Employee Engagement: How To Motivate Your Marketing Team To Achieve Optimal Results

Marketing is essential for any business that wants to grow its audience and stand out from the crowd. Your marketing team works hard every day to make sure that the company is seen by new potential customers and has a strong online and offline presence. However, it can be easy to make these employees feel underappreciated. To make sure that the team is happy and productive, you need to ensure that the team is happy and receives enough support from the company’s leadership and other employees. Here is what business leaders can do to motivate their marketing team to achieve optimal results.

Set Clear Goals And Expectations With The Team

When you’re leading a business, you need to have a list of goals that you want to achieve in a specific time frame. And when you set goals with your marketing team, you should make sure that they align with the vision you have for the overall business. Then, the team can start thinking about the campaigns and assets that would bring the desired results and allow the customers to connect with the brand more. Once all the ideas are in place, you need to set clear expectations, such as a deadline and communication style. These expectations will help the team to figure out how to complete the task timely and successfully.

Provide The Team With Feedback Opportunities

To make sure that you and the marketing team are on the same page, you need to be in a continuous dialogue and provide each other with feedback. To make communication easy, you should establish channels that will allow you to keep in touch and collaborate if needed. When you’re talking to the team, give them an honest opinion on what you think about the campaigns they’re creating and what you think might be done better. In return, the team can tell you which tools and resources they need to carry out the work well. The Q and A and live polling tools from Vevox can help you to make your feedback and meetings more productive and effective. Keep the conversations open and always listen to the opinion of the other party. Even though you might not agree with their approach at times, you should listen to their reasoning. Perhaps there’s something you overlooked or haven’t thought of.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Difficult Conversations

As a business leader, you might sometimes need to have uncomfortable conversations. Maybe there is an employee who doesn’t perform well. Or you need to cut the budget of a department. Perhaps someone reported an employee that acted against the company guidelines. No matter the uncomfortable situation you’re facing, you should deal with it as soon as possible. If you try to ignore the problems, it might be damaging to the team and the company. While having uncomfortable conversations isn’t something that’s taught in school, you need to master the skill in order to become a better, more reliable leader. When your employees see that you’re honest and act fast, they might feel more comfortable approaching you when they have a problem.

New To The Team: Top Tips For A Successful Onboarding Training

Expanding a company is an exciting moment for any business. It shows that the hard work and dedication of all involved are paying off, and it shows in the company’s growth. Although businesses will be carefully following tips on growing their business, one area that needs attention is welcoming new team members.

Onboarding training helps new team members to learn the processes and how the company conducts business. It gives them insight into what to expect when they begin their role. However, it is essential that training is spot on.

If you are looking for ways to help ensure the onboarding training for new team members is

Make Everyone Feel Welcome

Starting on the right foot is essential to forming a solid working relationship. Creating a positive working environment that encourages team members to work together and support one another can positively impact a business. When welcoming new team members, starting on the right foot by making them feel welcome and supported will help individuals feel more at ease with the company.

Take the time during onboarding training to get to know new team members. Ask them questions to find out more, and direct them to others in the company that share similar interests. This will help them to feel welcome, which in turn makes them feel more relaxed. It could help them feel comfortable asking questions if they do not understand the processes or have other work-related queries. All of this helps ensure that the onboarding training session is working well and that new team members understand more about the company and its operations.

Power Of eLearning 

eLearning has become a popular tool used by businesses in recent years. It has become a preferred way to conduct onboarding training. Choosing eLearning to conduct onboarding training offers an array of advantages, including how flexible and accessible it is.

If you have yet to try eLearning, consider trying the LMS System from Kallidus. The eLearning services they offer help you to create a class you can use to present to new team members. Featuring all of the relevant information about the department, role and the company overall, utilising the eLearning process to onboard new team members can help make the process more efficient and effective.

Always Support Available

Starting at a new company can be a daunting task. After following an eLearning tutorial and completing quizzes to test if they absorbed the information, new starters might still feel apprehensive about starting the work. Using the systems and following the company’s processes will help people fully understand the work and what their daily tasks will include.

The first week of working at a new company is when an individual settles into the role. During this time, the most support should be available to them. Of course, they should feel supported regardless of how long they have been at a company, but the first week is when support should be consistently offered. It helps them feel settled and know that someone is on their side, ready to help at a moment’s notice.

As you prepare to welcome new team members to the company, keep some of the tips mentioned above for successful onboarding training. Using an automated solution like eLe

Planning for difficult communications

In the current climate, many companies are having to deliver challenging messages - whether it's changes to staffing or location, a reduction in service or a price increase, it can be hard to tell loyal staff and customers. If you’re not used to delivering or responding to negative news, it can be daunting, but there are a few steps you can take to minimise the risk of damage to your reputation.

Plan ahead

Preparation is key. If you haven’t already got a crisis and issues communications plan, now is the time to get one. If you don’t have time to do an in-depth plan, put a document together that covers how you’re going to respond if things go wrong, who needs to sign any response off, who needs to be made aware of the issue, and who your spokesperson will be if you need one. The more details you have agreed on ahead of time, the quicker you can respond, which is vital as social media and online news move fast.

Don’t take business criticism personally

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is being too defensive. When someone is making negative comments, particularly if you don’t agree with them, it can feel personal. But just like in other aspects of your life, it’s a case of picking your battles, and often coming down hard on an issue isn’t going to help and could even inflame the situation. Think carefully about whether responding is the right thing to do.  

Be human

Whether it’s a difficult message you need to deliver or negative press you need to respond to, don’t be too formal. People are more likely to see your point of view if you explain it in an easy-to-understand way, and it sounds like you appreciate and sympathise with their concerns. Avoid jargon at all costs. It increases the risk of your message being misunderstood and alienates people.

