Business/Investment

No matter the length of time you’ve run a business, would you claim to be a good owner?

Running a business is a full-time job and then some.

That said you want to do all you can to run your business the right way. The failure to do so can leave you on the outside looking in if you are not careful.

So, how good of a job are you doing running your business?

Improve How You Go About Running Your Business

In looking to be an even better business owner, here are three keys to think about:

1. Do your best to handle finances – It is critical that you are good at handling your business finances. That said have you been doing all you can to navigate what can be a tricky thing? Not managing your business finances properly can at some point lead to you having to pack things up. This is why it is important to recognize when you may need some financial help. For instyoance, you may come to realize that looking into revolving credit is well worth your time. By getting a line of revolving credit, you are doing something positive for your business. Having more funds for critical needs for your business is a step in the right direction. You also want to do your best to keep debt at a minimum. Too much company debt can hinder you for a long time to come.
2. Continue to make good hires – You also want to make sure you are doing your best to hire the right people. Having employees can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you need those workers to help you get the job done nine times out of 10. On the other side of the coin, you are responsible for their actions. This includes their handling of customers. Be sure you take the time to hire and train the best of the best. It is also good to give employees incentives to want to work hard and stay with you. Not having to continually hire people due to large turnover saves you time and money at the end of the day.
3. Spread the word about your company – Last, how good of a job are you doing in spreading the word about your company? It is crucial that your company is seen and heard by as many consumers as possible. Sure, not all will end up being customers. That said the goal is to transform as many of them as possible into paying customers. You want to do all you can to get a buzz going about your company. This can be done via your website, social media pages, customer testimonials and more. Don’t be the business whose competition is beating them to the punch when it comes to marketing.

As you work to be the best owner, do what it takes to make your company known throughout the business community.

In doing so, you stand a much better chance of being around for many years to come.

Are you happy with where your small business stands today?

If you could be doing more for your business, you do not want to wait too long to put in place any particular measures.

By being smart and doing whatever it takes to be successful, you have the opportunity to be around longer.

So, what do you need to do to be more successful?

Improving Your Small Business Outlook

In reviewing what you can do for your small business, here are a few things to consider:

1. Take care of finances – Any owner will tell you that their finances go a long way in determining success. That said could you and your small business be in better financial condition? If so, you may want to see what your options are. For example, will you look into getting a small business line of credit? That line of credit can be the bridge you need to better financial times for your business. In searching for such a need, go online and review different providers. You may also talk to other small business leaders you are on good terms with. See if they took out such a line of credit. If they did, can they recommend someone to you? By being better in charge of finances, you are doing something good for you and your livelihood.
2. Hire the best and brightest – Are you doing a good job of hiring the best and brightest out there? The right employees in the right positions will go a long way in helping you be more successful. Take the time to interview properly and not rush things. Interviews go a long way in helping select the right people. You also want to make sure the conditions are conducive to employees wanting to be there. Along with a good salary and health benefits if applicable, provide room for growth and more. When you have the right team in place, anything is possible.
3. Review customer service often – You also need to review customer service regularly.. If you are not doing all you can for your customers, chances are some of them will go elsewhere. When they do, chances are some of them will not be returning. Look to see if you give customers all they demand. This means everything from answering inquiries promptly to the best in pricing.
4. Promote the heck out of it – Last, do all you can to promote your small business to the public. From your website to social media pages and more, let consumers know what you have to offer them. Do you have a business app? If not, now would be a good time to consider getting one. An app puts you in touch with consumers who’ve downloaded it to their smartphones 24/7. Now, isn’t that something you want?

In doing all you can for your small business, is it as successful as you’d like it to be?

If not, now would be the time to address such matters.

Running a startup can prove both invigorating and challenging. 

With that in mind, how would you view your startup now?

Are you happy with where things are at? If not, what step or steps might you take to change how things are going?

What Can You Do with Your Startup?

