Not All Fun and Games – AR Solutions for Remote Employment

Picture yourself working from a beach in the Caribbean, sipping cocktails as you scroll through your emails, or even attending suit-and-tie meetings when you’re really poolside. Sounds like a dream.

Once reserved for investors and CEOs with the funds and freedom to work from anywhere, increasingly across the world more workers are going mobile. In 2017, it was estimated that over 43% of the US workforce had spent at least some time working remotely, and this number is only set to increase.

Enterprises are starting to recognize the potential and benefits of more flexible working for the companies themselves and their employees. Gone are the days of that nine-to-five behind a desk – with mobility making up a top priority for around 71% of enterprises.

Enterprise Mobility Benefits for Remote Employment

Some of the benefits of enterprise mobility for remote employment include:

• Increase in success, productivity, effectiveness – when employees work in an environment that makes them comfortable, they are simply more likely to get more done.

• Lower stress – aside from telecommuting, there’s no need to make any stressful journeys from the home to the office. This has two benefits: an employee is more likely to feel happy as they spend more time with their family and friends, and secondly, they are likely to get more done, as they’re not losing their energy on the trips.

• Improved relationships between the business and the employee – staff are more likely to feel valued and trusted if they are allowed to work from home.

• Lower office costs – having remote employees equals reduced real estate costs. No employees, no desk, no coffee machine, or at least less of it; this shifts the focus from presentation to productivity.

• Meeting the needs of millennial workers – as the so-called millennial generation and Gen Z’ers enter the workplace or continue to climb up their career ladder, demands are shifting from traditional roles to more digital ones. Remote working provides employees with the benefits they need to get the job done.

• It’s the future – it’s that simple. The world is changing and turning increasingly more digital. In order to keep up, to find the best staff for the job, and to be successful, businesses will have to adapt.

New Solutions, New Technologies

All this and more are the reasons why companies are turning to new innovative solutions that encourage mobility while still retaining responsibility and accountability in the workplace.

Currently, employees working remotely primarily utilize communication systems, such as Skype and Slack, and task managers, such as Asana and Teamwork, to interact and complete work.

However, it’s just not enough; it doesn’t completely fulfill the needs of a traditional workplace. This is one of the primary reasons why enterprises are seeking to adopt non-traditional technologies such as AR. And here’s how.

Enter Augmented Reality

Augmented reality and, in particular, AR apps for enterprises are changing the way we do business. They provide a variety of solutions, specifically designed to address changing business needs while retaining the critical factor of doing business – work.

• Communication

Whichever term you prefer – telecommuting, remote working, distance employment – they have one huge thing in common, and that’s communication.

When you remove the ability to walk over to your colleague to discuss an issue, you create a distinct communication barrier. Traditional remote systems, such as Skype, use video to address this, but it often feels like it’s not enough.

AR apps can help create virtual conference rooms with the feel of being in the office, even if you’re miles away. Such technologies can also include presentations, and recreate the authentic feeling of the office.

• Human resources and onboarding

Augmented reality also presents excellent solutions for HR staff. When working with remote employees, it can often be a challenge to truly get to know the person behind the screen. Augmented reality interviews can create a more comfortable environment for the employee and employer.

Once they’ve passed the interview stage, or perhaps even before, you may want to send you employee a test task to see how they’d solve a problem or complete an essential element of the proposed work. Augmented reality allows you to create realistic simulations that help immerse the candidate and truly test their skills; helping you find the best fit for the job.

Then comes onboarding. Known to be a determining factor for how long an employee will stay, successful onboarding is key. Even if an employee isn’t going to work remotely, AR can help introduce an employee to an office, or their team, by, for example, including useful facts – how to use the coffee machine, where IT support is located, who does what – in an internal office app.

• Working processes

Once you have the employee, then it’s time to get to work and this is where AR enterprise solutions truly shine.

Augmented reality technologies enable not just successful communications, but also the sharing and receiving of digital visuals, charts, and more. It allows users to go through them in an understandable format, for example creating visual comparisons, or even see how marketing materials may look on location.

AR also makes it possible to share digital prototypes, allowing different distributed teams to see the product in progress. For example, engineers may be able to spot defects in a structure, and product designers may critique visual nuances, etc. In essence, it allows for more people to get involved and streamline the working process.

Add AR to Your Enterprise

As enterprises are adopting more digital solutions through AR and other technologies such as virtual reality, perhaps you too started questioning, “how can I modernize my business?”

One of the most straightforward ways is to decide on a singular solution that could benefit your particular industry and use enterprise mobile apps development to create an effective solution tailored to you.

Whether you’re considering AR-based mobile conference rooms, upgrade of your HR processes, or something completely different, once you have an idea in mind you’ll need to find a specialist team who can give life to your idea.

Be sure to choose a reputable organization with experience in the AR sphere who will be able to guide you through the process and ensure your solution truly meets your needs.

 network business concept– stock image

The post Not All Fun and Games – AR Solutions for Remote Employment appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/business/remote-working/solutions-remote-employment

6 Offline Ways to Kickstart Your Startup

While the World Wide Web is a great place to market your business, you still have to recognize the fact that not all your target customers can be reached through digital marketing. Despite the emergence of new technologies, there still are people who don’t rely on mobile phones and the Internet for information. For a startup, you may need to first introduce your business offline before you focus on digital marketing. To boost your reach and presence while introducing your new business, here are some offline ways to kickstart your startup.

Outdoor Advertising

Outdoor advertising is also an effective way to market your business. Every day, people go out so there’s a high chance for your business ad to get noticed. Billboards are one of the most common types of outdoor ads but if you want to try something fresh to the people’s eyes, you can use air dancers. They work well in attracting customers and keeping their interest in your business.

Coupons, Flyers, and Handouts

Who doesn’t want to save money from merchandise? Whether it’s food, groceries or other shopping items, people will always love saving some bucks from coupons. This type of marketing has proven to be really effective and is widely used by business owners up to this day. Likewise, flyers and handouts are efficient print materials that are easy to read and carry. They may seem old school but they are still effective in reaching your target customers and introducing your products.

Low-Cost Newspaper Ads

Newspaper ads are also popular in offline marketing but they can also be expensive. Since you’re just starting your business, you may look for more options where you can save some money. Only utilize low-cost newspaper ads to help reduce marketing costs. Make sure to include all the information you want to share with your target market to make the most of your money spent on the ads.

Media Giveaways

You can also use the media when giving freebies to your customers. You can go to your local radio station and offer giveaways in exchange for free advertising. Think of items in your business that you can use as prizes and if you are offering certain services, you can offer a free consultation. It will not only give your business free exposure but it will also engage listeners and increase the rating of the radio program.

Business Cards

Business cards used to be necessary for every business owner but nowadays, a lot of business professionals get disheartened when people just throw away their business cards. Even they are cheap, they won’t go to waste if you know what to incorporate in your business card. Make sure you don’t just put your business name and contact information but include something that will engage your target customers such as a coupon or a brief list of what they will get from buying your products.

Networking

If you’re a business professional, you should have an immense business network and a large circle of friends and colleagues. Each of them can contribute to the success of your business and if you want to grow your network, take advantage of various events or shows where you can meet a lot of people. You’ll be surprised by how many of them can be your target customers or actual buyers.

 digital tablet– stock image

The post 6 Offline Ways to Kickstart Your Startup appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/business/start-ups/offline-kickstart-startup

Writing a Business Plan That Helps You Win

A business plan is the first document I ask every entrepreneur to compile to give credence to their business idea. It is the blueprint of your business, without which you and other stakeholders might lose sight of what you need to do to take your idea and make it into a profitable functioning business. In fact, if done right, it becomes the ultimate tool for you to gauge whether your idea is worth all the trouble.

In 2019, new business development will become a bigger challenge for businesses starting out. Not only do you need an innovative idea to succeed in the coming years, but you also need to ensure it is feasible before you invest any resources in it. If it does turn out to be a great idea, executing it as fast, and as smoothly, as possible can be the difference between winning a hefty market share and missing the opportunity of a lifetime.

