Author: Scott Asai

Helping people develop their leadership skills to advance in their career

Using Storytelling To Market Your Business

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If you’re at the point where you have launched your own business, whether it be a small business that you are in independently, or you have a large workforce, you will find that marketing is one of the critical tools to improve in your chances of success, in all areas. If you are good at marketing, or you have hired somebody that is, you will see the following of people arriving at your door. But when it comes to marketing, there are many forms, many different ways in which to get your product or service seen, and different opinions. But storytelling is one of the more powerful marketing techniques that you can use. But what does that mean? And what do you need to do to use it successfully in your business?

Find your story

Everybody has a reason or a purpose for setting up their own business. Whether it be a lifelong ambition to fulfill, a new career to help achieve your financial goals, or to inspire your children and provide for them. Whatever your reason for wanting to own a business, there is a story in that. Many companies create this story from the very beginning and share it every step of the way. And the market really enjoys following and joining in the successes of a new business. This can also be true if your business isn’t particularly new, and you want to re-launch or rebrand your business. Working out precisely what your story is, and how that will benefit your business when told, is your bread-and-butter.

Tell your story

Writing your story down, and documenting it in great detail will be very beneficial to you from the beginning. Talking to other people within your life or business, who can help give you an outside perspective will also help you with the detail. Getting the story accurate, and being able to communicate that to your potential customers and clients will put you on the right track. Of course, it’s worth ensuring that your story is backed up and kept securely within ‘the cloud’ via a company such as Syscomm. But ultimately getting your full story written down, so you can see it exactly as it is, will help you share with the world.

Share your story

Sharing your story can be done in many ways, of course, we instantly think about social media to connect with their audience. Still, if you have a connection with other forms of media, such as newspapers, and your story is unique and exciting, you will find plenty of avenues available to share your story. Breaking it down into bite-size chunks, and sharing it regularly online, it’s going to be difficult, for some, but if done right can be precisely what catapults your business into a high position.

If you find sharing my new detail about your business difficult, then consider sharing the story of how your products or services came to be, how you produce things, and your business ethics are also great ways of storytelling. If you have a creative person within your business, then they should be able to write and show your story quickly. So don’t overlook this form of marketing, and see what it can do for your business.

What do Employers Really Want in a Candidate?

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Are you looking to gain a promotion or change career completely? If so, it’s essential to make yourself as attractive as possible to potential employers; with so much competition for job roles, you need to stand out from the crowd. Here are just a few ways you can go about it. 

Transferable skills

Having the right skills and education that are relevant to the job is crucial and something that will likely be the deciding factor in you getting a job. For example some jobs might require a masters or a doctorate degree. If the job is in an office, then knowledge of running an office, using compatible software, and using the skills that office workers need daily is crucial. But there are other skills that employers will look for which can be transferable. Writing, for example, is a great skill to have and will come in handy in just about all workplaces. Being a skilled writer will help you in just about any job role. Whether it’s creating content or just communicating with other employees, it’s a necessary skill and being able in this area can make life much easier for you at work. IT is another; pretty much everything we do these days is online, and even businesses that don’t sell online still need to have a presence on the internet. For this reason there’s no escaping it, and in almost any job you do, having some knowledge and understanding of IT is going to be advantageous. Marketing is another great skill to have. It’s something that every single company needs and relies on for their success. A marketing qualification could go hand in hand with content creation or graphic design for example, it gives you the edge if you have a background understanding of what angle will be best received by an audience. 

A driver’s license with access to a vehicle

Even if the job you’re applying for has nothing to do with driving, having a license with access to a car is always going to be a good thing for employers. This is especially true if you live a little further out, or if you’re required to work very early or late- even on some days. There are occasions when public transport won’t be running or will be delayed, and being able to drive generally means you tend to me more reliable as an employee when it comes to getting to work. If the job you’re applying for requires you to drive with your own car (for example, courier work or community care work) then without this you’ll be completely ruled out. 