In looking at your startup and how best to manage things moving forward, here are a few things to think about:

1. What are your goals? – Above all else, what are your goals with your startup? Do you envision hanging on to your startup for the foreseeable future (see more below)? Any chance you may want to sell it sooner than later? If the latter, will the sale go smoothly or could there be some hiccups along the way? If proposing to sell it, keep in mind that you want to know all the tricks when it comes to how to sell a startup company. If you make one or more major gaffes in trying to sell, it could haunt you for a long time to come. Do some online research to find the pros specializing in helping folks sell startups. Their expertise can go a long way in making things much easier on you.
2. Keeping your startup going – If you want to keep your startup going, by all means that is your right. That said you want to be sure you do all you can to make it a healthy business operation. Not doing so is wasting your time and more importantly your money. This means doing things like promoting. If too few consumers are aware of what your startup has to offer, how can you expect it to be successful? It also means hiring the right people if you have employees working for you. The right people in the right positions can make all the difference in the world. Last, do all you can to rid yourself of debt. Too many startups get saddled with debt from day one and have a tough time recovering as a result. The last thing you want or need is debt hanging over your head. By working hard to keep your startup going, you can achieve good things if you try.
3. Deciding to seek help – Another option when your startup needs more punch is investor help. If you decide now is not the time to sell and yet you need some help with your startup, investors may be what is in order. If so, you want to be sure you get the right investor or investors to come aboard. Some business owners think about having family or friends invest in their startups. While that is okay to think like this, be sure you do everything by the book. Even though these are people you know, you still want everything properly documented. Not doing so has the potential to cause financial issues, rifts among those you know and more. Get everything in writing and treat this as a normal business deal.

When you take the time to look and see if your startup is healthy or sick, hopefully you will get what you are looking for.

When you first start your online food business, it can be a little overwhelming. You need to think about everything from the safe delivery of your products to the marketing and getting your name out there. Food entrepreneurship is not easy but it is very possible for you to set up your e-commerce business in no time at all.

One of the things that you need to consider when setting up your online food business is how you will protect yourself. Do you need e-commerce liability insurance? We’re going to explore this topic here so keep reading to find out everything that you need to know.

What Is E-Commerce Insurance?

If you are not familiar with what e-commerce liability insurance is then now is the time to change this. This kind of insurance is useful for any kind of e-commerce business but it is especially important for anyone operating in the food industry. Ecommerce insurance will protect your business should anything out of the ordinary happen and a claim needs to be made.

What Is Covered?

Each liability insurance policy is different but you’ll usually find that those relating to the food industry are similar in what they cover. Medical payments are a common element of this kind of policy and this is important. This can include any injury that a customer makes to themselves when they open your packaging or use your product.

Your e-commerce insurance policy will also protect your business in relation to your advertising plan. There are so many businesses in the food industry and so you could end up copying another’s marketing strategy by accident. If they were to then make a claim against you, you would find that your insurance would cover your business.

Why Choose E-commerce Liability Insurance?

There are many reasons to protect your business with e-commerce liability insurance including the fact that it can give you peace of mind. When you know that your new food business is covered against these kinds of claims, you can continue with setting up your dream company without too much worry.

Another great thing about having this kind of e-commerce insurance is that you will receive a certificate. This means that you can show your customers that you are taking this very seriously and that you are a company that can be trusted.

Where To Find It

If you do decide to invest in e-commerce liability insurance for your business, you should make sure to take a look online at the options. You should be able to find a quote for a policy that is within your budget and this can make things a little easier. These policies are often much more affordable than you think and they are worth it in the end.

Make sure to invest in an e-commerce liability insurance policy as a food entrepreneur and you can ensure that your new business is covered should anything happen in the future. We wish you every success with your new business.

There may well come a day soon or down the road when you decide you want your own business. If so, how prepared will you be for it?

Owning your own business can be a dream come true. It can also be filled with a variety of challenges.

So, where will your focus turn when you decide to go into business for you?

Where is the Money Going to Come from?

In getting a business off the ground, it stands to reason that it will cost money.

So, you have several options on the table for you more times than not.

For one, you may be rather well off when it comes to your financial world. If so, you should be able to get things up and running without too much of a challenge.

Another possibility is you will have family, friends or even a stranger investing in you.

Now, if you go the investing route with people you know, it stands to reason things should be in writing. You would definitely have things documented with a stranger. That said the same should hold true with family and friends willing to invest.

Yes, some relationships have gone by the wayside over time when it came to money being involved. 

If you have one or more family or friends willing to provide you with investments, document it all. This reduces the chance of their being friction now or down the road involving you and them.

Third, you may decide the best route to go when needing help is to look into startup business loans.

Such loans can be the answer you need to get up and running and not worry about where the funds are coming from.

In searching for the right loan provider, zero in on these areas:

• Provider history – Learn as much as you can about any provider you consider going with. How long they have been in business is a good starting point. While going with a newer loan provider may work out for you, it never hurts to have experience.
• Track record – Knowing the track record of a loan provider is critical too. If they have had issues with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or such, you well decide it is best to steer away from them.
• Customer service – Last, you can never put a price tag on the importance of good customer service. That said you want a loan provider that will work for you and not the other way around.

