Tag: career pivot

A three-step approach to launching a side business

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In an era where millions of people contemplate either quitting their jobs or switching careers at a record pace, online searches for “side hustle” and “passive income” are growing exponentially. 

If you’re one of the millions wondering if a career move is right for you and weighing the benefits and risks of starting your own online business, it can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, a large percentage of online companies fail after just one year, an even larger percentage struggle to ever return to their “day job” salary figures. 

So what’s the secret to making it work? Consistency, hard work, planning, and the right digital tools are at the core of every successful entrepreneur’s journey. One of the biggest mistakes aspiring business owners make is starting with a product they want to sell without knowing if there is a market for that particular product. 

Those who take this simple, three-step approach will find greater success in the long run.

Solve a problem first

Before launching your genius product into the world and your target market, it’s essential to take a step back and determine the problem your product solves. For example, if you’re manufacturing an analog planner for business owners, you probably have first-hand experience and knowledge that the product was helpful for you. 

However, you must find out if your analog product solves a problem for others, too. To do this research, ask yourself a few questions:

  • Why did I need to start using an analog planner? 
  • What was I unhappy about when using a digital planner? 
  • What is it about my particular niche that makes this analog planner necessary?

Once you begin to dig deeper beyond the product features and uncover the why behind it, you’ll better understand who needs the product and how to craft a sales message that resonates with them. 

Validate and test

Even for those who have a deep understanding of their product’s use and benefits, some mistakenly go right to production and live sales. Unfortunately, this misstep can result in a large, unsold inventory and failed dream. 

Instead, take the time to validate your offer and test it first. Then, if possible, create a digital version of your product and offer a beta-test sale to your email list. Explain the benefits, provide a generous promotional price for the digital version, and measure your conversion rates.

For those who opt not to buy, ask meaningful follow-up questions about their decision so you can use the responses to understand the market and buying decisions better. Then, you can refine the product or message and try again. 

Start small if you can

Once you’ve done the research, validated and tested your idea with a real market, and secured some initial sales, start with a small run of products if you can. 

Finding an online platform like Podia to sell your digital products reduces your overhead expenses and gives you plenty of flexibility to create attractive and compelling sales pages. 

Once you’re established and have some social proof in hand, you can move to a bigger platform like Amazon. Explore using professional services to help you improve your listings and boost sales (find more info about Amazon Consulting and Managed Services here).

There’s never been a better time to explore new career opportunities and evaluate how you’d like to spend the rest of your working years. Then, when you find something that combines your passion with your expertise, embrace the journey and make it happen.

3 Personal Traits to Develop When Planning a Big Career Move

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There are all sorts of different careers out there you could choose to pursue, and it’s now arguably more of a possibility than it’s ever been before for the average person to make a big career move, if they feel properly motivated.

But whether you are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur and want to start a tax business or something similar, or whether you are comfortable with the industry that you currently work within, but want to take a major step up and change employers at the same time, there are some useful things to keep in mind.

Perhaps first and foremost, the personal traits you nurture and develop can have a big impact on the success of any major career move.

Here’s a look at some of the personality traits you’ll want to develop.

Work to optimize your physical and mental energy levels

First things first; you need to work to optimize your physical and mental energy levels as much as possible. This is a good general rule that always applies, but it certainly applies when you are trying to make a major move in your career and need to be even more dynamic than usual.

Many ambitious people often put themselves in an unfortunate bind, by burning themselves out, working around the clock, sleeping too little, and not getting adequate nutrition. On the surface it may seem that these are all just the natural sacrifices that need to be made for success, but the reality is that living in this way will undermine your effectiveness and quality of life, across the board.

Get your routine as organized and simplified as possible

If you’re going to change industries, start a new business, or make a concerted effort to rise within the hierarchy of your current company, one of the most certain reliable facts is that you need to be highly efficient, and structured.

Part of this will naturally involve having to simplify the flow of your everyday work life, so that you can dedicate the majority of your time, energy, and attention to the priority areas which will have the greatest overall impact.

You also need to ensure that you are highly organized and on top of your various tasks and projects.

So, do an audit of the routine and structure of your everyday working life, and adjust as required.

Develop your ability to remain calm and focused under pressure

Stress, pressure, and uncertainty are all bound to develop whenever you are venturing out into the unknown, or are otherwise “putting yourself out there” in a conspicuous way.

The ability to remain calm and focused under pressure is of vital importance, as it will not only directly influence your performance, but also the impression you make on those around you. Being able to remain calm also reduces the stress that you experience, directly – meaning it will make you more resilient.

So, consider making changes to your diet, getting more sleep, taking up a regular yoga practice, and any number of other things that might make a significant difference in your ability to remain cool under pressure.

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.