This is where business plan writing comes in, and this is what I will talk to you about today:

• What are the benefits of writing a business plan? And
• What makes your business plan a tool for sustained success?

Why Write a Business Plan at All?

• Litmus Testing Your Business Idea: Not every business idea is a feasible one. You might get overwhelmed by how clever you sound mulling an idea over in your head, but writing a business plan is how you learn whether it is worth following through or not.

You might discover during any stage of the process that your idea is not practical. This realization might disappoint you in the short term, but it will also save you from heartbreak and losses down the line when you realize that your idea is not feasible.

• Executing Your Idea Smoothly: If you are sure your business idea is going to be a hit, your business plan will further help you execute it without getting stuck dealing with foreseeable problems. While writing the document, you will be able to predict the major hurdles awaiting you and thus build viable contingencies for the path ahead. This is just one way your business plan will iron out the wrinkles in the execution of your business idea.
• Adding Appeal: If you can write a great business plan for your idea, it will work as the introduction to your business. In the age of alternative finance, angel investors and organizations interested in financing viable ideas in any given industry are always looking for the next big idea. With your business plan ready, you have a detailed document in hand to share with any interested parties without any delay. This way, your business plan will add to the appeal of your idea and help interested investors get all the information they need to make a decision in one neatly written report.
• Securing Necessary Funds: If you seek financing from conventional sources, such as banks, you will need to supply a detailed business plan with your application. The success of your loan application will depend highly on the depth and viability of your plan. With good business plan writing, you can secure the financial help you need to get going with your new company.

Every successful business owner may have their own reason for writing a business plan but all of them write one. Think about what you want to achieve from your business plan and start working on it without delay.

Key Elements of a Successful Business Plan

A killer business plan always has a set of key components that make it a success and help you drive the benefits you were aiming to extract out of the exercise. Every one of these components helps establish an important aspect of your business idea.

 

Together, they provide the reader with all the information they might need to understand your idea and determine how well-prepared you are.

This is what it looks like:

• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This is the first section of the business plan, but smart business plan writers always craft it after the rest of the report. This is a one-page comprehensive summary of your business plan with highlights of your market analyses, product descriptions, business objectives, and execution plan.

With the executive summary, your reader will determine if they like your idea enough to read the rest of the document or not. Therefore, it needs to be crafted carefully with a lot of appeals without any misleading statements.

• MISSION STATEMENT: Speaking of statements to be made in the report, good business plan writing demands that you include your business mission statement in the document. Your business mission is a combination of a clear vision you have in mind for your new business and how you are going to achieve this vision.

You might also want to go ahead and include a short list of core values that you want your teams and company to focus on while delivering services to your customers. With your vision and mission statements (and core business values), a potential investor will have a better idea of why you started the business and decide whether they want to work with you or not.

• PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: This is where you provide a neat and detailed description of what you want to bring to the market. This could be a product, a service, a combination of both, or even multiple series of the two.

This is where you can show your reader all the great features your product/service will offer your customers. Highlight the value that your offering brings to the table and what makes it different from your competitors.

• MARKET ANALYSIS: Now that your reader knows what your product/service is about, you have to give them a detailed analysis of your target market and demonstrate how your product/service fills a gap and satisfies an unsatisfied need present among your target audience.

Use solid research for this section and provide sufficient data to convince your reader of the existence of this need.

• EXECUTION TIMELINE: You will also need to include a detailed timeline of all the major steps you are going to take while establishing your new business. This information includes the application of marketing plans, developing your workplace, manufacturing of the product, and much more.

This information is often included as a Gantt chart or depicted similarly in a tabular format.

• MARKETING PLAN: Description of your marketing plan includes all the important details of the marketing efforts you want to employ for your new company. Good business plan writing requires you to give a lot of thought to what kind of marketing campaigns will be effective for positioning your product/service where you want it. Include in sufficient detail what kind of promotional activities you will focus on and why.
• FINANCIAL PLAN: Similarly, you need to provide your reader with a complete outline of how you mean to finance the business and what your projected expenses will be in the initial years of business. You must demonstrate income projections for the coming years neatly in tabular form.

You will also need to provide calculations for equity distribution and demonstrate when you expect to reach breakeven and become profitable.

• OPERATIONS DETAILS: Your reader would also like to know how you plan to run your operations. In this section, you will need to talk about organizational structure, your human resource needs, and other such requirements.

While you may want to add a few more sections in your business plan, depending on how much information you want to share with your reader, these sections make up for a standard and effective business plan that should work fine for most industries these days.

Clarity is the Foundation of Effective Business Plan Writing

It really is that simple. While working on your business plan, the most important thing for you should be the clarity of your report. It should be structured well and written in paragraphs that flow smoothly and connect appropriately.

Think about it: The idea behind writing this business plan is to describe an abstract business idea to your reader so well that they feel compelled to become a part of the expedition. You are definitely going to need all the clarity you can muster.

This is why you should spend a few days researching data for the various sections of the document and write multiple drafts before wrapping up the exercise.

Why Professional Business Plan Writing is the Way to Go

Obviously, business plan writing is not for everybody. It is an extraordinary type of writing that requires the perfect balance between thorough data-centered research and compelling writing. You want to sell your idea for its uniqueness and value, while at the same time show that it can be run as a viable business.

This is a key reason why many entrepreneurs find it worth their while to hire professional business plan writers for the job, and so should you.

construction site– stock image

The post Writing a Business Plan That Helps You Win appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/business/business-plans/business-plan-win

When a Trust Deed Is a Good Idea!

Earlier on this week, former Labour MP Jim Devine was sequestered after a hearing at Livingston Sheriff Court. If you’ve not heard about the case, a former employee of Mr. Devine applied for – and was granted – a sequestration order against him after he failed to pay a compensation order following him losing an industrial tribunal case.

It all started back in 2010 when former office manager Marion Kinley was awarded £35,000 by an employment tribunal after winning her case against Mr. Devine for unfair dismissal. Despite Jim Devine owning a number of assets including a property in London and one in Scotland plus some land, Marion waited five months for her award to be paid and eventually lost patience.

This relatively high profile case has put sequestration and alternatives such as Trust Deeds into the spotlight. It shows how someone with an apparent good standard of living and a number of assets can still lose it all quickly due to a series of unfortunate events that spiral out of control. It also begs the question: when there are so many debt solutions available, why was Jim Devine not advised about the advantages of Trust Deeds before it was too late?

Like many situations, there are a number of points in the proceedings where everything could have been resolved:

1) Do not ignore court orders

If you lose a court case and are ordered to pay costs this is a very serious step in your dispute with another party. Do not ignore the court order and hope it will go away. Keep the lines of communication open with your creditors and try and arrange a payment plan, either outside of or inside of a DAS or Trust Deed. If you don’t, if you either pretend things are not happening or out of anger refuse to pay, your creditor has the power to take you back to court and sequester you, as Jim Devine found out. Hell hath no fury as a creditor scorned.

2) If you have to sell assets to pay your creditors, sell them.

Jim Devine owned two properties – one in London and the other in Scotland. As a result of a parliamentary investigation, his London home had been frozen pending the outcome of another court case, yet he never took steps to remortgaged or downsize his primary home to release some cash and pay the compensation he was ordered to. This is more common than you might think – many people never think their property can be taken from under them to pay a debt. However forcing a creditor to watch you enjoying an asset while they go without is never a good idea, and can lead to anger, bitterness, further court appearances and loss of your assets, even your very home.

3) Ask for help quickly

If you know that you can’t pay what you owe and you cannot sell your assets in time, don’t sit there hoping the problem will go away. It doesn’t, it just gets worse. Approach an Insolvency Practitioner and talk through the problem with them. In Jim’s case and like thousands of people before him in sticky financial situations, a Trust Deed could have protected him from his creditors and prevented him from being made bankrupt.

Trust Deeds can turn a really bad situation very quickly.

If you are a resident of Scotland and owe more than £10,000, a Trust Deed can help you pay back only what you can afford and then write off the rest of the outstanding debt.

