business startup Archives - Page 5 of 6

01/05/201801/19/2018

Trends That Will Make Your Business Thrive In 2018

A new year is here and along with it comes a new set of goals and purpose for your business startup. The trends of the year are already heating up, and your company needs to form early adoption to ensure you make the most of these moneymaking opportunities. Consider investing in these trends of 2018 to help your business startup flourish throughout the year.

Local Advertising

Reaching your local customers has never been easier or more important as localized advertising takes this promotional activity to a whole new level. Through advanced search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, you are able to make your business startup visible to the exact base of customers that have interest in your product. Using local landing pages, city keyword search terms, and the use of pages such as Google MyBusiness, you can allow your company to be found by those that are searching for a business near them. This personalized approach to reaching customers is hot for 2018 and is a sound way to market your business throughout the year.

Advanced Technologies

Hardly a day goes by without a mention of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), or Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies are allowing business startups to interface with their customers in a new and exciting way. Adding these advanced technologies into your business not only can improve the customer experience for consumers, but it can also streamline and make your operations more efficient.

Higher Wages

For 2018, you’ll see a surge in the minimum wage being paid to workers. Increasing your wage earnings for your employees can make your business startup a more attractive place to work and help garner talent that would otherwise not have been possible. Your employees are a direct reflection of your business startup and paying them a little more can go a long way in ensuring that you have a workforce that maintains your company vision and brand.

Remote Workforce

More and more employees are signing up a for positions that offer remote working environments. As your business startup grows, you can expand your presence globally through a remote workforce. This will allow your business startup to secure top talent from around the world and keep your operations flowing 24/7. You’ll be able to maintain a lower overhead with a remote team and give your employees a position that is highly desirable and sought after in 2018.

Millennials

The focus of the New Year is on Millennials as this large population of customers has come of age and has an immense buying power to wield with business startups. This gaggle of buyers is focused and ready to make buying decisions that can help to increase your business startup’s revenue. Understanding and honing in on this generation of consumers can provide a generous bump in your profits as you target them with technology-enhanced products and services that you market to them on the very channels they submerge themselves in. Emphasizing Millennials for 2018 can add to your business startup’s bottom line and increase your fan base and followers throughout the year.

Influencers and Experts

In 2018, the need to have a subject matter expert or influencer support your business startup’s products or services can boost your brand’s visibility with consumers. These experts have clout with customers and are often the reason that they choose your business startup over your competitors. Consumers are turning to subject matter experts and influencers to give them advice and provide them with the solutions to their everyday problems with your products and services. Th opinions of these experts matter to the masses and can help bolster your business startup in 2018.

Blockchain

If you haven’t heard of blockchain, you soon will as the technology is making strong headway in 2018. This technology allows for real-time, safe documentation and monitoring and can help your business startup become more transparent with your customers. The ability to hold digital transactions in a more friendly and accountable way makes blockchain a technology that can literally change the way that you do business in 2018 and beyond.

E-Commerce

The need for a brick and mortar store has literally become passé as consumers choose to do the majority of their shopping online. E-commerce is taking over, and more business startups are making a foray into online sales in lieu of a physical store location. Consumers are responding with resounding acceptance making it possible for your business startup to thrive in the e-commerce space and gain consumer loyalty with online sales.

Values

The trend in 2018 for businesses alike is a focus on values. Consumers are turning to brands that have the same values that align with their own and foregoing the ones that don’t. Outlining the values that your business startup stands for early on can give you traction with customers that are likeminded and believe in the same morals as your company does. Keeping your values front and center with your customer base is a new way to attract clients to your business and keep them coming back for the long haul to buy your products and services.

Customer Experience

In 2018, the customer experience also becomes more important as consumer look to brands that provide them a positive buying experience. Interacting and engaging with your customers can help achieve loyalty with them. When buying from your business startup is an occurrence that a consumer enjoys, they are more likely to return to your business for a second, third, and fourth purchase. They spread the word that your business startup is one to frequent and keeps your company top of mind with many new customers.

