The IDEA Publishing
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact
  • ads.txt
the_business_IDEA
The Business IDEA

The Business IDEA

Your Source for the Best and Newest Thinking in Business

What Businesses Need to Know to Get the Most Out of Their IT Team

6/27/2019

 
Picture
Most large businesses have an IT team that is responsible for protecting data and networking the computers used by employees. In many cases, the IT department can be ignored or isn't given enough attention from upper management. If you manage or own a business, there are a few things that you need to know to get the most out of your IT team.

How Much to Budget
Depending on the industry, good IT can cost a bit of money because the technology likely affects your customers. Technology is a key driving force in every business market, which makes IT teams more in demand. IT teams can also cost more because they're responsible for accommodating the re-occurring wave of change while embracing technology as a partner rather than a commodity. Companies that sell technology as a product will likely have lower costs than those that sell products like tacos or buildings. Investing more money in IT may be a sacrifice but can have a positive impact on each department and aspect of the business.

The Terminology
If you make the mistake of getting hooked on buzzwords as a business, then you will quickly find yourself bloated with useless hardware and incompatible software, which can make your IT team confused and ineffective. Do you know the difference between ITIL and ITSM? Using confusing acronyms can only lead to issues and complications that occur down the road.

Their Strategy
Many businesses fail to have an IT plan or strategy, which is critical to the operation of their business with the type of software that is used. Many businesses often assume that technology can compensate for mistakes that are often made, but it is actually a force multiplier for the business. It can save money, attract more business, and boost the productivity of your team. You'll need to work closely with your IT team to develop a strategy and research the top software that can be utilized. Work with a professional that can help you to identify that IT structure that is needed to support the business and also plan for the future.

Businesses that understand the importance of their IT team often succeed because they utilize what the department has to offer. With the right software used and a plan created, you'll likely obtain more success in the industry.


KEYWORDS

  • action plan×
  • buildings×
  • business×
  • business model×
  • business strategy×
  • buzzword×
  • buzzwords×
  • cloud computing×
  • companies×
  • company×
  • competition×
  • competitive advantage×
  • computer×
  • computers×
  • consultant×
  • consulting×
  • corporate strategy×
  • costs×
  • efficiency×
  • industry×
  • information technology×
  • infrastructure×
  • investments×
  • IT×
  • IT strategy×
  • plan×
  • planning×
  • return on investment×
  • ROI×
  • software×
  • strategic management×
  • strategy×
  • success×
  • successful×
  • team×
  • teamwork×
  • tech×
  • technology


RSS Feed

Build a Business Your Way

2/19/2018

 
young-women-entrepreneurs
Build a Business Your Way

Creating a business from the ground up is no small endeavor. From planning to financing to putting standard business services in place, there’s a lot to tackle. To overcome these obstacles, franchising is an ideal solution for many aspiring business owners. While it provides the advantages of business ownership, franchising also offers numerous benefits, such as these.


Build a Business Your Way

(Family Features) Creating a business from the ground up is no small endeavor. From planning to financing to putting standard business services in place, there’s a lot to tackle. All of that is in addition to operating the day-to-day business.

To overcome these obstacles, franchising is an ideal solution for many aspiring business owners. It provides the advantages of business ownership, but with the added support of a recognized brand and an established method of doing business. Partnering with a franchise like The UPS Store offers numerous benefits.

Flexibility. Opening a franchise allows you to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of making your own business decisions and being your own boss, while working toward your goals of personal and financial independence at your own pace.

Start-up resources. Getting a new business off the ground requires a wide range of activity, from site selection and lease negotiation to hiring and training staff. A franchise can help you navigate these early decisions and needs with a deep pool of experience and knowledge to help overcome the hurdles you may encounter.

Training. Even a well-educated business owner has room to learn. With a franchise, you have the opportunity to receive in-depth training in areas such as business operations, technical systems, human resources, marketing and financial management.

