Business Plan: Operations Part II ~ Technology

Technology plans are no longer only necessary for service or technology businesses. Technology is a major part of every business and industry. Companies will have varying dependence upon technology depending on their product, service, and access to resources. Every business must spend time brainstorming, then outlining the role that technology will have in daily business operations. 

The Technology Plan of any business plan should address the following: 

• Specific technology the business will use to operate
• The cost of the technology
• What the technology will be used for -- customer interaction, manufacturing, producing services, marketing products or services, etc
• Cost of the technology (fixed and variable) based on use

How to choose technology:

• Cost
• Effectiveness
• Ease-of-use for internal and external users
• Easy integration into existing processes / technologies
• Savings for company time
• Efficiency 
• Ability to be upgraded or expanded based on demands of company
• **Ease of replacing parts and ongoing maintenance of system**
• SECURITY

Technology is here to stay and businesses unable to adapt or streamline processes through technology will be left behind in sales, competition, and growth. Technology enables companies to efficiently operate businesses and sell more with less effort. It is useful in every department of a company from financial accountability and human resources management to inventory control and marketing. 

Choosing technology is not as easy as it was in times past as the market has grown exponentially. Choosing proper technology will require research and even trial and error at times. When presenting technology purchases to senior management, loan officers, or anyone else able to give funds, justification for the purchases should be foremost. How will the purchase of the technology ultimately effect the bottom line, net income? There should be tangible results available and efficiency in processes directly related to the purchase of technology. Technology gives us the ability to perform essential and recreational functions more efficiently, more quickly, and easier.

Questions to consider:

1. How will the purchase of the technology increase productivity?
2. Will I save time or money buy purchasing this technology?
3. Is the technology easy to use for myself? Easy to train others how to use?
4. How long can I use this technology with my current technology? Will purchasing this technology require me to have to replace other technologies and increase cost? 
5. Will purchasing this technology save money by eliminating time intensive processes? How?
6. If I was unable to receive funding for this technology -- how efficient would my business run?
7. Is this technology a requirement for business or an enhancement?
8. What type of skill sets will my workforce need to operate this technology?
9. If something replaced this technology within 2 years, would this purchase increase sales to cover new technology purchases?
10. How will using this technology give me an advantage against competitors?
11. How will clients respond to the changes in operation by implementing this technology?
12. When can I expect to see positive cash flow after the purchase of this technology?
13. What impact would this technology have on the need for human resources within the company...increase or decrease?
14. If I had to operate without this technology, could I?
15. Do I have emergency funds available in case the technology goes out unexpectedly?

As more brick and mortars transition online to increase their client base, they should be aware of the cost, implementation, and dependence their companies will have on technology. Making purchases without full understanding can result in waste of time and resources. Informed business owners are better positioned to make good decisions regarding technology and be ahead of the curve in most instances. 

Technology consultant costs must be considered as well because of the constant evolution of technology. Once a business transitions and becomes more dependent on laptops, tablets, and business software, there is no going back. Companies must be able to consult with experts when they are unable to make informed decisions. Include this in the technology plan as well. 

ChrissyBiz Solutions provides clients with customized, results-driven web marketing strategies. Our primary business writing duties include: article marketing,  search engine optimized web copy, blog content, social media, press releases, and newsletters  designed to drive traffic to your website and influence buyers decisions when purchasing products and services.

Contact ChrissyBiz today to discuss the impact that web marketing copy can have on your business.

What Can You Learn From Your Competitor?

Learning from the competition is an advantage to any business in any industry. Doing a little research on their background and studying their habits will net more knowledge than most two year college degrees. Let's look at Google and Yahoo for an example. Yahoo! dominated the search engine and web presence industry for a long while. But when Google came on the scene, they provided everything that Yahoo! had not noticed was in demand. They also recognized avenues to produce revenue that had been overlooked.