Keep staff up to date

Don’t forget to keep staff informed every step of the way. 

They’ll be the ones handling complaints and questions, so they need to know what’s happening and why. For customer-facing staff, make sure they feel supported and know what to say if they get difficult questions. 

Keep messages consistent

Don’t be tempted to give different audiences different messages. It will come back to bite you. People talk and share information easily. 

If you’re saying one thing to current customers and a different thing to potential customers, it’s going to confuse people and, depending on the message, might make people angry. Make sure your messages are consistent across all channels too.

Act fast

If things don't go to plan, you need to respond quickly because misinformation can spread fast. While you’re spending time having meetings and considering what your next step will be, the narrative is moving, changing and growing. The quicker you act, the more chance you have of being part of that narrative.

Questions to ask yourself before going ahead

If you’ve written a response or you’re preparing to talk about something that may be contentious, go through this checklist first.

Would most of your customers think what you’re doing is fair and reasonable?

If they wouldn't, can you explain why you’re doing it to give some context?

Is your message easy to understand?

Are you avoiding jargon and acronyms wherever possible?

Have you told staff?

Are you prepared for a negative response?

How To Make Sure Your Business Is Prepared For An Emergency

If you are in charge of a business, your primary focus is most likely going to be finding ways to turn a profit as efficiently as possible. However, running a business can be unpredictable; you never know when something might go wrong – from a cyber attack on your IT system to natural disasters, such as fire or flood. As a result, it’s vital that you take precautions to make sure your business is well-prepared in case of emergency.

Read on to discover things you can do to make sure your business has all the resources it needs in case of any kind of crisis.

Keeping People Safe

There is a number of potential hazards that can affect the safety of your staff and customers – from falling objects to slippery floors and, of course, fire. It’s important that you consistently strive to minimise the risk of accidents by keeping walkways free of obstacles, mopping up any spillages that may occur, and, arguably most importantly, installing a robust fire detection system.

You also need to make sure your business’s lighting is in good working order so that if there is a fire, everyone inside can clearly see the marked exits. To ensure your lights work correctly, you can arrange emergency lighting testing with experienced professionals such as Trade Facilities Services. To make sure your staff know what to do in case of an emergency such as a fire, ensure that you invest in employee training and carry out fire drills on a regular basis. This can help you analyse any potential weak points in your fire safety procedures and address them promptly.

Protecting Your Products

If you own a store of some kind, the threat of theft is ever-present. Fortunately, there are several protective measures you can use to help keep your inventory safe from thieves. These include the use of anti-theft devices and alarms on the doors, as well as CCTV.

You should also make sure that any offices are securely locked at closing time, and the entire premises should be well-secured. You may also want to invest in a high-tech alarm system that will sound if anyone tries to break in after hours.

Take Cybersecurity Seriously

These days, cybersecurity is viewed as even more of a threat than physical security. Subsequently, it’s vital that you invest in the protection of your digital assets using the different tools available, such as password managers, antivirus software, data encryption, ad blockers, and more.

You should also educate your employees on the importance of safe online practices. This could be teaching them how to spot phishing emails and other cyber dangers that could risk the integrity of your business network.

Make Sure You’re Insured

Last but certainly not least, make sure your business has effective insurance. While insurance policies for businesses can admittedly be costly, if anything serious does go wrong, you will be glad you paid the price.

Having insurance coverage will help your business bounce back from a disaster. It provides a financial safety net that you can use to help you get back on your feet, whether you’ve suffered damage from a natural disaster or you have been the victim of a crime. This kind of assistance could prove invaluable and could perhaps even save your business, helping to ensure that it goes on to thrive for years to come.

Implementing safety measures will help to offer peace of mind that your business is protected as much as possible. This can be a tremendous help when trying to recover the company in the aftermath of an emergency.

4 Services Small Business Owners Should Outsource On The Way To Success

It might be challenging to let go of your control when leading a small business. However, if you start to delegate some of your tasks to others, you’ll be able to upscale your business and reach your objectives faster. Outsourcing companies and freelancers can help you make the business more efficient. While it might seem like an unnecessary expense if you can do most of the tasks yourself, delegating the tasks to others can help you to offer your clients a faster turnaround and higher quality results. Here are services small business owners should outsource on the way to success.

Stay On Top Of Your Finances With An Accountant

As a small business owner, you have many responsibilities, finances being one of them. You might be able to take care of your accounts on your own, but it can be time-consuming, and you might overlook some important guidelines. To get more time to work on projects for your clients, consider outsourcing an accountant. Companies such as AccountantFor can help you to find a specialised accountant for small businesses. That way, you’ll be able to get in touch with someone who understands your business and has a clear idea of what might be the best for your company.  

Contact Freelancers To Make Your Work More Efficient

The hiring process can be very gruelling. You need to find out which talents you need, create an advert, go through all the applicants and attend interviews with those who impress you the most. And that can be very demanding when you’re running a business where you do most of the work. To cut down the hiring and training costs, you can outsource freelancers to help you out with the most critical projects. You’ll be able to contact a professional immediately, and you might find someone who you might collaborate with further in the future.

Let Online Security Keep Your Business Protected

Every business needs to store plenty of sensitive data. According to the government’s Cyber Security Breaches survey 2022, around 39% of businesses identified a cyber security threat in their company. Therefore, you need to make sure that you keep all of your data safe. For a small business, hiring an in-house cybersecurity team might be too expensive. However, you can outsource such services. Then, you’ll have immediate access to professionals, and you’ll be able to rest assured that the safety of your company is in good hands.

