5 Top Tips On How To Run A Successful Business

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Run a Successful Business|5 Top Tips On How To Run A Successful BusinessCreating and running a business, let alone a successful one, is demanding and takes a lot of patience, planning and funding to get right. You also need to have a good idea that will be sustainable for years to come and will help build the business from a humble start-up to potentially a global brand. So, how can you achieve this? It won’t be easy, but to help assist, here are 5 top tips to get you started and run a successful business.

1. Plan and strategise the customer experience

You may think that having a great idea can be enough, but if the experience for the customer is not planned well in advance and tailored to them, you may struggle. Focusing on the customer journey is crucial and involves many different elements from how your website functions, to how a customer interacts with your staff. No matter the size of your company, putting the customer first can ensure that when they do discover your business, they will be able to interact with you effortlessly and without issue. Understandably, this can be difficult to get right first time. That’s why consulting with a customer experience agency can keep you on the right track and help implement necessary changes where needed. Having a strategy that has been carefully planned will minimise issues and prevent customers from having a poor experience with your brand, established or not.

2. Stay organised and focused

Organisation is key as the day-to-day running of your business can soon become complicated. As your company begins to grow, you may need to start employing more staff to ensure efficiency and that everything can be completed on time. No matter the type of business you have, without being organised, important things can be overlooked in terms of finances, revenue and deadlines for clients or customers. This is where staying focused on the task at hand will improve productivity, so having a daily, weekly, and monthly task list can ensure everything is covered and nothing is left to chance.

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3. Understand your market and competitors

Knowing your competitors as well as you know your own business can help your company grow and stay in front. To be successful, you’ll want your brand to be the first choice for consumers. If you can corner your market and provide something different to or better than your competitors, you are already one step ahead. This is where thorough market research is required and will help your business understand where opportunities are and how you can make the most of them.

This has to be consistent too, so ongoing analysis of your customer’s needs and what your competitors are doing can pave the way to long term success.

4. Create a feedback loop

Almost all successful businesses will collect customer feedback to help improve the customer experience, products, and services. Without having a feedback loop in place, you may not discover customer pain points until it’s too late. If your company is established and has consistently great feedback, this doesn’t provide immunity from issues. Even the biggest companies in the world will have their fair share of detractors, so having processes in place to address this quickly that listens to customers will help to carve a high reputation for your brand over many years.

5. Innovate and adapt

The unexpected can occur at any time and how your business reacts to this will shape whether you experience long-term success or not. In the same way the customer experience has to evolve, so does your products and services. There are many examples of businesses that were once thriving but failed to adapt to changes in the market, seeing a decline in fortunes. To avoid this happening, your business should look to diversify and help minimise the impact of any economical circumstances out of your control. Are there other products you could offer? Are you still providing the best services compared to your competitors? Be creative and this will help you survive for many years to come.

How to Survive and Thrive in the Restaurant Industry

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Restaurant Industry|How to Survive and Thrive in the Restaurant IndustryAnyone who has ever worked in the restaurant industry knows that it can be a challenging and demanding business. Restaurants are constantly competing with each other to attract customers, and the margin for error is slim. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how to survive and thrive in the restaurant industry. We’ll cover everything from creating a positive work environment to developing a strong marketing strategy. So whether you’re an owner or an employee, read on for some valuable tips!

1.  Create an efficient system in the restaurant

The first step to creating a successful restaurant is developing an efficient system. This means ensuring that all employees know their roles and responsibilities and are able to carry out tasks in a timely manner. Owners should also create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every task in the restaurant, from taking orders to cleaning the kitchen. Having SOPs in place will help ensure that tasks are carried out consistently and efficiently, which will minimize mistakes and maximize profits.

Employees who feel like they’re part of a team are more likely to be productive and happy with their job. So make sure your employees feel appreciated, and give them regular feedback on their performance.

In order to survive in the restaurant industry, you need to have a great product that people want to eat. This means developing a strong marketing strategy and promoting your restaurant in as many ways as possible.

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2. Focus on excellent customer service

Customer service is key in the restaurant industry. If you provide excellent customer service, your customers will be more likely to come back and recommend your restaurant to their friends. There are several things you can do to provide excellent customer service:

  • Greet customers warmly and take their orders promptly
  • Make sure food is served fresh and on time
  • Provide good value for the money
  • Ensure that restaurants are clean and tidy
  • Be polite and friendly at all times

If you can consistently deliver great customer service, you’ll be well on your way to success in the restaurant industry!

3. Ensure all equipment is properly maintained

In order to run a successful restaurant, it’s important to ensure that all equipment is properly maintained. This means checking and cleaning equipment regularly and making sure that any repairs are carried out as soon as possible.