For example, some of the advantages include:

No creditors hassling you

Once protected, a Trust Deed stops your creditors from pursuing you immediately – they can only communicate with your Insolvency Practitioner.

No stigma

Trust Deeds doesn’t arouse the same feelings of shame or embarrassment that many people have about sequestration.

Some of your debt written off

You do not have to pay back all that you owe with a Trust Deed. You only pay back what you can afford over 36 months and the rest is written off.

Better financial management skills

Trust Deeds help you live within your means and give you a firm financial foundation for the future. There’s no chance of you reverting to old bad habits during a Trust Deed as a successful outcome relies on you developing new skills like budgeting.

You don’t have to be in a bad situation like Jim Devine, with court orders and sequestration hanging over you, to benefit from a Trust Deed. If you know that a debt you owe in unaffordable or will soon become so, talk to a debt help professional as quickly as possible and let them help you stop your problems from spiraling out of control. And whatever you do, don’t take a leaf out Jim’s book!

Other important things to consider with protected trust facts

Before making a decision about whether or not to make a deed of trust, you should seek expert advice on debts, as there are a number of considerations to consider, including:

A deed of trust is a legally binding agreement between you and your creditors.
As long as you abide by the terms of your protected trust, your creditors will not be able to take additional measures to recover the money you owe or have you declare bankruptcy.

You should check if it affects your work. A deed of trust is a form of insolvency and having one can lead to disciplinary action or dismissal in some jobs, such as financial services or the legal profession
If you are granted a deed of trust and you rent your property, the owner can rescind your lease
If you own a home, you may need to release capital from your property.

You will have to pay any excess income you have, after the essential living costs have been paid, in your trust deed for four years. You must inform the trustee if your personal or financial situation changes, for example, if you inherit some money or if you lose your job. Only the debts included in your deed of trust will be canceled at the end of it. If the deed of trust fails, there is a risk of bankruptcy.
You will have to pay a fee for the services of the insolvency practitioner who handles the deed of trust. This fee is normally deducted from your payments.

 

 professional investor worki– stock image

The post When a Trust Deed Is a Good Idea! appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/business/financial-planning/trust-deed-idea

Online Stock Trading Tips for New Investors

The Internet has made Dealing in Equities Fast, Easy, and Secure

There is money to be made in the stock market. Online stock trading services provide lots of information to assess stocks and learn how to trade wisely and privately.

Among the Internet’s most popular websites are online trading sites. Their popularity has grown due largely to the ease with which they allow customers to trade in the privacy of their own homes with greatly reduced commissions compared to professional stock brokers.

Points to Consider in Choosing an Online Stock Trading Site

Consider whether a discount or full-service broker is desired. Discount brokers are responsible only for trading. Full-service brokers provide other services such as broker-assisted trading that connect the investor with a professional broker for assistance. Expect some of these services to cost extra.

Understand stock market investment goals. Many people use the market to establish an online savings account for retirement. This is best left to financial advisors who are better prepared to manage money in a variety of investment vehicles. There is a certain comfort that comes from knowing that an expert is preparing one’s financial future.

Online banking is available, however. Often, they can offer better rates for ordinary savings and are certainly worth investigating for establishing a regular savings account.

Compare online stock trading sites. One doesn’t have to use them all – there are ample sites on the Internet that compare them for you. Online trading companies don’t all offer the same services, commissions, or stock evaluation tools.

Start slowly after doing homework. The stock market is no place for the uninformed. People get rich and people get poor on Wall Street. Even the big boys lose lots of money – being rich allows investors to take bigger risks. A $10,000 account doesn’t allow for many risks, so care and knowledge are essential for managing small accounts. There are lots of places to experiment for free by setting up a watch list of stocks to test your investment strategies.

Anyone inclined to have a problem with gambling is advised that online stock accounts can be just as tempting as Las Vegas. Trading is almost too easy. The temptation to invest it all in a “sure thing” can be great and disastrous.

Don’t get involved in day-trading. Stock market investing is a risky business and the variables that affect the stock market daily are many and often unforeseen. Day-traders rarely make a living on the market and often lose a bundle. Online investing accounts are for investors who can exercise patience and view the stock market as a way to enhance income or savings.

Don’t trade in an attempt to earn money to help with unexpected financial problems. Financial difficulties are a good reason to hold on to money rather than risk it on the uncertainty of the market.

Be informed. Online stock trading software might be a good investment.

Don’t be Drawn to an Online Stock Trading Companies by Trading Costs Alone

Most online sites have reasonable costs per trade – generally between $3 and $10. At these rates, trading costs are not much of a consideration and certainly should not be the deciding factor.

Depending on how much and how often one trades, maintenance fees or a tier-based trading structure that charges varying rates depending on the trading frequency or account balance may add expenses to the advertised charge per trade. Certain charges – like commissions – are generally tax deductible.

People who have used Internet stock trading sites can be a valuable source of information. Good information can be provided by customers – especially successful, experienced traders.

Check Internet ads or toll-free numbers to find out if the stock trading site offers a full line of services. Not all companies permit trading by Blackberry or I-phone, for example.

Online stock trading companies provide fast, secure, and convenient ways to start investing in the stock market. Trading costs are generally very reasonable. Most online companies offer additional services. Before opening an account, an investor should have some knowledge about how the stock market operates and how to evaluate stocks.

Stock market trading is not for everyone, and potential investors should evaluate their reasons for opening an account. Use all available means to appraise the online trading companies being considered.

Gut Feel Is Good, but Strategy Is Always Better

Once you have selected a good online stock trading site of your choice, you would begin trading. This is the time to have a strategy in place instead of playing it by gut feel always. There are several instances of people getting attached to the stocks they own. Even when such stocks fall, they keep on clinging to it. They do it in the hope that the stock will bounce back and rise again. Again, when a favorite stock rises, they continue to believe that it will keep on rising, but one day the stock corrects itself and the opportunity is gone.

Most smart investors go by the 10% rule. The number 10 could vary from even 2 or 3 to as much as 20, maybe even more. That would depend on the risk appetite of the investor. Let us understand what the 10% rule is. It stays that as soon as a stock you have grows in value by 10%, you will sell it, without hoping that it will rise even further. Again, when a stock’s value falls by 10%, you will sell it, without hoping that the fall will be wiped out soon.

Closing Thoughts

The success stories of great riches being made on the stock markets are like the tip of the iceberg. Below those stories are the countless untold stories who have burnt their fingers and lost their money on the stock market.

That is why you must go in with a certain degree of respect. Do not expect to rake in the millions within the first few days. Investment in stock markets requires days and weeks of laborious study and the display of immense patience over years before you can become one of the big winners.

 workplace with papers– stock image

The post Online Stock Trading Tips for New Investors appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/finance/stock-market/stock-trading-investors

Importance of UI/UX Design in Mobile App Development Process

Mobile application development has tremendously altered the way we use our smartphones. One can expect their cellular device to perform the day to day tasks in a fraction of seconds that otherwise eat a lot of precious time!

With the utility mobile applications becoming popular among users, it is necessarily important for businesses to pay close attention to the user experience and user expectations. One just can’t get enough traffic or hits on their mobile application with the average design.

More emphasis should be given to the UI/UX of the application that significantly bump-ups the user experience. In this post, we are sharing some aspects that simply showcase the importance of the overall design of an application that everyone ought to know.

An Overview of UI and UX:

For all those who are unable to differentiate UI and UX;

UI: UI stands for User Interface, which is the crucial part of the mobile application development. One can expect better client engagement if their application is appealing enough to the users. As per the market experts, a poor or average user interface could be the worst thing that any mobile application could ever have besides offering reliable functionality.  As per the experts, the UI of an application can showcase a lot about the overall functionality and reliability of the application. Hence, one should never compromise on the same.

UX: UX stands for User Experience, which is again an important part of the development. You can’t expect a great response from the audience if your application isn’t delivering the right user experience. The application needs to be optimized and tested in a way that removes complexity and focuses on simplifying the processes. If your application isn’t serving the purpose in the most simplified way, users won’t engage. You have to be sure enough that the application is tested by keeping in mind the user perspective.

