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Why Aren’t Customers Entering Your Retail Store?

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Retail Store|Why Aren't Customers Entering Your Retail Store?You invested a lot of money into a retail unit in a fantastic location. In fact, the heavy foot traffic that comes through this area is the main reason you moved your business there. Strangely, despite opening your doors a few weeks ago, you’re struggling to attract any passers-by to your retail store.

Some may stop outside, intrigued by the new store, but they rarely enter. Why is this the case? Why aren’t customers entering your retail store? A whole plethora of answers can follow this question, but we’ve narrowed it down to the most obvious ones:

Your storefront is unattractive

Nobody will enter a store if it looks really unattractive. The signage seems cheap, the shop windows are dirty, the paint is chipped, and you just generally don’t have a very inviting storefront.

It discourages people from paying you a visit, so you need to work on this right away. Start by investing in commercial cleaning services to get the front of your store looking shiny and clean. Then, work on improving your sign so it looks bold and professional. Finally, improve your window displays to encourage people to come inside. A better storefront will instantly boost the chances of seeing foot traffic in your store.

You have no online presence

That’s right, your online presence will heavily dictate your foot traffic.

How? Well, think about how most people start their journey as customers. They begin by searching for products online, which is when they are likely to find your store. Good local SEO means people can see that your shop exists and get directions to it via Google Maps. Thus, they travel down to pay you a visit and buy what they need.

You’re lacking foot traffic because you assume that everyone on the street is already interested in what you have to offer. This isn’t the case; your store might catch some people’s eyes, but most of your customers will start online and come down to see you.

You offer nothing unique

Your retail store is in a fantastic location, but the problem is that you’re surrounded by other retail stores all offering similar things. Even worse, some of these stores are big brands that have well-established reputations.

So, why would someone walk into your store when they could walk a few yards down the street and enter the one that they know they can trust?

To gain more foot traffic, you need to either set your store up in a location where it’ll be more unique or offer something that makes you stand out. What’s different about your store compared to similar ones? Do you sell a particular product that nobody else stocks? Have you got deals that they don’t? Work on making your store more unique, and this can help you gain more foot traffic.

This is why people aren’t entering your retail store. If you make some changes and things still don’t improve, you have to reassess whether or not a physical store is a good idea. Perhaps you’re destined to struggle for foot traffic as your business would operate much better as an online-only entity? Still, a lot of stores will see improvements after tackling the issues discussed above.

Signs You Are Ready To Start Outsourcing

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Start Outsourcing|Signs You Are Ready To Start OutsourcingOne of the best decisions that you can ever make when you’re a business owner, is to hand over pieces of your business to other people. It’s not that you’re giving your business away or allowing them to have a stake in it, it’s about outsourcing. Outsourcing is not a bad thing – it doesn’t mean you’re losing control. Instead, outsourcing is about getting some help.

You want your company to grow, and whether you’re hiring a virtual assistant, or using Azumo to help you with your software development, you should choose outsourcing to help your company get where it needs to be. You have to think about your goals and your end game with your company. You want your business to be a success, don’t you? Below, we have got all the signs that you are ready to start outsourcing.

  • You get to step back for a moment. Running your own business can be very full on, you have a lot of plates to spin at once and you have to do them well otherwise you’re not going to be a success. When you outsource, you get to step back from your business but you’re not stepping away from your goals. You remain in the loop and you’re making all of the right decisions, but you’re not handling it by yourself. An outsourced expert is there to work with you as a partner.
  • You’re ready to let go. As I mentioned, you’re not handling all of this by yourself. In fact, it can take some guts to let go of things and let somebody else take over. This is a huge sign of your own strength as a business leader that you’re able to do this. You can feel things piling up on you, and you’re smart enough not to burn out. That’s a great sign that you’re ready to start outsourcing.
  • You can see that it’s an incredible investment. Do you know everything there is to know about technology? Of course you don’t. You’re not expected to. It’s an investment to put money into other people‘s talents and other people’s education. When you outsource certain areas of your business, that’s exactly what you’re doing. You’re hiring somebody who knows better than you do, and that’s a great reason to outsource.
  • You’re ready to branch out. When you’re ready to expand on your business and exceed your current goals, it can always help to have a second set of eyes in the most important areas of your business. Let’s take software development for example, you need somebody who knows exactly what they’re doing to bring the software you currently have into the future. They are there to upgrade it, maintain it, and manage it so that it doesn’t go wrong. If you can find the time to fit that into your day, you wouldn’t need to outsource – but here you are!

