One of the hardest tasks for small businesses is making sure it has the skills and equipment on board to allow it to compete with other larger companies in the same field. Securing the funds to fill skills and equipment gaps can be especially difficult in the current market, with financial institutions still reluctant to lend. Over in the UK, many small businesses are undoubtedly thinking hard about the viability of employing extra staff before legislation that forces employment contributions to pensions comes into force.

One way of adding skills, resource and knowledge to a business of any size is through outsourcing. Outsourcing continues to be a business strategy employed by companies large and small and with careful research and the aid of competent partners it can add a lot of value to a business. Here we discuss three of the main sectors where outsourcing is sought by SME’s.

HR

When a small business first starts out, it’s often easy enough to handle the basics of hiring, firing, paying and training staff yourself, but as it expands legislation generally necessitates that you need a HR-savvy person to manage these activities for a growing team. Outsourcing some or all of your HR requirements not only removes the commitment and cost of employing a full-time person or team for the role, it also covers the cost of software and training. Firms like ADP in the US and Moorepay in the UK provide HR software and training and take over responsibility relating to updates and adherence to changing legislation. In the UK this is particularly relevant at the moment as HR departments manage the implementation of RTI PAYE.

IT

IT is an area that has long been outsourced within firms of all sizes, though recent reports suggest that it outsourcing in this area is not as prevalent as it once was. This is in part due to the constantly-changing nature of the IT landscape and the expense of training and employing staff compared to the ability to tap into skills via outsourcing. Whether you choose to select IT partners to service your IT needs and software or to provide equipment too, outsourcing IT can allow you to stay up-to-date with software and services for less. Be sure to check your IT outsource partner has the relevant insurances in place in order to protect you should they accidentally damage your IT systems and remember to review your requirements regularly to make sure outsourcing still represents the best deal for you and your company’s growth.

Marketing

From telesales to social media, once you move beyond the world of marketing your small business with leaflet drops and promotional pens it can be necessary to bring the experts on board. This may mean paying a specialist agency or individual a retainer for handling the full spectrum of marketing for your business, or bringing them in at key growth times to help expand the business and source clients. Telesales departments in particular are regularly outsourced and providing partners have sufficient knowledge of your business and you get access to people with the correct skills, outsourcing in this area can be a valuable investment.

Lucy Watson is an experienced marketer who has worked in specialist and integrated digital marketing agencies. She loves nothing more than talking about online strategy over a cup of tea and slice of cake.

Image courtesy Philip Taylor PT

The post Small Business Savings: 3 Sectors for Savvy Outsourcing appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.

Like the show? Please leave a rating on iTunes

Joel Comm, Entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author shares his insights on Twitter, AdSense, Google, making money online and social media. Joel describes the differences between Google AdSense and AdWords and how they can both be of benefit.  We learn some important facts about AdSense, which helps makes sense of it in an understandable way. Joel also discusses how to interact on Twitter as if it were the “water cooler”, which naturally creates a following, and we learn Joel’s opinion on how Google’s algorithm updates affect websites.

This episode also features Graphic Springs, a simple and intuitive web app that allows users to design their own professional looking logo in minutes.

Links mentioned in this episode include:
Subscribe to SBDIB show on iTunes
Get your own Live Stream with Ovaleye.tv
Cascade Valley Designs
Google Virtual Tour Example
JoelComm.com
TwitterPower.com
AdSense-Secrets.com
KaChingBook.com
TravelsWithSheila.com (Joel’s Mom’s website)
Google AdSense
GraphicSprings.com
Next week’s show info

The post Talking AdSense, Twitter, and Google, with Joel Comm appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.

Joel Comm is an entrepreneur, a four time NY Times bestselling author, and new media innovator. An expert on harnessing the power of social media and mobile applications to expand your brand’s reach and engage in active relationship marketing, Joel is a sought-after public speaker who leaves his audience inspired, entertained, and armed with strategic tools to create a new media campaign that will explode their business.

If you’re an entrepreneur you have most likely heard or read at least one of Joel’s books, including: The AdSense Code, Click Here to Order, Twitter Power 2.0 and KaChing.