A mobile application that serves the purpose along with full functionality couldn’t be a big hit in the market until it has a stunning user interface and delivers a reliable user experience. Thus; it becomes mandatory for the designing team to analyze the exact needs of the users as per the latest trends. Here are some of the trends that are ruling the market when it comes to the improved user experience on mobile application.

The Latest Android UI/UX Trends to Consider in 2019

Opacity

One of the powerful alterations that one can make in their application is the use of opacity. This approach is currently in trend and most of the designers are striving to enhance the overall appeal of their application through the introduction of opacity.

The logo and the buttons placed precisely on an opaque background could be the best thing that can bump-up the user experience and give a rich feel. If you are planning to build a business application, you can consider consulting a renowned designer to make the necessary alterations in your mobile application. Alternatively, one can consider hiring a professional Android App Development company for the same.

Customized Illustrations

Custom illustrations like numerous shapes, colors, and styles could eventually give a rich appeal to the application, which is perhaps the reason why most of the designers are following this trend. There are a lot of applications that can perform great but just because their design and layout aren’t customizable by users, they lack in delivering a better user interface.

As per the renowned graphic designers, the users are consistently on a hunt for the applications that can offer them the custom alterations as per their requirements. The dynamic colors also play a crucial role in uplifting the overall appeal of your application, which is the reason you need to choose the layout colors and background colors precisely. One can take the ideas from the internet to enhance your application’s appeal.

Frameless Background

There are a lot of games and high-graphic powered applications that have adopted this technique to engage users. One can use the frameless background in the application to give a rich and appealing look that would eventually augment the user experience. This technique is becoming popular among the business applications and gaming industry that wish to attract potential users.

One can consult the leading graphic designing enthusiasts that can help them in getting things done precisely without any hassle. There are numerous templates available on the internet when it comes to choosing the right layout for the background of the application. One can consider taking an idea from the competitor’s application.

3D Graphics

Three-dimensional graphics plays a crucial role in augmenting the user experience. This is one of the trending aspects of designing a website or an Android mobile application. The graphic designer needs to invoke their creativity and their knowledge to deliver a magnum-opus in a way that it helps in magnetizing potential clients.

The real-world inspired images used in the application’s splash screen could eventually depict a lot about your application and can also help in conveying a special message to the audience. Thus; it is always profitable to include 3D graphics in your application that holds the potential to harmonize the user experience.

Voice Assistance Compliance

Most of the people out there aren’t aware of the invoking of voice assistance in their application. One can simplify things with voice recognition, which again plays an important role in uplifting the user experience.

This is a unique feature that most of the business applications need to include if they are thinking out of the box for enhanced features in their application. As per the 2019 trends, you can include this functionality in your app by hiring a prominent developer that holds great expertise in providing the finest development solutions.

Worth Reading: 5 Trends That Will Redefine UI/UX Designing in the Future

These are some aspects that one can consider while developing an Android application. Moreover, the thing that matters is the fact that the UI/UX of an application should never be compromised while designing a business application.

Businessman using his laptop– stock image

The post Importance of UI/UX Design in Mobile App Development Process appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/business/mobile-apps/design-app-development

Tips and Tricks to Help You Save Money as a Business

Whether you’re a start-up, entrepreneur or small business owner, saving money where possible is a very real necessity. There’s never enough budget for marketing, for hiring new people or for simply investing more to help grow your business. With some parts of your business, that won’t be possible (after all, you don’t want to compromise on the quality of service or product), but with most areas of your business, there’s almost always a solution to help you save more money.

In this blog post, I’m going to share tips and tricks to help you save more money as a business.

Do you need an office?

The first question to ask yourself is, do you really need an office? For some businesses, it might be a necessity but for many, it’s just a choice.

Because of the technology we have available, working from home (even as part of a larger team) is more convenient than ever. That’s why over 52% of UK’s registered businesses are based in their owners’ homes and in the U.S. there are over 38 million home-based businesses, while telecommuting is becoming increasingly popular by the year (at least 3.7 million employees work from home, a 115% increase since 2015).

All you’ll need is room to work from, a computer and if you sell products, some storage space.

As for your employees, they can work from their own homes too – and if you need to meet up, many cities have shared office spaces where you can pay a small fee and work there as you would in your own office.

That said, for many people working from home is a struggle – it’s the place you’re most comfortable with, so it can be difficult to turn into work-mode. Here are some tips to help with this:

• Use a specific space as your office, not your bedroom/living room/etc. – a place that you can come to associate only with your work
• Try to make your home office as comfortable as possible: a big enough desk, a comfortable chair, etc.
• Establish the exact times during which you’ll work
• Whatever you do, don’t let friends or family come visit you during work hours!

Hire the right people and outsource work where possible

One of the biggest struggles for small businesses and start-ups is hiring the right people to work for them: from affording to pay them to know what to look for when you don’t have much experience hiring people.

Here are some top tips to help you save money when it comes to hiring people to work for your business:

• Don’t hire full-time employees if you don’t have to: this might not be a possibility for many businesses but if you can handle your business just by yourself (plus some part-time employees or freelancers), it’s worth giving up full-time employees for the time being
• Hire inexperienced people: it can take some time to get the feel for hiring the right people, but you need to start somewhere anyway. If you need to hire someone full-time – or even part-time – try to look for inexperienced people but who have the knowledge and know-how to help (such as newly graduated students who are just starting out in the workplace). That said, if an employee proves themselves as highly skilled, dependable and creative – then make sure to do everything possible to keep them working for you: finding (and keeping) amazing employees is not an easy task.
• Outsource when possible: there are so many tasks that you can outsource – and it will cost you a lot less than hiring someone full time. Of course, there are both advantages and disadvantages to outsourcing. On the one hand, it will return a higher ROI for your business, plus it’s so much cheaper to outsource than hire someone, but on the other hand, there are concerns about the quality of the work and delivery time. But, as you grow your own network of outsourcers and find great people to work with, the pros will definitely outweigh the cons

Save up on the phone bill with VoIP systems

If your business relies a lot on phone calls – for example, if you’re in sales – then you can potentially save a lot of money by implementing a VoIP system for your business. VoIP is a phone network system that works online, so even if you call people in the farthest corners off the earth, it won’t cost you extra.

Plus, the costs of setting up VoIP are less than a regular phone system, as you won’t even need to install a phone line – all you need is Internet access, which is a must-have anyway.

You also get the advantage of better accessibility – wherever you are in the world and whoever you’re calling, it makes no difference to a VoIP system (since it works online).

And finally, another big advantage is that you get a lot of extra features for free – unlike regular phone systems for businesses – such as voicemail (which you get directly in your email!), call forwarding and more.

To find a VoIP solution for your business, you can use something like GetVoIP to find the right provider.

 

Leverage free software

There is so much amazing free (or at the very least, cheap) software, that there are many cases where there simply isn’t a need to hire someone to perform certain tasks or to invest in expensive software.

Whenever you need software to do something, take the time to research your options – chances are, you’ll either find something free or at the very least, you can leverage free trials for a time.

For example:

• For marketing: there are a plethora of free content creation tools that can help you create content easily and quickly, by yourself; to give you a few examples, you can use a tool like Canva to create visual content for your blog/website and for your social media (images, infographics, presentations, etc.) – it’s super easy to use even if you’re not experienced. Likewise, you can find free email marketing tools (so long as you have under a certain number of email addresses in your list), free tools to help you manage your social media, free analytics and so on.

 

• For SEO: to improve your search engine optimization, look for SEO tools that offer free trials (or even completely free SEO tools) so that you can create an audit of your website – the tool will tell you exactly what you need to do in order to improve
• Free accounting software: getting an accountant on retainer might be necessary as your business grows, but when you’re just starting out or struggling for cash, you can always try free accounting software (like Wave, for example) to help you manage your accounting

 

Simply use Google to look up free software options – sometimes you might not find something great (or anything at all) – but chances are there are some free options or at least some free trials to try.