Take Advantage Of The Impact Of Digital Marketing

When you want to make your business more successful and get a regular clientele, you need to build a strong online presence. And while you might have some knowledge of the best digital marketing practices, it can take your attention from other responsibilities. In order to ensure that your company gets attention online, consider outsourcing a digital marketing professional. They’ll be able to help you with adverts and create powerful campaigns that will raise public awareness about your company. And if you want to be more active on your online profiles, hiring a social media manager can help you to make your presence more engaging and cohesive.

Meaningful employee benefits that don't cost the earth for small businesses

In the face of a recession, UK businesses are up against a new set of challenges. How to offer a robust employee benefits package, yet cut out expenses in their operations? The answer is actually simpler than it may seem. 

The employee benefits package is a special tool in a business. It’s one that drives engagement, helps retain talent and can create healthier, happier employees. It’s also a tool that is often misunderstood by leaders. 

See, some of them view workplace benefits as a nice-to-have instead of a necessity; as an expense rather than an investment. Here, we’re looking into how smaller businesses can offer bigger benefits – recession or not. 

What makes a ‘meaningful’ employee benefit?

Before we dive right into some of the most meaningful workplace benefits, let’s first discuss what exactly makes a meaningful benefit… 

Meaningful benefits are those with practical use. Benefits that can be utilised in the immediate term, and can also make a difference to the lives of your employees in the long term. This can only be achieved when you really assess your own workforce. 

For example, if one of your benefits is the popular cycle-to-work scheme, but your team has been remote since COVID-19, it might be time to shake things up. In addition to being relevant to your team, your benefits must all support and encourage healthier, happier lifestyles. 

While ‘pizza Fridays’, unlimited beer or office snacks sound great on the surface, they don’t contribute to employee wellbeing. In fact, by incorporating employee wellbeing into your perks, you’re able to create a better business. Why? 

Well, it’s simple. With 12.7% of all sickness days in the UK connected to poor mental health, wellbeing perks could cut down absenteeism in your company. What’s more, it’s believed UK businesses could save around £8bn by investing in more mental health support.

On that note, it’s clear what meaningful benefits are and why they matter. Now, let’s take a look at a number of benefits you should be offering your workforce.

Flexibility is a winner for employees

Since the global pandemic, flexible work has become the new norm – or at least an expectation. The shift to hybrid and remote working was a contributing factor to the Great Resignation. As many of us began working remotely, employers had to be more lenient around working hours due to other daily responsibilities like childcare. 

It’s this flexibility that both attracts and retains talent. With the advancement of technology, it feels like this advantage in the workplace is a long time coming. In one report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), they found that 84% of those who worked remotely due to the pandemic, expected to continue working on a hybrid basis moving forward.

Outside of working hours and where specifically we work, flexibility supports our work-life balance. We’re able to spend less time commuting and more time with family and friends. For these reasons, it’s no surprise that it makes our list of meaningful benefits.

Learning and development opportunities

The opportunity to progress is massively appealing to people. We all have goals and ambitions for our career and learning and development is the key to getting there. The biggest misconception about learning and development is that it costs the world.

When in fact, the rise of technology and vast access to information has made it easier than ever to learn. Now, each and every one of us can read through research papers, find statistics around a particular topic and use our own initiative to fact-check our information. 

We can purchase books with a single click, and we can access affordable short video courses through platforms like Udemy and Skillshare. Ultimately, the online world is our oyster, and employers should take advantage of the learning and development opportunities available. 

There are many more chances to offer learning and development outside of the classroom or through expensive degrees – how are you supporting learning and development in your company? 

Health and wellbeing initiatives

We couldn’t write this list without including health and wellbeing initiatives. According to an article by TheHRDirector, around 42% of employees would stay in their current role if they were offered health and wellbeing benefits. 

In a world battling uncertainty, burnout and economic instability, we must step back and focus on our health and wellbeing. While this is our own responsibility, companies can support and encourage healthier lifestyles and behaviours. 

By offering gym memberships, access to dental care, eyecare or maybe mental health support, employers are able to create a healthier, happier life. Why not go that step further and offer paid spa days? 

Sometimes we need a push to make better choices, and this is your chance, as a leader to gently encourage health and wellbeing through your benefits package. 

It’s also worth remembering that with a recession, people often cut back on things like gym memberships and fitness classes without realising how crucial they can be to our health and wellbeing. Including health and wellbeing benefits is a way to combat the recession and empower employees to continue with their health and wellbeing journey. 

Unlimited time off work

Finally, let’s talk about unlimited annual leave. It’s worth noting that while this may seem like an attractive benefit, it can be executed poorly. That’s because, believe it or not, when employees are offered unlimited holiday, they sometimes take less than they should. This is usually because they feel guilty taking time off from work when it’s unlimited. 

However, we’re here to tell you that it can be done correctly. We recommend setting a minimum amount of time to be taken off. For example, leaders could encourage their people to take at the very least 30 days of annual leave. Through regular meetings and conversations, leaders should let employees know this is essential for their wellbeing. 

This approach reinforces the idea that it is okay to take holiday, and the option for more is there if they’d like. Unlimited time off is a controversial employee benefit, but it can be simple and effective.

What should you do next?

So, there you have it! Four employee benefits that don’t cost the earth for your small business. These are workplace perks that most businesses can offer — in one form or another. We’ve elaborated on these points above to show just how your business can adopt these benefits without going out of business. 

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, your fringe benefits are essential in the modern workplace. More than ever, they are becoming a tool to attract and retain the best of talent.

Credit: Alex Hind is the CEO & Co-founder of the employee wellbeing platform Heka. Through Heka, thousands of users book from more than 3,000 experiences across 50+ categories.