If your kitchen equipment isn’t working properly, it can seriously affect your bottom line. Not only will you have to pay for the repairs, but you’ll also lose out on profits while the equipment is out of commission. A great option would be to look into co2 refrigeration to ensure your products stay fresh for as long as possible.

4. Make your restaurant unique

In order to stand out from the competition, it’s important to make your restaurant unique. This means offering something that others don’t, such as a special dish or a unique atmosphere.
If you can create a one-of-a-kind dining experience, customers will be more likely to visit your restaurant. So think outside the box and come up with some creative ideas!

Also, make sure your restaurant is well-branded and easy to find. Use a strong logo and catchy tagline, and make sure your website is up-to-date. Marketing your restaurant is key to success. You can have the best food in the world, but if nobody knows about it, you won’t make any money! There are many different ways to market your restaurant, and we’ll discuss some of them in this blog post.

5. Keep an eye on your competitors

In order to stay ahead of the competition, it’s important to keep an eye on your competitors. This means tracking what they’re doing and how they’re performing. If you see that a competitor is gaining ground on you, don’t be afraid to make some changes in order to stay ahead. Maybe introduce a new dish or tweak your marketing strategy. The key is to always be adaptable and willing to change with the times.

In addition, it’s important to remember that not everyone is your target market. Just because a competitor is doing well doesn’t mean you need to try and emulate their strategy. Instead, focus on your own customers and what they want, and you’ll be successful!

In conclusion, to survive in the restaurant industry, you need to have a strong marketing strategy, focus on excellent customer service, ensure all equipment is properly maintained, make your restaurant unique, and keep an eye on your competitors. Following these tips will help you reach success in the restaurant industry!

The Mini Career Changing Guide You Never Knew You Needed

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StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article |Career Change|The Mini Career Changing Guide You Never Knew You NeededThere may be a whirlwind of reasons why you’re considering a career change. Maybe you’re beginning to feel less fulfilled in the work that you do, you’ve grown tired of not being challenged, or maybe the industry you’re working in isn’t what it was cracked up to be. Whatever reason that you may have for wanting to change careers, it’s important to know that it’s all completely valid. So this mini-guide is to help you out with changing careers.

Why exactly are you wanting to change careers?

There are many reasons why you might want to make a career change. Whatever the reason may be, it’s important to think about it thoroughly as this is going to help you think of ways to get out of your old career and into a new one. Since there are many considerations to make before deciding whether or not it is the right time to switch careers, here’s what you should ask yourself.

  • What is your current work situation?
  • Do you have the financial stability to support yourself through this transition period?
  • Is your current job in danger of being eliminated due to automation?
  • Will your current skills still be relevant for any other careers you’d like to get into?

Think about the skills you’ll need in your target industry

Is there a specific industry you’d like to get into? What about a certain role? In both of these cases, you’ll have to think about the skills. In order to have a successful career in the industry that you are targeting, you need to have a set of skills that will help you get there.

So what skills do you have that can be easily transferable? What skill sets do you have that could be in demand in the industry you’re wanting to get into? You should also try to figure out what relevant experience you have in your current job and industry versus what’s relevant in the target industry. For instance, if you’re wanting to get into the healthcare field, do you know about the terminology or the equipment they use like the Philips Lumify? These all need to be taken into account.

What are your goals for getting into a new career?

Many people have a goal of getting into a new career. They might have been laid off, or they may just want to explore new opportunities.

The first goal is figuring out what exactly you’re wanting to do. This might seem like a simple task, but it can be difficult because there are so many different careers out there. You will need to identify the type of work that you enjoy and the skills that you have so far developed. But it’s also important to consider whether your degree, certifications, or any training that you’ve had in the past is transferable or not.

While skills and years of experience are important, there are some employers that also expect the same standards for education as well. It may help to try and network, read some articles, or even do other methods of research such as watching YouTube for getting an idea of what you’d like.

Important pointers for changing careers

Since changing careers may be easier for some than others, it’s helpful to have some additional pointers that you may have never thought about. These can help you out while you’re going through the process of applying for new jobs.

  • Start networking immediately with people in the industry you’re interested in going into
  • Understand that you may need to tailor your resume to fit the role and the industry you’re hoping to get into
  • Do you have a skill that’s highly in demand such as speaking a second language?
  • Attend trade shows and other networking events for getting your name out there
  • If you haven’t already, you should start a portfolio or even set up a blog to let recruiters know about your knowledge

These are just a few tips that could potentially help you out.

Staying Ahead Of The Curve With Software Security How To Protect Your Business Data

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Software Security|Staying Ahead Of The Curve With Software Security How To Protect Your Business DataWe live in a fast-paced and highly competitive world. Businesses need to stay on top of the latest trends and innovations in order to grow and succeed. One such trend that all companies should keep an eye on is software security. However, as with any new technology, it can be hard to know how to best protect your data from security breaches.

