5 handy financial tips for today’s mompreneur

by with No Comment Business

Balancing motherhood with running your own business can take a toll on your pocket if finances are not managed effectively. How do you clearly set the difference between domestic finances and finances for your business and stay on top of your financial game? Here are a few tips that could come in handy…

  • Set goals and have priorities

The first step in any financial journey is to sit down and reflect on your financial activities or spending habits and the progress you would like to make financially. Having this in mind will help you to set goals that are realistic, time-bound and measurable, such as saving x amount of money by within the next two years. This helps you to stay focused and organized in working towards your financial goals and keeps you from making the same financial mistakes.

 

  • Have a budget

Keeping track of your finances will seem less cluttered if you have a financial plan or budget. This will help you identify which areas take up most of your finances and to clearly determine what amount goes into which activity. Having a budget also sets a limit which guides you in knowing when to spend and when to let it go. As a result, your costs are minimized, and expenses are better managed.

 

  • Invest

Little drops of water really do make a mighty ocean. Putting aside some money to save after expenses can be quite difficult but proves to be worth it in the long run. Although saving some money in the bank is one of the best financial ways to go, it also helps to have your money “working for you” by having an investment account or investing in shares and treasury bills. It’s advisable to pay attention to the interest rates as well as the reputation of these shares or investment banks before investing in order to reduce risk as much as possible. Every little bit helps in investing as it yields some financial returns in the long run. Who knows, that could even be the capital you need to start your next business. Start as early as you can, as it’s never too early!

 

  • Have an emergency fund

Now this is different from investing and is more focused on having something to fall back on in case your business for example runs into some unforeseen circumstances. This is especially handy for small businesses as sometimes profit may be far less than expenses in the beginning. The emergency fund could be a percentage, no matter how small, of the money you make from each business transaction, to help ensure that your money does not run out before you know it; and to prevent you from being in a tight spot should any emergency arise.

 

  • Make use of financial tools

The good news is you never have to face all the figures alone. Thankfully there are several financial tools and apps like QuickBooks, that make financial activities such as bookkeeping easier and more effective. If you need to issue an invoice or receipt for a transaction, there are also simple templates in Microsoft Word that makes the task simpler. We are also in the age of online banking, where you can easily check your account balances and make transfers without making the trip to the bank.

 

Keeping track of all these financial numbers can be quite overwhelming, but remember, there is a whole community of mompreneurs out there making a difference, just like you! Here are a some more practical financial tips from some mompreneurs who share a bit of their financial journey…

https://heymama.co/planning-your-2019-budget-4-mompreneurs-share-their-financial-advice-for-the-year-ahead/

 

 

 

Tips for SME Owners During COVID-19

by with No Comment BusinessOpinions

First and foremost, relax and do not make any rash decisions if you are in panic mode. It is time to think clearly and not be reactive, which can be easy to do with the influx of information being thrown at us. Our (mental) health and well being and that of our staff are of the utmost importance at the moment. Luckily, many SMEs today thrive using digital channels, whether it is the ways they communicate with clients or achieve productivity from their staff.

It does not matter who you are or your industry of specialization; the reality of the matter is that we will all most likely lose out one way or another, whether it is relating to our finances or in human capital. Nobody is exempt from the toll of the virus, which is still extending throughout the world, creating a ripple effect that will impact us for quite some time.

As reported in SmallBizTrends, “27% of businesses expect the coronavirus to have a moderate to high impact on their revenue. Another 30% expect the virus to have a moderate to high impact on their supply chain.”
The goal here is deploying all efforts to help minimize the impact of our losses. At KUSI Consulting, we are no experts in saving SMEs, however, there are some means and methods we are personally experimenting with that we wish to share with you.

Here are some key points and advice based on our experiences thus far since the pandemic to help you minimize your losses.

