taxpayers to cope up with unemployment and reduced earnings. As mentioned here, https://silvertaxgroup.com/everything-about-irs-fresh-start-program/, the program is rather a series of changes to the tax code. But, notably, not everyone can enjoy the benefits of this program. There are certain eligibility criteria in place to allow only the citizens who cannot make their own taxes.

Delay And Pay With Penalties

The easiest of all the courses is to delay the tax payment. Ideally, it would also mean that your taxes would be coupled with penalties to be paid. However, in some cases, the IRS may waiver off the penalty. It usually depends on reasoning and proof. You would need to prove that you were unable to afford minimum living expenses, be it if you would have paid the taxes or otherwise.

Offer In Compromise

In some cases, the IRS may consider an “offer in compromise” settlement for taxes that you owe. It literally means that you could pay less than what you actually owe to the IRS and start afresh with a blank canvas. However, when seeking an “offer in compromise” you might need to prove your financial hardships.

When it comes to taxes, there are a lot of formal applications and paperwork, apart from legal conformities. Failing to meet any single one of them can easily land you in trouble with the IRS. Not only it is important for your business’s financial health but for your personal finances too.

A rather easier and more sophisticated way to deal with tax problems is to have an experienced attorney by your side. The professionals would be better equipped with all the knowledge and information that you need to get out of the tax troubles.