Networking opportunities. Connecting with other franchisees at area meetings, regional conferences and national conventions helps you stay informed of industry trends, discover new tools and resources, and develop lasting relationships with fellow franchisees. The result is a peer group that has intimate knowledge of your business model that can serve as a valuable resource as your business grows.

Product development. Part of developing your business is understanding your customers’ needs and introducing new products and solutions. As a franchise owner, you can contribute insight to the process but focus on running your business while development experts dedicate themselves to researching and innovating new products and services that can help you better serve your customers.

Marketing support. Many franchises conduct national advertising campaigns to build brand awareness, while regional efforts and local store marketing can build excitement in your market. A layered marketing plan extends the reach of your marketing budget and lends credibility to your business.

Financing assistance. Funding your franchise according to your unique goals and background can help eliminate many of the financial pitfalls that those without experience or industry expertise may encounter.

Learn more about franchising and the options available to aspiring small business owners at TheUPSStoreFranchise.com.

A Milestone Accomplishment

A focus on small business is driving big results for one national retailer. The nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, print and business service centers, The UPS Store, Inc., is now 5,000 locations strong.

“The UPS Store network is made up of dedicated individuals and families who are committed to serving small business owners, customers and their communities,” said Chris Adkins, vice president of franchise development for The UPS Store. “We look forward to welcoming more franchisees into our network as we continue to challenge ourselves to find new ways we can bring convenience and value to our customers.”

Over the years, the retail concept has expanded to include a range of solutions for small business owners, creating a one-stop shop for small-business support. Small business owners can find resources such as notary services, shredding, mailbox and locker rental, and, in some cases, even inventory management solutions, as well as the packing and shipping services that business and non-business customers alike can utilize.

5 Tips for Creating a Business Plan

Once you’ve settled on a business model that meets your needs, developing a business plan is an essential next step. These five tips can help you get started:

  • Think long-term. A solid business plan should account for your start-up, of course, but also the longer range future of your operations. Consider how you want your business to look five years down the road. Create goals and build in milestones to chart your progress on that long-term path.
  • Write it yourself. No one can embrace your vision as completely as you can and developing the plan yourself gives you a deep understanding of every aspect of the business, which is essential for good management. Even if you hand over certain responsibilities down the road, being aware of each aspect of your business can make you a stronger, more successful leader.
  • Review the plan over time. Know that time brings change. The business climate and other variables that influenced your original plan will likely shift over the course of your ownership. That’s why it’s important to revisit your plan at least annually to ensure your original roadmap is still on the right track strategically.
  • Share your plan with others. Inviting input from an adviser or experienced friend or colleague is a great way to spur new ideas and identify potential problem areas. Be sure you’re prepared to accept constructive criticism to help shape the best possible business plan.
  • Stick to it. After all the sweat equity you invest in creating your business plan, the worst thing you can do is allow it to collect dust on a shelf. Use the plan to guide you in launching and growing your business. When business is booming and you’re too busy to think strategically, you’ll be grateful to have a well-conceived plan to rely upon.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images (women with clipboard, man with open sign)

SOURCE:
The UPS Store

KEYWORDS

  • advertising ×
  • business plan ×
  • entrepreneurial ×
  • entrepreneurs ×
  • Family Features ×
  • finance ×
  • finances ×
  • franchise ×
  • franchising ×
  • management ×
  • managers ×
  • managing ×
  • marketing ×
  • money ×
  • networking ×
  • personal finance ×
  • plan ×
  • planning ×
  • small business ×
  • strategy

Make Marketing Work for You

7/5/2017

 
small_business_marketing
The importance of marketing for small businesses can't be overemphasized!

Marketing is essential to the success of any business. It’s the way to tell people what products and services you offer, but more importantly, it’s an opportunity to tell your business’s story and convey why someone should choose to buy from you rather than a competitor. Try these strategies that can help you build a plan and tell your small business brand story.


Make Marketing Work for You

Strategies to grow your small business

(Family Features) Many small business owners see their grand opening as the culmination of a lifelong dream of owning their own business. Indeed, it’s an important milestone, but it’s really just the beginning of a journey to build a brand that can attract and keep customers coming in the door.