1. Leverage technology and focus on selected services.

If there is any part of your work that can be performed digitally then strongly consider it. Also, leverage on those services you offer which require a digital means. Earlier this week, one of our clients suggested postponing a negotiations meeting scheduled for three potential candidates they are considering for available roles. Rather than postpone, we proposed a video conference, which they found it to be a great idea. We have to find ways to not interrupt our normal business flow and keep things as normal as possible. If there are alternatives, consider those alternatives instead.

2. Consider outsourcing and freelancers.

With a limited or no team the work still has to get done. For some of us, we are fortunate to be able to work from home. A luxury that is not afforded to everyone. It is time to consider outsourcing and leveraging the talents of freelancers who work independently. Last week, another client began to weigh their options and consider hiring an emergency staff in case their current staff goes on strike and does not report to work. If you can afford this then consider this option.

3. Think about survival and not about your get-rich-or-die-trying agenda.

Figure out your monthly expenditure and highlight the necessities ex: food and electricity. Worry about making enough to cover those expenses and not about your next vacation destination. It is time to cut back in all the ways we possibly can until life picks up again and normalcy is restored.

4. Actively check on your team who are working remotely or not working at all.

Employee engagement is not only in the workplace. It extends outside of the workplace. Ask about their (mental) health, how they are feeling and engage them as often as you can. You will be amazed at the solutions they help you to derive. Keep in mind that your employees are feeling the same way you do regarding the business. They too are concerned if they will have jobs and stability when it is all over. That is if they have not already lost their jobs. Seek their advice and the advice of your internal stakeholders before making business decisions.

5. Limit spending wherever you can.

We have no idea how long the Coronavirus and its impact will last. Try and cut expenses. For example, Instead of the AC use a fan.

6. Pay your staff if you can afford it even if it’s not their full salaries.

It is not time to be neglecting those who need you the most during this crisis. The men and women who have been working to help achieve the objectives of your business. Find solutions to provide for them just as you would for yourself. We are all in this together. If you can afford to provide hazard pay for employees risking their lives to still come to work then do so.

7. We can all use a bit of faith. Continue to pray and have faith.

It is certainly time to start thinking outside of the box and letting our creative juices flow. Share positive news and information with your community and team to uplift their spirits. The truth is, when this ordeal is over, we may not all be left standing on our two feet, business-wise. But, we can and should remain positive, hopeful and faithful.

If you have more to add on this topic, kindly leave a message in our comments section.

Give us a call (+233 55 408 1727) (+233 30 254 7136) or e-mail us at info@kusiconsulting.com for more advice and also about our Recruitment, Training, HR Audit and Digital Marketing services.

Written by:

Rita Kusi

Human Resource and Marketing Expert.

CEO & Sr. Consultant @ KUSI Consulting.

5 business ideas for today’s mompreneur

by with No Comment Business

Balancing motherhood with managing a business can be quite a daunting task especially in the early stages. However, this equips you with some skills and experience that could help you build a solid business. What are some of the ways by which you can earn an income from the comfort of your home so you could also have time for your kids? Here are a few ideas:

  • Baking

There’s nothing as comforting as some home-made pastries baked with love. This gives you the opportunity to work from home and get creative with those lovely recipes. Plus, you can determine the pace at which you want to expand the business, whether you want it to be close-knit or eventually a full-blown business. There’s always an occasion to bake, be it for a family together, an event, or just a holiday. Who knows, your baked goodies could be the next hot thing on the shelves.

 

  • Content creation/writing

We are certainly in the digital age and content writers and creators are in high demand. The good news is with a good phone camera or just a laptop (or pen and paper), you can create great content either for a selected brand you have signed up with, or for your own blog or channel. You just need to identify a topic you are good at, such as helpful tips for moms, quick recipes etc. Once you are passionate about it, you’re halfway there. Consistency is key and you could eventually gain enough visibility to expand your content creation portfolio.