Conclusion

There is a lot of debate over how many businesses make it and how many fail, on average, as well as why so many fails (because if there’s one thing to agree on, a great percentage of businesses fail within the first couple of years of existence). There can be a lot of different factors that can lead to the failure of a business, but money and finances are certainly up there. Be careful with your business finances, especially when you’re just starting out, and try to save money wherever possible. That said, don’t overdo it – don’t compromise on the quality of your product or service or that can just as well be the cause of a business’s doom.

 

 trade concept– stock image

The post Tips and Tricks to Help You Save Money as a Business appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/business/business-finance/save-money-business

10 Pros of Hiring a Mobile App Development Company

Gone are the days, where smartphones are just limited to calls and messages. The increased penetrability of smartphones coupled with the affordable data packs has extended the applications of smartphones. Nowadays mobile apps have become the epicenter of day to day transactions. A major chunk of the users prefers to carry online transactions at the palm, rather than offline mode. Recognizing the enormous potential many businesses these days have its apps to cater to the needs of the users. Be it food ordering, taxi booking, bus, train, and flight ticket bookings, booking an appointment with the doctor, everything happens on smartphones.

If you happen to own a business and looking for mobile application development, you have two options to choose; either hire a mobile app development company or depend on the freelancer to get the work done. Each of these options has its own set of pros and cons. Before proceeding with your project, it becomes utmost important to have a basic understanding of both pros and cons.

Hiring a freelance developer; Pros and Cons

Pros of hiring a freelance developer

• Freelance app developers are an affordable solution when it comes to mobile application development.
• Freelance app developers are easy to find; many platforms are featuring a bunch of freelancers along with their portfolios.
• Freelancers master the skills in one specific area and this facilitates them to complete the projects seamlessly.
• Freelancers come with fewer obligations and usually work under a contract. You need to pay them once after the completion of the project.

Cons of hiring a freelance developer

• Freelancers usually work on multiple projects, and there is every chance of them disappearing from the contact from a few days or weeks.
• The job of freelancer ends with the completion of the project. They are not at all concerned with bug fixing, support, and maintenance.
• Since most of their projects are time bound, the freelancers do not seem to attribute much attention to product quality.
• Most of the freelancers tend to be lacking skills when it comes to planning and work organization. Hence, it is a typical scenario that your project meets the stipulated deadlines.

On the contrary, a mobile app development company houses a team of certified and experienced app developers, creative designers, project managers. Each of these individuals has designated roles and thereby ensuring a professional experience. Unlike a freelance developer, it is quite easy to hire a mobile app developer from a reputed company.   

Now let’s take a look at some of the pros of hiring a mobile app development company for your project:

#1 Complete package of services: A mobile app development company features all under one roof. The company features a rich resource of app developers, designers, project managers, and other experts. The client has the option to avail a host of services that include app development services, idea verification, business consulting, monetization models and so on.  

#2 Companies strive for quality: A company’s reputation very well depends on the quality of the products. The companies lend utmost importance for delivering the best quality since the products become a part of their portfolios. A lousy product impacts the reputation of the company. Unlike the freelancers, the job of an app development company does not end with the development of a project. Customer satisfaction has been the highest priority and companies make sure to develop an app that exceeds the expectations of the customers.

#3 Accountability: Probably the USP of mobile app development companies, when compared to freelancers, is accountability. The companies abide by the rules and regulations laid down in the agreement and follow a professional approach to ensure on-time delivery. The companies lend utmost importance to long-term relationships with the clients, and thereby they seem to focus more on quality rather than quantity. Unlike a freelancer, the company stands accountable in case of any discrepancies.

#4 Let’s you keep track of your app development: Most of the mobile app development companies follow a streamlined process allowing you to monitor the progress of the application development. Each of the projects is assigned with designated project managers and they effectively communicate with up to date reports regarding the developments from time to time. On the other hand, a well-tuned process helps to meet the deadlines facilitating on-time delivery.

#5 Time-bound: Professional mobile app development company features a full-fleet of professional app developers who hold the experience of having handled similar projects earlier. It makes it easier for them to handle the project effectively. You can hire a developer, to ensure the app development is professional and meets the set deadlines.

#6 Budget-friendly: Even though, it appears hiring a freelancer for your project is much cheaper when compared to hiring a developer from a company, in reality, it is not as such. When you hire a mobile app development company, you would be billed based only for the work done and it may be calculated per hour or fixed. So, as a result, the overhead costs go down drastically and ensures to have affordable business expenditure. Most of the companies offer flexible, affordable models that fit within the budgetary requirements. Such models allow you to get the app built in time and within the stipulated budget.

#7 Enhanced security: With freelancers, there is a greater risk of maintenance of confidentiality. Even though there is an agreement in place, still, it is quite difficult to solely based on it. On the contrary, companies lend the utmost importance to data security. They garner the highest level of security to the client’s data and applications. You can count on mobile app development companies when it comes to data security.

#8  Abide by strict legal guidelines: If you are dealing with an online business, there is a higher chance that you may be the potential victim of fraudulent activity. But hiring the services of a reputable firm helps to eliminate the legal issues. Initially, there would be an agreement made between the company and the clients and the company strictly abides by the guidelines mentioned in the agreement. The company takes care of the legal process; you just needed to go through it and sign on the agreement to begin the project. But before signing, make sure to go through the agreement from beginning to the end.

#9 Post technical support and maintenance: The job of a mobile app development company does not end with the completion of app development. The operation of the app warrants the incorporation of new and advanced features. The company features an arsenal of a professional team, infrastructure and set up required to meet the long term goals required for app sustenance. With 24X7 customer support and post-maintenance services, you are free to approach them anytime.

#10 Availability round the clock: Hiring a mobile app development team offers the client with access to the support services round the clock.  It is in contrast to a freelancer who is unavailable at some time owing to personal reasons. In case, the lead developer falls sick or leaves the company another developer from within the development team takes over ensuring the continuity of the process. As a result, there is no minimum to no loss of money, time or data.

 screen with emoticons– stock image

The post 10 Pros of Hiring a Mobile App Development Company appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/business/mobile-apps/mobile-app-development

Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics- Serve as a Transmuting Solution

The specifics of machine learning and predictive analytics are confusing for lots of people. Both are focused on efficient data processing, but still, they hold lots of differences.

In this article, I will elucidate these pair of tools – predictive analytics and machine learning. Here you will know what they meant, in what way they work and how they are good for your business?

What is Machine Learning?

Machine learning is the technique of computational learning that emphasizes most artificial intelligence applications. Without depending on explicit programming, the algorithms improve themselves through data experience. ML algorithms work as the all-embracing tools that execute predictions.

It is considered the present-day extension of predictive analytics. The backbones of ML models are self-learning and well-organized pattern recognition. From changing patterns, it will evolve automatically so that appropriate actions can be facilitated.

Do you know why many companies today depend on machine learning?

The reason behind it is to understand the clients and potential revenue opportunities better.

To draw the high-end predictions many existing and newly developed machine learning algorithms are applied. With less dependence on human intervention, it helps in guiding real-time decisions.

Let’s explore the advantages of Machine learning…

• It limits or eliminates human involvement, so it proves to be cost-effective technology.
• It employs fully automatic methods and streamlines the complex data tasks which in turn provides scalable predictive analytics.
• Within no time, machine learning provides the ease of assessing a large amount of data.
• Being data-driven and systematic in nature it provides an accurate assessment.

What do you mean by Predictive Analytics?

Predictive Analytics is a form of advanced analytics in which the machine learning algorithms and statistical analysis techniques are used. It formulates predictions about future trends, activity, and behavior by analyzing current and historical data.

Three fundamental components are involved in the predictive analytics applications-

• Statistical modeling- Various analytical techniques are included in it that ranges from essential to complex functions. It is used for the origin of meaning, vision, and implication.
• Assumptions- From the collected and analyzed data, the conclusions are drawn. It takes up the future that follows the outline related to the past.
• Data- The efficiency of every predictive model intensely depends on the importance of the historical data it practices.