Marketing is essential to the success of any business. It’s the way to tell people what products and services you offer, but more importantly, it’s an opportunity to tell your business’s story and convey why someone should choose to buy from you rather than a competitor.

Start with a plan
Just as you likely used a business plan to get your company off the ground, you’ll need a marketing plan to guide you in promoting your business. A marketing plan should include an analysis of your business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It should also define your target audiences with as much detail as possible.

With this information, you can begin devising the strategies and tactics that will best answer the challenges and opportunities your business is likely to encounter. The scale of your plan will depend on the scope of your business and the resources you have available, but you should include a wide range of activities, from advertising and printed materials to events and social media. It’s also a good idea to build metrics into your plan, so you can assess how your ideas perform and make adjustments over time. Also remember to include a timeline to hold yourself accountable for executing the plan.

Define perceptions
Whether your business is brand new or you’re new to the idea of purposefully marketing your business, it’s important to know how you want people to perceive your brand and your company. Some of that information may be spelled out in your business plan, but for the purposes of marketing, it may be necessary to take it a step or two further to really tell your brand’s story. What do you want people to know? How should they feel when they interact with your company? Is there a reason your offering is superior to the alternatives? Ensure your marketing materials answer these types of questions clearly and concisely.

Make materials meaningful
For many small businesses, printed materials are the first impression customers and prospects have of your business. Printed materials can be any number of items, including direct mailers, business cards, newsletters, flyers, banners, posters and more.

Having professional, well-designed print items sends an important message about your business and your commitment to quality. Regardless of the format, all marketing materials should reflect your brand story. That is, the visual and linguistic ways you convey your brand.

Nearly all small business owners (90 percent) use printed materials in some aspect of their business, according to a survey conducted by The UPS Store. While marketing is the most common purpose, overall, small business owners use printed materials for a variety of other reasons such as internal documents, client documents and billing. Even those more functional pieces should consistently reflect your brand, the same as your external marketing materials.

Small business owners are often short on time and resources, but relying on a partner for print services can make things easier. For example, The UPS Store offers online ordering for print products and launched a “Print on Demand” program that enables customers to receive on-demand delivery service for everything printed from business cards and presentations to flyers and brochures. The print delivery service is the first of its kind and is available at more than 900 locations across the country. Learn more at upsstoreprint.com.

Marketing Solutions that Work

Try exploring these six print strategies that can help tell your small business brand story:

  1. Flyers
    Every store should have a grand opening, and a flyer is a great way to tell the community your business is ready to launch. Once your business is underway, you can promote specials and create brand awareness using updated flyers in the same style.
  1. Business cards
    Whether you are walking into a networking event or going about your daily routine, the right business card is a must to deliver a strong representation for your brand. In fact, a survey conducted by The UPS Store found that 70 percent of small business owners use business cards to market their businesses. Contact information is essential, but so is a quality design that lends credibility to your business.
  1. Brochures
    When you need more space to tell your story, brochures offer a low-pressure method to make a long-form pitch to customers. Having a sales associate promote your capabilities can be intimidating. Conversely, brochures provide you with an opportunity to show customers what your brand offers in a low-pressure way with full color and detail in a format they can carry out and refer to later.
  1. Promotional Products
    Promotional products can be fun, inexpensive ways to reach your customers. With branded items like T-shirts, bags, mugs or keychains, you can provide a functional product to your customer and raise brand awareness. Order online with the help of a trained printer by considering a partner such as The UPS Store.
  1. Postcards
    With so many digital ad options available, today’s consumers receive less traditional mail, and that’s an opportunity to make your brand stand out. Postcards are a compact and cost-efficient way to announce a new product, the opening of a new location, a holiday sale or another important notice. Even if the recipient doesn’t immediately take action on the promotional message, postcards are also a good way to keep your brand in front of consumers and remind them of the products or services you can offer.
  1. Presentations
    A well-put together presentation can leave a lasting impression by adding impact and value to the information being shared. Presentations help reinforce your message and brand while keeping important information in one place for current and potential clients.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
The UPS Store

KEYWORDS
  • Family Features ×
  • small business ×
  • marketing ×
  • presentations ×
  • business cards ×
  • promotions ×
  • planning ×
  • strategy ×
  • promotional materials ×
  • advertising ×
  • tips ×
  • advice



    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015


    Interested in Publishing on The Business IDEA?