 

  • Event Planning/Consulting

Our supermoms have a knack for organizing, and this could certainly be channelled into a great business idea. You could start by helping friends organize their events or offer event consulting services for a fee. This is quite flexible because you could choose which events to take up and you can do most of the organization from home till the actual day of the event arrives. This gives you the time for family as well and gives you the chance to build a business that could grow bigger over time especially through word of mouth.

 

  • Interior Decoration

If you have that touch of colour, this may just be the idea for you. You can help create the right ambience for homes through your Midas touch. This gives you the opportunity to channel your creativity into a money-making venture, especially as real estate is rapidly developing in Ghana. You could start this through your network or contacts and eventually build your way up to a broader customer base.

 

  • Online Research

In this technology age ridden with information, research takes a great deal of time, and time is a commodity many professionals do not have. As a result, researchers are now in high demand especially for start-ups and businesses that want to stay up to date with the latest business trends.  With good internet and a laptop, you could explore this option and earn some extra income by researching relevant information online and getting paid for it.

 

These business ideas won’t only give you a sense of fulfilment, but also give you the room you need to spend quality time with your family and squeeze in a little ‘me’ time as well. Don’t forget to keep track of your finances in order to identify how much you are making and to know which resources to allocate to each aspect of your business.

 

Have you thought of any other ideas? We’d love to hear from you!

 

Written by: Nana Boatemaa

 

 

 

 

 

Why is your content not gaining as much feedback as you would like?

by with No Comment BusinessOpinions

Audience engagement is a key aspect of social media today, whether it’s for your business or personal brand. Have you ever shared content and not gotten as much feedback as you would have wanted? Well then this is for you. Today we share some simple yet important reasons why your audience is probably not responding as much as you would want them to.

  • You are not being personal enough

Why should a client, viewer or reader click on your content and not someone else’s? With so much content out there these days, there is a need to connect on a personal level with your audience. Instead of taking on a general tone, you need to find ways to make your audience feel you are speaking directly to them. You could also find simple ways to connect with your audience such as an occasional check-up, a birthday wish, a giveaway or content that is relevant to them at the time.

It is important to at least have some information about your audience, whether it’s their e-mail address, just their name or what catches their attention the most. This by no means implies you should be intrusive, but it will mean more to your audience if your content spoke to them more on a personal level as compared to general content that comes across as speaking to just anyone. Your message should be tailored to suit your audience, to make it more practical and relatable. Tools such as Google Analytics makes it easier to identify who is responding more to your content, where they are responding from and where they spend the most time on your page. This takes us to our next point…

 

  • You are not making good use of insights

What you do with the insights gained from your analytics could play a key role in improving your audience engagement. Where do you get most of your clicks from? How often is your content reshared? Where is your audience hearing about you from? Using tools like Google Analytics does not only end at gaining audience insights, but also making use of those insights to give your audience engagement a face-lift. Responding to such information could help make your content more audience-specific and help you to know which key areas to focus on and which ones to do away with.

 

  • Your content cover/featured image/title is not catchy enough

There is so much clutter on the internet these days, which leads us back to the question, how can you stand out? You may need to take your creativity a notch higher with your content presentation, cover photos etc. Are they becoming monotonous or they are visually appealing enough to catch the attention of your audience? You could explore options such as using real-life pictures that will influence your audience to want to know more or use tools such as Canva to design simple yet interesting images to attract and sustain audience interest. Often, an attractive image or title will lead your audience to want to know more.

 

  • You are posting way too much

Sometimes posting way too often may cause your audience to lose interest because your content may either seem too ‘all over the place’ or just not relevant anymore. You could schedule your posts to space out the timing a bit more. You do not necessarily have to post on every topic out there or engage in every conversation. It is much better to develop an authoritative voice on topics relevant to your brand and to your audience. This makes it easier for your audience to take you more seriously because you know what you are talking about and your posts/content are always well thought through. You need to strike a balance between consistency and making your audience miss you occasionally such that when you post, they will sit up and pay attention.

