When you start out your new business, it’s normal to be incredibly enthusiastic about your venture taking off as soon as possible. After all, you finally made your dreams a reality. Yet, as excited as you might be, the road to success is often a long one.  You need to make sure that you have the right steps in place to ensure your success.

The best place to start is knowing the mistakes that others have made before you. By identifying them, you can hope to steer clear of the same issues, and make better decisions yourself. 

Here are some of the biggest mistakes that new business owners make, and what you can do to avoid them.

Not Identifying Target Customer

Trying to appeal to everyone simply isn’t possible. As much as you might like to believe that your product or service is something that could work for anyone, the truth is that it’s not always the case. You need to make sure that you’re identifying who your target market is to get the maximum results from your marketing strategy. 

Get to know how old your customer is. Are they over the age of 70 or are they just getting out of college? Where do they live? The more you can pinpoint exactly who they are, the more you can pinpoint their needs as a customer.

Not Having a Website

Some brick-and-mortar stores may believe that since no one is ordering online they don’t require a website. However, your website is critical to ensure that people can find you. Nowadays, one of the first things that people do when they’re looking for a product or service is do a Google search. 

You want to make sure that your name is showing up on the top of the list as one of the best possible options for what they need. You can think of your website as the cornerstone of all of your marketing efforts. Everything should lead back to your website and serve as a guide for how to get a hold of you, where you are, and what it is that you sell. 

Not Budgeting

Initially, you may have a wave of new clients who are excited about your new business. Don’t assume that this wave of business is going to last forever. Often the initial buzz wears off, and it’s dangerous to assume that the same amount of money will continue to flow in. Make sure that you budget for all of your expenses, and avoid biting off more than you can chew. It’s critical to stay as financially conservative as possible in the beginning so that you can budget correctly. The last thing you want to do is go into the negative too early in the game!

While many people look forward to being retired, if you have a passion for business or love keeping busy, starting your own company or continuing to work after you’ve technically retired could be a great option for you. However, at this point, there are a few things that you might want to do differently than you would have had you been starting this new career decades earlier.

To help you learn just what these things are, here are three tips for starting a business after retirement. 

Be Careful When Investing Money Into Your New Business Venture

For many business ventures, you’ll have to invest some kind of money into it at the start in order for things to get going. However, if you have retired, you likely aren’t making any more money right not to contribute to your new business. Instead, you might be tempted to put some of your retirement money into your new business idea.

While this is something that you can do, this is also something that you should be very careful about. In the event that your new business venture doesn’t prove to be as successful as you had imagined, you could lose a lot of the money that you have saved for your retirement. This could put you and your loved ones in financial danger. So before you invest your own retirement money into anything like this, make sure you’re comfortable with the risks and consequences. 

Choose A Job That Matches Your Physical Abilities

As you get older, your physical body is likely to make working harder for you. But as long as you’re not already living in an assisted living community, you should still be able to find some kind of work that you’re capable of doing and that will help to keep you active in a healthy way.

The trick with this is to choose a job or a business venture that is going to match what your physical abilities are. If you have a hard time walking long distances, you aren’t going to want to start a business where this will be necessary. Otherwise, you could have a very hard time getting your business off the ground. 

Consider Getting Paid For Something You’re Already Doing

If you’re not necessarily wanting to start an entirely new company but you are wanting to keep working in some capacity, you might want to consider consulting or doing some kind of work that you’re already doing and can easily get paid for.

Some great options for work like this could include things like teaching, being an outdoor guide, writing, doing photography, and more. So if you have a hobby that you’ve been wanting to do while in retirement, try to think of a way that you can make some money off of it, too. 

If you think that you might like starting a small business after you’ve retired, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get this type of work started in the right way. 

Dive into logistics and supply chain woes with industry expert Blazo Gjorev.

Empty shelves, hard-to-find computers, year-long waits for the hottest cars and trucks, people the world over are facing shortages pretty much unseen in modern times. Arguably, shortages now are worse than they have been since the Second World War. Logistics expert Blazo Gjorev digs in.

“Shortages happen all the time,” Blazo Gjorev notes, “but the scale of shortages right now is pretty much unprecedented, at least from a global perspective.”

Ford, for example, stopped accepting orders for its new Maverick pickup truck. Why? Because needed components, including computer chips, are hard to come by. If you want to order a Maverick truck, you’ll have to wait until at least 2023, and even then supply is no sure thing.

With computer chips, in particular, ramping up production can take years. Manufacturing requires complex robotics, clean rooms, skilled engineers and other employees, rare metals, and much more. While Intel, AMD, and other chip manufacturers are working to boost production, shortages may persist for some time longer as capacity is set up.