Outsourcing could be the best thing that you ever do for your business, so what are you waiting for?

The Keys to Becoming a Great Consultant: A Practical Guide

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Becoming a consultant|The Keys to Becoming a Great Consultant: A Practical GuideConsulting can be a lucrative way to make a living. You set your own hours and work on projects that interest you. But becoming a great consultant requires more than just learning how to do the job. It requires great people skills and the ability to work well with others. And, of course, it requires a hefty investment of time and energy. If you’re ready to put in the work, here are some things you can do to become a great consultant.

1. Set up Google Alerts for your client and its competitors.

Do you know who your client’s competitors are? If you’re like most consultants, the answer is no — and that’s a huge mistake. If you know who your client’s competitors are, it gives you a much better perspective on your value proposition and shows you where you need to improve.

If you set up Google Alerts for your client and its competitors, you’ll be the first to know when they release new content or make major press announcements. If you keep up with digital trends, you’ll be the first to see and respond to trends that might impact your business.This will help you stay current on client and industry developments, which will come in handy through the project. Go here to get started.

2. Network like crazy

Network marketing, like consulting, is a profession that requires more than just a strong work ethic. It also requires a network of people who can vouch for you and refer business your way.

As a consultant, you’ll find that the more you network the better your opportunities will be. You never know who you might meet or what connections you might make. So, if you’re sitting at a networking event and an opportunity presents itself, take it.

Networking can be nerve-wracking. You have to make time for it, but you also have to make sure that you don’t spend too much time worrying about making a bad impression.

Here are a few tips that can help you make networking productive and enjoyable.

  • Begin conversations with questions. There’s a lot you can learn from other people by asking questions and getting insights into their businesses.
  • Be genuine. The way customers see you and the emotions, associations, and facts they relate to you are what makes you stand out from your competition. Making sure you keep up a positive business reputation is, therefore, obligatory.
  • Be patient. Networking is a process, not a single event. If you’re expecting a quick payoff, you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re patient and give it time, the network will come to you.

3. Be transparent about your time

If you’re going to take on clients as a consultant, they need to trust you. And to build that trust, you need to be as transparent as possible about your time.

Clients expect to pay you for your time. So, when you’re accepting new clients, be upfront about how much time you’ll need to devote to their project. If you promise to deliver results in three months and then deliver them in two, you’re going to lose trust.

4. Stay flexible and learn new skills

If you’re looking for ways to become a great consultant, you should consider staying flexible. You never know when you’re going to need to pick up new skills.

For example, let’s say your company decides to start offering financial planning services. You’re currently working on a project that requires some financial planning expertise, so it’s a good opportunity to learn.

Now, let’s say you decide to specialize in marketing consulting instead. You’ll want to stay flexible enough to take on projects that interest you and allow you to make money.

5. Partner with other consultants or firms

Partnering with other consultants or firms is a great way to take your income to the next level. The more partners you have, the more volume you’ll be able to handle and the more money you’ll be able to make.

If you have a friend who’s a certified public accountant, you could team up to offer combined accounting and auditing services to local businesses. At Continuum Innovations they strive to deliver state-of the art services helping businesses automate and streamline their processes in a cross-functional environment. This means that you can execute your strategy or take on a project that you can’t handle on your own.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an easy way to make money, this may not be the career for you. But if you’re ready to put in the work to build a successful consulting business, the advice listed here will get you on the right track. Becoming a great consultant takes hard work and dedication, but the effort is definitely worth it.

Getting It Right When Setting Up A New Business In The US

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StrategyDriven Starting Your Business Article |Setting up a new business |Getting It Right When Setting Up A New Business In The USMany people who want to start their own business in the US often don’t know where to begin.

What are the legal prerequisites for starting a company in your region? What do you need to go through? What is the process like from beginning to end? How long does it typically take, on average, for a company to be finished setting up operations?