Join Joel and Carissa live on tonight at 7pm PST/10pm EST right here at sbdib.com. We’ve also got live chat so you can ask Joel your questions!

The post Live Tonight: Joel Comm appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.

A business’ cash flow represents its lifeblood. Just as a typical complex organism won’t survive if blood isn’t pumped around its system sufficiently, so too will a business cease to exist if it doesn’t have a healthy cash flow.

In running a business, there are a number of measures entrepreneurs can take to free up cash flow and, ultimately, look towards growth and a brighter future.

The importance of sales

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, a business can always improve its marketing strategies. Good sales figures are essential, so see what you can come up with in the way of new directions for your marketing strategies. Analyze existing or previous marketing routes, and be honest about how helpful they were in driving sales. Identify the costly routes and ask yourself if they are the most fruitful. Often with marketing, business owners gain in accordance with how much they initially invest – but this isn’t an absolute.

Ask your family and friends for impartial, honest advice. Many business owners today also seek marketing ideas from their employees, who can be encouraged to interact via social networks to really engage closely with the customer base and push sales figures further.

With marketing, as with everything when it comes to improving cash flow, it’s all about getting as much as possible from initiatives while spending as little as is realistically possible.

Stay up to date – think prices and costs

Every once in a while, it’s good to take a moment to analyze your price list. Have a look round at the offerings of competitors and other business. Do your prices match up? Be honest with yourself, as always, about how much you’re asking for what you’re offering. People have come to expect jumps in prices every now and then, but don’t be too drastic if you think an increase is necessary – people may begin to look elsewhere, particularly if your prices are steep in regards to the industry standard.

Conversely, don’t be afraid to lower some of your prices – just be sure to widely advertise the fact that there’s been a price drop. If you can retain a decent profit margin while slightly lowering prices, you might actually experience greater footfall and cash flow.

Similarly, the business’ fixed costs need to be assessed. Unlike variable costs, which change month to month and depend largely on sales figures, fixed costs – as their name suggests – generally remain the same. They include overheads, such as staff pay and the rent paid for commercial space.

This is perhaps one of the most difficult areas in which to reduce expenditure, since rent is often non-negotiable and members of staff need to be paid. However, you might find the way you’re powering your business isn’t the most efficient. Look at your energy providers and see if you’re using the ones with the best deals.

Cross reference supplier prices

On a similar note, it also pays to check product and material suppliers, and see if you’re using the best available. Perhaps the biggest pitfall for an entrepreneur on this front is to see that a supplier has a range of the products needed – and then just order them all from the one company. While this is undoubtedly the easiest option, it could prove that you’re paying more for a certain item than you could be elsewhere. Put together a list of the top suppliers; check the prices of their products and delivery charges. Do your research by asking questions and reading reviews left on forums and other sites.

There are a ton of options open to entrepreneurs, and those discussed here represent only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to improving cash flow. In the simplest terms, it all comes down to being sure that one dollar spent equals two dollars returned – and improving that margin in the long run.

Gemma Cole works for PS Finance, an independent brokerage offering cash flow solutions such as invoice discounting and invoice factoring. PS Finance is based in Manchester, in the north west of England. For more information about the services PS Finance offers, visit www.psfinance.co.uk

Image courtesy Alan Cleaver

The post How to Improve Cash Flow and Unlock Growth appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.

Like the show? Please leave a rating on iTunes

Stacey Harris of Hit the Mic Marketing discusses the importance of one on one strategy sessions for businesses – there is not a solution that serves every small business. We also learn about Google Plus – what it is, how to use it and the benefits. Stacey also shares her social media pet peeves and all of the details about her upcoming webinar.

This episode also features Cuddletunes, as seen on Shark Tank. Cuddletunes has a real MP3 player and speakers sewn right inside! Play any MP3 music, plus your own recordings that you create using the easy Cuddletunes web site.