A Guide to Growing a Successful Small Business: Our Expert Tips

For the entrepreneurs out there, this one is for you. Those who have a business idea that they cannot wait to share with the world need to buckle up, read on and get ready for what lies ahead. Starting a small business is by no means easy. You need to be organised, in control and know your niche inside out before you can taste any success.

While you may find it a breeze setting up a business, growing it into a successful operation is a whole other story. Not to worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are some tips on how to run and retain a profitable venture, regardless of what industry you’re in.

Get Organised

Organisation is the most important trait any business owner needs. Even if you run a small ship, there’s going to be tons of paperwork and tasks involved to keep everything ticking along nicely. To stay on top, you need to be in control of your operation 24/7. While you can hand out roles to others within the business, being organised and having excellent time management skills is critical for success.

Know Your Competition

Even if you’ve chosen a specific niche for your small business, there is going to be competition in your field. With that in mind, it’s your job to know your rivals inside out and look at ways you can stand out from the crowd. In 2022, customers are spoilt for choice. For them to come to you over other businesses, you’ll need to pull out all the stops. 

Take Out Insurance

It’s vital that you have the correct insurance in place for your business. If you don’t, you could be operating illegally which could be financially crippling in the long run. There is only one policy you are legally required to have as a small company, and that is employers’ liability insurance. For those who use a fleet of cars for their business, check out Quotezone.co.uk which can help you find business multi car insurance quotes. Using their services can help you find the right deal for you, meaning any money left over can be put back into your brand.

Put the Customer First

This cannot be stressed enough – you need to put the customer first! They are the ones who buy your products or services. Without their custom, you won’t have a successful business. This means showing that you care and appreciate their support. This could involve handing out special discounts and promotional offers. Alternatively, why not host a competition for customers to get on board? Doing any of these strategies is key to building a healthy business reputation.

Use the Right Marketing Tactics

Marketing is part and parcel of a business’s success. If people aren’t aware of your brand, how do you expect them to do business with you? It’s essential you’re using traditional marketing methods to get your brand out there. This includes creating social media business pages and investing in email marketing.

Whatever kind of small business you run, there are numerous components that go hand in hand to keep your operation alive. While we won’t lie and say you’ll see instant success overnight, if you remain committed to your cause and use the right strategies, we’re confident you’ll have every chance of building and maintaining a successful business.

Transforming Your Summer Business to a Year-Round Business

There are a few businesses that tend to do better in the summer than they do in the other months. This could be for several reasons, although, for the most part, it comes down to supply and demand; the demand for some products relies heavily on the weather. When the weather gets colder, the demand all but ceases, and the business lays dormant, waiting for the summer to come back around. However, there are a few things that you could do to make your summer business last longer; let’s take a look. 

Think About Your Business

First things first, you need to think about your business as a whole first. What about it is limiting your business to a particular season or weather? Is it for practical reasons, health and safety or societal perception? Once you have a better idea of why your business is limited to the summer months alone, you can begin to address it. You might even find that by discovering the reasons behind your business’s limitation, you are faced with a pretty simple solution that can help you to overcome it. 

Diversify

Some businesses can make their operations run for longer by diversifying what they offer to their consumers. Obviously, this won’t be possible for all forms of business, but it is worth considering. Depending on the area within which your business operates, you will likely have developed a number of transferable skills which could be used to diversify your business. It will require some creativity, but it isn’t impossible to do. For example, if you have a tent or marquee rental business, then by learning how to heat the tent properly – click here to learn – then, you can offer out the tent into the winter months and help to make your business more desirable in the colder weather. 

Advertise

If your business has a traditionally limited desirability, then a lot of consumers won’t even think about your business outside of this timeframe. In order to change this and ensure that you will still be a contender, you need to advertise your business. You need to ensure that your consumers are aware of your business and why they should still consider this. This means that while you are advertising your business, you should also make an effort to highlight any changes in operations that will make your business more desirable. To use the same example as above, this might be advertising your tent or marquee rental business while emphasising that you have heaters to ensure that guests won’t be cold regardless of the external temperature. 

In Conclusion

Increasing the months of operation and the desirability of your business might seem like a challenge, and truthfully, it can be. However, with a little imagination and creativity, there are definitely things that you can do to transform your summer business into a business that can operate successfully and deliver profits year-round. Take on board the tips listed above to help you to work out the best course of action for your business. 

Four lessons to learn before you market your UK-based small business abroad

With the pound hitting record lows in recent weeks, earning money from international markets has become increasingly appealing for UK-based businesses. However, if you’re eyeing up opportunities overseas for your small business, be sure to incorporate the points below into your plans if you want to get the most out of your new international venture.

Your sense of cultural awareness can make or break you

Whether you’re marketing your goods online, heading to trade shows to get your products in front of the right people and make the right connections, or creating video adverts to engage your new overseas audiences, cultural awareness is fundamental to your success.

The importance of cultural awareness and diversity is certainly not lost on business leaders. In the US alone, companies spend a staggering $8 billion per year on diversity training. That expenditure is echoed in countries around the world as businesses seek to create diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforces, working environments, and customer bases.

When it comes to marketing your UK-based small business abroad, cultural awareness is non-negotiable. It can help you to engage customers and win their long-term loyalty for your brand. A lack of cultural awareness, meanwhile, can offend consumers and leave your company struggling to make a dent in the target market.

Marketing translation is a hugely specialised area of work

How much does a French translator cost? This is a good starting point, but it’s not quite what you need to be asking – the right question is how much a French marketing translator costs. That’s because marketing translation is a specialised area of work within the broader field of translation. You’re paying not just for your translator’s linguistic knowledge, but also for their marketing expertise – and the more specialist the skills base you need, the more you can reasonably expect to pay.