When money is involved in getting your business up and running, where will you look to?

Making the Full-Time Commitment

As important as finances are in getting you going, don’t forget about the commitment involved.

Yes, running your own business is a full-time commitment. As such, you need to be sure you can give all the time needed to get the job done.

This is why it may be wise to slowly work your way into it.

If you decide to keep your corporate job before opening a business, you still have a full-time income. It also allows you to have a gradual transition from being someone’s employee to being your own boss.

As you look to venture into the business world, roll up your sleeves and get to work on it.

Internet technology has made our life easier. Thanks to social media apps, you can easily keep in touch with your friends and family. Many industries benefit from the accessibility of the internet platform. Most of the companies nowadays use the internet to create marketing strategies. The online platforms have opened the door to many online business companies. 

Amazon, eBay, and Craiglist are just a few of the top online marketplaces. Many to-be entrepreneurs already have an idea in mind but are struggling with how to implement it. Take the chance to step in and help them grow their business. First of all, it’s important to find a business idea that matches your skills and competencies.

Online Casino Games

There are many business ideas that you can start online today. Some of them are very unusual, like playing online casino games. People don’t play online casino games only for entertainment purposes. Many people have turned their gambling hobby into a profitable business. 

Playing online casino games is a fun and exciting thing to do. Many sites, such as novibet.co.uk, offer special promotions and bonus packages to attract new customers. Not to mention that you can play these games in the comfort of your own home. This is an example of how you can earn some money while having fun at the same time.

SEO Consultant

Some online business companies still haven’t realized the importance of search engine optimization. SEO can have a big impact on your online business. It’s your chance to start an online consulting business today. However, you will need some previous technical knowledge of online platforms such as Google Ads and Google Analytics. 

You can educate some of the young entrepreneurs on how to transform their websites and become more visible on the internet. To increase the web traffic, the consultant can use the stored data and strategic keywords to show the business owners how useful these analytics tools are. In order to keep up with the latest trends, you will have to continue your education to stay relevant in this field.

Social Media Consultant

Larger companies can afford to hire an agency to take care of their social media presence. Unfortunately, small companies have to handle their own social media marketing. The entrepreneurs are so busy nowadays with tons of obligations every day. This is the reason why they haven’t realized the importance of the social media presence of their business. They need some time to develop a marketing strategy to promote their business on social media platforms. 

Digital Marketing

If you have some background in digital marketing, this is your chance to show the entrepreneurs the effectiveness of social media presence. While Facebook and Twitter remain the top business networks, many companies are still struggling to use more visual platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest. You can help the business a lot if you can improve the content they post, as well as find ways how to target their audience. 

Nobody wants to get hurt, but there is a good chance that you will suffer some sort of relatively serious injury at some point in your life. Every year, in America, an average of 6 million vehicle accidents occur. Also, around 5 million get bitten by dogs and about 1 million people end up visiting the emergency room after being hurt in a slip and fall accident.

Given all of the above, there is no shortage of lawyers offering personal injury claims services. If you have been hurt, having plenty of choices is generally a good thing. But, it can be tricky to narrow down your options and hire the one that will build a strong case for you. The tips we share below are designed to make it easier for you to do so.

Seek out a lawyer with experience that is relevant to your case

It is always a good idea to hire someone who is used to dealing with your kind of claim. If you have been injured as a result of medical negligence a car accident lawyer would not be in a position to help you much. They would have very little knowledge of how a doctor should have handled your case. Nor will they have easy access to a network of medically qualified expert witnesses they can consult and use to fact check. Whereas a lawyer who mainly deals with medical negligence injury claims would. 

Make sure they have a good reputation and are qualified

Use the internet to find out what you can about their previous work. Read reviews and any forum comments you can find. If that does not reveal much information. Use some of the techniques outlined in this article. 

Understand how much they charge

In America, there are several fee structures that the legal profession typically uses. You can find out more about them here. Doing so will help you to understand how much your lawyer will charge and when they will need to be paid.

Take advantage of free consultations

Most legal firms in the USA offer you the chance to have a free consultation. This is usually provided in the form of a short phone call or a live chat session. You can use this to check out various lawyers to see which one you prefer. Naturally, there are limits to how long they will spend talking to you and what they will tell you. But, you can still glean lots of useful information this way and, more importantly, get a feel for whether that particular lawyer is a good fit for you. 