Here are a few tactics businesses can use to turn their competitors into educators:

• Study how effectively they reach their target market and the strengths of their approach to meeting customers needs
• Perform a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis on their product or service 
• Stay abreast of press coverage and their community involvement, donations, and charitable causes and overall attitude towards social responsibility
• Set a goal to learn not criticize, being objective and implementing strategy that will yield results
• Read their blogs and social media sites to glean any helpful advice they may offer
• Take a step back from the business mindset long enough to be a consumer and assess room for improvement
• Make a list of why a customer would choose your competitor over you
• What does the competitor supply that the market demands?
• What does the competitor lack that the market demands?
• What processes could your business benefit from?
• Look at price -- would adjusting prices cause customers to perceive more value from your company or feel overcharged?
• What type of overhead could be cut out from company expenses?

Continue reading on Examiner.com 

ChrissyBiz Solutions provides clients with customized, results-driven web marketing strategies. Our primary business writing duties include: article marketing,  search engine optimized web copy, blog content, social media, press releases, and newsletters  designed to drive traffic to your website and influence buyers decisions when purchasing products and services.

Contact ChrissyBiz today to discuss the impact that web marketing copy can have on your business.

Local Contractor Accused of Theft, Five Quick Tips to Avoid Contracting Pitfalls

"It could happen to anyone" is a common phrase when discussing business deals that go sour or contracts that are not fulfilled. Local contractor Bruce Randoll Merryman  of a Helotes-based construction firm is facing 20 years in prison if found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, for misappropriation of funds paid to him, and failing to hold up his end of the contract. There are at least four customers lined up to add credibility to a claim that he received payment in excess of $48,000 for a project he never completed. 

Continue reading on Examiner.com.

ChrissyBiz Solutions provides clients with customized, results-driven web marketing strategies. Our primary business writing duties include: article marketing,  search engine optimized web copy, blog content, social media, press releases, and newsletters  designed to drive traffic to your website and influence buyers decisions when purchasing products and services.

Contact ChrissyBiz today to discuss the impact that web marketing copy can have on your business.

How To Position Yourself and Promote Your Product or Service with a Press Release

Press Releases are a way to notify the public of what is going on and give them access to information that would otherwise be a secret. Is your product, service, or expertise a secret? You can begin to use the same power in the press release for your product or service, event, or promotion. The problem is that we see so many "less than newsworthy" releases that we may tend to forget the necessity and advantage of them. They serve many purposes for many people, but here I will write about positioning yourself as an expert as well as promoting your product or service with a release. Obvious promotion of yourself is not allowed in a good release. However, well written press releases dispense information that can be consumed by your target market, and leaves them with the impression that you are the best person to solicit for their needs.

Position Yourself

Your press release is one of many, so what makes you the person capable and sought-after for the product or service you are writing about? You must position yourself as an expert. This takes time and will not come overnight, but you can do it with proper preparation, educating yourself on your product or service, and commitment to endure all obstacles or setbacks.

Writing articles and blogs about your product or service will help establish you as an expert. Interacting on social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn will also help. You can use these platforms to answer questions, find out what your market is interested in learning about, and common questions / issues associated with it. Stay updated with all news related to your product or service via newsletters, Google Alerts, or any other type of news outlet. 

Gathering this information will help you come up with a relevant press release campaign that not only displays your knowledge and skills, but also gives prospective clients information they are already seeking. Creating content within your releases that pertains to already needed information is a traffic generator as well. People are interested in concise, relevant information about their topics of interests; press releases provide the medium and you provide the information they need. 

Promote Your Product or Service

You have all of the information you need for your target market, and you know that press releases are a cost effective and efficient way to give them the information. The next step is to promote that product or service without being pushy, or sounding like the neighborhood used car salesman. How do you sell something without selling something?

