Addicted to the Internet?

Remember when there were all those articles about being addicted to the internet?

No one is talking about that now, are they?

Why? Because most people have gotten over the novelty of being so connected by internet and realize we have to interact in real life too.

Touching people in a real way includes the internet. It’s not offline or online, it’s both.

How can you do more to stay connected both ways?

How does your business stay connected  without over-communication?

I want to hear your ideas!

How to Stay Motivated in Your Business!

Whether you are a new or experienced business owner, it may seem difficult to remain committed and keep your nose to the grindstone at times. Nonetheless, one of the most determining factors to your success is simply sticking with it, so here are a few simple tips to staying motivated in running your own business to get you started!

1. Evaluate your competition. This may seem like it could be incredibly discouraging if many of your competitors are doing better than you, but on the flipside, they may also be having a slow quarter with low sales. If you can look across your niche market and put into perspective how your competition is performing, you will have a better idea of where you are at. If for some reason your results are subpar, be gentle with yourself, and take that as an opportunity to learn and grow to measure up to your competitors.
2. Remember what you are there for. There is no better way to get motivated than to think of why you started your business in the first place! If you used to work as a waitress before branching out on your own online venture, you can thank your lucky stars that you have the opportunity to be your own boss and no longer have to serve burgers to customers. Even if you were top in your field in a corporation, starting your own business gives you the opportunity to be financially independent, make your own hours, and pursue your passions. That in itself is pure motivation.
3. Look for a mentor or advisor. This is fantastic help if you feel that you are hitting a wall in your business. There are always people out there that are farther along on their journey than you are, so be open to advice, encouragement, and guidance. Of course, make sure that the person that you go to truly knows what they are doing in your industry. If you have an affiliate marketing business that you are hoping to grow, you want your mentor to be specifically experienced with that to give you insider advice and tips.

The bottom line is to simply not give up. Starting your own business is the opportunity to pursue your dreams and have even more freedom, but it does take determination and drive. You can do it!
BY Chuggin McCoffee
For a great selection of all things coffee, check out Chuggin McCoffee’s website, The Coffee Bump.

Taking Your Small Business To The Next Level

 

Entrepreneurship continues to grow rampantly around the world and particularly in the United States of America. One of its key states, California continues to be a vibrant entrepreneurial hub. By 2016, California had over 3.8 million small businesses,  employing over 49 percent of California’s workforce. The business life cycle tells us that every business eventually reaches a crossroads. The time comes where small businesses must decide whether and when to take the big leap and step up their business. If you are a small business owner, here are some signs that may be telling you it is time to consider a step forward.

Signs It Is Time To Expand

Your resource capacity is stretched thin. This may apply to your machinery and production capacity or even to the human resources in your small business. Perhaps labor is being overworked and demand is growing. Fears are rising about meeting the order quantities and as your customer base grows, so should your business.

Speaking of demand, it may be time to expand, if your market or industry is growing,

 Even if you choose to secure external finance for your expansion plans, you want a steady positive cash flow to be assured you can afford the repayments and cost of finance. A steady stream also indicates your business is relatively stable; one year of great profits does not necessarily mean it is a good idea to expand. Be sure to look at your income over at least three years.

Now that you have an idea of the indicators that it is time to expand your business, how can you actually expand? There are many avenues and they do not all have to be drastic and overwhelming. Here are three ways and how to finance it.

Expand Your Capacity

One of the more common ways to step up your business is to increase your resources. This can mean several things including securing a larger business premises, expanding your workforce or upgrading your machinery.This can be tricky however and requires due diligence and research. Be sure to establish that the conditions that are conducive to your expanded capacity are present.

These options for growth can be substantial and require financing. If you are looking to secure a better property or to move your small business from your home into its first office, you will be looking at substantial expenditure. Your options for purchase can be either leasing or choosing to purchase the building. As with your home, mortgages or business loans may be needed to complete your purchase. You’ll need to calculate how much you can borrow as a commercial mortgage 

hen planning your expansion, which will give you an idea of the monthly payments your business will need to cover each month. This is where your income stream comes in useful.

Don’t Go It Alone

Many small businesses have the misconception that they need to build their business alone. This is not true. Exploring agreements and partnerships with other businesses both in your industry and in complementary industries can be beneficial for your future in many ways. A great benefit of this option of growth is the reduced scale of financing needed. Having a partner business splits the costs attached to the expansion. Having partnerships with more visible businesses will not only get your product out there but also boosts your own visibility and brand at the same time.

Go Digital

Keeping up with the digital and technological shift is quickly becoming essential to any business wanting increased visibility. Having a digital presence comes with many benefits and minimal costs compared to other options. This is a great way to drive demand for your products and boost your brand name. By employing an interactive website and social media tools, your can get your customer base growing in no time. It does not require a dedicated office space either, with many startups and home businesses utilized online selling platforms such as Etsy to get their business started or to go national. Financing for digital expansions tend to be less and can be supported by retained profits. If you are seeking external finance, a marketing and business expansion plan is important for your interview.

« Previous Page — Next Page »