Is Predictive analytics helpful for the businesses?

Yes, of course, predictive analytics is useful for trade. It provides an analysis of data that is needed for the planning of the future. The basis of it is different current and historical scenarios.

Accordingly, organizations can regulate their operations by recognizing the potential risks and opportunities in advance.

• To forecast the upcoming trends, patterns and consumer behavior the organizations use predictive analytics.
• You can boost your business or firm’s revenues through the forecast of certain prospects.
• It recognizes new trends and growth opportunities. Meant for the enhancement of customer intelligence and customer loyalty.
• It helps in reducing customer churn and plot customer journeys. From that, it modifies the marketing campaigns.
• Around the globe, organizations get immense help from Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics. Google, Amazon, IBM and many other top enterprises are persistently investing in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
• For operations, fraud and risk detection, marketing and security it is most frequently used.

What are the applications of predictive analytics and machine learning?

The machine learning and predictive analytics provide a solution to the organizations brimming with data but at the same time striving to make its valuable insights.

The data becomes a useless resource if it is not used for enhancing the internal and external processes and ultimately not meeting the objectives.

Let’s talk over a few examples regarding in what ways predictive analytics and machine learning can be applied in different types of industries.

Retail –To better understand consumer behavior, the retailers make use of predictive analytics and machine learning. With apt predictive models and data sets many questions related to ‘who’ buys, ‘what’ and ‘where’ are answered.

By the seasonality and consumer trends, the retailers can plan which in turn improves ROI significantly.

Banking & Financial Services – To detect and reduce fraud both predictive analytics and machine learning are used in conjunction. It helps in identifying opportunities and measuring market risks.

Security – Both play an essential part in the security aspect. The predictive analytics are used by security institutions to enhance services and performance.

The predictive analysis is considered quite helpful in detecting anomalies and fraud. It understands consumer behavior and increases data security.

Are you interested to know how can machine learning can boost your predictive analytics?

Let’s throw light on the same.

Identification and storage of digital information are required for a big data system. It is essential to apply the right set of tools that will help in pulling powerful visions from the stock of data. Businesses can heighten and discover new statistical patterns that form the backbone of predictive analytics by using Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms.

Difference between Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics

Machine Learning	Predictive Analytics
Inclusive term including various subfields along with predictive analytics.	Serves as the subfield of machine learning.
Generated from computer science. So a parent can be computer science.	Here the parent can be considered statistics.
Tools like R, SaaS and Python are used.	Minitab, SPSS, and Excel are used.
Considered all-encompassing and incessantly expanding.	Holds minimal scope & application.
Profoundly coding oriented.	Standard software oriented. The user need not themselves code much.

 

The relation between machine learning and predictive analytics

Machine learning is the branch of predictive analytics, or it can be taken in this way that predictive analytics is the sub-field of machine learning. You can solve the full range of problems through machine learning as it is more versatile.

Epilogue

Both enjoy similar aims and processes, but still, they both are entirely different concepts. Machine learning works out estimates. After design, it automatically recalibrates models in real-time.

On “cause” data, the predictive analysis works. It must be restored with “change” data. To work out, it depends on human specialists. Between the cause and outcome, it tests the associations, unlike machine learning.

 Business Concept.–stock image

The post Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics- Serve as a Transmuting Solution appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/affiliate-marketing/learning-predictive-analytics

Leadership Development: 6 Backed Approaches to Influence Your Employees to Work Harder

You wouldn’t stop receiving calls, your inbox will be busy as usual, and the last thing which would make you worry the most is if your key staff is getting their personal tasks done.

Some days, it feels like they aren’t working as hard as they could, and you really need them to give their all.

There are a few things you can do that will influence them to work harder just because they want to.

It may seem like common sense on how to deal with people, but the way you word things and what you overlook can play a large part in your employee’s efficiency.

1) Break off more than they can chew.

When first asking for a project or task, give them a long list of things that need to be done. Once they sit with the information for a while, scale it back. They will first feel overwhelmed, but as soon as you shorten the list, they will be grateful, and the motivation will kick in because they think the job is ‘easier’ now.

When interviewing a friend of mine, Tony Chan, who is a manager at a digital marketing startup, he oversees the schedules of eight team members every week.

Here’s what Tony had to say about breaking off more than they can chew.

“When I schedule my team’s week, I’m always considering each individuals propensity for stress. If I know they are particularly sensitive, I’ll make sure they have a very feasible list of goals for the week, but as they work through, I’ll congratulate them on their success and offer up more. With their triumph comes motivation, and with that motivation comes to a renewed sense of vigor in their work. It’s a key strategy in getting things done. I eagerly follow MAAM’s life based learning and want my team to build confidence, connections, and risk-taking capabilities.”

2) Make them feel like your life raft.

It’s important to make a person feel needed and important. Try explaining the importance of a job that you trust them. When people have more responsibility or the stakes are higher, they tend to put forth more effort.

For more ways to make them feel important or valued, read this article by Anand Srinivasan.

Encourage internal happiness projects.

Google does this with its employees, and as a startup, it’s a great way to retain your talent. Provide time for your employees to work on their own project for a couple of hours each month. You’ll find their significantly more happy with their position than before.

For ideas on encouraging happiness, check out The Happiness Theory.

3) Blow some smoke their way.

Compliment the good work they do and praise it in front of everyone. They will love the feeling and will work harder next time to impress you once more. Flattering someone makes their self-esteem go up, which makes them feel better about themselves.

When their self-esteem is high, people work harder, feel better and are genuinely happier.

Keith Gillen, the Primary Therapist at the 12 Palms Recovery Center, knows the importance of praise, especially when it’s publicized.

Working in a rehab center, clients are looking for support where they’ve had little in the past. Many clients in rehab centers go through recovery feeling very alone, so the praise can go a long way, and encourage them to keep working for progress.

4) Nothing is free in life.

Provide them with incentives that will push them to do things around the office.

I’ve learned that people get more done when they have more to do. Being busy means, they don’t have any time to waste which would result in them getting sidetracked.

When they are busy the whole day, they will feel more structured. When they are waiting for a client to call back, or someone to finish with paperwork, they can do other things to make their time worthwhile.

Now, of course, each of these may affect people differently.

5) Run a workplace wellness program.

Salaries and bonuses are motivators for great jobs, but employers also offer benefits to stay competitive and attract the best talent. Motivations for candidates vary; one person may be financially motivated while another may want a flexible work schedule, including the ability to telecommute.

When it comes to operating a healthy work environment, many employees value and even come to expect it. Great organizations are making this a reality by timely running corporate wellness campaigns. These programs do include healthy workspaces, health screening and monitoring programs, awareness about sleep disorders and idiopathic hypersomnia, activities and incentives for everyone’s well being.

6) Make them think about flex time possibilities.

This is a growing phenomenon among workforces, and it might be better for you to explore the possibility.

Are there work hours that would better fit their schedule? Would four 10-hour days work better? Would it be better to come in an hour early and leave an hour earlier to fit into their kids’ schedules better? Can they arrange to leave early on certain days to get to a game or event and make up the time the next day?

If their position involves work that could be done at home, can they arrange to work from home a day a week? If they are successful in getting a flex-time schedule, make sure that they are just as productive, if not more, than before!

Some couples share “sick days,” alternating who will stay home. Others have friends or relatives they can call upon. Have their plan in place in advance, so they are not scrambling at the last minute!

Over to You –

You have to use your people skills to feel out which method works best for which person in your office.

When you find the one that works best for you, stick to it!

Remember that the way you approach your employees can have a world of difference in their reaction. No matter which method you choose, always do it with a smile and appreciation.