 

  • Is your audience learning from your content?

Does your content make your audience feel they are gaining something from you? Will your content make your audience feel they have not wasted their time (and sometimes bundle)? Does your audience feel they are much better people after viewing your content? How does your content make your audience feel? More importantly, how does your audience benefit from your content, without you saying it point blank that “this is how we can help you?” You should not only seek to entertain through your content, but also educate and provide solutions to your audience. This will eventually encourage them to visit your brand, site or page more often especially when they are looking for information pertaining to topics relevant to you and them.

 

These may seem like very simple reasons but influence how well your content is doing and should not be underestimated. Keep your audience engaged, informed and feeling valued, and this could very well have a positive effect on your brand. Your focus should not be on numbers, but on the quality of your content and how you make your audience feel. This will in turn lead to greater brand performance and audience engagement.

 

Written by : Nana Boatemaa

5 Business Tools to Help Your Small Business Grow

by with No Comment Business

With businesses becoming more dynamic and customer-oriented, how can you as a business become more efficient whilst keeping up with the technology age? Today, we share with you five simple business tools that can help you achieve some results for your business without spending more than you planned for.

  • GSuite

You’ve probably heard of Google Analytics and its role in gaining in-depth insights into factors affecting your web traffic.  Developed by Google, the GSuite offers a range of apps that can improve your business’ productivity. Whether you need to build a domain for your business, track how well your business is doing or run effective advertising campaigns, GSuite provides all the tools you need within one platform, whilst helping you stay within budget.

 

  • Hootsuite

Let’s face it, we are in a digital age, and more people are going to gain access to the internet as the years go by. How can you as a business keep up? With many businesses expanding online, how can you stand out? Digital marketing.

Digital marketing tools such as Hootsuite help you strike the balance between running your day-today business whilst building a solid online presence. With over 16 million users worldwide, Hootsuite is an effective social media management tool for any business that wants to for example carry out a digital marketing campaign across different social media channels. Hootsuite enables you to do it from one dashboard and helps make your marketing more targeted and organized whilst following up on performance. Some people argue that Hootsuite is a bit on the high side, but you could choose from their packages ranging from £25/month (professional), £99/month (team) and £520/month (for very big businesses.) They have 30-day free trials as well.

 

  • WordPress

Developing relatable and informative content is key to putting your small business out there. WordPress makes this easier by providing a simple but effective platform that enables you to manage your business blog efficiently. As one of (if not the most) the popular blogging platforms, WordPress offers a lot of add-ons and plug-ins to make your website management even easier with its resourceful dashboard and has helped many small businesses improve their Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Plus, it’s free!

 

  • Bplans.com

Need to organize your ideas into a simple yet impressive business plan or just need to prepare a pitch to present to potential clients? BPlans.com makes it easier to plan your business, strategize and organize your information by providing tools and templates to help small businesses grow. They also provide key business insights through their blog, to keep small business owners informed with business trends. As BPlans themselves put it, they are a “free resource to help entrepreneurs start and run better businesses.”

 

  • Co-working spaces

Sometimes you just need that working environment to keep your creative juices flowing but may not necessarily want to rent a full building to carry out your business activities. Well then, say hello to co-working spaces! Co-working spaces are gradually becoming more popular especially in Accra, and offer conducive environments for team meetings, business collaborations or just a place to finish up the work for that deadline. Here are a few you can explore:

–Kukun: Located in Osu, Kukun is open from 7am-5pm (Mondays & Tuesdays), 7am-10pm (Wednesdays – Fridays) and 10am-5pm (weekends). It offers a warm, welcoming workspace in the heart of Accra, and you can grab something to eat or drink too. Rates range from GHS50 per hour to $850 for access to their private offices for a month.

–Impact Hub: Also located in Osu, Impact Hub is open from 8am to 7pm (Mondays to Fridays). This space offers meeting rooms and entrepreneurial collaborations within a comfortable and productive environment. You can gain access for as low as GHS20 to GHS200.