Be sure to contact a lawyer fairly quickly after having an accident

If you have been hurt, it is important to consult a lawyer fairly quickly. A lot of people make the mistake of waiting too long to do so. 

Often, they do not realize that there are statutes of limitations that apply to personal injury claims. Some of them are as short as a year. If you miss the deadline to file there is nothing further that can be done to secure compensation. It is also important to bear in mind that your lawyer will need time to research your case and prepare the filing paperwork.

Former Colliers CEO Dylan Taylor was born in the United States on the 23rd October 1970. He is an executive and investor in the commercial space industry.

Dylan Taylor graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree with honours. Through his studies at the University of Chicago, he also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration.

A Delphi Fellow of Big Think, Dylan Taylor regularly speaks on matters relating to global commerce and real estate. He has been interviewed and quoted by both CNBD and Bloomberg TV. 

With a keen interest in philanthropy, Dylan Taylor has taken an active interest in the Kempe Foundation, the Colorado Film Commission, and the Denver Council on Foreign Relations. Dylan Taylor founded Space for Humanity, a global non-profit organisation, in 2017.

Dylan Taylor has served in executive roles for several well-established global companies including Jones Lang LaSalle, Colliers, and Grubb & Ellis (now Newmark Knight Frank). He currently presides as CEO and Chairman of Voyager Space Holdings.

Voyager Space Holdings was established in August 2019. It is the world’s first space-focused holding company. The organisation’s mission is to coordinate business functions of NewSpace companies, enabling technical entrepreneurs to focus on developing technology.

Dylan Taylor served as Colliers International’s Global President from 2015 to 2019. Prior to this, he served as CEO and President for the Americas.

A uniquely-placed individual in the private space sector, Dylan Taylor has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards over the years. In 2017, IAOP inducted Dylan Taylor into its Leadership Hall of Fame. In addition, Real Estate Forum magazine cited Dylan Taylor among its ELITE 70 in 2016. He was also named Mid-Market Rising Star of the Year at the Mid-Market Awards in 2013.

Dylan Taylor is predominantly a space industry angel investor. He often speaks on the future of the space economy and space investing and has written for SpaceNews and several other leading space industry publications.

Dylan Taylor is a co-founding patron of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. The mission of this organisation is to promote the development of the commercial human space flight industry, pursuing ever-increasing levels of safety and sharing best practices and expertise throughout the industry. Member companies of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation include commercial spaceflight developers, suppliers, service providers, operators and spaceports, creating thousands of high-tech jobs throughout the United States.

In 2017, Dylan Taylor commissioned the 3D printing of a gravity meter on the International Space Station, becoming the first private individual to manufacture in space. Today, this historic artifact is housed at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

Did you know that you can become a successful entrepreneur at any age? Having a business degree can give you an edge when it comes to managing a business but even if you are an undergraduate or a non-degree holder you still have the potential to earn a gratifying income from starting a small business. It is a significant achievement to watch it grow right before your eyes. However, success does not come overnight, so you have to create a solid plan and put effort into your business if you want it to succeed. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.

Ask yourself if you are ready

One of the critical elements of starting a business is the right timing. You should ask yourself why you would like to have your own business at this point. Are you willing to work longer hours or even quit your stable job? Launching a start-up business is never easy. It will entail working extra hard to promote your business, and it means spending long hours and sacrificing your happiness for a while. You may need to advertise your business personally by setting up marketing tools like double sided roller banners and posters and even hand out flyers in public places. If you are prepared to make this sacrifice, then it is a good sign that you are prepared to start your business.

Think of what business you will have

Once you have decided that you are ready to become an entrepreneur, another thing that you have to decide is the nature of your business. It is easier to promote and sell a product that is close to your heart; something that you are familiar with will motivate you to succeed. Choose something that you are good at and not because it is the current fad because your interest will die down once the sales start to slow down.

Think about your capital

Before deciding to invest in anything, think about how much you are willing to shell out as your initial capital. Are you ready to take a loan in case something goes wrong with your cash flow? This is a very serious matter because you are talking about your hard–earned money. It is a known fact that a significant number of businesses fail within the first two years, so it is best to think carefully about how you will spend your money.

Create a solid business plan

Successful companies are known to have a solid business plan. You should set goals regarding your sales figures each month. Also, it is essential to think of different strategies to make your business sustainable and profitable. Take your time to study and do market research and try out the various business strategies that most successful entrepreneurs practice.

Launching a business is never easy, but with your hard work and dedication, there is a big chance for you to succeed.