Say you’re looking for an English to French translation services for your small business’ marketing materials. Such services come in various shapes and sizes. Accuracy and quality come with relying on native speakers and sector-specific expertise. That means using a service that has marketing translators who have a deep understanding of the French market.

This brings up the question of whether to rely solely on human translators or to use machine translation. The latter is fast and free – two major attractions for many small businesses. Which is the best French translation site? Well, if you’re going down the machine translation route, you certainly have plenty of options. However, for the kind of nuanced copy that is so key to successful marketing materials, using a human translator is likely to deliver more impactful results.

It pays to factor in changing economic circumstances – at home and overseas

The UK has been on a tumultuous economic journey of late. And that’s putting it mildly. The change of Prime Minister from Boris Johnson to Liz Truss, shortly followed by then-Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng’s “mini budget”, delivered a sharp economic downturn while the country was already struggling.

For small businesses, the situation served as a sharp reminder of the impact that changing economic circumstances can have. When people cut back on their discretionary spending, businesses that rely on that custom can be hit hard.

Small businesses that sell their goods overseas are doubly at risk from economic headwinds because there is the potential to face them in more than one marketplace at once. At times, this can balance out, with one market performing well while another dips. Yet businesses need to be prepared to weather drops in multiple markets at once before they take their products abroad. A contingency fund and a plan to deal with such a situation are essential.

Part of this means keeping a close eye on the wider political and economic context wherever you plan to market your UK business. Seeing economic turbulence coming often provides the opportunity to handle it better when it arrives, no matter which country it’s in.

The right partners can make all the difference

Small businesses can benefit from building partnerships and outsourcing parts of their operations in myriad ways. To do so, however, they need to ensure they are working with the right partners.

Having used French translation services in the example above, let’s stick with France when considering such partnerships. After all, it is not only geographically close to the UK but very similar in terms of its gross domestic product (GDP); the UK’s is $2.638 trillion, while France’s is $2.583 trillion. The UK and France account for 3.26% and 3.19% of world GDP respectively and are the sixth and seventh largest countries by GDP.

Succeeding in France means sending goods to that country using a reliable service – one that delivers on time and provides superb customer service – both to the small business and the end consumer – when things go wrong. It also means making decisions around whether local storage is needed, in which case a reliable, secure warehousing partner may well be added to the list of essential firms that you work with.

Then there’s the customer service element to think about. How will you be handling enquiries from French-speaking customers? Will you be providing multilingual customer support by email or by telephone? Taking on an in-house customer support team can be costly, so buying in some kind of partnership solution could work well and be more budget friendly. Some translation services offer this kind of multilingual customer support, so bear this in mind when arranging your marketing translation support and ask the agencies you’re speaking with if it’s something that they do. Buying in both services together could be a neat and cost-effective solution.

Partnerships such as these can strengthen your business offering. You just need to factor in enough time to identify the areas in which you will need support and then find the best partnership solution that fits within your budget. Doing this in a rush is never a good idea, which is why it’s important to take this on board before you market your UK-based business abroad rather than after.

What Do Businesses Need To Participate In B2B Marketing?

B2B marketing is an important strategy that is necessary for growing brand recognition. This type of marketing can also help you to cultivate key relationships in your industry, which is why B2B is so important in the current era of business.

B2B isn’t the same as regular marketing strategies. That is why so many businesses find it hard to get to grips with the concept. Don’t worry, as this article will explain everything you need to know about getting involved in B2B marketing.

Find Your Audience

The best thing about B2B marketing is that it is specific to a single company or business leader. You aren’t just throwing out marketing materials into an ocean and hoping to reel in a customer base. Instead, you should try to find a business with the product or service you require. Whether you need to earn money, find a supplier, or another marketing company, B2B marketing can help you in this regard.

You won’t get very far without knowing who it is you need to target. Look at the businesses you are trying to impress and find out what you can provide. This strategy will give you the perfect starting point for your campaign.

Analyse Their Needs

A company isn’t going to part with its money without reason. Therefore, you will need to discover what it is that your target company is lacing once you know who it is you want to connect with. If you have conducted your research correctly, then your company should be able to fill this need quite easily.

However, it doesn’t hurt to branch out a little. If you find that you can go the extra mile to fulfil another need, then perhaps it is a good idea to incorporate this service into your package. These relationships are important going forward. Therefore, it is worth spending a little extra to guarantee a lifelong partnership that will keep paying you from here on out.

Find A Great Marketing Channel

Since B2B is such a niche marketing strategy, it requires a different set of professionals to tailor the campaign. Your marketing team will know how to attract a general audience, but for B2B marketing, you may need to talk with HubSpot.

You may find yourself asking, what is HubSpot? This is perfectly fine if you are new to B2B marketing. HubSpot is a company that can help increase your digital presence so that other businesses are able to identify exactly what you can offer. Therefore, a company like this is necessary during a B2B campaign.

Evaluate

As with everything in life, you may find that your first attempts at B2B marketing aren’t as successful as you would like. Fortunately, you now have some experience in the field. Make sure you analyse everything you have done so far to identify anything that may not be working. Only with some retrospective action can you strengthen your B2B marketing and hit the market even stronger than before.

If something doesn’t work the first time, there is no shame in going back to the drawing board and trying again. B2B marketing is quite different in the digital age, but you have done the right thing by

researching the topic before diving in.

4 Ways To Cut Small Business Operating Expenses

Operating a small business can be costly. However, if you manage to cut down your operating expenses, you will be able to save money and increase your profits at the same time. Sometimes, it might be enough to come up with solutions that will decrease your energy usage. In other cases, it might help to use technology to your advantage. You can also compare the services you need to run your business safely. Then, you can pick the service that is in your price range and offers you the most benefits. Our guide will help you cut your small business's operating costs in small actionable steps.