–Workshed: Located in Spintex, the Workshed is open from 8am to 5:30pm (Mondays to Fridays). You can also book it in advance for your team events on Saturdays. Their membership rates range from GHS25 to GHS600, depending on whether you need full-time or part-time access.

Have you ever experienced a co-working space? We’d love to hear about it!

 

Businesses are only going to grow more competitive and creative. Don’t be left out!

Your quickest Gift guide for Val’s Day

by with No Comment BeautyBusinessFashionFeatured Moms

The month of love is here again and we are no doubt wondering what to get our loved ones. Whether it’s for that special someone or you just want to pamper yourself (because you certainly deserve it too), here are a few gift ideas that will help make your search easier.

Some chocolate is certainly good for the soul! With its colorful packaging and variety of flavors, Midunu Chocolates (by Selassie Atadika) are the perfect way to spoil yourself or remind someone of how much sweetness they have brought into your life. Midunu chocolates are a mixture of quality and affordability with a range of gift sets from the 6-piece box and 12-piece box to the 24-piece box. As Selassie herself puts it “The flavors of Midunu chocolates are a chef-scripted love story to our continent in every bite.”

 

You can never go wrong with a yummy breakfast basket. Whether cupcakes, some fruits, pastries, sandwiches etc., an A2K breakfast basket is a lovely way to say “I love you”, not just to others but a tasty treat for yourself as well! Packaged in dainty yet attractive baskets, this gift is convenient and fills the tummy too!

 

Maybe you want Valentine’s Day to be a year of reflection for you this year and what better way to reflect than to write your thoughts down and put some plans in place? The Unstuck Mentor (by personal women’s coach, Banke Sotomi) offers great planning tools such as Affirmation Journals and the Modern Woman Planner. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to reflect on how far you have come and where you hope to be someday.

 

Did someone just say a back and neck massage plus lunch?! This Valentine’s Day, Celfee Spa (located in East Legon) together with Sweet Temptations by Anike are offering a special treat for two, to have a relaxing massage and a delicious meal afterwards. 2020 has already been quite eventful, you certainly need to take a break and regroup, and the Celfee Massage can do the magic.

Show your skin some love this season with natural skin and haircare products made with the African woman in mind. The Delse Shop offers a range of the best made in Ghana beauty products from brands such as MGL Naturals, R&R Luxury, Peini and Serwakoto Naturals. What better way to show your skin some natural love?

 

Rene’s Giftspot specializes in personalized chocolates and cute hampers. Want a gift that consists of different but useful items such as stationery, wine, teddy bears, sweets, daily materials and toiletries? Then a Rene’s Giftspot hamper is a creative but affordable way to express your love this Valentine’s Day.

As you show others love this season, don’t forget to take some time off to appreciate yourself too. You’re doing great so far.

Happy Valentine’s Day, with love made in Ghana.

9 GHANAIAN MOMPRENEURS WE CAN’T HELP BUT ADMIRE!

by BeautyBusinessFashionFeatured Moms

Achieving goals sometimes seem more doable when we have people to look up to or who have already set an example. We are always inspired to see women excel not only personally but also entrepreneurially. Today, we shift the spotlight on nine Ghanaian mom-preneurs we admire and how they weave their magic:

                                                                                      Gwen Gyimah Addo (Hair Senta)

As the Chief Executive Officer of the luxury hair brand The Hair Senta (started in 2008), Gwen Addo has risen through the ranks over the years as the owner of one of the biggest hair companies in Ghana. She started selling hair right from the trunk of her car, staying determined till she opened her first shop. Gwen is a former participant of the popular beauty pageant Miss Malaika (2003) and believes that gave her the platform and exposure she needed to build her brand and career.