 

Male leader– stock image

The post Leadership Development: 6 Backed Approaches to Influence Your Employees to Work Harder appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/business/leadership/leadership-development-employees

Launching Online Furniture Rental Store Is One of the Profitable Startup Ideas of 2019-20

The sharing economy is expanding exponentially all over the world. Renting is not the latest concept for people. However, nowadays people can rent everything including clothes, property, furniture, etc. If someone has to relocate or leave a place, it would be difficult to sell everything and buy it once again. They will look for alternate options. Due to such problems, rental ideas are expanding so much. It is a very good business option in today’s world.

Furniture renting has it’s very own focal points. Individuals are currently searching for various choices to stay away from the inconvenience of migrating or exchanging. This procedure had prompted the formation of the rental of new businesses. Today, one can lease everything without exception on the web, be it a vehicle, fabrics, furniture or home machines. The pattern is powered by expanding urbanization, a rising pattern of family units, and extending working populace. Individuals are winding up increasingly efficient and settling on leasing items as a progressively traditional decision.

Renting furniture- a new concept

The idea of Rent to Buy is additionally doing benefits around, as the rental organizations are likewise enabling individuals to purchase the furnishings, they have been leasing for some time.  The estimated worth of the global furniture rental market is between 5 to 8 billion dollars. The idea of ownership has been supplanted by the craving to increase better encounters by leasing or sharing assets. Whatever the outright numbers, the development in portability and intra-nation movement recommends that there is a vast and regularly developing customers of urban experts with transferrable employments and extra cash. Expanding quantities of furniture and apparatus rental new companies have jumped up to take into account this customer base.

Types of Furniture Renting

The global furniture market can be broadly categorized into four categories:

• • Domestic Furniture

• • Office Corporate Furniture

• • Hotel Furniture

• Furniture Parts

 

Top Player of Furniture Rental Market

Major players in this sector today includes CORT, Aarons, Mobley, In-lease, Franco, and Rentomojo. Now The world’s biggest furniture retailer Ikea is also jumping into furniture rentals.

“We will work together with partners so you can actually lease your furniture. When that leasing period is over, you hand it back and you might lease something else,” Torbjorn Loof, chief executive of Inter Ikea, which owns the Ikea brand, told the Financial Times

Possibilities of growth

Research recommends that the furnishings rental market is required to develop at a vigorous rate over the estimated time frame — 2017-2024. With the ascent popular for the furnishings rentals among the level 1 urban community, it has likewise let to the expansion in mindfulness, with which the furnishings rentals are additionally looking at towards level 2 and 3 urban communities for as a potential market. Over the most recent 3 years, the furnishings rental industry has seen the development of 1000% and has been developing 2.5 occasions each year.

The global furniture rental industry is expected to grow at a very huge rate in the next 5 years i.e., from 2019-2024. The essential factor in charge of the development is an expansion in a number of managers that are joining rental furniture‘s into their corporate portability approaches as a central administration offering. The industry is driven by wide range macroeconomic components, for example, the number of organizations working locally, the joblessness rate and the business feeling list, which are all normal to improve amid that time span.

if environmental concerns weigh on your conscience, it may be worth it to you to be less than perfectly economical to know your consumption habits aren’t contributing to the millions of tons of furniture waste disposed of every year. Ikea has already started initiatives to recycle wood and some products such as mattresses in some countries. Mr. Loof said it had already changed how it designed sofas to ensure they did not end up in a landfill but instead could be separated more easily into individual materials such as wood, metal, foam, and textiles.

Feather wants to take the pain out of owning furniture and today announced the close of a $3.5 million seed round for its furniture rental business. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Bain Capital Ventures co-led the round, with participation from several other investors, including Y Combinator (YC).

If you are really looking to enter the market rapidly then ready to launch solutions is a viable option. With ready to launch solutions you can set up your rental marketplace within less span of time and cost-effectively. Read popular online rental marketplace solutions, which allow you to launch your rental marketplace swiftly:

Revenue Strategies for Furniture Rental Startups

Effective lease rate pricing is a core business function for startup furniture leasing companies. But pricing isn’t the only revenue tool at your disposal. In order to capture a larger share of the market, many furniture rental providers also offer rent-to-own or financing options on their merchandise.

From a consumer perspective, rent-to-own and other financing options allow people with no credit or bad credit to buy furniture on an installment basis. Since there is no credit check, you will incur more risk than a traditional lender. To compensate, you will need to charge higher rates and be proactive about collecting on bad accounts. But the good news is that with the right strategy, you can significantly boost revenues by creating a path to ownership for your customers.

In a nutshell

Development of urban district and the rising number of working populace combined with unevenness identified with the settlement is anticipated to trigger the development of the furnishings rental market. Moreover, the rising pattern for leased condos alongside accessibility of tastefully engaging and lightweight rental furniture is likewise expected to fuel the development of the furnishings rental market.

 the optical glass on the digital– stock image

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source https://tweakyourbiz.com/business/start-ups/online-furniture-rental

Top 5 Investor Pitch Deck Mistakes and What to Do Instead

Іt’s а соmреtіtіvе wоrld оut thеrе. Соmреtіtіоn fоr іnvеstоr funds іs fіеrсе. Тhеrе іs а lоt оf tаlk аbоut hоw tо роsіtіоn уоur рrоduсt роsіtіvеlу аgаіnst thе соmреtіtіоn. Вut hоw dо уоu соmреtе wіth thе thоusаnds оf stаrtuр еntrерrеnеurs lооkіng tо grаb а сhunk оf thе sаmе fundіng рооl?

Оnе wау уоu саn dіstіnguіsh уоursеlf frоm thе mаssеs іs fоr уоur ріtсh tо bе sееn аs а fоrmіdаblе соntеndеr. Gеt іnvеstоrs ехсіtеd. Неrе’s hоw tо аvоіd thе соmmоn ріtсh dесk mіstаkеs.

Неrе аrе thе tор 5 ріtсh dесk mіstаkеs аnd whаt tо dо іnstеаd:

1. Міstаkе: Ріtсh thе Рrоduсt – Ѕоlutіоn: Ріtсh thе Вusіnеss

Іnvеstоrs dоn’t іnvеst іn іdеаs. Тhеу dоn’t іnvеst іn рrоduсts. Тhеу іnvеst іn busіnеssеs. Іnvеstоrs іnvеst bесаusе thеу wаnt tо gеt а bіg fаt rеturn оn thеіr іnvеstmеnt оnе dау. А рrоduсt dоеsn’t gіvе thеm а rеturn. А vіаblе, рrоfіtаblе аnd sustаіnаblе busіnеss саn. Іf уоu hаvе trасtіоn, lеаd wіth іt. Тhеrе’s nоthіng bеttеr tо рrоvе thаt уоu hаvе sоmеthіng thаt а mаrkеt wаnts, nееds аnd wіll buу.

2. Міstаkе: Vеrbоsе – Ѕоlutіоn: Ве Ѕuссіnсt

Тоо mаnу best pitch decks аrе vеrbоsе. Тhеу аrе соnfusіng аnd іnvеstоrs сhесk оut rаthеr thаn wrіtе а сhесk. Frоm thе vеrу bеgіnnіng рrоvіdе sресіfіс аnd suссіnсt dеtаіls аbоut thе рrоblеm уоu sоlvе, fоr whоm аnd whу уоur sоlutіоn mаttеrs аbоvе аll оthеrs. Rеsіst оvеr соmmunісаtіng. Gеt tо thе роіnt quісklу wіth уоur fіrst slіdе.

3. Міstаkе: Wоrdу Ѕlіdеs – Ѕоlutіоn: Vіsuаls аnd Вullеt Роіnts

Тоо mаnу ріtсh dесk slіdеs аrе расkеd wіth whаt thе рrеsеntеr іs gоіng tо sау. Еntrерrеnеurs саn rеаd – аnd thеу саn rеаd fаstеr thаn уоu саn sреаk. Іnvеstоrs ехресt уоu tо knоw уоur mаtеrіаl wіthоut hаvіng tо rеаd іt. Оnlу рut thе рrіmаrу роіnts оn thе slіdе, а sіnglе сrіtісаl роіnt wіll dо. Іnstеаd оf а bunсh оf wоrds оn а slіdе соnsіdеr usіng stunnіng vіsuаls tо mаkе уоur роіnt. Grеаt vіsuаls соmmunісаtе а сlеаr mеssаgе аnd еngаgе аudіеnсеs еmоtіоnаllу. Аnd whіlе wе’rе оn thе subјесt оf slіdе рrеsеntаtіоn, dіtсh thе аnіmаtіоns аnd trаnsіtіоns. Тhеу dіstrасt frоm thе fосus оf уоur ріtсh.