Relevant or interesting hobbies 

It might seem a little unusual as to why employers are interested in your hobbies. After all, most of us are very different in our regular lives outside work- so why do they need to know? But actually, hobbies can give a massive insight as to who you are as a person, the kinds of skills you’re likely to have and even how well you work with others. If the job is very team focused for example, then having a team sport on your resume is going to help you stand out. But be wary, as sometimes hobbies could put employers off. For example, if the job you want requires you to be very level headed and make rational decisions, having a high impact sport on your resume might suggest you’re a bit of a risk taker. While you won’t want to lie, it’s essential to tailor your resume to what employers are looking for. Decode the job ad, try and work out the kinds of skills and personality they want for the role and then present yourself as this person.

Good communication and body language

The things we say only communicate a small message– the rest comes across in our non verbal cues such as body language, expression and more. When interviewing, most employers will be looking for candidates who are confident, open and comfortable and so be sure to stand (and sit) up straight. Control your nerves and go in with a relaxed peace of mind, and your expression and body language should convey this. 

Voluntary work or other experience

If you’re hoping to work in a brand new sector and have no experience at all, finding a job can be very difficult. The way you can get around this is by doing some voluntary work. If, for example, you want to work in the criminal justice sector, you could look for voluntary positions with the police, courts or probation. If you wanted to work in healthcare, you could volunteer at a hospital or clinic. Voluntary work shows that you’re serious about getting the skills you need to move up in your career, something employers will appreciate.

How To Shape Your Brand Personality In 4 Steps

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There is a case to be made that, even though it is easier than ever to start a business, it is harder to make one work consistently than ever before. For all that the internet and a more connected world has made it possible to find a niche, source supplies and market a product or service, we are also living in a world where competition and the speed of movement make it easy to fall flat – and when businesses fail, these days they tend to fail fast.

If you want your business to stick around, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that people will return to businesses that stick in their mind (for the right reasons, anyway!). While it remains important for a business to do what it does well, it’s perhaps just as important now to have a personality. This way, you will be on someone’s mind when they need to use a business in your field. So how does a brand develop a personality? The following tips are a good place to start…

Find a word or phrase that defines you

As much as we have been taught to consider pigeonholing a negative thing, finding your brand’s essence often comes down to the basics. Reductive as it may seem from the outside, you can even probably attribute a single word or phrase to some of the biggest names in modern business. What word, or combination of words, do you want people to associate with your business? Keep that in mind, and make sure your marketing reflects it.

Establish a “look”

So much in marketing comes down to the “look” of a thing. For example, there is a certain drinks company that is so widely-recognized for its red and white livery that a (probably apocryphal according to snopes.com) story credits them with being the ones who created Santa’s red outfit. Finding a look for your own business is an excellent way of planting a seed in people’s minds. Picking the right combination of colors can even result in people thinking of your business whenever they see that combination elsewhere.

Invent and use a mascot

Smart branding can be as simple as coming up with a cute or memorable character people will associate with your business. If you do this smartly enough, it can take your company to the next level. Collaborating with animators such as ZainiMedia.com, you can create memorable videos, while the right mascot can also make your social media channels feel more “personal” rather than just another corporate corner of the internet.

Speaking of social media…

The average corporate social media account is rarely the type of account you would follow for any reason other than freebies and special offers – but if you have the time and inclination to tweet a few times a day, you can develop a cult following. People are more likely to engage with a social media account that behaves in a “human” way. It certainly makes your business more relatable, and more likely to stay in customers’ minds. Just remember to keep business and personal social media accounts separate; the history of ill-advised tweets from corporate accounts is long and embarrassing.

Developing a convincing brand personality is a good way of staying in the minds of potential customers – and the above tips will help you do the same for your business.