“You may not realize how many things now use computer chips,” Blazo Gjorev explains. “Semi-trucks and cars can have hundreds of chips, your fridge, washer, and other appliances likely have chips too.”

You might wonder why computer chips are in short supply now but weren’t a few years ago. For one, the COVID-19 pandemic idled many factories and other operations, thus decreasing supply. This is true not just for chips, but for many other things as well. Mufflers, shoes, dinnerware, the pandemic impacted production across the board.

Further, demand has also spiked for many products. With chips, for example, work-from-home and online schooling have created a surge in demand for computers and other devices.

Meanwhile, a hot economy means many people and organizations have more money to spend, and as a result, some folks are willing to pay hefty markups. This has sent prices upward.

“Certainly, new and used semi-trucks are expensive right now,” notes Blazo Gjorev, “because trucks are in such high demand.”

Blazo Gjorev Talks About Shipping and the Labor Shortage

Further, the supply shortages experienced now also appear to be linked to shortages in the labor market. Logistics depends on people, from truck drivers guiding semis, to sea captains sailing the oceans between manufacturing bases in say China, and big consumer markets, like the USA and European Union.

Right now, the logistics industry, like most other industries, is facing labor shortages. This can compound issues, like logjams at ports. Many ships are stuck in the water, unable to unload their containers. Even once containers are unloaded, it’s hard to find truck drivers who can move cargo across the land.

While Blazo Gjorev’s trucking business continues to attract a lot of great employees, some companies are struggling to get drivers behind the wheel.

“It’s a good time to be a truck driver,” Blazo Gjorev argues. “You can often find jobs quickly, and compensation is rising. And the current environment suggests that truckers will be in a great spot for years to come.”

While a business can only survive if the employees are working hard and getting their necessary work done, this success doesn’t necessarily equate to having a staff that is constantly stressed out. In fact, if people are always on edge about work, there’s a good chance that they won’t be performing as well as they otherwise could be.

If you feel like your staff is commonly stressed out at work, you might want to take some steps that makes your work environment a little more relaxed. To help you see why this might be worth your while, here are three ways in which your business could benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere. 

Healthy Amounts Of Stress

Just because you are working towards having a more relaxed atmosphere in your organization doesn’t mean that people will stop working or taking advantage of you. In fact, if you can make it so your staff feels a healthy amount of stress, not an amount of stress that breaks them down and causes physical and mental trauma, you could find that your staff really perks up. 

With a healthy amount of stress at work, like that which comes from having the right expectations and a sense of responsibility about accomplishing work, you might find that your employees have a boost to their confidence and in their ability to contribute effectively at work. And if you can achieve this by adding a few sofas to the workplace or giving longer and more meaningful breaks, it might be well worth it to you. 

Encourage Autonomy And Creativity

In a work environment where people feel stressed and tense, this can severely stifle their ability to work creatively and to feel like they have the confidence to make their own decisions regarding the work they’re doing. Because of this, you might have a workforce that turns to you for everything and that can’t think for themselves and problem solve. 

But in a work environment that is more relaxed and friendly, your staff may start to feel like they are respected, appreciated, and supported. This can give them the confidence they need to proactively move forward with solutions for their own problems. 

Growth For Employees And Your Business

When your employees feel that they can take initiative, don’t have to worry about the overwhelming stress of their jobs, and that their bosses have their best interest at heart, they can be free to grow as employees. They can work up to their potential and can, in turn, bring your business to the next level with them.

If you have thought in the past that you needed your staff to feel uneasy at work in order to work as hard as possible, you might want to rethink have being a little more flexible and relaxed could benefit your employees and your business. 

For a long time, the terms “corporate gift” and “corporate gifting” have been used interchangeably. Corporate gifts are often valued products given to employees as a mark of appreciation or goodwill by their employers without any obligation. Most large companies and organizations have regulations in place regarding the distribution of business presented to their personnel.

So, why do we need another list of corporate gift ideas in 2021 if we already have one? The solution is straightforward: things change. The list that has worked in the past may not function in the future. And now, I’ll walk you through the modifications you’ll need to make in 2020 if you want to give your staff the best corporate gifts.

PERSONALIZE YOUR PRESENTS.

A personalized gift says a lot about the donor and leaves a lasting impression on the recipient. It establishes a relationship and celebrates it. Gifts that aren’t personalized, on the other hand, usually end up in the garbage. However, personalization does not imply that you must go out of your way to learn about their preferences. The recipient may interpret it as unsuitable.

A splash of personalization will be enough. A handwritten note from the boss attached to the gift is always a hit. People also seem to enjoy receiving gifts with their names etched on them. I’m confident it will work with employees as well.

DO NOT SAVE MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF QUALITY.