Take Steps To Reduce Energy Usage

With rising energy prices, you need to spend more on the operating costs of your business, too. However, there are things you can do to use less energy and cut down the bills. First, try to monitor how much electricity or gas you usually use. Then, have a look around your building to see if there are any gaps that would allow the heat to leak outside. By sealing all the gaps, your rooms will become warm faster and stay at a comfortable temperature for longer. You also should always turn off appliances when they are not in use. Lastly, try to replace regular lightbulbs with LED lights and watch your energy bills decrease.

Compare Prices Of Van Insurance NI

If you need a van to operate your small business successfully, it is necessary for you to get van insurance. This way, you will protect your company and the vehicle at the same time. Companies such as Apricot Insurance can help you to find insurance that fits your needs the best. You can find your instant van insurance NI available here, and start protecting your business today. By comparing insurance offers from more providers, you will be able to find the one that complies with your requirements the best for the lowest price possible.

Monitor How Much Water You Use

Water bills are increasing along with the ones for electricity and gas. But if everyone in the company gets on board, you can decrease your water bills by a decent amount. In the building, you can install low-flow shower heads, water taps or flushing systems. However, you can also teach your colleagues and employees how to be more mindful when using water. You can also print out water-saving tips and attach them to a wall near the sink. After all, even such a small step as not leaving the tap on for long periods of time can make a significant difference. 

Make Your Business More Efficient With Help Of Technology

Today's technology is so developed that it can make our lives much easier. Nowadays, you can move many parts of your business online. Whether it is accountancy, marketing or HR, there is software that can make the work much more efficient. You can also make communication more accessible by using apps such as WhatsApp, Skype or Zoom. By taking advantage of these developments, you can make your business more efficient and cut operating costs simultaneously.

The Environmental Crisis: What Can Small Businesses Do To Help?

Climatic change and environmental degradation are points of concern to everyone. Most small businesses do believe their company has little effect on the environment. Unfortunately, your customers don't share your perspective. Consumers are starting to show they care about environmental issues by purchasing environmentally friendly products.

As consumers become more aware of climate change and its implications, they are shifting their purchasing patterns, making it imperative for companies of all kinds to assess customer opinion regularly. Sustainable businesses have a greater chance of gaining customers, and shoppers will adjust their habits accordingly to lessen their influence on the environment. Here's how your business can contribute to reducing the environmental crisis. 

Employ Green Transportation 

Approximately one-fourth of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector, so governments are enacting measures to decarbonise travel. Get a jump start by ditching your automobile in favour of foot or bike travel. If you have to go long distances, it's best to use public transportation, particularly electric vehicles. It would be helpful to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, so if you have to drive, consider offering to carpool with others. It's time to be ahead of the curve; therefore, invest in an electric vehicle. 

Employing remote workers also reduces the need for transportation. The number of businesses that permit employees to conduct their jobs remotely has increased in recent years, but there are still those that do not. Organisations may simply reduce their carbon footprints by enabling employees to work remotely, full-time or sometimes. Reduced staff should lead to a significant decline in the office's energy use.

Having fewer employees drive to work also means your organisation will produce fewer pollutants. It will help the environment if more people can work from home. You may even consider relocating to a less expensive and more compact workplace.

Drink Filtered Water

Bottled water is common among business workers. However, this is a huge contributing factor to the environmental crisis. The plastic water bottles that end up in landfills might remain there for hundreds of years before breaking down completely. Providing recycling bins is excellent, but the most effective way to conserve the environment is to first decrease waste, repurpose items, and then recycle what remains. Drinking filtered water helps your business reduce waste from plastic bottles, which may result in environmental pollution. 

Filtering the water supply means that the water is clean and safe to drink. To ensure that your staff members have access to clean, cold water at all times, you may also want to consider installing water coolers and paying for a water cooler service.

Purchase Refurbished Computers For Business

Electronic garbage, sometimes known as e-waste, is one of the fastest-growing waste sources worldwide and in the UK. Brands in the electronics industry are increasingly releasing new models with improved specs, and consumers are upgrading to these products in droves. This results in perfectly functional computers being discarded into landfills. 

Even though it may come as a surprise, electronic devices like computers and laptops contain several harmful substances and components that can seriously damage the environment if not disposed of and recycled appropriately. As these electronics accumulate, toxic substances like mercury, lead, and beryllium will seep into the ground. If these pollutants find their way into nearby water supplies, they might have a negative impact on the local environment and its inhabitants. Therefore, you should buy Refurbished electronics, computers and monitors from a trustworthy vendor like RefreshedByUs.com. This way, you not only have a durable device but also contribute less to the growing e-waste problem by keeping desktops and laptops out of landfills. 

Go Paperless 

Many companies have made considerable steps toward a paperless office in recent years. But most small businesses still have a long way to go. Begin by encouraging electronic reviews of emails and draft papers rather than printing them out. You should also take stock of your business operations, replace old procedures, and go digital. Take conscious efforts to stop manual information entry on paper and use cloud technologies.  

Use Eco-friendly Light Bulbs 

Maintaining enough lighting in workplaces is crucial for worker safety and productivity. On the other hand, having hundreds of light bulbs might significantly drain energy resources. Consider switching to LED lights instead of incandescent bulbs to save money on your energy bill. Because they consume less power, LED lights help save expenses as well. The amount of energy your business uses can become less significant with one simple adjustment.

Recycle Business Waste 

While many individuals will go to great lengths to divert recyclables from landfills, others may simply throw them away in whichever trash can is around. Having recycling bins strategically placed around the workplace is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to environmental sustainability and show your staff and visitors that you value their input. If the building management doesn't provide recycling pickup, it's worth the cost to pay someone else to handle it if it boosts morale in the workplace.