Keep these trends in mind as your business moves in 2018 to help it achieve maximum success in the New Year. You’ll reap the rewards of staying on top of the trends that your customers are demanding and increase your revenue with vigor as you find these new ways to promote your business startup and interact with your customer base. Good luck and continued success in 2018!

More detailed information and useful advice can be found at Funded.com If you need to access our network of angel investors or a business plan for start-up funding visit Funded.com

12/21/201712/28/2017

Setting Up A Small Business in 2018 – It’s Not all About How Much Money You Have

When you think of starting a business, the first thing that comes to mind is money/capital. Of course, you need money to start a business, even if it is very little considering the fact how easy it is to start a business in the digital age. However, there could be many other factors that affect a business in today’s digital economy—some you show serious concern to and some you don’t really pay attention to much.

Blockchain Is Affecting All Types of Businesses

One of the biggest concerns for today’s entrepreneurs before they start business is probably blockchain or crypto technology. The world is seeing the rise of crypto technology and how it is being integrated into the existing business ideas. A little more than a couple of years ago, you must have heard the term “bitcoin”. From bitcoin, people still believe that blockchain is all about digital currency i.e. money in the digital world. However, this is far from truth. Blockchain is expected to affect all types of businesses and industries in the world in the coming days.

It is a technology that redefines the security aspect of many businesses in 2018, introduced decentralization in modern business technologies and benefits the end consumers in multiple ways. For example, you could launch a gaming platform where no one needs the existing currencies. You could launch your own platform with your own money today. You don’t really have to start everything from the scratch; instead you could base your currency on the existing blockchain platforms like Ethereum. Through ICOs, you could have investors from around the world invest in your idea. So, blockchain is definitely a consideration for all businesses starting in 2018 and the coming years.

Physical Warehouses Are Not Necessary

A few years ago, only a certain types of business could be called truly online businesses. For businesses where products have to be stored for some time, a complete online presence was not the solution. Entrepreneurs who had such business ideas in mind had to have enough money to have their own warehouses. However, this has also changed quite a bit in the past couple of years. With the idea of drop shipping becoming common with time, it is becoming easier for businessmen to start their own businesses without much investment.

In a drop shipping model, all you have to do is collect orders from customers, forward those orders to the manufacturers or suppliers and have the goods shipped. You only act as a liaison in this particular model because it is the supplier that sends the products directly at the customers’ doorsteps. You will still need an online store with all the products listed for customers to see. However, you don’t need any warehouses because you don’t have to own, buy or store any products. The good thing is that this model now allows drop shippers to offer much more competitive rates so penetrating into the market is easier for them.

Big Data Is the Big Difference

Another technology that has been influencing business decisions and the way businesses operate is big data. While the term “big data” seems that you are referring to just large amounts of data but in reality, you are also referring to the methodologies and technologies that are in use to handle big data. You will be completely wrong to think that traditional software and hardware solutions can deal with big data in any way. Let’s take the example of a bank. A bank could have hundreds of branches located all around the country. In these hundreds of branches, the bank will have hundreds of thousands of customers.

The bank has account information of hundreds of thousands of these customers. In addition to that, the bank is constantly investing in stock and foreign markets, storing and utilizing that information. The same bank handles the data of all micro and macro loans it is forwarding to its customers. It is also storing information about customers through its mobile application to know what customers expect from the mobile website. On all of those hundreds of branches, the bank also has CCTV cameras collecting terabytes of footage on a daily basis.

Do you think all this data goes to waste? No, the data bank collected from banks is utilized in making bank branches securer. Data from mobile devices helps bank refine their mobile application. Data collected through financial softwares helps a bank improve its insurance, loan, mortgage, etc. offerings. It may seem on the surface that big data is a headache for big businesses only, but big data is just as important for small businesses as well. What this mean is that businesses starting in 2018 will have to have a big data approach right from day one.