She has carried her skills gained from her corporate background in the banking sector and educational background in entrepreneurship and innovation from the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), into the day-to-day management of her business. One key take-away point from her entrepreneurial journey is passion; in her own words “you should not be interested in just copying, but have that passion to pursue your ideas because it’s that drive you will need when everything doesn’t go according to plan” (Gwen Gyimah Addo, 2017). She is married with two kids and places premium on keeping her family involved in order to strike that work-life balance.

                                                                                               Claudia Lumor (Glitz)

With a strong belief in telling the African story, Claudia Lumor channeled her passion for fashion into her brainchild, Glitz Magazine which has eventually expanded into other brand extensions such as Glitz Style Awards and Glitz African Fashion Week.

Taking the bold decision to leave the financial sector in the UK and settle back in Ghana “was not easy at all” in her own words (Claudia Lumor, 2018) but with her focus on hard work, belief in oneself, creativity and credibility she has eventually placed the Ghanaian fashion industry on the world map.

A mother of three who has been married for over ten years, Claudia is also very passionate about maternal health and champions this cause through her Glitz Africa Foundation.

To her, one key factor in combining work with marriage is having a supportive family.

                                                                                       Valerie Obaze (R&R Luxury Ltd)

Described by Forbes as an “African skincare trailblazer’, Valerie Obaze founded R&R Luxury, a cosmetic brand that uses shea butter as its main ingredient for its products, in 2010. Her business idea was inspired by finding a product she could use for her newborn daughter’s skin. After much research, she birthed her idea through her first product, Shea Oil.

The brand has gradually expanded beyond Africa to the United Kingdom and the United States.

She has always nurtured her entrepreneurial traits, starting from her own PR agency she founded with her friend, to her current company R&R Luxury. She believes one advantage of being an entrepreneur is having the space to also factor in her children and have enough time for them by working from home.

Valerie is very passionate about motherhood, and founded the Mumpreneurs network in 2015.

                                                                                     Sacha Okoh (So Aesthetics)

Sacha launched her beauty career right after school in 2005 with the Ghanaian weather and woman’s skin in mind.

Her makeup brand, SO Aesthetics has over the years developed into a well-known and trusted brand specifically for the rich African skin.

She has grown to be a well of knowledge in the Ghanaian fashion and beauty sector, with her background from the London School of Fashion and London School of Beauty and Makeup.

She also runs Viva Boutique, a luxury clothing and accessories store for women. Sacha is a mother of three and believes in balancing work and family with a healthy lifestyle.

 

                                                                                    Evita Joseph Asare (Evita Joseph Brand)

Evita Joseph Asare, a mechanical engineer by profession, entered the makeup world through an experience in France, where she was advised in a makeup store that she needed a concealer.

Her interest in makeup eventually grew and she decided to apply her background in research and design to the beauty industry.

With a desire to challenge herself and learn more about the beauty industry, she signed up for beauty school whilst on maternity leave and launched her makeup brand, Evita Joseph Makeup, not too long after.

With feats such as ‘Best Beauty Retail Store in Ghana’ in both 2014 and 2016, Evita believes good things take time and often start small.

                                                                                           Ethel Adjorlolo Marfo (Junior Shapers Africa)

Popularly known as “Ethel theMompreneur”, Ethel Marfo has carved her niche as a ‘male child development activist’ who is passionate about nurturing young boys into responsive men who will not only impact society positively but also be positioned to support the contemporary African woman.

This vision was birthed with the future of her three daughters in mind as she and her husband are raising them to be independent and driven women, as well as a desire to contribute to bringing up responsible, holistic men in the society. She successfully carries out this vision through her non-profit organization, Junior Shapers Africa.

Her background in Public Relations and Marketing has played a key role in her branding and communications, and also runs Salon Cuties, a salon for children. She is also the founder of All Moms in Leadership (aML), a group aimed at supporting women who are faced with balancing both business and motherhood.

As a mother of three, she believes strongly in raising children, both male and female, holistically so they can compliment each other in achieving great feats in society.