Links mentioned in this episode include:
Subscribe to SBDIB show on iTunes
Get your own Live Stream with Ovaleye.tv
HitTheMic.com
Hit the Mic on Google+
Hit the Mic on Facebook
Hit the Mic on Twitter
Small Businesses Do It Better on Google+
Cuddletunes.com
Next week’s show info

The post Social Media Marketing Insights: Google Plus, Facebook and LinkedIn (Ep. 62) appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.

One of my favorite online marketing ladies will be live on the show tonight! Stacey Harris, owner of Hit the Mic Marketing, will be available to answer your questions. Stacey finds the answers to small business owners questions about online marketing and makes sense of it all.

Stop by tonight at 7pm PST/10pm EST at live.smallbusinessesdoitbetter.com to ask Stacey your questions about marketing or entrepreneurship!

The post Live Tonight: Stacey Harris of Hit the Mic Marketing appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.

The out of the box business idea that you have in your mind might be tough to realize because of the start-up budget constraints. And, only if you could get the required help in the form of a small business loan to kick start your business, you feel you could do wonders. Well, there are umpteen possibilities and it is just a matter of choosing the best available funding option that suits your requirements. The difficult part; However, is how you go about securing these loans. The answer is, by taking a planned approach.

After the recession financial institutions have made the loan sanctioning procedures a little rigid and therefore the applicants are carefully scrutinized and even the slightest discrepancy in the credit worthiness could render the loan application rejected. Thus, extra care should be taken in preparing and presenting the loan application to the banks and prospective financial authorities.

The first step towards securing a start-up loan is to prepare a business plan. A well written business plan stating the nature of the business, funds required, budget allocation, future projections and profitability should be accompanied with the loan application. The loan officers would only consider your application if they have faith in the success of your business idea and they will appreciate if you tell them how their funds would be utilized.

Once you have your business plan ready you can explore multiple start-up funding options for you small business setup. You might even raise the required amount from multiple options if a single source of funding does not meet the complete finance. It is not at all bad idea to mix and fix your budgetary deficits. Deciding upon the type of loan you wish to seek is very important. A wrong choice might push you into a quagmire of financial instability in the long run.

Depending on the type and nature of business various options can be ploughed into. You might want to consider friends & family, angel investors or traditional banks, non-traditional sources etc. Federal government’s SBA (Small Business Administration), committed towards the promotion and development of small businesses in the country, and is a very good option for procuring loan guarantees. They come with low rate of interests and easy repayment options. The banks extend small business loans on the guarantees provided by the SBA on behalf of the loan seekers.

There are numerous banks and traditional lending institutions where you can apply for a start-up loan. The process of application has become easy with the advent of internet portals for these institutions. So, if you have a good credit history and your idea seems lucrative enough to earn these investors a handsome profit, they would not hesitate in sanctioning your loan proposal.

Thus, if your business plan emanates the vibe to grow and generate profits in the long run, securing a start-up business loan should not be a problem. Banks and other financial institutions would readily extend the much needed financial assistance for your start-up venture.

Image courtesy stevendepolo

Raj Tulsan is a small business consultant who has experience and expertise in handling business operations. He contributes with daily blogs and articles and does intense research by conducting interviews and on the spot news collection. More info about small business loans

The post How to Secure a Loan to Start a Business appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.

Like the show? Please leave a rating on iTunes

Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, founder of GLO Science, shares his entrepreneurial expertise about how to take a product to market from an idea and what type of people are needed to build a successful and effective team. Dr. Levine also explains the science behind his high tech and award winning teeth whitening system, GLO.

This episode also features Soap Time, a multimedia “Edutainment” experience of lights, music and fun facts to keep kids at the sink for 20 seconds, the proper time to ensure clean hands.

Both products featured in this episode are winners of a 2013 Edison Award, known around the world for recognizing and honoring innovation and excellence in the design, development, marketing and launch of new products and services.

Links mentioned in this episode include:
Subscribe to SBDIB show on iTunes
Get your own Live Stream with Ovaleye.tv
Get your FREE Small Business Credit Report
GLO Science.com
GLO on Facebook
GLO on Twitter
Dr. Jonathan B. Levine & Associates
Dr. Levine’s expert page on the Dr. Oz Show
Soap Time
Edison Awards
Next week’s show info

The post How to Build a Team to Build Your Business (Ep. 61) appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.