Internet Security Is the Biggest Threat Now

It is unfortunate that rather than making the world a safer place, the new technology has led to greater internet threats. Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent with time, and much more sophisticated too. In the past few years, cyber attacks on some of the biggest companies of the world, including tech companies have proved that security has to be the major concern for every business—small, mid-scale or large. If you think starting a new business or having a small business gives you any advantage over large ones, here is something you would want to take a look at.

More detailed information and useful advice can be found at Funded.com If you need to access our network of angel investors or a business plan for start-up funding visit Funded.com

06/26/201706/28/2017

Hiring The Right Employees For Your Startup Business

You are ready to open your doors and need the right employees to communicate your vision to your customers, but finding them has proved to be a challenge. You want an employee that you can trust and has the experience necessary to handle the responsibilities of the job, but you may be coming up empty handed with lackluster candidates to fill the role you have in mind. There is no need to despair as the right employee is out there; you just need to uncover the qualities that will make for a long-term employee during the interviewing process.

Keep these characteristics in mind when you are looking for a potential employee to take on the position you are looking to fill at your business startup.

Independent

A candidate that shows that they are independent is a sign of a worker that can perform unsupervised once they know the responsibility of the position as outlined by your business plan. This can go a long way in allowing you to trust the potential employee to do what is expected of them without your constant reminder or guidance.

Eager to learn

While you may have a clear understanding of the role of the employee you are looking to hire, these job duties may change over time with the needs of your business startup. Finding an employee that is eager to learn, can provide you with the opportunity to take some tasks off your to-do list, freeing you up to focus on new ideas and projects.

Responsible

The employee that you hire should be able to be counted on to show up and be on time. Your business will not wait for them and neither will your customers. Ask about their job performance and situations where they took the lead. You want to hire a leader that is able to excel at the position and show initiative when warranted.

Personable

Having an employee, you get along with and meshes well with your current staff, can help you avoid disruption and disagreements down the road. You should be able to communicate well with them, and they should be able to follow your direction with ease. If you sense a personality conflict, trust your gut and move on to a candidate that you see eye-to-eye with.

More detailed information and useful advice can be found at Funded.com. If you need to access our network of angel investors or a business plan for start-up funding visit Funded.com

06/16/201706/28/2017

4 Ways An Angel Investor Can Benefit Your Startup

If your startup business needs a boost to propel it forward and into the market, an angel investor may be able to give you the financial help you need to make your dream a reality. While it will take effort, a great pitch, and a stellar business plan to garner their attention, once you do, you have much to gain from their knowledge and experience besides just financial capital for your company.

Consider your angel investor the sounding board for the big decisions you have to make. They will help you keep your business on a path to success and give you the confidence as well as accountability every step of the way. Your startup business could benefit in a big way from an angel investor as you’ll find they have much to offer in relation to running a solid business.

Advice and Guidance

Angel investors are a wealth of knowledge and can provide that guidance you need to steer your startup business in the right direction. While their business funding may allow you to open your doors, their continual advice will help you maintain your operations for the long haul. They most likely have assisted others in their business ventures and can help you avoid mistakes that might be costly to yours.

Networking Connections

Having a partnership with an angel investor immediately gives you access to a flurry of network connections that can help you accelerate your business. They know other investors as well as individuals that may be interested in joining forces to help get your business off the ground, giving you the opportunity to advance in the market.

Marketplace Awareness

Along with their industry network, you’ll also be able to take advantage of your angel investor’s expertise when it comes to knowing the market. They most likely will have intimate knowledge about your competitors and what trends are making waves this season. They can allow you an inside look at how your startup business can reap the rewards of similar strategies and gain you valuable market share in the process.

Creditability

Attaching your startup business to an angel investor can work wonders for your reputation. It can add instant creditability and make others stop and take notice. Angel investors are well known in their community, and you will be too as you attach your business to their name.

Working with an angel investor can allow your startup business to flourish beyond just business funding with them. You’ll have access to them, their contacts, and their generousity, making you a little wiser about the market and how you can succeed in it.