    Send your query to the Publisher today!


    Categories

    All
    351
    464
    Abandoned Carts
    Accounting
    Action Plan
    Advancement
    Adversity
    Advertising
    Advice
    Africa
    Age
    Aging
    Agriculture
    AI
    Amazon
    Amenities
    Apple
    Applications
    Apps
    Art
    Artificial Intelligence
    Aspirations
    Attention
    Attention To Detail
    Attitude
    Attorney
    Automation
    Automobiles
    Autonomy
    Autos
    Bank
    Banking
    Benchmarking
    Benchmarks
    Benefits
    Best Practices
    BI
    BPT
    Brand
    Branding
    Brandpoint
    Brandpoint Content
    Bravery
    Budget
    Budgeting
    Buildings
    Business
    Business Cards
    Business Education
    Business Ethics
    Business Intelligence
    Business Model
    Business Owners
    Business Plan
    Business Strategy
    Buzzword
    Buzzwords
    BYOD
    Capital
    Car
    Care
    Career
    Careers
    Cars
    Cash
    Cash Flow
    Celebrity
    CEO
    Change
    Charity
    Christmas
    Clients
    Cloud
    Cloud Computing
    Collaboration
    Colleagues
    College
    Commitment
    Communication
    Communications
    Communities
    Community
    Companies
    Company
    Compensation
    Compete
    Competition
    Competitive Advantage
    Competitors
    Computer
    Computers
    Connections
    Consultant
    Consulting
    Consumer
    Consumer Behavior
    Consumer Products
    Consumers
    Content Marketing
    Continuous Improvement
    Convenience
    Corporate Strategy
    Costs
    Coworkers
    Creative
    Creativity
    Credit
    Credit Card
    Credit Cards
    Credit Score
    Culture
    Customer Experience
    Customer Loyalty
    Customers
    Customer Service
    Cybersecurity
    Dale Carnegie
    Data
    Data Analysis
    Data Security
    Debt
    Delivery
    Design
    Desks
    Dialogue
    Digital
    Direct Sales
    Direct Selling
    Direct Trade
    Discovery
    Diversity
    Donation
    Dreams
    Driverless Cars
    Driving
    Earnings
    Ecommerce
    Education
    Efficiency
    Email
    Email Marketing
    Emerging Technology
    Employee
    Employee Benefits
    Employee Engagement
    Employees
    Employee Satisfaction
    Employers
    Employment Law
    Endorsements
    Energy
    Engage
    Engagement
    Entertainment
    Enthusiasm
    Entrepreneur
    Entrepreneurial
    Entrepreneurs
    Environment
    Ethical
    Ethics
    EX
    Expense
    Expenses
    Expert
    Expertise
    Experts
    Facebook
    FaceTime
    Facilities
    Factoring
    Failure
    Fair Trade
    Family
    Family Business
    Family Businesses
    Family Features
    Farmers
    Fear
    Feedback
    Female
    Fiancial Aid
    Finance
    Finances
    Financial
    Financial Aid
    Firing
    Fitness
    Flexibility
    Flexible
    Food
    Founder
    Founders
    Franchise
    Franchising
    Freelancer
    Freelancing
    Freight
    Fulfillment
    Funding
    Funds
    Generations
    Gig Economy
    Global
    Goals
    Google
    Green Business
    Growing
    Growth
    Hacks
    Hazards
    Health
    Health Benefits
    HealthCare.gov
    Health Insurance
    Hiring
    Holiday
    Holidays
    Home
    Home-based Businesses
    Home Values
    Hotel
    Hotels
    HR
    HRM
    Human Resources
    Ideas
    Income
    Income Tax
    Income Taxes
    Industry
    Information Technology
    Infrastructure
    Innovation
    Innovations
    Insights
    Inspiration
    Instagram
    Integrity
    International
    Internet
    Internet Of Things
    Inventions
    Invest
    Investing
    Investments
    Invoice