Maintaining a Happy, Healthy Working Environment

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When you first start out in business, chances are you operate alone. You may work from home or you may have a small office that you work from. However, as you grow and expand, you may find that you need more pairs of helping hands and take on more staff to allow your business to flourish. This is great! However, when you become an employer, it is extremely important that you take your responsibilities seriously and that you provide your workers with a happy and healthy working environment. Here are just a few areas you can focus on to achieve this!

Prioritize Health and Safety

Health and safety rules and regulations are in place for a good reason – they keep work spaces safe for everyone operating within them. It’s absolutely essential that you are familiar with your responsibilities when it comes to providing your employees with a safe and hazard-free working environment! So, read up and make sure you stick to any rules and recommendations that are outlined. There should also be a reporting system in place that ensures your employees can inform you or another authority figure if they have any concerns about their health and safety in the workplace. This will allow you to address potential issues before they expand or worsen.

Keep Things Clean and Tidy

A clean and tidy environment is important for health and safety, but it’s also important for your employees’ productivity and work ethic too. Coming to work in a cluttered, messy, or dirty space isn’t good for morale. So, bring in professional cleaning services, such as the staff at SouthernCrossCleaning.com, who will be able to make sure the entire office is spic and span at all times. You should also hire window cleaners, who will be able to ensure that windows are dirt and speck free, allowing more natural light to infiltrate its way indoors. This is great for your employees’ health!

Have a HR Department

People are only human and no matter how professional your employees may be, it’s likely there will be times when disputes arise and have to be settled. Making sure that issues are resolved fairly and that action is taken when people act in an inappropriate manner, is extremely important for your workplace. So, implement a HR department. HR stands for human resources and the individuals working in this area of the business will have multiple responsibilities. But one will be helped to resolve issues and ensure everyone feels safe at work. Having a HR department ensures all staff have someone to reach out to with their concerns.

Of course, you’re going to have to focus on plenty more areas to create the ideal workplace. But hopefully, the areas outlined above will help you to get off to the best start possible. Take these steps and implement them into your workplace as soon as possible for the best results!

A Touch Of Class: What Does It Take To Run A Food Business With Finesse?

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There is nothing quite so challenging in the entrepreneurial world than running a food-oriented business. Whether you are trying your hand at a restaurant, being a wholesale supplier, or even driving around with an ice cream van, running a food business isn’t a straightforward as it seems! It’s a fine art of providing customer service, but also knowing that one false move can sully your reputation forever. What does it take to run a food business with the right intentions, but also make it successful?

Keeping The Customer Satisfied

While this is such a diverse subject matter, from the perspective of a new restaurant, it’s all about making sure that their experience is second to none. We should never put the seed of doubt in a customer’s mind. When there are problems, either in terms of the food, or there are things beyond your control, such as drainage and hygiene problems, this can turn your customer off. It’s important that in these situations you focus on the customer before anyone else. You may have to call a restaurant plumber to get an issue fixed, and this may mean that the restaurant will have to shut for a day or so, which is not ideal, but in the long run, you’ve got to think about your reputation. The customer needs to be satisfied, so therefore the experience has to be fantastic, because when they inevitably talk about good food and good service, they are inextricably linked, and will result in more people coming to you.

Choosing Your Location Wisely

There are many restaurants off the beaten track that are hidden gems in big cities, but when you are starting out in the food business, it’s important to be as close to the thoroughfare as possible. This means that there can be issues specifically related to being in the middle of a city center, especially in terms of security, but a restaurant in the right location is all about drawing the crowds, accessibility, and providing that potential for growth. Researching if there are startup incubator spaces for restaurants can help, as this will keep your costs low at the outset. Perhaps finding a space that doubles up as accommodation can make it easier for you as you can live there but also cut down on your initial costs.

Testing The Menu

The food is the foundation. Asking trusted people for feedback, no matter how gruesome, will allow you to fine-tune the choices of food. Even if it turns out to be a small menu, if the customers like it you are going in the right direction. It’s not just about the taste, it’s also about the price! Do market research and look for similar eateries in your area and industry that provide appropriate pricing.