More detailed information and useful advice can be found at Funded.com. If you need to access our network of angel investors or a business plan for start-up funding visit Funded.com

04/07/201706/29/2021

The Secret of a Successful Angel Investor

Having a lot of money to support potential start-ups is not the only thing an angel investor needs to be successful. While entrepreneurs often think that the only thing an angel investor invests in his or her ventures is the money, the reality is that there are more than just meets the eye.

There is no denying that money is an important element in the job of an angel investor. However, this is not the only one – he or she needs due diligence in selecting a potential business partners.

Diligence is defined as a person’s carefulness and persistence in his or her job or work. It came from the Latin term diligere, which literally means “to value highly” or “take delight in.” But in English, it usually means working hard or doing everything for the job in hopes for a successful career.

This kind of characteristic and personality is important for angel investors. Generally, would-be entrepreneurs simply think of angels as those who have a lot of money which they can use to fund start-ups, the truth is that they are perhaps the most terrifying people for business startups owners. Angels succeed because of their diligence – or more descriptively, being able to train hard eyes to entrepreneurs and make them sweat while doing their pitches or presentations.

More importantly, successful angel investors simply do not stop after scrutinizing the presentations of potential partners. He or she should not stop until the business is actually well established. Angel investors must be able to point out weaknesses on the business plan, as well as put out suggestions for the good of the business.

Unfortunately, not every angel investor has this kind of diligence. There are some who are really good in selecting potential business startups, but fail to assist its owner from achieving success. This situation is not good, both for the entrepreneur and investor themselves.

Some experts said that a number of angel investors simply think that having a lot of money will make a successful business. It is not, as angel investors are expected to help the business owners in transforming their vision and putting everything written in paper into tangent realities.

The truth is that there is no recipe for the “due diligence” needed by angel investors. The idea is very broad, and its execution will have to depend on the situation and relationship between the angel investor and the entrepreneur.

In the end, what angel investors must remember is that money will not be able to buy them success. Diligence does. Having this kind of trait is the secret of successful angel investors, and everyone who invests in business startups with potentials need to have this to ensure a good future.

This is true for business startup owners, who often think that money is everything. It is not. Entrepreneurs must find diligent angel investors who would be able to help them turn their dreams of having a successful business into a reality.

More detailed information and useful advice can be found at Funded.com. it offers expertise and assistance with developing and funding your concept. If you need to access a network of angel investors or business plans for start-up funding visit Funded.com

09/03/201506/28/2017

Typical Angel Investor? Is there such thing?

Have you wondered where angel investor come from and what type of people to deal with and present your plan to? Is it a Donald Trump type of person – flashy and quite wealthy? Or is it someone more like your neighbour down the street who is quietly amassed a small fortune yet live prudently? The truth is angel investor could be either a person or a group of people.

The stereotype of an angel investor is someone who is a hardened business entrepreneur who has amassed great wealth but is always ready to earn more. Picture someone who is swoops in, evaluates the business plan, does some inquiries and then funds a start up with the expectation of high returns. In reality, the angel investor may not be as wealthy as you think but they are financially savvy. Most are still employed but they are looking for a way to grow their money by promoting innovative new business.

Angel investors fill a gap that exists between the venture capitalist and the commercial lender. Venture capitalists and financial institutions lend larger amounts with the former willing to accept high risk and the latter expecting minimized risk. Many angel investors invest smaller amounts of money, $20,000 instead of $200,000, but there are no limits so $500,000 up to $2 million is possible. They don’t want to play an active role in the business, but do have business savvy. Mostly they just want to make money.

Angel investors are also groups of people who pool their money to fund startup businesses. They include investment clubs, professional groups like doctors or lawyers and even other entrepreneurs. The reason there is a bit of mystery surrounding angel investors is simply because they keep a low profile, so are difficult to categorize. What you do know is that they are financially savvy, thorough in their evaluation of businesses and hopeful of earning a high return on their investments. So don’t stereotype angel investors because they can be anyone.