The results are in! This past weekend the 2013 Edison Awards winners were announced, and Small Businesses Do It Better is bringing them to you! The Edison Awards are known around the world for recognizing and honoring innovation and excellence in the design, development, marketing and launch of new products and services.

Gold winner in the Personal Care category, Everyday GLO, is an antioxidant and vitamin enriched formula will freshen breath, promote healthy gums and instantly add a high gloss shine to your smile. GLO Science founder, Dr. Jonathan B. Levine will join Carissa on tonight’s show.  GLO Science was also the 2012 Silver winner in the Personal Care category for the GLO Brilliant® Personal Teeth Whitening Device.

Tonight’s show will also feature the Bronze winner in the Cleaning Solutions category, Soap Time. SoapTime is a patented system that teaches children to properly wash hands. An engaging light and sound “experience” entertains for 20-seconds…which is the CDC’s recommended wash time.

Stop by live.smallbusinessesdoitbetter.com tonight at 7pm PST/10pm EST to ask Dr. Levine your questions and to hear more about GLO Science and Soap Time.

The post Live Tonight: Special Edison Awards Edition! appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.

It seems like technology is changing the role of the small business marketer almost daily. Marketing professionals not only have to understand branding and communication, but also must be well-versed in technology and the latest trends among a variety of mediums.

Even though customers don’t always see it, technology is influencing almost every marketing material including on-screen graphics (and augmented reality), in displays and on mobile devices, in video and through special deals delivered right to their inboxes.

Displays

One of the most obvious signs of technology in marketing is the emergence of digital display boards. Used both along roadways and in stores, these billboards allow for an ever-changing and instantly updated cycle of information. Digital display boards can allow advertisers to showcase daily specials at a restaurant or tell students what’s happening on campus that day. Unlike with traditional billboards, changing the message can be done quickly and in a cost-effective manner.

Printed displays are far from dead. Single-design displays are still the standard for many event promotions and on table tops at eateries. But more often they have interactive parts built into the design, including a QR code or link to a company website or social sharing services. Increasingly clubs and restaurants have table cards, for example, telling patrons to take pictures during events and share them online using a venue-specific hashtag.

Mobile

Mobile marketing is one of the fastest growing sectors for small business marketing. More than 69 percent of mobile phone users access the Internet daily, according to Google, making it vital for marketers to take advantage of this platform.

Designing for mobile is a must. Marketers can engage customers and take advantage of mobile marketing by incorporating QR codes into printed products such as postcards and posters to encourage people to snap the code and find out more about a product or event or download a specific app.

Another popular mobile trend is the gamification of marketing tools; the number of restaurants using apps to log checkins, for example, is gaining popularity. Customers can earn discounts or badges for visiting or tagging a business through popular social sharing applications, such as Facebook, Foursquare or Twitter.

Images and Augmented Reality

Marketers can take great photos and video without a great deal of expensive equipment or editing tools. From a six-second clip on Vine to a product photo on Instagram, marketers can jump on trends and showcase products with ease.

These tools also allow small businesses to take advantage of augmented reality, which allows for the virtual world to become one with real life. Augmented reality has been used for years as the yellow first-down line during football games on television; it is so commonplace, it almost becomes part of the field. More recently, IKEA has created a mobile app that allows users to see how certain pieces of furniture would look in their own homes by combining users’ photos with store images.

Special Deals

Small business marketers are also using technology to deliver information to the inboxes of customers daily. From sale alerts – mobile notifications and email messages – to coupons and informational videos, email is one of the most popular marketing tools. This same philosophy is quickly expanding to include text messages as well.

For small businesses, emails and texts are inexpensive and offer quantifiable results. Add in location-based tools, and marketers can connect with customers in real time, making it easy to control content and target delivery.

This post is from Brandon Serna, a small business writer working with FASTSIGNS, a leader in signage, digital billboards and many other visual communications around the world.

Image courtesy BuzzFarmers

The post How Technology is Influencing Small Business Marketing appeared first on Small Businesses Do It Better.