These are questions that can be asked when someone wants to start their own business in the US and get it all done correctly.

Let’s break this topic down into some easy steps and see what it takes!

Business Regulations You Need To Know

From which tax records to submit to understanding everything you need to know about an EIN, setting up a new business is full of regulations, and it pays to collaborate with someone who knows exactly what they are doing in this field.

On the bright side, however, the US is actually one of the easiest countries in which to set up a new business.

To start, you will need to file some paperwork with your local government. If your company is a large corporation, then it might be better that you hire an attorney to ensure that this part of the process goes smoothly.

Choosing Your Company Name And Registering Your Business

You’ll need to file an “article of organization” with your state government which is the first step in getting the business started.

Before filing this document, you should reach out to your state’s secretary of state and get the specifics on how to file this document.

Again, you don’t have to do it all at once; it’s good to work carefully and piece by piece, starting with just a few basic steps such as filling out a proper business license.

How to Fund Your New Business

When you’re ready to start the business, you’ll need to find an initial investment. A good place to start is with a visit to your local bank.

You might find that the bank will help you arrange a loan through their Small Business Administration office, and you can get an individual loan from this office.

Although there are thousands of banks in the country, it’s best that you check with your local branch of this government office for more details on how to do this.

Branding and Marketing Your New Business Online

If you don’t want to go the DIY route, then it’s a good idea to hire a freelancer who can design and set up your commercial branding.

You’ll need all the particular web domains and important information, WordPress, images, copy, and anything else you’ll need for your online pages.

Finding Employees and Hiring Vendors

Once you have all the systems set up for your website, it’s time to make things happen.

It’s time to go out and hire some employees who will make it possible for your company to start rolling.

If you are not the type of person who can sit at a desk every day (or if you’re running a smaller business), then it might be better that you get some help.

Succeeding As a Leader – Focusing on Building a Strong Team Around You

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StrategyDriven Management and Leadership Article |Building a strong team|Succeeding As a Leader – Focusing on Building a Strong Team Around YouWhen you are leading others, you naturally have a lot of pressure and strain to deal with. Improving how you lead, working towards being successful, and making a difference can be difficult things to achieve – especially if your team or colleagues are working against you (and not with you). To ensure that this does not happen, you have to focus on building a strong team around you. You cannot succeed in leadership all by yourself. The support and cooperation you will get from your team will be defined in your role both now and moving forwards. So, what proactive action do you need to start taking?

What Do You Want to Achieve as a Leader?

To begin with, you need to think about what you really want to achieve as a leader. For example, are you looking to raise profits within a business? Are you looking to improve productivity and efficiency? Are you looking to bring everyone together, and form a united business or company in the process? What do you want to achieve and why? When you have this vision firmly in your sights, you can then begin to push forwards. This question is relevant to consider both in terms of your work and your personal goals, so it is one to consider carefully.

Why You Need a Team and Support Network

Now that you have your vision and ideas for the future, you may be questioning why you need a support network and a great team around you. The answer is of course simple: you need them because you need their support and you need their input. As a leader, you can only achieve so much on your own, or by yourself. You need guidance, you need support, and you need backup, and this is what you can expect to get from a great supportive team. You will naturally think that what you are doing is the right way, you need constructive feedback from other people to establish whether you are right or wrong – what works and what doesn’t.

Connecting With Your Team – Finding Common Ground

Leading from the front or leading from the middle means that you need to be connected with your team. To find common ground and truly connect with your team, you have to do things that build relationships and also build trust. For example, you could organize a get-together with key team players at a UK stately home. The best stately homes to visit in the UK have spaces for groups to get together, and they have room for you and your team to connect and strengthen bonds.

Decisive Leadership

As a leader, you have to be decisive, and you have to be assertive. If you are not decisive, then how will others follow what you say, and how will you have a lasting and sustainable impact. To ensure that you are being decisive in as many areas as possible, you need to analyze your behavior and your response time. Are you making decisions as soon as you can? Are you taking decisive action in all work that you undertake? Struggling to be decisive can make you seem weak to colleagues and team members, and this can affect the level of trust that they hold in you.