07/09/201406/28/2017

Writing a Sure-Win Business Plan

Entrepreneurs often look into their business plans as the heart of the startup. This is, according to most of them, the most important document that would ensure that the business is running towards achieving its ultimate objective.

Some business owners, however, fail to see beyond this point. The reality is that business plans are not just important in the day-to-day operations of the company. It is also important in terms of securing the most important element of a business – the funding.

A lot of entrepreneurs think that business plans do not contribute to the decision of a potential investor in funding the business. Some think that investors rely only on the pitch documents that were given to them.

Unfortunately, this is far from the reality. Most investors rely on the business plans when deciding whether or not they should fund the business. The reason is that they would not want to base their decision on documents that they know were tailor-made to impress them. These are intelligent people, and they often look for signs that the person whom they intend to partner with are also intelligent enough to make the business profitable.

This is where the need for a sure-win business plan comes into place. Instead of just writing a bland plan on how the business is expected to operate, the document should also include portions that would pique the interest of a potential investor. These include ideas on how the company will implement crucial projects, as well as handle potential problems that it would face in the future.

The bottom line is this: The business plan should not show the weakness of the company. This does not mean that the document should avoid mention of negative aspects. It should. But instead of leaving it like that, the document should also feature a “plan” on how the management would and should address it.

Instead of featuring the pessimism of the owner, the business plan should showcase the ability of the people behind the business that they are capable of handling every single problem that the start-up may face in the future.

This approach to writing a competitive business plan is an effective way of luring potential investors. It shows potential, and highlights the capability of the owners in thinking through with their plans.

Business plans are not just internal documents that are written for the sake of the employees and the main players of the company. Rather, it is a document that provides an overview of the business to external groups, most importantly the potential investors.

More detailed information and useful advice can be found at Funded.com Created by Mark Favre, it offers expertise and assistance with developing and funding your concept, including a private forum for queries and discussions. If you need access to investors and funding providers, please do check our website.Funded.com

06/09/201406/28/2017

Equity crowdfunding and venture capitalism: Why it matters?

The United States government has approved a landmark law for entrepreneurs, especially those involved in the small and medium enterprises sector, in 2012. Known as the Jumpstart Our Business Startup – or JOBS – Act of 2012, the legislation enables startups to raise as much as one million dollars through various websites that will be established following the implementation of the law.

There are a number of people, both supporters and critics of JOBS Act, who argue that the law will affect the more traditional venture capitalists. They say that by providing support to crowd funding – or raising funds that come from different people to finance a business – the government essentially removed venture capitalists from the picture.

A number of people are happy with this possibility, but a whole lot more are shaking their heads. After all, venture capitalists, over a period of time, have made it possible for a lot of major businesses to flourish.

The reality, however, is that JOBS Act does not diminish the relevance of venture capitalism in the field of entrepreneurship. In fact, it can be argued that the law will strengthen the system and would enable more businesses to enter the arena. Here’s why:

Crowd funding and venture capitalism may end up having different clients

According to the law, the legislation will enable businesses to raise as much as one million dollars in capital through crowd funding that will be assisted by dedicated online portals. This in itself shows a major difference between the two funding sources.

Based on latest studies, the median of venture capitalist investments in the country in the past three months is at four million. This means that the clients of crowd funding and venture capitalism will come from different backgrounds as they will need different amounts of money.

Instead of “killing” venture capitalists, the law may have just given them the opportunity to find better deals as businesses that need smaller funding will have another platform for them to look for investments.

Crowd funding and venture capitalism are made for each other

These two are in fact a perfect match. With the existence of an established system of funding (i.e. crowd funding for smaller businesses and venture capitalism for slightly bigger ones), entrepreneurs will have an assurance that there will be support as their business grows.

Moreover, the existence of crowd funding system should not threaten or drive away venture capitalists as there are always businesses looking for investments. In fact, they can even use the portals to take part in crowd funding initiatives or scout possible partners that are looking for investments.