Invest In Renewable Energy 

The availability of green energy alternatives has made the transition to renewable power sources much less complicated than it formerly was. Find out whether your utility company provides renewable energy by contacting them. Your energy use contributes to greenhouse gas emissions unless you use sustainable power sources. Wind and solar power are the two renewable energies that are expanding the most rapidly. Investment in renewable energy sources, such as solar power, may seem expensive initially but can ultimately save money for your business. One possibility is installing solar panels on corporate property (either owned or leased).

Limit Physical Meetings

Most British workers probably experienced their first virtual gathering during the nationwide lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Zoom, Teams, Slack, and even Facebook Rooms are a few examples of such platforms. Having meetings online, regardless of the medium, saves fossil fuel that would have been used for transportation, hence lowering the environmental impact of the meeting. As a result, everyone benefits. Transportation is responsible for a significant proportion of global CO2 emissions, so cutting back on your trip is another great way to help decrease global carbon dioxide emissions.

5 Ways Small Businesses Can Benefit From Outsourcing

Outsourcing has become the latest trend in business no matter how big or small a company is, but why? Here we are going to take a look at the five ways even small businesses can benefit from outsourcing, and why so many companies are utilising business-to-business services.

It Cuts Costs

Without any doubt the biggest benefit outsourcing has to offer any business is the amount of money they can save. In any business, the workforce is the most expensive overhead. By outsourcing you can get much better value for money without experiencing a drop in output or quality of service.

The best value you can get is from outsourcing expensive job roles to companies who specialize in the field, often giving you better results for less expense. Translation is one of these job roles. By using a translation company like Rosetta Translation, instead of in-house translation staff, you can get better quality results without having to hire full or part-time translators. 

Rosetta Translation is a highly accredited translation company that operates 24 hours a day, providing accurate translation to and from many major languages, including Chinese. This can help your small business to compete in international markets or source new suppliers from further afield.

It Buys Time

The one thing money cannot buy is time, but by outsourcing some of your operations you can make extra time in your workday for yourself and for your staff. With less on your plate, you have more time to concentrate on the things that matter, like increasing sales and growing your business.

Your staff benefits too. With some of the workload outsourced they get more time to focus on their tasks and there are fewer bottlenecks in the workflow so they can keep busy and not be left waiting for work. This adds extra efficiency to your business, which in turn increases capacity. You can get more done with outsourcing.

In business, time is money; anything that buys you time is putting money in your pocket. When you see the results of outsourcing elements of your business and common costly tasks, you will wonder what took you so long to make the change.

It Grows With Your Business

Outsourcing can cope with the growth of your business. Without it, you would have to go through the hiring process, find space for new staff, and go through the HR process with each new hire. When you outsource you can simply tell the companies you use that you need more service, and they will happily provide it for you.

This works if your business contracts too. If you have a slump in sales or revenue, you can reduce the amount you outsource to match. If you have in-house staff you will be paying salaries while workers do less and the business is making less, which makes things worse and not better.

Outsourcing helps your business to be more flexible, especially when events beyond your control affect the business. Many companies have switched to outsourcing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, as they were left with huge costs and little income. Outsourcing helps to protect businesses from these events.

It Increases Quality

By switching to an outsourcing company for IT services, for example, you and your customers are getting a better quality of service from a team of dedicated professionals experienced in the field. Hiring in-house services like this can often mean making compromises on the quality of staff you hire.

It is hard to offer the most attractive salary or benefits in competitive employment markets like this, and smaller businesses struggle to compete with the larger and more established firms. With outsourcing, a business of any size can have the quality and speed of service you would normally only find in a long-established and successful company.

Whether payroll, IT, marketing, translation services, or call answering and reception; you get a consistently better quality of service with outsourcing for less money.

Its Cost Is Predictable

Forecasting your business’s finances helps keep it on track and ‘in the black’. Outsourcing has set rates, and you know exactly what you are going to get for your money. This helps you plan for the future and plan for expansion. In-house staff can struggle to keep up with an increased workflow, adding to overtime costs or increasing the number of man hours needed.

Being able to look ahead and know what it will cost to complete the work ahead of you lets you plan your business’s finances with confidence. You can even save money with an increased workflow, as outsourcing companies may offer better rates on a larger amount of work.

With so many excellent reasons to outsource elements of a business, it is easy to see why so many companies are turning to outsourcing to help them turn a profit. Take a look at your small business and look for ways that outsourcing can help you grow.

4 Essential Skills All Small Business Owners Need

Running your own small business is a great achievement. It can help to open doors for your future. There is a lot that goes into running a successful business. However, there are a few key skills that stand out that can help small business owners. To help boost your potential and benefit your business, keep reading.

Working On Your Communication And People Skills 

One of the essential elements of running your own business is having great communication and people skills. This is important as it will affect many different areas of your business. For example, when communicating with customers, speaking with staff, building business partnerships, or during business networking events. A good communicator will be able to speak confidently to others. They can do this whilst still being friendly and approachable. They will also be able to speak confidently and clearly in front of others in situations such as pitches or meetings. 

Being Clued Up On Finance 

Running your own business means you need to understand finances well. You should also understand financial planning to help make sure your business runs smoothly. This is to help ensure that it provides you with a stable income. If you need to improve your knowledge of finances or want to help ensure your business is ready for the future, consider investing in your financial education and understanding through a sustainable finance course from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. You could also consider investing in a financial advisor to help you understand financial strategies.