                                                                                         Lucy Quist (Quist Blue Diamond)

Known as the ‘first Ghanaian woman to head a multinational telecommunications company’, Lucy Quist has a ton of experience in the corporate and technology world, ranging from being an Electrical and Electronic Engineer at Ford Motor Company to a former CEO of Airtel Ghana.

With a strong desire to see women lead in male-dominated areas such as Science, Technology and Engineering, she founded Quist Blue Diamond, a technology and data-driven company.

She has also founded other businesses and initiatives such as Fresh Bakery, a network aimed at positioning African people to ‘contribute to the global economic pie’ (Lucy Quist, 2017), and the Executive Women Network.

She is a strong advocate for ‘The Bold New Normal’, an idea she pioneered to impact the African mindset through taking bold actions.

She believes in delegation, organization and separation of time to effectively balance her career with being a mother of three.

                                                                                        Beryl Agyekum-Ayaaba (Echo House)

Beryl Agyekum-Ayaaba is the Chief Executive Officer of Echo House, a creative marketing and event agency. Also with a background in engineering and marketing, Beryl initially envisioned Echo House as a magazine whilst in University, but the brand has evolved over the years into a multi-faceted agency with the youth at its core.

Named as one of the 100 Most Outstanding Women Entrepreneurs by fellow community of women, WomenRising, Beryl combines her passion for the youth and creativity to sustain a formidable brand.

She recently joined the motherhood gang in 2019.

                                                                                             Dentaa Amoateng MBE (GUBA Enterprise)

With a desire to improve relations between Africa and the UK, Dentaa Amoateng has made formidable strides in the diaspora with her brainchild GUBA Enterprise, earning her a number of awards and honors including the ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire’ (MBE, from the Queen of England in 2016 and ‘Young Female Achiever of the Year’ at the 2019 edition of the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Awards!

Yes, you read right…she won an award at an event that celebrates the best in men’s achievements across all walks of life!

With a background in nursing borne out of her passion for children, Dentaa has extended that passion into society-driven initiatives that have helped place Ghana, and Africa, on the world map.

She believes in setting a clear distinction between work and family in order to have time for her four kids.

What are your goals as we kick start the New Year? 2020 is already underway but don’t freak out just yet. With determination, planning, action (and some rest of course), you will have a fulfilling year!

Which other mom-preneurs inspire you? We will be glad to hear from you!

Written by: Nana Boatemaa

Three Simple Strategies for Closing Deals

by with No Comment Business

The most important aspect of every business when it comes to selling is closing the deal. No matter what you sell, whether products or services once you come into contact with the customer ,the goal is to close the deal and get them to buy whatever you are proposing to them.

These three simple strategies will help you win the hearts of your clients in a professional way without the client seeing you as desperate to get their business or forcing them to buy from you.

First of all it is is very essential to propose a solution to your client when marketing or selling and the only way you can  propose a good and right solution is when you understand the potential clients problem or business pain. Almost 70% of the time a product or service sale results from solving a problem or the need of the buyer. For example, A consumer on a normal day will not buy a bottle of water just because of the color of the bottle, the consumer needs some water to quench their thirst that is why they would reach out to purchase. In this case the water is a solution to being thirsty. For business owners this tell us that, the more you understand the needs of your market the better it will be for you to service their needs.

 

Secondly it is essential to create a sense of urgency around the product or service  you are marketing. This gives the client the push to take a decision on the product within the shortest possible time. Put together offers that will motivate prospective clients to become a part of your business. Phrases such as limited offers, Pre-Orders , custom made orders give customers a sense of privilege and motivates them to buy into whatever you are selling. Never ever leave your offers open. Remember to add an end date to give them that little push to take a decision.