Running a food business might be a dream career for many, but there’s a lot of hard graft associated, and it’s not just about the food! Yes, the food is the foundation, but to run a successful food business, you have to ensure that the customer service, the structure, and the intentions are as original as the food.

Businesses Are Worried About Energy Management

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As detrimental energy management is for the survival of the planet, it also remains a complicated process that makes a lot of small business owners feel nervous. Indeed, energy plays a significant role in all business process. As a result, developing an optimal method of usage and saving can feel like an expensive, time-demanding, and complex process. Small companies are aware of the environmental cost accumulated through years of reckless energy consumption. However, many fear they are not in a position to reverse the situation. 

However, it’s fair to say that while sustainability goes hand-in-hand with innovation, research, and high-tech development, there is more to it than what meets the eye and the budget, at first. Indeed, SMEs can demand an energy audit to establish their budget-friendly improvement strategy.

Researching alternative energy sources 

The move toward sustainable and renewable energy is slow for residential areas. However, more and more businesses benefit from governmental support to switch – partially or entirely – to more sustainable options. Indeed, we’ve known for long that we can’t keep things running on coal. Fossil energy fuels are on the verge of disappearing without mentioning the carbon footprint impact of electricity production. That’s precisely why a lot of companies can find financial support to introduce renewables and sustainable energy sources in their processes. 

Reducing unnecessary wastes

The business impact on energy consumption follows a double course. On the one hand, the environmental effect of energy production can be minimized – by switching to sustainable energy sources. But, on the other hand, wasting energy can have just as much of a disastrous impact. Therefore, companies that find it too difficult to introduce sustainable energy sources can see positive results by targeting the most common waste spots. Poor insulation around the windows and roof can drive an energy loss of almost 30%. Working closely with commercial roofing contractors and window specialist will help to tackle the issue. Additionally, it’s also a good idea to review your insulation solution – under the roof, in the basement and storage areas – as some old buildings may not be fitted with suitable materials.

The importance of passive strategies

Overheating is one of the most frequent reasons for energy waste – it’s linked to how much heat your building loses. However, even a fully insulated office can drive high wastes through inadequate passive energy use. Indeed, passive energy strategy refers to climate-responsive design and conservation practices, such as turning off the lights at night and reducing cooling in an empty room. 

Is there a digital alternative?

In the age of virtual offices, it seems absurd for companies to drive high energy bills. Indeed, the popularity of remote work options, for instance, makes it easier for businesses to reduce their energy use per square foot. When the team can work remotely from home or any other space, companies can focus their attention on reducing their energy consumption. Similarly, digital technologies enable paperless, virtual cooperation, which, in the long term, reduces the whole environmental impact. 

In conclusion, energy management needn’t be the complicated and expensive subject it is made to be. Businesses of all sizes and capitals can actively engage in an environmental strategy without breaking the bank.

How To Develop The Strongest Brand Reputation

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Your brand reputation will have a massive impact on its long term success, as the quieter your business name becomes, the less customers you are likely to receive. Staying at the forefront of your target markets minds can sometimes be a bit tricky, as there are many things that contribute to creating an all-around perfect company, and often brands simply do not know how to positively advertise themselves for the benefit of the overall business name. Luckily, there are several different ways that you can encourage people to begin to appreciate what you can really do, and your business will feel the effects of your hard work when flocks of new customers start to show interest in what you have to offer. So, if you’d like to know a little more about how you can build the strongest reputation for your brand, then read on to uncover some of the best tricks and tips that you can implement today to see almost immediate results!