When you begin organizing corporate presents, the first step is to establish a budget. It’s always beneficial to have a decent budget. Even if you don’t, there are plenty of wonderful corporate gift ideas available that won’t break the bank.

Only give the finest that your budget allows. It’s fine to have a limited budget, but compromising on quality is not. The gift you give your employees has a direct impact on your company’s reputation. Spend prudently, but don’t skimp.

USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE

Corporate gifting is harder than personal gifting since there are so many rules to follow. You want to personalize gifts and be creative, but the gift must be appropriate for the workplace.

When giving a gift at work, a lot of things might go wrong. To mention a few things, you don’t want to be too witty, too casual, or too intimate. Also, make sure your present isn’t perceived as a bribe. When you’re in a situation when you need to make a decision, apply your common sense. Consider what the gift-impression givers would be if you got the same present, and proceed appropriately.

Monday, November 1, 2021, 8:30 AM

Jonathan Treu recently discussed the benefits of pursuing a project management degree.

LOS ANGELES, CA / NOV. 1, 2021 / Project management can be an ideal career choice. Jonathan Treu is an experienced project manager, and he recently discussed the benefits of pursuing a degree and later a career in project management. 

“A project manager holds many roles,” Jonathan Treu explained. “We organize, plan, control, and lead major projects and tasks. Every project is different, and that’s what makes this such an interesting profession.”

Jonathan Treu explained that a project manager is in charge of ensuring all tasks are completed as expected and on budget. They must set business goals and use critical thinking and project solving skills to achieve them. 

A project management degree opens a person up to many lines of work. Project managers are needed in numerous industries, including consulting, healthcare, energy, marketing, construction, software development, and more. This encourages you to choose a career in an industry that interests you.

“It’s essential for me to have a job that’s interesting,” Jonathan Treu said. “I want every day at work to be different from the last. Many days as a project manager, that means solving problems that arise on job sites. It’s rarely easy, but the challenge is what makes this such an interesting and fulfilling profession.”

Treu explained that a major benefit of pursuing a project management degree is that the demand for project managers is high. That means there can be more job openings and higher pay. This healthy competition among project managers has led entry-level positions to a salary of $59,680. Project managers also have numerous opportunities for advancement in position and salary. 

“Project management has long been considered a form of CEO training,” Treu added. “The two roles face similar challenges, such as dealing with financial restraints, handling pressure from clients, and working with investors. Pursuing a degree in project management can help you prepare for later roles in the workplace, such as the position of CEO.”

Finally, Treu explained his favorite part of his career as a project manager is that his position has a direct impact on his coworkers and the success of the company as a whole.

“It can be difficult to see your impact on the company when you’re sitting behind a desk entering data all day,” Treu said. “But as a project manager, you clearly see how the decisions you make affect the company and everyone working there. You have a chance to make a real positive impact, and that makes this job so much more fulfilling.”

You want it to be captivating, almost mesmerizing whilst being able to carry out the one purpose it is intended for, convey a message. We are talking about signage here which is one of the most creative ways of garnering someone’s attention even today. An attractive sign will draw buyers by making an initial perception of your market, giving both a general feeling about your taste and emphasis as well as basic details about your goods and services.

Carefully choose colors.

The choice of colors is an important factor in making a special and unforgettable style of signs. The value of the color for graphic design is obvious from the fact that you want patrons to be able to emulate your brand instantly with those colors.

Express your style.

All of the sign colors, typography, and imagery can help to communicate what the company represents and what kind of atmosphere customers can experience. The most critical thing at the fundamental level is to choose a relevant presentation. There are more complex ways in which effective graphic design can affect the organization, such as using scrap-metal to provide a feeling of sustainability. Hiring a company famous for used scrap metals signs can be the difference that attracts consumers to your business in this environmentally conscious age.

Less is better, really.

Visibility is the main aspect of signage it is imperative that your sign be easier to see and interpret at a glance while making your message efficient and effective. One can get a sign in all shapes and dimensions, so ensure that you have a size that is suitable according to the range at which you intend to show the sign.

Keep it straightforward.

You need to create a large pictorial graphic or signage for the company, but it could also be large dominant text. The correct design is crucial to its effectiveness using as few words as you can to make the signs readable is the key as it is difficult to read from a distance by crowding the sign with too many words or lines of text.

Use emerging technology, use the latest technologies.

By adding an electronic variable messaging, your company will become a milestone in your culture. Signs increase the efficiency and the cost-effectiveness of delivering their owner’s communications. Electronic message centers allow you to alter your message as quickly as you can. It is always advised to hire somebody good at licensed electrician work so that you have the best signage with the latest tech and are not susceptible to its shortcomings.