The nature of the legislation is to provide entrepreneurs – especially business startup owners – with an equal opportunity to look for people who may help them in establishing their businesses. While it is true that the law will create ripples and affect the already established system of funding in the United States, it is imperative for everyone to understand its objectives and see to it that it achieves its goals.

12/13/201306/28/2017

Important Things to Consider Before Starting a Business

Profit is considered by many as one of the most important things that drive people to establish business startups. After all, businesses would not be considered as such if they fail to provide their owners with income that could ensure its continuous operations.

Despite its importance, however, people who are thinking about starting their own businesses must think about other things. It must be emphasized that the profit is just one of the many aspects that business owners have to consider before establishing their startups.

Here are some of the things that potential business owners must also think about before committing into something that could make or break a person’s career:

Reasons for establishing a business

People establish businesses because they want to earn a profit. However, there should be other reasons that could support a person’s decision to enter the world of entrepreneurship. It is often said that successful entrepreneurs are those who do not focus much attention on profit, but rather on the fulfillment brought about by the business.

Moreover, a person must also think about the reasons for choosing a particular type of business – would it focus on the field of medicine, or perhaps services that could improve people’s lives? Thinking about these things would ensure that the business would follow a right track to success.

More importantly, the would-be entrepreneur must think about his or her endgame. What is his or her ultimate goal for the business – to expand in the future and head the company until the end of time, or sell it once it’s profitable enough for the partners? Thinking about this also sets the right path for the entire business.

Resources

A person’s drive to establish a business – while an important element when it comes to entrepreneurship – is not enough if the owner wants a successful startup. Aside from the drive and conviction, there are other more tangible things that potential owners must think about before starting a business.

These include financial capital, enough human resources, and even the right amount of consumers in a specific target market.

Once these things are determined, the next question must be asked: Where will I get this? This is particularly true when it comes to money. While there are cases when friends or relatives shell out to support a business startup, this is not particularly true for everyone. A good way to solve the problem of having financial support is by looking into potential investors who would be happy to partner with business plans that exhibit promise of success.

05/27/201306/28/2017

Secrets of Successful Business Startup Owners

Successful business startup owners often say that their achievements have to be attributed to their luck. They keep on saying that they were fortunate that they have started their particular business startups on the right place at the right time. To some degree, this might be true. However, it is unlikely that the success of these people can simply be attributed to luck. It’s not.

The truth is that these business startup owners were successful because they have made the right decisions at one point or the other. They have followed a strict set of rules that made them successful. Luckily, these rules are secrets no more. Here are some of the things that ensure the success of fledgling entrepreneurs these days:

They know how to take care of themselves

The most successful business startup owners know that their most important capital is their own minds and bodies. Therefore, those who wish to make it big in their respective industries must know how to take care of themselves to ensure their physical and mental prowess.

Eating healthy and having regular schedule for physical exercise are simple things that ensure the success of business startup owners.

They have activities outside their businesses

Focusing on the business is necessary to ensure its success. Too much attention, however, is not. Successful business startup owners often have other interests outside their businesses in order for them to have a much-needed break from the stress of handling a company.

Having a balanced life often keeps the business owner focused and relaxed that is an important secret to the success of the business.

They know how to lead

Financial capital and passion for the enterprise are not just the things needed for the success of the business. More than these, business startup owners must be able to lead the entire team to attain their goals. No business will thrive without the support of an effective leader who will anything for the good of the company.

They know when and how to make the right decisions

Once in a while, business startup owners would find themselves facing problems that they have to resolve immediately. A common characteristic of successful entrepreneurs is that they all know when to make a decision in order to solve a problem.

The success of the business is often not reliant on the “rightness” of the decision, but in the willingness of the owners to stand by their choices and accept the possibility that they have to amend their earlier decisions for the good of the company.

These are just some of the things that ensure the success of business startup owners. Following these is a big leap toward the victory that entrepreneurs want to attain.