Why You Absolutely CAN Have The Career You Want

Scott Asai2 Comments

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Working is something we all must do. Some people work in careers that they absolutely hate; others are stationed in the perfect possible place. Those that work in jobs that they truly dislike are to be respected – all work is noble work, and sometimes you have to do the dirty work in order to get through the weeks and months. It is possible for those individuals to get out of that position and work in a place that they’ll love, however. It sounds impossible because we’re kind of placed into a particular part of society, but the mould can be broken. 

This sounds incredibly harsh, but if you spend multiple decades stuck in the same job that you hate, then that’s on you. Sometimes you have to stay put in places, but not for a horrendous amount of time. If you want a particular job in a certain field, then you can make it happen. Many of us have been told and condition into believing that we should stay in our lane. Don’t do that – you’re better than that. Even if it sounds like quite a challenge, you should attack where you are now and try to improve your professional life. Still sound a little far fetched? Well, here are some reasons as to why you, yes you, can get the career you want:  

You Don’t Have To Be Special  

Those that are in positions that they want to be in, and those making lots of money at the top are seen as better individuals in almost every aspect. It’s like they were born different from the majority. Nope. They’re exactly the same as you – they just went out and did something. They took risks, and they were rewarded. You can do just that. Nobody is special in this world – we’re all the same. 

There Are So Many Opportunities Now

Because of modern technology and the increased population, there are so many different avenues that a person could go down. Literally, all you have to do is search on Google, and you’ll be inundated with thousands of different jobs. Whether you’re searching for trucking companies hiring teams, or a recruitment agency that hunts for administrators, the results will be in front of you in a matter of seconds. 

Now, it’s not as easy to then successfully get these jobs, but the first step is right there in front of you. Social media also allows you to network and get in touch with all the right people.   

Education Is Available Everywhere

Heading back to school as a mature student has always been an option for people. Now, however, there are online courses regarding just about anything. If you want to grab an education from the comfort of your own home, then that’s entirely possible. There are also free lessons and video tutorials scattered around the web for you to take part in. 

The Biggest Barrier Is You

Most of us are trapped inside our own minds. When the idea of getting into something we want comes along, fear keeps us shackled. Now, for some reason, we’re scared of so many things that won’t even come to fruition. If you want something in life, all you have to do is go and get it. What’s the worst that can happen? Learn to batter those fears and live the life you want – there’s really no problem in front of you.

How To Make A Career Pivot

Scott Asai2 Comments

Did you know the average person changes careers 12 times?

It’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN you change your career.

The toughest part of changing careers is the job search process.

It’s slow and hard to navigate.

That’s why I created this free mini course which is a prelude to my career pivot course.

If you know how to make a career pivot, it won’t seem like an overwhelming process.

Learn the system and repeat it every time you feel like changing careers.

Your Office, Anywhere

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You’ve decided to take the plunge. You’ve left your corporate structured, nine-to-five job with its regular income and its stability. There was scope for progression there, but somehow it might feel that ploughing your heart and soul into somebody else dreams is not for you. For you, the joy of business is planting the seed yourself; then watching your dreams grow large as you nurture them.

So, you’ve got your idea. You’ve even managed to pull some savings together to get you off the ground. You have reordered your lifestyle to accommodate the personal risk you’re taking and you’re off. You are in business! Now comes the real challenge, the hard work and, if you play it right, the freedom to live as you want while your business flourishes.

The type of business you are operating will largely dictate the type of physical space you need to operate in. Obviously, if you need a space where your customers need to come to you, like a restaurant or store, then real estate is pivotal in your planning. But for so many types of businesses these days, such as web design, copywriting, and so many service-based industries, it is less about the physical office. With the growth of cloud computing, a lot of your work can be done from anywhere in the world. It might sound cliche to say that you want your office to be a sun bed on the beach of some idyllic Greek island, but with a laptop, internet connection and good online business support, you can connect with your customers or provide your services remotely.

This kind of freedom does sound amazing though. There’s no boardroom, no need for a tie. If you want to set a business with partners in other cities, or even on the other side of the world; there are so many online collaboration tools out there. You could have face to face conferencing, brainstorming sessions, have PowerPoint presentations, set agendas and deadline reminders for your team.

You might be supplying a product which you never need to handle, manage warehouse facilities for or ship yourself. By outsourcing fulfillment, you are free to be where life suits you. There’s no need to pay rent on a building that frankly depresses you. There’s no worry about hiring or firing teams to handle your stock. It almost feels like virtual reality.

The returns in terms of quality of life from making this kind of switch can be immense. You would have the flexibility to live your life how you need to; if you have a young child, you can be around as they grow up instead of stuck in a building away from them for most of your waking life. But, there are some things to consider. With the conventional nine-to-five, it’s much easier to leave your work at home. It is very important to set yourself rules, work during set times, and be sure and always find the time to enjoy life as much as possible.