 

Lastly the duty as business owners to follow up on potential clients cannot be over-emphasized. The “Rule of Seven” is a guiding marketing principle created by Dr. Jeffrey Lant that states that a prospective buyer should hear or see the marketing message at least seven times before they buy it from you. You can make use of social media strategies and other marketing mediums to advertise and market to your potential clients so that they always keep in you mind to be the first to come to mind when they are ready to make a purchase!

 

Tag a #smallbusinessowner who would benefit from this post. Would you please and thank you!

 

 

You’ve got to promote that business

by with No Comment BusinessUncategorised

As an entrepreneur it is essential to make very good decisions for your business and put together strategies that will help your business to stay ahead of the competition.  You have three things to sell to your audience: yourself, the company and the product. Doing this very well and strategically can help you put your business at the forefront in the industry in which you find yourself.

Check out these tips to help you stay on top as a business

Promoting yourself

– As an individual managing a business it is essential to maintain a nice personal appearance. Always ensure you show up well dressed up. Appearances play a vital role in our presentation.

– You need to also establish your business within the community where you live before you spread out to other parts. It is easier to sell in a community where you are familiar to as it is easy for them to buy into your product or service.

-It is essential to join credible networks that can help you interact and get to know other people. As the saying goes, when you join the right tribe you thrive.

Promote your Company

– It is essential to understand clearly your company’s purpose and objectives. Understanding the purpose and objectives helps you to plan and take actions that will lead you to your goals.

– It is essential to give your business an identity Develop a corporate image: Logo, name of company , name of product. This helps people to relate to your brand and quickly identify the brand among the lot.

– It is very important to get your employees to positively represent your brand. Train your employees to reflect your brand and represent the business in a  way that will attract clients to it.

– Always keep in touch with your customers and update them on any expansion or improvement in your product line or services . Exhibit very good customer service skills as this will go a long way to sustain the business.

Promote Your Product / Service

– Participate in Trade shows, exhibitions and forums. This is one way to create brand awareness for your product or service and also gt visibility.

– Back your product or service with excellent service. Always ensure you deliver to your clients using good customer relations.

– Tell your customers and target group about your products and services very often. Always share knowledgeable and beneficial information about your product or service with your clients

– Learn more about the products and services so you could recommend them to customers as and when they need it 

These few tips can go a long way to give your small business a boost. Do let me know which ones you have implemented effectively.

Don’t wish for it, Work for it

by with No Comment BusinessOpinions

 

The key to turning dreams into reality is Action – ~Jim Rohn~

Once upon a time, we have all dreamed and desired one thing or the other that we hoped to see it come into reality. Most often these dreams and desires are left unfulfilled because we fail to act on it or do some work to see that dream or desire come to life. Especially when we face challenges even when we decide to work towards our dreams, that desire to achieve usually dies down after a while if we are not able to ignite that passion or enthusiasm that we started with.

We often do not put in hard work to achieve our goals as we  tend to forget that the mere thought of dreaming or wishing does not work. We need to back it with dedication, consistency and a strong mindset that no matter the obstacles we face we will purse that dream or goal.

Almost all successful people the world has produced were great dreamers. What distinguished them is the fact that they worked hard and persevered in order to achieve their dreams.

Especially for us as women the stage of Motherhood comes with so many challenges and set backs that it takes self-motivation, dedication and a strong will to carry on with our personal goals and aspirations. Along journey to achieve our goals we are faced with a lot of barriers, oppositions and a multitude of negativeness.

The trick lies in the approach we decide to use in tackling these challenges. A strong determined spirit can lead us to conquer all the difficult paths we come across and motivate us to work hard towards our goals.We also have to dedicate time to our goals and be consistent with the actions we believe will help us to achieve them. You don’t necessarily have to do it all at once, take it one day at a time.

Remember that it is not the goals you set for yourself in life that matters but the hard work and effort you put in . We cannot achieve our dreams if we do not put in the necessary effort. We shouldn’t give up or loose hope when things are not going as we want. We must back our dreams with passion and conquer the world. The world needs what you have go to give to make it complete.