Developing Leadership Skills 

Another key quality in a strong business owner is developing great leadership skills. This means being able to oversee a team of people and keep your business running smoothly. If this is your first time running your own business, having to be in charge of a team of people can feel slightly alien. Remember that you are leading by example for your team. Make sure you set a good standard as the blueprint for what you expect from your employees. Set goals and have realistic actions in place to help you to meet them and make sure your staff feel supported in their roles.

Delegating Tasks 

Learning how to delegate tasks well is a key component to running your own business if you’re hiring a team of employees, especially when you first launch your business. New employees might need guidance on what is expected of them and the actions they need to take to help the business reach targets. As well as coming up with a plan of action to reach targets, you will need to be able to split these fairly amongst your team. This helps to avoid any of your staff becoming overwhelmed with their workload. It also helps to make sure tasks get completed within the timeframe you need them to. Getting to know your team and identifying their individual strengths will help to make sure you can delegate tasks in the most effective way.

Reasons Why Product Packaging Is Essential In Your Company

Product packaging can be treated as excess by a company. Many entrepreneurs envision their customers tearing it away without a second thought to get to the product they purchased. Instead, packaging should be considered imperative to a firm’s success. Each assembly of these goods is an opportunity to showcase your firm’s values and character. 

Despite alarming revelations that just 20 companies were responsible for over half of throwaway plastic, every firm, big or small, has a part to play with responsible packaging solutions. You should label all of your packaging as being recyclable and biodegradable. Note that many customers do check for these assurances before they decide to purchase a product. If your firm can demonstrate it utilizes green packaging, you can align it with modern values more effectively. Success in these efforts can be a marketable package design opportunity, allowing you to showcase your firm’s products with even more pride. 

How To Implement Sustainable Packaging 

Sustainability goals are difficult to implement alone, especially when developing innovative packaging. Consider working closely with companies like Klöckner Pentaplast, which are sustainable packaging specialists keen to collaborate with other firms. They are global leaders in what they do and make significant strides in consumer packaging, food packaging, and more. Endeavor to work with experienced professionals so that your packaging efforts are highly distinguished and you can be confident you are making steady progress. 

Your packaging should be educational in other ways too. For food products, nutritional information should be accurate and prominently displayed. Where applicable, instructions on setting up and correctly using the protect should feature too. Clear plastic windows so potential buyers can view the product can add appeal. Focus on presenting all of this information clearly, so there are no misunderstandings. Every piece of information your package imparts should be presented directly, establishing more trust between you and the consumer. A great product can speak for itself, and there is no need to develop overly elaborate or pretentious packaging.  

The Benefits Of Sustainble Packaging 

Undeniably, competition is vital for the UK economy, fuelling innovation and exceptional corporate performances. Packaging is just one-way firms can differentiate themselves in their market. Not every firm can claim that the product they are selling is wholly unique. However, the packaging around it can be. The size and shape can be customizable, as can the colors, fonts, and graphics used. Packaging can be representative of the product inside. If the packaging looks cheap or of poor quality, a prospective consumer’s natural assumption is that the product encased within is also inferior. Therefore, package design is a chance to establish a more vivid and memorable brand, drawing in buyers.

Quality packaging is needed to protect the product too. If your firm provides online delivery, then packaging can provide more assurances that the products you are shipping will not be damaged during transit. Packaging can be layered on expensive products or feature foam padding to keep the products even more secure. Seals and locks can also prevent your goods from being stolen.

In the end, the packaging is a great way to ensure that your business goes the extra mile and protects consumer interests. Use your packaging efforts to celebrate your firm’s goals and achievements and treat it as a great way to build public relations.  

4 Ways To Protect Your Small Business

Small businesses are very vulnerable. Whether you are only starting your business or have been around for quite some time, it is necessary to protect your hard work. You should always know where to go if you need legal advice, get quality insurance, and protect any files and data you own and collect. But most importantly, you can prevent many problems if you are careful about what you do and say. Our list of simple, actionable steps will help you to start protecting your business today. This way, you will keep your business, customers and employees safe at all times.

Get Legal Advice When You Are Unsure About Anything

Some parts of a business can be confusing and stressful. However, you should never forget that you are not alone. Companies such as Get Legal Advice are experts in Business Law, and are always around to help. Whether you need a piece of advice about dispute solutions, review an agency contract or learn more about how to restructure your business when you are facing financial hardships. Getting legal advice early on when a problem arises can help you to find a solution quickly. On the other hand, having your agency contracts and agreements checked for their legality can help you completely prevent some problems.

Make Sure You Have An Insurance For Your Business

Even if you feel like your small business is perfectly safe and well protected, there are still chances that you will get attacked or face some form of disaster. Then, it is good to have a good insurance policy in place. This way, you can get insured for liability, theft, business interruption, cyber attacks, legal expenses, or personal accidents. You should also get insurance for the building where your business is based. Quality insurance policies will ensure that such incidents do not lead to bankruptcy, and you will get reimbursement when needed. Like this, you will be able to protect your business and employees at the same time.

Protect All Your Files And Data

To ensure that you do not lose access to any of the files and data of your business, you should back up all the files on cloud storage. This way, you do not need to worry about your hardware crashing and losing access to all the files. Cloud storage will allow you to access the data from anywhere, and you do not need to worry about accidentally losing any files. You should also invest in a quality firewall that will protect you from hackers and cyber attacks. Such measures will help you to protect all of your files and data from being misused by other parties.

Think Carefully About What You Say And Do

In business, you may often face stressful and emotional situations. However, you should always keep yourself composed and avoid letting out any statements that could be seen as libellous. To evade trouble, you should not carry out any business that might be considered questionable. You also need to be careful about who you are working with. Because if your business partners are exposed for non-ethical behaviour, your name and business would be linked with them and bring you a bad reputation.