    Invoicing
    IRS
    IT
    IT Strategy
    Job Hunting
    Jobs
    Law
    Lawyer
    Leaders
    Leadership
    Legal
    Lifehacks
    Lifestyle
    Line Of Credit
    List
    Listen
    Listening
    Lists
    Loan
    Loans
    Location
    Logistics
    Loyalty
    Loyalty Program
    Manage
    Management
    Manager
    Managers
    Managing
    Mangement
    Manufacturing
    Marketing
    Marketing Plan
    Mass Production
    MCA
    Medium
    Mentality
    Mentor
    Mentoring
    Merchant Cash Advances
    Microbusiness
    Microbusinesses
    Milestones
    Mindset
    Mitigation
    Mobile
    Mobility
    Money
    Money Management
    Morality
    Motivation
    Name
    Network
    Networking
    Network Marketing
    Nonprofit
    Nonprofits
    Obamacare
    Offers
    Office
    Office Environment
    Offices
    Office Space
    Online
    Online Marketing
    Online Shopping
    Operations
    Opportunities
    Opportunity
    Optimism
    Organization
    Organizational Culture
    Original
    Originality
    OSHA
    Outlook
    Pain Points
    Paperless
    Parents
    Partnerships
    Passion
    Passions
    Payments
    Performance
    Perks
    Personal Finance
    Personal Finances
    Personalization
    Personnel
    Persuasion
    Phone
    Pitch
    Plan
    Planning
    Point Of Sale
    Policies
    Policy
    Porifts
    POS
    PR
    Praise
    Presentations
    Price
    Pricing
    Principles
    Procedure
    Procedures
    Process
    Production
    Productivity
    Products
    Professionals
    Profit
    Profitability
    Profits
    Promotion
    Promotional Materials
    Promotions
    Prospects
    Psychology
    Public Relations
    Quality
    Real Estate
    Realtors
    Recordkeeping
    Records
    Regulations
    Relax
    Relaxation
    Remodel
    Reputation
    Research
    Results
    Resume
    Retail
    Retailing
    Retention
    Retirement
    Return On Investment
    Revenue
    Reviews
    RFID
    ROI
    Role Models
    Rural
    Safe
    Safety
    Salary
    Sales
    Satisfaction
    Savings
    Second Job
    Security
    Self-help
    Selling
    Senior Citizens
    Seniors
    Service
    Service Industry
    Services
    Service Sector
    Setbacks
    Shipping
    Shopping
    Shopping Cart
    Side Hustle
    Site
    Small Business
    Small Businesses
    Small Business Owners
    Smartphone
    Smartphones
    SME
    Social
    Social Media
    Social Responsibility
    Software
    Speed
    Spending
    Startup
    Start Up
    Startups
    Steve Jobs
    Stock Market
    Strategic
    Strategic Management
    Strategy
    Stress
    Success
    Successful
    Suggestions
    Support
    Survey
    Survival
    Suuggestions
    Systems
    Tablets
    Tactics
    Target Marketing
    Taxes
    Team
    Teamwork
    Tech
    Technology
    Testimonials
    Time
    Tip
    Tips
    Touch Points
    Toxic Employees
    TQM
    Traffic
    Train
    Training
    Transport
    Transportation
    Travel
    Travelers
    Traveling
    Trend
    Trends
    Trucking
    Trunover
    Trust
    Turnover
    Twitter
    University
    Video
    Videos
    Visibility
    Vision
    Wages
    Wall Street
    Wealth
    Website
    Websites
    Well-being
    Wellness
    Women
    Womens
    Work
    Work And Family
    Workers
    Workflow
    Work History
    Workplace
    Workspace


    Interested in Publishing on The Business Idea?
    Send your query to the Publisher today!





    Get this business content for your website with our RSS Feed below!

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact
  • ads.txt