4. Міstаkе: Fосus оn Тесh (оr Рrоduсt Fеаturеs) – Ѕоlutіоn: Fосus оn Dіstrіbutіоn

Yоur ріtсh dесk nееds tо shоw thаt уоu knоw ехасtlу whаt іt wіll tаkе tо gеt, kеер аnd grоw сustоmеrs іn а соmреtіtіvе mаrkеtрlасе. Тhіs іs а сrіtісаl slіdе bесаusе іnvеstоrs wіll wаnt а сlеаr рісturе оf hоw уоu рlаn tо gеt уоur аmаzіng рrоduсt іntо thе hаnds оf lоts оf сustоmеrs. Вrоаd gеnеrаlіzаtіоns suсh аs “sосіаl mеdіа nеtwоrkіng” іs а tасtіс, nоt а strаtеgу. Ѕhоw thаt уоu’vе іnvеstеd а lоt оf tіmе аnd еnеrgу іn dеvеlоріng аn асtіоnаblе dіstrіbutіоn рlаn аnd lеvеrаgіng уоur unfаіr аdvаntаgе.

5. Міstаkе: Оnе Ѕіzе Fіts Аll – Ѕоlutіоn: Таіlоrеd Ріtсh

Тоо mаnу ріtсh dесks аrе сооkіе сuttеr tеmрlаtе-bаsеd рrеsеntаtіоns рrеsеntеd tо аll tуреs оf аudіеnсеs іnсludіng іnvеstоrs, сhаnnеl sаlеs раrtnеrs аnd strаtеgіс раrtnеrs. Κnоw уоur аudіеnсе. Таіlоr уоur ріtсh tо уоur sресіfіс аudіеnсе. Ноw dоеs уоur busіnеss fіt wіth thе rеst оf thеіr роrtfоlіо? Dо уоur hоmеwоrk, hоw іs іt smасk іn thе mіddlе оf thеіr іnvеstmеnt “swееt sроt”. Ѕресіfісаllу shаре уоur ріtсh, уоur busіnеss stоrу, tо thе аudіеnсе tо whісh іt іs рrеsеntеd.

Іf уоu wаnt аn іnvеstоr tо gеt sеrіоus аbоut уоur busіnеss gеt sеrіоus аbоut уоur ріtсh dесk. Lооk аt уоur ріtсh frоm аn іnvеstоr’s реrsресtіvе. Маkе surе еасh slіdе dеlіvеrs а соmреllіng аnswеr tо “Whаt’s іn іt fоr mе?” аnd “Whу shоuld І саrе?” Тhе mаіn thіng іs tо fосus оn thе mаіn thіng іn thе mіnds оf уоur роtеntіаl іnvеstоrs. Тurn уоur ріtсh іntо а stоrу wеll tоld.

 credit card– Stock Editorial Photography

The post Top 5 Investor Pitch Deck Mistakes and What to Do Instead appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/management/business-credit/investor-deck-mistakes

The Why and How of Outsourcing Tech Support for Small Business

As a small business owner in the 21^st century, outsourcing technical support is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your company. If you’ve never considered it, now’s the time to begin thinking about this option.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Tech Support

Change is the only constant in business. And when you look at the forces that change swiftly and most dramatically, technology is at the top of the list. Technology iterates and innovates at an astounding pace and the average business has trouble keeping up. But it doesn’t have to be something you struggle with. By outsourcing your tech support, you can enjoy benefits like these:

• Lower costs. Hiring, training, and maintaining a full-stocked in-house IT department is expensive. As entrepreneur Patrick Hogan points out, “The most basic tech support specialists in the United States earn an average of $46,420 annually. Systems Analysts, on the other hand, earn upwards of $80,000 every year, with Data Administrators and Network Administrators earning nearly the same.” By outsourcing, you get access to only the folks you need (and at a far more affordable rate).
• Better service. You have your own specialty and focus. Your company isn’t in the business of IT and tech support. By outsourcing these responsibilities to a business that specializes in these areas, you can provide better service to your clients. It’s as simple as that.
• Less friction. When you try to manage technical support internally, you’re bound to run into issues that disrupt the flow of service and create unnecessary friction. When outsourced, everything runs much smoother.
• Greater security. Cybersecurity is a big deal in today’s digital landscape, and a technical support partner will ensure you’re better prepared for the demands that crop up in this area.

Though some large corporations have the in-house resources to manage their own tech support, most businesses find it more cost-effective and logical to outsource. In all likelihood, you will as well.

5 Tips and Tricks for Successful Outsourcing

Knowing that you need to outsource and successfully doing so are two totally different things. As you move in this direction, here are some tips and tricks you’ll find helpful in finding, managing, and growing with an outsourced partner.

1. Identify Your Need

The very first step is to identify your needs and set your expectations. There’s significant variability in the tech support field, and you have to be strategic with which potential partners you pursue. Here are some different elements to consider:

• Is seasonal demand a major factor in your business? In other words, will you need a ton of help during part of the year and very little throughout the remainder?
• How much help do you need? Will one or two people suffice, or are you in search of an entire team of people?
• Are your tech support needs pretty basic, or will you need to invest a considerable amount of energy into upfront training and education?
• Does location matter? What languages do tech support partners need to speak?

As you can see, there’s a lot of variabilities. It’s up to you to figure out your needs so that you can proceed with a clearer picture.

2. Create a Shortlist

Armed with a clear understanding of what you want out of a tech support partner, you can begin your search. Because location is rarely a big issue in this industry, you’ll find that you have hundreds of options spread out all over the world. From the U.S. to the Philippines and everywhere in between, you’ll encounter what seem like promising options. Vet them against your needs and formulate a short list of the most attractive options.

3. Find the Right Fit

As with any business decision, you need to make sure you find the appropriate fit. A tech support partner may offer you a convenient price within your budget, but does their service align with your needs?

As a rule of thumb, look for tech support companies that have been around for a while and have experience.

“Having a wide client base exposes tech support companies to a plethora of issues. That means when a weird or difficult tech support problem pops up at your business, chances are the techs have seen that issue or something similar and can fix it quickly,” Invasion explains. “If the tech support companies you are talking to are new or have a small client base, it could mean they haven’t handled as many serious problems as a company with broader experience has.”

4. Be Specific in Your Contract

Nothing is more dangerous than having a cloudy agreement with a technical support partner. It’ll eventually come back to bite you.

“It’s important to keep the written record of the engagement as clear, complete and accurate as possible,” Bloomberg writes. “When there are projects or situations that the contract does not explicitly address, the customer should clarify them early on and in writing.”

It’s far easier to set terms on the front end of a working relationship than it is to go back and revise something later on.

5. Stay in the Loop

Just because you’re outsourcing your technical support, doesn’t mean you can be totally hands-off. This is a critically important component of your overall business, and you can’t afford to be out of the loop.

When it comes to customer issues, in particular, you have to know where your biggest pain points are. Otherwise, you’ll fail to deliver the sort of value that everyone needs.

Directly oversee technical support and ask for regular reports. It’s better to have more information than not enough.

Find Your Sweet Spot

Every business has its own unique needs, interests, wants, strengths, and weaknesses. As you consider outsourcing, you’ll need to evaluate different tech support partners and what each brings to the table. Patience and meticulous due diligence will serve you well.

Wait for the right fit and make sure you’re doing what’s best for your business.

 digital currency abstract background.–stock image

The post The Why and How of Outsourcing Tech Support for Small Business appeared first on Tweak Your Biz.

source https://tweakyourbiz.com/technology/technology-trends/support-small-business