• First you will  target the release to the audience that would benefit from your product or service. Do not be general or attempt to gain everyone's attention. You know who you are aiming at, so talk directly to them!
• Next, present the need that your product or service will meet. This could be as simple as writing about how oil changes will extend the life of an engine to sell your new oil change package, or writing about the necessity for proper grammar when speaking to people in public. You must present the need so you can present the solution. 
• Be sure that the need is related to what you are selling and that you can easily tie in your solution to the need. You must not forget that this is a news release, so it must be newsworthy. The best way to get newsworthy ideas is to peruse the internet or your local news to see where the need is, what people are writing and asking about, and how you can respond to their need. For example, if you live in a community where there is a recent spike in head lice, you can write about your hair salon and how the shampoo used is effective in killing lice. What about a laundry detergent that can aid in the eradication of the bugs eggs in the sheets? Get creative but remember that people want news, something that will help, and ultimately a problem solver.
• Incorporate quotes, research or other interesting information that adds credibility to your claim. If your shampoo will kill the above mentioned lice bugs, why should anyone believe you? Can you offer a guarantee?
• Make sure the release is no shorter than 3 complete paragraphs before the "About Company" section, and no more than a standard page in length. With all of the information available online, people will likely skim the information and move on if they don't find anything interesting. Remember your browsing habits online.

ChrissyBiz Solutions provides clients with customized, results-driven web marketing strategies. Our primary business writing duties include: article marketing,  search engine optimized web copy, blog content, social media, press releases, and newsletters  designed to drive traffic to your website and influence buyers decisions when purchasing products and services.

Contact ChrissyBiz today to discuss the impact that web marketing copy can have on your business.

Twitter Pitfalls, Marketing Mistakes, & Annoying Habits

Twitter is great for business! No doubt about that. Personally, I have been able to meet more than 50% of new clients via twitter without soliciting them in any way. But it can also be a nightmare if you are not careful. Here are some common mistakes I have found (and even participated in before I knew better):

• No Bio -- How can people accurately list you or utilize you as a valuable resource if you don't even tell them what you do from the beginning. Be as specific as possible. Most followers will not even click your link if they don't know what you do.
• Misleading Bio -- Your bio says you are a marketer, but your link goes to a dating site. This will get you blocked and reported for spam in most cases, especially by professionals who take their pages seriously and have tied it to measurable marketable gains.
• Not Reciprocating RT's -- When someone RT's your link or quote, at least be kind enough to acknowledge it or reciprocate it in the near future. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you tweeters.
• Inciting Fear or Negativity -- You want people to utilize your services or buy your products because it solves a problem they have or adds value to them. Writing negative tweets or inciting fear in your followers in very 20th century and does not work. 
• Sporadic Tweeting -- If you are not tweeting on a normal schedule, you are more likely to be unfollowed. If your last tweet was 2 months ago and the next time you tweet is to push your product...no one is listening. Engage. Interact. Be genuine.
• Not Following Back -- Major pet peeve here as it shows your immediate lack of interest in your follower. They know you cannot even see what they tweet, therefore the chances of you responding or purchasing their product or service is very low. I personally find it a tad rude and "snooty."
• Ignoring DM's or Replies -- We know your account is probably automated, but check your inbox from time to time and respond back in a timely manner.

I could go on and on, but I am interested in what YOU find annoying on twitter. We can all learn from one another, so share your thoughts in the comments section below.

ChrissyBiz Solutions provides clients with customized, results-driven web marketing strategies. Our primary business writing duties include: article marketing,  search engine optimized web copy, blog content, social media, press releases, and newsletters  designed to drive traffic to your website and influence buyers decisions when purchasing products and services.

Contact ChrissyBiz today to discuss the impact that web marketing copy can have on your business.

Marketing Plan How To | Business Plan Component

If you can recall, I wrote about the different plans that when put together make up your successful business plan. Inclusive in this is the Marketing Plan which details how you plan to get the word out about your new business venture. There should be a clear message and direction in your plan and the following considerations are important to constructing a good marketing plan:

• How will you inform people about your business?
• What message are you trying to convey to your target market after you get their attention?
• Specify the methods, technology, and resources you will use to deliver and reinforce your marketing message
• How will you secure actual sales with this marketing plan?