Showcase Any Victory 

Some of the most positive things to happen to your business will most likely not only be impressive in your opinion, but also for plenty of paying customers too, so why not take advantage of this and showcase your victories to the outside world? Keeping things in house will motivate your staff to continue working hard, but releasing them to the public will help to encourage them to trust and appreciate your brand to a much higher degree. For example, each time that you receive a positive review from a previous customer, do not simply store this away in a folder and make no use of it whatsoever – these are the perfect forms of proof that people do love your business, and these compliments are often specific enough to show that your brand really does provide the customer with what they want. Don’t stop there, anything that can prove your dedication and commitment to the task at hand will help your business to become much more trustworthy and respectable. Winning an award is a great expression of strength and success and this is bound to draw in new customers, so follow in the footsteps of quality brands like Ogletree Deakins that can come out on top and have the pleasure of sharing their triumph with paying customers. 

Develop A Quality Campaign 

Investing some time and money into developing a high quality advertising or marketing campaign will most likely have a very positive affect on your brands reputation. Ad’s can help you to reach a much wider market, and convey your own personal and special message to potential customers everywhere. Grab this opportunity with both hands and ensure that you do not slack with this project, as the better your advert, the more people you will be able to influence to make a purchase. Think about who your audience should actually be, and tailor your advertisements to suit their individual preferences, such as taking advantage of social media marketing to reach out to any younger customers, or daytime television ads between morning programs to find your way into the homes of those who are perhaps quite old. Being able to create a catchy theme tune or brand slogan will help your ad to become what’s known as a ‘earworm’, that can stay fresh in the minds of those who get the chance to view, leading to them either repeating what they saw to others or acting on their thoughts independently. 

Perfect The Surface 

Even if the inner workings of your business have not yet been fine tuned to your every increasing high standards, it’s much more possible to perfect the surface or exterior of your brand, as this is what customers will see. If you have a store, you must put in the effort to commit yourself to keeping the place in the most pristine condition, and showcase specific features that can complement the ethos and purpose behind your business’s existence. Simply opening a shop and putting your products inside will do nothing to improve your brand reputation, so give the customers an experience they will not forget the next time they get to visit your store! Even the outside of your company’s factory’s and such can have an impact on the way that potential customers view your business, so consider putting more time and money into creating a more attractive and aesthetically pleasing operation. 

Developing a strong brand reputation has never been so easy when you take these top tips and tricks into consideration, so get out there and beat your competition now!

How To Plan A Successful Corporate Event

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A corporate event can be a valuable business tool, helping you to promote your business, win clients and keep your customers happy with a little glitz and glamour. But planning a successful corporate event so that it goes off without a hitch can take a little bit of work, so here’s how to do it. 

Know your five W’s

The five w’s are the foundations of your corporate event, your who, what, when, where and why. With answers to your five W’s, you can then build your event from the ground up.

Who?                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Who will be invited to this event? Knowing your who is important to understanding your audience and what they will want to see from your event.

What?
What is your budget? Your what is one of your limiting factors and will ultimately determine a lot of the details to follow

When?
When will you host the event? Set the date and know when you plan to host your event to ensure that you choose a suitable venue. 

Where?
Where will the event take place? Which event space will you choose? 

Why?
Why are you hosting this event? Your why is perhaps the biggest single factor that you need to consider. What are you hoping to achieve from this event? what does success look like to you?

Set the date early

There’s nothing worse than organizing an event and then realizing that there are no venues available to accommodate it or that no one can come as it is too short notice. Set the date as early as possible to give you plenty of time to work towards it and to give your guests plenty of time to put it in their diaries. As a general rule 4 weeks is the minimum amount of time you should give guests and remember to collect their RSVP’s to get an estimation of final numbers. 

Assess everyone’s needs 

To make your guests feel special go above and beyond to make them feel special and meet their needs. We live in a world of inclusivity so ensure to assess the needs of your guests. Does anyone have any dietary requirements which may require you to make special catering arrangements? Does anyone have a disability and require additional assistance? Is anyone bringing a plus one and have you added them to your tally of total numbers? 