The golden rule for staying safe in today’s world is to always update your software, make two-factor authentication a regular part of using your passwords, and use different passwords for different accounts. This guide will teach you how to stay ahead of the curve and secure your business data so that you can build a more promising future for your company.

Why Software Security Is Important

While it may seem like an unnecessary hassle, software security is essential for any business. Whether you’re a freelancer, startup, or global company, there are many reasons why security should be your top priority. It not only protects your reputation but can help your business to grow.

Data is the lifeblood of any business. Without the information stored on your computer or servers, you won’t have anything to sell or offer to customers. With this in mind, it’s important that you take every precaution possible to protect this data from breaches and theft. Hacks can happen at any time, and from anywhere in the world, so you want to make sure that your business data is safe from hackers who might be able to get into your system with one simple password guess.

When people come across a company that doesn’t protect their data or passwords adequately, they may think twice about buying from them in the future. This could hurt your brand reputation and cause potential customers to turn away from your business. Security is a win-win situation. Not only do you get peace of mind knowing that your data will be safe from hacks and theft, but you’ll also build trust when potential customers see how careful you are when it comes to handling their data.

The Basics Of Software Security

Software security is one of the most important things to consider to ensure your company’s data is safe. One of the best ways to protect your data is simply by updating your software. Outdated versions of programs can leave your data vulnerable to hackers since they know what vulnerabilities are available in older versions.

Many programs will automatically prompt you when it’s time to update, and while this may sometimes occur in inopportune moments, it’s best to make sure you update as soon as possible. A second way to keep your company’s data secure is by using two-factor authentication. This means using two different types of information to unlock an account; typically, this is a password and a physical device like an ID card or cell phone. It makes it harder for hackers to break into accounts because they need both pieces of information in order for their login attempt to work.

How To Stay Ahead?

No matter what kind of company you have, keeping data safe is essential. Any company that stores customer information or handles financial transactions needs to protect itself from hackers and other security breaches. One of the best ways to stay ahead is to build a data security infrastructure from the ground up. This includes investing in software that will make your business more secure.

Another way to stay ahead of the curve is to invest in adequate software security testing to ensure that there are no gaps in your software security. When looking into testing methods, it can be a daunting process to find what will work for your programs. However, you can find help and expert advice in this guide to software security testing from ForAllSecure.

The Importance Of Updating Your Software

One of the most important ways to protect your data from security breaches is promptly updating your software. Almost anything can be hacked in today’s environment, and outdated software is a major liability.

A security breach occurs when a hacker infiltrates your network and steals your data. Updating your software makes it harder for hackers to find a vulnerability in the system that they can exploit to get in. If you don’t take this precaution, you leave yourself vulnerable to attack and open to losing all of your company’s sensitive information. In the event of an attack, it may take days before you realize there’s been an intrusion. And by then, it might be too late as the damage could already be done.

Locking Down Your Passwords

Let’s start with the basics. Your passwords are one of your first lines of defense against hacking, and they’re also the easiest to forget about. Unless you want to be embarrassed by a data breach, it’s essential to take precautions. Make sure that you use different passwords for different accounts, including your personal email account, work email account, social media accounts, and bank accounts. If you need help coming up with strong passwords for all of these accounts, consider using a password manager. In general, make sure your passwords are not easy-to-guess words or phrases.

Two-Factor Authentication

Many companies have adopted two-factor authentication for their software, which is a simple and effective way to add an extra layer of protection to your data. With this system, when you want to access a specific account online, you’ll need a password and another form of identification, such as a company smartphone.

This is an excellent measure for securing your company’s data. It would be much more difficult for someone to access one of your accounts with two-factor authentication because they would need both the password and the device.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you should have a few more tools in your arsenal to stay ahead of the curve with software security.

As a business owner, it’s essential to make sure you’re taking a proactive stance on software security. It’s not enough to simply update your software. You can take precautions to keep your data safe and your business protected. Stay vigilant and stay ahead of the curve.

6 Tips to Optimize Your Website for Conversions

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StrategyDriven Online Marketing and Website Development Article |Optimize your website conversions|6 Tips to Optimize Your Website for ConversionsWebsite traffic as a metric is overrated…

Web conversions are where the big boys play!

It doesn’t matter if you have thousands of website visitors. If you can’t convert them into paying customers, your business won’t see the light of day.

The only thing you’ll see on your sales dashboard is “0.” As in, ZERO sales. Ouch!

So your business doesn’t meet its untimely demise, allow me to share with you six tried and tested conversion optimization tips that can skyrocket your web conversions.