Go for quality not quantity 

The size of a corporate event doesn’t determine its success. If you have a limited budget then don’t try to stretch it too thin by sacrificing the quality fo your food, decoration or venue and instead downsize the event to be something more intimate. Similarly, if you are new to events planning then don’t make your first event something extravagant and instead remember to focus on quality and not quantity to help you build a strong business reputation. 

Be present

And finally, the most important part of a corporate event is to have a company presence, so remember to be present yourself and not hiding in the sidelines. A great touch is to greet all of your guests personally so that each and every one of them can say they spoke to you at least once on the night.

7 Ways To Keep Your Company Safe From Anything And Everything

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As the owner of a business, you should know that anything can go wrong at any time. You won’t exactly be harboring a pessimistic and negative disposition throughout your tenure as a business person, but those thoughts should always be with you. It wouldn’t be naïve, neglectful, and downright stupid to think that you’ll be completely invincible. 

You’ll want your business to stand out, of course, but you don’t want it to stand out for all the wrong reasons now, do you? If you leave things to chance, then that will probably happen. You’ll need to be covered and as safe as possible if you want to have longevity in this game. Fortunately, there are lots of little things you can do to make sure you’re secure. There are also a bunch of services around that are dedicated to keeping you and your business away from anything bad. How lucky for you! Here are just a few methods of prevention you can undertake:

Guards

Having some trained and experienced people outside of your premises would make the place a lot stronger. When you pass a building, and it has large, authoritative men and women keeping watching outside, you tend to feel a lot less at ease. Our minds bow to authority, and that’s what would happen in this instance. Criminals would think twice about approaching your workplace. If they are still stupid enough to do so, then they’ll be dealt with accordingly. 

CCTV Cameras

In this day and age, we have ridiculously high-tech cameras available to us for reasonable prices. You may as well invest in a few while you have some money to spend! The investment may seem a little steep if you want the best, but it’s a sure-fire way of stopping anyone from getting away with their crimes. Again, like the guards, it’ll deter people before they even commit – they’ll know the camera can hold data forever. If, again, they decide to pursue their stupidity, then they’ll be caught red-handed. 

Alarm Systems 

If someone does somehow manage to bypass the initial security measures, then an alarm system should do the trick. Nothing says guilty like a ridiculously loud beeping noise alerting everyone to the scene of the crime. This is something that most commercial buildings already have installed – if you don’t have one, then it should probably be near the top of your list of priorities. 

Extra Locks

This sounds like a pretty tame way of keeping things tight, but it would work, and it wouldn’t cost you a fortune. If people can’t access your valuables, then that’s only going to be a good thing, though, right? Adding a few extra padlocks to certain doors and lockers might be the shrewdest way of keeping things tight. Literally adding locks to a few bare doors would also do the trick. While we’re at it, buying a safe or two to store your important items would be smart. 

Increased Fortification

Think about building extra fences and gates around your workplace. If there’s literally an obstacle ahead of their target, the perps are going to think twice about entering – probably because they won’t be bothered to jump the gates! That increase fortification not only makes it more difficult to access, but it also gives off a strong and more menacing presence. It says to people, ‘don’t mess with us.’ 

Protect Against The Elements 

Nature is strange, and it can cause you issues at any time. During the winter, you’ll want to protect your workplace from things like floods and snow damage. It’s amazing what a little liquid can do to a place. You’ll also need a few fire extinguishers scattered around just in case something gets ignited by accident. 

If anything does flare up or cause any damage to your premises, then you’ll be in a lot of trouble financially. To stop that from happening, you’ll probably need to get some insurance. If you’re covered in that respect, then that’ll be removed from your list of worries. 

Cybersecurity 

An awful lot of the work you do will be on your computer. You’re going to have lots of information stored on there, and you don’t want any of it to be compromised. For some reason, there are lots of people out there looking to take control and take advantage of your systems – try not to let this happen. Install protection software, and get in touch with an IT support firm. An IT firm will be able to watch over the behavior of your system(s) and tell you when something seems a little fishy.