Let’s hop right in.

1. Declutter

Remember that your goal is to generate sales, not win the Met Gala award for websites.

While aesthetics is crucial, it’s never the point.

You should always think about conversions with every single element you add to your web design.

Before you add anything, ask yourself this, “Will adding this element influence my web visitors to take action on my offer? Or will it distract them?

If adding an element to your website aids in influencing your web visitors to make a purchase, then go for it.

If not, don’t hesitate to scrap the idea and anything that contributes to why your content isn’t converting (among others).

2. Talk about pain points

“People buy on emotions. They later justify their purchase based on logic.” – Anonymous

You can bet your family jewels that the line above is true.

It’s an established train of thought that most, if not all, conversion optimization specialists subscribe to.

Because emotions lead to sales, you need to evoke emotions out of your web visitors. The more emotional they become, the higher the likelihood they’ll make the purchase.

Talking about their pain points or previous frustrations can do the trick.

When you paint a vivid picture of how frustrating their experience was, they tend to get emotional and make it their life’s ultimate goal not to experience the same frustration ever again.

This compels your visitors to buy your product immediately since you’ve positioned it as the solution to their problems.

Best practices when talking about your customer’s pain points:

  • Use the exact words they’re using to describe their frustrations. Doing this makes your web copy more relatable.
  • Use surveys or talk to your customer service team to learn how exactly your customers are wording their challenges and wins.
  • If you’re a SaaS company, you can visit review platforms, such as Capterra, G2 Crowd, etc., then note the words used by those who left their feedback.

3. Speed up your videos

A slow-loading video is a massive turnoff to web visitors.

Whether they’re looking to buy from you or consume your content, the moment your video buffers, it can easily frustrate your web visitors.

That’s why you need to learn how to speed up your videos.

With a fast-loading video, you give your visitors a pleasant experience while on your website.

They can watch your videos and concentrate on their content without being distracted or frustrated.

Imagine.

If your product videos are wonderfully made and are compelling, can you imagine how much sales you’d get if your videos loaded smoothly?

On the other hand, can you imagine how much sales you’d lose if your videos loaded slowly and a good portion of your web traffic clicked away whenever your videos buffer?

4. Make your website easily navigable

Don’t make it hard for your web visitors to find the products they want to buy by making your website navigation confusing.

Ideally, you’d want them to reach the page they’re looking for within 1 – 3 clicks. The fewer the clicks, the better.

Also, be mindful of where you place your navigation menus, filters, categories, etc.

Your placement needs to be logical and intuitive.

The good news is, some of the best content management software has highly customizable website navigation menus and widgets.

By customizing where and how you place your navigation options to a section of your website that makes sense to your website visitors, it becomes easier for them to navigate your site and find the products or pages they’re looking for.

5. Make your chat support icon highly visible

You need to immediately address whatever barriers will prevent your web visitors from making the purchase.

Whether it’s a question about pricing, product features, or your guarantees, etc., you need to answer within 24 hours. (The sooner, the better.)

When you don’t address your web visitors’ inquiries right away, you allow them to click away, check out your competitor’s website, and potentially buy from your competitors.

What a waste.

After all, they were already on your site, ready to make the purchase.

To address your customers’ inquiries immediately, add a 24/7 chat support feature on your site and make your chat support icon highly visible.

That way, when your customers have questions, they can click your customer support icon, be connected with your customer service representative, and have their inquiries answered.

You can also use robust customer service software with AI chatbots. That way, you can keep the workforce hours for your customer service team from ballooning.

An AI chatbot also gives your customer service team a better work experience since they don’t need to deal with basic, menial, and boring questions.

6. Add one type of call-to-action (CTA) only

Analysis paralysis is real.

There are countless studies made about it, and it proves itself to be true.

That’s why when you design your website; you need to remove whatever elements that will cause your web visitors to experience analysis paralysis.

What’s an example, you might ask?

Adding several types of CTAs is a great example.

If you ask your web visitor to sign up, click your “Buy Now” button, and share your offer on Facebook, there’s a real chance they’ll experience analysis paralysis.

That’s why a rule of thumb that competent conversion rate optimization specialists use is one page, one CTA.

For instance, if you’re offering services to help your clients get content with links, create a landing page with a single CTA.

Doing this keeps your visitors from analyzing anything because there’s only one option.

When the only CTA button on your site is to click your “Buy Now” buttons, your web traffic will have no other choice but to do that.

Get better site conversions now.

Why continue getting abysmal conversion rates when you can apply tried and tested adjustments to get better results?

The strategies shared in this guide might be far from being complete, but integrating these into your web design or marketing campaigns will help you get meaningful and better results.